MoWPC 124 St Stanislaus Ct. Florissant, Mo 63031
MoWPC 124 St Stanislaus Ct. Florissant, Mo 63031
The budget passed last week by the state legislature would save a program that helps low-income youth enter the workforce. Governor Eric Greitens’ (R) budget proposal would have cut all funding to the Summer Jobs League within the Department of Economic Development. It had $8.5-million last year. The House had proposed restoring $6-million to the program. It compromised with the Senate to fund it at $4-million in fiscal year 2018. Representative Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis), Junior,was responsible for making sure that program received some support. The Summer Jobs League gives 16- to 24-year-olds from low-income homes in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas work opportunities in fields they’re interested in. The League pays up to $8.50 an hour for 240 hours. Business owners don’t have to pay those employees while they are enrolled in the League, but often hire those employees after their time in the league is up. The budget has been sent to Governor Greitens for his consideration.
For years, local pundits, politicians and members of the public have called for meaningful ethics reform in Jefferson City to combat the undue influence of special interest groups and big money donors. The Missouri legislature is scheduled to adjourn for the year next Friday and it is all but certain that they will do so without making any strides on ethics reform.
Working late into Thursday night, the Missouri Senate approved the $27 billion state budget and sent it to Governor Greitens’ desk for approval. A late-breaking deal that raids special funds earmarked for the regulation of professionals such as doctors, veterinarians and engineers allowed the Senate to generate $35 million to cover services provided to thousands of elderly and disabled Missourians. The deal was reached just one day before the mandate provided in the state constitution.
Missouri House of Representatives
• On Monday, May 1st, House Bill 326 is on the calendar to be Perfected. HB 326 is sponsored by Representative Miller and will change the current law on abortions. Specifically, the bill would require that, “The attending physician has secured the informed written consent of the minor and one parent or guardian, and the consenting parent or guardian of the minor has notified any other custodial parent or guardian in writing prior to the securing of the informed written consent of the minor and one parent or guardian.” (http://on.mo.gov/2oQHri5).
• The General Laws Committee completed a hearing on House Bill 659, sponsored by Representative McCreery on Tuesday, April 25th. HB 659 “provides up to six weeks of wage replacement benefits per year to an employee who takes time off for family or medical leave.” (http://on.mo.gov/2qgKodH).
Senate
• On Tuesday, April 25th, the Senate first read House Bill 194, sponsored by Representative Franklin. If HB 194 is passed into law it “requires all tissue removed at the abortion to be sent to a pathologist and requires, except in the case of an emergency, the consenting parent or guardian of the minor to notify any other custodial parent or guardian in writing prior to the securing of the informed written consent of the minor and consenting parent or guardian.” (http://on.mo.gov/2pZAht4).
• Senate Bill 180 is on the calendar to be Perfected in the Senate for Monday, May 1st. SB 180 is sponsored by Senator Nasheed and will change how pregnant and postpartum women are treated when they have committed a crime. The bill states that “Under this act, pregnant and postpartum offenders must be transported in cars with seatbelts. If restraints are used, they must be the least restrictive available. Leg or waist restraints may not be used on pregnant or postpartum offenders and restraints must not be used if a health care provider treating the offender requests that restraints not be used.” (http://on.mo.gov/2qng7cL).
• The Senate Appropriations Committee decided to fully fund K-12 education on Tuesday, April 25th. The agreement was bipartisan with both Republican and Democrat Senators agreeing to increase funding for K-12 schools in the state.
Missouri House of Representatives
• On Wednesday, April 19th,House Bill 194 was Perfected on the House Floor with amendments. The bill is sponsored by Representative Franklin, and if passed into law it “requires all tissue removed at the abortion to be sent to a pathologist and requires, except in the case of an emergency, the consenting parent or guardian of the minor to notify any other custodial parent or guardian in writing prior to the securing of the informed written consent of the minor and consenting parent or guardian.” (http://on.mo.gov/2pZAht4).
