Category Archives: Missouri General Assembly

Right wingnut political spin is a lot harder to sell when people have sufficient time on their hands to not buy it

22 Sunday Mar 2020

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Rep. Hannah Kelly (r) tried to get into a social media fight with candidate for Attorney General Elad Gross (D).

Representative Hannah Kelly (r) [2019 file photo].

Hannah Kelly @HannahKellyMO
Republican supermajority said YES TO 40 Million in the supplemental budget 2 fight #coronavirus.Going into Session is not contingent on the absence any 1 member.We are all praying for the swift health recovery & return of Rep. Runions. @BigElad needs to stop with the politics.
[….]
4:53 PM · Mar 21, 2020

That’s “pro-life” for you. How many people in Missouri? What’s the latest prediction of the COVID-19 infection rate, maybe 50%? Do the math.

Some of the responses:

$7 million from State

Elad Gross: $7 million that was already allocated for emergency response efforts.

These folks are trying to play our state in the midst of a pandemic. We cannot afford this.

Yes your not the one being dishonest. It’s just nuts how they spin.

Legislative staffer: It is a little ironic @BigElad saying no more playing politics while playing politics and spreading false information. He could have argued about the amount. But in fairness probably didn’t do his research. #FeelBetterRunions #MoreImportantThings

More important things? The General Assembly was elected to serve the people. If it can’t find a way to do so during any type of emergency, then what purpose does it actually serve? If you can’t, then step aside for someone who can and will.

Elad Gross (D) [2020 file photo].

Elad Gross: [….] I rarely ever talk about the parties, but this is absolute crap.

Rep. Runions deserves more than our well-wishes. He needs us to be responsible, protect him, and protect all of the people of our state.

A friend of mine is on a ventilator right now. We deserve better.

Elad Gross: $7 million is STATE FUNDS we have now.
$33 million of FEDERAL FUNDS is a made-up number hoping that we get it.

The Governor agrees we need emergency funding NOW!

Because of this failure, we need to bring #Coronavirus-exposed reps back to Jeff City!?

I try very hard to be nice and polite but I’ve had it.
You are failing the people of Missouri.
You and the Governor with his inept, pathetic excuse for a Director of health have done virtually nothing to avert this crisis.
Hospitals are all ready begging for assistance.

You have abdicated responsibility to Mayors and thank God for them.
Why am I Tweeting this?
Because when the death toll mounts there needs to be a record of what you didn’t do, of how you didn’t lead, and of how your inaction resulted in harm to Missouri.
Shame on you.

Why is it too much to be fully honest?

Missouri is going to lose many, many people because of you. People will lose jobs and homes; families will be broken up because of you.

We will not forget.

Politics got us into this disaster and politics is going to get us out. No shame in talking about the next election. I wish it were tomorrow.

Hannah Kelly is a liar.

There’s about to be a lot of blood on your hands. Absolutely disgusting.

This made me feel nauseous. I hope this makes Hannah feel nauseous.

Here’s a hat for you & your @gop so-called “super” majority…of [….]

This isn’t the time for politics! That time was last week when the “liberal media” was spreading a hoax! Amirite @HannahKellyMO?

Not nearly enough. More medical supplies are urgently needed, and people will have their livelihoods ruined and/or die because of a your refusal to do all you can. Don’t hurt your arm patting yourself on the back.

@gop are #UnfitForOffice #UnfitToLead #ResignNow

@HannahKellyMO The bare minimum you could do. #NoMedals #TrumpPandemic

I wonder why when Republicans are called out now their claim is, but, but, you’re wrong, it’s so very benign.

Tragic for our country when partisan politics were never an issue and now it’s every single one!

Your the one who needs to stop with the politics. You did the bare minimum, you agreed to take federal money. That’s it. Why do you Republicans have to lie all the time?

33 million of that was just taking the federal money. Once again, don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back. You voted down a reasonable package of 87 million that would have helped healthcare with desperately needed supplies & equipment NOW.

