{"id":975,"date":"2024-12-23T17:40:25","date_gmt":"2024-12-23T17:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progressmo.com\/?p=936"},"modified":"2024-12-23T17:40:25","modified_gmt":"2024-12-23T17:40:25","slug":"the-bluebird-december-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gallant-mclaren.18-188-198-158.plesk.page\/index.php\/2024\/12\/23\/the-bluebird-december-12\/","title":{"rendered":"The Bluebird &#8211; December 12"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional \/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/xhtml1\/DTD\/xhtml1-transitional.dtd\">\n<html xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xhtml\" xmlns:v=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml\" xmlns:o=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office\">\n<head>\n<!--[if gte mso 9]>\n<xml>\n  <o:OfficeDocumentSettings>\n    <o:AllowPNG\/>\n    <o:PixelsPerInch>96<\/o:PixelsPerInch>\n  <\/o:OfficeDocumentSettings>\n<\/xml>\n<![endif]-->\n  <meta http-equiv=\"Content-Type\" content=\"text\/html; charset=UTF-8\">\n  <meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0\">\n  <meta name=\"x-apple-disable-message-reformatting\">\n  <!--[if !mso]><!--><meta http-equiv=\"X-UA-Compatible\" content=\"IE=edge\"><!--<![endif]-->\n  <title><\/title>\n\n    <style type=\"text\/css\">\n\n      @media only screen and (min-width: 620px) {\n        .u-row {\n          width: 600px !important;\n        }\n\n        .u-row .u-col {\n          vertical-align: top;\n        }\n\n\n            .u-row .u-col-100 {\n              width: 600px !important;\n            }\n\n      }\n\n      @media only screen and (max-width: 620px) {\n        .u-row-container {\n          max-width: 100% !important;\n          padding-left: 0px !important;\n          padding-right: 0px !important;\n        }\n\n        .u-row {\n          width: 100% !important;\n        }\n\n        .u-row .u-col {\n          display: block !important;\n          width: 100% !important;\n          min-width: 320px !important;\n          max-width: 100% !important;\n        }\n\n        .u-row .u-col > div {\n          margin: 0 auto;\n        }\n\n\n        .u-row .u-col img {\n          max-width: 100% !important;\n        }\n\n}\n\nbody{margin:0;padding:0}table,td,tr{border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:top}p{margin:0}.ie-container table,.mso-container table{table-layout:fixed}*{line-height:inherit}a[x-apple-data-detectors=true]{color:inherit!important;text-decoration:none!important}\n\n\ntable, td { color: #000000; } #u_body a { color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline; }\n    <\/style>\n\n\n\n<\/head>\n\n<body class=\"clean-body u_body\" style=\"margin: 0;padding: 0;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;background-color: #ffffff;color: #000000\">\n  <!--[if IE]><div class=\"ie-container\"><![endif]-->\n  <!--[if mso]><div class=\"mso-container\"><![endif]-->\n  <table id=\"u_body\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;table-layout: fixed;border-spacing: 0;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;vertical-align: top;min-width: 320px;Margin: 0 auto;background-color: #ffffff;width:100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n  <tr style=\"vertical-align: top\">\n    <td style=\"word-break: break-word;border-collapse: collapse !important;vertical-align: top\">\n    <!--[if (mso)|(IE)]><table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td align=\"center\" style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\"><![endif]-->\n\n\n\n<div class=\"u-row-container\" style=\"padding: 0px;background-color: transparent\">\n  <div class=\"u-row\" style=\"margin: 0 auto;min-width: 320px;max-width: 600px;overflow-wrap: break-word;word-wrap: break-word;word-break: break-word;background-color: transparent;\">\n    <div style=\"border-collapse: collapse;display: table;width: 100%;height: 100%;background-color: transparent;\">\n      <!--[if (mso)|(IE)]><table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td style=\"padding: 0px;background-color: transparent;\" align=\"center\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" style=\"width:600px;\"><tr style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><![endif]-->\n\n<!--[if (mso)|(IE)]><td align=\"center\" width=\"600\" style=\"width: 600px;padding: 0px;border-top: 0px solid transparent;border-left: 0px solid transparent;border-right: 0px solid transparent;border-bottom: 0px solid transparent;\" valign=\"top\"><![endif]-->\n<div class=\"u-col u-col-100\" style=\"max-width: 320px;min-width: 600px;display: table-cell;vertical-align: top;\">\n  <div style=\"height: 100%;width: 100% !important;\">\n  <!--[if (!mso)&(!IE)]><!--><div style=\"box-sizing: border-box; height: 100%; padding: 0px;border-top: 0px solid transparent;border-left: 0px solid transparent;border-right: 0px solid transparent;border-bottom: 0px solid transparent;\"><!--<![endif]-->\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:0px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n  <tr>\n    <td style=\"padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;\" align=\"center\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/progressmo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/can2-unlayer.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/1734017859053-Bluebird+Mast.png\" alt=\"The Bluebird masthead with Progress MO icon\" title=\"The Bluebird masthead with Progress MO icon\" style=\"outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;clear: both;display: inline-block !important;border: none;height: auto;float: none;width: 100%;max-width: 600px;\" width=\"600\"\/>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <table height=\"0px\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;table-layout: fixed;border-spacing: 0;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;vertical-align: top;border-top: 1px solid #BBBBBB;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n    <tbody>\n      <tr style=\"vertical-align: top\">\n        <td style=\"word-break: break-word;border-collapse: collapse !important;vertical-align: top;font-size: 0px;line-height: 0px;mso-line-height-rule: exactly;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n          <span>&#160;<\/span>\n        <\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px 0px 0px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n  <tr>\n    <td style=\"padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;\" align=\"center\">\n\n      <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/can2-unlayer.