Kansas City Metropolitan Reentry Coalition

09/11/2024

https://www.wmtv15news.com/2024/09/11/wisconsinites-impacted-by-incarceration-call-lawmakers-repeal-1994-crime-bill/ Our Wisconsin colleagues standing up against the crime bill, which is 30 years old right now. It is responsible for mass incarceration as we know it.

The crime bill was controversial because it gave states a financial incentive to build more prisons and buckle down on sentencing laws.

08/14/2024

https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/toriano-porter/article290855184.html

Was it wise for Mayor Quinton Lucas to shell out so many tax dollars on an effort that was more than likely doomed? From Toriano Porter:

04/15/2024

OMG, I am listening to this great story about my friend Johnny L Waller Jr. & then I hear my name. Thanks for the shout out, Johnny! Great story!

“This, this, this prison out here is way worse. It’s like, it’s like seeing a world in a glass and you’re just stuck outside with your face pressed against it and nobody to let you in.”

11/07/2014

http://fox4kc.com/2014/11/06/kck-becomes-first-city-in-kansas-to-ban-the-box/ Congratulations to Commissioner Tarence Maddox for leading the unanimous passage of Ban the Box in Kansas City Kansas/ Wyandotte County last night. And thanks to Rev. Dr. Bobby Love Sr. and Rev. Rick Behrens who have been out testifying on this issue on behalf of MORE-squared! Now, people have greater access to jobs, especially a better chance at getting an interview, in City Hall in KCK. And prop's to Councilman Jermaine Reed who is also featured in this story for leading this in KCMO with us last year!

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Commissioners of Wyandotte County's Unified Government want to give ex-offenders a second chance, voting unanimously Thursday night to institute a "Ban the Box" ordinance. The ...

10/14/2014

Yesterday evening, lead by Commissioner Tarence Maddox, WYCO/ KCK Unified Government Commission moved forward Ban the Box, which will remove the criminal history question off employment applications. MORE-squared was represented with testimony by Rev. Rick Behrens and Rev. Bobby Love Sr., affirming the need to move this ordinance forward from a faith perspective.

06/23/2014

http://www.kctv5.com/story/25833825/proposed-ordinance-could-lift-alcohol-sale-ban-for-certain-felons Gary Bindley testified when the Reentry Coalition worked on the first modification of this ordinance back in 2009.

Felons that are currently banned from selling alcohol at bars, restaurants and businesses could soon be allowed to get an employee liquor permit.

05/22/2014

Yeah, the Ban is banned (once Gov. Nixon signs the bill...should take effect by August) http://www.faithinpubliclife.org/blog/missouri-faith-leaders-help-reverse-lifetime-food-stamps-ban/

Since 1996, low-income Missourians with a past drug-related felony conviction have been barred for life from eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a crucial lifeline that helps struggling families put food on the table.

05/17/2014

http://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/drug-felon-may-soon-be-eligible-for-food-stamps

Felons with drug convictions are one step closer to having their food stamp eligibility reinstated.

05/16/2014

Tears were shed today! These were tears of jubilation as we got the final word from Senator S Kiki Curls that Ban the Ban, SB680, which removes the lifetime food stamp ban for people with drug convictions in Missouri, is headed to Governor Nixon's desk! In this time when we deeply question some actions of the legislature, we celebrate this, a people's victory. We claim the win of bringing strong bi-partisan leadership to this effort (total yeses in both chambers = 150 with only 23 no votes!). We acknowledge our strong leadership for delivering amazing testimony: Christine Mcdonald and Johnny L Waller Jr. and Deborah Neal. We thank press who have given us coverage for some YEARS, especially Mary E. Sanchez and Lisa Benson! And, we celebrate the work with strong allies like Jeanette Mott Oxford, Pat Dougherty, and Susan Pender Sneed! AMEN, Missouri Legislature, for understanding feeding a person helps starve an addiction; for believing in second chances, and for knowing that adding tools to the recovery toolbox is fiscally smart and morally right.