Lol most of that was just accepting federal funds. What about the $87M you voted down for healthcare/medical needs? OUR HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS NEED HELP NOW!!!

You voted down an 87 million packge that included healthcare! What are you bragging about?

If you’re not going to seriously help, STFU. We see your record you idiot.

They’re not buying it.

In the Missouri House of Representatives

20 Friday Mar 2020

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Speaker Elijah Haahr (r) [2019 file photo].

A statement from the leadership of the Missouri House of Representatives:

Elijah Haahr @elijahhaahr
Bipartisan #MoLeg Statement Regarding #COVID-19 in the State Capitol Building.
[….]
“We have recently learned a member of the House of Representatives has tested positive for the coronavirus. We are still working to notify members and staff that might have been in contact with the member and have requested all employees stay out of the Capitol for at least the next 10 days. While we learn more and work closely with DHSS to take every precaution necessary, we keep this member and their family in our thoughts and prayers in their battle to return back to health.”
[….]
6:00 PM · Mar 20, 2020

House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade [2019 file photo].

And from other members of the House, referring to the statement:

MaryElizabethColeman @meaccoleman In accordance with CDC guidelines, after having limited exposure with the infected Representative, I will self quarantine for the next 14 days. #MoLeg

Rasheen Aldridge. Jr @RepSheenBean
For the next 14 days I will be self quarantine. #COVID-19

Kip Kendrick @Kip_Kendrick
With a member of the Missouri House testing positive for COVID-19, I will be self quarantining for the next 14 days because it’s the right thing to do.

Gina Mitten @gcmitts
My last interaction with this member was 3/12, so I will not be leaving my home until next Wednesday.

From media:

Jaclyn Driscoll @DriscollNPR
Some members of the press are concerned this could be someone from the budget committee since we were jammed into a room on Sunday doing budget markup. From reliable sources: the person is not on budget committee and was last in the capitol on March 12th #moleg

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D) on the Governor’s Declaration of a State of Emergency

13 Friday Mar 2020

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House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade [2018 file photo].

Crystal Quade

More proactive steps needed to address coronavirus spread

“The governor’s declaration of a state of emergency is an important step, but one of just many needed to mitigate the spread of coronavirus and prepare for its impact. Instead of just reacting to the situation as it unfolds, the administration must anticipate future developments and take pre-emptive action before problems occur.

“In the short-term, that includes giving local health care providers all necessary resources to protect the public, plus ensuring that no one is denied care – and left to potentially spread the virus – because of inability to pay. Longer term, the state must implement economic protections for Missourians who might be unable work or pay their bills until the crisis passes.

“We recently shared some recommendations to help address both the public health and economic implications of coronavirus. We hope the governor will quickly announce his plan and begin implementing it.”

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade
D-Springfield

Governor Mike Parson (r) [2018 file photo].

Yvonne Reeves-Chong (D) – Sedalia, Missouri – January 25, 2020

27 Monday Jan 2020

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“…We are in this for the people that live next door to us…”

Yvonne Reeves-Chong (D), candidate in the 122nd Legislative District – Sedalia, Missouri – January 25, 2020.

Lindsey Simmons, a Democratic Party candidate in the 4th Congressional District, held a campaign meet and greet event, including area and statewide candidates, in Sedalia yesterday evening.

Yvonne Reeves-Chong‘s (D) remarks (audio file edited):

Yvonne Reeves-Chong (D): … The 122nd, we, it’s actually open, but, we aven’t had a Democrat run for that seat since 2006. We ceded the territory. And, I’m going to make a difference, as she mentioned.

