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WHO YOU ELECT MATTERS.  MOST VOTERS DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO WHO IS RUNNING FOR STATE LEGISLATURES OR EVEN KNOW WHO IS REPRESENTING THEM. 

THANKS TO MS REPRESENTATION WEEKLY BRIEF FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION:

It’s no secret that it’s been a brutal year for women. 29 states have passed legislation that covers a wide variety of ways to make women’s lives much, much harder, such as restricting reproductive choice, making it legal for doctors to lie to women, and granting a ball of cells more rights than the person carrying them. Check out this state-by-state list that breaks down some of the most ludicrous anti-woman legislation. Honestly, it makes MsRep & us more than a little queasy.

courtesy of National Women's Law Center

This week is National Women’s Health Week — a time for women to remind ourselves to put our health first. Some politicians are determined to put women’s health first, too — first on the chopping block.

Opponents of the health care law are dead-set on finding ways to undermine it. And, if they win, our health will be undermined, too.
For generations, women have overcome obstacles, exceeded expectations and fought for equality. We fought discrimination in the health insurance market, where women have been considered a pre-existing condition and denied health coverage due to a previous Caesarean section or a history of domestic violence or rape. We fought to end the discriminatory practice of insurance companies charging women more than men for health coverage, simply because we are women. And we won: the health care law finally ends these odious practices.

But opponents of the health care law are working to take our victories away. We must stay vigilant to ensure these victories stay in place for generations to come. Watch the new video from our I Will NOT Be Denied™ campaign, and then share it with your friends, family, and co-workers.

Thank you for working for quality, affordable health care for women and their families.

By Eli Yokley, Missouri News Network — May 9

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A $250,000 a year expenditure threatens to stall passage of the state’s $24 billion budget.

The issue is over whether the University of Missouri should continue to fund the Shear Institute, a public policy institute for women in politics based at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Legislation barring the funding passed the House as part of a larger education bill earlier this year and now returns to the state Senate.

On Wednesday, House Democratic women penned a letter to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon calling on him to veto the bill if it makes it to his desk.

“It is not the responsibly of the state legislature to micro-manage higher education public institutions as to their programs,” said the letter, led by Rep. Stacey Newman, D-Clayton. “This sets a dangerous precedent.”

Some Republican lawmakers, in particular, state Sen. Jane Cunningham, have insisted their believe that the institute is nothing more than a partisan organization.

Several top Missouri Republican women have also participated in the Shear Institute, including U.S. Rep. JoAnn Emerson, former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, former U.S. Ambassador Ann Wagner, and former House Speaker Catherine Hanaway. Hanaway said Tuesday she supports effort to cut funding for the institute.

Read more here.

l to r: Democrat State Reps Michele Kratky, Gail McCain Beatty, Mary Nichols, Stacey Newman, Cherie Spreng, Margo McNeil, Judy Morgan, Jeanette Mott Oxford, Mary Still, Susan Carlson, Jill Schupp and Eileen McGeoghegan who all support the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Policy

“It’s an embarrassment. It is a fricking embarrassment,” Wolfe said of the legislative actions. Lawmakers are attempting to block the university from training the young people of the state to be leaders, he said. “I think they are going above and beyond what they should be focusing on,” Wolfe said. “Having the political leadership in Jefferson City decide what we teach on our campuses goes against our mission.”

JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri House passed legislation aimed at shutting down an institute that trains women for roles in government and politics.

The amendment to House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 455, which was approved Monday night by a 93-59 vote, specifically targets the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The institute says its mission is to assist women in developing the interest and skills necessary to serve in elected office. Supporters of the institute say it is nonpartisan and contributes to diversity in government.

The amendment reads:  Prohibits any public institution of higher education, political subdivision, quasi-governmental entity, or governmental entity from operating the sue shear institute for women in public life, any successor entity to it, or use utilize public funds for any other institute that engages in political activity. Any taxpayer of this state or member of the general assembly will have standing to bring suit against any governmental or quasi-governmental entity in violation of this provision.

The claim that this institute “churns out liberal trainees for Democrats” is untrue considering the number of Republican legislators who have used the services of this institute or been involved.

The following Republican women legislators currently serve on the Sue Shear 21st Century Leadership Academy Advisory Committee for 2012 : Congresswoman JoAnn Emerson, Representatives Ellen Campbell Brandom, Cloria Brown, Kathie Conway, Sue Entlicher, Sally Faith, Diane Franklin, Jeanie Lauer, Melissa Leach, Donna Lichtenegger, Jeanie Riddle and Anne Zerr.

The House measure comes after the Senate previously passed a version of the state budget that would ban funding for the institute. Lawmakers from the two chambers are still working on a final version of the budget. Critics argue the wording in the Senate bill is too broad and could have unintended consequences. For example, in addition to prohibiting the state from funding the Sue Shear Institute, it would also ban funding for organizations that engage in “training college women leaders. At its root, this amendment to SB 455 would stop all programs that “encourage women to seek public office.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Kurt Schaefer, a Columbia Republican, said he would not allow the Sue Shear Institute language to pass.

