Welcome back to Under the Dome, your weekly update on the goings-on of the Missouri state legislature.
Legislators spin wheels on legislation that would hurt their own constituents, file frivolous lawsuits
This week seemed like an epic battle over control as legislators set their sights anywhere but where voters seem to need or want them.
A House bill introduced by Rep. Jamie Ray Gragg, R-Ozark, would put teachers on the sex offender registry if they “contribute to the social transition of a trans youth,” including using their pronouns or expressing support for their gender expression through haircuts or clothes. That’s right – complimenting a kid’s outfit could mark you as a sex offender under the language of H.B. 2885.
Defunding Planned Parenthood for work they don’t do
Meanwhile, the Missouri House gave initial approval to legislation that would halt public funding, including Medicaid reimbursements, for any facilities and their affiliates that provide abortions. That would render Planned Parenthood without funding even though the organization doesn’t perform abortions in Missouri, as required by law. The legislation would curtail what the organization IS doing, such as providing essential reproductive health services like contraceptive access and cancer screenings, on which thousands of Missourians depend.
Using doctored videos as “evidence”
Unelected Attorney General Andrew Bailey piled this week on by filing a lawsuit against Planned Parenthood, using as evidence a staged, edited video from right-wing Project Veritas. The video from the conservative news organization founded in 2010 claims to show the illegal transport of teens out of state for abortions. Planned Parenthood maintains the “evidence” has been highly doctored and edited.
Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, told the Missouri Independent that Bailey tweeted about the lawsuit before it was officially filed in the courthouse.
“This is a press release dressed up as legal action from an unelected attorney general,” Wales said. “It is based on ‘evidence’ from fraudulent, extreme anti-abortion actors, who claim to be ‘journalists.’”
KKK is in the GOP house
Finally, this week the Riverfront Times broke a shameful story that a man with a history of “honorary” membership in the Klu Klux Klan not only managed to make it on the unofficial ballot to be the Republican nominee for Missouri governor but may even appear atop the official ballot when GOP voters vote in the primary this August.
Those revelations came to light last night when former Missouri Representative Shamed Dogan (R-Ballwin) tweeted out a screenshot showing the unofficial candidate filing list for Governor posted to the Secretary of State’s website. On it, Darrell Leon McClanahan III’s name sits atop more well-known GOP contenders like Mike Kehoe and Jay Ashcroft.
Welcome back to Under the Dome, your weekly update on the goings-on of the Missouri state legislature.
Majority rule under threat as resolution stripping voters of rights moves to House
This week, the Missouri Senate moved forward legislation that would end majority rule in Missouri, taking away rights that Missourians have utilized for more than 100 years to keep legislators accountable and advance legislation favored by voters.
Thanks to a strong pushback by key legislators, Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman’s SJR74 was stripped of “ballot candy.” The resolution now moves to the House for debate, where extreme politicians are threatening to return “ballot candy,” a blatant admission of resorting to trickery to steamroll their permanent plans to take voters’ rights.
Coleman speaking about purposefully including “ballot candy” in SJR74 on the floor of the Missouri Senate, via Missouri Senate Communications video.
The resolution approved in the Senate would require what’s called a concurrent majority, meaning that in addition to passing the entire state, any constitutional ballot issue would also need to be approved by a majority vote in five of the state’s eight congressional districts. According to an analysis from the Missouri Independent, as few as 23% of voters – a majority in the four districts with the lowest number of voters in 2020 and 2022 – could defeat a statewide ballot measure.
The legislature continues to ignore public outcry to their plans to end majority rule, which has been overwhelming and bipartisan.
Progress MO is calling on Missourians from all parts of the state to urgently contact their legislators to demand that they vote no on these efforts to dismantle majority rule and seize their rights in Missouri.
Freedom Caucus members smear KC dad, spread fear and hate
Denton Loudermill and his family in their neighborhood, via family photo shared with the Kansas City Star.
This week also featured continued swamp creature behavior from the “Freedom” Caucus when members and the Caucus’s own social media channels were caught falsely accusing a KC dad of being a mass shooter and illegal immigrant.
Three Missouri lawmakers shared posts with a photo of a man that claimed him as one of the suspects in the mass shooting, which killed one person and injured more than 20 people. The post not only smeared an innocent man but also falsely fueled illegal immigration fears.
Asked for an apology, lawmakers instead doubled down. As reported in the Kansas City Star, Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville and chair of the hard-right Missouri Freedom Caucus, refused to apologize or even recognize that they did anything wrong.
“I’m not even commenting on that,” Brattin told the Kansas City Star. “That’s not even part of the discussion.”
When pressed, Brattin signaled that he didn’t think his false post was worth an apology.
“There’s nothing that I even see – even worth that,” he said. “So we’ve done nothing. And, you know, I have no comment.”
House Speaker under fire for yet another scandal
Finally, this week the St. Louis Post-Dispatch exposed that so-called “lifelong conservative” Dean Plocher doubled his office’s payroll in the past five years while embroiled in a series of ongoing scandals.