• Senate Bill 52, sponsored by Senator Nasheed, is on the calendar to be Perfected in the House for Monday, April 24th. SB 52 expands mental health policies in public institutions and “…requires each public institution of higher education to develop and implement a policy to advise students and staff on suicide prevention programs available on and off campus.” (http://on.mo.gov/2pMRqcM).
Senate
• On Monday, April 24th Senate Bill 20 is on the informal calendar to be Perfected. SB 52 is sponsored by Senator Brown and would repeal the prevailing wage bill. Under current law, the prevailing wage law. “…establishes a minimum wage rate that must be paid to workers on public works construction projects in Missouri,such as bridges, roads, and government buildings. The prevailing wage rate differs by county and for different types of work.” (http://on.mo.gov/2pmi2S8).
• Senate Bill 96, sponsored by Senator Sater and Senator Emery, is on the informal calendar to be Perfected for Monday, April 24th. If the bill is passed into law it“prohibits any person from performing or inducing an abortion on a woman if the person knows that the woman is seeking the abortion solely because of a prenatal diagnosis, test, or screening indicating Down Syndrome or the potential of Down Syndrome in an unborn child.Additionally, this act prohibits any person from performing or inducing an abortion on a woman if the person knows that the woman is seeking the abortion solely because of the sex or race of the unborn child.” (http://on.mo.gov/2oxYUMe).
*According to the Missouri House of Representatives website, the Perfection process of a bill is when:“…the bill is subject to amendments. At the conclusion of this process, upon a favorable vote, a bill is order perfected and printed,which means that any amendments adopted are incorporated into the printed bill.”
This Week atthe Capitol:
Missouri House of Representatives
• On Tuesday, April 11th the Legislative Oversight Committee voted Senate Bill 43, sponsored by Senator Romine, “Do Pass” and it will now be heard on the House Floor to be debated. If SB43 is passed into law it would do the following: “Currently, under the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA), a practice is unlawful when the protected trait is a contributing factor in the decision to discriminate. This act changes that standard to the motivating factor.The motivating factor is defined to mean that the employee's protected classification actually played a role in the adverse action or decision and had a determinative influence on the adverse decision or action. The person must further prove that such action was the direct proximate cause of the claimed damages.” (http://on.mo.gov/2ocLQfI).
• House Bill 326, sponsored by Representative Miller, is on the calendar to be perfected for Tuesday, April 18th. HB 326 would require a minor wanting to receive an abortion to receive written consent from at least one parent or guardian and both guardians must be notified of the procedure.
Senate
• On Tuesday, April 11th the Senate Appropriations Committee heard House Bill 3 regarding public education funding.The committee disagreed with the Missouri House of Representatives decision to cut the University of Missouri System’s budget by about 9%and all other public institutions by about 6%. The committee will go to conference to agree on a percentage, but the senators agreed that the budget cuts should be equal for all public universities in the state of Missouri.
• Senate Bill 41, sponsored by Senator Wallingford, is on the calendar to be perfected for Tuesday, April 18th.* If this bill is passed into law it would: Under this act, the General Assembly acknowledges the rights of alternatives to abortion agencies to operate freely and engage in speech without government interference, as well as the right of a person not to be compelled by the government to participate in abortion, and that the constitution and laws of the United States and Missouri shall be interpreted, construed, applied, and enforced to fully protect these rights.”
*According to the Missouri House of Representatives website, the Perfection process of a bill is when:“…the bill is subject to amendments. At the conclusion of this process, upon a favorable vote, a bill is order perfected and printed,which means that any amendments adopted are incorporated into the printed bill.”
How to Track Legislation:
Both the Missouri House of Representatives website (house.mo.gov/) and the Missouri Senate website (senate.mo.gov/) have a tab at the top of their homepage titled “Bill Search,” if you know the Bill Number. If you know the Bill Sponsor’s name you can click on“House Members” or “Senators” where you will find information on the bill of interest and find his/her contact information.
This Week at the Capitol:
Missouri House of Representatives
• On Monday, April 3rd, House Bill 174 was second read and referred to the Senate Committee on Seniors, Families, and Children. HB 174 is sponsored by Representative Hubrecht and if the bill is passed into law it would “protect the rights of an alternatives-to-abortion agency and its officers, agents, employees,and volunteers to freely assemble and freely engage in religious practices and speech without government interference” (http://on.mo.gov/2o64Mxz).
