3.21.22
JCRC ADVOCACY ALERT
Greetings!

The General Assembly has returned from its “Spring Break”. This week our focus is to oppose attempts to roll back Medicaid Expansion, continue to fight attacks on voting rights, and to support Holocaust Education. 
 
There is also information below about Empower Missouri’s in-person Lobby Day on Tuesday, April 5, with a focus on Criminal Justice Reform. JCRC will be there and can help arrange transportation.
Thank you for your advocacy,
Cheryl Adelstein
JCRC Deputy Director
JCRC Testimony
Testimony in opposition to HJR 130 – Citizen Initiative Petition
Testimony in opposition to HJR 117 – Reversing Medicaid Expansion
Testimony in support of SB 983 – Holocaust Education
Take Action - Missouri General Assembly
‣Topic: Medicaid Expansion
‣Deadline: Tuesday, March 22
 
The Senate Appropriations Committee will hear HJR 117, which is an effort to overturn a vote of the people and reverse the widespread health & economic benefits that Medicaid expansion will bring to our state. Directly contact members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and ask them to vote no on this legislation. Here is JCRC’s prepared testimony to use as a guide and here is a link to talking points to provide you with additional information.
‣‣‣Submit Testimony to oppose HJR 130
‣Topic: Voting Rights
‣Deadline: Wednesday, March 23 at 11 am
 
The House Elections and Elected Officials Committee will hear HJR 130 on Wednesday, at 12 pm. HJR 130 increases the threshold for passing proposed constitutional amendments. The passage rate remains at 50%, but adds that any ballot measure must have a 50% majority in at least 50% of the Missouri State House Districts. This would dilute the votes in the more populous areas and could result in a rejection of measures that captured a majority of votes. This disenfranchises voters.
‣Topic: Holocaust Education
‣Deadline: Wednesday, March 23  
 
The Senate Progress and Development Committee will hear SB 983, a bill to support Holocaust Education. This is the companion bill to HB 2000 which was heard in January in the Missouri House. Please contact members of the Senate Progress and Development Committee and ask them to support this bill. Here is JCRC’s testimony to use as a guide. 
Upcoming Programs
Empower Missouri Lobby Day
Tuesday, April 5
10 am - 3 pm | Jefferson City, Missouri
Join Empower Missouri for an in-person lobby day to sharpen your advocacy skills– or build new ones!
  • You will learn:
  • How a bill moves through the legislative process
  • When bills are most easily impacted by advocates and how you can participate in the process
  • How to make the most of a day in the capitol
  • You will have the opportunity: 
  • To observe floor debate or committee hearings
  • To find your lawmakers and connect with them
  • To advocate on specific pieces of anti-poverty legislation, including providing improving nutrition access, increasing access to affordable housing, reforming our criminal justice system, and protecting the initiative petition process. 
  • Lunch will be provided for all participants. For the best experience, please plan to join our training session on Tuesday, March 29 at 12 pm. This session will be recorded and sent out to those who are unable to attend. Printed training materials will also be provided on the day of the event. 
State Rep. LaDonna Applebaum's Legislative Priorities
Program sponsored by JCRC, NCJW, and the Mirowitz Center
Friday, March 23
9:30 am | Virtual