\naction program. Two members of Jobs With Justice, Sarah Swearer and Shannon Dickerson, provided education and training on the initiative petition called CLEAN MISSOURI. (CleanMissouri.org)
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<\/p>\nOver 40 people filled the Private Dining Room at the Walnut Grill in Ellisville on Wednesday, July 12 for the second edition of West County Democrats\u2019 FOCUS 2018
\naction program. Two members of Jobs With Justice, Sarah Swearer and Shannon Dickerson, provided education and training on the initiative petition called CLEAN MISSOURI. (CleanMissouri.org)<\/p>\n
The CLEAN of CLEAN MISSOURI is an acronym: Citizens and Legislators for Ethical Accountability Now. Specifically, CLEAN MISSOURI seeks to:<\/p>\n
1. Change process and criteria for redrawing state legislative districts
\n2. Change limits on campaign contributions that candidates can accept
\n3. Establish limits on gifts legislators and their employees can accept from lobbyists
\n4. Prohibit legislators, and employees, from serving as paid lobbyists for 2 years.
\n5. Prohibit political fund raising on State property.
\n6. Require legislative records and proceedings to be open to the public.<\/p>\n
An interactive signature-gathering training session followed the roughly 20-minute presentation. The training prepared some 15 participants for signature gathering at the upcoming weekly Kirkwood Farmers Market and Tower Grove Farmers Market, and the monthly Food Truck Friday event sponsored by Sauce Magazine held in Tower Grove Park . . . and for events beyond.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/westcountydemocrats.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_0473.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
The event, the second in a series presented by WCD\u2019s evening meetings called FOCUS 2018, shed light on the current state of \u201cethics\u201d in the general assembly in Jefferson City. Both Democrats and Republicans share interest in this initiative petition, event coordinator Judith Parker commented. \u201cA very staunch republican neighbor of mine approached me and asked to sign the petition\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/westcountydemocrats.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_0477.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1\")
Attending FOCUS 2018 was Bill Otto, former State Representative in Missouri, who introduced Kelli Dunaway, recently announced Democratic candidate for the Missouri 2nd District Congressional seat. Ms. Dunaway spoke passionately to the audience about her commitment to affordable health care and quality education for everyone in Missouri.<\/p>\n
WCD\u2019s next FOCUS 2018 event is scheduled for Thursday, September 14 and is entitled EMPOWER MISSOURI. Contact westcountydemocrats.org for further details.<\/p>\n
Submitted by Mark Kumming, WCD Member<\/em><\/p>\n\n