giant omnibus bills carrying giant problems
This is a presentation we shared across Missouri several times over interim, between May of '23 and January of '24 when the new legislative session began. It's an overview of several problems we've got here in Missouri inside our legislature. These problems have led to an open door to policies that promote globalism and a Missouri-last philosophy.
My hope is that you'll watch, even if you need to watch in smaller sessions, so that you are more knowledgable and more empowered to use your voice both with your elected officials and in your social network. Citizens deserve to know the truth and they need to know why things aren't happening here in Missouri like we would expect they would be with a supermajority of republicans in office.
major problems In a nutshell
1. The rules are set up to empower 4 individuals and create a pay-to-play system. The rules can be changed. We need legislators who will have courage enough to do it.
2. Unconstitutional, omnibus bills are the majority of what is passing. Your legislator needs to vote NO on multi-subject bills that are not aligned with the original intent of the bill AND/OR if they haven't read the bill.
3. Policy that pushes centralization & standardization across our systems through inventorying, monitoring and controlling resources and/or human activity is a problem and those bills need to be stopped in their tracks.
I'll be recording more educational content on the bills that are moving through the legislature now, making their way to the chamber floors for debate.
It's time to stand up & speak up!
The current narrative in the news cycle after the launch of the new session & Missouri Freedom Caucus is that these "conservatives" are obstructionists. The GOP and Senate leadership are shouting through the news outlets that they won't be able to get anything done until these senators sit down and hush.
What you should be asking the GOP leadership is,
"what things are you wanting to get done?"
What things do they feel these senators have kept them from doing?
Because, I can tell you more than a few things about what they did in 2023 and basically very little of it is good.
Most of it's not even really republican let alone conservative.
democrats party on the front steps to celebrate
Somewhere in social media land, there is a photo of the democrat representatives literally drinking and dancing on the front steps of the Capitol in celebration on the last day of session in 2023. One democrat legislator said they couldn't have had a better session even it had been run by the democrat party!
why would the democrats be celebrating a super majority republican legislature?
Well, I've got 100+ pages of details on the 39 bills passed in 2023 that explain why.
The majority of those details will be published in the near future, but for now read through this short list and consider, "What do we WANT them to do? MORE or LESS of this?"
When 17 of the 39 regular bills they passed are unconstitutional in the first place because of changes to titles and multiple subjects, that's our first problem.
The rest are full of spending, chipping away our freedom, and then we have the creation and funding of policy that is literally opening the door for the likes of the United Nations and the WHO to walk right in and make themselves at home.
Want more of that getting done?
The GOP got PLENTY of "dog poop brownies" passed in 2023 and I'm praying Senator Moon and the Missouri Freedom Caucus will start standing in the gap for us even more to keep the dog turds out!
Listen, our freedom is safer when they aren't in session. When they are in session, the priority in my playbook is defending the Constitution and protecting the individual rights and liberties of Missourians. They could go 10 years without passing one more bill and we'd be better off.
Aren't Republicans supposed to want smaller government?? That's not a "conservative" idea. It's a REPUBLICAN idea. We have a super majority of those!
2023 stats
Total Bills Passed - 58
Budget Bills - 19
Regular Bills - 39
Total Resolutions - 6
Joint Resolution (ballot measure) - 1
Concurrent Resolutions - 5
Unconstitutional Bills - 17
They are unconstitutional based on multi-subjects and title changes that were not germane to the original intent of the bill.
Truly Republican Bills - 2
The SAFE Act prohibits medical gender transition for our children under 18.
The Save Women's Sports Act prohibits boys from participating in girls sports in K-College.
10 piles of dog poop that passed inside larger (mostly unread) bills in 2023
- Gave away our state sovereignty in regard to the licensing our healthcare workers, counselors and social workers when they opted into a federal commission. The commission rules will be enforced as state statute. They are going to do it with dental health professionals next. (SB 70 & SB 157)
- In fact, the statute reads that the rules of the commission will be enforced by all three branches of our state government. AND if we get taken to court by this commission, guess who will pay the fees? MISSOURI!
