5 amendments & 1 proposition
Amendments change the Missouri Constitution. Remember that.
They don't add statute to our books. They change the state CONSTITUTION.
The constitution should be the foundation, the bedrock, the framework for our statutes to build on. It should be a document that stands the test of time, that applies to the entire state and that is protected - not changed with the flinging of a few million dollars to pay out-of-state workers standing in front of our grocery store doors collecting signatures.
And yet, that is what happens. The money buys the signatures and the signatures buy a spot on the ballot for voters to pass or fail.
No committee hearings.
No involvement of the people until election day.
No involvement of lawmakers that you elected to vet public policy.
No vetting whatsoever.
Just signatures gathered from young kids from places like New Jersey, making $30/hr & misleading every person they talk to about what is actually happening.
you need to know what you're voting on
Now that the signatures have been gathered - it's your responsibility to know what you're voting on. Your vote now is the same as any legislators vote at the Capitol and even more important - because your vote will change the very foundation of Missouri's statutory framework.
You can find the ballot language and the full text of each ballot measure on the Secretary of State's website. You'll also find it on my home page.
You're here - that's a good sign. Please keep reading and then share the information with every voter you know.
No action = consent. Remember that, too.
Amendment 2 - LEGALIZES SPORTS BETTING - VOTE NO
This one legalizes and allows the Missouri Gaming Commission to regulate sports betting.
- Online, gambling boats, sports gambling districts
- Must be 21 and physically located in Missouri
- 10% tax on winnings & additional fees assessed
- State legislature can regulate
AMENDMENT 3 - REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS - VOTE NO
UPDATE: As of the evening of 9/6/24, a Cole County judge has ruled that A3 is not suitable for the ballot and it should not have been certified. Opposition has until Tuesday, September 10th to appeal. Should the decision stand, A3 will NOT be on the ballot in November. I'll update the blog as events unfold.
This is the amendment most people are referring to as the abortion amendment. That reference is manipulative and misleading. This amendment pertains to ALL matters related to reproductive health freedom.
ALL matters pertaining to reproductive rights include anything pertaining to gender transition, regular Ob/Gyn care, IVF, cloning, etc etc.
PLEASE subscribe to the blog so you don't miss the next series because we are going to dive deep into this one. You can find more resources on my home page. Check it out and scroll down. You'll find links, downloads and the replay of a weekly webinar I'm hosting. If you'd like to participate next week, you can register there for free.
AMENDMENT 5 - GAMBLING AT LAKE OF THE OZARKS - VOTE NO
This amendment would legalize gambling boats at Lake of the Ozarks. That local community has clearly expressed their disapproval of this, but now it is on a statewide ballot for everyone to vote on.
This is highly inappropriate for the constitution. Even if you approve of a gambling boat at the lake - it does not belong in our CONSTITUTION.
AMENDMENT 6 - FUNDING SALARIES FOR SHERIFFS, PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS & CIRCUIT ATTORNEYS - VOTE NO
Again, this is very inappropriate language for our constitution. I agree we need to ensure funding for these positions but it is NOT appropriate material for the constitution. It belongs in state statute.
AMENDMENT 7 - VOTING - RESEARCH & PRAY
This amendment contains 3 issues that all pertain to voting.
1. ONLY U.S. citizens would be allowed to vote. This language is already in our state statutes but it is slightly different in the constitution and they need to align. Currently it says that "U.S. citizens and vote" but it doesn't say who cannot vote. This language is the same in other states where they are now seeing illegal immigrants voting in local elections. We want to protect Missouri fully from that possibility.
2. Bans rank choice voting (RCV). RCV is a long, arduous way of voting & counting votes. Stay tuned. If I can fit it in I'll record a podcast focusing on rank choice voting. Suffice it to say that it is BAD. It leaves an incredible amount of room for foul play in the process.
3. Would REQUIRE the plurality winner of the party primary to be the only candidate for that party in the general election. This is the way it is now, but passing this would mean that couldn't change. I don't love this point because I'd like to see us pass runoff elections under certain circumstances. This would prevent that from happening.
This amendment deserves its own blog & podcast. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss it!
PROPOSITION A - RAISES MINIMUM WAGE - VOTE NO
The proposition is not a change in our constitution, but in our statutes. That is where it belongs, but raising minimum wage is going to be harmful to our already broken economy.
