Legislative Actions and Information for the Week of Jan. 15, 2018
| On The Floor
The General Assembly has returned to Jefferson City to start another legislative session. The Missouri Senate convened at noon on Jan. 3. Since then, hundreds of bills have been introduced, a process known as first reading. Legislative proposals can continue to be introduced for several weeks during the beginning of session and more are likely to be filed in the coming weeks. After a bill has been introduced, it gets second read. This means it is referred to a relevant committee that focuses on a certain topic of bills. There, committee members hear testimony about the bill and judge its merits as a potential law. As early as it is in the legislative process, several of Sen. Nasheed’s bills have already been referred to committees and several of her legislative proposals already have hearings scheduled. While a lot of work will be done in these committees, senators will still be meeting on the floor of the Missouri Senate to discuss the issues facing our state and to move bills through the long legislative process. One of the great things about the Missouri Senate is that the Senate floor is a place of free and fair discussion. A wide range of voices with different perspectives can and should be heard during debate in the Missouri Senate. If legislation that is harmful to her constituents and other Missourians comes to the Senate floor, Sen. Nasheed is confident that there will be free and fair discussion on the issue and that it will result in an attempt to prevent that legislation from moving forward. Bills and Committees Several of Sen. Nasheed’s bills and proposals have already been referred to committees for discussion and debate. These bills will be her priority in the early days of session. Senate Bill 583 – On Jan. 11, the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee heard testimony for SB 583, a proposal dealing with the cost of incarceration for prisoners. The hearing went well as several senators provided feedback on how to address this issue and ensure that our county jails have the resources they need. Senate Bill 584 – This bill has been referred to the General Laws Committee. It would prohibit the state of Missouri from selling the Confederate flag. It would also move Confederate monuments to the Confederate Memorial Park, and off of state property. While these monuments are a part of our history, monuments celebrating rebels do not belong on state property and should be placed in museums. Senate Bill 585 – This legislation attempts to amend several provisions dealing with unlawful discrimination; SB 585 has been referred to the Small Business and Industry Committee. Senate Bill 792 – This bill is scheduled for a hearing on Jan. 22 before the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. It would allow for the criminal records of people forced into sex work against their will to be expunged. On Jan. 23, a Sex Trafficking Awareness event will be held in the State Capitol to promote not only this bill, but the fight against modern slavery in our state as well. Senate Concurrent Resolution 29 – This resolution is meant to help transition the St. Louis Public School District from the Special Administrative Board back to an elected school board by forming the Joint Committee on the Transition of the St. Louis Public School District. SCR 29 was referred to the Senate Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee. Appropriations While a host of issues are sure to be addressed as the legislative session progresses, the only obligation the General Assembly is constitutionally required to do is pass the state’s operating budget. The Senate Appropriations Committee is tasked with helping prepare and balance the state’s bottom line. This committee met this week and heard public testimony from several organizations regarding the budgets of several state agencies. As the budgetary process continues, Sen. Nasheed will ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely. Other News State of the State Address The State of the State was held on Jan. 10. During the address, the governor delivered his legislative agenda for the 2018 legislative session, shining a light on his desire to improve the state’s foster care system. After the address, Sen. Nasheed said the following: “I am appalled that the State of the State address was so short. There was no mention of K-12 education, nor did he mention anything regarding our state’s higher education institutions. How can you address the state and not talk about the education of our children? The governor also did not discuss his proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. In order to move Missouri forward, we must make sure we are fiscally responsible with our spending priorities. In addition, our state has an apparent corrections issue and the governor did nothing to address the abuse and misuse within the Department of Corrections. While the governor’s speech was relatively short, it is clear that he does not have a plan to move Missouri forward.” State of the Judiciary Address The State of the Judiciary has been scheduled for Jan. 24 at 10:30 a.m. in the Missouri House of Representatives. This will be an opportunity to hear from the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court on the state of Missouri’s judicial system. During the address, the Chief Justice will make recommendations on how to make Missouri’s judicial branch stronger and more capable of providing justice to our citizens. Senator Nasheed honored to speak as keynote for Women’s March Sen. Nasheed is honored to be the keynote speaker for the second annual St. Louis Women’s March. The event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 20. The march will begin around 10 a.m. at Union Station and will finish at the Arch grounds. Be sure to come out and show your support. Breakfast after the Bell program awarded $259,000 to feed all elementary school students The Breakfast after the Bell program, which helps ensure that students get their vital nutritional needs met by offering free breakfast, has recently received $259,000 to help feed elementary students in the St. Louis area. The program is expected to start in February. Congratulations on receiving this funding and helping students in need. Look out for Senator Nasheed’s Legislative Priorities in the Argus paper Sen. Nasheed plans to publish her legislative priorities for the 2018 session in the St. Louis Argus. Please pick up a copy of the newspaper or go to its website for more information on the legislation Sen. Nasheed has filed this session and to see her priorities for the 2018 legislative session. |
