Getting Started
Dear Friends and Neighbors:

The First Regular Session of the 98th General Assembly is underway. Getting the office situated, receiving committee assignments, updating and reviewing legislation and attending my first hearing as a senator are among the vast array of activities that have kept my office busy. 

My committee assignments include Veterans’ Affairs and Health; General Laws and Pensions; Progress and Development; and Seniors, Families, and Children. I have also been appointed to the Joint Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect; reappointed to the Missouri Children's Trust Fund Board, and was proud to serve on the Joint Committee on Eating Disorders last year.

My colleagues have graciously offered me valuable advice. I have been told that unlike the House, the real work occurs on the Senate floor, rather than in the committees. However, it is my experience that committee chairs, bill content or language and controversy around pieces of legislation can all impact what happens and where. The top priority for me will be to make sure I am always prepared. 

It felt like deja vu when the first bill was heard in the Seniors, Families, and Children Committee. Senate Bill 24 was much like legislation I heard as I began my service in the Missouri House of Representatives, which was designed to further reduce the numbers of Missouri families receiving temporary assistance (TANF), and cut back on food stamp benefit recipients (SNAP benefits). More detail is in an article below. 

As you know, dealing with the issues facing our state is exactly why I ran for the Missouri Senate. My staff and I are digging into your concerns and meeting with organizations, individuals and colleagues to learn, recognize and make the best decisions for my constituents and Missouri as a whole. 

As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.



Jill Schupp

P.S. Happy 25th Birthday Alex Schupp. 

State of the State and State of the Judiciary Addresses
State of the State (click here for the full text)

The governor outlined his priorities for this legislative session. This included improving Missouri’s education, expanding access to affordable healthcare, boosting transportation infrastructure, establishing ethics reforms, growing the economy and promoting policies that foster trust and understanding among the people in our communities.

State of the Judiciary (click here for the full text)

Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary R. Russell spoke about the success and importance of streamlining services for those who must access our courts and judicial system. This includes more technology in courtrooms as well as allowing for the filing of cases online.

Newly-Filed Legislation
A growing concern among my constituents includes unsafe roadways. Once again, I have filed a measure that would end texting and other distracting smart-phone related activities while driving. I am hopeful Senate Bill 274 will change some hearts and minds on this before any more lives are lost. 

In knowing the consequences are fatal when an accident occurs while driving and riding without a seatbelt, I have filed Senate Bill 275, which would require safety belts be worn by all passengers in passenger vehicles carrying up to 10 people regardless of weight. Current law specifies only the driver, front seat passengers, and passengers under the age of 18 are required to wear safety belts. 

Together, these measures can change both the likelihood of an accident, and can prevent fatalities or reduce the seriousness of injuries if one does occur.

My First public Hearing as a Senator
Senate Bill 24 would change the rules for receipt of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SNAP (food stamp) benefits. 

These programs, as you may remember from my Missouri House of Representatives 
reports, have stringent work rules and qualifiers that allow only the neediest in our state to receive benefits. This bill would implement a lifetime limit on temporary assistance for 24 months, which is significantly less than Missouri’s current 60 month limit. In doing so, it would impose one of the most restrictive time limits in the nation on Missouri families. While the average time that a family uses TANF is 22 months, we know that the most vulnerable families, many times, need extended periods of assistance.

The money provided covers such costs as helping parents access transportation, purchasing fuel to get to work, utilities assistance, or covering rent or auto repairs. TANF is only provided to families, therefore cutting this assistance affects and harms vulnerable children by removing all benefits for the family immediately when it is determined that a parent is not in compliance with a work activity requirement. Under current law, benefits will be removed gradually, and will only be removed from the parent, not the children, until the parent is back in compliance with the work requirement. Under this bill, the sudden and harsh removal of all benefits would deal a terrible blow to the fragile finances of families.

The bill also makes changes to the SNAP (food stamps) program by removing a waiver that Missouri was given by the federal government during the recession, which allowed needy families and individuals to receive food stamps without meeting a requirement to work a certain number of hours a week, during a period of high unemployment. While the economy continues to recover, some Missouri counties still have high unemployment rates where residents continue to struggle to find work. Taking away this vital lifeline will push people further into poverty. 

In addition, this bill was supported only by the Heartland Institute. It was opposed by a diverse coalition of groups including Empower Missouri, Catholic Charities of St. Louis, ACLU, the Missouri Association for Community Action and the Missouri Coalition against Domestic and Sexual Violence. 

Leadership has said that this type of legislation is a priority. Certainly my colleagues across the aisle have the ability to pass this legislation, if they vote together. My hope is that we can make some changes that work to support families who are in desperate need of these programs in our communities, rather than preventing them from receiving the temporary assistance they need.

Healthcare Enrollment Forum…Please Spread the Word
If you know others who are struggling to figure out their best option for healthcare insurance prior to the Feb. 15 deadline, please pass this information onto them. 

I will be hosting a community meeting with area representatives in our district to help individuals, families and small businesses enroll in health insurance. 

Please join us on Saturday, January 31 
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 
Maryland Heights Community Center
2344 McKelvey Rd.
Maryland Heights, MO 63043 

There will be a brief presentation from Cover Missouri where your questions about the healthcare enrollment process will be addressed, followed by assistance from application counselors to help participants enroll. 

If you plan to enroll during the event, please bring this critical information: 
Identification and Social Security numbers of everyone who will be covered by the plan and the estimated incomes of everyone in your household.

Free flu shots provided by Walgreens, blood pressure screenings courtesy of Mercy Hospital, and take-home items from BJC and SSM healthcare will also be available.

Coffee and refreshments will be provided. 

Please RSVP to Jill.Schupp@senate.mo.gov or by calling (573) 751-9762. 

Take advantage of this important opportunity.

Welcome Office Interns
I am thrilled to introduce our office’s interns for this legislative session. While we haven’t been together long, it is clear that the work ethic and quality of their contribution is going to add tremendously to the success of our office, and our district’s representation. It is with great pleasure that I introduce full-time intern Katie Walkley, and part-time intern Bre Bambrick.

Katie Walkley, Intern
I am a graduating senior at Truman State University, majoring in Political Science with minors in Spanish and Italian Studies. I enjoy both observing and participating in the political process at the state level. By working with Sen. Schupp to serve the people of Missouri’s 24th District, I hope to gain valuable experience that will not only benefit my education, but also the community.

Bre Bambrick, Intern
In May 2014, I received a Bachelors in Social Work from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL. At the time, I am pursuing a Masters in Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, with an emphasis on social and Economic Development. I look forward to using my experience in social services during my internship with Sen. Jill Schupp and her office staff.

Violet Marcel Chief of Staff

Email Violet at violet.marcel@senate.mo.gov
  

 June Isenberg Executive Assistant

Email June at june.isenberg@senate.mo.gov

Office Contact information:

Office phone number: (573) 751-9762
Office address: State Capitol, 201 W. Capitol Ave., Rm 425, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101
Email: jill.schupp@senate.mo.gov