The Bluebird – December 12

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One Big Thing subhead
Mark Alford with the U.S. capitol in the background: Rep. Alford wants to cut Medicare and Social Security

U.S. Rep. Mark Alford wants to cut Medicare and Social Security to give billionaires even more tax breaks

Missouri Congressman Mark Alford wants to put Medicare and Social Security on the chopping block in the quest to make billionaires even richer. In an interview with Fox Business, he also suggested that we should push back the retirement age to further line their pockets.

 

“We’ve got to right the ship and it’s going to mean cuts, and it’s also going to mean looking long-term at the front end of some programs like Social Security and Medicare,” Alford said. “And on the front end on Social Security, when people are living longer, they’re retiring later, then we can move that retirement age back.”

 

Research shows 70% of voters oppose cutting Medicare and Social Security, including 73% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans polled. The same polling found a majority of Americans support increasing Medicare (57%) and Social Security (62%) benefits with 92% saying benefits should at the least remain the same.

 

So if the cuts are so unpopular, why is Alford suggesting making them? President-elect Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency – headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy – is looking to ransack the government and strip down our services so they don’t have to pay their fair share.

 

See the full story from Fox 4 Kansas City >>
 

Progress MO works year-round to hold Missouri politicians accountable for everything they do, from abortion access to fair working conditions to supporting public education. We track what’s going on in Jeff City and D.C. to keep Missourians educated and informed. But we can’t do it without your help. Chip in here >>
 
Graphic text: Lawsuit attempts to overturn the will of Missouri voters with an image of worker advocates holding signs of support in the background

What Missourians need to know:

  • Missouri Independent: A lawsuit filed by business groups is seeking to overturn the will of Missouri voters on paid sick leave and fair wages.
  • Kansas City Star: Lawmakers are also filing bills to overturn the will of Missouri voters by reinstating an abortion ban after the passage of Amendment 3.
  • STLPR: LGBTQ+ groups are voicing “grave concerns” over the ID change in a letter to the Missouri DOR.
  • Kansas City Star: Missouri minority communities brace for the impact of Trump’s “mass deportation,” what awaits is “terrifying.”
  • Kansas City Star: Following the national playbook, the Missouri GOP looks to radically alter the Missouri Supreme Court.
  • St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Previously in the news for wanting to build a literal castle to woo lobbyists in Jeff City, this St. Louis lawmaker wants to put bounties on our neighbors.
  • St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Messenger: Missouri bill to turn private citizens into bounty hunters is dangerous and a recipe for disaster in Missouri.
 
Meme away header
Victory for Missouri Voters graphic of Jeff City with the state flag behind it.
FOUR. As in the four provisions of the Missouri House bill permanently struck down by a Cole County judge that criminalized voter engagement efforts. The lawsuit challenging the legislature’s undemocratic efforts was brought by the League of Women Voters of Missouri and the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP and were represented by the ACLU of Missouri and the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition.
 

The four blocked provisions include a criminal prohibition on compensating non-governmental actors registering voters; a felony criminal penalty for soliciting a voter to obtain an absentee ballot application; criminal penalties for anyone other than Missouri registered voters who engages in voter registration; and a requirement of volunteers who will register more than 10 voters to apply with the Secretary of State’s office. 

 
 
Quote from low-wage worker and activist Terrence Wise:

Terrence Wise is a longtime leader in Stand Up KC, the Fight for $15 and a current leader with the Missouri Workers Center. He reflected on his feelings about the underhanded attempt to undermine November’s election results and ignore the will of the voters.

Read the full story now >>
 
Welcome aboard header
Headshot of Claire Cook-Callen under the dome of the Missouri state capitol

The boards of Progress MO and the Progress MO Education Fund are excited to share that Claire Cook-Callen has been named our new Executive Director!

 

Cook–Callen has been organizing and advocating for working families for over 15 years. Originally from St. Louis, Claire came to Kansas City to organize and lead in the LGBTQ+ community.

 

In recent years, Claire has worked with labor unions, community partners, advocacy organizations, and more to produce best-in-class communications and create strong, sustained relationships between voters, their local communities, and the Missouri Legislature.

 

Claire has been an invaluable member of the Progress MO team since March, serving as Director of Campaigns. Claire led Progress MO’s critical work this election cycle including driving research-based messaging and media coverage in key state legislative districts, keeping progressive communications staff informed about key message developments and ensuring efficient use of digital spending across the progressive ecosystem by establishing Missouri’s first ever independent digital ad hub.

 

Claire’s experience, expertise and deep knowledge of Missouri politics will bring exactly what is needed to ensure ProgressMO’s mission and vision are realized as we head into 2025 and beyond!

 

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