Helping Moms and Honoring Missourians

As I work through my first year in the Missouri Senate, each day brings new experiences and opportunities. This week, I had the opportunity to experience a Senate filibuster firsthand. For those who aren’t familiar with how the Senate works, a filibuster happens when one or more senators hold the floor by talking or asking questions in an effort to stop a bill from coming to a vote. This can happen for a couple of reasons. Sometimes, senators filibuster to block passage of a bill they oppose. In other cases, a filibuster allows the sponsor time for negotiations aimed at improving the legislation.

I experienced one of those bill-friendly filibusters this week as I brought Senate Bill 151 up for perfection in the Senate chamber. This legislation would provide a tax exemption for property used for child care. There were questions about what sorts of property would qualify, so my Senate colleagues kept the discussion going in the chamber while I discussed changes to the bill off the floor. We didn’t reach a final decision, so the bill was eventually laid over for further discussion another day. A companion resolution that would put the issue before voters did pass the Senate. I’m hoping we can work out the details on the statutes in the coming weeks and get SB 151 sent to the House of Representatives.

In other legislative activity, the Senate passed legislation to expand MO HealthNet services for women after childbirth. Answering the governor’s call to address Missouri’s alarmingly high maternal mortality rate, Senate Bill 45 would provide Medicaid coverage for mothers up to one year following the birth of a child. Current law provides just 60 days of postpartum care for the mom. As the Senate took up the legislation we added language stipulating women who receive services that violate state law — which would include abortions — would not qualify for coverage, and also requiring audits of Missouri’s Medicaid rolls. I support the expansion of care for moms, but I also believe the pro-life reforms make SB 45 a better bill.

I’m also happy to report Senate Bill 127 has now moved to the House of Representatives. You may recall I discussed this highway designations bill in a previous report. Since I last mentioned this bill, it has grown to include nearly two dozen memorial highway markers, including three for former residents of the 10th Senatorial District. Among those honored in SB 127 are Bowling Green founder John Walter Bayse and Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz of Wentzville, who was one of 13 American G.I.s killed during an ambush at the Kabul airport in 2021. Also recognized is 6-year-old “Super” Sam Santhuff. This amazing boy from Fulton wore a bright smile and a red cape as he battled cancer. He loved cartoon super heroes, but he became a hero for those who loved him as he fought his disease with courage and positivity. Senate Bill 127 memorializes Super Sam with a section of Highway F in Callaway County named in his honor.

Finally, I’d like to share some information I received about a program to recognize Missouri seniors who positively impact their communities. Nominations for the 2023 Lieutenant Governor’s Senior Service Awards are being accepted through March 20. To qualify for the award, nominees must be at least 60 years old and volunteer a minimum of 25 hours per year. Winners will receive an official declaration and a challenge coin. The form to nominate deserving seniors can be found online at ltgov.mo.gov (look for the “Seniors” tab). If your nominee is selected, you may be asked to help coordinate with the recipient’s friends and family on a surprise award presentation. For more information about the awards, please call the lieutenant governor’s office at 573-751-1088.

Senator Travis Fitzwater serves residents of Callaway, Lincoln, Montgomery, Pike and a portion of St. Charles counties in the Missouri State Senate. For more information about Sen. Fitzwater, visit senate.mo.gov/Fitzwater.