Fwd: Rural Caucus Newsletter

[Darrell Martin]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rural Strong <modemsru...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Jul 28, 2023 at 1:29 PM
Subject: Rural Caucus Newsletter
To:

TGIF Rural Democrats!

Man...is it hot!

Initiative Petition. From the word we got, it isn't advisable to start gathering signatures because the ACLU is amending their filings for court next week to challenge the ballot language that Ashcroft used. We heard there's two versions floating around so we need to just hang tight. Although we know the GOP is going to do all they can to keep it tied up in court, we're keeping our fingers crossed that we can collect signatures at the State Fair booth. 

MO anti-abortion politicians are “publicly colluding” with groups like Missouri Right to Life to keep the measure off the ballot: Anti-Abortion Activist Caught on Camera Detailing Plan to Keep Abortion Off Missouri Ballot (jezebel.com) The link to the video clips are in the article.

MO economic ranking dropped again - from 22 in 2021, to 25 in 2022, to 32 in 2023: America's Top States for Business 2023: The full rankings (cnbc.com) To add salt to the wound, Texas and Florida ranked higher.

This is quite a read. Children accounted for half of all Medicaid terminations, and nearly half are "procedural" terminations. Parents may not realize that even though they may not be eligible, their children are: Kids make up half of Missourians who lost Medicaid in first month of reviews • Missouri Independent 

Then you have more attacks on transgender kids: Parents have no right to allow their children’s gender transition, Republicans say • Missouri Independent. Parents have rights. Parents don't have rights. Parents have rights. Parents don't have rights. Parents have rights...

The GOP sure cherry picks but the goal is to villainize and bully our most vulnerable.

Hawley, who is on the Senate Judiciary Committee, voted "NO" on the bill that would require Supreme Court justices and their staff to disclose gifts, travel, and any outside income they receive. Imagine that. Hawley on why he voted against ethics rules for U.S. Supreme Court justices - Missourinet 

Do you have knowledge or skills to share with Missouri Democrats?The MDP Communications Committee is developing a Speakers Roster for use by Democratic Committees, Caucuses, Clubs, and Organizations to boost their knowledge, skills, and meeting attendance. If interested, apply: Apply for the MDP Speakers Roster! (google.com)

Our 2nd State Fair Booth Training Webinar is Sat., July 29th at 11 a.m. We'll review talking points and booth basics. Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82427422642?pwd=eHdTSlVPTURuei9zTHJrNDdxVTRNQT09 Meeting ID: 824 2742 2642 Passcode: 741150

We're going to have a great booth! So that everyone has an idea of what will be at the booth, here's a list: State Fair Booth Inventory - Google Docs. After you look over the inventory, if you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know. We'll cover a lot of details in the webinar but in case volunteers can't attend, we're working on an instruction handout so everyone knows the best fair entrance (for the booth), where to park, booth location, etc. We'll send out a separate email on just the State Fair booth/parade later next week.

Upcoming meetings/events (Don't forget to let us know about events/meetings: Event - Google Forms)

• Rural Caucus/MO Democratic Party State Fair Float Decorating Day, Saturday, Aug. 5, 1 - 4 p.m. Help decorate the float at the KO Storage Facility, 1521 Stone Creek Drive, Sedalia. We'll have music, snacks, drinks, fans and decorations.

Save The Date:

• Callaway County Democratic Club, Mon., Aug. 7, 7 p.m., Callaway Electric Coop, 1313 Cooperative Dr., Fulton. Elad Gross will be guest speaker. For more information, contact Bryant Liddle, bry...@blineengraving.com

• Missouri State Fair, Aug. 10 - 20th,  Sedalia. Missouri State Fair | Aug 10-20, 2023 (mostatefair.com). Booth sign-up: State Fair Booth Sign-Up - Google Sheets

• “Stronger Together” Multi-County Democrat Meet-Up, Sat., Aug. 12, 12 - 3 p.m., Scenic Regional Library, 251 Union Plaza Drive, Union (next to Pasta House). Hosts are the Franklin County Democrats. This is a gathering of rural county Democrats, working together to build a message and support each others’ events. Candidates are welcome. Come be part of the change that’s coming! For more information, contact Jennifer at warrenc...@gmail.com. 

• Lafayette County Democratic Annual Pie Auction & Dinner, Sat., Aug. 12, 5 - 8 p.m., American Legion Hall, 1001 22nd St., Higginsville. A contribution of $20 will purchase the meal and club membership. All donations will be used to help elect local and state Democrats. Full details: Lafayette County Annual Pie Auction - Google Docs

• Hog Roast & Toast by Pulaski County Democratic Club, Sat., Sept. 9, 2 p.m. St. Robert Municipal Park. See flyer for more details: Pulaski County - Google Docs

• Texas County Central Committee Meeting., Thurs., Sept. 21, 2023, 5:30 p.m., Texas County Government Center meeting room (lower level), 210 N. Grand Ave., Houston. Parking and entrance on lower-level past 911 center. For more information, contact Jim Gagen, jimg...@msn.com.
  

• Grassroots in the Garden hosted by Lincoln County Democratic Club, Sat., Sept. 23, 5 - 9 p.m., Lincoln County Fairgrounds, Troy. See flyer for more information: Lincoln County - Google Docs

• SEMO Area Democrats’ Fall Festival and Fundraiser, Sat., Sept. 23, 6 p.m., American Legion Hall, 2731 Thomas Dr., Cape Girardeau. Great speakers, amazing food, and good times! Tickets in advance at CapeDems.com. For more information,  contact Jonathan Kessler, jmkes...@gmail.com

• Eldon Turkey Festival, Sat., Sept. 30th, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Miller County Fairgrounds, 432 E. 8th. The Miller County Democrats, Morgan County Democrats and the Indivisible Lake Area Federation of Democrats are sponsoring a booth. They will also have a float in the parade at 10 a.m. Everyone can join! They are asking for candidates and general flyers/brochures for the booth. For more more information, contact Carol Newton, bcne...@gmail.com.

• The Apple Festival, Sat., Oct. 7th and Sun., Oct. 8th, Versailles Square. The Miller County Democrats, the Morgan County Democrats and the Indivisible Lake Area Federation of Democrats are sponsoring a booth on both days. They will also have a float in the parade at 8 a.m. Everyone can join! They are asking for candidates and general flyers/brochures for the booth. For more more information, contact Carol Newton, bcne...@gmail.com

Friendly reminder, folks. Write those LTE's, and talk to friends and neighbors about the success of "Bidenomics" and the positive local effects in your community. Don't forget a lot of voters don’t follow detailed stuff because they’re busy with their life. Good chance that nobody knew what Build Back Better meant. To some, it was a chain of chiropractors. Same with the Infrastructure Bill. Many don't know everything that falls under "infrastructure". Pick a simple popular thing people your community understands and can relate to. Constant relatable messaging is extremely important. 

Most of Missouri is under an extreme heat advisory. Stay safe and hydrated!

Joshua Dunne

Chair

Jacqueline Farr

Vice-Chair

Meg Edwards

Secretary

John Parks

Treasurer