I’m running this thing, and I’m running this race, and I’m making them chase me. [applause] Guys, I went up with four by eights [signs] last week. And I’m talking to every single person. I woke up at six thirty, well, I woke up at five thirty. Six thirty this morning I was at the Great Chili Cookoff. [laughter] Because there were four hundred people at the Great Chili Cookoff. Now, I’m strictly a microwave kind of girl. [laughter] So I found some good Democrats that could cook. And we made some dang good chili, came in third. [applause]

But one of the things that happened today that I thought was really interesting, I was in the kitchen because they allowed me to stir, no more. And I was doing stirring duty and one of the other contestants walked over and said, you know, I just took a picture of you and sent it, sent it to my cousin, who is my opponent, because you’re here and he isn’t. [applause]

Everybody’s going to tell you that we can’t win. They’re gonna tell you that this is red territory. And on the surface I think they might be right. It looks kind of red. Until we start talking to people.

What makes the difference? My district is a red district. And every district that we don’t compete in is a red district. [applause]

Last week I held a town hall meeting. I decided we were gonna talk about guns. And I’m a Democrat. And I got a hundred people together in a red district. And I had Moms Demand Justice up here in the front row. And I had the guy over in the back corner, ’cause you know those guys are gonna sit in the back corner. [laughter] Going, your gonna take my gun. And we spent an hour talking. And at the end of that hour we came up with a background check law that every single person in that room agreed to. [applause] We are not going to win on Facebook. We are not going to win by talking to each other in groups like this. And I love doing this. It’s necessary, but it will not win our race. I’m lucky. I have a pretty contained district. And I’m going to talk to every single person. [applause] When we left the gun town hall the guy in the back walked up to me and said, I really hate that you’re a damn Democrat. [laughter] I looked at him and said, gonna break a trend, aren’t I? He said, yep, gimme a big old hug ’cause I gotta vote for you. [applause]…

Yvonne Reeves-Chong (D): …So, I’m gonna be that damn Democrat. And I’m going to talk to people who don’t like me. We are in this for the people that live next door to us. And the people that work at the companies, not just the people that own the companies. [applause]

If I can give you any hint, and we’ve got a lot of candidates here, we’re getting ready to do some really great things this year. We’re aiming for greatness.

And, I, I’m a single parent. Raised my son. And I think he’s great. He’s a pretty successful kid. He’s got his head on straight, um, he’s a pastor, been a pastor for fifteen years. And so I talk to him. You know, ’cause I gotta get my mom strokes in. ‘Cause, obviously, I did a great job. [laughter] And, and I asked him, I said, what could I have done better? Expecting him to say, Mom, you’re the best. And he said, Mom, you did a lot of really terrific things, you gave me voice lessons, and piano lessons, we went to museums, we discussed cultural things, you got me a terrific education. But, you know what, Mom? It would have been easier to be great if you had done one thing. Well, what’s that? He said, Mom, you should have taught me how to make my bed every morning. I said, what? He said, Mom, you see, it’s the little daily things we do tat ease the path to greatness.

It’s not the big things. We’re not gonna win this race on Election Day. We’re gonna win our races by making our beds every morning and talking to the woman at the drive through, or going to talk to the hotel maid, if you’re staying in a hotel overnight. You’re gonna talk to the person at WalMart. We’re gonna door knock, but we’re gonna have real conversations with real, with real people. You’re gonna talk to that neighbor with the Trump sign in his yard. Talk to him. He voted for Trump ’cause he’s mad. And he should be. And if you look at what’s going on in Jeff City right now, furious. So, you strut right past that Trump sign, knock on the door with the Confederate flag. [laughter] Oh, I do. Those are my people. [laughter][applause] Talk to them. That’s really all they’ve asked for, for years. They asked us to please talk to ’em.

So, let’s go make our beds. Let’s do those small things. Every one of us. In every one of these districts…

[….]

Previously:

Lindsey Simmons (D) – in the 4th Congressional District – Sedalia, Missouri – January 25, 2020 (January 26, 2020)

Elad Gross (D) – Sedalia, Missouri – January 26, 2020 (January 26, 2020)

Judy Baker (D) – Sedalia, Missouri – January 25, 2020 (January 27, 2020)

Judy Baker (D) – Sedalia, Missouri – January 25, 2020

27 Monday Jan 2020

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Senate, Uncategorized

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Judy Baker (D), candidate for 19th Senate District, speaking in Sedalia, Missouri on January 25, 2020.

