school board elections
Remember you don't have to vote for 3 candidates if you have 3 seats open. Only vote for the candidates you truly want and leave the rest blank.
school board candidate recommendations
Billings - Ben Garbee
Blair Oaks RII - Sarah Fessler, Sarah Lueckenhoff
Bolivar - Josh Laird, Brad Womack
Branson - Lane McConnell, Angie Smith
Camdenton R3 - Shelley Creed, Callie Henze, Troy Risner
Cape Girardeau Public School District - Kim Swartz
Columbia - Chuck Basye, John Potter
Fort Zumwalt - Matt Richard, Graham, Marc Pratte
Fox C6 - Curtis Frazier, Judy Smith, Travis Lintner
Francis Howell - Jane Puszkar,, Ron Harmon,, Mark Ponder
Grain Valley Schools - Lance Pollard
Grandview R-II - Heather Langhans-Bodnar
Hallsville - Secley Kennedy
Hannibal - LaDonna Hampton, Dr. Jeff Evans, Anna Lemon
Harrisonville - Ashley Franklin
Hillsboro - Gloria Link
Jackson School Board - Dr. Darcy Lilley
Jefferson City - Brad Bates, Mike Harvey
Kearney School District - Len Broughton
Ladue - Kyle Meyer
Lebanon R-III School Board - Mikel Flanders
Lee's Summit R7 - David Grady, Regina Garrett, William Peterson
Liberty School District - Jenn Bauer, Luba Koval
Lindbergh - David Randelman
Mexico School District - Dusty Blue
Nevada R5 - Jeremy Fast, Adam Dean, Lois Pendrak
Nixa - Linda Daugherty, Alex Bryant
Osage County R2
Ozark - Christina Tonsing, Anthony Petrosino, Amber Bryant
Palmyra - Chris Turner, Danielle Heimer
Parkway - Kathy Guerra, Ryan Kerr, Matt Ehlen
Pleasant Hill - Athena Brattin
Putnam County R1 - Jason Rouse, C. L. Vestal
RayPec - Christine Sarsfield
Rockwood - Tom Dunn, Trisha Katzfey, Richard Wierzba
School of the Osage - Joyce Bush, Dr. Kelly Frisella
Smithville School District - Samantha Oryshyn, Brooke Perkins
Springfield - Landon McCarter, Chad Rollins
St. Charles - Bryan O'Mara
St. Clair - Jason Gaszak
Warren County R3 - Caroline Spraggs
Washington - only three candidates filed for three openings
Webster Groves - Justin Hauke
Wentzville - Jen Olson, David Lewis, Renee Henke
West Plains - Jodi Purgason, Scott Tuma
Windsor - Dan Shaul
Wright City R2 - Beth Dean, Monica Hepperman, Frank Zykan
marc cox voter guide
iVoter guide
victory!
Tuesday morning around 7:30 am I would've been like Martha and the Vandellas' Dancing In The Street as I headed to my vehicle if I hadn't been so exhausted from being awake all night through the democrat filibuster on The SAFE Act, SB 49.
After a long night of listening to the litany of stories about pets, vacations and all manner of things as democrats held the floor and republicans negotiated with, most likely, Washington University's lobbyist, The SAFE Act was perfected with 23 of 24 republican senators voting yes. It even had 18 senators sign on as co-sponsors just after the perfected version was agreed up and before the vote.
The Third Read & Pass vote in the Senate AND it was first read in the House on Thursday, March 23rd.
What an answer to prayer! God showed up in such miraculous ways throughout this process. HE IS SO GOOD!
thank you!
Before we go any further I want to be sure to say a big heartfelt "Thank You" to our republican senators who each played a role in the passing of the bill.
Senator Mike Moon championed this bill and has been carrying it for the last 3 years. Senators Hoskins & Carter joined him in filing this session. Four others were truly fighting for this bill even before Spring Break, but we couldn't have gotten through the fight without the rest. They all played a part in the victory and they deserve a big pat on the back! It was truly a team effort.
thank you, sponsors!
mike moon
Senator Moon is the CHAMPION of this legislation. He has sponsored this bill for three years. He had a heart for this bill when no one else was even looking and he has consistently stood in the gap for Missouri's kids. We couldn't be more thankful for his heart and persaverence to stand even when he was standing alone.
