Schaefer: K2 Ban Set For Final Passage, Several Sponsored Appointments and State Champions

Another busy week has passed in the Capitol, and only two more weeks of session remain. This week was a very difficult one, as Missouri legislators met in conference committee to discuss, and later pass, a budget that will best work for the people of this state during these difficult economic times. Many tough choices were made, but we worked hard to ensure the well-being of Missouri citizens remained at the forefront of our decisions. The Senate has passed the budget a full week ahead if its required date, and now we can focus on passing legislation that will benefit our state's citizens.

Legislative Action

On Tuesday, Senate Bill 884, regarding the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, was passed out of the Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee and will be heard on the floor sometime next week. Also on Tuesday, Senate Bill 887 was passed out of the House Public Safety Committee, and is set for final passage in the House. This bill bans spice cannabinoids, more commonly known as K-2 or "spice."

In addition, Tuesday was the day I had the enormous privilege of welcoming nearly 200 World War II veterans who participated in the Honor Flight program. I am honored that 63 of these veterans reside in my district, and I extend my most sincere thanks for their service and dedication to our great nation.

On Wednesday, I attended a press conference in the House Lounge regarding Senate Bill 999, which deals with provisions to the Enhanced Enterprise Zone program. This bill provides a new tax credit for taxpayers who establish a new business facility in a certified industrial zone approved or designated as an enhanced enterprise zone by the Department of Economic Development. In Missouri's current financial condition, it is crucial that we continue to create measures to spur economic development in our state.

Capitol Visitors and Gubernatorial Appointees

I had many visitors this week, and I was honored to present resolutions to three athletic teams from my district. On Tuesday, I honored the Harrisburg High School women's basketball team, who were the undefeated state champions in Missouri. The Sturgeon High School men's basketball team visited on Wednesday, who also won the state championship with a record of 32-0. I also honored the University of Missouri-Columbia's women's gymnastics team with a resolution. The team finished the 2010 season with a NCAA Regional Championship and No. 12 final team tanking.

Harrisburg women's basketball team with Senator Schaefer	Sturgeon men's basketball Team with Senator Schaefer	Mizzou women's Gymnastics Team with Senator Schaefer

I also had the honor of presenting three people for consideration in the gubernatorial appointments hearing on Wednesday: Russell Still, State Board of Education; John Harper, the Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities; and Lisa Althoff, Executive Director of the Missouri Women's Council.

Russell Still with Senator Schaefer	John Harper with Senator Schaefer	Lisa Althoff with Senator Schaefer

Thank you for your continued interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Randolph counties. If you have any questions or concerns involving state government, please contact my office.

Schaefer: Budget Process Update, More Legislation Moves Forward, Visitors to the Capitol

The budget process continues to progress and debate has intensified in the Missouri Senate. These are historic times for Missouri, as the Legislature must deal with one of the worst budget shortfalls since the Great Depression. This task proves extremely difficult, as the governor's budget submission to the Legislature was unbalanced by at least $500 million. Please be assured that I am working hard with other members of the Appropriations Committee to find efficient ways to deal with this difficult economic situation, and to find solutions that have the least amount of impact on you and your families.

Legislation Moves Forward

Legislation continues to move forward through committees and floor debate. This week, three of my bills were referred to House committees:

• Senate Bill 855, which pertains to heritage birth and marriage certificates, was sent to the House Special Standing Committee on Children and Families.
• Senate Bill 829, dealing with nuisance abatement orders, was referred to the House Crime Prevention Committee.
• Senate Bill 887, which bans spice cannabinoids, was referred to the House Public Safety Committee.

Additionally, Senate Bill 884, which closes loopholes in the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, was voted do pass in the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee on Tuesday. Two of my bills were both heard on Tuesday in the Senate Health, Mental Health, Seniors and Families Committee: Senate Bill 828, which deals with funds for the Boone County Counselor, and Senate Bill 975, which would authorize the use of a death registration system.

