Democratic Insider
May 18, 2023
Friends,
Democratic lawmakers who went back to Jeff City this last week dealt with a number of Republican sponsored bills that threatened the future of our state. Republicans spent the final hours pushing extreme-right viewpoints that alienate some while disenfranchising others.
After barely passing a budget on time, thanks to a filibuster over a Cass County landfill, legislators were still faced with major priorities to try to pass in the dwindling hours of the session, including restrictions on initiative ballot petitions and gender-affirming care.
So now that session is over, what’s next? We have great momentum from across the state from organizers and volunteers like you who work around the clock both in and off election cycles.
Read more at Saint Louis Public Radio
News
Missouri legislature passes restrictions on transgender health care and sports participation
Missouri lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to restrictions on transgender minors receiving gender-affirming care and participating on school sports teams that align with their gender identity.
Members of the House voted 108-50 Wednesday to pass the legislation restricting gender-affirming health care and 109-49 to pass restricting sports participation.
Read more at: Saint Louis Public Radio
Missouri legislature signs off on a pair of public safety bills
The Missouri General Assembly passed two lengthy public safety bills with wide-ranging provisions Thursday, covering topics from celebratory gunfire to fentanyl test strips.
Both bills are headed to the governor’s desk.
Read more at: Missouri Independent
George Santos has been arrested by federal authorities and is now in police custody — the 13-count criminal indictment was just unsealed.
Santos stands accused of deceiving donors to his campaign and misusing their money for his personal gain, as well as theft of public money. He is also alleged to have made false statements to the House Committee on Ethics about his income and other financial assets.
Read more at WashingPost.com
Americans are losing faith in the Supreme Court.
Here are three big reasons why | Opinion
Americans are losing faith in our Supreme Court, and it’s easy to see why. The nine justices are the only federal judges not bound by a code of ethics. It’s up to the justices to self-police on ethical issues, and they want to keep it that way. That’s why nothing happened when Justice Clarence Thomas didn’t recuse himself from cases involving the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection that could have directly implicated his wife. That’s why nothing happened when America found out Justice Samuel Alito more than likely leaked the Dobbs decision about reproductive health care to antiabortion activists.
Read more at: KansasCityStar
Bill exempting Social Security from Missouri income tax heading to governor
Some Missourians on pensions and people with disabilities receiving Social Security benefits would receive an income tax cut under legislation heading to the desk of Gov. Mike Parson. On Monday, the Missouri House voted 154-2 to approve a Senate-passed bill that also includes provisions for local property tax relief for retirees in addition to the income tax cut.
Under the bill, the first $6,000 of income from a public pension and all Social Security benefits are exempt from income taxes. The biggest change in tax law under the bill is the removal of an income cap – $85,000 for single filers, $100,000 for married couples – for the pension and Social Security exemptions.The bill, which is projected to reduce state revenue by up to $318 million annually if signed by Parson, was unchanged from the version passed in the Senate in April.
Read more at: Missouri Independent
Great turnout at the Jefferson Democratic Club of Cole County tonight! Great speeches by Rep Jamie Johnson and Richard Brown Missouri State Representative-District 27!! A full house of Cole County Democrats!
Biden hits the road to pressure GOP amid imperiled debt ceiling talks
The president aims to make the case for a swift increase in the debt limit a day after meeting with congressional leaders, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who described the talks as lacking ‘movement’ As an intensifying standoff over the debt ceiling roiled the nation’s capital, President Biden traveled to New York on Wednesday to assail Republicans and make the case for urgent congressional action to stave off default. Taking the stage in a Hudson Valley community he won in the 2020 election, Biden swiped at the House GOP majority for trying to leverage a key fiscal deadline to advance its policy agenda, arguing that the party’s approach would harm vulnerable populations, slash veterans’ benefits and undermine the fragile economy. Read more at: WashingtonPost.com
Thursday, President Biden celebrated the historic land and water conservation actions of the past two years made possible by his Investing in America agenda and America the Beautiful.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Democratic Legislative Network!
We’re excited to team up with Missouri House Democrats to build a stronger Democratic Legislative Network!
We invite you to join us on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. to hear from legislators, get #MoLeg updates, and action items for you to take to make a difference. Sign up here
It’s that time of year again
tickets for the 36th Annual Truman Gala on June 10th, 2023 are on sale now!
If you want to be in attendance for the biggest annual Democratic fundraiser in Missouri, make sure to purchase one of our ticket options! In the coming weeks, we will be announcing speakers and award winners for this year’s event, so stay tuned for more information.
If you are a candidate or organization that would like to purchase an advertisement in this year’s program, you can also do that at the link below.
The St. Louis County Democrats Annual Gala
The St. Louis County Democratic Central Committee is proud to announce our 42nd Annual Gala. This year we’ll be holding it at the beautiful LiUNA Event Center, Saturday July 15, 2023.
Location LiUNA Event Center4532 S Lindbergh BlvdSunset Hills, MO 63127
Sponsorships Be a sponsor! Sponsors will get special recognition on the Gala website and at the Gala.
For tickets, visit: St. Louis County Democrats
