JEFFERSON CITY — On Wednesday, Jan. 28, members of the General Assembly took up House Concurrent Resolution 4 under consideration. Shortly into the debate, Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, began a filibuster, which is a prolonged discussion of a bill in order to prevent any legislative action on the measure.

Senator Chappelle-Nadal expressed her intent to purposely delay a vote on HCR 4. The absence of a vote would lead to HCR 4 automatically becoming a law at midnight, Sunday morning. In response, Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, took steps that are rarely seen in the Missouri Senate. Senator Schaff prepared a P.Q., also known as “calling for previous question,” which would end the debate of the filibuster, allowing for a vote of the legislation at hand. According to the rules of the Senate, the only way to stop a filibuster is to file a P.Q.

“It is extremely rare that a P.Q. appears on the Senate floor,” said Sen. Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau. “It is a sort of unspoken rule among Senators that you do not call a P.Q. unless it is a last resort, and many times not even then.”

Although Sen. Schaaf received enough signatures to enact the P.Q., a compromise was made on the floor and a vote was cast. A no-vote would approve the pay raise and a yes-vote would deny the pay raise. By a vote of 31 - 3, elected officials will not receive increased compensation.

Senator Wallingford voted for HCR 4 today, Thursday, Jan. 29, which would deny a pay raise for elected officials, legislators and judges.

House Concurrent Resolution 4 would change State Representatives and Senators salaries from $34,000 to $38,000 per year. This salary increase would have went into effect Jan. 1, 2017 for legislators serving at that time.