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Leadership roles in the missouri house
Speaker of the House - Dean Plocher
Majority Floor Leader - Jon Patterson
These two been voted into the top two House leadership roles for the 102nd Missouri General Assembly (MOGA). The 102nd session will extend from 2023 through the end of session in 2024. They'll have these positions two years.
The specifics on how they got voted in and what that process looked like is a story for another time, but suffice it to say that election machine glitches don't just happen in Arizona.
why the rules of the house are important
The bottom line is the Rules of the House dictate how a bill moves through the process of being passed. They literally change how a bill becomes law, who has authority and power at what points in the process, who gets to vote, who gets to speak and for how long, who allows reps to speak on issues, who chooses which bills go before a committee or even get to be voted on and so much more.
Yes, our Constitution says a bill will pass through the House, but the Rules of the House dictate how that happens and it's the representatives themselves who write the rules and vote to approve them at the beginning of each session.
If you didn't read the article from yesterday, check it out for more info.
top-down power means unequal representation of the people
The problem with the Rules of the House is that they have been top-down for far too long and it started way before Plocher. The Speaker of the House has entirely too much power and it wouldn't matter if my favorite rep had the position - it's still wrong.
The Majority Floor Leader, in this case we have Jon Patterson, also has a lot of power individually to allow bills to move forward or to stop them.
What happens is these two individuals regardless of who they are set the agenda for the entire House. They choose priorities and EVERYONE who has been around the capitol for any amount of time knows that what leadership wants - leadership gets.
A previous Speaker has even said something to the tune of it's pretty much a waste to even come to work if you aren't the Speaker.
This means YOU aren't truly being represented if your rep isn't in a leadership role!! Our rank & file members are nearly hog-tied as far as being able to accomplish anything at all.
So if the Speaker & Majority Floor Leader have all the power, how does your rep get anything done??
rank & file member success
Because of the current power structure, our "rank & file" House members have very little ability to get anything at all accomplished unless they can barter with the Speaker or attach something they want onto a bill they know leadership is pushing.
This is one reason we end up with "Kitchen Sink" bills that have so many things added to them that truly shouldn't be. Just like in DC, they pass huge omnibus bills that may have 15 horrendous things included but they all vote yes to get their one tiny little nugget of goodness (we hope) across the line.
a lobbyist's dream come true
This top down situation breeds corruption faster than Superman can fly home.
Questions:
If you were a lobbyist, who would you be most concerned about wining & dining?
Whose campaign fund and PAC would you probably want to add to your contribution list?
Answer:
If you were a lobbyist or even another politician, you'd be a fool to look at the members as equal. They aren't. You'd first fill the Speaker's "war chest" as much as possible, then add to the Majority Floor Leader's and whatever you have leftover from your budget would get spread among the Committee Chairs that you'll need and maybe a few key committee members.
results of this corrupt system
- Lobbyists paying leadership via campaign funds and PACS to pass their agendas. Check out the MEC contribution reports for the HRCC (House Republican Campaign Committee). This is the PAC where you'll see large donations from House members who somehow usually seem to end up in Committee Chair or leadership positions. It's a very interesting phenomenon that happens pretty regularly. You can also look up campaign committees of legislators and their PACS. That's also a post for another day.
- Members seeking higher levels of leadership so they, too, can have that power. They end up being just like the lobbyists. They make contributions to those same funds and PACS so they can get things accomplished or have a higher position.
- THE PEOPLE LOSE. We lose our representation. Our voices lose their power.
- It is no longer a government BY the PEOPLE and FOR the PEOPLE. It's by the lobby corp and for the greedy.
does it have to be this way? no.
They can do whatever they want. They can write the rules however they want. Period.
has it always been this way? no.
It has been for a long time and it's getting worse as time goes on because our reps don't even realize they don't have to give up their voices. But no, it's hasn't always been this way. Check out yesterday's post about the rules in 1869.
