Schupp: Session Recap, Happy Memorial Day, Visitors To The Capitol

The second session of the 95th General Assembly ended Friday, May 14, at 6:00 PM. I have read accounts of the session on blogs and in print and listened via radio and television. It is fascinating to hear the perceptions about the session.
We all seem to walk away with varying impressions.

That stated, you can each draw your conclusions by looking at the bills that were and those that were not passed. The Governor will have to work to balance the budget, the one area most agree still requires significant overhaul.

Thank you for keeping in touch with me as I work to serve our district and state. I so appreciate the opportunity.

Truly,

Jill

Session Recap

AUTISM INSURANCE BILL SENT TO GOVERNOR

If you read my bulletin, you are aware that the General Assembly passed legislation [HB1311] that will require state-regulated insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. The legislation passed with overwhelming support in both chambers.

Key provisions of the bill would require insurers to provide up to $40,000 a year in coverage for behavioral therapy for children with autism through age 18.

STATE DWI LEGISLATION PASSES

Unanimous approval was given to a top legislative priority that was brought front and center through a St. Louis Post Dispatch series on persistent drunken driving offenders. The legislation [HB1695] is a good start. It helps move offenders to the state court system in an attempt to identify repeat offenders and keep them from plea bargaining their way back behind the wheel.

It prohibits offenders caught driving with a blood alcohol content of .15 or higher from receiving a suspended imposition of sentence. The bill would allow some offenders to have their driving privileges partially reinstated earlier if they successfully complete a treatment program.

The final version of the bill removed a section characterized as the "vampire provision" that would allow police to forcibly extract a blood sample from DWI suspects without a warrant. It was argued successfully that this provision would violate constitutional protections against warrantless searches.

ETHICS REFORM

Conspicuously absent from a final passed version of the Ethics Reform legislation [SB844] are provisions that would cap campaign contributions, prevent the revolving door concept of legislators moving right into the role of lobbyist, and keep legislators from serving as paid campaign consultants during their legislative term.

Included in the final legislation was passage of a provision that will make it harder to obscure the sources of campaign contributions.

OMNIBUS EDUCATION BILL

Noteworthy for what it did not do as well as what it did, the Education bill did not expand the amount of time for implementation of the school funding formula, which was of great concern to many districts throughout the state. It does not allow school construction to be exempt from prevailing wage law.

It revises the Parents as Teachers program to focus on high-needs families. It also allows districts to charge for Parents as Teachers services on a sliding scale based on income. With the significant budget cut for Parents as Teachers, this is likely one of the few ways we can continue to provide the program.

The bill exempts school districts from MSIP (Missouri School Improvement Plan) resource standards, professional development spending requirements and teacher fund placement requirements for the next three years. These cost cutting measures can have the effect of undermining ongoing improvement at our schools around the state.

That stated, I believe that the school districts within the 82nd state house district: Ladue, Parkway and Pattonville, will use their resources to continue to make the best decisions in support of providing quality education to students.

SCHOLARSHIP EQUALIZATION FOR 4-YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Students who receive need-based scholarships from our State to attend either Missouri's public or private colleges and universities will begin receiving equal amounts starting in the 2014-2015 school year.

Currently, private school participants in the Access Missouri Scholarship program receive up to $4,600 annually while students attending public colleges and universities get less than half that amount -- $2,150 a year. The amount will equalize at a maximum of $2,850 per year regardless of the four year institution, subject to appropriations. [SB733]

GENERAL ASSEMBLY IMPOSES BAN ON K2 (SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA)

A synthetic substance that is supposed to mimic the effects of marijuana will be banned if the Governor signs the bill [HB1472] into law. The substance is applied to a mixture of dried herbs and sold under several brand names, one of the most common being K2.

Punishment for possession would be similar to that for marijuana, with possession of 35 grams or less a misdemeanor and possession of larger amounts elevated to a felony.

LESS CAN BE MORE

At a college graduation event, friends and I discussed the idea that the press was characterizing this as an unproductive session because of the relatively lower number of bills passed. I do not subscribe to the idea that more is better, but I do believe that fact that we did not pass an economic development bill...a "jobs" bill leaves us wanting this session. I look forward to reviewing our cuts versus revenue opportunities, and reinvigorating our economy.

Happy Memorial Day

This Memorial Day, I encourage all of you to thank the veterans in your lives. Members of the Armed Services, both past and present, are a wonderful asset to our country. May this weekend be one of relaxation and remembrance for everyone.

I'd like to personally thank my favorite Marine, Harry Seltzer, and wish him and my mother, Joan, a wonderful 60th anniversary.

Green Tip of the Week

Fresh tips for the Farmer's Market

Chances are, you're not far from fresh, farm-grown food. Here's how to make the most of your local Farmer's Market:

Know your seasons. The best deals on the best produce rotate through the year.
Go early or go late. The best food is found early, the best deals are made later.
Bring big bags and small change.
Sketch meal ideas ahead of time.
Plan for spontaneity. You never know when beautiful strawberries will come up a week earlier than expected.
Work in volume. Rather than leftovers, plan to use an ingredient in many meals. Asparagus soup and grilled asparagus are great summer dishes.
Get advice from the farmers. How do they like to use the produce?
Keep the recipes simple. With fresh produce, the simple flavors are the best. Keeping foods as raw as possible highlights their natural taste.

To find a Farmer's Market near you, check out the MU Extension Farmer's Market Directory.

Visitors to the Capitol

Florence Pullen and her granddaughter Camille visited the Capitol during the Legislature's last day in session.


Fourth Graders from Conway Elementary toured the Capitol for an in-person lesson on Missouri history and government.

Free Radon test kits

Radon test kits are available to Missouri residents at no cost. To register online and receive your short-term Radon test, visit www.dhss.mo.gov/Radon.

DNR Issues Public Beaches Alert

Swimming beaches at three state parks will be closed this weekend due to high E. coli levels. The Public Beach at Mark Twain State Park, Day Use Beach at Truman State Park and Public Beach 1 at Lake of the Ozarks State Park are closed after water samples drawn May 24 showed E. coli levels in excess of department standards.

Even low levels of E. coli may cause illness in children, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems. For the latest information, visit http://mostateparks.com/closings.htm.