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| March Capitol Report | Contact: (573) 751- 3074 | |||
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| LeVota Introduces Bill to Expand Medicaid Coverage | ||||
In February, Sen. LeVota introduced Senate Bill 349, which provides for the expansion of MO HealthNet services, Missouri’s Medicaid program, beginning on Jan. 1, 2014. This measure would allow the state to receive federal funding to provide health coverage to millions of additional low-income Missourians who currently lack health insurance. The expansion would also create thousands of jobs in the healthcare sector and extend a lifeline to struggling rural hospitals, whose federal reimbursement funds for treating uninsured patients will be drastically reduced once the Affordable Care Act is fully phased in. Medicaid expansion is moving forward with bipartisan support in many other states, most recently Florida and New Jersey. The final day to file legislation in the Senate for the 2013 session was Thursday, Feb. 28. Senator LeVota introduced the following bills:
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| Defending Workers' Rights | ||||
Senator LeVota made headlines last week when he took an active role during floor debate on Senate Bill 29, a measure that would complicate the collection of union dues for public employees. Speaking against the bill, Sen. LeVota pointed out that union members already have options under current law when it comes to payroll deductions and political contributions. The bill is one of a number of proposals filed this session aimed at limiting the activities of labor organizations in Missouri. Senate Bill 29 contains two provisions that are main components of previously filed Right to Work legislation, which has consistently failed to pass the General Assembly in recent sessions. During floor debate, Sen. LeVota pointed out the bill is a solution in search of a problem, as union members are already given broad discretion on how union fees are collected and what those fees are used for. Senate Bill 29 was ultimately tabled for future debate. |
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| To Honor and Remember | ||||
On Tuesday, Feb. 19, Sen. LeVota testified before the Senate General Laws Committee on Senate Bill 218, which allows state buildings and parks to display the Honor and Remember flag. This emblem commemorates the sacrifice of American service members who have died in combat. The flag was created by the parents of a soldier who lost his life while serving in Fallujah, Iraq. During the hearing, Sen. LeVota presented the testimony of Lori Burns, a disabled Missouri veteran who campaigns on behalf of the flag. The bill was voted out of committee and now awaits debate on the Senate floor. |
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| Shadow for a Day | ||||
Fort Osage High School senior Morgan Berg shadowed Sen. LeVota on Wednesday, Feb. 20. Berg participates in the Missouri Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), a leadership program for high-achieving students in career and technical education. She spent the day shadowing Sen. LeVota and observing the ins and outs of the legislative process. Berg was also recognized on the Senate floor. |
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| New Committee Appointments | ||||
Senator LeVota currently serves on five standing Senate committees, including the Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee; the Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee; the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee; the Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee; and the Ways and Means Committee. In February, the senator was appointed to several joint committees, which are made up of members from both the House and Senate. He will now serve on the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, which reviews rules filed by state agencies for compliance with Missouri statutes; the Joint Committee on Corrections, which studies penal and correctional problems in Missouri , among other duties; the Joint Committee on Legislative Research, which provides research and reference material on legislative problems, among other charges; and the Health Facilities Review Committee, which promotes cost containment for health care in Missouri through cost management, assurance of community need and the prevention of unnecessary and duplicative health care services. |
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| Town Hall Meetings | ||||
Senator LeVota hosted a town hall meeting at Truman High School in Independence on Thursday, Feb. 28. He discussed with constituents recent developments in the Capitol and answered questions from the public. |
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Senator Paul LeVota |
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