Toiling Toward Consensus

Have you ever had one of those days when you work hard, but don’t seem to accomplish anything? Well, every day felt a bit like that in the Missouri Senate this week. During our scheduled floor discussions, the Senate took up three bills, but each one got bogged down by a filibuster. For those of you who don’t follow legislative activities, a filibuster happens when senators block a measure from coming to a vote by talking. Sometimes, they talk about the bill, but other times they just talk.

Much of the talking in the Senate chamber this week was focused on Senate Bill 49, a measure that would prevent children from receiving hormone treatments or surgeries in an effort to change their gender. This is one of the most hotly contested bills before the Senate so far this year, and you could certainly tell it on the Senate floor. Opponents of SB 49 filibustered for two days before the bill was tabled. Senators met in private trying to find a way to reach consensus on the bill until a decision was made to adjourn the week’s activities a day early. The Legislature won’t be in session next week due to our annual spring recess. My hope is that when we return on March 20, we’ll be able to build on the effort we put into this legislation this week and get something passed that everyone can live with.  

In other legislative activity, the General Laws Committee (which I chair) heard three bills. Senate Joint Resolution 39 would place a constitutional change before voters. If approved, the legislation would freeze the assessed value of a senior’s primary residence once they reach retirement age. This is one of several measures before the Senate this year that would provide tax relief for seniors. The committee also took testimony on Senate Bill 294. This bill establishes a process for the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to waive repayment of unemployment benefits that were incorrectly distributed. You may recall during the COVID pandemic a number of Missourians received unemployment checks only to later be notified they needed to pay some of the money back. That caused a lot of confusion and additional anguish at a time when folks were already struggling. This legislation will sort out some of these issues so we don’t repeat the mistakes made in the past. Finally, the committee took testimony on Senate Bill 421, which modifies provisions relating to the electronic registry of death certificates.

As always, it is an honor to serve the 6th Senatorial District. If my office can be service to you, please feel free to contact us at 573-751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.