Tag Archives: General Assembly

HB 577: for God’s sake…

15 Tuesday Jan 2019

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Ladies and Gentlemen, our Missouri General Assembly:

“Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.” – Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755)

Dean Dohrman (r) [2017 file photo].

A bill introduced today by Representative Dean Dohrman (r):

HB 577
Requires school districts to display “In God We Trust” in prominent locations in all schools
Sponsor: Dohrman, Dean (051)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2019
LR Number: 0953H.01I
Last Action: 01/15/2019 – Introduced and Read First Time (H)
Bill String: HB 577
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar
[….]

You think painted in three foot high letters at the center jump circle on the school basketball courts will be enough?

…All others pay cash.

HB 508: restoring voting rights

15 Tuesday Jan 2019

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Representative Bruce Franks, Jr. (D) [2019 file photo].

Representative Bruce Franks, Jr. (D) introduced HB 508 which restores voting rights to individuals on probation for a felony by removing that voting prohibition in statute.

The bill as introduced:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 508 [pdf]
100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE FRANKS JR. 0276H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To repeal section 115.133, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to voter qualification.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Section 115.133, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu 2 thereof, to be known as section 115.133, to read as follows: 115.133.

1. Except as provided in subsection 2 of this section, any citizen of the United States who is a resident of the state of Missouri and seventeen years and six months of age or older shall be entitled to register and to vote in any election which is held on or after his eighteenth birthday.

2. No person who is adjudged incapacitated shall be entitled to register or vote. No person shall be entitled to vote:
(1) While confined under a sentence of imprisonment; or
(2) After conviction of a felony or misdemeanor connected with the right of suffrage.

3. Except as provided in federal law or federal elections and in section 115.277, no person shall be entitled to vote if the person has not registered to vote in the jurisdiction of his or her residence prior to the deadline to register to vote.

The text of the removed provision [in bold]:

“…No person who is adjudged incapacitated shall be entitled to register or vote. No person shall be entitled to vote: While on probation or parole after conviction of a felony, until finally discharged from such probation or parole…”

Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D): at the opening of the legislative session – January 9, 2019

13 Sunday Jan 2019

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After the opening of the legislative session on Wednesday the majority party and the minority party held separate press availabilities in the House Lounge. Speaker Elijah Haahr, on behalf of the Republican majority, did not make a statement but did take questions from the media. Later, House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade, on behalf of House Democrats, made remarks and then took questions from the media.

House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade – January 9, 2019.

Representative Quade’s remarks:

House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade: Good afternoon. House Democrats are excited and energized as we begin the benchmark hundredth general assembly. Though few in number, we are bold and strong in our convictions. We are determined to act in the best interests of all Missourians and hold the majority accountable when it fails to do so.

Our priorities for twenty-nineteen, as they have always been for Democrats, include fighting for quality and affordable public education for all Missourians, access to affordable and quality health care for all Missourians, and defending rights for all workers throughout Missouri.

This year House Democrats are also committed to defending the will of Missouri voters. As you know voters stood with progressive value in November – from increasing the statewide minimum wage, to legalizing medical marijuana, to enacting major redistricting and legislative ethics reform. We also overwhelmingly rejected the Republican push to undermine workers’ ability to organize and defend their rights.

House Democrats will do all we can to stop the majority from balancing their tax cuts on the backs of school children, the elderly and disabled, and working families. Democrat will fight for a balanced budget that put every day Missourians first. And because of these Republican reckless tax policies that have sharply reduced state revenue collection Missouri will once again be faced with difficult financial choices. Democrats will insure that the state’s most important investments – in our people – are not on the chopping block.

[….]

Representative Steven Roberts (D).

Representative Deb Lavender (D).

Previously:

The opening of the legislative session – in the House – January 9, 2019 (January 9, 2019)

The opening of the legislative session – in the House – photos – January 9, 2019 (January 10, 2019)

CLEAN Missouri bar fight!

12 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by in campaign finance, Claire McCaskill, Missouri General Assembly, social media

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Someone doesn’t like CLEAN Missouri restrictions on lobbying expenditures:

Robert Cornejo @CornejoForMO
This great idea is banned here in Missouri #moleg thanks to the unconstitutional sham of Clean Missouri! People of all political stripes should get together over a drink and work towards common ground. Prost!

Harpoon Brewery @harpoonbrewery
Govt shutdowns impact all of us. As a brewery, we can’t get approvals needed to keep new beers headed your way. We’re asking our reps to share a beer (on us) with a colleague and help America’s brewers get back to doing what we do. So all of you…

12:36 PM – 12 Jan 2019

You want a brewer to buy you a beer?

