The West County Democrats guest speakers for this session were Dr. Anita Manion, of UMSL, who discussed the political layout in our State and Nationwide, and Cynthia Miller, the Executive Director of Circle of Concern, who addressed the food pantry’s most pressing concerns. Both of their excellent presentations will be found here:
Dr. Manion responded to vigorous questions from the audience about the great information she presented, and committed to provide the power point and a recent TED talk to the members of West County Democrats under separate cover.
Ms. Miller explained how the Circle of Concern’s client community has expanded under Covid and the service deliver changed they implemented to keep everyone safe. Now, more than ever, they need donations of goods and time, and you can learn more about helping at their website. Please be generous:
Glenn Koenen’s legislative report:
Legislative Report December 14, 2020
Donald Trump has done incredible damage to the federal government. To many he has re-defined truth: per a recent MO Scout Remington poll, 73% of Missouri Republicans believe that Trump won re-election but was cheated out of his victory. (In a nationwide poll 40% of Republicans felt that way while 23% aren’t sure who won.)
Federal Items:
Congress remains broken. Despite intense need, the best the House and Senate could agree to was a one week extension of the government’s spending authority, pushing the deadline from December 11 to
December 18 for funding the fiscal year which began on October 1st . A government shutdown before Christmas is still possible – though probably not likely.
For example, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is talking of keeping the House in session over the Holidays to try to get a budget bill and another round of stimulus aid through Congress.
After the 2008 – 2009 recession it took years for employment and personal income to recover. (Food stamp use actually peaked in the winter of 2010!) Recovery from the Pandemic Recession will be slower, and, experts are not sure how many lost jobs in some industries (such as travel and restaurants) will ever come back even with federal and local government assistance. Still, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell – doing Trump’s bidding – seems intent on stalling action on any additional COVID relief package. He appears to not want to give Democrats any advantage prior to the January 5, 2021 Senate elections in Georgia.
The federal bureaucracy continues to degrade. Many management and policy posts are either unstaffed, or, filled with Trump appointees unwilling (or incapable) of doing their jobs. While senior staff changes at the Department of Defense have attracted media attention, similar changes at several other departments have been happening in recent months.
Do not forget that Ann Wagner, all the other Republican Representatives from Missouri, and 120 of their Republican House colleagues endorsed the Texas challenge to other states’ election results. The Texas challenge was nothing less than an attack on American’s right to have their votes counted and the winner declared based on that vote total.
State Items:
The endless special session continues in Jefferson City. As noted by State Representative Sarah Unsicker, each day of the session each legislator in attendance gets a per diem of $120.80. Plus, the state incurs other staff and operational costs. This week the House is scheduled to consider Rep. Justin Hill’s [R – St. Charles Co.] non-binding resolution to endorse the Texas challenge to the presidential election results.
Previously, the special session gave Governor Mike Parson authorization he probably didn’t need to spend federal pandemic funds. Fortunately, the legislature has not acted on total legal immunity to all businesses and groups regarding COVID-19. (That may happen in the new session beginning in January.)
Legislators have pre-filed hundreds of bills for the session beginning next month. Among the perennial favorites proposed…
- Right To Work
- Guns Everywhere
- Machine Guns For All
- More Restrictions On Petition Drives
- Tax Cuts
Word is that another fuel tax increase may be considered, a dime increase per gallon phased in over five years. This would be on the ballot in 2022. (It will, of course, fail: the Republicans have spent a generation telling their followers that all tax increases are evil and unnecessary.)
Due to the pandemic, the first revenue estimate for the next state fiscal year (FY2022, starting 7/1/21) projects a loss of $419 million in revenue. This guess could be right, or, revenue could drop significantly
more than the estimate. Remember, most of Missouri’s general revenue comes from income tax and sales tax. If fewer people are working (and therefore spending much less) revenue plummets.
Missouri is one of the few states without statewide mandates to control COVID. As a result, we have more than our share of the disease. This also means that – unless Parson enacts a state wide mask mandate and other anti-infection efforts – we can expect to be one of the last states to be rid of the virus.
Comments during the general session:
Cathy Marek : Trump was right! One day, the virus will disappear, beginning on Biden’s Inauguration Day!
Karen Cloyd to West County Democrats(Direct Message) : Please send nominations to karen.cloyd@gmail.com
Jean Light : Glenn – can Texas really succeed?
Dale & Dave Steinberg : Texas has already been rejected by the Supreme Court
Jean Light : Darn autocorrect. Secede
Donald Ford : The results of the vote in the Electoral College must be presented to a joint session of Congress on Jan 6th – Vice Pres Pence presiding.
karen francis : can we receive the PowerPoint 👍👍🏾
Grace James : What is the Biden Administration likely to do about the fracking issue? Also, any insight into appointments in Missouri, such as U.S. Attorney?
Mark Toenjes : Dr. Manion, Considering the fact-free conspiracy theories that Trump supporters believe, how do WE have rational conversations with these folks about policy moving forward? How do you recommend we encourage pulling our friends and family back from this self destructive lunacy?
Dennis Lavallee : Can Trump temporarily step down (e.g. as when under medical treatment) to allow Pence to serve as Acting President. Then Pence could grant a pardon?
Glenn Koenen : What has to be done to move Missouri from the “red Zone” to a more mainstream political environment?
Grace James : Both Biden and Harris avoided the question about “stacking” the Supreme Court. Do you have a clue as to where they stand on this?
Maureen Jordan : I would love to see the Ted Talk on communication framing. Please make it available via email or on our website. Thank you!
Karen Cloyd : circleofconcern.org
Karen Cloyd : Their address is: 112 St. Louis Ave. Valley Park 63088
Karen Cloyd : You may donate through their website.
Mark Toenjes : Cynthia, With the changes due to Covid restrictions, do you have a need for volunteers at this time? If so, what is the best way to get involved?
Scott Lloyd-Joanes : What is your address?
Karen Cloyd : 112 St. Louis Ave. Valley Park 63088
Jessica LaBozzetta : Thanks, all!