denny hoskins
Senator Hoskins filed his own version of the bill which was combined with SB 49 through the committee process. Although this was his first year filing it, he was committed and stood strong to fight for what is right throughout this bill's journey through the senate.
jill carter
Senator Carter also filed her own bill as a freshman senator. We are proud that she took a risk in filing such controversial legislation in her first year and we are looking forward to what's to come from her. Her bill was combined with Senator Moon's as well.
thank you for always standing
There were a group of senators who were always fighting for this bill to move forward. They readily answered questions regarding their support and they signed Senator Moon's letter to prioritize this bill after Spring Break. We appreciate their strong commitment to fight for this bill and for never wavering.
bill eigel
Senator Bill Eigel was a strong force for The SAFE Act from the very beginning. He fought at every step for the success of SB 49, including standing and speaking against the ANTIFA anti-protestors at the Missouri Kids FIRST Rally.
rick brattin
Senator Rick Brattin never wavered in his support. He took every opportunity he had to support and move this bill forward.
ben brown
Senator Ben Brown is a freshman senator and he's doing a great job! We are thrilled with his willingness to stand strong on hard issues. He added his signature to commit to make this a priority after spring break and took every opportunity to support the bill throughout the process.
andrew koenig
Senator Koenig made a strong statement over spring break when he committed publicly by signing Senator Moon's letter, that he would commit to make this a priority upon their return from the break. We appreciate your stand, Senator Koenig!
nick schroer
Senator Schroer stood with the other 6 senators in prioritizing this bill after the break. His office was QUICK to respond to our inquiry in the weeks before the bill came to the floor when we asked if he would support the original bill, including puberty blockers and hormones.
thank you, co-sponsors!
After the bill had been negotiated and agreed to, these senators signed on as co-sponsors before the perfection vote. We appreciate their commitment to add their names to the list of supporters & vote for the perfection of the bill early Tuesday morning.
thank you for voting yes
The final vote for passage through the senate was taken mid-morning on Thursday, March 23rd. In addition to all previous senators mentioned, and although the 18 shown above could have passed the bill without additional support, these senators listed below did contribute a yes vote in the final passage.
Senator caleb rowden
senator justin brown
senator lincoln hough
senator mike bernskoetter
senator mike cierpiot
it's not ideal
I'm so thrilled this passed the Senate I can hardly stand still but I don't want to lead you to believe this is a perfect situation. It's not.
Through the perfection process, the bill was changed significantly. The original bill did three things:
- Banned puberty blockers from children under 18 years of age.
- Banned cross-sex hormones from children under 18 years of age.
- Banned gender transition surgeries from children under 18 years of age.
- Consequences for breaking the law considered unprofessional conduct & license to practice is revoked.
The negotiations during the filibuster produced these three additions:
- Four year sunset clause pertaining to the puberty blockers & hormones was added. This means that on August 28, 2027, this provision of the ban will expire UNLESS the legislators in the 2027 session make it permanent. This isn't good. It means we'll have to fight this battle again in the 2027 legislature and if we lose, these drugs become legal again for kids.
- Grandfather clause was added. This allows children who were already on the prescriptions to continue them if they were already using them at the time this law is passed. This isn't too bad and in some cases, is necessary for the safety of the kids. Some of these drugs are very dangerous they are abruptly stopped.
- Cause of action for patients to bring suit against medical professionals if they are sterilized or suffer harm by any of these medical procedures. Patients would be able to sue for unlimited amounts. They would be allowed to bring a suit against a medical professional until age 37 or 15 years after the treatment has ceased if they are found to be sterile.
it's not over
Although I am so very thankful that this has passed, the battle is not over with this bill. It still has to go through the House process, including two committees.
Representative Brad Hudson will be the House handler of this issue and there may be challenges ahead.
We may need your help as this legislation moves forward, so please share this information with your pastor & church friends, your family, neighbors and others who are like-minded in wanting to protect Missouri kids. Ask them to subscribe to the blog or join the FB Group.
thank you! THANK YOU! THAnK YOU!
There aren't words to say enough about what YOU have done by speaking up and showing up when we needed you. We couldn't have accomplished this in this timeframe without your help.