- In the commission mentioned above, Missouri will have only one representative who is an appointed bureaucrat along with one member from every other member state. (SB 70 & SB 157)
- That same statute says that all licensees who participate will have to FULLY participate in any data collection that is being done.
- Speaking of data collection. They're collecting it or allowing it to be collected at every turn. EVERY. TURN. There are so many bills that talk about data collection I can't list them here.
- They created loan repayment programs for healthcare workers and veterinarians. Who needs the feds to repay college debt when we can do it right here in Missouri?? (SB 70, SB 138, HB 417, HB 202)
- The Sheriff's retirement fund can now accept PRIVATE gifts. (SB 75 by Senator Mike Bernskoetter)
- DESE is now providing grants for private childcare providers to be used for programming our babies and toddlers. Because DESE is to be trusted with our babies now?? Of course, to get the money those providers will have to follow the rules...whatever those turn out to be. But don't worry! I'm sure they are here to help. (SB 24 by Senator Lincoln Hough)
- They sold our children's personally identifiable information. (SB 28 by Senator Lincoln Hough and SB 106 by democrate Senator Lauren Arthur)
- MO First Responders are REQUIRED to participate in vaccination programs as recommended by the CDC when they are working a situation where bioterrorism is suspected and federal grant money has been received. This was already in statute but they opened that section to make changes and left this there. (SB 24 by Senator Lincoln Hough)
- And it goest ON and ON... this is truly just a minute fraction of what "things" they like to do.
YOU WANT MORE OF THIS TO "GET DONE?" I DON'T.
I want the Missouri Freedom Caucus to follow Senator Mike Moon's lead to STAND in the gap to defend our freedom, our state sovereignty and our Constitution.
If you didn't see the previous post - here are the 2023 senate votes on passed bills again. I'll be publishing more information in the days to come as well as a full 2023 legislative review resource. Stay tuned!
What a start
Thursday, January 4th, 2024, was the 2nd day of our legislative session here in Missouri and it barely got started before it was over! There's so much to talk about in regard to this brand new session and it's my intention to share my thoughts about it with you here and on the Arise & Build podcast. In the days ahead, I'll be talking about ...
- The new Freedom Caucus
- The Republican platform
- The newly filed bills we're keeping an eye on
- Actions & words of current legislators
- And so much more!
But, to understand what's happening now in 2024, we've got to look back AT LEAST to last year. It would be even better if we could look even further back through history, but for now I think the stats on 2023 will be enough to show you that we have a HUGE problem here in Jefferson City. In fact, I'd compare it with a Pelosi-run D.C.
Understanding that problem will help you know why it is you see brave senators standing on the Missouri senate floor trying to change the status quo & being met with the full force of the GOP leadership.
Pelosi style leadership results in passing unread omnibus bills
The following charts are the final pass votes on every bill and joint resolution that passed in 2023 and went to the Governor's office for his signature. These bills are what your Missouri General Assembly actually accomplished. These were the bills they "truly agreed and finally passed."
The Governor signed most of them, but not all. The bills he signed took effect at the end of August in 2023. They are now current Missouri statute.
I've been wondering for a while, "What ARE they actually doing?" I knew, often times, the bills we were hoping to see pass were indeed dying and the ones we'd hope to kill were passing.
You hear Senate leadership (really GOP leadership in general and the talking heads on the news) complaining that they "can't get anything done" because of this crazy band of conservatives that just want to bicker and fight. From what you hear at leadership-led press conferences these guys are just far right fanatics that are making it their mission to thwart the good intentions of the GOP who only want to work together to "get things done."
My perspective after a good friend of mine, Lisa Pannett, printed and read every bill passed last spring and after we summarized and scrutinized all of them for days upon days... is that the narrative coming from senate leadership couldn't be further from the truth.
The truth I see is that Missouri would be BETTER off if they stood and opposed MORE OFTEN!
Our freedom would be much safer if they passed NOTHING at all. After all - aren't ALL republicans supposed to support less government instead of more?