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/1698073015284-1.png\" alt=\"One Big Thing subhead\" title=\"One Big Thing subhead\" style=\"outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;clear: both;display: inline-block !important;border: none;height: auto;float: none;width: 100%;max-width: 600px;\" width=\"600\"\/>\n\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:0px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n  <tr>\n    <td style=\"padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;\" align=\"center\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/fox4kc.com\/news\/missouri-congressmans-comments-on-medicare-social-security-cuts-raise-concerns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/can2-unlayer.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/1734017929030-Title%283%29.png\" alt=\"Mark Alford with the U.S. capitol in the background: Rep. Alford wants to cut Medicare and Social Security\" title=\"Mark Alford with the U.S. capitol in the background: Rep. Alford wants to cut Medicare and Social Security\" style=\"outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;clear: both;display: inline-block !important;border: none;height: auto;float: none;width: 100%;max-width: 600px;\" width=\"600\"\/>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <!--[if mso]><table width=\"100%\"><tr><td><![endif]-->\n    <h1 style=\"margin: 0px; line-height: 140%; text-align: left; word-wrap: break-word; font-size: 22px; font-weight: 400;\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>U.S. Rep. Mark Alford wants to cut Medicare and Social Security to give billionaires even more tax breaks <br \/><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n  <!--[if mso]><\/td><\/tr><\/table><![endif]-->\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <div style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #505050; line-height: 140%; text-align: left; word-wrap: break-word;\">\n    <p style=\"line-height: 140%;\">Missouri Congressman Mark Alford wants to put Medicare and Social Security on the chopping block in the quest to make billionaires even richer. In an interview with Fox Business, he also suggested that we should push back the retirement age to further line their pockets.<\/p>\n<p style=\"line-height: 140%;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"line-height: 140%;\">\u201cWe\u2019ve got to right the ship and it\u2019s going to mean cuts, and it\u2019s also going to mean looking long-term at the front end of some programs like Social Security and Medicare,&#8221; Alford said. &#8220;And on the front end on Social Security, when people are living longer, they\u2019re retiring later, then we can move that retirement age back.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"line-height: 140%;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"line-height: 140%;\"><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dataforprogress.org\/insights\/2024\/2\/29\/voters-want-congress-to-expand-social-security-not-cut-it-behind-closed-doors\" target=\"_blank\">Research shows 70% of voters oppose cutting Medicare and Social Security<\/a>, including 73% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans polled. The same polling found a majority of Americans support <em>increasing<\/em> Medicare (57%) and Social Security (62%) benefits with 92% saying benefits should at the least remain the same.<\/p>\n<p style=\"line-height: 140%;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"line-height: 140%;\">So if the cuts are so unpopular, why is Alford suggesting making them? President-elect Trump&#8217;s Department of Government Efficiency \u2013 headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy \u2013 <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/business\/budget\/5030214-republican-alford-medicare-social-security-doge\/\" target=\"_blank\">is looking to ransack the government and strip down our services<\/a> so they don&#8217;t have to pay their fair share.<\/p>\n<p style=\"line-height: 140%;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"line-height: 140%;\"><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/fox4kc.com\/news\/missouri-congressmans-comments-on-medicare-social-security-cuts-raise-concerns\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>See the full story from Fox 4 Kansas City <\/strong><strong>&gt;&gt;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <table height=\"0px\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;table-layout: fixed;border-spacing: 0;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;vertical-align: top;border-top: 1px solid #BBBBBB;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n    <tbody>\n      <tr style=\"vertical-align: top\">\n        <td style=\"word-break: break-word;border-collapse: collapse !important;vertical-align: top;font-size: 0px;line-height: 0px;mso-line-height-rule: exactly;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n          <span>&#160;<\/span>\n        <\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:0px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n  <tr>\n    <td style=\"padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;\" align=\"center\">\n\n      <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/can2-unlayer.