Latest news with #HouseBill1175
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Missouri parents demand action on school safety
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – More than 200 activists took to the halls of Jefferson City Tuesday to protest several gun-related bills that are moving through the Missouri Legislature. Representatives from Missouri Moms Demand Action joined gun violence survivors and parents of school shooting, as well as the group Missouri Students Demand Action for a day of lobbying regarding gun safety and the prevention of gun violence. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now An advocate told FOX 2 that she came to the Capitol with a single focus: protecting children. 'Guns are the leading killer of kids in the United States,' said Emily Schiltz, a mother of two survivors from a 2022 school shooting at a school in St. Louis. 'We're all in this together, and there are a lot of ways to keep kids safer.' Schiltz said the most common sense change that should have already happened is making it harder for children and teens to access firearms. Schiltz's children attended the campus of Central Visual and Performing Arts Academy during the 2022 shooting that killed two and injured several more. The shooter was a former student and seemed undeterred by school safety practices in place at the time. Schiltz, who is also a teacher, said there has been a pattern of wrong solutions when it comes to school safety. 'One of the things I want parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles to understand is that intruder drills are really horrible for kids,' Schiltz said. 'They're terrifying. We're giving kids a bonus trauma when they're not even in a school shooting.' Specifically, the group of Missourians in Jefferson City Tuesday say they object to 'dangerous legislation' that they believe will lead to an increase in gun violence. The groups have continued to rail against House Bill 1175, a measure that creates the 'Second Amendment Preservation Act.' The proposal passed out of the House last week and now awaits action in the Senate. What's on the ballot for the St. Louis area April 8 election? In a press release, the group says the new public safety measure that was signed into law by Gov. Mike Kehoe is one of several proposals that they see as dangerous. The others on their radar include: Senate Bill 77—Allows for guns in places of worship and on public transit Senate Bill 142—Relates to federal gun laws that wouldn't be enforced by local police Senate Bill 363—Expands Missouri's 'Shoot First' law, which would allow gun owners to use their weapons as a first line in self-defense. One thing stressed by Schiltz is that this isn't about taking anyone's guns away. 'It's one thing to want to be able to bear arms for yourself and your personal safety, but not that many people think a six-year-old should have easy access to a gun,' Schiltz said of responsible gun storage. 'Reducing access for minors, reducing accessibility of guns, improving access and use of gun locks. There are a lot of simple measures that a lot of us agree upon that can keep kids safe.' Members of the Missouri Moms Demand Action spoke to members of both parties, with several attendees saying they felt both Republicans and Democrats are united around keeping children safe. 'There are a lot of simple measures that a lot of us agree upon that can keep kids safe,' Schiltz added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
11-02-2025
- Business
- Axios
The push to allow neighborhood stores and cafes across Washington
Washington legislators are weighing a proposal that would allow corner stores and cafes in all residential neighborhoods. Why it matters: Supporters say having markets and cafes tucked into neighborhoods makes cities more friendly and walkable. But local zoning rules often ban such businesses in residential zones. What's inside: House Bill 1175 would force cities and towns to allow neighborhood stores and neighborhood cafes in any area zoned for housing. Cafes that serve alcohol would also have to serve food under the bill. Cities would be able to enact rules around parking, hours of operation, and maximum square footage but would have to allow the businesses to remain open for at least 12 hours per day. What they're saying: "This bill creates community and it brings people together," state Rep. Mark Klicker (R-Walla Walla), the bill's lead sponsor, said during a committee hearing last month. He added that in Europe, these types of businesses are "everywhere." Zoom in: Right now, Seattle doesn't allow neighborhood stores and cafes in most areas zoned for housing. While Mayor Bruce Harrell has proposed a zoning plan that would allow such shops in more areas of the city, his proposal has yet to win the approval of the Seattle City Council. Caveat: A few neighborhood businesses in Seattle — including Volunteer Park Cafe in Capitol Hill, Irwin's Neighborhood Bakery and Cafe in Wallingford, and Seven Coffee Roasters in Ravenna — predate the city's zoning laws, per the Seattle Times. But the city's current rules prevent new businesses from popping up in those types of locations. Between the lines: City officials often don't like when state lawmakers override local decision-making, "so there's going to be a little grumbling" over the legislation, Carl Schroeder, a lobbyist for the Association of Washington Cities, said during last month's hearing. The organization isn't opposing the measure, however. What's next: HB 1175 was voted out of the House Local Government Committee late last month and is now before the House Appropriations Committee. It still must pass the full House and Senate before it can become law.
