Senator Rusty Black's Legislative Column for the Week of Jan. 29, 2024
Friday, February 2, 2024
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Feb. 2, 2024 |
This week, the Senate resumed — for the most part — normal business. I am pleased to announce former Missouri Sen. Dan Hegeman was confirmed by the full Senate to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and Dennis Hicks was confirmed as the Livingston County eastern district commissioner.
Earlier this week, the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee held a hearing on several resolutions dealing with initiative petition reform. Ultimately, several of these were consolidated into one piece of legislation. Senate Joint Resolution 74, if approved by voters, would require all proposed constitutional amendments to receive a majority of the votes cast statewide, as well as a majority of the votes cast in at least a majority of the state house districts. The committee voted “do pass” on SJR 74 by a vote of 5 to 2. Senate Joint Resolution 74 now awaits debate from the full Senate.
The Fiscal Year 2025 state operating budget continues to take shape. The Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee has heard testimony regarding the governor’s recommendations and on Feb. 1 heard from the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. These hearings will continue for most of the legislative session until the budget is passed by both chambers, which has a constitutional deadline of May 10.
Next week, some of my colleagues and I will be hosting “Great Northwest Days” in Jefferson City, Missouri. Every county in the 12th Senatorial District will be represented and is an ideal opportunity to share our values with members of the General Assembly and staff that may not visit too often.
Also taking place next week is the State FFA Advocacy Week. This year, two individuals from the 12th District were selected as state officers. Claire Walker and Kiley Mattson are both state vice-presidents.
As always, please feel free to call, email or write with your ideas or concerns. My Capitol office number is 573-751-1415, my email is rusty.black@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is ### |