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/1702569820604-9.png\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" style=\"outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;clear: both;display: inline-block !important;border: none;height: auto;float: none;width: 100%;max-width: 600px;\" width=\"600\"\/>\n\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <div style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #505050; line-height: 140%; text-align: left; word-wrap: break-word;\">\n    <div class=\"ak-text-expander\" style=\"max-height: none;\">\n<p style=\"line-height: 140%;\"><span style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\">Progress MO works year-round to hold Missouri politicians accountable for everything they do, from abortion access to fair working conditions to supporting public education. We track what\u2019s going on in Jeff City and D.C. to keep Missourians educated and informed. But we can&#8217;t do it without your help. <\/span><span style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\"><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/secure.actblue.com\/donate\/progress-mo-1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Chip in here &gt;&gt;<\/strong><\/a><\/span><span style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <table height=\"0px\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;table-layout: fixed;border-spacing: 0;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;vertical-align: top;border-top: 1px solid #BBBBBB;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n    <tbody>\n      <tr style=\"vertical-align: top\">\n        <td style=\"word-break: break-word;border-collapse: collapse !important;vertical-align: top;font-size: 0px;line-height: 0px;mso-line-height-rule: exactly;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n          <span>&#160;<\/span>\n        <\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:0px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n  <tr>\n    <td style=\"padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;\" align=\"center\">\n\n      <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/can2-unlayer.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/1698073022648-2.png\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" style=\"outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;clear: both;display: inline-block !important;border: none;height: auto;float: none;width: 100%;max-width: 600px;\" width=\"600\"\/>\n\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:0px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n  <tr>\n    <td style=\"padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;\" align=\"center\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/missouriindependent.com\/2024\/12\/09\/business-groups-file-legal-challenge-to-voter-approved-minimum-wage-hike-sick-leave\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/can2-unlayer.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/1734019479326-LAWSUIT+SQ.png\" alt=\"Graphic text: Lawsuit attempts to overturn the will of Missouri voters with an image of worker advocates holding signs of support in the background\" title=\"Graphic text: Lawsuit attempts to overturn the will of Missouri voters with an image of worker advocates holding signs of support in the background\" style=\"outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;clear: both;display: inline-block !important;border: none;height: auto;float: none;width: 100%;max-width: 600px;\" width=\"600\"\/>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <!--[if mso]><table width=\"100%\"><tr><td><![endif]-->\n    <h1 style=\"margin: 0px; line-height: 140%; text-align: left; word-wrap: break-word; font-size: 22px; font-weight: 400;\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>What Missourians need to know: <br \/><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n  <!--[if mso]><\/td><\/tr><\/table><![endif]-->\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <div style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #505050; line-height: 140%; text-align: left; word-wrap: break-word;\">\n    <ul>\n<li style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\"><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/missouriindependent.com\/2024\/12\/09\/business-groups-file-legal-challenge-to-voter-approved-minimum-wage-hike-sick-leave\/\" target=\"_blank\">Missouri Independent<\/a>: A lawsuit filed by business groups is seeking to overturn the will of Missouri voters on paid sick leave and fair wages.<\/li>\n<li style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\"><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/news\/politics-government\/article296568974.html\" target=\"_blank\">Kansas City Star<\/a>: Lawmakers are also filing bills to overturn the will of Missouri voters by reinstating an abortion ban after the passage of Amendment 3.<\/li>\n<li style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\"><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stlpr.org\/show\/st-louis-on-the-air\/2024-12-09\/lgbtq-groups-voice-grave-concerns-over-id-change-in-letter-to-missouri-dor\" target=\"_blank\">STLPR<\/a>: LGBTQ+ groups are voicing &#8220;grave concerns&#8221; over the ID change in a letter to the Missouri DOR.<\/li>\n<li style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\"><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/news\/politics-government\/article295570094.html\" target=\"_blank\">Kansas City Star<\/a>: Missouri minority communities brace for the impact of Trump&#8217;s &#8220;mass deportation,&#8221; what awaits is &#8220;terrifying.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\"><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/news\/politics-government\/article296689639.html\" target=\"_blank\">Kansas City Star<\/a>: Following the national playbook, the Missouri GOP looks to radically alter the Missouri Supreme Court.<\/li>\n<li style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\"><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stltoday.com\/news\/local\/government-politics\/missouri-lawmaker-wants-to-put-a-bounty-on-migrants-in-country-illegally\/article_ba55dc12-b1a4-11ef-b652-1b8487b628c1.html\" target=\"_blank\">St. Louis Post-Dispatch<\/a>: Previously in the news for wanting to <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stltoday.com\/news\/local\/government-politics\/st-louis-county-candidate-plans-castle-for-jeff-city-drawing-local-criticism\/article_80fd60f2-743c-11ef-8ba2-7bce28419545.html\" target=\"_blank\">build a literal castle<\/a> to woo lobbyists in Jeff City, this St. Louis lawmaker wants to put bounties on our neighbors.