The Missouri Times | May 10, 2011

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The Missouri Times

May 10, 2021

ROOM TO DEAL?

Plocher, Schatz face logjam of legislation as session nears its end Kaitlyn Schallhorn

With just a couple weeks of session left, there wasn’t a great list of accomplishments for the first session of the 101st General Assembly. The leading item of a pretty paltry list was a bill regarding foster children.

Meanwhile, the Senate had seemingly stalled over issues like education reform, gambling, and nominations to the University of Missouri’s Board of Curators. And in the House, Senate priorities such as increasing the gas tax or implementing a statewide PDMP log jammed in committees while rumors flew that the lower chamber would hold hostage legislation from Republican senators who supported fully funding Medicaid.

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As is the case most years, when session hit the two weeks left marker things began to happen. After the Senate, passed a House priority of the legislation assisting families adopting or fostering children. Then, the Senate took the House position on not expanding Medicaid.

After that, the Senate again took the House position on Rep. Phil Christofanelli’s legislation establishing the education savings account program, taking up and passing the lower chamber’s bill without any amendments after only 15 minutes of what would be better described as a discussion, not a debate.

Continued on Page 6.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

225 Madison St., Jefferson City, MO | (573) 746-2912

tips@themissouritimes.com

Third time’s a charm Kaitlyn Schallhorn

@MissouriTimes

Scott Faughn, Publisher | scott@themissouritimes.com | @ScottFaughn Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Editor | kaitlyn@themissouritimes.com | @K_Schallhorn Cameron Gerber, Reporter | cameron@themissouritimes.com | @CamGWrites Elise Eaker, Reporter | elise@themissouritimes.com | @Elisedanae99 Conner Kerrigan, Business Manager | conner@themissouritimes.com | @ConnerKerrigan

As my third legislative session with The Missouri Times — and second as editor — comes to a close, I’m struck with an overwhelming sense of gratitude to be here in my home state. Unlike some, I’m never ready for the legislative session to end. I love everything about session, from overnights in the Senate press gallery to wearing out my heels running back and forth between the Capitol and our office on Madison Street to having a perpetually nearly dead phone.

There is no greater privilege, in my opinion, than to cover the Missouri Legislature and get a frontrow seat to the process that can make life better for my fellow Missourians.

Just this year alone, I sat down with Reps. Ron Hicks and Tracy McCreery to learn about their efforts to protect domestic violence victims. I chatted with Sen. Holly Rehder, learning about her life and gaining an appreciation for why she’s

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so steadfastly passionate about PDMP. I talked to Reps. Ashley Aune and Maggie Nurrenbern about how they’re making their first legislative session really count. And I met Sen. Karla Eslinger who introduced me to the fox trotting horse, Missouri’s official state horse.

As this session comes to a close, I want to say thank you. Thank you for allowing me to ask a million technical questions and for trusting me enough to share your stories.

And thank you for reading The Missouri Times and sending in suggestions about how to make our reporting even better.

My third legislative session with The Missouri Times was truly a charm, and I’m already ready for next year’s to begin.

In the meantime, we’ll continue to bring you the news and tell your stories over at themissouritimes.com and discuss the legislature, PSC, agriculture, and more on our podcasts.

CIERPIOT LEADS BIPARTISAN COLLABORATION ON VITAL UTILITY LEGISLATION Cameron Gerber

A complex utility reform bill is awaiting action in the lower chamber after a lengthy perfection process and bipartisan input in the Senate.

Sen. Mike Cierpiot’s SB 202 would cover a myriad of issues, with securitization at the forefront of the discussion. The bill would allow utility companies to issue bonds to finance energy transition costs if approved by the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) and included a myriad of utility-related provisions.

The 60-page substitute was perfected and passed by the upper chamber, ranging well beyond its roots with provisions including the wholesale purchase of auxiliary power, establishing customer class rates for electrical corporations, and financing orders for infrastructure replacement.

