As the General Assembly session winds down with only four weeks to go, it's time to be in conversation with your State Senator about a variety of legislation that may come to the Senate Floor. Bills we are watching this week are:

Below, there is more information about the provisions of each of these bills and specific actions you can take to keep these bills from moving forward.

And don't forget about the Citizen Initiative Petition Lobby Day on May 3. JCRC is going and would love to bring you with us.

Thank you for your advocacy,

JCRC Deputy Director

‣‣‣Contact Your Senator and ask them to oppose HJR 117 - Repeal of Medicaid Expansion

More than 53% of Missouri voters demanded increased access to Medicaid for Missourians. However, there continue to be attempts to overturn the will of the voters. HJR 117 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would repeal Medicaid Expansion. It has passed out of the House and the Senate Appropriations Committee and the next step is a debate on the Senate Floor. Contact your Senator and ask them to preserve the will of the people and continue to ensure that low-income Missourians have access to health care. JCRC testimony in opposition to the bill is available here.

‣‣‣Contact Your Senator and ask them to oppose HB 1878 - Opposing Strict Photo IDs

HB 1878 has passed the House and was passed out of the Senate Elections Committee and is heading to the Senate Floor. If passed, the bill eliminates non-state-issued photo IDS (such as voter registration cards, students IDs and utility bills) as well as expired state-issued IDs which are often used by the elderly. These bills discriminate against senior citizens, students, and people of color, and make it more difficult for citizens to exercise their right to vote. Contact your Senator and ask him/her to oppose HB 1878. JCRC testimony in opposition to the bill is available here.

‣‣‣Contact Members of the Senate Elections Committee and ask them to oppose HJR 91 & HJR 79 - Changes Citizen Initiation Petition Process

Last week the Senate Elections Committee heard public testimony on HJR 91 and HJR 79, both of which make it more difficult for citizens to put ballot initiatives forward to the voters. Generally, they require more signatures, gathering in more congressional districts, increasing the need for signatures by over 200,000. In addition, they increase adoption requirements from a simple majority to 66%. Contact the members of the committee and ask them not to advance this legislation. JCRC testimony in opposition to these bills is available here.

‣‣‣Contact your State Rep and ask them to oppose HB 2140

Last week the Missouri House debated HB 2140, an omnibus voting bill that includes photo IDs as well as many other provisions that have a negative impact on voters. (Click here to see a full description of this bill) Rather than debate the provisions of that bill, an unrelated amendment was added to allow public schools to prohibit transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports.

The House has to take up this bill one more time for final approval. Please contact your State Representative and tell them to vote no on HB 2140. JCRC testimony in opposition to this bill is available here.

Join Missouri Jobs for Justice, the JCRC and many other organizations on May 3rd to stand against attempts by our legislators to make changes to the Initiative Petition process which will restrict our ability to put key issues on the ballot. The Senate and House floor leaders will be grappling with these bills before the end of the legislative session and we want to show large, grassroots opposition against any IP reforms on May 3rd.

Contact Cheryl Adelstein if you need a ride.

Saturday, April 30

10am - 2pm | Kiener Plaza

Come show our educators, children, and community what true inclusion looks like! Join the #LetThemLearn coalition for the 2nd Annual Equity Fair! The fair will be preceded by a march to show unity and support for equity education throughout our community.

Tuesday, May 24

5-7 pm | United Hebrew Congregation