Because posturing about something going on in Wisconsin and Illinois is more important than dealing with Missouri’s budget and job creation initiatives in our state:

@anonMOlib Anonymous MO Liberal

Seems unconstitutional RT @KOMUnews SJR 22/HJR 33 would vacate the office of lawmakers if they leave the state to avoid a vote 3 hours ago

Three individuals were sitting in a bar. Their conversation moved to their opinions of what constituted the greatest inventions. The first person advocated for the wheel, for, they said, without the wheel we would not have transportation or machinery. The second person differed and offered fire as the best example, stating, without fire we could not forge steel to make wheels and machinery. The third person said, “The thermos. The first person responded, “The thermos? The thing that keeps hot things hot and cold things cold?” The third replied, “Yes, but how does it know?”

The bills:

SJR 22 Provides that a member of the General Assembly shall vacate his or her office if such member leaves the state during a legislative session for the purpose of avoiding any official duty or vote

Sponsor: Parson

LR Number: 1753S.01I Fiscal Note:

Committee: General Laws

Last Action: 3/3/2011 – Second Read and Referred S General Laws Committee Journal Page:

Title: Calendar Position:

Effective Date: Upon voter approval

Current Bill Summary

SJR 22 – This proposed constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, would require a member of the General Assembly to vacate his or her office if the member removes himself or herself from the state during a session of the member’s respective body for the purpose of avoiding any official duty or vote.

JIM ERTLE

The House bill:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 33

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES CRAWFORD (Sponsor), LARGENT, ENTLICHER, SMITH (150), GOSEN, BERRY, ALLEN, KELLEY (126), HAEFNER, LICHTENEGGER, LAUER, BROWN (116), BROWN (85), DAVIS, LANT, WHITE, ROWLAND, FRAKER, CONWAY (14), FREDERICK, HOUGHTON, FRANKLIN, WELLS AND DUGGER (Co-sponsors).

1841L.01I                                                                                                                    D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

JOINT RESOLUTION

Submitting to the qualified voters of Missouri, an amendment to article III of the Constitution of Missouri, and adopting one new section relating to a member of the general assembly removing himself or herself from the state for the purpose of avoiding any official duty or vote.

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring therein:

           That at the next general election to be held in the state of Missouri, on Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 2012, or at a special election to be called by the governor for that purpose, there is hereby submitted to the qualified voters of this state, for adoption or rejection, the following amendment to article III of the Constitution of the state of Missouri:

           Section A. Article III, Constitution of Missouri, is amended by adding one new section, to be known as section 13(a), to read as follows:

           Section 13(a). If any senator or representative shall remove himself or herself from this state during a session of the member’s respective body for the purpose of avoiding any official duty or vote, his or her office shall be deemed vacated.

[emphasis in original]

“…for the purpose of avoiding any official duty or vote…”

So, how would we know?

Maybe they’ll add an exception for checking your e-mail.