We are in the home stretch of this legislative session, so it's a great time to take a look around at what has (and hasn't) happened so far at the State House. While this list can feel like a whole lot, it's important to note that almost everything on it is not a done deal. We can, and should, keep demanding good government from our lawmakers right until the very last second of this legislative session.
Classroom Censorship
This bill has continued to turn up time and time again. Last week, it passed favorably out of the Senate Education Committee. Thank you for continuing to show up around this issue again and again (and again). This bill has one more stop to make in the State House, and that's the Senate floor. So, we have two ways to get involved here, and now is the time.
Take action with us and tell your state Senator to vote no on classroom censorship.
Contact your senator
Extra credit: if you're a student, parent, or educator, we want your testimony! Use the link below to share your testimony—we trust teachers and educators to guide students through complete and inclusive discussions of history, and if you do too, we want to hear from you here:
Share your Testimony Here
Public Aid for Private Education
A slightly different version of the bill than we've looked at previously has gathered steam and will be considered next week in the House. However, the spirit of the bill remains the same, which is defunding public education, and by employing a voucher system state funds are able to be diverted to private schools that can discriminate and deny enrollment to students based on factors like gender or religion. Take action and tell your Representative to vote no, and instead support a fully funded education system.
Secrecy for Lethal Injection Drug Makers
Transparency in education (allegedly), total secrecy in capital punishment. This bill has already passed out of the Senate and has been debated by the House. It seems our lawmakers want to make an already inherently broken process worse.
Eviction Right to Counsel
We remain hopeful that this bill, which is a win for tenants (many of whom are mothers and children), landlords, and taxpayers will get a hearing this session. Ask your Representative to help get this bill a hearing:
Contact Your Representative
The Freedom Caucus
Remember that one time they made national news with a bill that would make people who access abortion (which is healthcare) eligible for the death penalty? They've been behind some of the worst legislation at the State House this year, and they're emblematic of the extremist ideology that is taking hold in government even though most people, including those in their own party, don't agree with them.
Transgender Rights
So far, two anti-LGBTQ bills have moved out of the Senate Medical Affairs committee: one that would deny access to gender affirming ID's, and one that would ban gender affirming care for minors and young adults. Just like the numerous medical experts, legal experts, and families have testified—gender affirming care is lifesaving care. It's evidence-based care. Denying access to care is unconstitutional and we will fight it every step of the way. If you haven't already, please tell your Senator to reject unconstitutional bans on gender affirming care.
Contact Your Senator
Abortion is Healthcare
The Senate is now fast tracking a near total ban on abortion, and is expected to take it to the Senate floor next week. Women's Rights Empowerment Network (WREN) has made it easy for you to contact your Senator and tell them to reject bans on reproductive freedom.