Lindsey Simmons, a Democratic Party candidate in the 4th Congressional District, held a campaign meet and greet event, including area and statewide candidates, in Sedalia yesterday evening.

Judy Baker‘s (D) remarks (audio file edited):

Judy Baker (D): [….] …So I want to talk tonight about three chronic conditions that Missouri has.

The first one is, we have chronic health system failure. But what that is, is, we’ve talked about Medicaid expansion, it’s largely that. U. Medicaid expansion has two things, two big things going on with it. First of all, this, uh, administration in Missouri has kicked off over a hundred thousand children off of health care. That’s children, people. And then last week they bragged about that because they did that there is more money in the budget. And my opponent [Caleb Rowden (r)] has even said, well, because we have, we were able to do that then, you know, we might be able to give more money to education. Pitting children against their own education. How egregious is that?

Uh, and then secondarily in health care we have the money people have talked about. And I’m gonna give you a number. When we say that we’ve sent our taxpayer dollars to Washington, D.C. and we have not, we have not seen it come back because it’s been going to Illinois, and Kansas, Iowa, uh, because they all took, uh, Medicaid expansion. Even Kansas has worked a deal to do that.

It’s a big number. And it’s with a B. It’s one point eight billion dollars a year that we don’t bring back to Missouri. Every, every, every single report and study that’s been done on Medicaid expansion has shown that state revenues go up, average wage goes up. Who would like a raise? Yeah, all of us would like a raise. Uh, they way to do that is to actually do Medicaid expansion. Chronic health system failure at the hands of the current Republican leadership.

The second is chronic unfairness. Chronic unfairness, both in the country and in our state. Rising inequality, we have the highest inequality in the last fifty years. That means people are working harder and getting less. And people at the top are doing quite well, thank you very much. Less than fifty percent of Americans can even have enough at the end of the month to put anything away in saving accounts. So when they say, oh, well, you know, our 401K is doing okay, most people don’t have a 401K, thank you very much. So, chronic unfairness…

Judy Baker (D): …My opponent has worked against the, uh, Proposition Four minimum wage. So, we have, we have got to do something about that chronic problem.

And then lastly, number three, chronic political disempowerment. You all know what I mean by that, I’m having a lot of shaking heads. It means gerrymandering, it means too much money in politics, it means that one person, one vote has been diluted, particularly in Missouri.

My opponent just reported his numbers for fundraising in the fourth quarter. And it was practically all PAC money. I have real people in my report giving ten and fifty and hundred and fifty and two hundred dollars at a time. And I’m very, very proud of that. We’re not gonna win on having the most money, but we’re gonna win on having the best money. [applause]

Chronic political disempowerment. We are now governing by ballot. Do you all know what I mean by that? Missourians, whatever they want and the legislature won’t give us, which is a lot of things, we have to go to the ballot for. Like minimum wage, raising the minimum wage. Like, right to work, defeating right to work. And having fair labor practices in this state. And Clean Missouri. To get money out of politics, we had to take it to the ballot. And now to have adequate health care for our children and our citizen and our working families, we have to take it to the ballot. Why do we have to do that? Because our representatives don’t represent us anymore. They represent large interests and whoever gives them the most money…

Judy Baker (D): …So, the most important thing that you all want to hear from me tonight is how are we gonna win. Senate 19. What’s my name again? [voices:] “Judy Baker.” Judy Baker. And what’s my district? [voices:] “Senate 19.” Senate 19. It’s Columbia, Booneville, and all those areas around there.

How do we win? We barely lost this seat in 2016. We should have won this one. Tis is our seat and we’re gonna take it back. I have already [applause], yes. How are we gonna win? I already won this seat once. I told you I ran for State Treasurer in that year 2016, when I ran, if you take out just Senate 19 I actually won the district in 2016. And then Claire McCaskill won it in 2018. So, 2020, Judy Baker’s taking it back. [applause]

Clean Missouri, Clean Missouri, where we take money out of politics and we get rid of gerrymandering. Clean Missouri passed in my district, Senate District 19, with seventy-one percent of the vote. I’m telling you, right now, Caleb Rowden (r) has a problem. And that problem’s name is: [voices:] “Judy Baker.” That is right. Judy Baker is coming to get him. The train is coming through and we’re gonna take him down.

