Latest news with #PropA
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Missouri Democrats ponder options after Senate breaks down over abortion, paid sick leave
State Sen. Tracy McCreery, a Democrat from Olivette, prepares for Senate Republicans to force a vote on a constitutional amendment to ban abortion on May 14 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). On the evening of May 14, when the House side of the Missouri legislature was almost a ghost town, state Rep. Mark Sharp's phone started buzzing with messages telling him that 'things are getting ready to blow up in the Senate.' Sharp, a Kansas City Democrat, started making his way to the Senate when he heard chanting. Protesters were in the Senate expressing their opposition to HJR 73, which would put an abortion ban on the 2026 ballot. After visitors were cleared out to stop the protest, security began to let people back in, and Sharp and dozens of other representatives crammed into the spaces along the edge of the Senate floor to watch what would happen next. 'You had about 50 reps on the Senate floor … maybe 20 Democrats and another 30 Republicans all mixed together. All kinds of camera crews. I've never seen the Senate that packed before,' Sharp said. 'Then, they moved for the previous question, and then did it again on Prop A,' he added. 'Then they adjourned. I was literally stunned.' After a session considered uncharacteristically productive and bipartisan by recent standards, the Missouri Senate, on the second-to-last day of the 2025 session, broke with its own longstanding tradition and overrode a filibuster. To do it, Senate Republicans pulled out a rarely used procedural tool called a 'previous question,' or PQ, to close debate and force votes on the abortion bill and a bill to repeal paid sick leave protections. Senate Republicans' use of the PQ shocked the Missouri legislature for a number of reasons, one being that the tool is very rarely used, because it's seen as antithetical to the chamber's tradition of unlimited debate. The other is that the move came after a session in which Republicans and Democrats, despite their disagreements, were able to find some common ground and collaborate on legislation. Republicans have held a two-thirds supermajority in both chambers of the Missouri legislature since 2012. This year, Democrats held 10 of 34 Senate seats and 52 of 161 House seats. Even so, this session was marked by considerable bipartisan cooperation — a stark contrast from previous years, when Republican infighting dominated the Senate and made it difficult to get much of anything to the governor's desk. While extreme political polarization nationally might make bipartisan cooperation seem impossible, it's a requirement in the Missouri legislature if Democrats want to get anything done, said state Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat. 'I would not be successful as a legislator if I worked in a silo or if I worked on purely hyperpartisan issues. That's not going to get me anywhere as a Democrat in the superminority of Missouri,' she said. 'It all comes down to me finding common ground with others.' Sharp said: 'As a member of the superminority, we have to constantly, constantly be talking to these folks in the majority party daily. They're the ones controlling everything.' Republican House leadership — including House Speaker Jon Patterson of Lee's Summit, Majority Floor Leader Alex Riley of Springfield and committee chairs — have control over every step in the legislative process, including whether a bill is introduced and referred to a committee. Because of that, 'at every corner, we should be working across the aisle to make sure that these bipartisan pieces of legislation are given a chance … because we know the partisan ones won't,' Sharp said. He said 'it can be frustrating' to be a Democrat working in the Republican supermajority-controlled Missouri legislature, but 'you've got to have a short memory.' Despite being in the supermajority, many Republicans were 'absolutely' interested in working with Democrats, Nurrenbern said. One of those Republicans was Sen. Kurtis Gregory from Marshall. He and Nurrenbern together represent Clay County in the Senate, and 'as soon as we were both elected, we sat down and talked about what we could do together to move Clay County forward,' she said. When Nurrenbern decided to file a bill to create a Clay County Sports Authority, she reached out to him and said, 'I would like you to champion this with me.' 'He was an absolutely great supporter every step of the way to get that done,' she said. 'He was … excited to carry that legislation with me.' But the collaboration wasn't just one-way, Nurrenbern said. Sen. Mike Henderson, a Desloge Republican, also asked for her input on a massive education bill he was working on. 'He came to me right away and said: 'Maggie, I'd really like your input on this. You're a former educator. I respect your opinion on these provisions, and I want to work with you on this,'' Nurrenbern said. State Sen. Tracy McCreery, an Olivette Democrat, cosponsored several bipartisan bills this session and said it was 'refreshing' to work across the aisle. 'I'm in a district that's 50/50, and I feel like my constituents want me to work together with people of all political stripes and all backgrounds to find common-sense solutions,' McCreery said. 