JEFFERSON CITY — This Week in the Missouri Senate reviews House Bill 126, which creates the “Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act.” This issue could be revisited during the 2020 legislative session, which will start on Jan. 8. Original Source
Ceres Returning to the Capitol As many of us have noticed, an important part of Jefferson City’s skyline has been hidden behind white tarps and scaffolding for over a year. While the State Capitol is under wraps, there is no secret to what’s going on. Currently, our State Capitol is the focus of a major …
December 2 marked the first day lawmakers could pre-file legislation for the 2020 legislative session. Following the first few days of pre-filing, senators had already submitted more than 250 Senate Bills more than 20 Senate joint resolutions. Original Source
JEFFERSON CITY — House Bill 126 is among the measures from this year’s legislative session that could be revisited next year. Lawmakers will return to the Capitol in January. Original Source
As I mentioned last week, Missouri lawmakers have begun filing legislation for the 2020 legislative session. Among my pre-filed measures is one I also sponsored during the 2019 session, and is something that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Senate Bill 549 relates to Missouri’s low-income housing tax credit. In past years, I …
Exploring the District: Pulaski County For the final installment in my tour of the 16th Senatorial District, this week we’ll visit Pulaski County. The smallest of the five counties I represent, Pulaski County is the most populous, with about 52,000 residents. The big draw is Fort Leonard Wood, the county’s largest employer and best-known destination. …
Legislative Column for Dec. 5, 2019 The 2020 legislation session doesn’t officially start until Jan. 8, the day lawmakers return to the State Capitol in Jefferson City. Legislative activity is underway, however. Pre-filing of bills began on Dec. 2, and already several hundred measures have been sponsored and submitted to the secretary of the Senate. …
Senator Jamilah Nasheed Pre-Files Legislation to Restore Voting Rights for Thousands of Missouri Citizens JEFFERSON CITY —State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, has pre-filed Senate Bill 542, the Missouri Restoration of Voting Rights Act. This legislation would restore voting rights to former felons, except those with voting-related felonies, after they are released from incarceration. “Across …
Before almost any race or sporting event, participants are given fair warning that the time has come to perform. Runners are told to “Take your mark.” Automobile racers are commanded to “Start your engines.” Baseball players stand at attention for the National Anthem before being instructed to “Play ball!” At the Missouri State Capitol, lawmakers …
Senator Schupp Pre-files “Closing the Domestic Violence Loophole Act” to Keep Victims Safe From Gun Violence “We must turn talk into action and bring this bill to a vote,” Sen. Schupp says JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Senator Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, has filed legislation to help prevent convicted domestic abusers from possessing a firearm. According …
Senator Caleb Rowden Files Legislation to Boost Resources for Law Enforcement JEFFERSON CITY – On Monday, Dec. 2, Sen. Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, pre-filed legislation to address violent crime and inadequate law enforcement staffing in cities across Missouri. The bill, Senate Bill 572, would establish the “Community Crime Reduction Grant Program” to provide funds to defray …
JEFFERSON CITY — The first prefiled measures have received bill numbers for the 2020 legislative session. Many of these proposals closely resemble those that were filed for the 2019 session. Original Source
It is now only a matter of weeks before the next legislative session starts in Jefferson City. Before I return to the State Capitol, I will learn what legislative proposals will be assigned bill numbers for the 2020 session. This is also a good way to learn what issues will be at the forefront next …
Legislation would reauthorize the Homestead Preservation Act and require more transparency in calculation of property taxes JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Responding to outcry following spiking real estate assessments in St. Louis County and across Missouri, senator Scott Sifton, D – Affton, pre-filed legislation to protect property owners from surprise property tax increases by reauthorizing the …
Senator Schupp files legislation to allow working Missourians to access Medicaid Thirty-six other states have already expanded Medicaid for working Americans JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, has pre-filed legislation to allow working Missourians access to the state’s health insurance program, Medicaid, by expanding the eligibility threshold to individuals in the “coverage …
