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HomeTalk Talk Vote: LWVKC Podcast
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Join Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert of the League of Women Voters of KCJCP as they discuss current issues and give you the info you need to make your own difference in the world.


Listen to Talk Talk Vote! wherever you get your podcasts, including:
RedCircle
Stitcher
Apple Podcasts
and more!

Episodes are listed below from most recent to earliest.

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 28: Legislative Update: 5.16.22 End of Regular Session Recap



That's it! The regular legislative session is over. Missouri passed 43 non-budget bills through the House and Senate over this 2022 legislative session. Listen to find out what passed and what didn't!

Thank you to all of you who took pen (or keyboard) in hand this session and made your voices heard!!


9min 46s

Published May 24, 2022 at 9:10am

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 27: Legislative Update: 5.8.22




Voting Bills

HB 1878 (Includes a photo ID requirement for absentee voting)
  • 5 For Democracy: Email or call your State Senator to express your opposition to this bill. Find your Senator here. 


Reproductive Rights

  • Deep Dive: Read up on what overturning Roe v. Wade will mean.

 


5min 39s

Published May 8, 2022 at 5:08pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 26: Legislative Update: 5.1.22




Voting Bills

HB 2140 (Includes restrictions on voter registration activities on volunteer organizations like the League)
  • 5 For Democracy: Email or call your State Senator to express your opposition to this bill. Find your Senator here. Second Reading in the Senate is Monday, May 2nd.


Education Bills

SB 694 (Prohibits schools from using the 1619 Project as a resource for teaching)
  • 5 For Democracy: Email or call your State Senator to express your opposition to this bill. Find your Senator here. Deadline is Monday, May 2nd.

HB 1858 (Creates a "Parents' Bill of Rights" that includes a variety of requirements and restrictions that the League opposes)
  • 5 For Democracy: Email or call your State Senator to express your opposition to this bill. Find your Senator here. Third Reading is scheduled Monday, May 2nd.



Contact us at: talktalkvote@gmail.com

We'd love to hear from you!

 

*Rachel said "stridation" when she meant "stridulation". She is very sorry if this has caused confusion.

 


5min 18s

Published May 1, 2022 at 5:57pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 25: Legislative Update: 4.24.22




Voting Bills

HB 1878 (Includes a photo ID requirement for absentee voting)
  • 5 For Democracy: Email or call your State Senator to express your opposition to this bill. Find your Senator here. Deadline is Tuesday, April 19th.

SB 718 (Designates the 3rd week of September as "Historically Black College and University Week" in Missouri)

2min 21s

Published Apr 25, 2022 at 10:09am

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 24: Legislative Update: 4.17.22




Voting Bills

SB 654 (Includes a variety of restrictions on voter registration efforts)
  • 5 For Democracy: Email or call your State Senator to express your opposition to this bill. Find your Senator here. Deadline is Tuesday, April 19th.

SB 812 (Prohibits courts from editing ballot language for a General Assembly-passed constitutional amendment)

Education Bills

SB 694 (Specifically prohibits certain items from being included in school curricula – overseen at the state level)
  • 5 For Democracy: Email or call your State Senator to express your opposition to this bill. Find your Senator here. Deadline is Tuesday, April 19th.

 


5min 33s

Published Apr 18, 2022 at 8:11am

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 23: Local Elections: where society starts



Anne and Rachel talk about updates with the League; explain why school boards, city councils, and municipal courts matter (and why you should always vote in your local elections!!); and amazing women with the last name Williams.

To finish off, Anne and Rachel interview Meg Cunningham, a state legislative reporter with The Beacon!

 


40min 42s

Published Apr 17, 2022 at 1:20pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 22: Legislative Update: 4.10.22



Initiative Petition Bills

SB 812 (Prohibits courts from editing ballot language for a General Assembly-passed constitutional amendment)
  • 5 For Democracy: Email or call your State Senator to express your opposition to this bill. Find your Senator here. Deadline is Monday, April 11th.


Voting Bills

SB 654 (Includes a variety of restrictions on voter registration efforts)
  • 5 For Democracy: Email or call your State Senator to express your opposition to this bill. Find your Senator here. Deadline is Monday, April 11th.

HJR 131 (Preemptively derails a citizens’ initiative petition about ranked choice voting that is currently gathering signatures)
  • 5 For Democracy: Email or call your State Senator to express your opposition to this bill. Find your Senator here. Deadline is Monday, April 11th.


Reproductive Rights

HB 2012 (Makes the manufacture, prescription, and distribution of abortion inducting drugs a felony)
  • 5 For Democracy: Email or call your State Senator to express your opposition to this bill. Find your Senator here. Deadline is Monday, April 11th.

