There is a lot of filing going on in Jefferson City!
Last Tuesday was the first day to file for election for all Missouri races taking place during the August, 2018 primary and the November, 2018 general election. People from all over the state assembled in Jefferson City to offer themselves as candidates. It is always exciting to see those who are agreeing to place their names on the ballot in order to serve constituents in their respective districts or statewide.
Additionally, the final day for filing bills in The Missouri General Assembly was this past Thursday. We will continue to focus on hearing legislation in our committees; working on amending, passing, or even trying to stop legislation that comes to the Senate and House floors from receiving a vote; and dealing with our one Constitutional legislative responsibility: passing a balanced budget for the state.
In the midst of our work is the troubling news concerning the governor. The grand jury indictment in St. Louis is scheduled for court on May 14. The Missouri House has formed its own investigative panel. The issue being adjudicated is “invasion of privacy.” The governor has the right to due process under the law. I am withholding judgment while the processes play out.
Regardless of what is occupying the news cycle, my dedication to working on your behalf will not waver. With regard to bills I have filed, we have seen progress on suicide prevention training for people in mental health professions with a unanimous vote, in addition it received “consent” status. This bill now moves to the Missouri Senate floor. The Whistleblower & Taxpayer Protection bill (SB 786) which will help root out corruption, fraud and waste in government, has stalled on the Senate floor through a Republican filibuster.
Several other bills I have filed have been heard in committee and you’ll find more information about them below.
With gratitude for the opportunity to serve,
Equal Rights Amendment
It is 2018. It is time for the U.S. Constitution to end its differentiation of rights based on sex, and reflect women’s equality under the law.
For several years, I have filed the Equal Rights Amendment, this year as Senate Concurrent Resolution 41. If passed in Missouri, and if one additional state approves the amendment, it would have the requisite 38 states-ratification needed to make the case that our U.S. Constitution should be changed to reflect equal rights.
In Missouri, this is the first hearing time the resolution has been heard in about a decade. Currently, the only right which is specifically affirmed for both women and men is the right to vote.
The Equal Rights Amendment received a hearing in the Senate’s Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee. Dozens of supporters traveled to the State Capitol to either testify or witness other’s testimony asking to move women’s rights forward. Groups from all over the state were represented and included individuals from the Lake of the Ozarks Federation of Democrats, the Lake Area Federation of Democrats, the Women’s Foundation, the St. Louis University School of Law, Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri, the Missouri NEA, League of Women Voters, the Missouri Women’s Leadership Coalition, the Missouri Women’s Political Caucus, NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri, the Missouri Women’s Network, the American Association of University Women, the National Council of Jewish Women, the Women’s Equality Coalition and Empower Missouri. As you can see from this list, the Equal Rights Amendment has a wide base of support from individuals and organizations. Testimony against the bill came from four individuals with Concerned Women of America. The predominantly male committee has not yet voted on the resolution.
Victim’s Employment Safety and Security Act (VESSA)
Victims of domestic violence who are working to get themselves and their families away from their abuser often need time to deal with the practical realities of leaving. One of the harsh truths often making it difficult to leave is centered around financial independence. If a woman risks losing her job because she needs time to access a court restraining order, to deal with injuries, to seek counseling or to find living arrangements, often she may see no escape from the abuse. The loss of a job is a re-victimization of the person trying to escape her abuser. While the abused is almost always female, let’s be clear that no one should have to choose between employment and safety.
I am sponsoring Senate Bill 739 to address this issue. It ensures victims of domestic violence are able to seek needed help by allowing up to 10 total days of unpaid leave for victims of domestic violence and abuse. Supporting testimony was provided by the National Council of Jewish Women, the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri and the Women’s Foundation.
This bill allows victims employed by a public or private employer with at least 15 employees to access unpaid leave to resolve issues as a victim or to support a family member. Permissible reasons for taking leave include seeking medical help, recovering from injury, obtaining victim services or counseling, participating in safety planning and/or seeking legal assistance. This leave would be limited to 10 days per year if an employer has at least 50 employees and five days per year if the employer has 15-49 employees. This legislation is designed to help victims become survivors.
Suicide Prevention
Under Senate Bill 846, mental health professionals would be required to complete two clock hours of suicide prevention training as a condition of licensure. Missouri currently has the 13th highest rate of suicide in the nation. Equipping our mental health professionals with more information and resources will help save lives.
This bill received bipartisan, unanimous support in committee and should be moving to the Senate floor for debate soon.
As I am finalizing this newsletter, I was also able to amend this bill onto Senate Bill 796, which adds an accrediting organization for licensure of Psychologists. The bill for suicide prevention training now has two vehicles which are able to move it toward passage.
Benefit Corporations
A benefit corporation is a business that, in addition to being responsible to its shareholders, also has a mission that results in a benefit to its community. Its mission could be environmental in nature, educational, charitable, etc. The designation means that shareholders are not the only beneficiaries of the company’s work. Examples of benefit corporations include Ben and Jerry’s, Etsy and Patagonia, to name a few.
Missouri does not currently offer this corporate designation. Senate Bill 754 will create that change. This legislation is a positive economic development tool that will attract young people and allow a company to expand its mission to do good in the state and in the world.
The bill passed unanimously out of committee. Its next step will be debate on the Missouri Senate floor.
Tax Return Tracker
The Department of Revenue recently launched a new tracking service so Missourians can now sign up to receive alerts on the status of their tax returns. Taxpayers can be notified through text message or email whenever the status of their return has been updated. To sign up for this service, click on dor.mo.gov/returnstatus/.
Featured Artwork
Below are some wonderful works of art submitted to the Senate art contest by students who live in the 24th Senatorial District. We are so proud to share these delightful pictures with you!
