The Democratic Insider

Missouri State Democratic Party Statement on Another Strong Jobs Report Thanks to Bidenomics

Today, the Missouri State Democratic Party Chair released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Labor announced that nonfarm payrolls increased by 199,000 jobs in November — bringing the total jobs created under President Biden’s leadership to over 14 million.

“Month after month, Missourians are seeing jobs pouring back into our state, unemployment staying steady near historic lows, and the economy growing at breakneck speed – that’s Bidenomics in action,” said Missouri Democratic Party Chair Russ Carnahan. “While the Trump administration and Missourians Republicans pushed failed trickle-down policies and a MAGAnomics agenda that prioritized tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy at the expense of Missorian’s middle class, President Biden and Vice President Harris’ focus on building up from the bottom up and middle out is continuing to drive a booming economy that works for everyone.”

Here’s a look at how Bidenomics is delivering in Missouri and across the country:

The US economy added 199,000 jobs in November — bringing the total number of jobs created since President Biden took office to a record 14 million. The unemployment rate has been under 4 percent for the longest stretch in 50 years. The share of prime working-age Americans in the workforce is at its highest level in over 20 years. All jobs lost during the pandemic have been regained, including an additional 4 million created. Wages are increasing at a 4.0 percent annual rate. Annual inflation is down by more than half since last summer.

Solid US hiring lowers unemployment rate in latest sign of a still-sturdy job market

U.S. employers added a healthy 199,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate fell, fresh signs that the economy could achieve an elusive “soft landing,” in which inflation would return to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target without causing a steep recession.

Friday’s report from the Labor Department showed that the unemployment rate dropped from 3.9% to 3.7%, not far above a five-decade low of 3.4% in April. The jobless rate has now remained below 4% for nearly two years, the longest such streak since the late 1960s.

Last month’s job gain was inflated by the return of about 40,000 formerly striking auto workers and actors, who were not at work in October but were back on the job in November.

Missouri abortion-rights amendments face ‘torturous’ process to make it to 2024 ballot

As one abortion initiative petition campaign gets off the ground, the other is still deciding whether to move forward on a tight timeline

Since the pandemic, the only initiative petition to successfully land on the ballot was marijuana legalization, Cardetti said. In that time, hundreds of other attempts to amend the constitution failed to get off the ground.

Missouri law requires petitioners hoping to amend the state constitution through the statewide ballot to collect more than 171,000 signatures from registered Missouri voters by May, but Cardetti said realistically, campaigns should be gathering at least 130,000 more to compensate for signatures that ultimately won’t be valid.

Rural Missouri districts face challenges in paying teachers

Missouri is now the worst in the nation regarding how much rural teachers are paid. Arkansas increased its pay, bumping the Show-Me-State down to last place.

Low teacher pay is an issue we’ve had across the board and in all 50 states. But this one hit home harder for the rural school districts in the Show-Me State. They have it harder than their larger counterparts in bigger cities. But now, teachers at schools in rural parts of the state are getting the lowest pay rates in the nation. An issue that many are trying to fix.

“You can’t drive through a single town or city and not see a school bus out with a sign hiring drivers,” said Dallas County Schools Superintendent Tim Ryan. “It’s no different with our teaching positions. We’re all trying to find candidates for our positions.”

Regarding teachers across the country, a recent report by the National Education Association finds teachers are making $3,644 less, on average, than they did ten years ago when adjusted for inflation. An issue that hits home in Missouri.

Missouri Republicans propose bills to allow murder charges for abortion.

Missouri Republican lawmakers are pushing a pair of bills that would allow for women to be charged with murder for getting an abortion in the state. The pieces of legislation would give fetuses the same rights as human beings, which would allow for criminal charges to be filed against anyone who gets an abortion, helps someone get an abortion or provides abortion care in the state, which implemented a near-total ban on the procedure after last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

NEWS

President Biden Announces Billions to Deliver World-Class High-Speed Rail and Launch New Passenger Rail Corridors Across the Country

President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda – a key pillar of Bidenomics – is delivering world class-infrastructure across the country, expanding access to economic opportunity, and creating good-paying jobs. By delivering $66 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak 50 years ago – President Biden is delivering on his vision to rebuild America and win the global competition for the 21st century.

ON THE CALENDAR

Ugly Sweater Caucus – City-County Holiday Party

COMMUNITY EVENT

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM CT

Teamsters Hall Local 682, 5730 Elizabeth Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63110

Hosted by Jon Boesch

Join the St. Louis City and County Democrats at our annual Holiday Party at Teamsters Hall Local 682. There will be food and drink, an online auction, 50/50 raffle and the Ugly Sweater Caucus Competition! This event will sell out, so get your tickets quickly.

Jackson County Democrats Holiday Party

COMMUNITY EVENT

Thursday, December 14, 2023 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM CT

Pipefitters Local 533, 8600 Hillcrest Rd, Kansas City, MO 64138

Hosted by Tyler McCall

Join us for our annual Holiday Party hosted by the Pipefitters Local 533! There will be food and beverages provided, and any donations will go towards our efforts to continue supporting Democrats in Jackson County. We’ll have a number of elected officials joining us and will hear some brief remarks about what’s happening in the county and how we are preparing for 2024. We hope to see you there!