Category Archives: Missouri House

Campaign Finance: What’s up with that?

23 Sunday Jul 2017

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Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the HRCC:

C091068 07/23/2017 HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, INC Friends Of Elijah Haahr PO Box 14506 Springfield MO 65814 7/21/2017 $5,001.00

C091068 07/23/2017 HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, INC Missouri Realtors PAC Inc PO Box 30635 Columbia MO 65205 7/21/2017 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

They’ll have all the money they need. For, like, robocalls?

There’s a special election coming up in the 50th Legislative District on August 8th.

Previously:

What a friend we have in Putin (July 15, 2017)

Campaign Finance: Eh, what’s up doc? – again (July 20, 2017)

99th General Assembly, 2nd Extraordinary Session – HB 4, HB 5, HB 8, HB 10, HB 11, HB 12, HB 13 – reproductive health

14 Wednesday Jun 2017

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The General Assembly is in its second extraordinary session called by the governor, by news accounts costing the taxpayers of Missouri $20,000.00 a day. The subject is abortion.

Democratic Party members of the House have filed bills which the republican majority won’t be inclined to allow to move forward.

Representative Deb Lavender (D) – [2016 file photo].

HB 4 — REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES [pdf]
SPONSOR: Lavender
This bill requires all organizations that provide pregnancy-related services or counseling to provide medically accurate and unbiased information about birth control, adoption, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. The bill defines pregnancy-related services as services including, but not limited to, family planning, abortion care, prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.
This bill is similar to HB 236 (2017)

You’d think such organizations would do so without legislation requiring it. You’d think.

HB 5 — INFANT MORTALITY PREVENTION FUND [pdf]
SPONSOR: Lavender
This bill creates the Infant Mortality Prevention und to receive 2.7 million from the Board of Registration for the Healing Arts Fund by June 30, 2018. The moneys in the Infant Mortality Prevention und are to fund grants to reduce infant mortality rates and may only be granted to public health agencies that are located in the eight counties that have the highest infant mortality rates in the state. The Department of Health and Senior Services is to administer the fund and determine eligibility for public health agencies.

“Hearing not scheduled”. That tells you all you need to know.

HB 8 — ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES [pdf]
SPONSOR: Quade
This bill changes the laws regarding the dispensing of contraceptives.
PRACTICE OF PHARAC The bill adds the prescribing and dispensing of self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives to the definition of the practice of pharmacy (Section 33.010, RSMo).
HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE This bill permits a pharmacist to prescribe self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives to a person who is 18 years of age or older regardless of whether the person has evidence of a previous prescription and to a person under 18 years of age if the person has evidence of a previous prescription. The Board of Pharmacy shall adapt rules to establish standard procedures for the prescribing of self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives by pharmacists. All state and federal laws governing insurance coverage of contraceptives shall apply to self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives prescribed under the provisions of the bill (Section 33.660).
CONTRACEPTIVE REIMBURSEMENT The bill requires each health carrier or benefit plan that offers or issues health benefit plans in Missouri and provides coverage for contraceptives to reimburse a health care provider or dispensing entity for dispensing a three-month supply of a prescription contraceptive for the first dispensing to an insured and a three-month supply for a refill of the same contraceptive, regardless of whether the insured as enrolled in the health benefit plan or policy at the time of the first dispensing. The coverage required under these provisions must not be subject to any greater deductible or co-payment than similar health services provided by the health benefit plan (Section 376.1240).
This bill is similar to HB 233 (2017) and HB 167 (2016).
This bill includes the truly agreed and finally passed language in Section 33.010 included in SB 01 (2017).

Nope, the republicans aren’t gong to allow it.

Representative Stacey Newman (D) [2016 file photo].

