The Democratic Insider: March 5, 2023

Friends,

Democrats remain committed to ensuring every Missourian is heard and seen through legislation from the top-down. We’ve already seen Democrats announce their candidacy for office, all while trying to fight back against Republican extremism in Congress and Jefferson City.

All the work we’re doing now is to prepare our candidates for what will be a tough fight because Republicans are notoriously unpredictable – as they continue their attack on LGBTQIA rights, work to rollback common sense gun laws, all while trying to force state control on local government.

That’s why we need your help to come together so we can build campaigns strong enough to meet this critical moment. Join MDP and connect with Democrats Today!

Walgreens won’t distribute abortion pills in states where GOP AGs object

Walgreens’ decision is the latest to demonstrate how widely abortion access can vary state to state in a post-Roe America. According to Politico, the nation’s second-largest pharmacy chain confirmed Thursday that it will not dispense abortion pills in several states where they remain legal — acting out of an abundance of caution amid a shifting policy landscape, threats from state officials and pressure from anti-abortion activists. Read more on Politico

Rep. David Tyson Smith thinks Missouri legislature

will act on gun control for minors

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking podcast, state Rep. David Tyson Smith talks about the trajectory of the 2023 legislative session — including his prognosis for how gun control measures will fare.

Smith is a Democrat who represents a portion of Columbia in the Missouri House.

Here’s what he had to say during the show:

Even though the GOP supermajority tends to be hostile to gun control, Smith is more optimistic than some of his colleagues that the legislature will pass measures to keep some firearms out of the hands of minors. Smith sponsored a bill barring anyone under the age of 20 from selling or purchasing semi- or fully automatic firearms.

He was critical of a measure that would raise the threshold needed to pass a constitutional amendment to 60%. In particular, Smith doesn’t like how a provision stating that noncitizens can’t vote in Missouri elections (which is already law) is the first bullet point in a ballot summary. He said Republicans are trying to disguise the constitutional amendment threshold change as something more palatable to voters.

Smith is skeptical that bills barring transgender girls from playing girls sports and prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors will pass this year. Even though Republicans have made that legislation a priority, Smith noted that previous iterations of this legislation faltered in the past.

Read full article on STLNPR

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Become a Missouri Democratic Party Member today!

We need you to invest in our Party! With your support we can build our county parties, foster relationships with community organizations, support our legislators in Jefferson City as they fight for us, and provide candidates with training and resources. Click here to join!

For more information, email Info@missouridems.org.

New poll shows broad support in Missouri

for gun controls, school safety measures

According to the Missouri Independent a new poll shows broad support in Missouri for gun controls, school safety measures St. Louis University YouGov survey also found split on sports wagering, worries about economy and support for initiative changes.

The survey also found support ranged from 60% to 79% for red-flag laws, waiting periods for handgun purchases and criminal and mental health screenings before buying a firearm. There was little or no support for any bans on gun sales, said Steven Rogers, associate professor of political science and poll director. “It kind of indicates that even though we’re in a fairly red state, we are having some more progressive policies, a little left of center policies, wanted by voters on both guns and school safety,” Rogers said. The survey of 900 likely voters was conducted between Feb. 8 and 14. On questions that included the full sample, the margin of error was 3.7%.

Read full article on The Missouri Independent

Eli Lilly Says It Will Cut the Price of Insulin

The company also trumpeted an existing policy that caps

monthly out-of-pocket cost for its lifesaving products at $35.

In his State of the Union address last month, President Biden blasted drug companies for increasing the prices for insulin. “Big Pharma has been unfairly charging people hundreds of dollars, $400 to $500 a month, making record profits,” he said.

On Wednesday, Mr. Biden hailed Lilly’s announcement as “a big deal, and it’s time for other manufacturers to follow.” Lilly trumpeted its decision as a victory for patients. In reality, though, Lilly’s moves are more limited than they initially appear. Lilly’s existing $35 cap on out-of-pocket payments will be easier for privately insured patients to take advantage of. But the policies announced Wednesday will not have much, if any, effect on what many people are actually paying. And Lilly was already charging insurers only a fraction of its high list price when accounting for rebates and discounts.

