Greetings,

It is a busy time in the State Capitol. The Missouri Senate has started floor discussion on several legislative proposals. This is an important step in our body’s deliberative process, normally coming after committee review of a bill but before a final vote is taken in the Senate. It’s an opportunity to offer critique or support for some of our colleagues’ efforts — and to carefully inspect and amend potentially harmful proposals before it’s too late.

One of those proposals, Senate Bill 561, would establish work requirements for underprivileged individuals receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP. I oppose this bill, and made that intention clear on the Senate floor. Work requirements may sound good in theory, but not everyone in need of help can — or should — go to work every day. Many people receiving SNAP benefits come from the lowest rungs of society: the elderly, the disabled and single parents just trying to make ends meet. Often, it’s hard for these folks to find a job that will accept them, even if they want to work. Why should we punish them for that?

If passed, Senate Bill 561 will have dire consequences. It is unfair to starve a child for the actions of his or her parent, but that’s exactly what this bill would do. If we take away SNAP benefits from parents that aren’t working, it’s their children who will go hungry, and through no fault of their own. Where else will these kids get food if their caregivers can’t provide? Missouri should nurture and support its youngest citizens. All this bill would do is harm their interests.

Another measure heard recently, Senate Bill 563, is more promising. Under current law, the Missouri Rx Plan, established by the General Assembly to coordinate Missouri prescription drug assistance with Medicare benefits, is only open to Medicaid dual-eligible individuals — those qualifying for both Medicare and Medicaid — who fall beneath a specified income level. Senate Bill 563 would do away with the dual-eligible requirement for MORx, but keep the income stipulations intact.

I think Senate Bill 563 is a good idea, and so do many of my colleagues. Last week, the Senate passed the bill with broad support, sending it to the House of Representatives for further action. The dual-eligible requirement was never an original part of the program; it was created to counteract state budget woes during last year’s legislative session. It is time we restored MORx to its former glory by once again opening it to a wide range of low-income Missourians.

Below, you will find a chart tracking the progress of every bill I have sponsored in the 2018 legislative session. These proposals are important to Missourians of all backgrounds. I look forward to discussing each and every one of them before the Missouri Senate.

Please know I value your input, and I invite you to visit my Capitol office if you are ever in Jefferson City. You may access my Senate website at senate.mo.gov/curls.

Feb. 12, 2018 >>