HB 10 — CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTERS [pdf]
SPONSOR: Newman
This bill changes the laws regarding health care services.
SAFE AND RELIABLE CARE The bill allows the Department of Health and Senior Services to adopt rules governing complication plans to ensure patients of crisis pregnancy centers have access to safe and reliable care (Section 188.021, RSMo).
TRAINED MEDICAL STAFF The bill requires the presence of appropriately trained medical staff for any medical procedure performed in a crisis pregnancy center to the same degree as required by other specialized health clinics in this state (Section 188.340).
TAX CREDITS AND PUBLIC FUNDING The bill states that if any pregnancy crisis center fails to comply with certain provisions, then the center shall be ineligible for any tax credits issued by the state or for any public funding (Section 188.345).
TRUTH IN MEDICINE ACT This bill creates the “Truth in Medicine Act” that prohibits a government health care agency or any organization that receives government health care funding from endorsing five specific lies about abortion, as specified in the bill (Section 188.345).
DISCLOSURE OF HEALTH SERVICES The bill changes the law regarding entities that provide pregnancy related services without the employment and supervision of a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, registered nurse, or nurse midwife.
The provisions of this bill apply to any entity that primarily provides pregnancy-related services and advertises or solicits patrons with offers to provide prenatal sonography, pregnancy tests, or pregnancy options counseling unless all of the public locations of the entity employs one or more specified health professionals that must be present when medical services or treatment is provided.
Each entity must provide a written notice of specified services provided. The notice must be conspicuously placed at all of the entrances where the specified services are provided, in all waiting areas, on any website maintained by the entity that refers to the services, and in all advertisements promoting the services or entity providing the services.
The bill prohibits an entity that collects health information from a patron from disclosing the patron’s health information without the written authorization of the patron. Upon receipt of a written request from a patron of the entity to examine or obtain a copy of the patron’s health information, an entity must make health information available to the patron at no charge.
If any person violates these provisions, the department must serve a written notice informing the person of the violation and stating that the person may avoid an administrative penalty by curing the violation within five days of the service of the notice. If the person fails to cure the violation within five days of the date of service of the notice, the department must impose an administrative penalty.
A person is entitled to a contested case hearing to dispute any administrative penalty imposed under these provisions. Any administrative decision must be subject to judicial review in accordance with Chapter 536. All administrative penalties recovered under these provisions must be deposited in the state General Revenue Fund and available for general governmental expenses. Nothing in these provisions must be construed to prohibit the department from maintaining an action in the name of the state for injunction or other process against any person to restrain or prevent a violation of a requirement or prohibition under these provisions (Section 191.762).
INSPECTIONS The bill requires the department to make an unannounced on-site inspection of any crisis pregnancy center at least annually. The inspection shall include compliance with all requirements that the facility maintain adequate staffing and equipment to respond to medical emergence and compliance that continuous physician services or registered professional nursing services be provided whenever a patient is in the facility (Sections 197.200 and 197.230).
TRAINING PROGRAMS By July 1, 2018, the bill requires all crisis pregnancy centers to provide training programs to all unlicensed staff providing patient care within 90 days of the beginning date of employment. A crisis pregnancy center must submit documentation to the department as a requirement for licensure (Section 197.287).
INTERFERENCE WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE A person commits the offense of interference with medical assistance if he or she, while working as an employee of a crisis pregnancy center knowingly: orders or requests medical personnel to deviate from any applicable standard of care or ordinary practice while providing medical assistance to a patient for reasons unrelated to the patient’s health or welfare; or attempts to prevent medical personnel from providing medical assistance to a patience in accordance with all applicable standards of care or ordinary practice for reasons unrelated to the patient’s health or welfare. This offense is a class A misdemeanor (Section 574.200).
This bill is similar to HB 374 (2017).

Well, if it’s good enough for other providers of women’s health services, it’s good enough for all of them.

HB 11 — ABORTION [pdf]
SPONSOR: Newman
This bill changes the laws regarding abortion.
72-HOUR WAITING PERIOD The bill repeals the current waiting period of 72 hours before a woman may obtain an abortion (Sections 1.027 and 1.03, RSMo). CLINICAL PRIVILEES Currently, physicians performing or inducing an abortion in Missouri must have clinical privileges at a hospital which offers obstetrical or gynecological care located within 30 miles of the location here the abortion is performed or induced. This bill repeals that requirement (Section 1.00).
AMBULATOR SURGICAL CENTER The bill removes any establishment operated for the purpose of performing or inducing any second or third trimester abortions or five or more first trimester abortions per month from the definition of an ambulatory surgical center and specifically excludes facilities that are operated primarily for the purpose of providing abortions (Section 17.200).
This bill is identical to HB 36 (2017) and HB 36 (2017).

Nope, the republicans won’t allow it.

HB 12 — SEX EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS [pdf]
SPONSOR: Newman
The bill requires any course materials and instruction relating to human sexuality and sexually transmitted infections to be based on peer-reviewed projects that have been demonstrated to influence healthy behavior, be age appropriate, and meet the following criteria: present abstinence from sexual activity as the only sure way to avoid pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections stress that sexually transmitted infections are serious and possible health hazards of sexual activity present students with information about the health benefits and side effects of all contraceptives provide information about the vaccine for human papilloma virus encourage family communication between parents and children about sexuality help young people gain knowledge about the changes of adolescence and the sills to make responsible decisions about sexuality teach sills of conflict management, personal responsibility, and positive self-esteem advise students of the laws pertaining to their financial responsibility to children born in and out of wedlock help students develop sills in critical thinking, decision making, and stress management teach students about the dangers of sexual predators and teach students the consequences of inappropriate text messaging. Each school district or charter school must make the names and affiliations of presenters used in the schools human sexuality instruction available. The bill repeals the provision that prohibits a school district or charter school from providing abortion services and an abortion provider from furnishing human sexuality instruction and curriculum.

Nope, the republicans won’t allow this either.

Representative Cora Faith Walker (D) [2017 file photo].

HB 13 — TAX CREDIT FOR CONTRACEPTION [pdf]
SPONSOR: Walker (74)
Beginning January 1, 2018, this bill allows a taxpayer to claim a tax credit up to $500 for the cost of contraception incurred during the year. Contraception includes any method or device used to prevent pregnancy that is approved by Food and Drug Administration and the taxpayer may be required to provide proof of the costs incurred. The ta credit is refundable, but shall not be sold, transferred, or assigned. The ta credits allowed under this section shall not exceed million in any fiscal year.
These provisions will sunset December 31, six years after the effective date.