• “Missouri House Republicans on March 29 voted 102-41 against a Democratic proposal to expand Medicaid, which would extend health care access to roughly 300,000 Missourians” (Representative Quade).
Senate
• On Thursday, April 6th, House Bill 151 was heard in Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs. HB 151 is sponsored by Representative Corlew and requires the Missouri Department of Revenue to comply with the Federal REAL ID Act. The Department of Revenue would provide Missouri citizens with an ID that is compliant to Federal regulations which would allow citizens to use their ID for airport security or accessing federal facilities, such as military bases.
• Senator Brown’s Senate Bill 20 is on the calendar to be perfected in the Senate on Monday, April 10th. SB 20 gives the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations the authority to determine the “prevailing wage” for the county where the work will be performed.
Missouri Budget
• The Missouri House of Representatives approved the State of Missouri’s$27.8 billion-dollar budget which will now have to be approved by the Missouri Senate. Legislators agreed to increase funding for Missouri public schools by $45 million dollars but is dependent on the Missouri Senate agreeing with appropriating public schools the same amount of money.
How to Track Legislation:
Both the Missouri House of Representatives website (house.mo.gov/) and the Missouri Senate website (senate.mo.gov/) have a tab at the top of their homepage titled “Bill Search,” if you know the Bill Number. If you know the Bill Sponsor’s name you can click on“House Members” or “Senators” where you will find information on the bill of interest and find his/her contact information.
04-03-17 Missouri House to finalize its budget proposal this week
Legislators often say it is the one thing the General Assembly must do even if it does nothing else: pass a balanced state budget. This week the state House will take the latest step toward that end, when its members debate a budget proposal to be sent to the Senate for its consideration.
04-03-17 House bill would expand on legal medical use in Missouri of hemp oil
A state House member wants to expand on a Missouri law passed in 2014 that allows the use of hemp oil to treat intractable epilepsy to allow the use of that substance in treating other conditions.
3-31-17 Missouri House proposes giving Missourians choice of whether to get Real ID-compliant licenses
The state House has proposed a bill that would allow Missourians to choose whether to get a state ID that complies with the federal Real ID Act of 2005, so they can use it to do things like enter military bases and board planes.
3-28-17 House close to proposing a repeal of Missouri prevailing wage law
Republicans supporting House Bill 104 say the prevailing wage law drives up the cost of projects, making local governments postpone work or forgo it altogether. Democrats say the legislation is simply another attack on workers.
3-28-17 House bill targets St. Louis ordinance, aims to protect alternatives-to-abortion clinics
The sponsor of House Bill 174, Representative Tila Hubrecht (R-Dexter), said a St. Louis ordinance penalizes agencies that refuse to hire a woman who would counsel a woman to have an abortion or refer a woman to get an abortion.
3-29-2017 House perfects prescription drug monitoring program proposal
The Missouri House has given initial approval to a proposed tracking system for prescription drugs that backers hope will fight opioid abuse in Missouri. Specifically it aims to help stop “doctor shopping;” the practice of going to multiple doctors seeking multiple prescriptions for valuable and addictive medications.
• No update this week due to the Legislature being on Spring Break March 20th-March 26th, just reconvening today.
This Week at the Capitol: Missouri House of Representatives
• On Monday, March 13th,House Bill 174 which is sponsored by Representative Hubrecht was voted out of the Legislative Oversight committee and will be heard on the House floor. If HB 174 is passed into law, it “…requires the constitutions and laws of the United States and Missouri to be interpreted, construed,applied, and enforced to fully protect the rights of an alternatives-to-abortion agency and its officers, agents, employees,and volunteers to freely assemble and freely engage in religious practices and speech without government interference” (http://on.mo.gov/2mUINsV).
• As the week closes, Speaker Richardson and House Minority Leader Beatty have different perspectives on the progress the Missouri House of Representatives has made. Speaker Richardson believes that House has made positive reforms, such as the ethics bill that bans gifts from lobbyists,(House Bill 60) and Right to Work. On the other hand, House Minority Leader, Beatty, believes that Right to Work is “anti-worker” and will cater towards wealthy Missourians.
