Schaefer: One-Time Audits of Entire State Government, Undergraduate Research Day

Senator Schaefer and Amanda Sudduth pose in front of Amanda’s presentation poster. Senator Schaefer and Curtis Atkisson stand in front of Curtis’ poster. Senator Schaefer and Mackenzie Riggs pose in the rotunda in front of Mackenzie’s poster. Senator Schaefer and Shafi Lodhi stand in front of Shafi’s poster among several other posters in the rotunda. Senator Schaefer poses with the Senate “Doctor of the Day” Dr. Frank Rieger and his wife last Thursday.

This week, Senate Bill 323, Senate Bill 147 and Senate Bill 236 were all discussed in their prospective committees. Senate Bill 323 was heard on Monday (3/7) in the Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee. This bill would mandate that the state Auditor conduct a one-time comparative audit of several of the largest state agencies in Missouri. I believe this bill is very important, especially in our current budget situation, because it will ensure that state agencies are spending the state’s tax dollars as wisely and efficiently as possible. Senate Bill 147 was heard in the Education Committee on Wednesday (3/9). This bill would require school districts to indicate if they have a gifted education program in their school accountability report cards, as well as the percentage and number of students enrolled in the program. The hearing on SB 236 on Tuesday (3/8) was a continuation of the hearing from last week in the Health, Mental Health, Seniors and Families Committee. This bill would limit the interference of non-physicians, particularly pharmacy benefit managers, in patient care. This would help you receive the actual prescription the doctor writes for you, and not a substitute recommended by your insurance provider. Senate Bill 322 was discussed on Thursday (3/10) in the Appropriations Committee. This bill would extend the sunsets from September 30, 2011 to September 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. The bill was approved by the committee and is awaiting placement on the Senate calendar. Tuesday, I introduced the 4th grade class of Grant Elementary on the floor. The students were visiting the Capitol to learn about state government. As a follow up from last week, I wanted to say a few more words about the students from Columbia who came to visit for the Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol. Shafi Lodhi’s project found evidence that supports the claim that alcoholism causes insomnia by changing DNA in the brain. Amanda Sudduth’s project dealt with the detection of Malaria in the blood stream by combining light and sound. Curtis Atkisson’s research attempted to predict population density in pre-European Brazil using cultural characteristics. Mackenzie Riggs’ project discussed maternal stress and pregnancy, particularly for low-income rural women. Each of these students did very impressive work, and I look forward to seeing them do great things in the future. If you enjoy following the legislative highlights each week, you may also be interested in taking a look at the multimedia page on my website www.senate.mo.gov/schaefer. I recently added new audio and video links to the site, as well as new photos to the photo gallery. Remember the Central Missouri Food Bank is always in need of donations. You can visit their website at sharefoodbringhope.org for more information, or stop by their facility at 2101 Vandiver Drive in Columbia. As always, I welcome comments and questions on legislative matters. Please fell free to call my office if you need assistance or information from any facet of Missouri Legislature, or if your school or group would like to schedule a visit or tour of the Capitol.