Capitol Report: Legislators Reject Pay Raise

Visit to Ballwin Elementary

Last Friday I had the pleasure of visiting the third grade students at Ballwin Elementary to discuss the structure of our state and federal government. I always enjoy visiting schools in the 100th district to talk to students about the legislative process and answer questions about what it is like to be a State Representative.

This school visit was made even more special when I saw a young boy in the class, Ezekiel, who I knew from my time practicing physical therapy. I worked with Ezekiel from the time he was six months old until he was three years old through early intervention services. Ezekiel’s parents were told he would never walk, but he now walks, and runs, with his classmates. Seeing him thriving in school made this visit incredibly meaningful.

Missouri Legislature Rejects Pay Raise

Serving in the Missouri General Assembly is a tremendous honor and responsibility, which is not to be taken lightly. We are here to promote the best interests of the people we serve, not to line our own pockets. To ensure that taxpayer resources are used as efficiently as possible, the House of Representatives and Senate overwhelmingly rejected a pay raise for elected officials this week.

In November, the Citizens’ Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials recommended an 8 to 10% raise for statewide elected officials, a $4,000 salary increase for legislators, and mileage and per diem increases. The commission’s recommendation, which would have cost Missouri about $3 million, was set to go into effect unless it was voted down by both Chambers. I joined my colleagues in rejecting the increase by a vote of 133 to 15 in the House and 31 to 3 in the Senate.

House Concurrent Resolution 4, which rejected the pay increase, was the first piece of legislation signed by House Speaker John Diehl (R-Town and Country). It was a pleasure to stand with him on the dais during the signing.

Lawmakers have rejected all of the Commission’s recommended pay increases since 2009. The Missouri General Assembly once again demonstrated that we do not believe legislators are exempt from the fiscal discipline that we expect from all government programs.

Committees Set to Hear Bills on Bullying and Welfare Reform

The General Assembly is about to begin the fourth week of the 2015 legislative session, and the committee process is well underway.

The Budget Committee held three hearings this week in conjunction with various appropriations committees to hear presentations from state departments on their budget requests for fiscal year 2016. Members questioned departments about the need for the proposed expenditures and the efficacy of the programs. Hearings will continue over the next several weeks as we develop our recommendations for the House budget. Missouri’s financial resources are limited, and we are committed to using taxpayer dollars in ways that truly benefit Missourians.

My anti-bullying bill, House Bill 458, will be heard by the Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education on Monday. This bill expands the definition of bullying; defines cyberbullying; prohibits bullying on school property, at school functions, or on a school bus; and requires schools to develop stronger and more comprehensive anti-bullying policies. One in three US students has been bullied at school and 30% of Missouri students report being bullied on school property. These numbers are simply unacceptable.

I have filed anti-bullying bills for the last three years, but they have been stopped by those who want the bill to include special classes of students to be protected from bullying. Any child can be a victim of bullying, so the emphasis of anti-bullying policies should be on ending the practice of bullying, not on who in particular is bullied. Every child is equally precious, and all kids and their families deserve protection from the harmful effects of bullying.

Due to the new committee structure, committees are now more responsible for analyzing and vetting bills before they are voted on by the House. I chair the Select Committee on Social Services, which hears bills passed out of the Committees on Children and Families, Health and Mental Health Policy, and Veterans. These committees have started scheduling hearings on bills designed to improve the health and wellbeing of Missourians.

Children and Families: A variety of bills have been referred to this committee, including legislation to help schools develop on-site clinics, modify abuse and neglect laws, and reform Missouri’s welfare system. I filed two bills, HB 547 and HB 654, that are designed to protect public assistance funding for truly needy families and help individuals move out of poverty through work programs.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is meant to help low-income individuals and families afford food. Unfortunately, some states have suspended the program’s work requirements, increased the income eligibility limit, and eliminated asset tests. HB 547 would restore the work requirements found in federal law, require the state to maintain the standard income limit, and mandate asset tests so only those in need of assistance will be eligible for SNAP.

Missouri spends millions on welfare through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF), but the program is failing to help families out of poverty. HB 654 would require individuals applying for TANF to fulfill work requirements before becoming eligible, unless they are exempt. If they do not meet the work requirements, they will lose their benefits for at least a month. Encouraging able-bodied adults to find work will help families move out of poverty instead of remaining reliant on government welfare programs.

Representative Diane Franklin (R-Camdenton) filed legislation banning individuals convicted of dangerous felonies from receiving TANF benefits. She also crafted a bill capping lifetime TANF benefits at 24 months.

Health and Mental Health Policy: This committee will hold its first hearing next week to discuss bills that would modify the membership of the Missouri Mental Health Commission, change laws regulating medical records of deceased patients, and allow state boards to work with the Department of Health and Senior Services to analyze workforce data and assess the availability of qualified health professionals in our state.

Veterans: Without the sacrifices of our brave men and women in uniform, Missourians would not enjoy the rights and freedoms that are so fundamental to our system of governance. A list of the bills passed by the General Assembly to support military personnel and veterans is available here, and you can find a comprehensive list of benefits for service members and veterans here. I will work with the committee chair, Representative Charlie Davis, to continue moving legislation forward to provide opportunities and support for veterans, and we are meeting with veterans next Tuesday to discuss their priorities.