Another provision allowing electric cooperatives to continue holding annual meetings remotely for the next year due to the pandemic has seen play on several other bills in the upper chamber.

An additional section would impose a new limit of 215 days for the

commission to reject a rate adjustment to offset the cost of coal-fired facilities; the commission does not currently face a time limitation.

Sen. Jill Schupp was the main critic of the bill over the course of its two days on the f loor, working with Cierpiot and other interested parties to alleviate heartburn over administrative control.

According to Cierpiot, negotiations behind closed doors lasted about seven hours and involved many other members as well representatives from the PSC and the Office of Public Counsel (OPC).

With the number of moving parts included in utility legislation, the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee chair is happy to let everyone’s voices be heard in the process.

“Utility rates and regulations are complicated, and from the very start I didn’t want to exclude anybody,” Cierpiot said. “Once people felt comfortable and involved, we were all more than happy to work on it and move forward. Nobody was completely happy, but everybody felt they were

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treated fairly.”

Cierpiot said the changes didn’t alter the overall intent or function of the bill, but added control for both the PSC and OPC in the securitization process through a series of small changes.

“I would agree the initial bill did not have enough PSC oversight, and I think we made 40 or 50 adjustments with [Schupp], the PSC, and OPC involved,” he said. “The structure of the bill, as complicated as it seems, is really simple: It lets companies securitize these transitions, and it’s really a win for everybody. It’s more complicated, but that’s the basics of it.”

“A lot of the utility bills we’ve done aren’t just a Democrat or Republican thing — everyone has concerns. I think it’s productive to start from the beginning to include them in a good faith effort, and I find that they work well when asked to help. Usually, there’s a way forward when we all try.”

State’s first electric school bus making the rounds in rural Missouri

Cameron Gerber As electric vehicles become more and more prominent in the U.S., the first electric school bus in the state is rolling into rural Missouri.

The bus debuted earlier this year at the Knox County R-1 School District in Edina, purchased with assistance from the Department of Natural Resources (DOR) and help from the local electric cooperative.

James Owen, executive director of Renew Missouri, said the upgrade had been in the works for some time.

“It’s something the rural electric cooperatives in the northern part of the state have talked about for some time.

We’ve talked to them about it and how to find opportunities to fund it,” Owen said.

“Rural cooperatives and investor-owned utilities are facing similar challenges — they’re seeing less demand than they once did. The opportunity to electrify a bus or trucks or farming equipment, those are real chances for them to really sell their product and help make some of these other fuelburning vehicles cleaner.”

Electric vehicles have been a focus of Missouri’s utility companies with charging stations and zero-emission cars popping up more and more in their service areas.

Renew Missouri and utilities have long discussed the new horizon for vehicles in the state.

“It’s going to be the reality very soon, and I think if we want to talk about attracting

people to come through Missouri, we’ve got to have that,” Owen said. “It benefits the utilities to be able to sell that electricity so there’s a lot of reasons to see promise with what’s going on up there.”

Missouri is seeing more electric vehicles across the state; the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) unveiled its first electric buses in April, while Ameren Missouri is rolling out charging stations across the Show-Me State.

Owen outlined benefits to electric buses for rural schools, both financially and in terms of safety.

“With a metro bus, they run all day and all summer and you might not get the same advantage you get from a school bus. It

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will be less expensive to maintain and run because you’re not spending as much money on fuel or oil,” Owen said. “They could put a solar array on a bus barn or near your school district. If you were to charge the school bus using that solar power, it could act as a battery or as a storage mechanism for that power so when it’s not sunny you would still be able to use it.”

“You’re going to see costs continue to go down the more we improve that technology and the more we’re able to replicate and make more of these vehicles,” he continued.

“It’s very brave to take those first steps so it’s good for the Lewis County Co-op and the Knox County School District to do that.”

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L E G I S L AT U R E

Public defenders, Amtrak, schools among budget differences debated in conference committee Cameron Gerber

The Conference Committee on Budget met for more than eight hours to resolve the state budget ahead of this week’s deadline.