Thank you so very much for joining the battle for our kids with me!
where would you find homosexuals, transexuals & evangelicals together? Here. locking arms for the kids.
making history
Come join me for a history-making kind of a day where people from a variety of backgrounds, lifestyles and religions are going to lock arms for the fight against the far left agenda that is targeting our children. SB 49, sponsored by Senator Mike Moon, is a ban on puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones & gender surgeries for children. Our legislators aren't getting the job done so it's time to take a stand!
We have an amazing day planned and it's getting better by the hour! I'd love for you to come stand alongside us for the benefit of Missouri's most precious treasures - our kids.
All events will take place here at the Capitol in Jefferson City, MO. They are free and we'd love for you to come with a car load, van load or even a bus load of your favorite people. Share this with your civic groups, your BFFs, your Sunday School class & anyone else who wants to join.
It's going to be a super fun day full of inspiration, great speakers, food & friendship.
schedule - PLease rsvp RSVP Here Event Details
11:30 to 12:30
Prayer & Praise in the rotunda
12:30 to 2:00
Lunch will be on your own. If you register to attend, I'll send you all the details you need about food options downtown within walking distance from the Capitol.
2:00 to 4:00
Missouri Kids FIRST Rally in the rotunda. You'll enjoy a great group of people, motivating speakers & a few office holders, including our favorite Missouri Senators who are standing firm for our kid's sake. So far our special guest list includes:
- Scott Newgent, featured in the documentary What is a Woman? and in this NY Times article.
- Chris Barrett, Missouri Chapter Leader of Gays Against Groomers
- Dr. Bob Onder
- Catherine Dreher, Vice Chair, Missouri Libertarian Party & Mom
- Adam Dommeyer, Turning Point USA Faith
- Pastor Kirk DeMars from House of Prayer, Jefferson City
- Senator Mike Moon
- Senator Bill Eigel
- Senator Jill Carter
- Senator Andrew Koenig
4:00 - ??
Plan to stay and watch the Senate at they convene. Let's see what happens!
Yes, I may be there overnight & I hope you'll join me. It'll be like our own version of Night at the Museum, only ours is The Night in the Capitol. LOL
Our hope is:
- Senator O'Laughlin calls SB49 to the floor.
- Democrats filibuster all night while the Republicans hold their ground for a ban that includes puberty blockers, hormones & surgeries. We need a bill that is constitutional - NOT rolled up with another unrelated sports bill.
It's possible we might see:
- Senator O'Laughlin might not call the bill to the floor at all.
- If O'Laughlin doesn't call it to the floor, it's possible the conservative senators would filibuster to hold the floor until she does.
- Although I don't think it's likely, it is possible that O'Laughlin would NOT call up the bill and the conservatives DON'T hold the floor. This is my least favorite option.
- Senator O'Laughlin adjourns early during the democrat filibuster.
Whatever happens, come & plan to stay as late as you can. You won't want to miss the fun!
come with unity in mind - RSVP Here Event Details
Many different faiths, lifestyles and backgrounds will be represented here on Monday. It's obvious we don't agree on some things. We believe that’s ok.
We DO agree, however, that children should not be victimized by the destruction caused by puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or transition surgery before they are old enough to understand the full consequences of their actions.
Monday, we will be unified in our message of love, hope and protecting children. Monday - nothing else matters. Missouri Kids come FIRST.
Hope to see you there!
please help us spread the word - RSVP Here Event Details
Please post & use across all your platforms. #standtogether4kids
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I hear often that our freedoms and our rights are eroding away. How can that be?
The Constitution hasn't changed. The actual Bill of Rights hasn't changed.
Technically, in most ways, nothing has changed in so far as what our government sees as "inalienable rights."
And yet...things are changing. Government is getting bigger and it feels like the voices of the majority of "We The People" are getting weaker.
Several things are happening, but one of the issues that is happening behind the scenes and unbeknownst to nearly everyone is a shift in our statutes regarding civil liability.
Civil Liability:
If you intentionally or even mistakenly injure someone physically or damage someone's property, you could end up being responsible for paying the other person's losses. This is known as civil liability.
The Tool
If our founding documents and our legislative process spell out your inalienable rights and add them to our statutes, then it is the court system that is the tool used to implement those rights when they have been infringed upon. After all, if you aren't able to exercise your rights or protect them, then you don't really have them, do you?
The courts are where grievances of all types are redressed.
The definition of redress is: 1) to set right. Remedy. 2) to make up for. Compensate.
