Although it’s hard to believe, the adjournment of the Missouri Senate today is widely considered the half-way point of this year’s legislative session, with lawmakers taking a brief respite from the Capitol for the annual spring recess.

The pace this year has been quick, with us working numerous late nights to address some of the more pressing problems facing our state. We’ve made a lot of progress on some very large issues.

Since the beginning of session, one of our highest priorities was reforming how we deal with unaccredited school districts and the effects of the school transfer law. Earlier this month, we allotted nearly a week of debate to Senate Bill 493, legislation that actually combines nine different bills to address the transfer law and unaccredited districts.

At one point during debate, there were almost 20 different amendments to the legislation. Through compromise and fair discussion, however, we were able to send Senate Bill 493 to the House. As we continue working on this bill, I want to ensure the focus remains on the students, who should be our priority, and not the educational institutions that have failed them.

I’m also proud to announce the first bill signed by the governor was House Bill 1125, a measure identical to legislation I sponsored that allows representatives for military candidates to take part in the drawing for ballot placement on the opening day of candidate filing. The measure contained an emergency clause, which means this year, those candidates unable to physically visit the Secretary of State’s office on the opening day of filing had as fair a chance as any other candidate in the election process.

In addition, we passed legislation to ease the financial burden on cancer patients. Many insurance companies charge higher out-of-pocket costs for oral chemotherapy than the intravenous method, despite the oral option being less hard on the body and more convenient for patients, especially in rural areas. If signed by the governor, Senate Bill 668 would require insurers to create equal out-of-pocket costs for both types of chemotherapy medications.  

This week, we also began working on Senate Bill 491, a 1,105-page bill that makes countless changes to Missouri’s criminal code. Legislators have been working on this effort for years. Missouri’s criminal law hasn’t been revised in 35 years. It’s long overdue.

However, this bill is a huge undertaking. Before we pass anything, I want to make sure that this bill is completely vetted. This will take time, but I’ve always believed that if you’re going to do something, you do it right.

On top of dealing with the criminal code, we will soon begin work on the budget. The House Budget Committee passed the 13 bills that make up the budget this week. Those bills will now go to the full House for debate, and then onto the Senate Appropriations Committee, where members will make changes to reflect the Senate’s version of the budget. Then, both chambers will meet to work out any differences.

In local news, I’m proud to announce that Addie James, an 8th grade student from Jackson Junior High School, was recently recognized in the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri’s 2014 Children’s Art Festival. Her work, titled “Teddy and Bottles,” will be proudly displayed in my office for the next year. I had the privilege of meeting Addie and her parents. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to a very talented artist with a bright future ahead of her.

Contact Me

I always appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write me at Wayne Wallingford, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or email at wayne.wallingford@senate.mo.gov or www.senate.mo.gov/wallingford.