 


7min 5s

Published Apr 10, 2022 at 5:57pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 21: Legislative Update: 4.3.22



Voting Rights Bills

HB 1678 (Allows for partisan intrusion into local election authorities among other things)
  • 5 For Democracy: Submit testimony in opposition to this bill here. Deadline is April 6th at 11:00am!

SB 654 (Very similar to HB 1678 -- includes restrictions on voter registration efforts)
  • 5 For Democracy: Email your Representative to express your opposition to this bill. SB 654 is scheduled for perfection in the House on April 4th.


Education Bills

HB 1814 (Allows public school students to transfer to a public non-resident school district if the parent pays school taxes on property owned in the non-resident school district)
  • 5 For Democracy: This bill has passed the House and is headed to the Senate. Email your State Senator to express your opposition to this bill.

HB 2652 (Disadvantages traditional school districts in racially and socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods)
  • 5 For Democracy: This bill has passed out of committee and is headed to the House floor for perfection. Email or call your representative to express opposition to this bill.

HB 1753 (Diverts public funds from public schools to private educational services)

HB 1552 (Requires public school districts that have charter schools within the boundaries of their district to pay charter schools for each student the charter school has)
  • 5 For Democracy: This bill has passed the House and is headed to the Senate. Call or email your senator to express opposition.

HB 1933 (Mandates a civil rights curriculum to be written at the state level)
  • 5 For Democracy: Submit testimony in opposition to this bill here. Deadline is April 4th at 11:59pm!

Up and at 'em!


5min 26s
Published Apr 3, 2022 at 7:40pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 20: Legislative Update: 3.27.22



SB 678 (Requires 25% of KCMO budget to go to KCPD)
  • 5 For Democracy: Submit testimony in opposition to this bill here. Deadline is midnight March 28th!

HB 1462 (Allows concealed weapons on public transit and places of worship)

HB 2008 (Requires school districts to post curricula online)
  • 30-Minute Matters: Contact members of the Senate Education Committee and ask them to oppose this bill. Deadline is Tuesday, March 29th at midnight! (**Rachel mistakenly says the hearing is on March 28th, but it is actually on March 29th at 8am**)

Threats to Voting Rights
  • Deep Dive: Read this article from the Brennan Center about election subversion laws. Prepare yourself to take action when these bills come up in our state legislature.
  • Here are a few of the bills that are currently in the mix in our legislature: SB 670, SB 695, HB 1646, HB 2113, HB 1911.

 

7min 24s
Published Mar 27, 2022 at 7:32pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 19: Legislative Update: 3.20.22



HB 2008 (Requires school districts to post curriculums online)
  • 5 For Democracy: Submit testimony in opposition to this bill here. Deadline is midnight March 21st!

HB 1455 (Prohibits the distribution of absentee ballots by individuals or organizations—including the League!)
  • This bill has passed through committee and will be back on the House floor soon for perfection and a final vote.
  • 5 For Democracy: Email your state representative and tell them to oppose this bill!

HB 1552 (Directs money away from public schools and towards charter schools)

HJR 91 (Makes it harder for citizens to use the initiative petition process)

 

6min 10s
Published Mar 20, 2022 at 6:01pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 18: Legislative Update: 3.13.22



Deep Dive into HB 1646!

Click for a link to our LWVKC eVoter newsletter.

4min 4s
Published Mar 13, 2022 at 5:49pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 17: Legislative Update: 3.6.22



5 For Democracy:

  • Submit testimony in opposition to: HB 2197, HB 2461, + HB 2734 (prohibiting trans girls from playing sports in school). DUE BY MONDAY (3/7) AT 5PM.
  • Submit testimony in opposition to: HJR 133 (increases barriers to citizen initiative petitions). DUE BY WEDNESDAY (3/9) AT 11AM.
  • Submit testimony in opposition to: HB 1646 (includes provisions for photo ID requirements, changes to absentee voting policies, and declares that Missouri would not have to follow any federal voting rights laws). DUE BY WEDNESDAY (3/9) AT 11AM.

30-Minute Matters:
  • Email the members of the Elections and Elected Officials Committee to encourage them to vote down HJR 132 (increases barriers to citizen initiative petitions). DUE BY WEDNESDAY (3/9) AT 11AM.


Got thoughts? Send us an email at talktalkvote@gmail.com!

6min 3s
Published Mar 6, 2022 at 3:25pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 16: Writing Bills and Getting Citizen Initiatives on the Ballot



Last time, Rachel talked about how a bill becomes a law, but how does a bill even become a bill? Anne helps break this one down! 

Laura talks to a new citizen (and new voter!) about their plans to vote in both local and federal elections. 

Then, Anne and Rachel are joined by Sean Soendker Nicholson who was a key member of the team that got Clean Missouri passed in 2018. He helps us understand how citizen initiative petitions get on the ballot and why it is such an important right to protect!

