Things may look bleak in GOP-controlled states like Florida, Texas and Tennessee, but red state progressives are finding ways to push back against regressive Republican agendas.
I grew up in St. Louis, MO, left after college and came back to enjoy retirement. St. Louis is one of a couple of blue spaces within a very red state. People here have used petitions to get reasonable measures onto the ballet and where they received approval by residents- medical marijuana, Medicaid expansion and recreational marijuana. There is currently a push with petitions to get abortion rights into the state constitution. The MO state legislature tried to increase the percentage of signatures to get a petition on the ballet but ended this session without success. MO requires that the cost of a petition include a fiscal note and summary of the cost but Attorney General Bailey has tried to increase the "no cost" opinion of the state auditor to billions of dollars arguing that MO would lose Medicaid dollars and revenue from unborn children should be accounted for. This is a delay tactic to keep any petitions from appearing on 2024 ballots. A judge has already heard arguments in a case filed by the MO ACLU and the state auditor's office. Until this is resolved petitions cannot be sent to the Secretary of State and signatures cannot be gathered. It's a constant struggle.
Do you suppose it would be possible for the AMA to charge lawmakers who ban abortion and gender-affirming care with practicing medicine without a license?
I grew up in St. Louis, MO, left after college and came back to enjoy retirement. St. Louis is one of a couple of blue spaces within a very red state. People here have used petitions to get reasonable measures onto the ballet and where they received approval by residents- medical marijuana, Medicaid expansion and recreational marijuana. There is currently a push with petitions to get abortion rights into the state constitution. The MO state legislature tried to increase the percentage of signatures to get a petition on the ballet but ended this session without success. MO requires that the cost of a petition include a fiscal note and summary of the cost but Attorney General Bailey has tried to increase the "no cost" opinion of the state auditor to billions of dollars arguing that MO would lose Medicaid dollars and revenue from unborn children should be accounted for. This is a delay tactic to keep any petitions from appearing on 2024 ballots. A judge has already heard arguments in a case filed by the MO ACLU and the state auditor's office. Until this is resolved petitions cannot be sent to the Secretary of State and signatures cannot be gathered. It's a constant struggle.
We will win the fight in Missouri and other places. It may take time, but we shall overcome.
This resident of St. Louis County feels your pain.
Thank you for calling out these heroes fighting in the trenches. It gives hope in a time of seemingly hopelessness.
Yes, we're so used to talking about all the awful things happening in red states, we wanted to highlight the things giving us hope!
Good on them, because I had just about completely lost hope for most "red states".
Hope is never gone so long as good people continue to reach for the light.
Indeed!
Winning!
Yesss. Even when they lose their fights, the fight itself is a win!
Do you suppose it would be possible for the AMA to charge lawmakers who ban abortion and gender-affirming care with practicing medicine without a license?
Important to share how others stand up to oppressive and discriminatory actions. Thank you.