Nope, the republicans won’t allow it.

Previously:

99th General Assembly, 2nd Extraordinary Session – HB 1, HB 2, HB 3, HB 6, HB 7, HB 9, HB 14 – interfering in reproductive choice (June 13, 2017)

99th General Assembly, 2nd Extraordinary Session – HB 1, HB 2, HB 3, HB 6, HB 7, HB 9, HB 14 – interfering in reproductive choice

13 Tuesday Jun 2017

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The General Assembly is in its second extraordinary session called by the governor, by news accounts costing the taxpayers of Missouri $20,000.00 a day. The subject is abortion.

Bills introduced by the anti-choice republican majority:

HB 1 — PAIN CAPABLE UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION [pdf]
SPONSOR: Lichtenegger
This bill creates the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” which specifies that no abortion may be performed or induced, or attempted to be performed or induced, unless the probable gestational age of the fetus has been determined by a physician to have reached the pain capable gestational age and it is necessary to avert the patient’s death or serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. The physician must terminate the pregnancy in a manner which provides the best opportunity for the fetus to survive unless doing so would pose a greater risk of death or substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function to the patient. Any physician who performs or induces an abortion shall report certain information, as specified in the bill, to the Department of Health and Senior Services. Beginning June 30, 2018, the department must issue a statistical report of reported information during the previous calendar year. Any physician or other licensed medical practitioner who intentionally or recklessly performs or induces an abortion in violation of this bill is subject to discipline from the appropriate licensure board.

HB 2 — ABORTION [pdf]
SPONSOR: Miller
Currently, a person is not permitted to knowingly perform an abortion on a minor unless the attending physician has secured the informed written consent of the minor and one parent or guardian of the minor. This bill requires, except in the case of an emergency, the consenting parent or guardian of the minor to notify any other custodial parent or guardian in writing prior to the securing of the informed written consent of the minor and consenting parent or guardian. A parent or guardian is not required to be given notice under certain circumstances as specified in the bill.

HB 3 — ABORTION [pdf]
SPONSOR: Swan
This bill changes provisions relating to abortion.
SAFE AND RELIABLE CARE The bill allows the Department of Health and Senior Services to adopt rules governing complication plans to ensure patients undergoing abortions induced by drugs or chemicals have access to safe and reliable care (Section 188.021, RSMo).
DEFINITIONS This bill defines a “qualified professional” as the physician who referred the woman to the physician who is to perform the abortion or to the advanced practice registered nurse in a collaborative practice arrangement with the physician performing the abortion (Sections 188.027 and 188.039). This bill defines an “abortion facility” as any establishment operated for the purpose of performing or inducing any second- or third-trimester abortions or five or more first-trimester abortions and which does not provide accommodations for patients to stay more than 23 hours within the establishment (Section 197.200).
ABORTION FACILITIES The bill amends these sections to include abortion facilities (Sections 188.030, 192.665, 192.667, 197.150, 197.152, 197.158, 197.160, 197.162, 197.165, 197.205, 197.215, 197.220, 197.235, 197.240, 197.285, 197.287, 197.289, 197.293, 197.295, and 595.027). LICENSED PHYSICIANS In order to receive a license from the department, the bill requires an abortion facility to provide affirmative evidence that each person authorized to perform abortions is a physician currently licensed to practice in Missouri (Section 197.215). RULES FOR AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTERS AND ABORTION FACILITIES This bill allows the department to adopt separate rules to apply to ambulatory surgical centers and to apply to abortion facilities. Any rule that applies to an abortion facility shall, at minimum, be equal to any physical requirement of an ambulatory surgical center (Section 197.225).
ABORTION FACILITY INSPECTIONS The department shall make an unannounced on-site inspection of any abortion facility at least annually. The inspection shall include: compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, including requirements that the facility maintain adequate staffing and equipment to respond to medical emergencies; compliance that all organs or tissue removed at the time of the abortion be submitted to a board certified pathologist; review of patient records to ensure that no documentation authorizes improper utilization or organs or tissue; compliance with prohibition on the use of public funds to perform or assist a prohibited abortion or to encourage a woman to have a prohibited abortion (Section 197.230).
INTERFERENCE WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE A person commits the offense of interference with medical assistance if he or she, while working as an employee of an abortion facility: knowingly orders or requests medical personnel to deviate from any applicable standard of care or ordinary practice while providing medical assistance to a patient for reasons unrelated to the patient’s health or welfare; or knowingly attempts to prevent medical personnel from providing medical assistance to a patience in accordance with all applicable standards of care or ordinary practice for reasons unrelated to the patient’s health or welfare. This offense is a class A misdemeanor (Section 574.200). This bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is similar to HB 5 (2017, Second Extraordinary Session).

An emergency clause from right wingnut republicans in the Missouri General Assembly. Go figure.

