Engler: Work Begins at the State Capitol

This was the first full week of session, and with the ceremony of opening day complete, we got to work on several issues. Much of the early work of the session will be completed in committees as bills are introduced on the floor and then sent to committee. This week I introduced legislation to protect the dignity of our fallen heroes, received committee assignments, and continued work to right-size state government.

I introduced a bill on the floor this week to address a group that protests at funerals of fallen service men and women in our state. In 2006, we passed legislation banning anyone from protesting or picketing at a funeral, but this summer a federal judge threw out the law. I filed Senate Bill 91 to specifically address the issues the judge brought up in the case and create laws in Missouri that will stand up in court.

Specifically, the judge had two main issues with Missouri’s law banning funeral protests. First, he felt that the way the current law was written did not show “significant government interest.” Senate Bill 91 has language that specifies the purpose of the law as protecting the privacy of grieving families, addressing the judge’s concern. The second issue the judge brought up was that current law was “not narrowly tailored.” To address this part of the ruling, SB 91 specifies that protest activities are those that disrupt or disturb a funeral. It is our goal to create a law in Missouri that will stand up to a court challenge and keep these protesters from disturbing the families grieving our fallen heroes.

Committee assignments were also announced this week, and I was named chair of the Committee on Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections. The committee hears legislation relating to banks and banking, savings and loan associations and other financial institutions. The committee also works on legislation relating to departments, boards, bureaus and commissions of state government, the internal operation of any state agency, and the effect of federal legislation upon any state agency. Legislation affecting elections in the state is also commonly referred to the committee, and one bill that has already been assigned would require photo identification at the polls (Voter I.D.). It is sure to be a high profile measure, and I am eager to get to work on this and the other legislation that will be assigned.

We also started work on the Senate’s “Rebooting Government” initiative this week. The program, which began in 2010, takes suggestions from the public on ways to right-size state government. Several of the ideas suggested in 2010 were formed into policy and ultimately passed into law. Work began this week by splitting into seven work groups to discuss suggestions. I worked with several of my Senate colleagues on ways to reboot our Retirement and Employee Structure. My main concern is to make sure we review and see how our investments for state employee retirement are doing. Just as we would in the private sector, we must make sure we are getting the best return on investment available. If not, it is time for reform so that we are being as efficient with every dollar as possible.

Next week, we will begin meeting in committees and legislation will continue to be introduced on the floor. I will keep you posted on everything going on here in Jefferson City.