35min 49s
Published Mar 3, 2022 at 10:26am

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 15: Legislative Update: 2.28.22



Read about and make your own decision (ACTION DUE 11:59PM 2/28):

Write a letter to your editor about these initiative petition bills (DUE 3/7): SJR 31 + SJR 37. The League opposes them because:
  • The initiative petition process is one of the purest forms of democratic participation.
  • For more than a century, Missouri citizens across the political spectrum have been able to make their voices heard through the initiative petition process.
  • These bills make it harder for everyday citizens to participate in our democracy.
  • These bills make it harder for citizen-generated petitions to pass (SJR 31: 60% or SJR 37: 66%), while legislature-generated petitions will still only require a simple majority.
  • SJR 37 increases the number of signatures required to get the petition onto the ballot (there is already a very high signature threshold).
6min 50s
Published Feb 28, 2022 at 8:19am

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 14: Legislative Update: 2.21.22



Deep Dives:
- Read about HJR 117 (block funding to Medicaid expansion)
- Read about HJR 70 (make passing initiative petitions functionally impossible)

5 for Democracy:
- Call Senator Luetkemeyer at (573) 751-2183 to request that he, as Chairman of the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, put SB 793 on the committee calendar (expunge past minor marijuana convictions).
- Call Senator Luetkemeyer at (573) 751-2183 to request that he, as Chairman of the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, put SB 795 on the committee calendar (use of force restrictions).

5min 52s
Published Feb 21, 2022 at 8:10am


Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 13: Legislative Update: 2.13.22

 



Up for hearings this week:

Monday, 5pm (Testimony due by 4pm!)
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: HB 2627 – Submit Testimony: https://house.mo.gov/WitnessForm/Default.aspx?bill=HB2627¬iceid=6611

Tuesday, 12pm (Testimony due by 11am!)
CONCEAL CARRY PERMITS: HB 1833 – Submit Testimony: https://house.mo.gov/WitnessForm/Default.aspx?bill=HB1833¬iceid=6628 

Wednesday, 12pm (Testimony due by 11am!)
VOTING/ELECTIONS: HB 2113, HB 2140, + HB 2002 (Yes, they are up again from last week!) – Submit Testimony: https://house.mo.gov/WitnessForm/Default.aspx?bill=HB2113¬iceid=6630

7min 27s
Published Feb 13, 2022 at 3:36pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 12: Legislative Update: 2.7.22

 



The Elections Committee in the MO House is holding a public hearing on 4 important bills this Wednesday (2/9/22):

HB 2113 + HB 2140 - photo ID requirements
HB 1455 - forbid groups or individuals from distributing blank absentee ballot applications
HB 2002 - require election authority to record a voter's political party

Link to submit testimony: https://house.mo.gov/WitnessForm/Default.aspx?noticeid=6565
(You'll need to watch for an email to confirm your testimony once you submit!)

Chair: Rep. Dan Shaul: 573-751-2504
Vice-Chair: Rep. Peggy McGaugh: 573-751-1468
Ranking Minority Member: Rep. Kevin Windham: 573-751-4468

Did you call in or submit testimony? Let us know at talktalkvote@lwvkc.org.

4min 45s
Published Feb 7, 2022 at 9:05am

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 11: Process Breakdown: How a bill becomes a law in the Missouri Legislature

 



Happy January! This episode is late but it is here!

Rachel and Anne dive into the details to demonstrate how a bill moves through both houses of the Missouri Legislature before becoming a law. Laura talks to new citizens about the value of the vote. Anne gives us a reminder that wearing your wig backwards is a-okay.

29min 2s
Published Feb 6, 2022 at 10:22am

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 10: 2021 Federal Legislative Wrap-Up

 



Anne and Rachel talk federal legislation, how to have an impact (5 for Democracy!!), and where adultery is still illegal. Instead of an interview this month, we talk to some League members with different histories about what made them decided to join the League and what activities they partake in with the League!

Congressional Calendar: https://www.nab.org/documents/advocacy/2021CongressionalCalendar.pdf

45m 42s
Published Dec 28, 2021 at 7:23pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 9: Policing in Kansas City

 



Anne and Rachel take a look at the history of the Kansas City Police Department and speak to Gwendolyn Grant, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, about the current state of affairs with the KCPD as well as actions that are being taken to try to increase the KCPD's accountability to the community.

Your 5-minute task this week is to call your Senators and tell them to vote to allow the Freedom to Vote Act to come to debate.


Resources:

To make a donation in support of Gwendolyn Grant's actions on behalf of Kansas City residents: make a check out to "Greater Kansas City Community Foundation" and make a note that it is for Gwendolyn Grant's CLEAR Fund. Missouri's Police Scorecard: https://policescorecard.org/mo

56min 2s
Published Nov 30, 2021 at 11:20am


Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 8: See you soon!