HB 6 — ABORTION [pdf]
SPONSOR: Barnes (60) This bill changes provisions relating to abortion.
SAFE AND RELIABLE CARE The bill allows the Department of Health and Senior Services to adopt rules governing complication plans to ensure patients undergoing abortions induced by drugs or chemicals have access to safe and reliable care (Section 188.021, RSMo).
DEFINITIONS This bill defines a “qualified professional” as the physician who referred the woman to the physician who is to perform the abortion or to the advanced practice registered nurse in a collaborative practice arrangement with the physician performing the abortion (Sections 188.027 and 188.039). This bill defines an “abortion facility” as any establishment operated for the purpose of performing or inducing any second- or third-trimester abortions or five or more first-trimester abortions and which does not provide accommodations for patients to stay more than 23 hours within the establishment (Section 197.200).
ABORTION FACILITIES The bill amends these sections to include abortion facilities (Sections 188.030, 192.665, 192.667, 197.150, 197.152, 197.158, 197.160, 197.162, 197.165, 197.205, 197.215, 197.220, 197.235, 197.240, 197.285, 197.287, 197.289, 197.293, 197.295, and 595.027).
ATTORNEY GENERAL JURISDICTION The Attorney General shall have concurrent original jurisdiction throughout the state for actions for a violation of any: provision of Chapter 188 (Regulation of Abortions); state law regarding the use of public funds for an abortion; or state law which regulates an abortion facility or a person who performs an abortion (Section 188.075). LICENSED PHYSICIANS In order to receive a license from the department, the bill requires an abortion facility to provide affirmative evidence that each person authorized to perform abortions is a physician currently licensed to practice in Missouri (Section 197.215).
RULES FOR AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTERS AND ABORTION FACILITIES The bill allows the department to adopt separate rules to apply to ambulatory surgical centers and to apply to abortion facilities. Any rule that applies to an abortion facility shall, at minimum, be equal to any physical requirement of an ambulatory surgical center (Section 197.225).
ABORTION FACILITY INSPECTIONS The department shall make an unannounced on-site inspection of any abortion facility at least annually. The inspection shall include: compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, including requirements that the facility maintain adequate staffing and equipment to respond to medical emergencies; compliance that all organs or tissue removed at the time of the abortion be submitted to a board certified pathologist; review of patient records to ensure that no documentation authorizes improper utilization or organs or tissue; compliance with prohibition on the use of public funds to perform or assist a prohibited abortion or to encourage a woman to have a prohibited abortion (Section 197.230).
INTERFERENCE WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE A person commits the offense of interference with medical assistance if he or she, while working as an employee of an abortion facility: knowingly orders or requests medical personnel to deviate from any applicable standard of care or ordinary practice while providing medical assistance to a patient for reasons unrelated to the patient’s health or welfare; or knowingly attempts to prevent medical personnel from providing medical assistance to a patient in accordance with all applicable standards of care or ordinary practice for reasons unrelated to the patient’s health or welfare. This offense is a class A misdemeanor (Section 574.200).
This bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is similar to HB 3 (2017, Second Extraordinary Session).

Gee, another bill with an emergency clause. And similar to HB3.

HB 7 — FETAL TISSUE [pdf]
SPONSOR: Franklin This bill requires that all organs and tissue removed at the time of an abortion be submitted to a pathologist for examination. The pathologist shall file a copy of a report on the sample with the Department of Health and Senior Services and each sample shall be given a unique identification number for tracking. The bill requires that a report shall be created and submitted to the department for each sample at each facility that handles the sample, including the abortion facility, the pathology lab, and the location of final disposition. If the department does not receive a report, it could lead to the suspension of the abortion facility or General Assembly. This bill contains an emergency clause.

Emergency clause.

HB 9 — POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS [pdf]
SPONSOR: Kelly (141)
This bill states that the General Assembly acknowledges the right of an “alternatives to abortion” agency to operate freely and engage in speech without governmental interference and the right of a person not to be compelled by the government to participate in abortion contrary to his or her religious beliefs or moral convictions. The bill specifies that a political subdivision may not enact an order that:
(1) Prohibits, limits, interferes with, or otherwise adversely affects an “alternatives to abortion” agency’s operations or speech. This shall not prevent a political subdivision from exercising its lawful authority to regulate zoning or land use or to enforce a building or fire code regulation, as long as that political; subdivision treats an “alternatives to abortion” agency in the same manner as another similarly situated agency
(2) Requires a person to directly or indirectly participate in abortion if such participation is contrary to the religious beliefs or moral convictions of such person;
(3) Requires any person to conduct real estate transactions for or with an abortion facility or for or with a person for the purpose of performing an abortion not necessary to save the life of the mother; or
(4) Requires a person to provide coverage for or participate in a health plan that includes benefits that are not otherwise required by state law.
In any action to enforce these provisions, a court may order injunctive or other equitable relief, recovery of damages, legal remedies, and payment of reasonable attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses. In addition to a private cause of action, the Attorney General is also authorized to bring a cause of action under these provisions. Nothing in the bill prohibits a political subdivision from enforcing any order to assist pregnant women to carry their unborn child to term or assist women in caring for their children or placing their children for adoption. This bill has an emergency clause.