“Through this whole process there’s a lot of give and take — trying to get different things for different folks, trying to address all the needs of, from my standpoint, the senators,” Senate Appropriations Chair Dan Hegeman said. “This is a negotiation that we have; it’s not always the positions I would love to have, and certainly, it’s a back and forth.”

The committee began with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) budget. Concerns were raised early in the discussion over a $2 million line item funding public school improvements with several Democrats pointing to the Opportunity Trust in St. Louis as an unqualified recipient due to its handling of

the struggling Normandy School District.

Despite their objections and requests to vote on the measure, the fund went forward with the rest of the bill.

“I just would like to remind us all this is called a conference committee for a reason,” Rep. Ingrid Burnett said. “If the only purpose is to hear what you two chair people have come to and to agree to your decision, we get no opportunity to have a roll call and weigh in, what’s the point?”

Despite a contentious start, compromises soon followed; the House zeroed out the governor’s recommendation for the Child Care Block Grant while the Senate’s version funded it at 25 percent with $185 million.

The compromise covered 5 percent of its funding.

A provision in HB 3 also led to consternation between members with a 3.7 percent increase in funding for Council on Public Higher Education (COPHE) affiliated schools while other institutions would be funded through different formulas and community colleges would share a $10 million increase. Members committed to addressing the mechanisms in the future,

noting their hands were tied for the time being.

The committee also progressed through the Department of Transportation with another compromise made to alter language that would have allowed funding for once-daily train services, namely Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner traveling between Kansas City and St. Louis. A proposed one-trip limitation was removed to accommodate expected federal funds that would allow for two round trips per day.

The number of prosecuting attorneys in the Office of Public Defender would increase under the item approved by the committee, amounting to nearly $3 million. Members said the increase would help address an extensive backlog and increasing caseloads.

Another appropriation would revive the MORx Program which provided additional assistance to seniors struggling to afford medications. The program was replaced by the State Pharmacy Assistance Program, but representatives from the Department of Social Services told the committee the funds would cover the program as it was before without expanding coverage.

The Senate’s appropriation of $48 million to cover the state’s portion of overpaid unemployment benefits was approved despite

concerns over funding a bipartisan push that has yet to pass the legislature. According to the Department of Labor, more than 46,000 Missourians received overpayments over the course of the pandemic.

The Department of Public Safety was also granted $1 million for the Pretrial Witness Protection Fund approved by the legislature last year, siding with the House’s recommendation.

P. O. Box 651

Jefferson City MO 65102

www.missourilife.org

Missouri Right to Life’s mission is to protect innocent human lives.

Because of pro-life legislation passed in Missouri, abortion numbers are dropping and lives are being saved!

While providing funding for life-saving programs like Alternatives to Abortion, Missouri must continue to protect women from the deceit of the abortion industry by passing more pro-life legislation.

“Thank you” to pro-life legislators for working hand in hand with Missouri Right to Life! www.missouritimes.com

College athletes could get paid for likeness under bipartisan plan

Kaitlyn Schallhorn

With less than two weeks left of the legislative session, a bipartisan effort is underway to allow college athletes to be paid for their likeness.

Democratic Sen. Greg Razer spearheaded the effort by attaching an amendment to a House education bill that would prevent colleges from prohibiting or punishing a student-athlete who earns compensation for the use of his or her name, image, likeness, or “athletic reputation.” The language also stipulates that an athlete’s grant-in-aid or stipend eligibility should not be impacted by compensation.

“What we’re talking about is allowing the Olympic model in the NCAA — allowing our student-athletes to earn money off their name, image and likeness through endorsements,” Razer told The Missouri Times. “To date, 11 states have NIL legislation signed into law and Georgia has a bill sitting on the governor’s desk. Allowing these athletes to make money off their own name, image, and likeness is long overdue, and it’s

time Missouri moves on this legislation.”