'They appreciate that politicians aren't fighting all the time and calling each other names.' While some issues consistently divide Republicans and Democrats in the Missouri legislature, others offer more opportunities for bipartisan cooperation, such as economic development and health care. 'All of the things I worked on successfully with colleagues from the other side of the aisle are just issues that are going to help make people's lives a little bit better,' McCreery said. For Democrats in both chambers of the Missouri legislature, getting a policy over the finish line often means amending another bill to include their language. It's especially critical in the House, Sharp said. 'Freshman Democrats feel like their specific House bills should be moving. That's now how it works. … Republicans aren't going to pass a bill in your name,' Sharp said. McCreery said it's 'pretty common' for Senate Democrats, when they're unable to block the passage of a bill, to try getting some of their own bills added as amendments to soften the impact. 'Once the supermajority decides that a bill is going to move and make it out of the chamber, you, as a senator, have to decide. Do I want to try to stop it, or do I want to try to make a bad bill a little less bad by putting some good things on it?' McCreery said. McCreery said one example was a 'terrible' omnibus utility law that passed early in the session, which she said will increase Missourians' utility rates. 'I voted no on it, but I was able to get some consumer protections in there for low-income people,' she added. 'It was a tough decision, but I didn't have the ability to stop the bill, so then I had to make a decision to try to put some things in there that can make it a little less harmful to people.' Nurrenbern said she tries to remember 'that we, as Senate Democrats, are just 10 of 34 senators' and that 'while we should have a mark on the legislation that is passed, it is going to be not as large a mark as the Republican supermajority.' 'I don't think a single piece of legislation got across the finish line without Democratic input,' she added. 'But we also recognize that we're not going to be overdemanding or overbearing in our asks. The asks that we put forward are reasonable, I think, and are really in the spirit of serving Missouri well.' Sharp said that unlike in previous years, House leadership — and especially Patterson, who just completed his first session as speaker — was more open to keeping an open dialogue with Democrats. 'I will give House Speaker Patterson this: he did a very good job of working with Democrats, (and) particularly African-American Democrats in Kansas City,' Sharp said. 'He made time for us regularly in Jefferson City and in Kansas City.' That shift meant that 'a few more opportunities were thrown to members of my caucus,' Sharp said, with Patterson and various Republican committee chairs being more willing to help some of Democrats' bills move through the legislative process. Those opportunities meant that Democrats, including freshmen, were able to add their bills' language as amendments to Republican legislation, including bills banning hair discrimination in schools, extending a tax credit for donations to diaper banks and eliminating sales taxes on diapers and feminine hygiene products. But other House bills with bipartisan support were casualties of the Senate's breakdown. That included Sharp's bill requiring some people with DUIs to install ignition interlocks in their car, which he said was on the Senate agenda but was effectively 'killed' when the PQ was used. With the use of the PQs, 'all of that bipartisan cooperation and collaboration was pretty much thrown out the window,' according to McCreery. At the time, Republicans and Democrats had been negotiating to find a compromise on Republicans' bill to repeal Proposition A's paid sick leave protections, passed by voters last fall. 'We were working right up to when we were given word that negotiations were finished,' McCreery said. 'I went into that Wednesday still feeling hopeful that we would figure something out.' According to the Missouri Independent, Democrats told Republican leadership they would stop filibustering the two bills if language were changed to remove references to gender-affirming care for minors — which is already illegal in Missouri — from the abortion bill and to allow for minimum wage to rise with inflation. McCreery — who was leading the filibuster when the PQs were used — said 'the PQ may have been used against me, but it's bigger than me.' 'Shutting down the debate was done against the will of the people. And that's what makes this more harmful and harder to look the other way on, because the PQ was used on me, but shutting down debate was used against 1.5, 1.6 million Missourians that voted for Prop A or voted for Amendment 3,' she said. That move 'eroded my trust and confidence to negotiate in good faith with Republican senators,' Nurrenbern said. While Democrats said negotiators were on track to find a solution, Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance, said on the day of the PQ that 'goalposts were being moved' in those negotiations, which ultimately 'hit a logjam.' Gov. Mike Kehoe was working behind the scenes in the lead-up to the PQ to try to prevent it and improve the chances of the Missouri legislature passing his proposed stadium funding plan, according to the Missouri Independent. In the lead-up to the PQ, Nurrenbern and other Democrats said that while they enjoyed the bipartisan cooperation, 'That is not going to be the case next session.' 