Uh, at least use the correct spin. The beer purveyor’s post was about the #TrumpShutdown. You know, a federal issue. Own it, dude.

And, Claire McCaskill (D) lands a punch:

Claire McCaskill @clairecmc
Whooaaaa. There is nothing in CLEAN Missouri that stops YOU or any other legislator from buying a beer for your colleagues, no matter what their party. Says a lot that you think LOBBYISTS buying you booze is necessary for the work towards common ground.
[….]
12:55 PM – 12 Jan 2019

Bam!

Heh. That’s our Claire. This beer’s for you…

The opening of the legislative session – in the House – January 9, 2019

09 Wednesday Jan 2019

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Today at noon at the capitol in Jefferson City the Missouri General Assembly started the 2019 legislative session – the 100th in the history of the state.

Before the House was gaveled into session boutonnieres were placed on members’ desks on the House floor.

New members on the House floor greeted friends and family in the side and public galleries:

Representative Keri Ingle (D).

And greeted their colleagues on the House floor:

Representative Kip Kendrick (D).

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (r) brought the House to order and led the chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance:

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (r).

319 U.S. 624 West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (No. 591) [1943]

….Symbols of State often convey political ideas, just as religious symbols come to convey theological ones. Associated with many of these symbols are appropriate gestures of acceptance or respect: a salute, a bowed or bared head, a bended knee. A person gets from a symbol the meaning he puts into it, and what is one man’s comfort and inspiration is another’s jest and scorn….

A bowed head:

Representative Bruce Franks, Jr. (D).

Listening to Secretary of State Ashcroft’s (r) remarks – the republican side of the House chamber:

Members were then sworn into the House:

Representative Brandon Ellington (D) – House Minority Whip.

The Democratic minority in both chambers of the General Assembly are “super minorities” – that is, they have little ability to stop or even slow down actions of the majority.

The House Democratic Minority Leader spoke after nominations for Speaker of the House were closed:

Representative Crystal Quade (D) – House Minority Leader.

Representative Elijah Haahr (r) was elected as Speaker of the House:

The newly elected Speaker, escorted to the dais.

After speeches by the Speaker and the Speaker Pro Tem and a series of formalities and resolutions the House adjourned.

Previously:

Rep. Bruce Franks, Jr. (D): comforting the afflicted, afflicting the comfortable (January 4, 2018)

Final Report of the Special Investigative Committee on Oversight in the matter of Governor Eric R. Greitens

02 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in campaign finance, Missouri Governor

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Former Governor Eric Greitens (r) [2016 file photo].

On December 31st the Special Investigative Committee on Oversight in the matter of Governor Eric R. Greitens issued its final report [pdf] under the signature of its chair, Representative Jay Barnes:

….The committee continued working through May 23, 2018. On that date, Greitens announced his intent to reign from office. He then submitted a resignation letter to the Secretary of Stte, effective at 5 p.m., June 1, 2018. Upon Greitens’ resignation, the committee no longer had jurisdiction to continue the investigation….

….The overwhelming majority of documents received by the committee were, upon review, deemed not relevant to the committee’s investigation, or were not ued in any findings reached by the committee. Pursuant to the authority granted the committee and chairman….and after notifying counsel for certain parties, all documents received by the committee that were not used with a witness or as an exhibit are closed records….

Appendix A (6) includes an interesting letter, dated December 17, 2018, from Catherine Hanaway, on behalf of her “clients”, responding to a notification by the chairman that there were Sunshine [Law] Requests for records of the committee:

….In sum, please do not release the confidential documents that we made available to the Committee but that continue to belong to our clients….

And, apparently, the committee didn’t release those documents.

Still, we’d sure like to know where that $1,975,000.00 campaign contribution came from.

Previously:

Oh, my. (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 2 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 3 (January 11, 2018)

אַ שאַנדע פֿאַר די גוים and *IOKIYAR (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 4 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 5 (January 11, 2018)

Oh, my – part 6 (January 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r): not exactly a ringing endorsement (January 12, 2018)

Gov. Eric Greitens (r): piping (January 16, 2018)

Oh, my – part 7 (January 16, 2018)

Waiting… (January 19, 2018)

Oh, my – part 8 (January 29, 2018)

The unanswered question (February 8, 2018)

RSMo § 565.252 (February 22, 2018)

Well, you were the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 22, 2018)

Well, he was the one who used a blindfold and tape. (February 23, 2018)

A few words of advice (February 26, 2018)

Eric Greitens (r) and the House – pass the popcorn (March 6, 2018)

Oh, my – part 9 (March 6, 2018)

“That’s not how you spell bare.” (March 7, 2018)

It’s their world, the rest of us only get to live in it (April 8, 2018)

The popcorn is ready (April 10, 2018)

