This week in the Missouri Senate was cut short due to snow storms moving across the state. As a result, a majority of the Senate's business for the week took place on Tuesday. 

The Seniors, Families & Pensions Committee met early that morning to consider two pieces of legislation.  The first, Senate Bill 222, a bill I am sponsoring this session, contains several technical changes to legislation I sponsored and passed in 2011 to update domestic violence laws in the state of Missouri.  Senate Bill 222 would change some of the wording in that legislation. 

The committee also heard Senate Bill 203, sponsored by Senator Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, which would remove many of the immigration reforms passed by the Legislature several years ago.  I feel a continued dialogue about immigration in Missouri is worthwhile, as there are many economic and cultural benefits of legal immigration. While we should strive to preserve the freedom to immigrate, we must also understand and support the desire to secure our borders. The conversation never ceases to be an important one.  I am hopeful that we can continue the dialogue on how to move forward on immigration-related issues. 

Also on Tuesday, the Senate debated several pieces of legislation on the Senate floor. One bill, sponsored by Senator Dan Brown, R-Rolla, would allow a school district and/or charter school to teach what is referred to as the "Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program" to promote safety and the protection of children, while emphasizing how students and school staff should respond if they encounter a firearm (SB 75).  The program does not allow a firearm to be present during the instruction and also prevents teachers from voicing an opinion for or against firearms. In addition, the legislation allows school districts and charter schools to train teachers and school employees on how to address a potentially dangerous situation, including an intruder in the school.  Though the bill was filed prior to the Sandy Hook tragedy, that situation emphasizes the importance of educating students on gun safety. 

Tuesday afternoon, Senate leadership made the decision that the Senate would officially adjourn for the week on Wednesday afternoon to allow those traveling to make it home before the predicted snow storms.  As a result, the Senate moved through a number of bills on the Senate floor Tuesday afternoon.  The change of plans also made Wednesday morning a busy one. 

On Wednesday, the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee met to hear SJR 16, sponsored by Senator Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City.  The joint resolution is a proposed constitutional amendment that, if approved by Missouri voters, would raise the state sales and use tax by one percent for a period of 10 years. The money generated by the increase would be used for transportation purposes.  The hearing for this legislation took more than two hours, as many showed up to testify in support and a few in opposition.  The legislation will likely receive a vote by the committee very soon.  

On the Senate floor Wednesday morning, the Senate gave initial approval to a bill designed to name the new bridge spanning the Mississippi River in St. Louis after Stan Musial (SB 176).  As part of that legislation, Senator Gary Romine, R-Farmington, offered an amendment that would name a portion of Interstate 70 the "Andy Gammon Memorial Highway" in honor of a worker who lost his life while working to construct the bridge.  I applaud Senator Romine's efforts to honor Mr. Gammon. The amendment was adopted, and SB 176 needs another round of approval before moving to the House for similar consideration.

While on the Senate floor Wednesday morning, I also had the opportunity to introduce Senate Bill 366, which creates the "Rebuild Damaged Infrastructure Program."  This legislation is specifically designed to help provide the city of Joplin with funds to use on infrastructure projects after a devastating tornado destroyed much of the city.  Although the disaster struck nearly two years ago, there is still much we can do to help our fellow Missourians in Joplin.  

Wednesday morning also brought several visitors from the 24th District to Jefferson City.  Constituents with ALIVE (Alternatives to Living in Violent Environments) in St. Louis and advocates with the MS Society stopped by for their advocacy days.  I also had an opportunity to visit with members of the Junior League in St. Louis who stopped by to advocate for anti-bullying legislation, as well as advocates with the Missouri Federation of the Blind.  In addition, I had the great opportunity to welcome a lovely group of women from Our Lady of the Pillar Parish, my home parish in St. Louis.  The ladies were in town to tour the Capitol and learn more about the legislative process.  I truly enjoyed our visit.

As the week comes to a close, I hope you and your loved ones remain warm and safe.  Best wishes to you and your families for a wonderful weekend and week ahead.  I look forward to sending you another update next week. Thursday is the deadline for filing new legislation this session, so there will likely be much to discuss.