Allows entities to discriminate based on an individual’s reproductive choices. With an emergency clause. Go figure.

And, finally:

HB 14 — MISSOURI RIGHT TO LIFE ACT [pdf]
SPONSOR: Moon This bill creates the “Missouri Right to Life Act.” The bill states that it is the intent of the General Assembly to protect the life of all humans and require due process of law before the life of any human is ended prior to natural death.

What did you expect?

Campaign Finance: You were expecting anything different?

28 Sunday May 2017

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Holly Rehder (r) [2013 file photo].

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C091068 05/28/2017 HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, INC Friends Of Holly Rehder PO Box 1868 Sikeston MO 63801 5/26/2017 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

And the HRCC will do what they always do.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: More Tamko! (June 3, 2016)

HB 42 and HB 91: right to get paid less rears its ugly head – again (December 1, 2016)

Campaign Finance: right to get a $100,000.00 contribution on the day before limits kick in (December 8, 2016)

Campaign Finance: making the rubble bounce (March 19, 2017)

Campaign Finance: today

25 Thursday May 2017

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Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C171146 05/25/2017 Friends of Lane Roberts Lane Roberts 1715 Rex Avenue Apt 211 Joplin MO 64801 retired 5/23/2017 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

A brand spanking new committee, today:

C171146: Friends Of Lane Roberts
Committee Type: Candidate
Party Affiliation: Republican
1715 Rex Avenue, Apt. 211
Joplin Mo 64801
Established Date: 05/25/2017
[….]
Election History
[….]
Election Outcome Political Office
8/7/2018 Primary Election State Representative District 161 Missouri House of Representatives

[emphasis added]

Bill White (r), the current representative in the district, will be term limited out in 2018.

SB 376: the 99th General Assembly, First Regular Session, defined

12 Friday May 2017

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The roadmap for one of the greatest legislative achievements in the modern era of the Missouri General Assembly:

SB 376
Designates “Old Drum” as the historical dog of the state of Missouri

1/31/2017 S First Read–SB 376-Hoskins S199
2/9/2017 Second Read and Referred S General Laws Committee S244
2/15/2017 Hearing Conducted S General Laws Committee
2/15/2017 Voted Do Pass S General Laws Committee
2/15/2017 Motion to pass bill as consent taken by S General Laws Committee – Consent vote adopted
2/16/2017 Reported from S General Laws Committee – Consent S291
2/21/2017 Removed S Consent Calendar S323
3/2/2017 Reported from S General Laws Committee S400
3/30/2017 Bill Placed on Informal Calendar S605
4/11/2017 SA 1 S offered & adopted (Hoskins)–(1709S01.01S) S822
4/11/2017 Perfected, as amended S822
4/10/2017 Reported Truly Perfected S Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee S847
4/13/2017 S Third Read and Passed S878-879
4/18/2017 H First Read H1592
4/19/2017 H Second Read H1602
4/26/2017 Referred H General Laws H1839
5/1/2017 Hearing Conducted H General Laws
5/2/2017 Voted Do Pass H General Laws
5/3/2017 Reported Do Pass H General Laws H2148
5/3/2017 Referred H Rules – Legislative Oversight H2148
5/8/2017 Voted Do Pass H Rules – Legislative Oversight
5/8/2017
Reported Do Pass H Rules – Legislative Oversight H2234
5/12/2017 H Third Read and Passed
5/12/2017 Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed

The bill text:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
[P E R F E C T E D]
SENATE BILL NO. 376 [pdf]
99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR HOSKINS.

Read 1st time January 31, 2017, and ordered printed.
Read 2nd time February 9, 2017, and referred to the Committee on General Laws.
Reported from the Committee February 16, 2017, with recommendation that the bill do pass and be placed on the Consent Calendar.
Removed from the Consent Calendar February 21, 2017.
Re-reported from the Committee March 2, 2017, with recommendation that the bill do pass.
Taken up for Perfection April 11, 2017.
Bill declared Perfected and Ordered Printed, as amended.
ADRIANE D. CROUSE, Secretary. 1709S.01P

AN ACT

To amend chapter 10, RSMo, by adding thereto two new sections relating to the designation of state dogs.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 10, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto two new sections, to be known as sections 10.112 and 10.113, to read as follows:

10.112. The dog known as “Old Drum”, whose death became the subject of an 1870 Missouri Supreme Court case and the delivery of a famous speech as the closing argument to the case known as the “Eulogy to Old Drum”, is designated as the historical dog of the state of Missouri.
10.113. The dog known as “Jim the Wonder Dog” is designated as Missouri’s Wonder Dog.

Speed of lightning, roar of thunder, there will always only be one true Underdog…

Previously:

HB 723: there is only one true Underdog (January 29, 2015)

Campaign Finance: $5,200.00 at a time

11 Tuesday Apr 2017

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Shamed Dogan (r) [2017 file photo].

