JEFFERSON CITY—With less than a month remaining for the governor to sign bills into law, the vast majority of legislation passed in 2009 still awaits his signature. The most recent bill signed by the governor extends unemployment benefits to Missourians.
House Bill 1075 received the governor’s signature last Friday (6/12). The measure extends and expands unemployment benefits for Missourians. House Bill 1075 contained an emergency clause, which means it took effect immediately upon receiving the governor’s signature.
The measure, handled in the Senate by Sen. John Griesheimer (R-Washington), allows the state to receive extended federal unemployment money through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In turn, the state will use those funds to extend the amount of time out-of-work Missourians can receive unemployment benefits and expand who may be eligible for such benefits.
House Bill 1075 specifies that the additional unemployment compensation can be offered to claimants during times of high unemployment (when the average total unemployment is greater than 6.5 percent during the most recent three-month period). This amounts to extending unemployment benefits from the typical 59 weeks to an additional possible 13 weeks (during at least 6.5 percent unemployment) or 20 weeks (during at least 8 percent unemployment).
The bill also expands the number of Missourians who may be eligible to receive unemployment compensation. Individuals will now be able to receive unemployment benefits if they were forced to leave their jobs because of a compelling family reason, including the illness or disability of an immediate family member, the need to relocate for a spouse’s job, or because of a domestic violence situation. Also eligible to receive benefits are workers enrolled in a job training program.
For the expanded federal unemployment benefits to continue past 2009, the General Assembly must renew the provisions of HB 1075 next session or they will expire after the stimulus funding is depleted.
In other Senate news, Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph) recently named the Senate members for the Joint Interim Committee on Oversight of Federal Stimulus and Stabilization Funds .
Sen. Brad Lager (R-Savannah), Sen. Scott T. Rupp (R-Wentzville), Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale), Sen. Jeff Smith (D-St. Louis) and Sen. Robin Wright-Jones (D-St. Louis) were appointed to the committee. Five members of the Missouri House were also named—three majority and two minority party members.
The committee was formed under Senate Concurrent Resolution 27 and will consider ways to maximize the more than $4 billion in federal funds Missouri received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and ensure those funds are spent appropriately.
Committee members will meet during the legislative interim and may seek input and information from state departments, agencies and the public to aid in the oversight of the federal stimulus funds.
The Children’s Services Commission held a meeting on June 15. The commission is charged with taking a leadership role in identifying and evaluating current programs and making recommendations on state services that affect Missouri’s children. Members include Sen. Rita Heard Days (D-St. Louis), Sen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City), Sen. Jack Goodman (R-Mt. Vernon) and Sen. Scott T. Rupp (R-Wentzville).
The Joint Committee on Capital Improvements & Leases Oversight will meet tomorrow, June 19. Some of the committee’s duties consist of monitoring all proposed state-funded capital improvement projects; monitoring all new construction on any state-funded capital improvements project; performing budgeting analysis for all proposed capital improvement projects; and monitoring all leases and proposed leases of real property funded with state money.
The committee is comprised of five members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, including Vice-Chairman Sen. Gary Nodler (R-Joplin), Sen. Rob Mayer (R-Dexter), Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg), Sen. Tim Green (D-St. Louis) and Sen. Frank Barnitz (D-Lake Spring).
The Missouri Senate General Column is written on a regular basis. To follow these and other issues being addressed by the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov . Visitors can research legislation, learn more about their Senate district, and watch video or listen to audio highlights of the First Regular Session of the 95th General Assembly.
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