In addition to moving my own legislation forward, two of the House bills that I am handling in the upper chamber were heard in Senate committees. House Bill 1472, which also bans spice cannabinoids, was voted do pass in the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. This bill now heads to the full Senate for debate. Additionally, House Bill 1713, which closes a loophole regarding health insurance carriers covering adopted children on the same basis as other dependents of the enrollee, was heard in the Senate Small Business, Insurance, and Industry Committee.

Also on Tuesday, Senate Bill 999, which deals with enhanced enterprise zones, was heard on the Senate floor. This bill still needs to receive first-round approval from the Senate.

Capitol Visitors

I also had a number of special guests from my district this week. On March 25, I introduced a group of FFA students from Centralia. I also had the opportunity to have Andrea Baker [at right] from Ashland as Page of the Day on Tuesday. I hope she enjoyed her visit to the Capitol! On Wednesday, my family [photo below] came to the Missouri Capitol. I was very excited to have them visit. On Thursday, Dr. Dan Hoernschemeyer [At right] from the University of Missouri-Columbia served as Doctor of the Day. Dr. Hoernschemeyer is an Assistant Professor at the University, specializing in pediatric orthopedics. Thank you for your continued interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Randolph counties. If you have any questions or concerns involving state government, please contact my office.

Senator Schaefer with his father-in-law, Doorman Bill Wyrick, wife Stacia, daughter Lena, and sons Max and Wolf.

Schaefer: Senate Meets to Reboot MO, Legislation in Committee, Congratulating State Champions

This week, my colleagues and I held an all-day work session in the Senate to consider ways to "reboot" state government. In addition, several measures I sponsored are making their way through the legislative process, including a bill that addresses premarital agreements and legislation that strengthens the penalties for putting a child in danger.

Rebooting Missouri Government

Missourians have overwhelmingly responded to our request to submit their ideas for a more efficient state government by visiting the Senate's Rebooting Government website (www.senate.mo.gov/RebootMO). Ideas will continue to be accepted throughout the legislative session and may be made anonymously, if desired.

On Tuesday of this week, the Senate suspended normal debate and committee hearings to focus on ways make Missouri government more cost-efficient. Lawmakers were divided into eight groups of four senators to consider public opinion and agency recommendations on ways to streamline government in the current economic condition.

I chaired the group charged with discussing the area of Agriculture/Outdoors/Department of Natural Resources. Representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Conservation, and Department of Natural Resources met with our group to discuss ways to cut costs without crippling the agencies. We also read through e-mails submitted by Missourians from across the state regarding ideas to bring down the cost of government. By the end of the meeting, we agreed on five measures that would help alleviate costs and streamline agency functions without cutting jobs:

1. One or two week rotated unpaid furloughs for every state employee, in lieu of lay-offs.
2. Consolidation of laboratories.
3. Combining certain boards and commissions.
4. Comprehensive review of agency program fees to identify ways to make the program fully fee-funded instead of relying on General Revenue to subsidize the programs.
5. Comprehensive review of federally required programs to determine if the administration of any programs can be returned to the federal government.

Committees Hearing Legislation

We continued work on many of my bills in committee this week. On Monday, two of my bills were heard in Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. Senate Bill 998 enacts the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act, which closes any loopholes with regard to premarital agreements. Senate Bill 1004, also known as “Karra’s and Jocelyn’s Law,” increases the penalties for shaking a young child. More specifically, the bill makes endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree to be an unclassified felony with a prison term of 20 years or less when the person creates a substantial risk to the life of a child under the age of five.

On Wednesday, Senate Bill 886, which deals with plumbing codes, was heard in the Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee. Senate Bill 999 was voted do pass in the same committee. This bill introduces a job creation measure to developing 21st century manufacturing jobs. As data centers and other technology-focused jobs are created in the United States, Missouri (especially central Missouri) is in a position to lead the way in new and developing economic fields. These data centers could employ up to 200 full-time jobs and create thousands of construction positions for the 19th district.

Capitol Visitors

On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of hosting lunch for the fourth grade class from Fairview Elementary School in Columbia. I certainly hope they enjoyed their visit to Jefferson City!

Senator Schaefer (center) with fourth graders from Fairview Elementary School in Columbia.

In addition, I want to extend my congratulations to the Sturgeon High School Boys Basketball team for winning the MSHSAA 2A State Basketball Championship last weekend. Well done on a great season!

