Making Appropriate Decisions

This final week of session for the 97th General Assembly has been a busy one.

House Joint Resolution 90 has been truly agreed to and finally passed and now faces voter approval.  This proposed constitutional amendment provides more flexibility for citizens to exercise their right to vote by establishing an early voting period. HJR 90 will permit voting in person or by mail for six business days prior to and including the Wednesday before the election day.  Local governments will not have to pay for the costs associated with early voting.

The passage of House Bill 1307 has drawn much attention to Missouri Legislature since we are only the third state to pass legislation that will extend the waiting time for women seeking an abortion, in certain circumstances, from 24 hours to 72 hours. Current law states that circumstances deemed to be medical emergencies are exempt from the 24-hour required waiting period. This measure includes that medical exemption.

This legislation does contain a clause that would leave the mandated waiting period at 24 hours, should there be court proceedings that may temporarily make the law invalid.

Missouri now joins Utah and South Dakota as the only states in the nation to mandate a 72-hour waiting period for abortions.

I would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and sympathy in regard to the passing of my mother, Anna Cunningham who passed away Tuesday night.  She was 88 years old and leaves behind her husband Charles.  They celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary in November.

Capitol Guests
This week we had many school children come visit us. Eighth graders from Hartville and Licking came by, along with, Shook Elementary School students from Marshfield, which included my granddaughter, Baylee Cunningham.