"jodi, those old rules don't apply today!"
I understand. Not every line of the People's House Rules fits our situation now and even some of the details aren't perfect in my opinion, but the HEART & INTENT of those rules is what we need. Badly. And that's the point. However, I'd still much rather have the People's House Rules as they are written than HR 11 (the newly proposed rules) as it is written. At the very least, the People's House Rules are a much better starting place than HR 11.
We CAN empower our representatives to do what they were elected to do in a fair & equal fashion.
We CAN make it more difficult for special interest groups vs lining the pockets of big business and greedy politicians.
We CAN. They CAN. The real question is - will they?
take action today!
1. Submit testimony that you are in OPPOSITION to HR 11. It's easy and online. Just fill out the form. In the comment section, you can simply write something as simple as "I do not want a top-down power structure in the Mo House."
2. Attend the hearing. 1:00 pm Monday, 1/9/23 in House Hearing Room 3.
3. Call and/or email your representative and express your thoughts. Look up your legislator and their contact info HERE.
resources
I've spent my time focusing on incumbent races in the Missouri Senate this campaign season. Because of that, I've spent many hours with these candidates getting to know them and praying for victory on August 2nd.
I have recommendations in other races, but these 5 candidates have my wholehearted, FULL support & endorsement.
we are flipping RINOs out when these candidates win
PLEASE share this information with everyone you know who lives in these Missouri Senate districts. Missouri NEEDS these victories if we want to see a return to conservative policy making!
District 6 - Scott Riedel: Cole, Camden, Moniteau, Miller, Morgan (Central MO including Jefferson City, Lake of the Ozarks, Camdenton)
District 8 - Joe Nicola: Jackson County (KC area)
District 16 - Suzie Pollock: Phelps, Pulaski, Laclede, Dent, Maries, Wright (Rolla, Lebanon, Waynesville, Mtn Grove, Salem, Vienna)
District 30 - Angela Romine: Greene County (Springfield city limits)
District 32 - Jill Carter: Jasper, Newton (Joplin, Neosho)
That's where we are headed soon if Suzie Pollock's HB 2009 does not pass!
This bill has a long history but it's never been more important than it is today.
HB 2009 would do several great things, but these are my personal top two reasons why we need to get this bill moving again.
- Secure religious AND conscientious vaccine exemptions for our children in school WITHOUT jumping through hoops created by the county health departments
- No additional vaccines (Covid or otherwise) would be added to the school requirement list WITHOUT legislative approval
where is it at? stuck on Majority floor leader, deaN plocher's desk.
Plocher is in control of which bills come to the House floor for perfection. Regardless of how the bill came through committee, it is Plocher's decision whether or not the bill will be heard on the floor for debate and perfection.
He has 100% control of the passage of every bill. One person - total control. That's just one of the HUGE problems our legislative system has and it desperately needs to be changed...but that's a story for another day.
This bill has passed easily through two committees and yet is being held hostage by Plocher.
why?
Short Answer: Plocher is a sellout to the lobbyists and he likes to buy and sell the votes of his peers. He doesn't give a rats rear end about the people of Missouri. His interest is his pockets and his power - that's about it.
Right now, he's got the American Academy of Pediatrics to please, so he'd rather do that than protect our kids.
The primary opponent of this bill is the AAP.
So, what are their priorities? Here are a couple of interest to you right now.
- Removing RELIGIOUS exemptions on all vaccines
- REQUIRING more vaccines of children of all ages, including a Covid vaccine for young children.
- Pro abortion. They even support adolescents ability to get an abortion confidentially.
- Anti gun. They'd like to see bans on some weapons.
- Transgender agenda, including boys in girls locker rooms and women's sports
They obviously want to see this bill die and Plocher is their water boy.
why would any republican want to appease the aap?
Well, they shouldn't. But that's exactly what's happening.
what can you do?
