Roads to Reform
Over the last few weeks, three bellwether addresses have been given to Missourians: the State of the State, the State of the Judiciary and the State of the Union. As I watched these speeches, two common themes emerged.
First was the call for economic development, which frankly is a no-brainer. Everyone wants more and better jobs for our citizens. The roadmap to making those goals a reality, however, can be more contentious.
The president asked the U.S. Congress to pass an infrastructure bill, investing in cutting edge industries of the future. And while this might bring to mind visions of robotics or mobile-phone apps, just as important are the new technologies that can be applied to our agriculture and natural resource based industries. The prospect of creating new businesses to add value to our crops and livestock before they leave this state illustrates the importance of supporting this new technology. It means more jobs, more opportunity and more revenue. It is an investment in the future of Missouri.
The governor proposed a new Fast Track program to fund training in high-demand areas through community colleges and technical schools, and a new Missouri Excels program to help colleges and universities better integrate industry standards into their curriculum. The governor also proposed significant investments in critical infrastructure. Missouri has one of the largest state highway systems in the country, but ranks 49th in transportation funding.
Missouri’s voters have repeatedly shown their hesitance to pay higher taxes for highway improvement, but the importance of these transportation arteries will require hard choices on everyone’s part. Our roads are vital to the health of Missouri’s economy.
The second theme was a call for a reduction in prison sentencing for non-violent offenders, and a shift to treatment courts to deal with substance abuse and mental illness. The term “non-violent offender” has been used often. The president touted his pardon of a first-time drug offender who had been sentenced to life in prison.
We should be mindful of what the term “non-violent offender” encompasses, though. The examples we’re given tend to be people with prison sentences for drug convictions. The reality is, “non-violent offender” can include anything from drug possession to burglary, stealing a car, illegal possession of a firearm and resisting arrest.
I have always believed that the punishment should fit the crime, and I also support exploring methods that help keep criminals from re-offending. But someone who has broken into your home or led the police on a high-speed chase shouldn’t get a pass just because their crime is classified as “non-violent.” It’s something to keep in mind as we look to reform how we deal with crime in Missouri.
It’s an honor to serve the people of the 6th district and please contact my office at (573) 751-2076 with any questions or concerns. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.