And later, GOP Rep. Nick Schroer attached a similar amendment to SB 330 while it was in the lower chamber. The amendment was adopted in a 124-23 vote.

“For too long, the great American principles of capitalism and free markets have been something student-athletes in our state could not enjoy,” Schroer said. “An archaic NCAA rule prevented studentathletes from going out and earning extra income off of their own hard work, name, image, and likeness, while academic scholarship athletes had this option.

Today, in a bipartisan fashion, the Missouri House took a stand for the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to be something all Missourians could enjoy in voting in favor of this legislation.”

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Mississippi are other states with SEC schools that have a provision in place to allow student-athletes to be compensated.

Proposals in Georgia and South Carolina are awaiting the governors’ signatures.

The measure has bipartisan support, including from Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden who said he’s ready to get it across the finish line this session.

“At this point now, anyone who doesn’t have [this law in place] is at a competitive disadvantage to recruiting,” Rowden said. “I think the NCAA will take action at some point, but until they do, I think there is tremendous need and value to getting it done in Missouri.”

The amendment prohibits student-athletes from contractually allowing an apparel, beverage, or equipment company from using his or her likeness or name in exchange for the athlete to display the product or company’s logo during official team activities if it violates the college’s own contracts or licenses.

College athletes must also disclose to the school compensation contracts.

“Missouri’s college athletes and athletic programs will be at a significant disadvantage and suffer economic harm if Missouri lawmakers don’t vote this bill into law,” Ramogi Huma, executive director of the

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National College Players Association (NCPA), said. “College athletes in Missouri deserve the same economic freedoms afforded to other students and Americans. It would be a serious miscalculation to delay. Other states have adopted or are pursuing laws that will provide their athletes these freedoms beginning July 1.”

The NCAA Board of Governors unanimously voted to allow student-athletes to be paid for their likeness in 2019. The move came after California adopted the Fair Pay to Play Act which prevents schools from punishing athletes who sell the rights to his or her name, image, or likeness.

Razer’s amendment was attached to Rep. Travis Fitzwater’s HB 320. The Republican lawmaker said he is “definitely” supportive of the measure. State Reps.

Wes Rogers and Nick Schroer have sponsored similar efforts in past years.

Catalyst is working on the issue.

Missouri lawmakers approve plan to extend orders of protection Kaitlyn Schallhorn

Before the legislative session comes to a close, Missouri lawmakers approved a plan to extend orders of protection for life — a move giving hope to victims of domestic and sexual violence.

SB 71 — championed by Sens. Elaine Gannon and Holly Rehder and state Rep. Lane Roberts — is heading to the governor after it was truly agreed to and finally passed. It gives judges the discretion to extend orders of protection for life, includes pets in protection orders, and expands the definition of stalking to include means through a third-party source such as social media.

“Having this lifetime protection order as a tool that a judge can possibly use for me gives me hope and makes me feel like I actually matter,” Lisa Saylor, a survivor and advocate for this legislation, said.

Current state statute allows protective orders for 180 days to one year. Full protection orders can be renewed for a maximum of just one year. A court can also include an automatic renewal for an order after one year; the respondent can, however, request a hearing at

least 30 days before the expiration date.

But survivors, such as Saylor and Janice Thompson, described to lawmakers just how dangerous going to court repeatedly to ask a judge to renew the protection orders can be. It’s a time when abusers know exactly where their victims are located and can intimidate, harass, or harm them. Victims also aren’t able to carry mace or firearms with them in the parking lot or the courthouse, leaving them especially vulnerable.

And that’s not to mention victims will often go before different judges and have to retell their stories of abuse repeatedly, reliving the trauma.

Saylor, whose ex-husband sexually assaulted her while she was sedated in a hospital, has been to court 70 times — and 20 of those were pertaining to her orders of protection. While she hired a lawyer for family court appearances to protect her children, she represented herself when it came to orders of protection and at times was questioned by her abuser in court.