 



Hey folks! There will not be a show at the end of this month, as Anne and I are wrapped up in a couple of other projects! But, tune back in next month to hear about policing in Kansas City, Five for Democracy, and What's Up with the League! Also, we'll be interviewing Gwendolyn Grant, the President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City.

36s
Published Oct 28, 2021 at 6:14pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 7: I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map I'm the map – Redistricting!

 



In this episode, Rachel and Anne focus on redistricting. With help from LWV Missouri's own Sharon Schneeberger, they dive into the different redistricting processes and discuss how Missouri residents can have an impact. Laura talks to a brand new citizen!

Find up to date information about redistricting in Missouri at: lwvmissouri.org

5 for Democracy Actions:

On social media, share redistricting information on Facebook and Twitter (check out @LWVMissouri and @LWVKC)!

 

48min 11s
Published Oct 5, 2021 at 5:00am

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 6: Critical Race Theory, let's learn about it!

 



Join Anne and Rachel as they discuss Critical Race Theory, call their senators, and learn some trivia about...nature learning to relax? Laura is back with Main Street Beat! No interview this month – but you can go back and listen to our previous interviews to get inspired all over again!

 

Remember, you can find more information about the League at LWVKC.org!

25min 53s
Published Sep 1, 2021 at 4:23pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 5: Gun Laws in Missouri – what's going on here??

 



This month, Anne and Rachel discuss the current state of gun legislation in Missouri, teach you how to create a Google Alert, and speak to Rosilyn Temple, the founder of KC Mothers in Charge. The mission of KC Mothers in Charge is to reduce violent crime through prevention, education and intervention, and to guide and support the families of victims. Listen in to hear what you can do to help support this mission!

Find out more about the KC Mothers at: kcmothersincharge.org


41min 47s
Published Jul 31, 2021 at 7:25pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 4: More Merrique!

 



The continuation of Rachel and Anne's interview with Merrique Jenson, the Program Director at Transformations KC, a transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) and gender expansive youth social and support drop-in group in the Kansas City area for young people (12-18 years old) who self-identify as TGNC or are questioning their gender identity. She is also Director of SocialScope Productions, a consulting and coaching company focused on LGBTQ multimedia projects, community storytelling, and building innovative, equity program design models and professional development trainings.

Find more information about Transformations KC at... 

their website: www.transformationskc.org

their instagram: @KCTransformations

And check out the show Merrique mentioned, Veneno!

 

35min 22s
Published Jul 4, 2021 at 8:26pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 3: Merrique Jenson is building a space for trans empowerment

 



Join Anne and Rachel as they explain the recent spate of anti-trans bills and give you a tip on how to track legislation in just five minutes. Laura is back with Main Street Beat, asking folks about voting access. And finally, Rachel and Anne speak to Merrique Jenson, the Program Director at Transformations KC, a transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) and gender expansive youth social and support drop-in group in the Kansas City area for young people (12-18 years old) who self-identify as TGNC or are questioning their gender identity. She is also Director of SocialScope Productions, a consulting and coaching company focused on LGBTQ multimedia projects, community storytelling, and building innovative, equity program design models and professional development trainings. The interview continues in part 2!

Find more information about Transformations KC at... 

their website: www.transformationskc.org

their instagram: @KCTransformations

And check out the show Merrique mentioned, Veneno!

 

53min 40s
Published Jul 4, 2021 at 7:37pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 2: It's fun to stay at the...!

 



Anne and Rachel talk about contacting your US legislators in Five for Democracy, delve into what the League of Women Voters is in Explain it to Me, hear from Kansas City residents about voting access in Main Street Beat (welcome to Laura Marcus Mountjoy!), and speak with Tina Weaver about the community programs that the North Kansas City YMCA is developing.

 

Falcons! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIwCBks7HDg

 

Congressional Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

Senator Roy Blunt, KC: (816) 471-7141

Senator Josh Hawley, KC: 816-960-4694

Representative Emanuel Cleaver II (D-5), KC: (816) 842-4545

Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-4), Columbia: (573) 442-9311 

Representative Sam Graves (R-6), KC: (816) 792-3976

 

North Kansas City YMCA: https://kansascityymca.org/locations/north-kansas-city

1hr 25min
Published May 29, 2021 at 10:16pm

 

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.

Episode 1: In the Kitchen with Alice

 



Rachel and Anne talk about Medicaid expansion in Missouri and how you can make your voice heard in less than five minutes. Then Anne shares some trivia about poem reciting lawmakers. Finally, they interview Kansas City activist and icon Alice Kitchen about her travels all over the world and her work in Kansas City to promote equality and justice.

 

To find your legislators, go to senate.mo.gov/legislookup!

54min 50s
Published Apr 19, 2021 at 7:45pm

Talk Talk Vote! is a LWVKC production. It's produced by Rachel Thompson and Anne Calvert. Theme music provided by Hanging Chad Studio.