The Bluebird – April 25

The Bluebird masthead with Progress MO icon

Paid Sick Leave champions with 10 senators' faces

Paid Sick Leave Champions once again block HB 567, a bill that would overturn Prop A’s earned paid sick leave and minimum wage increase, approved by more than 57% of Missouri voters in November

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Missouri politicians are trying to completely overturn the will of the people. A second Senate filibuster in as many weeks by Paid Sick Leave Champions has stopped the blatant power grab. For now.

So if you’re coming in fresh, the Missouri Legislature is trying to get away with stopping Proposition A’s guaranteed paid sick leave that goes into effect May 1, 2025. Why? Because big businesses and big-money backers don’t want it. HB 567 has already passed the House and is being blocked in the Senate by the 10 Champions above.

If HB 567 were to become law, hundreds of thousands of Missourians would be forced to choose between a paycheck and infecting coworkers and customers. Between taking care of a sick child or relative and affording food and rent. And Missouri voters already told them that these aren’t choices we are willing to make anymore.

Share our post to thank these Champions and tell the Senate that they must uphold the will of the voters >>

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 Jefferson City and D.C. to keep Missourians educated and informed. But we can’t do it without your help.

CHIP IN HERE

Here’s what Missourians need to know:

KMIZ 17 News: Kehoe signs SB 22, a power grab that gives politicians the power to deliberately lie to voters.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Letter: Missouri lawmakers must respect voters’ decision on sick time.
Kansas City Star: State Sen. Joe Nicola might escape accountability for illegal campaign donations because Gov. Kehoe refuses to staff the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Columbia Missourian: Trump’s Earth Day cuts target Missouri’s environment as water quality and natural resources research could be nixed.
Missouri Independent: Missouri international students, among the 4,700 who had visas canceled, are fighting to stay and study in our state.
Kansas City Star: Harmful tariffs and a chaotic economic climate are forcing Missouri businesses to close their doors.

Marilyn McLeod: Missouri lawmakers want to take away your power. Don't let them.

Politicians are trying to take your right to propose laws and constitutional amendments through the initiative petition process with SJR 47. Marilyn McCleod, president of the League of Women Voters of Missouri, is calling on Missourians to make their voices heard before it’s too late.

Share her call to action to protect democracy and majority rule >>

Medicaid image going through a paper shredder

As Congress debates $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for billionaires, health care for Missourians is on the chopping block. 1.3 million Missourians, 1 of every 5 people in our state, get their health care through Medicaid, known as MO HealthNet here. Missouri cannot afford these reckless billionaire giveaways that would destroy our health system and economy.

Sheldon Weisgrau of the Missouri Foundation for Health explains the disastrous impact cutting Medicaid would have on all Missourians >>

Show Me Hate graphic and text over a cross and smile

Missouri should be a state where everyone can thrive, but for many, the road is difficult. Michael McGrady Jr. digs deep into Missouri’s history of white nationalism and extreme misogyny, exploring the harm and pain — along with how to turn this toxic tide for the betterment of all.

Read and share the first part of the series “Show Me Hate” for The Pitch >>

Abortion Action MO video with a play button over advocates

Even though a majority of Missourians voted in support of abortion and reproductive rights, politicians in Jefferson City are trying every underhanded trick they can to stop it. Abortion Action MO was featured on NowThis Impact as politicians look to overturn the will of the voters on Amendment 3.

Watch this to see how politicians are trying to undermine Missouri’s freedom >>

Play button with audio waves over a political sign

KCUR public radio asked the common question: “Why is the Missouri Legislature trying to overturn voter-led laws on abortion and paid sick leave?” Put simply, it’s because that’s what their big-money donors and large corporations want.

Listen in to the podcast breaking down these efforts to overturn the will of Missourians >>

Trump and Billy Long with a video play button

Failed Missouri politician Billy Long is Trump’s pick to lead the Internal Revenue Service, which in itself alone could be our big yikes. But it’s Long’s financial situation that really has us asking questions.

Long’s failed 2022 U.S. Senate campaign left him with $130,000 in personal debt. But post-nomination, he just so happened to receive $137,000 in “donations” that paid it off. And many of them came from organizations he would be policing as head of the IRS.

Share our breakdown on Long’s unethical behavior to demand accountability >>

Want more? We also have daily news clips and activist emails! Sign up for what you’re interested in or message us anytime at bluebird@progressmo.org!

Previous News Post Back to All News Next News Post