And we’re gonna show them what real representation looks like.

I can’t thank you all enough for being here tonight and supporting Democrats.

We have a webite, uh, we could use some funds. Uh, but mostly, I want you to support the host of the party tonight and thank her very much for allowing us to come and be here. [applause]

Last thing. When we win this in November, believe it or not, for Columbia and Booneville in Missouri this will be the first female state senator in those counties. [applause]

Previously:

Lindsey Simmons (D) – in the 4th Congressional District – Sedalia, Missouri – January 25, 2020 (January 26, 2020)

Elad Gross (D) – Sedalia, Missouri – January 26, 2020 (January 26, 2020)

SB 715: they’ll always have their tenther drivel

22 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Senate

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Eric Burlison (r) [2016 file photo].

A bill, introduced in the Missouri Senate:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 715 [pdf]
100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR BURLISON.

Pre-filed December 1, 2019, and ordered printed.

ADRIANE D. CROUSE, Secretary. 3039S.01I

AN ACT

To repeal section 536.037, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to state enforcement of federal regulations.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 536.037, RSMo, is repealed and two new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 1.360 and 536.037, to read as follows:

1.360. 1. To ensure that the powers reserved to this state under Amendment X of the Constitution of the United States are protected and to ensure that the federal government does not encroach on this state’s status as an independent sovereign in a federal system of governance, all federal rules and regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency shall be subject to approval by the general assembly as set forth in subsection 5 of this section.

2. No department or agency of this state shall enforce any rule or regulation promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency within the borders of this state unless the enforcement of such regulation is approved by the general assembly as set forth in subsection 5 of this section.

3. No rule or regulation promulgated on or after August 28, 2020, by any department or agency of this state in conjunction with the enforcement of any rule or regulation promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency shall be enforceable unless such rule or regulation is approved by the general assembly as set forth in subsection 5 of this section.

4. Any existing rule or regulation promulgated before August 28, 2020, by any department or agency of this state in conjunction with the enforcement of any rule or regulation promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency that is in force and effect after August 28, 2020, shall be subject to review by the committee on administrative rules, established under section 536.037. The committee shall determine whether such rule or regulation shall continue to be enforced and shall make a recommendation thereof to the general assembly. The general assembly shall review all such rules and regulations referred to it by the committee and shall approve or disapprove of the continued enforcement of such rules or regulations. No such rule or regulation that the general assembly disapproves shall be enforceable unless and until the rule or regulation is again referred to the general assembly by the committee of administrative rules and then approved by the general assembly. Any such rule or regulation that the general assembly approves shall continue to be enforced unless such rule or regulation is repealed by the agency or department.

5. No rule or regulation promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or any rule or regulation promulgated by any department or agency of this state in conjunction with the enforcement of any rule or regulation promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, shall be effective in the state until the general assembly, within the first sixty calendar days of the regular session immediately following the promulgation of such rule or regulation, by concurrent resolution, approves such rule or regulation.

[….]

4. The committee shall review all rules and regulations promulgated before August 28, 2020, by any federal agency or by any state agency in conjunction with the enforcement of any rule or regulation promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency that are in force and effect on August 28, 2020, and determine whether such rules and regulations should continue to be enforced under section 1.360. In its review the committee may take such action as it deems necessary, which may include holding hearings. The committee shall refer all reviewed rules and regulations to the general assembly with a recommendation of whether such rule or regulation should be enforceable. Any citizen of this state may request the review of any specific rule or regulation promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the committee shall review such rule or regulation.

[….]

So, you like clean air and water, eh?

HB 2044: Wouldn’t it just be easier to burn all of the books?

