“You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.” –Dr. Seuss
After a wonderful spring break, it was great to get back to the capitol. Spending time with my family was precious and I had an awesome time. It is amazing how fast our children grow up. My daughter Jennifer leaves for college in only a couple of months, where has the time gone? My son, Timothy, participated in his first track meet this week and did very well. Robert, my 5 year old, and I just finished putting together a Lego helicopter. We need to enjoy our children, they will all be gone too soon.
The Budget for the next fiscal year has been passed! With carefulness and haste the Missouri House of Representatives has 3rd read and passed all 13 of this year’s budget appropriation bills. I am pleased to announce that the Missouri House exceeded Governor Nixon’s recommendation on Elementary and Secondary Education by more than 16 million dollars. The total budget for Elementary and Secondary Education for this year’s budget is almost 23 million dollars more than it was last year! I would like to commend Representative Silvey and all the members of the budget committees for the hard work and dedication they showed during the budget process. We live in hard economic times and many cuts had to be made, but I want to tell you that the future is bright for our great state. The budget now goes to the senate for them to debate. Hopefully it remains a good budget.
Other floor actions this week
The house perfected and printed HB434 which protects employees.
HB434-CO-EMPLOYEE LIABILITY FOR NEGLIGENCE
Requires co-employees to be released from liability for negligence in performing the non delegable duty of an employer to provide a safe workplace when the negligence contributes to injury or death.Healthcare was also a hot topic of debate on the floor of the house this week. We passed 2 bills on the subject, HB475 and HB423.
HB475-DISCLOSURE OF HEALTH CARE DATA
Changes the laws regarding health care quality data standardization and transparency and establishes criteria for programs of insurers to compare the quality and cost efficiency of health care providers.HB423-HEALTH CARE COMPACT
Authorizes Missouri to adopt the provisions of the Health Care Compact to improve health care policy by returning the authority to regulate health care to the state legislatures.This week, I started the first Missouri General Assembly Military Caucus. The caucus is open to any member of the general assembly that served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces. Members that did not serve were welcomed to join as associate members. The goal of this caucus is to show our support to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces both on Active duty and those who have served. We will be going to different military bases around our state as well as visiting some of our veteran’s homes. I am looking forward to leading this caucus and I feel honored to be able to help out my fellow veterans in any way I can.
A thank you to Howard House who came to the capitol for a visit as he represented the Federal Postal Credit Union during Credit Union Day at the capitol. Also to Sheriff Archie Dunn for his visit for Sheriff’s Day.
As the weeks progress, the days at the capitol will become LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG! But it is my pleasure and honor to serve you as well as all the fine folks in the 128th District. I pray God’s blessings on you and your family. Until next week…
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