You’ve heard me say it before: We have been disenfranchised and flat-out ignored for way too long. The rich and well-connected call the shots in Jefferson City. Meanwhile, regular folks and families in our neighborhoods struggle to pay the bills. But this November, we have a chance to take power away from the big money forces who run Jefferson City, and take it back for regular folks, by voting YES for Amendment 1.
Here are the facts on what Amendment 1 will do to clean up state politics: stop big money in the legislature by lowering campaign contribution limits; require state government be more transparent and stop any legislative fundraising on state property; eliminate fancy lobbyist gifts; stop the revolving door of legislators becoming lobbyists with a two year waiting period; require fair state legislative maps to protect minorities’ political power and to ensure neither party is given an unfair advantage when new maps are drawn after the census.
Amendment 1 enshrines the Voting Rights Act into the Missouri Constitution to protect our right to vote in majority-minority districts. Amendment 1 puts working families first, instead of lobbyists and big money.
The strong, commonsense policy is why it’s been endorsed by the NAACP, Organization for Black Struggle, Rev. Starsky Wilson and Deaconess Foundation, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Metropolitan Congregations United, Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould and Missouri Faith Voices, Rasheen Aldridge, and Missouri Jobs with Justice. It’s also been endorsed by the League of Women Voters, former U.S. Sen. John Danforth, and many others because it will increase integrity, transparency, and accountability in state government.
Don’t be duped by the lobbyists and a small group of politicians in Jefferson City opposing Amendment 1. They are the same people who took away the wage increases the people of this city won fair and square. They are backed by the same forces who pushed SB43 to legalize discrimination. They have tried every way they know how to make it harder to vote. When is the last time they cared about our families and our communities?
Amendment 1 will make our voices matter more in Jefferson City. And that’s exactly what they’re afraid of.
We’ve been kicked out of public hearings. Government meetings have been held in back rooms of country clubs. The legislature keeps their records secret, yet expects others to follow open government laws. It’s time for Amendment 1 to bring it all into the open for the people to see.
Getting big money out of politics means legislators have to listen to the folks back home, who have been left out of the conversation in the Capitol. Ensuring fair legislative districts means our voices cannot be diminished in Jefferson City.
It’s time to give every community a seat at the table. To learn more, visit CleanMissouri.org. And then join me in voting YES for Amendment 1 this November to clean up Missouri politics.
Tishaura O. Jones is the treasurer of the City of St. Louis and former assistant minority floor leader in the Missouri Legislature.