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for Shamed Dogan’s (r) 2018 reelection campaign in the 98th Legislative District:

C131143 04/11/2017 CITIZENS FOR DOGAN David Steward P.O. Box 1724 Maryland Heights MO 63043 World Wide Technology 4/10/2017 $5,200.00
C131143 04/11/2017 CITIZENS FOR DOGAN Thelma Steward P.O. Box 1724 Maryland Heights MO 63043 Homemaker 4/10/2017 $5,200.00
C131143 04/11/2017 CITIZENS FOR DOGAN David II Steward P.O. Box 1724 Maryland Heights MO 63043 Lion Forge 4/10/2017 $5,200.00
C131143 04/11/2017 CITIZENS FOR DOGAN Mary Steward P.O. Box 1724 Maryland Heights MO 63043 Requested 4/10/2017 $5,200.00

[emphasis added]

David L. Steward founded World Wide Technology in July of 1990. With almost 25 years of experience in the technology industry, David spends the majority of his time developing strategic supplier, customer and employee relationships. He plays a key role in WWT’s pursuit of large contract bids within its industry specific operating companies. Prior to starting WWT, David held various senior-level management positions with Wagner Electric, Missouri Pacific Railroad and Federal Express Corporation.[….]

From the latest campaign finance report:

C131143: Citizens For Dogan
Committee Type: Candidate
212 Oakwood Farms Court
Ballwin Mo 63021
Party Affiliation: Republican
[….]
Established Date:
10/04/2013
Information Reported On: 2016 – 30 Day After GeneralElection-11/8/2016
Beginning Money on Hand $32,420.61
Monetary Receipts + $2,720.00
Monetary Expenditures – $16,335.77
Contributions Made – $500.00
Other Disbursements – $0.00
Subtotal ($14,115.77)
Ending Money On Hand $18,304.84

[emphasis added]

Okay.

Rep. Dan Shaul (r): all school board politics is local, campaign contributions, however, may be a bit different

09 Sunday Apr 2017

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“…Each school district that has one or more of its resident pupils attending such a charter school as nonresident pupils will pay to the charter school, for each pupil, 90% of its average per pupil expenditure…”

Members of the Missouri General Assembly can also be elected and serve on their local school board at the same time they are serving in Jefferson City. Usually such politicians make a big show about supporting public education. Usually.

Then, there are bills considered which help charter schools and reallocate resources from public schools:

HB 634  
Changes provisions related to charter schools
Sponsor: Roeber, Rebecca (034)
Proposed Effective Date: 7/1/2018
LR Number: 0986H.04P
[….]

The Bill summary, as perfected:

HCS HB 634 [pdf] — CHARTER SCHOOLS (Roeber)
COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education

This bill allows charter schools to be operated in any school district in which at least one school building has received a score of 60% or less on its annual performance report (APR) for two of the three most recent annual performance reports available as of the date in which a charter school applies to open a charter school in the district. When a charter school is allowed to operate under this provision, the person, group, or organization seeking to establish the charter school must submit the proposed charter to the local school board before the charter school submits its proposed charter to any other sponsor. This bill allows the local school board 60 days to consider the proposed charter and accept or decline the sponsorship. If the local school board declines to sponsor the charter school or does not respond within the specified time, any other authorized sponsor may enter into a sponsorship agreement. Charter schools must give enrollment preference to resident students that reside in the attendance area of the school building with an APR of 60% or less. Charter schools may enroll nonresident students so long as it does not displace a resident student. Each school district that has one or more of its resident pupils attending such a charter school as nonresident pupils will pay to the charter school, for each pupil, 90% of its average per pupil expenditure.

This bill also allows charter schools to be operated in any school district not served by a high-quality career technical center, sponsored only by the local school board, for the purpose of establishing a career and technical center whose mission will focus on helping students earn career and technical education certificated in addition to their high school graduation diplomas. High-quality career technical center is a center that has met the performance targets for the Perkins Core Indicators of Performance for the secondary level for the most recent school year. Such charter schools may enroll nonresident pupils who are residents of a district that is located in the same county in which such charter school is located, and nonresident pupils who are residents of a district that is located, in whole or in part, in a county adjacent to the county in which such charter school is located.

Charter schools may renew for a five-year term unless the charter school’s APR score, other than a charter school in which 50% or more of the school’s students were previously considered dropouts, is below the average of the APR scores of all non-selective grade level-equivalent school buildings in the school district in which the charter school is located for two of the three consecutive years immediately before a devision [sic] whether to renew is made. In that case such renewal will be for three years. If the charter school’s APR continues to be lower for another two out of three years, the charter school term will not be renewed. Such renewal application will include a financial audit performed by the State Auditor, with costs paid for by the charter school.

This bill also requires all members of any governing board of any charter school to be resident taxpayers, except that, any member serving a term as of August 28, 2017, may serve the remainder of his or her term even if such member is not a resident taxpayer of the state of Missouri. This bill also requires charter schools to meet all state and federal requirements and the same academic performance standards required of seven-director school districts.

This bill will become effective on July 1 following the school year in which the foundation formula is fully funded.