You have a right of redress when someone has harmed you in some way. The legal way this is done is through the civil court system. The one who harms you is held liable for the damages. This is civil liability.
When the legislature begins to remove your ability to redress your grievances through the court system, they are infringing on your ability to set things right or be compensated for your loss.
The courts are the tool we use to enforce MANY of our individual liberties if we have been harmed by another person.
you're losing your right to sue someone who has harmed you
The Missouri legislators are quietly removing your rights to redress grievances. It's been happening for a while.
In 2021, the Missouri legislature passed SB 51, a Covid Liability bill. I worked throughout that session against the bill and we gave it a good fight but the medical lobby won in the end.
I know it's not the fault of one player when a team loses, but I will forever remember the one representative who brought the bill up again in a rules committee with a procedural maneuver and then another flipped his no vote to a yes, which was the lynch pin holding it back. Within a day, maybe less, it was a done deal and headed to the Governor's office.
That bill in '21 gave hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacists, and big business total immunity from liability with anything at all related to Covid. But guess what? Not you. You aren't immune. Small businesses aren't immune. Churches aren't immune. But if your elderly mom was neglected in a nursing home when you couldn't get in to see her - you're out of luck and your mom is probably dead.
They call it "tort reform" and say that they are trying to unburden our courts.
But what does that actually do? It creates two tiers. The ones who have no accountability & the ones who do.
If you have no accountability and can't be held liable, you are free to cut corners, do whatever you want and potentially do harm without any consequences.
However, if you aren't in that group that is immune then guess what? You'd better mind your P's and Q's. You might find yourself paying out big.
Sound fair?? Not to me, it doesn't.
sb 117 by Senator tony luetkemeyer
SB 117 is dangerous. There are 3 parts to this bill and you need to understand them.
1. Reduces the statute of limitations from 5 years to 2 years for personal liability regarding...
"An action for any injury to the person or rights of another, not arising on contract and not otherwise provided for by law, including actions for personal injury or bodily injury"
This means instead of having 5 years to sue someone for harm, you only have 2. Maybe in some cases that works. But for many, it doesn't.
- What if you had a wreck, suffered horrible physical injuries that left you jobless, enduring surgeries, therapies, etc.
- What if your children were hurt and. you were dealing with their recovery, therapies, etc?
- What if you just didn't realize you were sick or it took more than two years to get a diagnosis that was the result of a chemical or toxic exposure?
There are a lot of situations where you would be under an incredible amount of stress, occupied with health matters, etc. No one in these circumstances wants to take up a law suit and deal with the legal system when they are just trying to survive the trauma of what was done to them.
2. Reduces the statute of limitation in regard to uninsured and underinsured motorists from 10 years to 2 years.
"An action against an insurer relating to uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage, including any action to enforce such coverage."
This means you only have 2 years to redress your grievances with your insurance company if there's a problem. Interesting. They love to protect the insurance companies.
I don't hate insurance companies. My husband works for one and has for 30+ years. But let me assure you, the insurance companies are reinsured to the hilt and decreasing your ability to hold them accountable by 8 years isn't what's best for the people. Have you ever had insurance issues drag out for months or years at a time?? It can happen.
Maybe 10 years is too long. But 2? Hmm... that's a little extreme when the ones you are protecting are multi-million and billion dollar companies.
Also, this might very well cause the court system to clog up faster than it does now because it might actually force people to file suit when with more time for mediation it might have settled out of court.
3. Gives SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY to ALL 3rd party PRIVATE contractors of PUBLIC ENTITIES!
I can't scream this loud enough!! Take to heart the red print and all caps because I mean it!
Sovereign Immunity: Sovereign immunity refers to the fact that the government cannot be sued without its consent.
Lines 47 - 52 of Luetkemeyer's SB 117 say this:
"When acting within the scope of a government contract, private contractors of a public entity, excluding those private contractors provided for in section 210.114 shall have sovereign or governmental tort immunity to the same extent as a public entity, including any limitation on awards for liability provided for in section 537.610."
According the US Code, the definition of public entity is:
who would be immune?
This means that ANY private contractor working for any government entity, the public school system, the State University system, fire/police/EMS departments, public transportation systems, etc. The actual list would be miles long. It would be so far reaching that there's no way to even truly comprehend how far this actually goes.
