Tuesday, February 7, Rep. Stephanie Hein had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Suzanne Walker-Pacheco and Paws to the Polls students in Jefferson City. This nonpartisan, student-led group works to increase civic engagement on campus.
Suzanne Walker-Pacheco, GA Zion Stevens, and 10 undergraduate students from Political Science, Religious Studies, and Anthropology spent a long day meeting with approximately 12 legislators, attending a hearing for an initiative petition-related bill, and even receiving impromptu recognition from Senator Lincoln Hough from the Senate floor. They were able to visit with four local legislators: representatives Betsy Fogle, Stephanie Hein, Crystal Quade, and Alex Riley. The purpose was primarily to meet with legislators on the House and Senate elections-related committees about two bills that deal with voting access, one to expand voter ID to include university ID and another to restore voting rights to people on parole and probation.