Overall, she spent more than $42,000 on legal fees.

Her ex-husband was released from prison in May 2020.

“I felt like my children needed better. I’m an adult.

I needed to sacrifice for my children,” she said. “But I represented myself, pro se, and that’s pretty difficult for a victim. Holding our own is something that’s hard to do, and being expected, rightfully so, to know the court proceedings and how it works, it’s very intimidating.”

Thompson’s ex is serving a near-life sentence for assaulting another woman and shooting the man she was with in 2016, and she’s become an advocate for other survivors. She said the extended orders of protection is another “tool” law enforcement can use to keep victims safe.

“We understand it’s simply a legal protection; it’s not a magical forcefield. We can’t legislate safety, but it’s a tool we need,” Thompson said. “When you’re trying to do everything you can to keep yourself safe, you’re doing everything you can so that legally you’re protected so that hopefully everything is in place to get you a chance to escape without having to face additional problems.”

Colleen Coble, CEO of the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV), placed the credit for the success of SB 71 squarely on survivors like Saylor and Thompson who traveled to

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Jefferson City to testify before lawmakers.

“They went through so much and told their stories and made sure that others don’t have to go through the experience of having to go to court again and again and again,” Coble said.

Roberts, a former Joplin chief of police and Department of Public Safety director, championed the legislation in the lower chamber. He previously told The Missouri Times he is “sensitive to the issue of domestic violence” and understood how difficult it could be for individuals to have to go to court constantly to be protected from an abuser.

“Victims of domestic violence should not have to live in constant fear of their abuser’s retaliation, their beloved pet being harmed, or having to re-appear in court multiple times to renew the same order of protection,” Gannon, a Republican freshman, said.

“I hope this new law will empower victims to seek protection and enable families to recover from the trauma of domestic abuse.”

“Helping those who are suffering through abuse and/or stalking is truly one of the most worthy items I’ve had the honor to work on,” Rehder said.

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L E G I S L AT U R E

MAJOR ED REFORM BILL CLEARS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, HEADS TO GOVERNOR

Cameron Gerber

Despite extensive conversations during its time in the House, a bill establishing an education savings account (ESA) program in Missouri quickly passed the Senate on May 6 — and is perhaps the only education reform bill to see success this legislative session.

HB 349, sponsored by Rep. Phil Christofanelli, would establish the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. The program would allow taxpayers to claim a tax credit of up to 50 percent of their liability for contributions to educational assistance programs. The funds would be pooled in ESAs for use on tuition, textbooks, tutoring services, and other costs. The program would apply to taxpayers in areas with populations at or exceeding 30,000.

It passed the Senate by a vote of 20-13, with GOP Sens. Lincoln Hough, Sandy Crawford, and Karla

Eslinger joining Democrats in voting against it.

“It’s a great day for Missouri students,” Christofanelli said. “The General Assembly rose to the occasion to deliver for students who are in need across our state, and I look forward to seeing this program implemented to make a real difference in the lives of kids in our state.”

Despite lengthy floor debate in the House earlier this year, the only line of questioning in the upper chamber was for clarification on the reach of the program. The bill passed without a substitute or amendments from the Senate.

“This is important to help kids. This provides another option for kids who may need that option,” handler Sen. Andrew Koenig said on the floor. “The reality is every child is different, and we don’t know what that child needs but parents do. It could be a child

is in a great school but they’re getting bullied and they need a different environment. Who knows what the needs of that child are?”

“In January I stood up and promised the senate would pass an education reform bill this year. Today my Republican colleagues came together to deliver a decisive victory for Missouri children,” Senate Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden said. “HB 349 provides targeted empowerment scholarships for the neediest children and ties program enrollment to public school funding increases. This is a win for Missouri kids and Missouri education — and we’re just getting started.”

But Senate Minority Floor Leader John Rizzo decried the bill’s passage in a statement, saying the measure would detract from public schools.