'It marked a change in how we are going to operate as senators,' Nurrenbern said. 'There are a lot of motions that happen throughout the legislative day in the Missouri Senate, and we are going to use every opportunity to make our point that it's paramount to negotiate in good faith.' McCreery said she didn't want to speculate about how Democrats might proceed, but did say that 'it's going to be much harder to get things done, even things that are perceived as nonpartisan or noncontroversial. There was a lot of harm done not just to this session, but future sessions as well.' 'I'm certainly disappointed with how session ended this year, and I have a long memory,' she added. 'I don't anticipate that I'll go into special session this summer or regular session next January with all of this disrespect just put behind me.' Gov. Mike Kehoe recently announced that he will call lawmakers back to Jefferson City for a special session sometime this summer to vote on a bill to provide state funding for a new Royals stadium and a renovated Chiefs stadium. Nurrenbern said she doesn't know 'what the call is for special session yet, but I would certainly expect to see some of that spill over.' McCreery said Democrats 'have not had any discussions' about the special session. 'I will say, as someone who is a proud resident of the St. Louis region, to see all of the destruction that happened on Friday night with the tornado, it's going to be really hard to think about giving $900 million or more to a wealthy team owner when we've got so much destruction in the St. Louis region that is going to have to be dealt with,' she said. Sharp — who has been a vocal advocate for finding a way to keep the Royals and Chiefs in Missouri — said an even bigger barrier to getting the stadium bill passed will be senators' lingering resentment over the House failing to pass a massive construction bill. However, he said he's optimistic that House leadership will put it up for a vote during the special session to clear the way for the Senate to pass the stadium bill. At a press conference after the end of session, Kehoe told reporters he understands lawmakers' concerns about the construction bill. 'I've heard and listened to quite a few senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle on that very same issue, and I understand what their concerns are,' Kehoe said. 'I think it's fair to say everything is on the table of what that special session might look like.' As Democrats prepare for the sessions to come, Nurrenbern said she hopes to see bipartisanship in the Missouri legislature again. 'Everybody comes from a different walk of life, from a different area of the state, and we work best — and the institution works best — when we come together for the common good,' she said. 'I hope we get back there sooner than later.' This article first appeared on Beacon: Missouri and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lee's Summit teen earns Silver Valor Award after saving mans life
LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — An act of heroism earns a Lee's Summit teen a Silver Valor Award. She's a cadet with the JROTC program at Lee's Summit High School. We're told his young hero's natural skill and training gave her the confidence to help save a life. A student who is part of the JROTC program at Lee's Summit High School put that training into action. First responders told her she may have saved a man's life. Kansas City man convicted in 2021, 2022 murder-for-hire plot 'He came back a couple days later and said, 'You're my angel,'' Lt. Col. Brian Zoellner said. He is a proud teacher. Last week, Zoellner presented Daiya Brock with a Silver Valor a prestigious honor in JROTC for an act of heroism. 'This is pretty much everything that I have worked my years up to,' Brock said. Joining as a freshman, Brock is now a Cadet Lt. Col. in the program. In February, the teen used that training when a man walked into her place of work, trailing blood. Brock's co-worker at Habaneros spotted the blood first. 'She seen it and she said, 'Hey, you're bleeding.' She didn't know what to do, and my first instinct was, 'Hey, I'm going to need you to sit down, like, take pressure off of it,'' Brock said. Brock did not hesitate; she called for towels and told someone to phone 911. She applied a tourniquet and pressure on the man's leg to stop the bleeding. 'As soon as I lifted up those tights, it like all came down. So, I put my hand over it and I was like, 'Hey, I need a towel. And people to get away,'' Brock said. 'I had to kneel in his blood for like 20 minutes straight.' The district said paramedics later told Brock her quick response may have saved the man's life. 'They said he hit an artery right there on the shin and that could've been a horrible night if I wasn't there to help him,' Brock said. After Prop A rollback, Missouri Jobs With Justice launches ballot fight Zoellner said Brock's focus in chaotic situations stands out, noting it's a positive character trait when lives are on the line. 'A problem arises, everyone else is kind of frozen and she just jumps into action and goes, I've got a solution, let's roll with it,' Zoellner said. Brock plans to go into the military after graduation next year. She wants to be a K-9 Officer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
After Prop A rollback, Missouri Jobs With Justice launches ballot fight
