Citizen Initiative Petitions

Bill #: SCS/SJR 74

LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.

Short Description: Weakens Missouri's Initiative Petition process by adding a concurrent majority of US Congressional districts requirement.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee on Tuesday, March 12 at 12:00.

Talking points:  

• Voting should not give preference or more weight based on zip code and acreage; each vote counts equally regardless of where you live

• Requiring a two-condition threshold creates a rule by  minority, undermining the will of all Missourians

• Restating existing language is confusing; non-citizens CANNOT currently vote in Missouri; it’s unnecessary and a disingenuous message

Link to the summary of the bill: SCS/SJR 74

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony here 

Links to further reading: IP talking points,  MIssouri Independent: As few as 1 in 5 voters could defeat IPs .

LWV Position: The League of Women Voters believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. (Impact on Issues)

Voting Rights

Bill #: SB 1120

LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill.

Short Description: This bill would restore the presidential primary in Missouri.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee on Monday, March 11 at 2:00 PM.

Talking points:  

• A presidential primary encourages participation, especially relative to the time-consuming caucus system which is not readily accessible for students, parents, shift workers and the disabled

Link to the summary of the bill: SB 1120

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Email committee members using the form on the legislator’s website. List of committee members here.

LWV Position: LWVUS: Support electoral systems at each level of government that encourage participation, are verifiable and auditable, and enhance representation for all voters. (Impact on Issues 2022-2024, p11)

Reproductive Rights

Bill #: SCS/SBS 1168/810

LWVMO OPPOSES this bill. 

Short Description: Under this act, no public funds shall be expended to any abortion facility, or affiliate or associate thereof, including for MO HealthNet reimbursement.

Status of the Bill: Placed on the Senate Informal Calendar for Perfection for Monday, March 11. 

Talking points:  

• Planned Parenthood does not provide abortions in MO but provides necessary healthcare such as contraception, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment

• Bill denies necessary healthcare to people who count on Medicaid since there are not enough providers that accept the same 

• The League has joined with other pro-choice organizations in continuous opposition to restrictions on the right of privacy in reproductive choices that have appeared in Congress as legislative riders to funding measures 

• The League supports the rights of women and those who can become pregnant to self-determination related to, and including, but not limited to bodily autonomy, privacy, reproductive health, and lifestyle choice 

Link to the summary of the bill: SCS/SBS 1168/810

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Email your state Senator using the form on the legislator’s website here.

LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that public policy in a pluralistic society must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices.

Social Justice

Bill #: HCS HBs 1900, 1591, 2515

LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill.

Short Description: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair texture and protective hairstyles in any program or activity conducted by educational institutions that receive or benefit from state financial assistance or state student financial aid.

Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 11.

Talking points:  

• Workplaces or schools are still able to discriminate against a person because of their natural or protective hairstyle 

• Hair discrimination remains a source of racial injustice with serious economic consequences for Black people

• Only Black people in this country are shamed and punished for wearing hairstyles consistent with their natural hair

• Black Missourians are denied employment opportunities, unfairly targeted in education, and deprived of their dignity through dress code policies and concepts like ‘professionalism’ set by employers and institutions designed to discriminate against Black people

Link to the summary of the bill: Summary of HCS HBs 1900, 1591, 2515

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Email your own representative here.

LWV Position: The League supports federal efforts to prevent and/or remove discrimination in education, employment, and housing and to help communities bring about racial integration of their school systems. (Equality of Opportunity, p. 122)

Taxes

Bill #: HB 2274

LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.

Short Description: This bill phases out the Missouri state corporate income tax to 0 over a period of 4 years.

Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 11.

Talking points:  

• The ostensible purpose of lowering corporate income taxes is to bring in more businesses to Missouri, but when the sponsor of the bill had no studies indicating that more businesses would choose to do business in Missouri if it had no income taxes

• If corporations are to be considered entities with rights like free speech, they should be required to pay their fair share of the taxes, just like individual citizens of Missouri

• There are no requirements in the law that would prevent companies from using the extra funds freed from tax to pay their CEO's larger salaries/more perks, investing the funds to start businesses in other states, or supporting political causes/candidates

• If a reduction in the corporate income tax were enacted, funds that would otherwise have been paid to the Missouri government should be required to be used to increase wages of their employees, or invested into the business to expand its operations in Missouri

• Missouri should responsibly figure out what type of business would benefit the state and target and entice these type of businesses for Missouri operations - including investing in professional and skilled trade educational opportunities for young people and displaced workers

Link to the summary of the bill: Summary of HB 2274

Call to action: 

5 for Democracy: Email your representative here.

LWV Position: The league supports a balanced and progressive tax system to finance necessary governmental services, which emphasizes equity and fair sharing of the tax burden; believes that corporations should share a larger percentage of Missouri’s tax burden through either an increase in the current tax rate or a permanent tax bracket structure.

Education

Bill #: SB 1203

LWVMO  FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

Short Description: Establishes provisions relating to transparency of school staff straining, instructional, and curricular materials.

Status of the Bill:Scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Select Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children on March 12 at 8:00 AM.

Talking points:  

• The bill resembles a Parents Bill of Rights, which duplicates policies already in place regarding access to curricular materials

• The bill adds a threat of legal action against a school for violations, adds to the workload for schools, and is a deterrent to teachers coming to Missouri

Link to the summary of the bill: Summary to SB 1203