1. Email & call Plocher's office until all their inboxes are full.
Email: dean.plocher@house.mo.gov
Phone: 573-751-1544
Write a very SHORT, sincere paragraph and tell him what you want. Here's an example.
Dear Rep Plocher,
I'm writing to request that you bring HB 2009 to the House floor for perfection. I strongly disagree with any additional vaccines being added to our school requirement list AND we need to protect our right to live according to our conscience. This right is given to us in the MO Constitution in Article 1 Sections 2 and 5.
I am the parent and I have the God-given right to CHOOSE what is best for the health of my children and family. Please put our wishes ahead of the AAP.
Sincerely,
Jodi Widhalm
Jefferson City, MO
2. Email & Call representatives who removed thier co-sponsorship.
Jim Kalberloh jim.kalberloh@house.mo.gov 573-751-4065
Jamie Burger jamie.burger@house.mo.gov 573-751-5471
Bill Owen bill.owen@house.mo.gov 573-751-2948
Sean Pouche sean.pouche@house.mo.gov 573-751-6593
Randy Railsback randy.railsback@house.mo.gov 573-751-0246
John Wiemann john.wiemann@house.mo.gov 573-751-2176
Ron Hicks ron.hicks@house.mo.gov 573-751-9768
Travis Smith travis.smith@house.mo.gov 573-751-2042
Dave Griffith dave.griffith@house.mo.gov 573-751-2412
Here's an example:
Dear _____,
It has come to my attention that you co-sponsored HB 2009 but removed your cosponsorship. I'd like to know why and urge you to reconsider. Please support this bill and PARENT CHOICE in making healthcare decisions for their children.
I want HB 2009 to pass because.....(keep it short & sweet).
I'm looking forward to your response.
Sincerely,
3. Contact your personal rep & the other republican reps to request support by urging Plocher to move the bill to the floor and a yes vote if given an opportunity.
If you don't know who your rep is, you can enter your home address and find out on the House website.
You can find a list of all the representatives HERE. Filter by party to see the Republicans.
Pick me! Pick me! This is an easy one!
The RightPath PAC is coming after those of us on the right. Period. Let's talk about who they are and why they would do such a thing. Then we can visit about who will be taking their money.
who are they?
PAC contributors are Washington University board members, past board members, alum and other woke players in big business. Their common ground, really, is a love for Wash U. Sounds sweet doesn't it? They've got that good 'ole school spirit.
Yeah, well... what they are really most concerned about is Wash U finances and the University's ability to continue its woke research and programming.
Contributors to RightPath PAC include names like:
- Sandy Loewentheil. She's a WU trustee, retired and lives in the New York. She received her bachelor's degree at a university in China, Tainjin Foreign Studies University and her MBA at University of CA in San Fransisco. She was one of the first big donors in February. $50,000.00
- George Bauer is a very successful Wash U alum. He lives out of state now, but he's on the Board of Trustees at Wash U and has chosen to give back to his home state in this way. His donation this month was $200,000. He's quite philanthropic.
- Blackford Brauer who pitched in $200,000 and his company, Hunter Engineering donated another $200,000. His dad was a trustee.
The list goes on with these large donations, but I'll leave it at that.
The point is, these donors are NOT pro-life. They are NOT conservative.
Writing a check for $200,000 for these guys is similar to me writing a check for $20. What you'll see is a husband donating the limit, the wife donating the limit as well as their company donating the limit. They can also donate to the PAC and then again to campaign committees directly. It adds up to enormous amounts of money very quickly.
what do they want?
Short answer: They want Missouri senators that will vote for the policies Wash U wants. Those things would be primarily pro-abortion and things like embryonic stem cell research among other left leaning issues.
Washington university priorities
Did you know that Wash U is using aborted babies for research? You probably did, but I think it's easy to forget and push things like that to the very back corners of our minds. Their research definitely includes embryonic stem cell research but who knows what else.