<\/li>\n<li style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\"><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stltoday.com\/news\/local\/column\/tony-messenger\/messenger-missouri-bill-to-turn-citizens-into-bounty-hunters-needs-a-catchy-name\/article_8e048ede-b338-11ef-9cb4-df9c2224e885.html\" target=\"_blank\">St. Louis Post-Dispatch &#8211; Messenger<\/a>: Missouri bill to turn private citizens into bounty hunters is dangerous and a recipe for disaster in Missouri.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <table height=\"0px\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;table-layout: fixed;border-spacing: 0;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;vertical-align: top;border-top: 1px solid #BBBBBB;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n    <tbody>\n      <tr style=\"vertical-align: top\">\n        <td style=\"word-break: break-word;border-collapse: collapse !important;vertical-align: top;font-size: 0px;line-height: 0px;mso-line-height-rule: exactly;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n          <span>&#160;<\/span>\n        <\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:0px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n  <tr>\n    <td style=\"padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;\" align=\"center\">\n\n      <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/can2-unlayer.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/1718375333838-Bluebird+Headers.png\" alt=\"Meme away header\" title=\"Meme away header\" style=\"outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;clear: both;display: inline-block !important;border: none;height: auto;float: none;width: 100%;max-width: 600px;\" width=\"600\"\/>\n\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:0px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n  <tr>\n    <td style=\"padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;\" align=\"center\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lwv.org\/newsroom\/press-releases\/missouri-court-permanently-strikes-down-unconstitutional-restrictions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/can2-unlayer.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/1734019903029-GeIT6_GXAAAixNw.jpg\" alt=\"Victory for Missouri Voters graphic of Jeff City with the state flag behind it.\" title=\"Victory for Missouri Voters graphic of Jeff City with the state flag behind it.\" style=\"outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;clear: both;display: inline-block !important;border: none;height: auto;float: none;width: 100%;max-width: 600px;\" width=\"600\"\/>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <div style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #505050; line-height: 140%; text-align: left; word-wrap: break-word;\">\n    <div style=\"color: #000000; line-height: 140%; text-align: left; overflow-wrap: break-word;\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">\n<div class=\"x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1l90r2v x1swvt13\" data-ad-comet-preview=\"message\" data-ad-preview=\"message\">\n<div class=\"x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u\">\n<div class=\"xu06os2 x1ok221b\">\n<div class=\"xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\"><strong>FOUR.<\/strong> As in the four provisions of the Missouri House bill permanently struck down by a Cole County judge that criminalized voter engagement efforts. The lawsuit challenging the legislature&#8217;s undemocratic efforts was brought by the League of Women Voters of Missouri and the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP and were represented by the ACLU of Missouri and the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition.<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 140%;\">The four blocked provisions include a criminal prohibition on compensating non-governmental actors registering voters; a felony criminal penalty for soliciting a voter to obtain an absentee ballot application; criminal penalties for anyone other than Missouri registered voters who engages in voter registration; and a requirement of volunteers who will register more than 10 voters to apply with the Secretary of State\u2019s office.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lwv.org\/newsroom\/press-releases\/missouri-court-permanently-strikes-down-unconstitutional-restrictions\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Read the full story now &gt;&gt;<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <table height=\"0px\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;table-layout: fixed;border-spacing: 0;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;vertical-align: top;border-top: 1px solid #BBBBBB;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n    <tbody>\n      <tr style=\"vertical-align: top\">\n        <td style=\"word-break: break-word;border-collapse: collapse !important;vertical-align: top;font-size: 0px;line-height: 0px;mso-line-height-rule: exactly;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n          <span>&#160;<\/span>\n        <\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:0px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n  <tr>\n    <td style=\"padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;\" align=\"center\">\n\n      <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/can2-unlayer.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/1698073024586-3.png\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" style=\"outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;clear: both;display: inline-block !important;border: none;height: auto;float: none;width: 100%;max-width: 600px;\" width=\"600\"\/>\n\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:0px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n  <tr>\n    <td style=\"padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;\" align=\"center\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/progressmo.com\/release-missouri-workers-to-defend-overwhelming-victory-of-proposition-a\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/can2-unlayer.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/1734020140330-TERRENCE+WISE.png\" alt=\"Quote from low-wage worker and activist Terrence Wise: \"Overturning Prop A hurts our families and our communities and simply put is un-American.