After firing two of his employees and watching as another resigned amid a midterm shake-up, the embattled House Speaker is overseeing an office payroll that could cost taxpayers double the amount it under then-Speaker Elijah Haahr in February 2020.
According to payroll records provided by the House human resources office, the annual payroll for the speaker’s office as of Feb. 1 was $746,427, compared to $495,832 in his maiden year as the leader of the Legislature’s lower chamber.
Welcome back to Under the Dome, your weekly update on the goings-on of the Missouri state legislature.
Extremist politicians take a break from lying about majority rule to lie about gun violence culpability
Missouri politicians took a mid-week break from dismantling democracy as we know it to celebrate Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs. When violence broke out in downtown KC – leaving one dead and at least 23 shot – they then doubled down that guns are not the problem in Missouri – instead blaming “thugs.”
The problem? You can dehumanize someone by calling them a “thug,” but those thugs can still get guns and conceal them with ease.
As reported in the Kansas City Star, Missouri law allows people to carry concealed weapons without a permit. In recent years, lawmakers have lowered the age to have a concealed weapon to 19. And cities and counties are severely restrained in their power to set their own firearms regulations.
Before even getting to prayers and casseroles, Sen. Bill Eigel, a Weldon Springs Republican, said “liberal gun grabbers” would not prevail. “NOT IN MISSOURI,” he wrote. Thankfully for the rest of us, MISSOURI DOES NOT BELONG TO BILL EIGEL. It belongs to the people of this state, and we can unite to demand sensible gun laws that could make tragedies like occurred Wednesday less likely to happen.
Ballot candy = blatant trickery
Meanwhile, Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman gave initiative petition supporters the gift that keeps giving when she said out loud a truth that most politicians would keep quiet: she conceded that “there is absolutely ballot candy” in her resolution to end majority rule in Missouri and strip citizens of their rights.
Her resolution was criticized on the Senate floor for using “ballot candy” to attract voters because it also asks voters to forbid foreign citizens from voting in U.S. elections, SOMETHING ALREADY FORBIDDEN.
As shared with ABC17, everyone knows why this resolution is loaded with ballot candy. Missourians hate these plans to end majority rule. Politicians are going to try every trick they can to distract and confuse us from their real agenda.Efforts stalled on moving Coleman’s measure forward, but the debate will continue next week. How does her resolution end majority rule? An analysis of voting patterns by The Missouri Independent shows that using congressional districts for the concurrent majority requirement means as few as 23% of voters could defeat a measure that has otherwise overwhelming support. That is half the vote in four of the state’s eight congressional districts.
The fighting started when Freedom Caucus members attempted to bypass regular Senate rules to pass legislation ending majority rule on initiative petitions. 25 Senators voted against the rule change, and the Freedom Caucus launched into a filibuster. After 11 hours of insults and threats, the Senate dismissed without taking action on any legislation.
At the end of the night, Senate President Caleb Rowden, a Republican from Columbia, said “This is unequivocally, without a doubt, the worst show of bad faith, or the biggest show of bad faith, I have ever seen in my life.”
Legislative committee hears bills that would make it almost impossible for trans people to exist
Last year, the Missouri legislature attacked trans kids, banning life saving gender-affirming health care. They’re poised to not only continue those attacks – but expand the target to adults.
This past Wednesday, a legislative committee debated seven bills attacking trans Missourians. Some bills would make the ban on gender-affirming care permanent, while others would bar adults from using certain restrooms. One bill would even ban definitions of gender that are contrary to definitions of biological sex, writing trans Missourians out of the law entirely.
As 2023 comes to a close, Progress Missouri wanted to reflect on the year in Missouri politics: the good, the bad and the ugly.
There were some standout moments, each as unique as the stars in the sky – or the zodiac signs’ personalities.
Read on to find out which Missouri political moment best exemplified your star sign this year!
Aries: Bill Eigel’s Staged “Book Burning”
Aries are the first fire sign of the zodiac: they’re bold, confident and fiercely competitive. They’re also impulsive, and often respond with emotion instead of logic.
Enter Bill Eigel’s staged book burning from earlier this year. In a bid for attention on his longshot gubernatorial campaign, State Sen. Eigel burned boxes with a flamethrower, saying when he became governor he would burn books “on the front lawn of the governor’s mansion.”
Taurus: The Most Unproductive Legislative Session In MO History
Tauruses are known for their dedication and resolve, but sometimes that dedication appears as stubbornness.
Geminis are communicators at heart – they love to text, talk and tweet. But the more online you are, the more likely you are to screw something up. When Gemini missteps, they’re happy to just … move on.
Leo: AG Bailey’s Desperate Attempts To Make Headlines
Leo might be one of the most recognizable zodiac signs, in part because they’re always trying to get in the spotlight! For Leos, it’s easy to be the center of attention because of their natural charisma.
Virgos are diligent and methodical perfectionists. They have high expectations and can be critical of others if they’re not careful. Because they are perfectionists, they often believe they know what’s best for everyone, and they’re not afraid to call you out if you step out of line.