Did you know Wash U trains abortion doctors? Common sense would tell you the only real training ground for them is probably the only abortion clinic in Missouri, Planned Parenthood, which is located nearby Wash U. Interesting, huh?
Now think about that. Here we've got a university doing research on aborted fetuses for who knows what purposes, but definitely including stem cell research. And yes, good things can come from those findings, I know. But how do you really feel about benefiting from elective abortions?
Sit with that for a few minutes before you just dismiss it and move on because it's too uncomfortable to think about.
The consequence of the use of fetal tissue from elective abortions is desensitization of beneficiaries to the original illicit act of abortion thereby obscuring the value of all human life and potentially leading to scandal - The Linacre Quarterly
At any rate, Wash U is training abortion doctors and using aborted babies in their research. If I were a university doing those things, I'd probably send my interns to that nearby clinic for educational purposes. I'd probably check into the possibilities of being able to procure "research materials" from there, also. That would be an easy procurement and a great source of quality "specimens" wouldn't it? I don't have any idea where they get their babies to research, but it seems like that would be a logical relationship I'd want to build if I were Wash U.
Although the details of that relationship will likely never be completely known by the likes of you and I, Wash U and the RightPath PAC are most certainly and without question pro-abortion. They are neck deep in research that requires aborted babies to function as well as training abortion doctors. They have a vested financial interest in both embryonic stem cell research and the continuation of abortion here in Missouri.
whoever takes that money is going to vote pro-Wash u
Keep your eyes open, folks!
The senators & candidates who are taking RightPath money are going to be voting pro-Washington University which means pro-abortion and pro-left leaning policy.
You can bet on it.
The quarterly MEC reports will be out in April. I'll be sure to give you an update about who's on the receiving end.
You need to vote accordingly in August!
RESOURCES:
The moderate Republicans are saying a 7-1 map could actually turn into a 4-4 but their current map (a WEAK 6-2) is as good as gold.
Now, how in the world is that? Our 7-1 map is going to change and go down the toilet but theirs is a safe bet? I'm not buying that at all. In fact, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the map in the bill right now is probably not going to hold for even a couple more elections. You don't have to be a cartographer to know that a small little district nestled up next to Cory Bush's territory isn't going to be a Republican stronghold.
Let's just put these maps all in one place and you can draw your own conclusions.
Here's the current Congressional map. We have a 6-2 split. The democrat districts are District 1 which belongs to Cory Bush and District 5 which belongs to Emmanuel Cleaver. Emmanuel lives in Jackson County and he obviously wants to keep his job in D.C.
points to consider
1. In the Pelosi map, District 2 belongs to Ann Wagner, a Republican, for now. But it's already growing in its democrat population. It's expected in the next couple election cycles, it will be a democrat district. The way this map is drawn, Trump only won by 4.9% in 2020, 10 points less than the state average. If we look back to 2018, Hawley would've only won by 1.9%! This is NOT a safe Republican seat!
2. If the trend of the last decade continues, District 2 in the Pelosi map will be blue no later than 2026 making it virtually impossible for a republican to win - even Ann Wagner.
3. ANYONE describing the Pelosi map as a 6-2 map is a dishonest broker. Period. They know exactly what they are doing. Currently, it could more accurately be called a 5-2-1 (5 Republican, 2 Democrat, 1 Swing), but it will be a solid 5-3 very soon.
4. In the 7-1 map, District 2 is strengthened and District 4 would be Republican. We'd strengthen a current district and gain one in the 4th.
5. Could the 7-1 turn into a 4-4? You tell me. Do you seriously think the democrat population is going to explode in the cities enough to "overwhelm" the rest of the counties in THREE different districts? I don't think so. In fact, we know that people in counties like Jackson and St. Louis are leaving because of left leaning policies like mask mandates.
remember this
This is common sense. The moderate RINOs would love for you to think this is complicated and you can't possibly understand what's happening. That's a load of donkey-doo. This isn't complicated. You're a smart cookie.
What do you think?
