Engler: Senate Committees Begin Work on Bills

Most of the work in the Senate this week took place in committee hearings, where senators consider different bills and hear testimony from related experts and the public. Since this is the second regular session, committee membership generally remains the same, resulting in less introductions for committee procedure and moving bills through committees a little quicker. I serve as the chairman for the Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee, and we’ve already been assigned 18 bills. The Senate will likely debate its first bill sometime next week, with many more following as the session progresses. I’m hoping the Senate turns to a consensus building approach this year to accomplish what’s best for the people of Missouri.

I filed Senate Bill 633 this week, which would allow scrap metal operators to acquire vehicles or vehicle parts that are 10 years old or older without the original certificate of title. There are a lot of old cars around Missouri that are no longer road-worthy, but still hold value as scrap metal or parts. Senate Bill 633 would make it easier for people to sell these vehicles to scrap yards, but keep in place the proper restrictions to protect the public. This is a straight-forward bill that tackles a clear issue with common sense. I’m hoping my colleagues in the General Assembly recognize this and move quickly to send the bill to the governor’s desk.

Besides committee work, we’re also gearing up in the Senate for the upcoming budget process. Next week the governor will give his State of the State address and release his budget proposal. After that we’ll begin crafting the Senate’s version of the state’s spending plan. This won’t be easy as we’re facing a significant shortfall, but we remain committed to doing the best thing to properly fund K-12 education.

We’ll also begin looking at ways to resolve an issue currently affecting thousands of students across our state. Due to a decision by the Missouri Supreme Court in the case Turner vs. School District of Clayton, students in Missouri now have the right to transfer from an unaccredited school district to another school in the same or a nearby county. This has resulted in thousands of students in St. Louis, and soon Kansas City, transferring out of their unaccredited school districts. This is a pressing issue, and one we have to address this session. Every child in Missouri deserves a quality education, and we’ll do everything in our power to protect that right.

I will continue these reports throughout the session. I’ve also posted a new video welcome on my Senate website. You can view it by visiting my Senate website www.senate.mo.gov/engler and clicking on the ‘View Video Welcome’ button below my picture on the left side of the page. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I can be reached by email at kevin{dot}engler{at}senate{dot}mo{dot}gov or in my Capitol office by phone at (573) 751-3455.