Sturgeon High School Boys Basketball team, the 2010 MSHSAA 2A State Basketball Champions. (submitted photo)

Thank you for your continued interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Randolph counties. If you have any questions or concerns involving state government, please contact my office.

Schaefer: Legislation Sent to House, Gubernatorial Appointment Sponsorship

Since returning from Spring Break, there has been a flurry of activity both in the Legislature and in my office. Several bills received the Senate's approval this week and the Senate announced an innovative plan to consider citizens' ideas on how to streamline state government.

Sponsored Legislation Sent to the House

On Thursday, Senate Bill 887 was given final approval in the Senate by a 26-5 vote. This bill places spice cannabinoids (commonly known as "spice" or "K2") on the state's list of Schedule I controlled substances. In addition, Senate Bill 855, which creates Heritage Birth and Marriage Certificates, was also sent to the House of Representatives on Thursday for similar consideration.

Bills Considered In Committee

I also presented multiple bills in committees this week. On Tuesday, I presented Senate Bill 917 to the Small Business, Insurance, and Industry Committee. This bill would establish standard criteria for measuring the quality of health care providers. 

In addition, I presented Senate Bill 918, which would establish provisions regarding pharmacy benefit managers (PBM), to the Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee. This bill would prohibit PBM's from automatically enrolling a pharmacy in a contract or modifying an existing contract without permission from the pharmacy. A PBM would also be prohibited from reassigning a prescription that has been presented in one pharmacy to another pharmacy in the PBM's network. When the PBM contacts the prescribing health care practitioner to confirm or modify the original prescription, the prescription must be filled at the in-network pharmacy of the patient's choice.

On Wednesday, I present Senate Bill 999 to the Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee. This bill introduces a job creation measure aimed at developing 21st century manufacturing jobs. As data centers and other technology-focused jobs are created in the United States, Missouri (especially central Missouri) is in a position to lead the way in new and developing economic fields. The average data centers could employ up to 200 full-time permanent jobs and create thousands of construction jobs for the 19th district.

Gubernatorial Appointments

This week I sponsored one gubernatorial appointment. Michael Warrick (at right) was appointed to serve as a member of the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan Board of Trustees. The board is charged with maximizing the health care purchasing power of public entities in our state. In addition, the board is responsible for the general administration and operation of the plan covering medical expenses of various participants, in charge of the financial viability of the trust, establishes all eligibility and participation requirements for members wishing to join the plan, and develops all rules and regulations necessary to efficiently operate the plan.

Streamlining State Government

The Senate took a major step this week to address how to best deal with our state's declining revenues while still remaining fiscally responsible. My colleagues and I will set aside a full day to work in groups and review more than 500 ideas that have been submitted to the Senate's "Rebooting Government" website. This site allows citizens to submit their ideas on how to reboot Missouri state government, whether it be through more control, alterations, or deletions.

Eight groups of four senators will be assigned with coming up with five ideas they agree on that will either be introduced in legislation or implemented through the budget process. Groups will meet to examine ideas in the following categories:

• Agriculture/Outdoors/Department of Natural Resources
• Courts/Legal/Department of Public Safety
• Education
• General Government/Office of Administration
• Retirement
• Social Programs
• Tax Structure
• Transportation

I will participate in the Agriculture/Outdoors/Department of Natural Resources groups with Sen. Frank Barnitz, D-Lake Spring; Sen. Dan Clemens, R-Marshfield; and Sen. Wes Shoemyer, D-Clarence. Public notices will be posted regarding the location where each group will be meeting. Public testimony will not be taken at these meetings; however, all working groups will be open to the public.

Missourians can continue to submit their ideas by visiting the Senate's Rebooting Government website (www.senate.mo.gov/RebootMO). Submissions may be anonymous and ideas will continue to be accepted throughout the legislative session.

Notes from the District

I would also like to extend my congratulations to two basketball teams from my district that have excelled this season. I will present a resolution to the Moberly High School Spartans and Lady Spartans for their winning seasons.


Thank you for your continued interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Randolph counties. If you have any questions or concerns involving state government, please contact my office.