The Report (April 11, 2018)

Call it what it is (April 11, 2018)

Go away, asshole. (April 12, 2018)

Sen. Denny Hoskins (r-21): impeach Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Getting ironical about Greitens (April 13, 2018)

Standing ovation (April 14, 2018)

Quid pro quo (April 16, 2018)

It’s a fine mess he’s gotten himself into… (April 17, 2018)

Really, just go away… (April 17, 2018)

HR 6783: Impeachment (April 18, 2018)

Unhinged (April 19, 2018)

Really unhinged (April 19, 2019)

Seriously, just go away already… (April 20, 2018)

He doth protest too much, methinks… (April 20, 2018)

No, Chuck Raasch, nobody’s giving Eric Greitens’ scandals short shrift (April 22, 2018)

Does somebody want to tell them? (April 25, 2018)

Our life on the “D List” (April 30, 2018)

The Report – supplement (May 1, 2018)

HR 7432: Impeachment (May 1, 2018)

The second report (May 2, 2018)

Rep. Gina Mitten (D): shining a light in the dark money campaign finance neighborhood (May 2, 2018)

The process begins (May 4, 2018)

The Petition for a Special Session of the General Assembly to consider “disciplinary actions against Governor Eric R. Greitens” (May 4, 2018)

Campaign Finance: in the news (May 6, 2018)

Oxford coma (May 7, 2018)

A definition (May 13, 2018)

Felony invasion of privacy case against Eric Greitens (r) dropped (May 14, 2018)

“So far, so good…” (May 14, 2018)

Jean Peters Baker appointed as special prosecutor in Greitens (r) case (May 21, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – transcript of witness deposition – cross examination (May 23, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – transcript of witness deposition – on Koster and Greitens (May 22, 2018)

HR 2: Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – the process for impeachment (May 22, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – Scott Faughn (May 23, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – not going to allow “cherry picking” (May 25, 2018)

Missouri House Special Investigative Committee on Oversight – Michael Hafner (May 29, 2018)

Eric Greitens (r) resigns as Governor of Missouri (May 29, 2018)

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D) on the resignation of Eric Greitens (r) as Governor of Missouri (May 29, 2018)

Senator Jill Schupp (D) on the resignation of Eric Greitens (r) as Governor of Missouri (May 29, 2018)

Statement by Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker on the resignation of Eric Greitens (r) as Governor of Missouri (May 29, 2018)

Representative Stacey Newman (D) on the resignation of Eric Greitens (r) as Governor of Missouri (May 29, 2018)

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D): about those legal bills for Eric Greitens (r) submitted to the state… (June 9, 2018)

Eric Greitens (r) – quarterly campaign finance report – July 2018 (July 16, 2018)

About that state budget – very bad tidings

28 Friday Dec 2018

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Representative Crystal Quade (D) [2018 file photo].

This evening:

Crystal Quade @crystal_quade
Democrat Budget Ranking member @Kip_Kendrick on the revenue estimate #moleg
[….]
5:06 PM – 28 Dec 2018

Representative Kip Kendrick (D) [2018 file photo].

Revenue estimate shows Missouri in for yet another rough budget

The official revenue estimate released today for FY 020 shows Missouri has yet another rough budget year ahead and again proves [the] folly of attempting to tax-cut your way to prosperity. While the estimate reflects an expected $193 million in revenue growth, it is silent on the $320 million in revenue Missouri won’t collect next year due to the next phase of implementing an ill-advised 2014 tax cut [SB 509] As House Democrats warned then, this tax giveaway for [the] rich is resulting in serious consequences for everyone else.

State Rep. Kip Kendrick
House Budget Committee, Ranking Democratic Member
D-Columbia

Everyone knew this over four years ago.

SB 509: the moment when all hope for the future of Missouri died (May 6, 2014)

The final vote to override Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of SB 509. Representative Jeremy LaFaver (D) (left) – bearing witness, Representative Keith English (center) – casting the 109th vote necessary for the override, and Representative Ron Hicks (r) (right) – his escort on and off the House floor. May 6, 2014.

Representative Martha Stevens (D) [2018 file photo].

Kip Kendrick @Kip_Kendrick
Replying to @MBersin @Martha4MO
3 years into 5 year phase in and conservative estimate is $320 million this year. Year 4 and 5 will basically double this year’s cost.
6:13 PM – 28 Dec 2018

What, a $640 million shortfall the year after that?

No hope. It died on May 6, 2014.

HB 234: speak

21 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri House, Resist

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“…announcing and ensuring a means of safe egress from the area that is actually available to all persons…”

Kettling.

