This week was certainly busy in the Missouri Senate. Discussion and debate on Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 came to a close, and it was voted out of the Senate and sent to the Missouri House of Representatives for their consideration. This proposed legislation allows the state to use bonds to pay for the repair or replacement of 215 bridges throughout the state. While this bonding proposal will allow needed work to begin on several of our state’s crumbling bridges, the resolution requires general revenue instead of fuel tax revenue to be used to pay off the bonds over a seven year period. I had some apprehension in supporting this measure when I first heard it because using general revenue always interjects a political element into the discussion. However, our state’s infrastructure system is in a state of crisis. I am pleased that the bridges will be repaired, but I would like to see our infrastructure issues addressed through revenue generated by the fuel tax, not general revenue.
Additionally, Senate Bill 259, which I am sponsoring, was discussed on the Senate floor this week. This legislation would provide due process rights to students in Title IX proceedings at our public and private institutions of higher education. This act would give any individual the right to defend themselves at a due process hearing and request an appeal hearing if necessary during a Title IX complaint. This legislation does not favor the claimant or respondent, but rather provides a fair, equitable process to investigate Title IX complaints. There were a few amendments drafted and proposed, and overall there was a good conversation surrounding the legislation. As always, I try to balance the interests of all involved parties and compromise where I feel there are legitimate concerns. I am always willing to speak with my fellow senators to understand their concerns and to determine if we can reach a compromise. Senate Bill 259 has been set aside for now, but I am hopeful that this important piece of legislation will again be discussed on the Senate floor, passed and sent to the House for their consideration.
This week I was honored to be present when Governor Parson signed House Bill 77, which I handled in the Senate. This would allow individuals receiving retirement funds from the Missouri Public School Retirement System (PSRS) to still be employed by a public community college and still receive their retirement funds. This piece of legislation is incredibly important because many retired teachers fill the role of adjunct professors at community colleges, but they were unable to fill these positions without retired teachers losing their retirement income. With this legislation, they can be employed at a public community college and still receive their retirement benefits. I am pleased that this important piece of legislation was signed by the governor.
This week, I had the pleasure of hosting a lunch for the representatives whose districts overlap with the 3rd Senatorial District: Rep. Mike McGirl, Rep. Elaine Gannon, Rep. Mike Henderson, Rep. Dale Wright, Rep. Shane Roden, Rep. Becky Ruth, Rep. Jeff Pogue, Rep. Nathan Tate, Rep. Chris Dinkins and Rep. Rick Francis. Meeting with the representatives in my district is one of my priorities because it gives us the opportunity to discuss the issues facing our districts and our constituents’ concerns. It is important for me to build relationships with these legislators to accomplish our goals, in both chambers of the Legislature. It was a pleasure to meet with all of them, and I look forward to the next time all of us can gather together.
Capitol Visits
I always appreciate hearing your opinions and concerns regarding your state government. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-4008. You may write me at Gary Romine, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101; or email me at gary.romine@senate.mo.gov. For more information, please visit my official Senate webpage at www.senate.mo.gov/romine.