The bill was third read and passed (from the Journal of the House – 1086 [pdf]):

[….]
On motion of Representative Roeber, HCS HB 634 was read the third time and passed by the following vote:
AYES: 083
[….]
Shaul 113
[….]
NOES: 076
[….]
PRESENT: 001
[….]

The local NEA chapter, representing teachers and public education, has taken exception to Rep. Shaul’s (r) support for the bill. We received a copy of the letter:

Sue Navratil, President
Jamie Gobel, VP
Kris Miller, Secretary
Denise Ballew, Treasurer
Windsor NEA
[….]
April 9, 2017

Windsor C-1 School District
Board of Education
Hwy 61-67
Imperial, MO 63052

Ladies and Gentlemen:

WNEA believes that the purpose of a school district should be to provide various experiences that will allow its students to develop intellectually, athletically, and culturally. The purpose that a school board and its members have should be to guide the district with strategies and an allocation of resources to accomplish these objectives.

Support for HB634 would seemingly interfere with these functions. First, instead of rushing to charter schools as a quick-fix solution, why not work to find a building’s weaknesses and seek to improve them? Secondly, establishing charter schools would take much needed resources from the public school district to support the charter schools and possibly students who do not even live in the district. Why should residents of a district have their tax dollars spent on students who live outside the district? Finally, it shows a lack of confidence in the administrators and teachers of the district to solve any academic issues.

Windsor school board member Dan Shaul voted for HB634, in his role as state representative, which seems to present a conflict of interest. How can he proclaim his allegiance to public education, but then support charter education which could affect the resources of the Windsor C-1 School District? He is either fully committed to public education or fully committed to the charter school concept. He cannot support both.

Dan Shaul did not hesitate to use his position as a member of the Windsor School Board with at least one of his mailings to the citizens in his district to help him get elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. The following are quotes from one of his mailings: “Dan Shaul knows education, on November 4th, vote for the candidate who is already working toward a brighter future for our children. Putting students first, as a member of the Windsor School Board and a proud parent of three, Dan Shaul is committed to ensuring our best resources and the best teachers, so that our students receive the top-notch education they deserve. Preparing them for the future, Dan Shaul knows that good schools prepare our children for the next stage of their lives and attract employers seeking a well-educated workforce. As our State Representative, Dan Shaul will always support our schools to make sure our children have everything they need to succeed.”

As a board member for the 2016-17 school year per the minutes that are on our website, Mr. Shaul responded with the following comments about our students, administrators and school district:

September 21, 2016, Mr. Shaul congratulated Mr. Bouzek and Freer Elementary regarding their recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School; thanked Dr. Holland for working to keep our tax levy the same over the past years.

October 26, 2016, Mr. Shaul recognized our 2 ‘CERT’ students and thanked them for what they did for their grandma. Positive evaluation of our Transportation Department with no problems, and inspections ranked with a 100% approval rating; great to see MSIP improving and thanks to all teachers for their efforts.

[….]

March 22, 2017, Mr. Shaul acknowledged the positive program evaluations presented, and the different programs and ECH we offer to provide the start of a positive education.

At a time when the Windsor C-1 School District needed him to cast a vote for public education, Mr. Shaul chose not to do so. His support for HB634 shows us that he is not 100% committed to supporting public education or our students in the Windsor C-1 School District. As stated in board policy BBF on School Board Member Ethics, number 13 states, “avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance thereof.” As stated above, Mr. Shaul’s yes vote on HB634 shows a clear conflict of interest, and we hope that it would be addressed by our Board of Education. This decision on Mr. Shaul’s part to not support public education is a great disappointment to our students, staff, and community. School board members should not conduct themselves in this manner as overseers of our school district.

Sincerely,
/s
Sue Navratil, President
On behalf of the WNEA Executive Board

I dunno, it may be something of a reach that voting against the interests of your local school district in the General Assembly is a conflict of interest. But it sure is something that local voters should know about so they can hold a politician accountable come election time. In this case, twice – for the seat on the local school board and for the General Assembly.

Representative Shaul (r) has faced the voters twice for election to the General Assembly:

State of Missouri – 2016 General Election – November 8, 2016
Official Results
As announced by the Board of State Canvassers on December 12, 2016
State Representative – District 113 12 of 12 Precincts Reported
Karen Settlemoir-Berg Democratic 6,995 42.156%
Dan Shaul Republican 9,598 57.844%
Total Votes: 16,593

State of Missouri – General Election – November 4, 2014
Official Results
As announced by the Board of State Canvassers on December 3, 2014
State Representative – District 113 10 of 10 Precincts Reported
Sean Fauss Democratic 3,168 37.967%
Dan Shaul Republican 4,749 56.915%
Donna Ivanovich Constitution 427 5.117%
Total Votes: 8,344

There appears to be a bit of volatility when it comes to off year and presidential year elections. Gee, at some subsequent election someone could exploit voter upset about the incumbent’s lack of support for their local public schools…

Well, who and/or what contributes some of that money to get Representative Shaul (r) elected to the General Assembly?

