Legislative Matters

As we begin to prepare for spring recess, it is important to note that while session is half over, there is still much to be done; and while the days are numbered, there is still plenty of time to help usher measures through the legislative process.

I am confident both Senate Bill 30  and Senate Bill 31, measures I sponsored, will move successfully through the process. Last week, both of the measures were heard by the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. Once voted out of the committee, they will return to the Senate floor for a discussion and a final vote before going to the House for consideration.

Senate Bill 30 would change the punishment for property owners who knowingly allow underage drinking on their property. As with all legislation, it is a continuous work in progress, therefore I will be proposing changes to increase the penalties for anyone supplying liquor to a person under the age of 21 whether on their property or not. There have been recent tragedies in my Senatorial district involving minors who were provided alcohol illegally, which resulted in serious injury or death. I am sponsoring this legislation in order to penalize those who habitually provide alcohol to minors.

Senate Bill 31 consists of two parts. Presently there is no law against the consumption of illegal drugs, and this measure would make it a Class A misdemeanor offense for ingesting a controlled substance.  A person commits the offense by intentionally ingesting, inhaling or otherwise takin into the body any controlled substance unless the substance was obtained pursuant to a valid prescription. This legislation also requires a probation officer, who has probable cause to believe a person has violated a condition of their probation or parole, to issue a warrant for the person's arrest.

Senate Bill 31 adds a higher level of accountability for those already in the criminal court system. When a person violates a stipulation of their parole or probation, they must suffer harsher consequences, which may result in the filing of additional charges.

Senate Bill 1 – More Harm Than Good in 33rd District
Four education bills were filed this session that all take different approaches at changing the law that allows students in unaccredited schools transfer to an accredited school. The transfer is at the expense of the transferring school. Committee action combined those four bills creating Senate Bill 1, 22, 49 & 70.

The original intent of this legislation became lost and skewed, at least for most in Southwest Missouri, as the bill language changed and shifted priorities and the amendments stacked up. In the end, SB 1, 22, 49 & 70 would cost Missouri taxpayers more than $200 million annually.

The way the legislation is currently written, with amendments it would essentially zero out the proposed educational funding increase outlined in the Fiscal Year 2016 budget. That budget included a $70 million increase for the Foundation Formula, though the formula would still not be fully funded. Schools in Southwest Missouri would stand to lose millions of dollars out of their already dwindling state allocated budgets.

I am not alone in standing up against the drastic change this legislation has taken. I have been joined by other senators representing districts that are negatively impacted by the proposal.  We must provide options for children faced with attending underperforming schools, but this bill no longer provides that opportunity.

I would like to thank several dedicated educators from Southwest Missouri for their letter of support placed in the Springfield News Leader.  Five area superintendents: John Jungmann, Springfield Public Schools; Jason Dial, Bolivar R-1 Schools; Stephen Kleinsmith, Nixa Public Schools; Kent Medlin, Willard R-2 Schools; Chance Wistrom, Republic Schools; showed their support for our actions and it is most appreciated.

WGU Scholarship

WGU Missouri, the state affiliate of Western Governors University, is a nonprofit online university that aims to boost college completion among adult Missourians. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in business, information technology, teacher education, nursing and health care

Western Governor’s University (WGU) Missouri is pleased to bring you the chance to help provide a college scholarship to a constituent in the 33rd Senatorial District. The Believe in Missouri scholarship, worth up to $2,000, will be offered by WGU Missouri for adults going back to college, to be awarded in legislative districts throughout the state. 

Interested constituents can apply for the scholarship at www.missouri.wgu.edu/believe.