News | Progress MO

Abortion Bans Were Never Enough: Missouri Senate Moves To Restrict Birth Control Access

February 23, 2023 | Progress MO

Missouri’s most famous achievements in reproductive health include being the first state to ban abortion completely. If that’s not enough to make you scream — it gets worse. In June 2022 after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights advocates argued that Missouri Republicans would only dial up their efforts to take […]

Behind The National Right-Wing Conspiracy To Bully Missouri’s Trans Kids

February 17, 2023 | Progress MO

Last week, Jamie Reed, a former employee of the Washington University Transgender Center released an article alleging the center had committed wrongdoing against patients. But the timing and the key players surrounding the accusations, in addition to blatant political motivations, reveal she is part of a larger machine at work to attack LGBTQ+ people across […]

Powerful Quotes From Missourians Who Testified Against ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill

February 8, 2023 | Progress MO

In case you missed it, this week the MO Leg is taking aim at LGBTQ kids and teachers, introducing a “Don’t Say Gay” bill that goes even further than the Florida bill that made national headlines last year. Missourians from around the state came out in droves to testify against the legislation, which would prohibit […]

Virginia Man Forgets Where Missouri Is

January 30, 2023 | Progress MO

In case you missed it, last night, Virginia’s third Senator Josh Hawley made a bet against J.D. Vance: “his” Chiefs or Vance’s Bengals, loser buys BBQ. The problem? Hawley picked a Kansas BBQ joint… as Missouri’s Senator. Obviously Missourians took to Twitter to point out Hawley’s ignorance. Here’s some of our favorite reactions. Missourians cringed […]

“When we send a message to the legislature, we mean it” | MO Leg Elections Committee Holds Hearing On Limiting Your Power

January 25, 2023 | Progress MO

This afternoon, the Missouri General Assembly Committee on Elections and Elected Officials held a public hearing on five bills proposing new restrictions on ballot initiatives. Missourians Want Their Voices To Be Heard Rep. Peggy McGaugh, chair of the committee, remarked that “quite a bit more” witnesses appeared to testify against the five bills than in […]

Nearly 50% of MO Employees May Qualify For Assistance – Why Parson’s 8.7% Increase Isn’t A Solution

January 20, 2023 | Progress MO

In his State of the State speech this past Wednesday, Governor Parson called on the legislature to pass an 8.7% cost-of-living pay increase for state employees. The line received applause from both sides of the aisle. But how much will that fill the gap? An investigation by Progress MO which analyzed publicly available employee pay […]

Progress MO on KMOV: Legislative Priorities Don’t Line Up With Parson’s Proposed Agenda

January 19, 2023

Wednesday night, Progress MO spokesperson Kelli Kee went on KMOV in St. Louis to talk about Governor Mike Parson’s State of the State – and how little the legislature’s priorities seem to line up with his agenda. While Governor Parson finally agreed to acknowledge our depressing maternal mortality rates, the abysmal state of our schools […]

Governor Parson’s State of the State Proves Reps In Jeff City Are Out Of Step With Missouri Families

January 18, 2023 | Progress MO

Wednesday afternoon, Governor Parson gave his annual State of the State speech, outlining Missouri’s 2022 accomplishments and his plans for the future. While Parson did an excellent job reminding us of the many problems our legislature must address this session, many of his solutions fell flat, reminding us that the Missouri legislature’s priorities are completely […]

The Kansas City Star: Missouri GOP Wants to Block More Ballot Measures

January 18, 2023

When the Missouri House returned to session nearly two weeks ago, they filed 14 different bills to oppose majority rule in instituting ballot measures across the state. Rather than paying attention to voters, The Kansas City Star says Missouri’s electeds would rather prioritize their own agendas: In the wake of Missouri voters approving several liberal-leaning […]

13 Things Josh Hawley Has Done Representing Missouri That Give Us The Creeps

January 13, 2023 | Progress MO

It’s Friday the 13th, widely considered a harbinger of bad luck and one of the spookiest days of the year. To mark the day, here’s a round-up of the 13 spookiest things Josh Hawley has done that show how unlucky we are to have him representing us in the Senate. 13. Committed campaign finance fraud… […]