16 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

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Just asking.

A bill:

HB 2044
Establishes the “Parental Oversight of Public Libraries Act”
Sponsor: Baker, Ben (160)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2020
LR Number: 4634H.01I
Last Action: 01/09/2020 – Read Second Time (H)
Bill String: HB 2044
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

The devil is in the details:

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 2044 [pdf]
100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE BAKER.

4634H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To repeal section 181.060, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to parental oversight of public libraries, with penalty provisions.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

[….]

5. No public library shall receive any state aid under this section if such library allows minors to access age-inappropriate sexual materials in violation of section 182.821.

182.821. 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Parental Oversight of Public Libraries Act”.

2. As used in this section, the following terms mean:

(1) “Age-inappropriate sexual material”, any description or representation, in any form, of nudity, sexuality, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or sadomasochistic abuse, that:
(a) Taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest of minors;
(b) Is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community with respect to what is appropriate material for minors; and
(c) Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors;

(2) “Geographical area”, any village, town, city, county, library district, or other area with established boundaries in which a library is established or for which a library is established to provide library services;

(3) “Public library”, any library that receives state aid under section 181.060 and that provides public access to age-inappropriate sexual material.

3. Each public library shall establish a parental library review board as provided in this subsection.
(1) At least thirty calendar days before the election of a board under this subsection, the governing body of the public library shall notify all qualified voters residing within the library’s geographical area that an election for members of the library’s parental library review board will be held at a regularly convened hearing of the village, town, city, or county in which the majority of the library’s geographical area lies. At such hearing, the qualified voters present shall elect the members of the board by a majority vote. The five individuals receiving the highest number of votes cast by the qualified voters present shall be members of the board.
(2) The board shall be composed of five adult residents of the public library’s geographical area. Each board member shall serve a term of two years. Any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner in which the member was initially elected, except that if a member vacates the office before the end of the member’s term, the vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term only. No member of the board shall receive any compensation for any actions related to fulfilling board duties. No member of the board shall be an employee of the library, the state, or any political subdivision thereof.
(3) (a) The board shall determine whether any sexual material provided to the public by the public library is age-inappropriate sexual material. To make such determinations, the board shall convene public hearings at which members of the community may present concerns to the board. After receiving comments from the public, the board shall examine individual instances of the questioned sexual material to determine whether it is age-inappropriate sexual material under this section.
(b) The board may order any material deemed to be age-inappropriate sexual material to be removed from public access by minors at the public library.
(c) Any such determination or order made by the board shall be the final determination or order on such materials, and shall not be subject to any review by the governing body of the public library, the state, or any political subdivision thereof. This subdivision shall not be construed to prohibit judicial review of any determination or order made by the board under this section.

4. Each public library shall, on or before June thirtieth of each year, verify compliance with this section on any form created by the board. After such compliance is verified, the library shall post the verification in a conspicuous place for public viewing at the library.

5. Any public library personnel who willfully neglects or refuses to perform any duty imposed on a public library under this section, or who willfully violates any provision of this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one year.

Wait, how are we supposed to elect the book burning brigade?

“…At least thirty calendar days before the election of a board under this subsection, the governing body of the public library shall notify all qualified voters residing within the library’s geographical area that an election for members of the library’s parental library review board will be held at a regularly convened hearing of the village, town, city, or county in which the majority of the library’s geographical area lies. At such hearing, the qualified voters present shall elect the members of the board by a majority vote. The five individuals receiving the highest number of votes cast by the qualified voters present shall be members of the board…”

Uh, who counts the votes? What happens if there’s a dispute about the election or the vote count?

“…To make such determinations, the board shall convene public hearings at which members of the community may present concerns to the board….”

Ah, public governance by pearl clutchers.

That’s never a good idea.

Wait, if a member of the public is not a parent can they run for the book burning “parental” review board? Just asking.

“…Any public library personnel who willfully neglects or refuses to perform any duty imposed on a public library under this section, or who willfully violates any provision of this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one year.”