FORM CD-1 SUPPLEMENTAL
MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED – SUPPLEMENTAL
12/8/2016 FRIENDS OF SHAUL [pdf]

CNS Corporation 500 E 9th Street Kansas City MO 64106 11/3/2016 $3,000.00
Friends of Joe Don Mcgaugh 516 West 4th St Terrace Carrollton MO 64633 11/1/2016 $250.00
Pfizer Inc 6730 Lenox Center CT Memphis TN 38115 11/1/2016 $350.00
HRCC P.O. Box 1313 Jefferson City MO 65102 11/1/2016 $15,471.00
HealthPac P.O. Box 60 Jefferson City MO 65102 11/1/2016 $3,027.20
Lance Hastings 2818 Bree Hill Road Oakton VA 22124 Miller Coors 11/7/2016 $249.00
Joe Williams 876 CR 624 Dayton TX 77535 Association Management 11/3/2016 $50.00
Deborah White 3140 Aberfoyle Place NE Washington DC 20015 Consultant 11/3/2016 $100.00

FORM CD-1 SUPPLEMENTAL
MISSOURI ETHICS COMMISSION CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED – SUPPLEMENTAL
11/1/2016 FRIENDS OF SHAUL

David Humphreys P.O. Box 4050 Joplin MO 64803 Tamko 10/1/2016 $25,000.00
Robert Dierberg 1982 Kherson Mill Rd Chesterfield MO 63005 Dierbergs Market Inc 10/2/2016 $1,000.00
Dierbergs Markets Inc 16690 Swingly Ridge Road Chesterfield MO 63006 10/2/2016 $2,500.00
HCA Missouri Good Government Fund 101 East High Street Jefferson City MO 65102 10/3/2016 $500.00
Credit Union Political Action Committee 223 Madison Jefferson City MO 65101 10/3/2016 $250.00
Missourian to elect Warren Love 8381 NE Highway ZZ Osceola MO 64776 10/3/2016 $100.00
Friends of Joe Don Mcgaugh 516 West 4th Street terrace Carrollton MO 64633 10/5/2016 $375.00
Friends of Elijah Haahr P.O. Box 14506 Springfield MO 65814 10/5/2016 $1,000.00

Ann Wagner for Congress 313 Saint Andrews Ct Ballwin MO 63011 10/16/2016 $500.00
ABC PAC 4035 Denton Rd Kansas City MO 64133 10/16/2016 $1,000.00
HRCC P.O. Box 1313 Jefferson City MO 65102 10/19/2016 $22,650.00

Friends for Jered Taylor 702 N Prospect Ave Nixa MO 65714 10/20/2016 $1,000.00
Alferman for Missouri P.O. Box 84 Washington MO 63090 10/14/2016 $1,000.00
David Humphreys P.O. Box 4050 Joplin MO 64803 Tamko 10/27/2016 $5,000.00
HRCC P.O. Box 1313 Jefferson City MO 65102 10/21/2016 $5,000.00

You get the picture.

Why on earth would anyone in Joplin care so much about the success and financial stability of Windsor C-1 public schools that they would drop a ton of money on the campaign of the local state representative? Exactly.

HA 5 to HB 151: Did anyone bother to send this to Roy Blunt (r) to get his approval?

30 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House

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Senator Roy Blunt (r) wasn’t too concerned about any Missourian’s privacy when he voted earlier this week to allow Internet companies to sell our browsing histories:

On the Joint Resolution: S.J. Res. 34; A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to “Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and Other Telecommunications Services”.

Question: On the Joint Resolution (S.J. Res. 34 )
Vote Number: 94
Vote Date: March 23, 2017, 12:25 PM
Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Joint Resolution Passed
Vote Counts:
YEAs 50
NAYs 48
Not Voting 2
[….]
Blunt (R-MO), Yea
McCaskill (D-MO), Nay
[….]

Thanks for nothing, Roy.

Today the House Third Read and Passed HB 151, trying to fix the state’s REAL ID mess caused by a previous right wingnut controlled session of the General Assembly.

Rick Brattin (r) submitted an amendment which wasn’t considered:

….This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Show-Me Your Papers Act”…

Robert Ross (r) submitted an amendment which was defeated:

“115.016 Any elected official who votes or takes an action to support a measure seeking compliance with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 shall display, in a prominent location, in bold font with a text height not less than one-tenth of the article being circulated, at each and every election the member files for after the affirmative vote or action, the following description of his or her allegiance:
I WOULD RATHER KNEEL TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAN STAND STRONG PROTECTING MY CONSTITUENTS’ RIGHT TO PRIVACY”….

Joe Don McGaugh (r) submitted an amendment which wasn’t considered:

…Any elected official who votes or takes an action against a measure seeking compliance with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 shall display, in prominent location, in bold font with a text height not less than one-tenth of the article being posted, at each and every airport in the state, the elected official’s office and home phone number…

I bet they’d all love to get those phone calls starting in January 2018.

Republicans making noise about protecting our right to privacy? That’s a laugh.

Previously:

HB 361 (2009): creating a REAL ID mess for Missourians – HB 151 and HB 166 (2017): sort of try to fix it (December 14, 2016)