To reassure you about our opinions, we contacted experts and even attorneys when we had questions or weren't sure of the language we were reading. We have already had several conversations with a variety of legislators - both senators and representatives on the specifics of certain bills as well as this overarching problem I'm addressing today.
We believe we have a good understanding of these bills and what they mean for Missourians.
We've got a huge problem and I think this 2-page chart with all the 2023 final pass votes will give you insight as to what might be the reason we aren't seeing particularly REPUBLICAN policy pass even though we have a super majority of republicans in the senate & in the house.
what you're looking at
- What they ACTUALLY did. Every bill (House & Senate bills) and the one joint resolution that actually passed the Missouri General Assembly.
- Final votes on each bill. These are ONLY the "truly agreed & finally passed" votes. These votes alone do NOT tell the whole story of what happened, but these votes alone DO pass the bill in its final form. It's the TAFP vote that is the final vote a legislator takes on bill and the vote that officially passes the bill. These are the votes you hold them accountable for.
- Every bill that passed in 2023 and the 1 joint resolution that passed. The 39 non-budget bills plus 1 joint resolution that passed are included here. We did not cherry pick bills. We wanted to know the whole story and we want you to know the whole story. After the 2023 session our team printed and read every bill that passed, searched for the votes and compiled them to study for ourselves and to share with you. These charts include all the bills & one joint resolution. 40 total votes.
- All Senators from both parties. I wanted to know ALL of the votes and see who was voting with who. All 34 senators are listed down the left. Names in red are republicans and blue are democrats. Yes, I have the House votes, too, and I'll be publishing them as well. Stay tuned.
- Part of the story. Again, these votes don't tell the whole story. Please, if you have questions about the votes, give your legislators a call or better yet, make an appointment in their office and ask in person. You can't necessarily trust they'll tell you the truth but it's your responsibility to ask and start learning. If you're new to this political arena I suggest a "trust but verify" approach with all of them.
missouri, we have a problem!
Actually we have more than one problem, but let's focus on just one for now.
What do you see when you look the charts below? Red names are republican senators and blue are democrat senators. Green votes are good (in our opinion) and yellow votes are bad.
Do you notice how A LOT of the time, everyone is voting the same way?
Even if you don't know why we support or oppose a bill and even if you don't agree with our position - it's easy to see that 80% of the time, the senate is voting as one block. They ALL vote together nearly all the time.
WHY?? Good question!
The answer: Leadership in the Senate wants everyone to be happy and get along so they can get things done. That means they have to include LOTS of things in the bills to keep everyone happy and get all the yes votes.
After they pass all the bills, they each go back home to their voters and talk about the tiny little details - almost like trophies. But while they wave the feather in their cap in front of voters at home, they don't tell you the whole truth.
Well, here it is. Every senator. Every final vote. None of them are immune...even the ones I really love and support.
This is the system they are working in and that system needs an overhaul badly.
The problem for voters: How do you hold anyone accountable when one vote includes so many topics, especially when everyone votes the same!?
The fact is they are ALL supporting ALL the issues by voting yes on Christmas tree, multi-subject, unconstitutional omnibus bills that are so big and being thrown together so quickly the last 2 weeks of session - NO ONE is actually even reading them!!
Hello! Anyone remember Nancy Pelosi?? It's like she is living and working right here in Missouri!
For more clarity....these bills come up for vote and there are really on a few options as to why they would vote yes.
- They know one or two sections of language is included that they want to support and/or they promised Lobbyist ABC or even a good friend they'd support a piece of language that's included (that makes them happy) so they vote YES.
- Their own language is in it (that makes them happy) so they vote YES.
- They know leadership will be angry if they vote NO. Happy leadership makes them happy but angry leadership means you don't get what you want tomorrow. So they vote YES.
But when you vote to support a bill that has 12 subjects in it and you've only read 1 or 2 or even if you read 11 - the unread portion of statute that you vote yes on could be the one that erodes another piece of our freedom.
The unread but supported language can & OFTEN does harm people.
