The Great Balancing Act
While the Legislature spends a majority of its time crafting policies, the most important task put before us is engrained in the Missouri Constitution: passing a balanced budget. Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee are charged with one of the greatest balancing acts of them all when you consider what’s involved with funding 18 state departments, elected officials’ offices and annual maintenance and capital improvement projects.
In the wee hours of the morning of April 26, the Senate third read and finally passed all 14 appropriations bills. After reviewing the Senate’s markups, the House refused to adopt the proposed changes, so now a bipartisan, bicameral conference committee will have to come to a consensus on the budget before 6:00 p.m. on May 5.
On the policymaking side, a couple of my bills saw action this week. My proposal to extend MO HealthNet coverage to postpartum women and my legislation to exempt homeless children from paying for ids have passed out of the House Rules and Legislative Oversight Committee and now await debate by the entire body in the House.
On April 25, I presented my proposal relating to the collection of fees by the Division of Mine Inspections to the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee. With the goal of maintaining an equitable mining fee structure, this act updates the rates set back in 1988 and adds cobalt and rhyolite to the list of minerals that are assessed a tonnage fee. My legislation to establish the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act and further safeguard the freedom of speech was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
One of the House bills I’m handling, which modifies the definition of hospital to include rural emergency hospitals and other provisions relating to health care, was discussed at length and amended several times before receiving full approval by the Senate on April 27.
In two weeks, I’ll start transitioning from legislating at the Capitol to running policy reconnaissance in our community. If you are planning a civic meeting or hosting a public event, please invite me. The more I learn about our community’s unique needs and issues, the better I can represent you in Jefferson City.