Senate
• A hearing is scheduled for Senate Bill 291,sponsored by Senator Rowden in the Seniors, Families, and Children Committee. SB 291 will give parents up to 10 consecutive days of leave for state employees who are having a child or finalizing an adoption.
• Senator Wallingford is sponsoring Senate Bill 41, which is on the Formal Calendar for Perfection for March 21st, 2017. Senate Bill 41 will provide protection to “the rights of an alternatives-to-abortion agency and its officers, agents,employees, and volunteers to freely assemble and freely engage in religious practices and speech without government interference”.
Governor’s Office
• On Tuesday, March 14th, Governor Greitens announced that there will be no more abortion sanctuary cities in Missouri. This was during a speech at the Missouri State Capitol, addressing the anti-abortion rally.
***ImportantReminder***
• From March 20th-March 26th,the Legislature will be on Spring Break and will reconvene session on March 27th.
3/13/2017
This Week at the Capitol: Bills to Track at the Capitol:
- On Tuesday, March 7th, a public hearing was heard in the General Laws Committee on House Bill 642 sponsored by Representative Kelly. If HB 642 is passed into law it will protect religious organizations on college campuses who deny students that do not hold the religious values of the organization. The administration of the college would not be able to punish the organization for not allowing the student membership in the organization.- On Wednesday, March 15th, a hearing will take place on Senate Bill 375 sponsored by Senator Hoskins in the Seniors, Families,and Children Committee. The bill changes the current statue on Abortions in Missouri. Under current law, a physician must obtain written consent from a minor and at least one guardian before performing an abortion. This bill would make an exception if it is a medical emergency.
- House Bill 1194 sponsored by Representative Chipman, passed in the House on Thursday, March 9th, and has been first read in the Senate. HB 1194 makes it illegal for any city, town,or municipality to increase minimum wage that is higher than the Missouri Law. This bill was proposed after Saint Louis tried to increase their minimum wage. The bill has an emergency clause attached which states that each chamber must pass the bill by a two-thirds vote and will become effective in less than 90 days after being passed.- House Bill 599 is sponsored by Representative Hansen and will be third read in the House on March 13th. HB 599 is regarding the A+ Program and changes the current statute by removing the requirement that students must attend a Missouri High School the three years prior to graduating. If the Bill is third read and passed it will go to the Senate to be first read.
- On Wednesday, March 8th, the Senate Appointments Committee held a confirmation hearing to listen to the three candidates for the University of Missouri Board of Curators. - Senator Sifton is sponsoring Senate Bill 204 that would require any individual that is seventeen years or older to provide a DNA sample for any felony offense. Under current law, only individuals seventeen years or older must provide a DNA sample for “burglary, sex-related felonies, and certain felonies committed against a person.” SB 204 is on the calendar to be perfected on Monday, March 13th. When a bill is being perfected amendments and changes can occur.
- This week in Representative Newman’s weekly Capitol Reports, she reports on House Bill 552 that was heard in February which would alter the Missouri Human Rights Act. Representative Newman reports the following: “This bill severely alters the Missouri Human Rights Act and makes it more difficult for someone to prove discrimination on race, gender and religion.” During the Hearing, the NAACP President Rod Chapel’s microphone was turned off while testifying by Representative Lant and was unable to finish his discussion regarding the harmful ramifications of the bill.- House Bill 151 is sponsored by Representative Corlew and will be third read in the House. If it is passed, it will go to the Senate Chamber to be debated. HB 151“… requires the Department of Revenue to amend its procedures for applying for a driver's license or identification card to comply with the federal REAL ID Act.”
How to Track Legislation:
Both the Missouri House of Representatives website (house.mo.gov/)and the Missouri Senate website (senate.mo.gov/) have a tab at the top of their homepage titled “Bill Search,” if you know the Bill Number. If you know the Bill Sponsor’s name you can click on “House Members” or“Senators” where you will find information on the bill of interest and find his/her contact information.