This year, the Missouri state legislators took drastic measures in their attempts to force us to do what they want us to do. They considered laws banning birth control for low-income Missourians and tried to bring an end to majority rule. The legislature would benefit from trusting that Missourians know what is best for their communities and letting go of their control issues.
Libra: Mitt Romney’s Scathing Commentary On Josh Hawley
Libras are natural diplomats and peacekeepers – but they also love a good gossip sesh every now and again.
Sagittarius: Bill Eigel’s Insane Pre-Filed Bills For 2024
Sagittarius is known for being multifaceted and extremely passionate. Sagittarians are natural entertainers, but struggle with practicality and commitment.
Aquarius: Missourians Fighting Back Against Politicians Who Want To End Majority Rule
Aquarians are known for their rebellious streak: more than any other sign, they crave the freedom to make their own decisions. Plus, they’re natural humanitarians, passionate about fighting to make the world a better place.
Early next year, Pluto will enter Aquarius, symbolizing a new era of transformation. Pluto in Aquarius represents humanity and serving the common good. We’re dealing with big stuff here: changing power dynamics and developing empowerment as a community. That sounds great for everyone in Missouri who is over the status quo.
Welcome back to Under the Dome, your weekly update on the goings-on of the Missouri state legislature.
Starting December 1, Missouri’s state legislators started pre-filing bills ahead of the 2024 legislative session. While legislators won’t officially reconvene under the dome until January 3, the bills they’ve filed so far make it clear: the roadmap for 2024 includes getting rid of your voice and your freedoms.
Attacks On Majority Rule
Once again, the legislature is coming for your voice. Last year, legislators spent months debating how exactly they wanted to abolish majority rule in passing constitutional amendments. By filing nearly 20 bills targeting the initiative petition process in the first week of pre-filing, legislators have made it clear they don’t care what Missourians want.
Cuts To Public Education Funding
Missouri has gotten national attention this year for its abysmal teacher pay and school funding. In 2024, the state legislature plans to pour gas on the fire by expanding voucher programs and charter schools. These bills would take money away from chronically underfunded public schools and give it to private institutions that don’t have to follow the same rules.
Bringing Back Right-to-Work
In 2018, Missourians voted to get rid of “right-to-work” laws, which would make it harder for working Missourians to advocate for fair and safe working conditions. But since our politicians don’t care what Missourians want, they’ve decided to bring it back.
Before the House committee investigating Plocher reconvenes Dec. 6, here’s a debrief on what’s happened so far.
Plocher Threatened To Fire An Employee For Exposing His Government Contract Scheme
As previously reported by the Missouri Independent, Plocher committed “unethical and perhaps unlawful conduct” in seeking an expensive government contract that could benefit elected officials running for office. Then, he announced his own campaign for Lieutenant Governor.
Plocher Used Campaign Funds To Pay For Travel, Lied About It, And Got The State To Reimburse His Campaign
Plocher used taxpayer dollars to reimburse his campaign nine times since taking office in 2018. He signed sworn affidavits saying he had used personal funds, not campaign funds, to pay for travel when seeking reimbursement – a blatant lie. These illegal reimbursements could violate both state and federal law.
Plocher Fired His Chief of Staff – And Replaced Him With A Criminal
After the two ethics violations above and extensive public pressure, the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into Plocher.
7. Radical Politicians Banned And Threatened To Burn Books
Missouri was named number one for school censorship earlier this year after the state successfully banned more than 300 books from libraries. Not long after, State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Bill Eigel posted a video of him using a flamethrower to burn boxes, saying if he was elected he would burn books on the front lawn of the Governor’s mansion.
6. Missouri Kids Were Granted Complete and Total Access To Guns Unsupervised
House Ethics Committee MUST Investigate Speaker Dean Plocher For His Repeated Violations of the Law
On September 22, reports by the Missouri Independent revealed that Speaker of the Missouri House Dean Plocher, a Republican representative from Des Peres, had committed “unethical and perhaps unlawful conduct” in seeking an expensive government contract that could benefit elected officials running for office.
Missourians were still reeling from an elected official and statewide political candidate breaking the law when the Missouri Independent published another devastating report revealing that Plocher had broken the law multiple times.
New Report Shows Plocher Used Campaign Funds To Pay For Travel, Lied About It, And Got The State To Reimburse His Campaign
According to the Missouri Independent,
On at least nine occasions since 2018, Plocher spent campaign money [on travel expenses] and then also sought reimbursement from the legislature…
In each instance, Plocher was required to sign a sworn statement declaring that he had used “personal funds” to pay the expenses.
Campaign and legal experts interviewed by The Independent say an elected official is allowed to use campaign money for official business. Or, they can use personal money and then request reimbursement from the state.
But doing both could violate state and federal law.
Plocher took money from Missouri taxpayers to reimburse his campaign and lied about it. And it may have broken several laws.
Tell Your Legislators – Plocher Is No Longer Fit For Office
We can work together to get the legislature to investigate Plocher’s illegal activity, force him to resign as Representative and Speaker, and withdraw from his run for Lieutenant Governor.