Representative Bruce Franks, Jr. (D) [2018 file photo]

A bill, prefiled by Representative Bruce Franks, Jr. (D), on protecting the rights of peaceful protesters:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 234 [pdf]
100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE FRANKS JR.
0833H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 590, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to protesters’ rights.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 590, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 590.825, to read as follows:

590.825. 1. The provisions of this section shall be known and may be cited as the “First Amendment Protection Act”.
2. Except as provided under subsection of this section, no law enforcement officer or agency shall declare an unlawful assembly under the provisions of section 574.040 for the sole purpose of punishing persons for exercising their constitutional rights to engage in expressive activity nor shall any law enforcement officer or agency:
(1) Use chemical agents, whatever the method of deployment, against any person engaged in expressive, nonviolent activity in the absence of probable cause to arrest the person and without first issuing clear and unambiguous warnings that the person is subject to arrest and that such chemical agents will be used and providing the person sufficient opportunity to heed the warnings and comply with lawful law enforcement commands;
(2) Use or threaten to use chemical agents, whatever the method of deployment, against any person engaged in expressive, nonviolent activity for the purpose of punishing the person for exercising his or her constitutional rights; or
(3) Issue orders or use chemical agents, whatever the method of deployment, for the purpose of dispersing persons engaged in expressive, nonviolent activity without first specifying, with reasonable particularity, the area from which dispersal is ordered; issuing audible and unambiguous orders in a manner designed to notify all persons within the area that dispersal is required and providing sufficient warnings of the consequences of failing to disperse including, where applicable, that chemical agents will be used; providing a sufficient and announced amount of time that is proximately related to the issuance of the dispersal order in which to heed the warnings and exit the area; and announcing and ensuring a means of safe egress from the area that is actually available to all persons.
3. The provisions of subsection 2 shall not apply when persons at the scene present an imminent threat of violence or bodily harm to persons or damage to property or where law enforcement officers or agencies are required to defend themselves or other persons or property against imminent threat of violence.
4. For purposes of this section, “chemical agents” includes, but is not limited to, mace or oleoresin capsicum spray; mist, pepper spray, or pepper gas; tear gas; skunk; inert smoke; pepper pellets; and xylyl bromide.

Preach.

SB 59: Let there be voting

11 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Senate

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No excuse absentee voting. Such a novel idea.

Lauren Arthur (D) [2018 file photo].

A bill, prefiled by Senator Lauren Arthur (D):

SB 59 Establishes no-excuse absentee voting
Sponsor: Arthur
LR Number: 0290S.01I Fiscal Notes
Committee:
Last Action: 12/1/2018 – Prefiled
[….]
Effective Date: August 28, 2019

Current Bill Summary

SB 59 – Under current law, a person may vote absentee for candidates and ballot issues in any election in which he or she is eligible to vote if such voter expects to be prevented from going to the polls for specified reasons. This act permits a person to vote absentee for any reason or no reason at all.

This act is substantially similar to HB 1283 (2018), a provision in HB 1550 (2018), HB 1814 (2018), HB 173 (2017), a provision in HB 501 (2017), HB 644 (2017), HB 1764 (2016), HB 1767 (2016), HB 2451 (2016), HB 287 (2015), a provision in HB 1449 (2014), HB 1604 (2014), HB 188 (2013), a provision in HB 848 (2013), HB 375 (2011), HB 382 (2011), HB 1836 (2010), HB 1839 (2010), and HB 2195 (2010).

What are the odds that this will get through the right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly and get the Governor’s signature? You know, making it easier for people to actually vote.

SB 132: I’ve got secrets I want to keep

10 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Senate

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Because lobbyists shrivel up when exposed to sunlight?

A bill, prefiled in the Missouri Senate by Ed Emery (r), which would broaden disclosure exemptions in the Missouri Sunshine Law for members of the General Assembly:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 132 [pdf]
100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR EMERY. Pre-filed December 1, 2018, and ordered printed.
ADRIANE D. CROUSE, Secretary.
0625S.02I

AN ACT

To repeal section 610.021, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to the closure of certain records.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Section 610.021, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 610.021, to read as follows:

610.021. Except to the extent disclosure is otherwise required by law, a public governmental body is authorized to close meetings, records and votes, to the extent they relate to the following:

[….]

(25) Any record maintained in the office of a member of the general assembly that is related to a constituent of the member; and
(26) Any record maintained in the office of a member of the general assembly, an employee of either house of the general assembly, or an employee of a caucus of either the majority or minority party of either house that contains information regarding proposed legislation or the legislative process, however, nothing in this subdivision shall allow the closure of a record that has been offered in a public meeting of a house of the general assembly, or any committee thereof.

[emphasis in original]

We wouldn’t want anyone to figure out who’s been pushing those ALEC cut and paste bills on the Missouri General Assembly now, would we?