“They can blow up the budget, take my chairmanship and move my seat to the middle of the Missouri River before I would ever agree to that,” he said.

Numerous Republican women support this institution.  However a Republican woman Rep. Sue Allen offered the House amendment with the full support of Republican State Sen. Jane Cunningham .

Women leaders need to be supporting an organization that assists more women in taking office, regardless of their political party.  Partisanship should not be an excuse for Republican legislators to limit the ability of women to run for more public office positions.

Read more HERE.

“Name It. Change It.” works to end sexist and misogynistic coverage of women candidates by all members of the press—from bloggers to radio hosts to television pundits. 

by Siobhan “Sam” Bennett, President/CEO of She Should Run and NameItChangeIt.org

Today, I am proud to introduce a new resource: the Name It. Change It. Candidate Guide to Sexist Media Coverage.  This guide encourages women to run for leadership positions and helps them navigate the difficult path to the top in ” a highly toxic media environment, which often negatively affecting their campaigns.”

Just one sexist remark can damage a woman’s campaign. The Name It. Change It. candidate guide aims to equip women candidates, campaign managers, political consultants, and communications staff with the tools to succeed despite sexist comments from media.

As the 2012 election season begins, we have our work cut out for us. Name It. Change It. will not stand by as pundits, radio hosts, bloggers, and journalists damage women’s political futures with misogynistic remarks.

To do your part in identifying and ending sexist media, check out the Name It. Change It. candidate guide and become familiar with the ways the media is sexist so you can spread the world and stop it.  Name It. Change It. identifies three levels of sexism: “just plain sexism,” “really damn sexist,” and “severe sexism.”  The words become more derogatory as they change from knocking down her wardrobe and attitude to using hateful words like “slut,” “prostitute,” or “fascist feminist.”

Can you think of anyone who likes to call women “sluts” or “whores” in the media and is clearly a media sexist?

To learn more about Name It. Change It. visit NameItChangeIt.org : a non-partisan project of WCF Foundation, Women’s Media Center, and Political Parity, in conjunction with She Should Run, which can be accessed here.

State Rep. Zachary Wyatt (R- Kirksville) ”came out” this morning to incredible support from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.  He revealed his sexual orientation for the first time publicly while speaking out in opposition of HB 2051, the “Don’t Say Gay” bill which would restrict on in-school discussions of sexual orientation.  This bill has been called bigoted and mean-spirited because it would prevent children and teens from seeking help from teachers while trying to understand their sexual orientation.  Also, it would limit teachers abilities to stop bullying based on real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identification.  In addition, it would prevent any after school or gay/straight alliances in schools —currently there are over 80 high school groups across the state.

The Columbia Daily Tribute reviews the State Capitol news conference this morning organized by PROMO and Progress Missouri featuring four GOP and five Democratic lawmakers who asked the 20 co-sponsors to withdraw HB2051.

Five members of the Democratic House Progressive Caucus have something to say about the hateful ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill and Rep. Wyatt’s courageous statement:

Rep. Stacey Newman, House Progressive Caucus Chair (Richmond Heights): “We applaud Rep. Wyatt for his courage in speaking out for himself and for ALL kids. HB 2051 is bigoted at its worst.  38 members of the House Progressive Caucus have sent a letter to each 20 sponsors of this harmful bill asking them to withdraw their bill.  So far, no response.”

Rep. Mary Still (Columbia): “It is a very brave thing he did.   It is so important right now because he was able to bring attention to a very bigoted and mean-spirited piece of legislation (HB 2051).”

Rep. Sarah Lampe (Springfield): “I greatly admire his strength and courage and want him to know he has people and friends surrounding him to support his coming out and being himself.”

Rep. Chris Carter (St. Louis): “Congratulations to Rep. Wyatt for coming out, he is now free to be himself.  This bill is a hunk of crap and needs to be withdrawn.  In this day and age, sexual orientation needs to be discussed in public school.  Children deal with their sexuality day to day and they need to be able to talk to a teacher about this issue.  The possibility of suicide is a consequence of denying children the ability to talk about what is going on with them.  Bullying children who are gay is a real problem in school and kids can be rough.  We need to take this seriously before these children are hurt or something really serious happens.”

Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford (St. Louis City): “Having come out myself and knowing how the media is, I’m very proud of him for taking this difficult step.  I hope the Republicans who filed the bill will withdraw HB 2051 which puts a gag order on discussions of sexual orientation.  Teachers need a way to talk about sexual orientation with students who are struggling through exploring their sexual orientation.  I hope we  (the legislators) will all support our students in their time of need.”

Rep. Tracy McCreery (Olivette): “It is great to know we live and work in a building where people can be themselves and are accepted for who they are.  I hope more people follow Rep. Wyatt’s example in opposing HB 2051.”

If you agree with almost 5000 supporters state and nationwide (so far!) who oppose HB2051, visit oktosaygay.org and urge your state legislator to stop this horrible bill.