\"\" title=\"Quote from low-wage worker and activist Terrence Wise: \"Overturning Prop A hurts our families and our communities and simply put is un-American.\"\" style=\"outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;clear: both;display: inline-block !important;border: none;height: auto;float: none;width: 100%;max-width: 600px;\" width=\"600\"\/>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <div style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #505050; line-height: 140%; text-align: left; word-wrap: break-word;\">\n    <div style=\"color: #000000; line-height: 140%; text-align: left; overflow-wrap: break-word;\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">\n<div class=\"x1iorvi4 x1pi30zi x1l90r2v x1swvt13\" data-ad-comet-preview=\"message\" data-ad-preview=\"message\">\n<div class=\"x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u\">\n<div class=\"intro\" data-component-name=\"intro text\" data-component-type=\"text\">\n<p style=\"line-height: 140%;\">Terrence Wise is a longtime leader in Stand Up KC, the Fight for $15 and a current leader with the Missouri Workers Center. He reflected on his feelings about the underhanded attempt to undermine November&#8217;s election results and ignore the will of the voters. <br \/><br \/><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/progressmo.com\/release-missouri-workers-to-defend-overwhelming-victory-of-proposition-a\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Read the full story now &gt;&gt;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <table height=\"0px\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;table-layout: fixed;border-spacing: 0;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;vertical-align: top;border-top: 1px solid #BBBBBB;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n    <tbody>\n      <tr style=\"vertical-align: top\">\n        <td style=\"word-break: break-word;border-collapse: collapse !important;vertical-align: top;font-size: 0px;line-height: 0px;mso-line-height-rule: exactly;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n          <span>&#160;<\/span>\n        <\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:0px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n  <tr>\n    <td style=\"padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;\" align=\"center\">\n\n      <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/can2-unlayer.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/1734020484162-Bluebird+Headers.png\" alt=\"Welcome aboard header\" title=\"Welcome aboard header\" style=\"outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;clear: both;display: inline-block !important;border: none;height: auto;float: none;width: 100%;max-width: 600px;\" width=\"600\"\/>\n\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:0px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n  <tr>\n    <td style=\"padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;\" align=\"center\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/progressmo.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/can2-unlayer.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/1734020500940-Untitled+design%286%29.png\" alt=\"Headshot of Claire Cook-Callen under the dome of the Missouri state capitol\" title=\"Headshot of Claire Cook-Callen under the dome of the Missouri state capitol\" style=\"outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;clear: both;display: inline-block !important;border: none;height: auto;float: none;width: 100%;max-width: 600px;\" width=\"600\"\/>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <div style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #505050; line-height: 140%; text-align: left; word-wrap: break-word;\">\n    <p style=\"line-height: 140%;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; line-height: 19.6px;\">The boards of Progress MO and the Progress MO Education Fund are excited to share that Claire Cook-Callen has been named our new Executive Director!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"line-height: 140%;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 140%; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 19.6px;\"><span class=\"gmail-il\" style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\">Cook<\/span>&#8211;<span class=\"gmail-il\" style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\">Callen<\/span> has been organizing and advocating for working families for over 15 years. Originally from St. Louis, <span class=\"gmail-il\" style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\">Claire<\/span> came to Kansas City to organize and lead in the LGBTQ+ community. <\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 140%; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 140%; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 19.6px;\">In recent years, Claire has worked with labor unions, community partners, advocacy organizations, and more to produce best-in-class communications and create strong, sustained relationships between voters, their local communities, and the Missouri Legislature.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"line-height: 140%;\"><span style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 140%; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 19.6px;\"><span class=\"gmail-il\" style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\">Claire<\/span> has been an invaluable member of the Progress MO team since March, serving as Director of Campaigns. <span class=\"gmail-il\" style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\">Claire<\/span> led Progress MO\u2019s critical work this election cycle including driving research-based messaging and media coverage in key state legislative districts, keeping progressive communications staff informed about key message developments and ensuring efficient use of digital spending across the progressive ecosystem by establishing Missouri\u2019s first ever independent digital ad hub.