“The Parson administration’s removal of an exhibit on LGBT history from the Missouri Capitol Museum was disappointing. That the governor lied about his reasons for doing so is indefensible. The statutory procedure the governor says wasn’t followed for approving exhibits does not exist. State law authorizes the Board of Public Buildings to allocate space to the museum but gives the board no power to determine the content of exhibits, and there is no evidence the board has ever done so. The governor had no justification for removing this exhibit and no excuse for not restoring it.”
House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade [2019 file photo].
Today:
Minority Leader Crystal Quade released the following statement on House Republicans’ decision to defund Medicaid and deny health care coverage for Missouri’s most vulnerable:
“By defunding Medicaid, House Republicans have chosen to torpedo Missouri’s economy and sow chaos in our health care system. They have chosen to refuse billions in federal funding to create of a tremendous number of jobs, revive struggling rural hospitals and make for a healthier state. They have chosen to inflict heavy collateral damage on Missouri and its people to keep fighting a partisan battle they already have lost.
“The debate over Medicaid expansion ended when voters locked it into the state constitution. The debate now is whether House Republicans respect the rule of law. Today they proved they do not.”
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
“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 Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade [2018 file photo].
A statement from Missouri House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade:
House Minority Caucus
Rep. Crystal Quade
Minority Leader
[….]
STATEMENT
Revelations about health department director unsettling
“The revelation that Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams used the power of his position to personally track the menstrual periods of Planned Parenthood patients is deeply disturbing. State law requires the health department director to be ‘of recognized character and integrity.’ This unsettling behavior calls into question whether Doctor Williams meets that high standard. Governor Parson must immediately investigate whether patient privacy was compromised or laws broken and determine if this is a person who Missourians can be comfortable having in a position of public trust.”
House Minority Leader Crystal Quade
D-Springfield
-30-
Tracking menstrual periods. That’s going to go over really well with your average Missourian, don’t you think?
This afternoon from House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D):
Crystal Quade @crystal_quade
As of today revenue is down $251 mil
HB 548 adds a $180 mil loss by 2023 by giving more tax cuts to the wealthiest
We still have tax cuts from SB 509 on the way- $450 mil in losses per year, or $630 mil fully phased in
Zero debate allowed on the underlying bill. Passed 78 to 72 4:30 PM – 9 Apr 2019
The Missouri GOP:
Missouri GOP @MissouriGOP
Taxpayers keeping more of their own money!
[….] 5:33 PM – 9 Apr 2019
Too many emojis there.
Heh. Big mistake. Big. Huge.
And:
Crystal Quade @crystal_quade
Replying to @MissouriGOP
Don’t clap too hard, Missouri bridges might collapse. 7:36 PM – 9 Apr 2019
After the opening of the legislative session on Wednesday the majority party and the minority party held separate press availabilities in the House Lounge. Speaker Elijah Haahr, on behalf of the Republican majority, did not make a statement but did take questions from the media. Later, House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade, on behalf of House Democrats, made remarks and then took questions from the media.
House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade – January 9, 2019.
Representative Quade’s remarks:
House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade: Good afternoon. House Democrats are excited and energized as we begin the benchmark hundredth general assembly. Though few in number, we are bold and strong in our convictions. We are determined to act in the best interests of all Missourians and hold the majority accountable when it fails to do so.
Our priorities for twenty-nineteen, as they have always been for Democrats, include fighting for quality and affordable public education for all Missourians, access to affordable and quality health care for all Missourians, and defending rights for all workers throughout Missouri.
This year House Democrats are also committed to defending the will of Missouri voters. As you know voters stood with progressive value in November – from increasing the statewide minimum wage, to legalizing medical marijuana, to enacting major redistricting and legislative ethics reform. We also overwhelmingly rejected the Republican push to undermine workers’ ability to organize and defend their rights.
House Democrats will do all we can to stop the majority from balancing their tax cuts on the backs of school children, the elderly and disabled, and working families. Democrat will fight for a balanced budget that put every day Missourians first. And because of these Republican reckless tax policies that have sharply reduced state revenue collection Missouri will once again be faced with difficult financial choices. Democrats will insure that the state’s most important investments – in our people – are not on the chopping block.
Today at noon at the capitol in Jefferson City the Missouri General Assembly started the 2019 legislative session – the 100th in the history of the state.
Before the House was gaveled into session boutonnieres were placed on members’ desks on the House floor.
New members on the House floor greeted friends and family in the side and public galleries:
Representative Keri Ingle (D).
And greeted their colleagues on the House floor:
Representative Kip Kendrick (D).
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (r) brought the House to order and led the chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance:
….Symbols of State often convey political ideas, just as religious symbols come to convey theological ones. Associated with many of these symbols are appropriate gestures of acceptance or respect: a salute, a bowed or bared head, a bended knee. A person gets from a symbol the meaning he puts into it, and what is one man’s comfort and inspiration is another’s jest and scorn….
A bowed head:
Representative Bruce Franks, Jr. (D).
Listening to Secretary of State Ashcroft’s (r) remarks – the republican side of the House chamber:
Members were then sworn into the House:
Representative Brandon Ellington (D) – House Minority Whip.
The Democratic minority in both chambers of the General Assembly are “super minorities” – that is, they have little ability to stop or even slow down actions of the majority.
The House Democratic Minority Leader spoke after nominations for Speaker of the House were closed:
Representative Crystal Quade (D) – House Minority Leader.
Representative Elijah Haahr (r) was elected as Speaker of the House:
The newly elected Speaker, escorted to the dais.
After speeches by the Speaker and the Speaker Pro Tem and a series of formalities and resolutions the House adjourned.
Last night the Cass County Democratic Committee held it’s “Red, White and Blue Collar Celebration” Back to Blue dinner in Raymore. Approximately 200 individuals attended – meeting candidates and listening to remarks from featured speakers State Audior Nicole Galloway (D), Representative Crystal Quade (D), and Misouri Democratic Party Chair Stephen Webber.
Working people attended in force – opposition to Proposition A – “Right to get paid less” – was a major theme for the evening.
The republican party led dysfunction in Jefferson City was also a major topic of discussion.
Jessica Podhola (D).
“…Words of wisdom…so, uh, don’t work out with the governor. [laughter] Is that not wise advice? [laughter] Sorry. Um, is it too soon, is it too soon to, to say that…?” – Jessica Podhola
Vote “No” on “Right to get paid less” yard sign.
Renee Hoagenson (D), a candidate in the 4th Congressional District.
Hallie Thompson (D), a candidate in the 4th Congressional District.
State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D).
Representative Crystal Quade (D).
“…[the] dark cloud that currently surrounds Jefferson City is something that none of us could of prepared for. Often people down from where I’m from in Greene County will say to me, you know, it must be really hard to be a Democrat in a super minority. And, um, I like to say back to them, you know, there’s no better time to be a Democrat than right now. [….] Democrats didn’t expect such a mess from the Republicans and from their governor. I can tell you they did not expect us. They didn’t expect a group of legislators who were ready to fight back when they brought terrible bills to the floor…” – Crystal Quade
Missouri Democratic Party Chair Stephen Webber.
“…It’s dangerous to believe that progress is the law of life. Gravity is a law. Gravity is a law of life. Gravity is gonna happen. You drop something, it’s gonna fall. That, that’s gonna happen. Progress isn’t. Progress is not inevitable. Progress is not preordained. Progress is not something that just happens with the passage of time. Progress can be reversed. Progress only happens if somebody makes it happen. And in Missouri that somebody is us… ” – Stephen Webber
