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Repeal of Renters' Credit on Fast Track
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This week the Senate Committee on General Laws held a public hearing on legislation that would repeal a tax credit that is claimed by low-income elderly and disabled renters. HCB 3 has already passed the Missouri House.
The Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) testified against HCB 3. MOCAN network members recently received an Action Alert from the MCC urging contacts to State Senators with a message asking for opposition to HCB 3. At present, over 100,000 lower-income Missourians are receiving the tax credit, which averages $535 a year. |
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Senate Filibuster Stalls Pro-Life Bills
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.jpg) Two pro-life bills ran into hours of stalling tactics this week. SB 41, sponsored by State Senator Wayne Wallingford (R-Cape Girardeau), was taken up on Monday. Senators debated the bill into the early hours of Tuesday morning. The bill seeks to protect the free speech of alternative to abortion agencies and pre-empt abortion ordinances like the recent one passed by the City of St. Louis. The Senate filibuster should end and these pro-life bills should be voted on!
SB 67, sponsored by State Senator Bob Onder (R-Lake St. Louis), requires inspections of abortion clinics and prohibits the sale or donation of fetal remains. The Onder bill received some attention on Tuesday evening but then it, too, had to be laid aside when opponents refused to allow the bill to be voted on.
Contacts to State Senators are needed at this time. Take action by responding to this MCC Action Alert. |
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Federal Judge to Block Enforcement of Abortion Clinic Regulations
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Judge Howard Sachs, a federal district court judge from Kansas City, issued a ruling this week stating that he is blocking enforcement of two Missouri abortion laws in a lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood. The two laws include one that requires abortion doctors to have clinical privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of an abortion clinic, and the other requires abortion clinics to meet the safety requirements of ambulatory surgery centers.
The judge cited a Supreme Court ruling from last summer which struck down similar laws in Texas that the Court ruled were an undue burden on a woman's right to an abortion. With this ruling, the door is now open for more abortion clinics to begin operating in Missouri. The MCC will continue tracking this case as it progresses through the courts. Stay tuned and pray for Attorney General Josh Hawley's office as they contemplate their strategy going forward. |
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Arkansas Plans Unprecedented Number of Executions in April
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 Beginning on April 17, the State of Arkansas plans to execute eight men in 10 days. This unprecedented number of four double executions will be more than any state has carried out since the death penalty was reinstated 40 years ago. Arkansas, which hasn't executed anyone since 2005, is rushing the executions because the state just received one of the execution drugs and another drug is set to expire the end of April.
Numerous voices across the country have raised concerns about the rapid schedule. Dr. Allen Ault, a former warden of Georgia's corrections where he oversaw five executions, wrote in a recent Time article that the schedule was "dangerous and risky". He noted that the pace will put an extraordinary emotional burden on the men and women required to carry out the executions, and will increase the risk of mistakes.
In 2014, Oklahoma planned to execute two individuals in one night as well. The execution of the first inmate, Clayton Lockett, went horribly wrong and the second execution was put on hold. An Oklahoma commission later recommended that only one execution be carried out in a week to prevent mistakes.
Let your voice be heard! Contact Arkansas Governor, Asa Hutchinson, and ask him to stop this rapid execution rate. |
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Missouri House Votes Down Amendment to Ban Lethal Injections
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 This week during House debate on the appropriations bills, State Representative Peter Merideth (D-St. Louis) offered an amendment to the Dept. of Corrections budget (HB 9) to prevent funds from being paid "to any entity that engages in medical procedures to end life." The amendment would have banned the DOC from performing lethal injections, although other execution methods could still be carried out. Rep. Merideth asked for a roll call vote on the amendment and it failed by a vote of 90-42. If you want to see how your representative voted, click here.
The MCC thanks Rep. Merideth for offering this amendment and his efforts to end lethal injection in our state. |
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St. Francis de Sales up for 'Most Beautiful Church in America' Honor
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 In a March Madness inspired competition named "Church Madness," St. Francis de Sales in St. Louis is in the running to be named America's most beautiful church.The neo-Gothic church in south city is known for its stained-glass windows and other notable architectual elements. St. Francis de Sales made it through the 'Ecclesiastical Eight' before advancing to the 'Faithful Four' and now sits in a 'National Churchpionship' of sorts, reports Fox2 Now in St. Louis.
This is ArtandLiturgy.com's second annual 'Most Beautiful Church' tournament. St. Francis de Sales is facing St. James Church of Louisville, Kentucky. We'll keep you updated on the results, but for now, watch this video to learn more about St. Francis de Sales. |
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The Missouri House of Representatives this week took the first step to ensure Planned Parenthood does not receive any state or federal tax dollars. The move came by way of an amendment offered by