The 411 on Missouri Defunding Public Education, Libraries, and the Budget Surplus with MO State Rep. Lavender

It’s Wednesday, do you know where your latest episode of Girl and the Gov, The Podcast is? It’s here, it’s live, and it’s an interview with Missouri State Representative Deb Lavender. Now, what does the episode get into? We digress…

The Missouri legislature has kept itself in the headlines more than Scandoval has recently, and that’s saying something. Unfortunately, the reasons are just as shady – from defunding public education, threats to library funding, bills on banning gender affirming care, and so much more. In this episode, the gals get into it with Missouri State Representative Deb Lavender, who paints the picture of Missouri politics as a whole and walks ‘em through many of the nuances behind the headlines. The specifics that came into convo:

• Why the GOP won’t use the budget surplus to fund education or help Missouri families

• How the budget process works and who has the final say

• What school vouchers are and how they impact districts

• The teacher shortage and low pay in the state

The interview can be listened to via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and viewed on YouTube. And for a sneak peek, take a watch here:

Tune in, tell a friend. Oh, and did we mention that if you share your favorite episode to your story and tag @girlandthegovthepodcast, we’ll send you #GATG stickers [a new batch just arrived!]? Now we did.

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