Missouri is set to begin the public hearing portion of the redistricitng process this weekend in St. Louis. New district lines must be drawn so that we as voters can pick our leaders – and not power hungry politicians and consultants who only care about advancing their agenda.
Cough cough, like Parson and Hawley. And Greitens, McCloskey, Hartzler, Schmitt, Long and every other extremist Republican vying for one of Missouri’s seats – and those are only the U.S. Senate candidates.
Our commissioners need to hear from Missourians about how your communities function, connect, and what important aspects to consider when drawing district lines or how current boundaries have had an impact. No one knows your community like you do, and we need you to share your story and insight.
There are three ways you can participate:
- Attend the hearing to simply show support and solidarity.
- Testify in person at the hearing. See tips here.
- Submit written testimony here.
Missouri’s future depends on us demanding new and fair boundaries for our communities. Let’s show them our voices are stronger than the gerrymandering Republicans’.
What’s Josh up to?
Same old, same old. The last few weeks he has been focused on school board meetings because he is clearly educated on that. Watch this video montage from MSNBC’s Chris Hayes who calls out Sen. Hawley on his complete deception, or on the other hand, complete ignorance:
The DOJ announced they are looking into a number of threats that school board members have received over the last few months in regards to mask regulations and requirements as children return to school.
Hawley claims to not see where the line is, so how can it be crossed? What does intimidation mean in the *context* of a school board meeting?
Well, this is probably the most glaring example:
“We know who you are, you can leave freely but we know who you are, we know where to find you.”
Hawley, stop lying to yourself and your constituents.
IN THE NEWS
Parson and DESE
I almost want to just link to a news story, because it hurts to type this. Governor Parson stood at the podium in the Governor’s Office and threatened a member of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch team on Thursday.
He is threatening legal action, both criminal and civil, against a responsible reporter who uncovered insecurities on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website that could allow hackers to download social security numbers of educators. Not only did the reporter not publish the story, but reported it to the proper authorities to fix it.
Honestly, I can’t imagine Parson actually being knowlegable on any type of online security or website adminstration. But, we would hope he has an advisor somewhere in that large office who could explain the term “hacker” to him. He proudly recited the dictionary definition for hacker – but failed to connect the dots that the reporter IS NOT ONE.
This outrageous move by the Parson administration isn’t only outrageous because of the media threat. It is also proof that our state’s critical information is not stored safely and needs to be updated immediately.
Pro Tip – encrypt it, not encode it. Or know the difference.
Debt Ceiling Grandstanding Continues
This month Republican lawmakers in Washington once again put their hypocrisy on full display by playing politics with America’s debt ceiling. The Senate was able to pass a late-night measure to expand the ceiling through December. But we all know the GOP will play the same games then. This move could cost America 6 million jobs.
The economy is rebounding. The debt ceiling is an intangible topic for most everyday Americans – we should hear the real numbers, but also remember these are people: your friends, family, and neighbors. 4
Letter to the Editor Highlight: AG Schmitt Games
Shout-out to Ellen Wentz of Kirksville for this LTE placed in the Post-Dispatch. If you are interested in submitting Op-Eds and LTE’s, reach out to me at bailey@missouridems.org.
ON THE CALENDAR
October has already been busy! This month stands for many different advocacy causes including Domestic Violence Awareness, Breast Cancer Awareness and Down Syndrome Awareness.
On October 27th, the Capitol in Jefferson City will be lit purple in honor of DV awareness. Also on October 27th, Missouri businesses of 50 or more employees must comply with a new law, called VESSA, to offer unpaid leave to domestic violence victims and survivors during healing, legal action and relocation if necessary. MDP is working on a PSA on VESSA with the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
Most Missouri cities have a Breast Cancer Walk planned on October 23rd in conjunction with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. St. Louis also has an exhaustive list of additional volunteer opportunities here.
The Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis held their main awareness walk on October 3rd, but there is another opportunity to walk in support on June 5th next year in St. Louis.
World Teachers’ Day was October 5th. COVID-19 disrupted education around the globe yet teachers were always there for their students. Teachers are at the forefront of our emergence out of COVID-19 and they deserve to be thanked everyday!
Indigenous Peoples’ Day was celebrated on October 11th. This year, the United States’ celebration was historic – the first one with a Native American Secretary. More representation is desperately needed for America’s Indigenous Peoples and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland is dedicated to making that happen.
Today is the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month and MDP Secretary Manny Abarca announced the founding members and allies of the Missouri Latino Caucus, the first one created in the state of Missouri.
- Rep. Ashley Aune, District 14
- Bill Caldwell, Dearborn
- Rudy Chavez, Kansas City
- Paula Diaz, Raymore
- Christina Garmendia, St. Louis, Tower Grove
- Rachel Gonzalez, Independence
- Patricia Hernandez, Kansas City
- Lori Lamprich, St. Louis, Tower Grove
- Susan Lopez, Kansas City, Lee’s Summit
- Yolanda Lorge, Springfield
- Rep. Robert Sauls, District 21
- Michael Sosa, Kansas City, Northland
Staff Update
We started a new segment last edition to include what MDP is currently working on. Your support and donations allow for us to do this work and we hope to give you an inside look.
Our data guru Andy is engulfed in all things redistricting. With the first public hearing this weekend, the MDP has produced several deep dives on redistricting data from the Census Bureau in preparation for these hearings. We look forward to supporting a transparent, inclusive process that produces fair, representative maps. You can find a media toolkit on the redistricting process here.
Operations Manager, Sara Beth, is busy organizing our first set of Democrats Deliver town halls to be held from October 25th – November 8th, statewide. Stay tuned for more info and dates. Sara Beth has also began onboarding preparations for our future Finance Director and Coordinated Campaign staffers come 2022!
Randy had meetings with community partners and county committee Chairs with Contest Every Race, an organization the Party has worked with to find and recruit candidates to run for office up and down the ballot in both partisan and nonpartisan races. He also visited the NWMO Dem Days in St. Joseph, spoke on a panel at the KU Dole Institute discussing political identity and the role of political parties and is participating in Raytown School District events today! Both Randy and Chairman Butler have also been interviewing candidates for Managing Finance Director.
On the communications front, I am focused on redistricting coverage and preparing our town halls. We are excited to welcome Acting Director of Health for the City of St. Louis to our first gathering on October 25th along with more city and state officials. An event invitation is forthcoming! MDP Secretary Manny Abarca and I have also been steadily working to build Missouri’s first Latino Caucus.
The 2022 elections get closer with each newsletter edition. Missouri Republican leaders keep putting more and more on the line. We deserve better and we intend to demand it – together.
You can also purchase our new #MoDemsCare merchandise from our online store.
