Lampe: Rabbi David Memorial Highway, Charter Schools Bill Fails To Advance

This week marks the end of the session for 2011. The General Assembly will adjourn today at 6 p.m., and will not convene until January 2012. I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve you, and I look forward to returning to Springfield after session adjourns. During the interim, I will host a town hall meeting, and I hope to see all of you there. I will be sending more information about this event later.

For information regarding any legislation passed this session, please click here. Due to the number of bills passed in the last week of session, I did not include an article detailing the bills passed in this newsletter.

Memorial Highway Press Release

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The General Assembly today granted final approval to legislation containing a provision sponsored by state Rep. Sara Lampe, D-Springfield, that would rename a portion of Highway 160 in Greene County as the Rabbi Ernest I. Jacob Memorial Highway.

"It's been a long road, but hate will not have the last word in Southwest Missouri," Lampe said.

Rabbi Ernest I. Jacob was born in 1889 in Breslau, Germany. He later served congregations in Saarbuchen and Ausburg, Germany. In 1938 he was arrested and imprisoned in Dachau concentration camp. Upon release, he and his family fled to England and eventually settled in Springfield in late 1939.

In Springfield, he served as a rabbi for both the traditional and liberal congregations in the area. Jacob also taught European history at Drury University. He has served as a contributor to the Encyclopaedia Judaica and as editor of the Universal Jewish Encyclopedia. Jacob died in 1974.

Lampe added the memorial highway provision as an amendment to larger bill on transportation, and was passed on Senate Bill 77 and Senate Bill 173.

End of Session Press Release: Job creation gives way to anti-worker agenda in 2011 session

Majority Republicans fail to deliver on year's No. 1 issue

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The 2011 legislative session ended today with majority Republicans in the House of Representatives failing to create jobs while instead pursing an anti-worker agenda designed to take money and power away from middle class Missouri families.

When the session began in January, lawmakers from both political parties pledged to make job creation the year's top priority. However, House Republicans neglected the issue until the session's final weeks and last-minute efforts to spur economic growth in Missouri failed.

"For House Republicans, job creation means reducing unemployment benefits, making it easier for bad employers to illegally discriminate and cutting taxes for large corporations to reduce state funding for public schools and other vital needs," said House Minority Leader Mike Talboy, D-Kansas City. "To House Democrats, job creation means providing opportunities for Missourians to support their families at a fair wage. Attacking Missouri workers will not bring economic prosperity."

Other Republican-backed legislation of note that will prove detrimental to Missourians include enactment of a partisan congressional redistricting plan [HB193] that fails to protect the interests of all Missourians and passage of legislation [SJR2] to require voters to show government-issued photo identification as a condition of exercising their right to vote, which could disenfranchise an estimated 230,000 Missouri voters.

"Democracy is threatened when the party in power works to restrict voting rights," said Assistant Minority Leader Tishaura Jones, D-St. Louis. "With disenfranchising huge numbers of voters more important to House Republicans than creating jobs, Missourians should be extremely concerned."

Senate Fails to Pass Charter Legislation

The Senate failed to pass legislation that would expand the presence of Charter schools in Missouri. HB 473 passed in the House in April, but was placed on the Senate's informal calendar when discussed on Thursday. Since session is ending this evening, legislation placed on the informal calendar will not move forward for a final vote.

I look forward to working on legislation in the future that focuses more on Charter accountability and less on expansion.

"What Do You Do During the Interim?"

Upon adjournment on Friday, I drive back to Springfield to get right to work at my district office, which is in my home. I continue to meet with residents and organizations to discuss legislation that has passed and hear new ideas for next year. Holding town hall meetings helps me better understand the input and suggestions you have regarding policy or any other issues affecting your lives. I also return to my roots, teaching in the classroom and working with teachers and school districts.

My legislative office remains open in Jefferson City during the interim to assist with any concerns or questions regarding state government. If you need any assistance with child support, renewing your driver's license, or any other matter, please give my office a call at 573-751-1460.

Visitors to the Capitol

Missy Shelton from KSMU public radio and son, Zeke Belote. Shelton has covered the last eight legislative sessions for the Springfield area.


District Staff Member Kyle Rieman's family spent the afternoon touring the Capitol and observing session. Rieman will be graduating from Missouri State University in December with degrees in Sociology and Economics.


A view from the back of the chamber. I am all the way at the front speaking.


Brianna Schultz exemplifies my feelings at 6 p.m. today!