Volume 1, Issue 2 – The Week of Jan. 28, 2019
Diving Into the Issues
Members of the Missouri Senate continue to discuss and debate the merits of legislative proposals in many of the Senate’s committees. I sit on several committees covering a range of issues, so each committee hearing provides a different window into the issues facing our state.
In the Senate’s Seniors, Families and Children Committee, we heard legislation that would place punitive measures into our state’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). Senate Bill 4 requires individuals to comply with federal requirements, or risk losing SNAP benefits for a period of time. For the first occurrence of not complying with the work requirements, an individual will be disqualified for three months. After failing to comply a second time, an individual shall be disqualified for six months, and failure to comply for a third time will lead to being permanently disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits.
When this bill was heard in committee, only one individual voiced support for it, while there were over a dozen witnesses against this proposal. I believe this bill poses a threat to ensuring families are able to put food on their tables and has the potential to negatively impact many Missourians. If this bill would impact you or your family, please contact members of the Seniors, Family and Children Committee.
Also in Seniors, Families and Children Committee, we heard legislation meant to tackle the opioid epidemic in our state. Senate Bill 155 establishes a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) in Missouri. PDMPs allow doctors to track a patient’s prescription habits with the goal of preventing “doctor shopping,” where an individual goes to multiple doctors to get prescriptions to fuel their addiction. We are the only state in the country without such a program. Proponents of this kind of legislation argue it will help curb opioid abuse, while critics worry that a database tracking patients’ prescriptions poses major privacy concerns.
On Jan. 29, the Senate’s Government Reform Committee heard Senate Bill 7, regarding our state’s joinder and venue laws. This bill is attempting to limit the number of class-action lawsuits in St. Louis when the court case involves an out-of-state plaintiff. One of the stipulations of the bill is that any foreign insurance company without a registered office in any county in Missouri will be deemed to reside in Cole County.
In addition to the legislation before us, the Missouri Senate also gave its advice and consent to several of the governor’s appointments to various state boards and commissions. This week, I sponsored Fred P. Pestello as a member of the Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District (BSD). This agency works to improve the St Louis area, on both sides of the Mississippi, through key partnerships and economic development programs. I had a long conversation with Mr. Pestello, and I believe he is well-qualified to serve the BSD.
On Jan. 30, state lawmakers had the opportunity to hear from the chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court during the State of the Judiciary Address. The chief justice emphasized the work the judicial branch was doing to improve the legal system in our state. One of those changes is a move away from monetary conditions in order to receive bail. These changes, which take effect on July 1, offer more opportunities for non-monetary conditions to be used to secure pre-trial release and for associated fees to be waived or reduced. I believe these rule changes have the potential to improve access to justice for many low-income defendants. He also made a compelling case for increasing funding important advances in technology for our courts and reminded each of us that the state is statutorily-mandated to provide these services.
As you can see, we covered a lot of ground this week, but I always have time for my constituents. I look forward to hearing from you on the issues that are important to you this legislative session. If there is anything my office can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (573) 751-3599.