<\/span><a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/nation\/2024\/10\/30\/lgbtq-election-trans-republican-democrat\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u\" dir=\"auto\" style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\"><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 140%; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 140%; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 19.6px;\"><span class=\"il\" style=\"line-height: 19.6px;\">Claire<\/span>\u2019s experience, expertise and deep knowledge of Missouri politics will bring exactly what is needed to ensure ProgressMO\u2019s mission and vision are realized as we head into 2025 and beyond! <br \/><\/span><\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:10px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <table height=\"0px\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;table-layout: fixed;border-spacing: 0;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;vertical-align: top;border-top: 1px solid #BBBBBB;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n    <tbody>\n      <tr style=\"vertical-align: top\">\n        <td style=\"word-break: break-word;border-collapse: collapse !important;vertical-align: top;font-size: 0px;line-height: 0px;mso-line-height-rule: exactly;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n          <span>&#160;<\/span>\n        <\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:5px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n<table width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\">\n  <tr>\n    <td style=\"padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;\" align=\"center\">\n\n      <img decoding=\"async\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/can2-unlayer.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/1698073034362-8.png\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" style=\"outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;clear: both;display: inline-block !important;border: none;height: auto;float: none;width: 100%;max-width: 590px;\" width=\"590\"\/>\n\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:10px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <div style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #505050; line-height: 140%; text-align: left; word-wrap: break-word;\">\n    <p style=\"line-height: 140%;\">Want more?\u00a0We also have daily news clips and activist emails! <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/actionnetwork.org\/forms\/progress-mo-email-options\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/act.progressmo.org\/survey\/progress-mo-emails\/?t%3D14%26akid%3D261%252E63920%252EsmxFMn&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1698156323051000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Uune5ez5JP2M7ByXXa-3V\">Sign up for what you&#8217;re interested in<\/a> or message us anytime at <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"mailto:bluebird@progressmo.org\" target=\"_blank\">bluebird@progressmo.org<\/a>!<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<table style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" role=\"presentation\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\">\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"overflow-wrap:break-word;word-break:break-word;padding:10px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\" align=\"left\">\n\n  <table height=\"0px\" align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;table-layout: fixed;border-spacing: 0;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;vertical-align: top;border-top: 1px solid #BBBBBB;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n    <tbody>\n      <tr style=\"vertical-align: top\">\n        <td style=\"word-break: break-word;border-collapse: collapse !important;vertical-align: top;font-size: 0px;line-height: 0px;mso-line-height-rule: exactly;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%\">\n          <span>&#160;<\/span>\n        <\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n  <!--[if (!mso)&(!IE)]><!--><\/div><!--<![endif]-->\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!--[if (mso)|(IE)]><\/td><![endif]-->\n      <!--[if (mso)|(IE)]><\/tr><\/table><\/td><\/tr><\/table><![endif]-->\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n    <!--[if (mso)|(IE)]><\/td><\/tr><\/table><![endif]-->\n    <\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n  <!--[if mso]><\/div><![endif]-->\n  <!--[if IE]><\/div><![endif]-->\n<\/body>\n\n<\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#160; U.S. Rep. Mark Alford wants to cut Medicare and Social Security to give billionaires even more tax breaks Missouri Congressman Mark Alford wants to put Medicare and Social Security on the chopping block in the quest to make billionaires even richer. In an interview with Fox Business, he also suggested that we should push [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[43,48],"class_list":["post-975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-majority-rule","tag-missouri"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gallant-mclaren.18-188-198-158.plesk.page\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/975","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gallant-mclaren.18-188-198-158.plesk.page\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gallant-mclaren.18-188-198-158.plesk.page\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gallant-mclaren.18-188-198-158.plesk.page\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gallant-mclaren.18-188-198-158.plesk.page\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=975"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gallant-mclaren.18-188-198-158.plesk.page\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/975\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gallant-mclaren.18-188-198-158.plesk.page\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=975"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gallant-mclaren.18-188-198-158.plesk.page\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=975"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gallant-mclaren.18-188-198-158.plesk.page\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=975"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}