(From Rep. Ingrid Burnett, D-Kansas City)Spring is in the air, and Spring Fever is upon us! It was an active week in the Missouri House last week. The place was abuzz with visitors and advocacy groups.
Students were there to showcase their science and technology projects and artwork from students from around the state is still on display. We have some amazing and talented children in our state. Thank goodness for the grit and determination of their teachers and school administrators who persevere through the trials of COVID and social rancor to find a way to elevate and display their students’ achievements!
I also had advocates come through my office to present information about the Missouri JAG (Jobs for American Graduates) Program, the value of architects, and social service agencies who serve families and individuals facing housing and health crises.
I learned about the progress and success of Missouri’s telehealth networks and spoke with students who are learning about the legislative branch of government and the relationship it has to the political process of elections. One of my college student visitors was a former student from my elementary school counselor days!
In the legislature, we took up and passed several bills. Some were good – for example, a sales tax exemption on certain medical devices including manual and powered wheelchairs (HB 154). This is good, but it would have been better if we could have included sales tax exemptions on diapers and infant formula. Sadly, there was no appetite among the Republicans to support such an amendment from Rep Lavender (D).
In the legislature, we took up and passed several bills. Some were good – for example, a sales tax exemption on certain medical devices including manual and powered wheelchairs (HB 154). This is good, but it would have been better if we could have included sales tax exemptions on diapers and infant formula. Sadly, there was no appetite among the Republicans to support such an amendment from Rep Lavender (D).
Another good bill that passed out last week was HBs 575&910 which requires insurers to fully cover diagnostic breast exams. Believe it or not, some of the “conservatives” spoke against this bill decrying it as a slippery slope for all diagnostic screenings. In case you’re wondering, they were not swayed by the argument that the cost of prevention with early detection is a lot less expensive than the cost of treating and sometimes providing palliative care.
Some of the bills were bad - for example, a bill that prohibits any municipality other than the state from imposing or enforcing a moratorium on tenant evictions or requiring a property owner to have an inspection of residential property prior to selling (HB730).
Some of the bills were bad - for example, a bill that prohibits any municipality other than the state from imposing or enforcing a moratorium on tenant evictions or requiring a property owner to have an inspection of residential property prior to selling (HB730).
Also up for a second vote before moving to the Senate is House Joint Resolution 37 which would subject spending from the road fund to legislative approval and delete the existing language granting the commission the “sole discretion” to determine how the money is allocated. This will allow lawmakers to determine which projects receive funding that wouldn’t possibly get political (or would it?). Since it requires a constitutional amendment, HJR 37 would automatically go on the November 2024 ballot for voter ratification if it clears both legislative chambers.
Then there was the ugly bill – HB702 which essentially places the St. Louis Police under state control. Essentially, House Bill 702 would use the same structure as the Kansas City Police Department which is currently the only city in Missouri with a state-controlled police force.
Then there was the ugly bill – HB702 which essentially places the St. Louis Police under state control. Essentially, House Bill 702 would use the same structure as the Kansas City Police Department which is currently the only city in Missouri with a state-controlled police force.
It would put a five-member Board of Police Commissioners in charge of the St. Louis police with the governor appointing four commissioners, and the city’s mayor filling the fifth spot. City taxpayers would continue to be responsible for paying all the department’s expenses but would have no input in how their money is spent.
The members of the House were divided on this bill, and the debate became rancorous at times with under (and outright) tones of racist motives. Opponents of the bill criticized it as a false solution and noted the recent increase in violent crime throughout Missouri has coincided with the systematic weakening of the state’s gun laws by majority Republicans over the last decade-plus.
The members of the House were divided on this bill, and the debate became rancorous at times with under (and outright) tones of racist motives. Opponents of the bill criticized it as a false solution and noted the recent increase in violent crime throughout Missouri has coincided with the systematic weakening of the state’s gun laws by majority Republicans over the last decade-plus.
Just weeks earlier, House Republicans advanced legislation that would restore gun rights to many convicted felons after stripping a provision from the bill to prohibit children from carrying firearms without parental supervision.
Supporters of the bill tout it as necessary to stem violent crime in the city, even though there is scant evidence it would have an impact. When the state previously controlled the St. Louis police, there were several periods when the crime was worse than it is today.
In addition, crime rates are up in Kansas City, where the police already are state-controlled, as well as in many other Missouri communities with local police oversight.
The state’s first takeover of the St. Louis police occurred at the outset of the Civil War as Missouri’s secessionist governor sought to limit the power of pro-Union city officials and suppress the local Black population. State control lasted until 2013, after 63.9 percent of Missouri voters approved a 2012 ballot measure restoring local authority.
Late in the debate, an amendment was offered by a St. Louis rep that would require a raise of $7000.00 for every St. Louis Police Officer, and the cost of the raises would be borne by the State. Then, another rep (not from St. Louis) offered an amendment to the amendment that stripped out the language of the first amendment that required the state to fund the raises and instead left the expense to the city.
Late in the debate, an amendment was offered by a St. Louis rep that would require a raise of $7000.00 for every St. Louis Police Officer, and the cost of the raises would be borne by the State. Then, another rep (not from St. Louis) offered an amendment to the amendment that stripped out the language of the first amendment that required the state to fund the raises and instead left the expense to the city.
Since then, the City of St. Louis reached a pay raise agreement with the St. Louis Police Officers that will give the officers up to an $8000.00 raise. How this will end is anybody’s guess at this point. HB702 has been referred to the House Fiscal Review Committee before it returns for a second vote in the House before moving to the Senate.
ON THE HORIZON
The deadline for filing bills was March 1st. About 1500 or so bills have been filed in the House. We still haven’t seen any sports betting bills on the House Floor, and Spring Break is next week. One bill getting a lot of attention on this side of the state is HB 909 which deals with solid waste disposal permits.
ON THE HORIZON
The deadline for filing bills was March 1st. About 1500 or so bills have been filed in the House. We still haven’t seen any sports betting bills on the House Floor, and Spring Break is next week. One bill getting a lot of attention on this side of the state is HB 909 which deals with solid waste disposal permits.
This is the bill that would address the landfill controversy in KC & Raymore. It has been sitting on the House calendar and could come up for debate at any time. Also on the calendar are bills dealing with open enrollment for schools, school protection officers, credit card terms and conditions, and criminal offenses. Recently added bills to the calendar include a variety of memorial bridges and highways.
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