First they came for the librarians who made classic and new juvenile literature available to juveniles…

HJR 99, HB 1811, and HB 1600: afraid of voters

14 Tuesday Jan 2020

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

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Introduced today by Representative John Simmons (r):

HJR 99
Proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit selecting electors for the President of the United States based on the national popular vote
Sponsor: Simmons, John (109)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2020
LR Number: 3107H.01I
Last Action: 01/14/2020 – Introduced and Read First Time (H)
Bill String: HJR 99
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

There are 2,868,691‬ reasons [pdf] for that one, eh?

And, earlier:

HB 1811
Modifies provisions for initiative petitions and referendums
Sponsor: Simmons, John (109)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2020
LR Number: 3186H.01I
Last Action: 01/09/2020 – Read Second Time (H)
Bill String: HB 1811
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

The summary [pdf]:

HB 1811 — PETITION REGULATIONS
SPONSOR: Simmons

This bill changes the format of signature sheets and requires the Secretary of State to make petition sheets available in an electronic format for printing and circulation. There is a $500 filing fee for each initiative or referendum petition sample sheet with an additional $25 fee per page of text in excess of two pages. The fee is refundable if the petition is approved for circulation. This bill changes the maximum number of words that the official summary statement can contain from 50 to 150 words and requires signatures on petitions to be in black or blue ink. Initiative petitions may not invalidate or modify federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, or court decisions, amend federal or constitutional provisions, or accomplish any act delegated to the General Assembly under the Constitution of the United States. This bill changes the “Publications Fund” to the “Secretary of State’s Petition Publications Fund”. The procedure for counting or evaluating signatures are specified in the bill. The bill specifies that any court ordered changes to a ballot title results in the invalidation of signatures collected prior to the order. This bill is similar to HB 290 (2019).

“…any court ordered changes to a ballot title results in the invalidation of signatures collected prior to the order…”

Convenient. Have enough money and don’t like an initiative petition with a lot of popular support? Just sue to change the ballot title.

And:

HB 1600
Modifies several provisions relating elections
Sponsor: Simmons, John (109)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2020
LR Number: 3088H.01I
Last Action: 01/09/2020 – Read Second Time (H)
Bill String: HB 1600
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar

The summary:

HB 1600 — ELECTIONS SPONSOR: Simmons This bill modifies election laws. In its main provisions the bill: (1) Requires candidates filing their declaration of candidacy with the Secretary of State to pay their fee to the treasurer of the appropriate political party committee; (2) Requires persons voting in person by use of an absentee ballot to establish their identity under Section 115.427, RSMo; (3) Allows voters without personal identification at a polling place to vote a provisional ballot which will be counted based upon a certification process and the return of documentation or by a signature verification process conducted by the election authority; (4) Repeals certain affidavit and notice requirements under Section 115.427; and (5) Authorizes the Missouri Secretary of State to subpoena specified records for the purpose of investigating all classifications of election offenses and other specified offenses, but terminates such authority after August 28, 2025.

§ 115.427 RSMo:

Personal identification, requirements–statement for voters without required personal identification, procedure–provisional ballot, when–form of statement–notice of requirements–report–precinct register requirements–mark in lieu of signature, when–contingent effective date. —

