Rupp: Prefiled Legislation to Benefit Missourians with Special Needs

The First Regular Session of the 96^th General Assembly began this week, and I am looking forward to proposing legislation that will better the state of Missouri and make our state a great place to live and raise a family. One measure I have already prefiled is Senate Bill 56, which would require the Department of Mental Health to hire an expert to submit a plan for transitioning individuals with mental disabilities from state facilities to appropriate, residential facilities. Ideally, I would like to see this study completed within a year, and I would like to see the transition completed in the next five years.

As a member of the Missouri Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders, I care deeply about the well-being of special needs children and adults, and it is my goal to make sure all people with needs are cared for in proper establishments. Although Missouri’s current facilities are in fine shape, they cost our state millions more than necessary. To house a person in a state institution costs Missouri $350-$600 each day. However, housing a person in a community facility would cost roughly $200 a day. This would help relieve Missouri’s budget constraints drastically, and residents would still receive the exceptional, constant care they deserve. We have already seen 12 states dissolve their state institutions and begin serving citizens in community facilities, and it would be beneficial for Missouri to do the same.

This measure was partially inspired by the “Rebooting Government” workgroups that met last March, when the Legislature requested the opinions of Missourians regarding how we can best streamline state government. I was happy to be appointed to the social services workgroup, a department which uses much of Missouri’s tax dollars. During our “Rebooting Government” event, more than 3,000 Missourians participated and vocalized their suggestions. Though many of these ideas, we concluded that from social services, $79-$117 million could be saved from Missouri’s budget; $9-$20 million of this amount can be saved from gradually moving citizens with disabilities from state centers to community-based care.

Many families who have had family members transition out of institutional settings and move into communities have reported that their loved ones’ quality of life and happiness dramatically improved. When given the choice, most people prefer to live in a community rather than in an institution.

Keeping the good of Missourians in mind, I will continue to be an advocate for citizens with disabilities, and I will also strive to protect taxpayer dollars and reduce government spending. As the 2011 legislative session gets underway, we will continue to welcome ideas and suggestions from Missourians on how we can make our state a better place to call home. Please visit the Missouri Senate website (www.senate.mo.gov) and click on the “Rebooting Government” logo to submit your suggestions for improving your government.

If you have any questions regarding this matter or any other issues within state government, please visit my website at www.senate.mo.gov/rupp. You can also e-mail me or call my office toll-free at (866) 271-2844.

Missouri Senate Convenes for 2011 Legislative Session

Senate Elects New Leader and Leaders List Legislative Priorities

The first day of the 96th General Assembly, First Regular Session began with 17 newly elected and re-elected members taking their oath of office in the Missouri Senate.

Twelve new members, who each won their respective November 2010 general elections, took their place in the upper chamber:

• Senator Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City (District 6)
• Senator Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit (District 8)
• Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-St. Louis (District 14)
• Senator Dan Brown, R-Rolla (District 16)
• Senator Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown (District 18)
• Senator Jay Wasson, R-Nixa (District 20)
• Senator John Lamping, R-St. Louis (District 24)
• Senator Brian Nieves, R-Washington (District 26)
• Senator Mike Parson, R-Bolivar (District 28)
• Senator Bob Dixon, R-Springfield (District 30)
• Senator Ron Richard, R-Joplin (District 32)
• Senator Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph (District 34)

In addition, five members were re-elected to the Missouri Senate, including Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville (2nd District); Sen. Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis (4th District); Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City (10th District); Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah (12th District); and Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City (22nd District).

In early November, the Senate Majority Caucus endorsed Sen. Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, to serve as Senate President Pro Tem. The Missouri Senate unanimously approved Sen. Mayer’s nomination to serve in this capacity. The pro tem is in charge of appointing committee members, assigning legislation to committees, and ruling on points of order raised during debate, among other responsibilities.

During Sen. Mayer’s opening day address to the Senate, he lists the chamber’s legislative priorities for the 2011 legislative session, including improving Missouri’s economic climate by focusing on job growth and retention; creating a balanced and fiscally responsible budget while protecting Missouri taxpayers; continuing the Senate’s commitment to education by providing every Missouri student with a world-class education; making health care more available, affordable and portable for all citizens, and also focusing on other issues such as agriculture and election reform.

Lawmakers also adopted a rule change regarding several Senate committees. The Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee is now the Committee on Governmental Accountability, which is responsible for reviewing, studying, and investigating all matters to the application, administration, execution, and effectiveness of all state laws and programs, among other charges. The committee also considers legislation relating to improving governmental efficiency and management.

“Emerging Issues” was added to the Senate Veterans’ Affairs, Pensions and Urban Affairs Committee. Now known as the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Emerging Issues, Pensions and Urban Affairs, members of this panel are charged with considering and reporting on bills concerning veterans’ affairs; issues of statewide or immediate concern; retirement; pensions and pension plans; and urban renewal, housing and other matters relating to urban areas.

Finally, the Senate Ways and Means Committee is now known as the Committee on Ways and Means and Fiscal Oversight. Among other charges, the committee is responsible for considering and reporting on all bills, except regular appropriation measures, that require new funding or expenditures in excess of $100,000.