5.16.2022
JCRC ADVOCACY UPDATE
Greetings!

The Missouri General Assembly ended its 2022 session on Friday, May 15.

Often times in the legislative process, we measure our success not by what we achieved, but by what we prevented. And by that measure, it was a successful session.

With one big exception - Voter Protection. Unfortunately on Thursday, May 12, a final version of HB 1878 was passed and is being sent to the Governor for his signature. This bill creates a very restrictive voter ID requirement among many other provisions. A summary of the bill is below. We can expect this bill to be fought in the courts, as many provisions of the bill violate Federal election laws. Stay tuned.....

We can point proudly to two legislative victories: both a mandate for Holocaust Education in K-12 schools and funding and support to remove lead out of school drinking water were included in an omnibus education bill that passed on May 11. In addition, Medicaid Expansion was fully funded.

Here are some issues that DID NOT move forward:
  • Changes to the Missouri Citizen Initiative Petition process
  • Roadblock to teaching a full and comprehensive and equitable view of history in K-12 classrooms
  • Efforts to harm and discriminate against transgender youth
  • Legislation that would have allowed guns on public transit and in houses of Worship
  • Attempts to roll back Medicaid Expansion and make it more difficult to keep Medicaid benefits.
  • Stricter Stand Your Ground legislation (Shoot First).

Several of our coalition partners are hosting end-of-session wrap-ups, registration details for four of them are included below.

Thanks for going on this journey with JCRC during the legislative session. We will continue to keep you up-to-date on how you can participate in advocacy activities to support JCRC's social justice priorities.
Cheryl Adelstein
JCRC Deputy Director
What's Included in HB 1878?
Missouri Voter Protection Coalition Press Release after passage of HB 1878.
Legislative Session Summary Programs
Missouri Jobs with Justice
Wednesday, May 18
2 pm | Virtual
The 2022 Legislative Session has come to an end in Missouri. Despite the uncertainty and chaos this session presented, we came together from all parts of the state to defeat the most egregious attacks on Missouri families, protect our wins at the ballot box, and preserve our ability to successfully advocate for Missouri families.

RSVP to get all the details and hear how we are organizing with workers and voters across the state.
National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis Chapter
Thursday, May 19
12 -1 pm CT | Zoom Meeting
The Missouri Legislature wrapped up its 2022 session on May 13th. From the Senate infighting regarding redistricting and the budget to the myriad attacks on reproductive rights, it has certainly been a doozy of a session. It can often be very difficult for the layperson to navigate its intricacies.
 
For our May Lunch and Learn, we are absolutely thrilled to welcome Emily Manley, the chief capitol bureau reporter at Fox 2 News St. Louis.
Empower Missouri
Friday, May 20
12 - 1 pm CT | Virtual
The Missouri General Assembly has adjourned after a legislative session that began in January. State policymakers survived the drama of the session while producing some good and bad legislation. Join Empower Missouri and other panelists as we give you the scoop on what went on in Jefferson City this year. We’ll describe what got done, what got started, and what we are still fighting for after the 2022 legislative session.
Missouri Healthcare for All
Wednesday, June 1
6 - 7 pm | Virtual
Our power is greater together, which is why Missouri Health Care for All is dedicated to building that power between now and next year's legislative session.
 
Join us for a Post-Session webinar to learn more about what it looks like to build power outside of the legislative session, and to get all the details about our legislative wins and losses this year.

This is your chance to get involved in the long-haul work of building support for health care for all!