Read The New York Times article

STAFF COHORT PROGRAM

Spring 2023 Staff Cohort applications are due March 12th

The LeadMO Staff Cohort is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to build a career in politics, grassroots organizing, and advocacy. Accepted applicants will participate in a virtual module of skill-building courses (e.g. fundraising, communications, voter contact) twice weekly for three weeks. From there students attend a weekend long capstone project to put skills to the test and continue building their political networks. This cohort requires a five week commitment of 10 hours per week + the full three-day Capstone. The LeadMO Staff Cohort is a 100% free program.

Applications are open and will be accepted until March 12th with a program start date of April 4th. Learn more and apply at leadmo.org/staff-cohort-program/.

Lawmakers debate bill barring

discussion of gender identity, sexual orientation in schools

The House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee heard testimony for, but mostly against, House Bill 634, which is titled as “The Protection of Parental Rights Act.”

Rep. Ann Kelley, R-Lamar, introduced her bill, which she said is based on the “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida prohibiting teachers and school staff from mentioning gender identity or sexual orientation.

“We must keep our personal beliefs out of our classrooms,” she said. A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove.

Rep. Phil Christofanelli, R-St. Peters, who is openly gay, asked Kelley about different topics that could possibly be prohibited by this bill, including the sexuality of Martha Washington, who was married to George Washington.

Read full article on the Columbia Missourian

Central Visual and Performing Arts students

push for tighter gun laws at Missouri Capitol

Survivors of a deadly St. Louis high school shooting arrived at the Missouri Capitol on Tuesday with art and a message. “I want change for my generation,” said 17-year-old Amari Wilson, a high school junior. “We are enough.”

In October, a gunman entered Central Visual and Performing Arts High School and took the life of student Alexzandria Bell and teacher Jean Kuczka, and injured seven others. About 60 students from the St. Louis public school traveled to the Capitol on Tuesday to share their stories and advocate lawmakers for legislative change.

Kristie Faulstich, a social studies teacher at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, said the students created a slogan to encapsulate their message: “Imagine if it was your kid.”

Several students brought artwork related to the shooting, such as a painting of a bleeding heart, knit children’s blocks that spell the word “die” and a knit teddy bear carrying an assault rifle.

Read the full article on The News Tribune

Happy Women’s History Month from the Missouri Democratic Party! We celebrate the progress made possible by the sacrifice, determination, and contributions of women who have made our country stronger.

Josh Hawley accuses Biden nominee

of lying under oath about her political social media posts

Josh Hawley continues to slow down our democracy. Hawley has opposed more of President Joe Biden’s nominations than any other senator. According to one of Biden’s nominees, “Politics usually doesn’t find its way when confirming presidential appointment,” but as the nominee said, that hasn’t stopped Josh Hawley who recently accused a Biden nominee of lying under oath. In December 2020, Hawley was the first senator to announce he would object to the certification of Biden’s Electoral College victory and singled out Pennsylvania, Shogan’s home state. Hawley, who raised his fist to the crowd gathering outside the Capitol before the insurrection on Jan. 6, then voted to object to Pennsylvania’s results after the mob was cleared from the building. Hawley used his questioning of Shogan on Tuesday to highlight posts about the religious displays on public grounds and mask mandates for children. Read the full article at The Kansas City Star

Protecting the Right to Organize Act

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders laid out how the PRO Act will protect the right to organize and penalize corporate executives for illegal union-busting.

“Under this bill, it will no longer be cheaper for corporations to break the law than to obey the law.”

Watch video here

UPCOMING EVENTS

Democratic Club of Phelps County

St. Patricks Day Parade

Democrats from around the Phelps County region will march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Rolla on March 18. Our meet-up location on that day will be announced soon. All are welcome, including dogs, kids, etc… that are able to walk the route.

To register, visit Democratic Club of Phelps County website