Schaefer: Courtesy Resolutions, Appointments, New Legislation Delayed By Blizzard

Due to the monumental snowstorm that hit the state last Tuesday (2/1), session was adjourned from that evening until this Monday (2/7). Multiple committee hearings, gubernatorial appointments and bill introductions were cancelled. As a result, the Appropriations Committee hearing on Higher Education involving university administrators from around the state has been rescheduled for later this month. Prior to the snowstorm, I had the privilege of honoring Energy Americas, Comparative Clinical Pathology Services and Galactic Fun Zone with courtesy resolutions for their status as exemplary local businesses. These Columbia businesses have created jobs, helped the economy, and thrived despite our state’s tough economic times. I met with Dr. Yunshen Xu, owner of Energy Americas; Dr. Charles Wiedmyer, founder of Comparative Clinical Pathology Services; and Lorenzo Williams and Monte Wyrick, owners of Galactic Fun Zone, and presented them with courtesy resolutions. The following day, I introduced them on the Senate floor. On Wednesday (2/9), I sponsored the gubernatorial appointments of Sarah Parker Pauley and Marvin Wright. Sarah Parker Pauley will serve as Director of the Department of Natural Resources, and Marvin Wright will serve as a member of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority. Sarah Maguffee, another gubernatorial appointment I sponsored earlier in the session, was approved by the Gubernatorial Committee to join the Health and Educational Facility Authority this week as well. These three appointees are highly qualified for their positions, and I am confident they will do an outstanding job. I also filed four bills this week: Senate Bill 213, filed Tuesday (2/8), would modify the information required in applying for a petition for guardianship for a minor or an incapacitated person. Senate Bill 235, filed Wednesday, (2/9), would extend the sunsets from Sept. 30, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2016 for the Ground Ambulance, Nursing Facility, Medicaid Managed Care Organization, Hospital, Pharmacy, and Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded Reimbursement Allowance Taxes. Senate Bill 237, filed Wednesday, would require the September 1996 Missouri Supreme Court standards for representation by court-appointed child advocates be updated. This would ensure Missouri children adequate representation in child welfare cases. Senate Bill 236, also filed Wednesday, would help physicians give the best care possible to patients without interference from prior authorization and step-therapy protocols of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Currently, PBMs can replace a patient’s prescription with a substitute that may not yield the same quality of results the physician’s recommendation would have simply in order to increase profits. Senate Bill 236 would prevent this by limiting the interference of non-physicians in patient care. This week in the Appropriations Committee, we met with members from the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Labor to discuss their prospective budgets. We also took time to discuss Missouri tax credits. Many of these issues will be discussed at length during debate as the session continues. As always, I am happy to discuss your questions and concerns about all facets of the Missouri Legislature. Please feel free to contact my office if I may be of help.

Lorenzo Williams, Monte Wyrick and Sen. Schaefer pose with their Courtesy Resolution. Senator Schaefer presents Dr. Yunshen Xu with his Courtesy Resolution. Senator Schaefer shakes hands with Dr. Charles Wiedmyer while he presents him with his courtesy resolution. Sarah Parker Pauley and Sen. Schaefer pose before Pauley’s review. Marvin Wright and Sen. Schaefer pose at the beginning of the hearing. Sarah Maguffee and Sen. Schaefer sitting together before Maguffee’s review.