Here's a PDF version that will be more readable if you'd like to download: 2023 MO Senate Final Votes.pdf
**Disclaimer: The votes shown are accurate to the best of my human ability. They were manually taken by myself, personally, from the senate journals on the last truly agreed vote on each bill. If you find an unintentional error, please reach out to me and I'll be happy to fix it.
but jodi, what is actually in these bills?
You're a smart cookie to ask!
I've already posted a few podcasts on that very topic so hop over there, take a listen and subscribe. There's more on the horizon!
It's my intention to talk and/or write a little each day about what passed in 2023, what I've witnessed since I've been involved (this is my 4th up close & personal session) and how I believe it relates to what's happening right now.
I'm going to keep talking about it both here & there so stay tuned & be sure to share with like minded friends & family.
And PLEASE pray about sharing with your pastor. We NEED the ekklesia to rise up, get educated & start using the tools God has given us to make a difference in this government mountain!
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Then you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free. John 8:32
TODAY'S GOAL: Understand the 2023 voting pattern and why it's happening.
TODAY'S ACTION: 1. Subscribe & share. 2. Find your senator's contact info here: Lookup Tool
This blog compliments Episode 24 on the Arise & Build podcast where Lisa Pannett and I discuss the interstate compact language that was found in 4 different bills in 2023. The end result was the passage of interstate licensing compacts for medical workers, counselors and social workers. The language is the same for all three professions.
Bill Links:
SB 70 sponsored by Senator Travis Fitzwater
SB 157 sponsored by Senator Rusty Black
HB 99 sponsored by Rep Bishop Davidson
HB 115 sponsored by Rep Brenda Shields
what are interstate compacts?
In the simplest of terms, interstate compacts are official agreements between states. They are not required. In fact, if you read the U.S. Constitution literally, they are unconstitutional.
Black's Law Dictionary states the legal definition of the term 'compact' is:
"An agreement or contract. Usually applied to conventions between nations or sovereign states. A compact is a mutual consent of parties concerned respecting some property or right that is the object of the stipulation, or something that is to be done or forborne."
"No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay."
Although the U.S. Constitution says states aren't allowed to enter into compacts with each other, the Supreme Court has adopted the precedent that only interstate compacts which would increase the State's power and undermine federal power need to be approved by Congress.
The compacts we are discussing today are professional licensing compacts and, therefore, are not seen by SCOTUS as unconstitutional.
what are interstate licensing compacts?
Licensing compacts between states are agreements that lay out how licensed professionals (such as doctors, nurses, surgeons, physical therapists, counselors, social workers, nail techs, emergency medical technicians, dentists, etc.) are able to practice in multiple states without jumping through more hurdles like testing, application processes, etc.
isn't that a good thing?
The simple answer is yes. We want to allow our professionals to practice in other states, move more easily across state lines, etc.
We ALREADY COULD DO THAT.
We already had the ability to have what's called reciprocity from one state to another. It didn't NEED to be changed.
these compacts cede our state sovereignty
In these bills, we have opted in to interstate compacts that address our healtcare workers, counselors and social workers.
Missouri is now opted in to three different federal level commissions. These commissions....
- Have one member on the commission from each member state. Missouri will have ONE unelected person on the commission with potentially 49 others from across the nation.
- The rules of the Commission will be carried out in Missouri with the FULL FORCE of Missouri law. Rules that will be written by people from across the nation and can be added to or amended at any time.
- The Commission is immune from any suit brought against them
- The Commission, however, can bring suit against Missouri
- The Commission can institute emergency rules with no notice
- The Commission can revoke a license without notice if the licensee is under investigation
- The Commission requires full participation in all data collection programs
- and more.. more potentially dangerous things for Missourians
rules with full force of missouri law
This point is worth highlighting. I want to make sure you understand.
These commissions now have the ability to write rules that will be enforced as law for Missouri.
Unelected people from across the country will now, essentially, be writing laws that apply to Missouri professionals.
Think about Covid as that related to our doctors.