1. Persons seeking to vote in a public election shall establish their identity and eligibility to vote at the polling place by presenting a form of personal identification to election officials. No form of personal identification other than the forms listed in this section shall be accepted to establish a voter’s qualifications to vote. Forms of personal identification that satisfy the requirements of this section are any one of the following:
  (1) Nonexpired Missouri driver’s license;
  (2) Nonexpired or nonexpiring Missouri nondriver’s license;
  (3) A document that satisfies all of the following requirements:
  (a) The document contains the name of the individual to whom the document was issued, and the name substantially conforms to the most recent signature in the individual’s voter registration record;
  (b) The document shows a photograph of the individual;
  (c) The document includes an expiration date, and the document is not expired, or, if expired, the document expired after the date of the most recent general election; and
  (d) The document was issued by the United States or the state of Missouri; or
  (4) Any identification containing a photograph of the individual which is issued by the Missouri National Guard, the United States Armed Forces, or the United States Department of Veteran Affairs to a member or former member of the Missouri National Guard or the United States Armed Forces and that is not expired or does not have an expiration date.
  2. (1) An individual who appears at a polling place without a form of personal identification described in subsection 1 of this section and who is otherwise qualified to vote at that polling place may execute a statement, under penalty of perjury, averring that the individual is the person listed in the precinct register; averring that the individual does not possess a form of personal identification described in subsection 1 of this section; acknowledging that the individual is eligible to receive a Missouri nondriver’s license free of charge if desiring it in order to vote; and acknowledging that the individual is required to present a form of personal identification, as described in subsection 1 of this section, in order to vote. Such statement shall be executed and sworn to before the election official receiving the statement. Upon executing such statement, the individual may cast a regular ballot, provided such individual presents one of the following forms of identification:
  (a) Identification issued by the state of Missouri, an agency of the state, or a local election authority of the state;
  (b) Identification issued by the United States government or agency thereof;
  (c) Identification issued by an institution of higher education, including a university, college, vocational and technical school, located within the state of Missouri;
  (d) A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that contains the name and address of the individual;
  (e) Other identification approved by the secretary of state under rules promulgated pursuant to this section.
  (2) For any individual who appears at a polling place without a form of personal identification described in subsection 1 of this section and who is otherwise qualified to vote at that polling place, the election authority may take a picture of such individual and keep it as part of that individual’s voter registration file at the election authority.
  (3) Any individual who chooses not to execute the statement described in subdivision (1) of this subsection may cast a provisional ballot. Such provisional ballot shall be counted, provided that it meets the requirements of subsection 4 of this section.
[….]

Ah, voter suppression. HB 1600 closes the absentee ballot voter ID loophole. Because we know with the uninformed certainty of Donald Trump (r) that voter impersonation fraud is an epidemic…

All filed by Rep. John Simmons (r). Go figure.

St. Louis Superman: Bruce Franks, Jr.

13 Monday Jan 2020

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

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The documentary featuring Bruce Franks, Jr. was nominated for a 2020 Academy Award.

Representative Bruce Franks, Jr. (D) [2019 file photo].

…“St. Louis Superman” directed by Smriti Mundhra and Sami Kha, tells the story of black rapper and activist Bruce Franks, who was inspired to run for office by the unrest in Ferguson, Mo., in 2014. He beats the odds and is elected as a Democrat to the Missouri House of Representatives, an overwhelmingly white and Republican chamber, but still finds himself battling old demons…

The 92nd Academy Awards | 2020
Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Honoring movies released in 2019
[….]
Documentary (Short Subject)
Nominees

In the Absence
Yi Seung-Jun and Gary Byung-Seok Kam

Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)
Carol Dysinger and Elena Andreicheva

Life Overtakes Me
John Haptas and Kristine Samuelson

St. Louis Superman
Smriti Mundhra and Sami Khan

Walk Run Cha-Cha
Laura Nix and Colette Sandstedt

Representative Bruce Franks, Jr. (D) [2018 file photo].

Rep. Bruce Franks, Jr. (D) [2018 file photo].

HB 1911: You were expecting something else?

13 Monday Jan 2020

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

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Representative Mike Moon (r) [2019 file photo].

A bill, introduced by Mike Moon (r):

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1911 [pdf]
100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MOON.

4175H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 14, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to taxation.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Chapter 14, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 14.080, to read as follows: 14.080. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the state of Missouri shall not remit any taxes including, but not limited to, federal withholding taxes, to the federal government of the United States unless the federal government prohibits the use of any federal funds for abortions. This prohibition shall include abortions resulting from rape or incest and abortions performed to save a person’s life.

It’s right wingnuts. It’s the Missouri General Assembly. What else did you expect?

We are surprised there isn’t boilerplate tenther drivel in the mix.