Raising minimum wage will be extremely harmful to our small businesses. The government needs to stop intruding in wages and allow the market to be free. VOTE NO.
more to come
This is the first article in a series where we will dive deep into Amendment 3 and Amendment 7. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss them!
It's IMPERATIVE that we have educated voters showing up to the polls. Please take time before November 5th to do your due diligence and understand what you are voting on. Then, share that information and the resources with your family & friends!
In hopes of consolidating our Calls To Action and hot topics for the upcoming week, I'm going to link the Senate info here and I'll do my best to update you as the week progresses. These aren't the only items we are watching and as you know legislation is an every changing beast so I'll keep you posted as best I can.
monday, feb 6th
senate hearings
Local Government & Elections Committee
2:00 pm in Senate Committee Room 2
SB 16 by Cierpiot - OPPOSE. Weighted voting in our Central Committees. It's BAD!
SJR 30 by Ben Brown - SUPPORT. Bans rank choice voting via ballot measure.
1. Come testify in person
2. Call and email the committee members:
Senator Elaine Gannon, Chair - elaine.gannon@senate.mo.gov 573.751.4008
Senator Sandy Crawford, Vice Chair - sandy.crawford@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
Senate Formal Calendar**
Bills on the formal calendar will be brought to the floor for debate & perfection, but there's no way to know when. They won't all make it to the floor Monday, but it will depend on how quickly things move as to when they do arrive this week or maybe even next week. There will also be additions as time passes. These are the bills I've been watching closely, but there are a few others as well.
SB 5 by Koenig - School Choice. OPPOSE. Can't support as currently written.
SB 81 by Coleman - Voucher/School Choice & Tax Credit for Home Schools. OPPOSE. Can't support as currently written. The playing field is unequal between public & private schools. Either push DESE back out of public schools or the only fair thing to do is push DESE requirement in to private and although we don't want that, it will likely happen. The Treasurer's office will create the rules around the flow of money. It won't end well. Private schools need to be protected and public schools need to be free.
SB 100 by Eigel - Gold & Silver. SUPPORT
SB 39 by Rehder - Boys in Girl's Sports. SUPPORT w/Amendments to strike DESE & Title 9 language. Change the language regarding birth certificates due to Cierpiot's birth certificate bill. She needs to use Moon's language in regard to identification of biological boys.
SB 117 by Leutkemeyer - Torte Reform & Sovereign Immunity. OPPOSE. This is a HORRIBLE bill. I can't express how bad & far reaching it will be. This bill needs to die quickly!!
SB 45 by Gannon - Expanding Medicaid. OPPOSE. Why are Republicans expanding medicaid?? The only way we can support this is if they add the pro-life language to it that would exclude post abortion care. We might see a filibuster over this one.
senate resolutions
SCR 4 by Eigel - Commends Israel from its cordial and mutually beneficial relationship with Missouri and the United States, supports Israel's right to exist and recognizes Jerusalem as the eternal capitol of Israel. I LOVE BILL EIGEL FOR THIS!!
tuesday
senate hearings
Education & Workforce Development
8:15am in the Senate Lounge
SB 134 by Moon. SUPPORT. Bans school personnel from speaking with students about gender identity without prior permission from a parent.
1. Testify in person. Arrive by 7:15 or even earlier. Doors should open at 7:45 am. Limited seating. Overflow stands in hallway.
2. Call & Email Committee Members
Andrew Koenig, Chair 573.751.5568
Rick Brattin, Vice-Chair. 573.751.2108
Lauren Arthur. 573.751.5282
Doug Beck. 573.751.0220
Elaine Gannon. 573.751.4008
Denny Hoskins. 573.751.4302
Greg Razer. 573.751.6607
Nick Schroer. 573.751.1282
Curtis Trent. 573.751.1503
Education Committee Emails: andrew.koenig@senate.mo.gov, rick.brattin@senate.mo.gov, lauren.arthur@senate.mo.gov, doug.beck@senate.mo.gov, elaine.gannon@senate.mo.gov, denny.hoskins@senate.mo.gov, greg.razer@senate.mo.gov, nick.schroer@senate.mo.gov, curtis.trent@senate.mo.gov