But here are a few examples:
- The State of Missouri
- Highway contractors...think road construction
- Database systems contractors.... think data leaks and security breaches including ERIC...VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION
- Classroom Wallet...the contracted provider for disbursing funds through the Treasurer's office for the ESA program.
- Equipment contractors... think faulty ANYTHING from sprinkler systems to voting machines to the food in the Truman Building cafeteria
- Universities in the Missouri State System
- University of Missouri Hospital systems - NO DOCTOR contracted through MU could be held liable for ANY issue of malpractice.
- Real Example: A knee replacement surgery was done on over 15 patients at University Hospital. The knee was defective. If this law passes, neither the surgeons or the manufacturer would be liable for those cases or be required to repair the damage done.
- Every other contract doing business with the universities. EVERY. CONTRACTOR.
- Missouri Public Schools
- Playground equipment providers
- DATA
- SOFTWARE providers
- Bus drivers & transportation services
- Food services
- County & City Governments
- Equipment and gear for public safety workers...thing oxygen tanks for firefighters, police equipment, ambulance services, etc etc.
- DATA
- Construction crews
the problem
Other than the obvious, the fact that you can't sue for something done wrong to you in all these different situations, the bigger problem is that they are continuing to separate us. There are different rules for different groups of people.
The government & anyone doing business with the government in ANY way - NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
The people, small businesses, churches, etc. - SORRY CHARLIE. YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK.
Not only are you out of luck as far as being held accountable for your own actions and following a different set of rules, but the government and their partners can now cut corners, be deceitful, and plan their business dealings with you knowing that they have ZERO accountability for ANYTHING.
Now, how you do think that's gonna work out???
current status of sb 117
SB 117 has passed committee in the Missouri Senate. It's on the calendar to be heard on the Senate floor. I'm hopeful we have senators willing to stand and fight for us. I've been reassured that is the case. However, at the first moment I see otherwise, I'll be sending out an SOS and begging you to help me fight against this UN-AMERICAN piece of junk!!
take action
Call & email your own senator and let them know how you feel about this. Their phones need to be ringing off the hook! Be sure to ask them how they plan to vote. If they tell you, let me know the response you get. I'd love to know! Email me at jodi@jodigrace.com
We knew Cierpiot's weighted voting bill wouldn't stay down for long and indeed, it is up for a hearing again next week.
Sorry, Senator Cierpiot, your tricky shenanigans aren't going work this time. Even those constituents who traveled in to Jefferson City last week to testify, only for it to be pulled at the last minute will be back and with even more determination this week. Good try.
Nothing about the bill has changed so although he may have hoped that pulling it from committee a couple weeks ago would mean we'd forget or not be willing to take up the fight again, that is certainly not the case at all.
This bill is important, so please take action and do whatever you are able.
call to action
If you aren't aware of the bill and the details, please read my previous post, Dictatorship Is Coming To Your County.
SB 16 is scheduled now to be heard in the Local Government & Elections Committee on Monday, February 6 at 2:00 pm.
1. PRAY! Please pray the committee would vote down this horrible piece of legislation. It needs to die in committee and not waste the time, effort and energy of our legislators or citizens.
2. Come testify in person. Plan to arrive at the hearing room approximately 1/2 hour early, around 1:30 pm. It will be located in Senate Committee Room 2. This is located in the back hallway (behind the rotunda) on the first floor. Walk behind the rotunda and turn right. The committee rooms are on the left.
2. Contact Your Central Committee Chair. Express to your county chair that you feel this bill is bad for Missouri and would request your central committee to write and submit a resolution to this effect. Click on the link to find your chairperson and their email address.
3. Email and Call Every Committee Member. Every senator on this committee is serving the entire state in their position on this issue. Contact each of them by phone & email to let them know your thoughts.
Committee Members
Senator Elaine Gannon, Chair - elaine.gannon@senate.mo.gov 573.751.4008
Senator Sandy Crawford, Vice Chair - sandy.crawfod@senate.mo.gov. 573.751.8793
Senator Jill Carter - jill.carter@senate.mo.gov. 573.751.2173
Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman - maryelizabeth.coleman@senate.mo.gov 573.751.1492
Senator Andrew Koenig - andrew.koenig@senate.mo.gov. 573.751.5568
Senator John Rizzo - john.rizzo@senate.mo.gov. 573.751.3074
Senator Barbara Washington - barbara.washington@senate.mo.gov. 573.751.3158