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A newly passed Missouri bill aimed at reversing parts of Proposition A is now awaiting Governor Mike Kehoe's signature — and he's signaled he's ready to sign. In a dramatic move during one of the final moments of the legislative session, the Missouri Senate used a rare procedural tactic to end a filibuster and pass HB 567, a bill that removes the state's newly approved paid sick leave requirement. That means the sick day accrual policy, passed by voters just months ago, is on track to be eliminated. Kansas City man convicted in 2021, 2022 murder-for-hire plot The group Missouri Jobs with Justice is already preparing to fight back — filing paperwork to put the issue back on the ballot as a constitutional amendment. 'Missouri voters clearly support this policy — over 1.6 million people, or 58% of the state, voted for it,' Richard Von Glahn, the Policy Director for Missouri Jobs with Justice, said. While HB 567 doesn't entirely undo the state's new minimum wage increase — with the $15 per hour rate still set to take effect in January — it does cancel the automatic inflation-based increases that were scheduled to begin in 2027. KC Triathlon, Zoo pet vaccination event to shut down roads this weekend Supporters of the rollback say the changes will help businesses and protect jobs, but opponents argue this move is a clear case of lawmakers overturning the will of voters. 'We'll have to educate the public on why this is not in their best interest — this will stifle businesses opening up in Missouri,' Buddy Lah,l the CEO of the Missouri Restaurant Association, said. 'We also know that Missourians don't support politicians who overturn their decisions' von Glahn said. For now, the paid sick leave provision approved by Prop A remains in effect — but only until August 28. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Missouri Legislature passes bill to repeal Prop A's paid sick time, cost-of-living provisions
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri is one step closer to repealing part of Proposition A, or 'Prop A,' which increases the state's minimum wage and requires paid sick time. The Missouri Senate on Wednesday passed House Bill 567, modifying provisions related to employee compensation and paid sick leave. Missouri lawmakers approve referendum to repeal abortion-rights amendment Prop A was approved by voters in the November 2024 election and took effect on May 1. It requires employers to give workers at least one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, consecutive or otherwise. The passage of House Bill 567 also repeals the provisions establishing paid sick time for certain private employees. Current law provides that the minimum wage rate shall be $13.75 per hour for the 2025 calendar year, with an increase to $15 per hour on Jan. 1, 2026—and cost of increases or decreases each year thereafter, based on the change in the Consumer Price Index. House Bill 567, however, repeals the yearly cost-of-living increases. These changes are set to take effect as soon as Governor Kehoe signs the bill into law, which he is expected to Supreme Court upholds voter-approved minimum wage, paid sick leave initiative Where do Missouri's challenges to voter-approved abortion, sick leave laws stand? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What are people saying about the Lubbock, Roosevelt ISD school bonds? Here's what to know
This election cycle in Lubbock County is solely focused on local issues and races that directly impact you. With two contentious school bonds up for a vote in this May's elections, several entities and individuals have openly endorsed or opposed each bond measure. Others are reading: Where to vote in Lubbock County on 2025 Election Day? Here's what you need to know about So, before you head to the polls on Election Day — Saturday, May 3 — here's a look at how some are weighing in on the issues. A $290 million bond is set to go to the voters to help the school district build three new schools as it consolidates six schools, aiming to move them out of aging infrastructure. This bond has drawn both criticism and praise from the public, with many signs appearing around town in favor of and against the school bond. Dig Deeper: What is the 2025 Lubbock ISD bond on the May election ballot? Here's what you need to know Before you head to the polls, read the A-J's to-the-point coverage about the school bond and read what readers have submitted for and against to help you make an informed decision. Kathy Rollo: Understanding the Lubbock ISD bond election. Vera Rose Giemza: A Lubbock student's case for supporting Proposition A. Melynn Henry: Voting for Lubbock ISD Prop A supports students, community, maintains tax rate. Mikel Ward: Lubbock ISD Prop A raises taxes, harms neighborhoods. Letter to the editor: Deanne Clark responds to Lubbock ISD's $290M Prop A bond package. Just outside of Lubbock, a rural district is looking to capitalize on the recent construction from the Leprino factory just down the street to help construct a new elementary. Dig Deeper: What is the Roosevelt ISD 2025 bond? What you need to know about the $58.5 million ask Here's what people are saying, along with a news story from the A-J about what you need to know about the bond. Letter to the editor: Urging Roosevelt ISD voters to support school bond. Letter to the editor: We parents are urging you to vote FOR the bond. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: What people are saying about Lubbock ISD, RISD 2025 school bonds
