The 2014 legislative session is now at its half-way point. When legislators return to the Capitol on March 24, only a few weeks will remain to accomplish goals for the 97th General Assembly.

This session has seen some passionate debate on subjects relating to school transfer and oral chemotherapy medications.

Senate Bill 668, sponsored by Sen. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City, would require all insurers who offer benefits for cancer treatment to offer the oral chemotherapy medication at a rate that would limit total out-of pocket expenses to $75 for a 30-day period. High deductible plans can meet guidelines after the satisfaction of the annual deductible. Oral chemotherapy medications are as effective as other forms of chemotherapy but are less harsh on the patient’s body, and patients can take them from home. The governor signed this legislation on March 19.

The issue of Common Core also needs to be addressed during this legislative session. Senate Bill  514 and Senate Bill 798  both will prohibit the State Board of Education, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and school districts from implementing Common Core State Standards for public schools. Any actions taken to adopt or implement the Common Core State Standards are void. Both of these measures have been second read and referred to the Senate Education Committee.

So far this session the school transfer bill has been one of the most passionately debated in the Senate. Senate Bill 493 is designed to do two things: provide access to quality education to every student in the state of Missouri, and take steps to get those underperforming school districts turned around. What started out as nine bills was rolled into one, stitching ideas and solutions together. The major goal of this bill is to reduce the number of students transferring out of their home districts. We also tried to find ways to support additional local options for students in failing districts. I think it is fair to say that each and every lawmaker in this building understands the importance of working to find a solution to this matter, and the sooner we can do that the better it will be for students across our state. This legislation has been second read by the House of Representatives and awaits committee assignment.

After the legislative spring break, lawmakers will return to the Capitol and begin the work to approve our state’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget. A fiscally responsible budget is due to the governor one week prior to the last day of session, making this year’s budget deadline May 9. The last day of session is May 16. There are a number of major issues that need to be tackled during the remaining eight weeks of session.