As a legislator, feedback from my constituents is loud and clear -- they want to see an end to the partisan bickering and political noise. They want to see increased funding for public education, background checks for all firearm sales, an economy that works for everyone and an end to incessant attacks on reproductive health care.

Women, particularly women of color, are most negatively impacted by almost every existing economic policy from low wages, outdated workplace policies that deny women paid leave, scheduling rules, affordable child care, fair promotions, to cuts to public services, pregnancy discrimination and access to health care. These are the urgent issues that Missourians say they want addressed.

As a champion of equality and justice for everyone, especially women, I prefer to spend my time in the legislature working on substantial issues than debating policies that restrict womens ability to manage their own health care or plan their families.

It's not enough to just defend: we must overcome partisan opposition and focus our efforts on agendas that actually benefit people. Partisan attacks on issues that primarily affect women are solely designed to help extreme conservatives win at the ballot box, not improve the lives of women and their families.

Enough is enough. As we observe Women's Equality Day, it's time for voters to show up and stand with women in the next election. Voters must demand action in Jefferson City, not settle for the usual grandstanding. We must hold accountable those who continually attack women, leaving families worse off than they are now. Next session we must work to raise the minimum wage, make sure parents have adequate time off to care for family, ensure access to reproductive health care, including legal abortion and contraception and while were at it, ensure that the Capitol is a safe place for women of all ages to work.

Together, we must demand that those who are standing in the way relinquish their narrow partisan agenda and instead stand with women and families for the economic policies and reproductive care the majority of us want and need.

Newman is a Missouri State Representative for the 87th District which includes Clayton, Richmond Heights & University City.