Think about LGBTQ+ as it relates to our counselors.
Think about pandemics and left wing craziness as it relates to social workers.
Doctors = our healthcare.
Counselors = mental health & schools
Social workers = hospitals, schools, our families
What happens when this federal commission writes a rule that doctors can't deviate from CDC guidelines without losing their license?
What happens when this commission writes a rule that requires doctors to give hormones to pre-teens struggling with identity?
What happens when this commission writes a rule that requires social workers to remove kids from non-affirming homes?
What happens when the commission writes a rule that counselors will collect and submit specific data on their clients - which could be your children?
what can you do?
Call your senator and representative. Ask them about their vote on this language. Share the information you get with your friends and family. Write down the date, what they said & hold them accountable.
Obey right away!
I started this journey with God & the Missouri Capitol in the spring of 2021. I had NO idea what He was doing or what I was doing. I just got up every day and tried to do my best to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey.
When my sons were little, this phrase was our mantra, "Obey right away, all the way and with a good attitude every day!" We said it & sang it & clapped it & talked about it ALL. THE. TIME.
The lesson was that if they couldn't obey their dad and I - who stood right in front of them and spoke in clear English - then how would I know they could obey a still small whisper when the Holy Spirit spoke to them? That's how I want to live and it's how I want my sons to live - walking every step they take with the Lord.
With all my heart, I believe now more than ever that the Holy Spirit and our personal, intimate relationship with Him is the ONLY way we win. At anything. But especially in this war for freedom our nation and the State of Missouri is in.
Now, my goal is to do what I taught my sons, "Obey the Holy Spirit right away, all the way and with a good attitude every day." I don't always get it right. In fact, I OFTEN don't get it right. But I promise I'm trying.
gather the believers
In the spring of '21 when I was at the Capitol standing on the second level of the rotunda, He gave me a vision of a gathering of Believers across the State. I wasn't sure what it would look like exactly, but He planted a seed in my spirit that day.
A lot has happened since then and there's not room here to give you every detail,but it's time now to move forward. It's clear and He's been very consistent in His message to me to "gather the Believers," so that's what I'm going to do.
I believe we are gathering for multiple purposes.
We are gathering to seek Him FIRST in a way we've never done before.
We are gathering for worship, prayer, fellowship, testimonies and education.
We are gathering to lay hands on our sisters & brothers in Christ and pray for every piece of brokenness - whether in spirit, mind or body.
We are gathering to build relationships and to walk through whatever lies ahead hand in hand.
We are gathering to pick up our swords & our trowels. Our sword for supernatural power and wisdom & our trowel for getting the practical work done.
We'll be gathering regularly online as well as in person at events we'll host across the state.
jodi grace ministries is born
We created a faith-based nonprofit, Jodi Grace Ministries, to serve Missourians.
Our mission is to inspire, educate and empower Believers to seek FIRST the Kingdom and deeper relationship with Him so they can actively pursue the calling He has placed on their lives. We believe this will lead to a righteous cultural change in Missouri.
We are registered as a nonprofit and operating as a 508c1a, which means that all donations will be tax deductible.
If you appreciate the work I've done and will continue to do, and if you would like to join me from the ground up in cultivating change in Missouri, I'd love for you to partner with me!
awakening at the wall
We are incredibly excited about our first series of events which will kick off in Jefferson City on Saturday, August 19th!
Named for Nehemiah's wall building efforts around Jerusalem, we are calling all our wall building believers in Missouri to gather for great worship, the Word, prayer, fellowship and education.
The worship team is coming from Kingdom Church in St. Louis. You are going to LOVE them!
It's going to be a great day! Think of it like an annointed revival service with the addition of an afternoon full of practical education about what's actually happening here in Missouri.
Presentation topics in the afternoon will include a 2023 Legislation Recap & Human Trafficking right here at home.
Please plan on coming and joining me. You'll be inspired, educated and filled with hope!
Click the link below to see the schedule and get all the details. Then register & reserve your seat!
I can't wait to see you on the 19th!