Equipping Our Children with a Strong Foundation In today’s modern world, a good education is vital to a person’s success. Specifically, a quality K-12 education can make all the difference in a person’s life. Here in Springfield, we are blessed to have access to some of the finest public schools in the state. Our excellent …
Legislative Column for Nov. 26, 2019 There’s an old expression that says “It’s not bragging if you really done it.” Lately, Missouri’s governor has been particularly vocal in singing Missouri’s praises. If recent statistics and the many announcements of industries expanding or relocating to Missouri are any indication, I’d say the governor is on solid …
JEFFERSON CITY — Senate Bill 4 is another measure from this year that did not get to the governor’s desk. Work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may return next year. Original Source
Senate Majority Leader Meets with Mayors, Police Chiefs to Discuss Shared Priorities JEFFERSON CITY – On Monday, Missouri Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) met with the mayors and police chiefs of St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia and Springfield to discuss shared priorities for the upcoming year. Lawmakers are already drafting proposals for the legislative …
On Oct. 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November as a day of national thanksgiving. In his proclamation, he recognized that despite the inevitable evils of the world, there are still so many things to be grateful for in this country. Lincoln emphasized this day is a reflection of the success and beauty …
On Thursday, Americans across our great nation and throughout Missouri will come together to take part in Thanksgiving. As always, this tradition allows us to take a look of one of life’s greatest gifts: common fellowship with friends, family and other loved ones. As we gather, let us all take a moment to consider how …
Legislation Needed to Combat Carjacking Last week, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced his support for legislation that would toughen penalties for the crime of carjacking. In December, I plan to pre-file a bill that would make violent carjacking a separate felony offense and impose strict prison sentences on those who commit this heinous crime. …
Weekly Column for Nov. 25, 2019 Senator Schatz discusses the importance of his proposal with Col. John Hayden, SLMPD Chief of Police; Attorney General Eric Schmitt; and other members of law enforcement. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, I stood with the attorney general, the mayor of St. Louis and the St. Louis metropolitan chief of …
JEFFERSON CITY — This Week in the Missouri Senate reviews Senate Bill 28, which related to low-income housing tax credits. The measure was unsuccessful this year. Original Source
Thanksgiving Greetings In 1863, during the height of the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring a national day of Thanksgiving. Noting the blessings of fruitful fields, President Lincoln called on the American people to acknowledge God’s blessings “with one heart and one voice.” If Lincoln could envision a common bond of thanksgiving …
This month, the Prescription Drug Transparency Interim Committee met in Kansas City where we listened to testimony from key stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry. During this hearing, we heard from pharmacists and representatives from the insurance coalition. Original Source
Legislative Column for Nov. 21, 2019 We’ve all heard the story: a group of America’s earliest settlers survive a brutal winter and are so appreciative of God’s blessing and the help they received from nearby Indians, they host a feast in celebration. The Pilgrims dress in their black hats and silver buckles. The Indians show …
Legislative Column for Nov. 21, 2019 We’ve all heard the story: a group of America’s earliest settlers survive a brutal winter and are so appreciative of God’s blessing and the help they received from nearby Indians, they host a feast in celebration. The Pilgrims dress in their black hats and silver buckles. The Indians show …
A Thanksgiving to Inspire the Ages “Thanksgiving reminds us that no matter what befalls us in life, we can take the charred remnants and we can reconstruct a life unimaginably richer than that from which the shards and pieces fell.” ― Craig D. Lounsbrough, author and counselor. The year was 1621. A small group of settlers in …
A Thanksgiving to Inspire the Ages “Thanksgiving reminds us that no matter what befalls us in life, we can take the charred remnants and we can reconstruct a life unimaginably richer than that from which the shards and pieces fell.” ― Craig D. Lounsbrough, author and counselor. The year was 1621. A small group of settlers in …