“This bill will drain $75 million away from public schools each year so certain families can get paid to

homeschool their kids or get a kickback for sending them to private schools,” Rizzo said. “I’m proud of the Democratic Caucus for voting unanimously against this legislation. I would encourage any communities upset with this legislation to take a hard look at the Republicans they send to Jefferson City.”

HB 349 passed the House by a vote of 82-71 in February after a speech on the floor from Speaker Rob Vescovo, a vocal proponent of the legislation. Prior to its passage, an amendment from Rep. LaKeySha Bosley was added that would trigger the program once 40 percent or more of the K-12 transportation line item in the budget had been funded.

Democrats in the House opposed the measure as an “experiment” aimed at urban communities while witnesses in committee said Missouri’s public schools were holding their own.

as the lower chamber — finally made it out of the House Fiscal Review Committee and is sitting on the lower chamber’s calendar.

Rehder, who spent seven years in the House before moving to the other side of the Capitol, said Friday she felt as though “everyone is together again at this point.”

Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, too, saw some movement with a priority of his with the logjam lifting as his gas tax bill finally made it out of the House RulesLegislative Oversight Committee chaired

by Christofanelli in a 7-4 vote the day after ESAs passed. Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer’s COVID liability legislation still sits in that committee with plans to exec it during the final week.

Sen. Caleb Rowden said he was “optimistic” heading into the final week of session, calling the relationship between

the two chambers “fine” during a Friday afternoon press conference. It would seem things went from icy to “fine” is an accurate description of the back-and-forth. However, for the Senate, many will be watching to see if they get anything for their accommodations.

Rowden said that he expects the Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA) and gas tax to come up in the last week. It would seem highly unlikely that the massive gun rights proposal could come to a vote in the Senate unless Democrats just allow the Republicans to drive a wedge between them and law enforcement — or possibly even PQ the legislation.

Were the Senate to PQ SAPA, many would have to say the upper chamber played only a supporting role to the house this session.

However, one issue that has seemingly languished is the rollback of local

governments’ power to issue crippling health orders. It’s an issue most all Republicans support but has been bottled up for weeks.

Another vital issue that the Senate has worked on was Sen. Lincoln Hough’s bill to establish the Voluntary Firefighter Cancer Benefits Pool to provide assistance to firefighters who develop cancer. If there really is a back-and-forth between the chambers, look for that bill to move in the last week.

Staff and those close to Schatz and House Floor Leader Dean Plocher say there’s a great opportunity to pass far more proposals than normal in a legislative session during the final week. But, of course, there’s also the potential for a meltdown resulting in a few 2 p.m. tee times next week.

IT’S DOWN TO THE WIRE WITH THE FINAL WEEK OF SESSION Kaitlyn Schallhorn

Continued from front cover.

“The General Assembly rose to the occasion to deliver for students who are in need across our state, and I look forward to seeing this program implemented to make a real difference in the lives of kids in our state,” Christofanelli told The Missouri Times.

For weeks, there were running jokes about the volume of sometimes unsubstantial guns and abortion legislation flowing from the House. Now, in a matter of a few days, folks are asking the question: Will the Senate be more than a speed bump to the House’s agenda in the closing hours.

However, there are some signs of life in that agenda. Sen. Holly Rehder’s PDMP legislation — an issue she has championed during her tenure in what used to be described

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A STATE REPRESENTATIVE

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The Missouri Times shadowed three state representatives to give you an insider’s look at what their day-to-day is like, from committee hearings to constituent meetings.

Elise Eaker

Travis Fitzwater

No day looks the same for Republican Rep. Travis Fitzwater.

His time at the Capitol varies depending on if the legislature is in session and what’s going on in committees.

He chairs both the Ethics and Fiscal Review committees while also serving on Rules Administrative Oversight, Emerging Issues, and Utilities.

He is also a member of the legislature’s Task Force on Wind Energy.

“There’s a lot of variety, but it’s just constantly balancing relationships and working on different projects,” Fitzwater said.

Fitzwater said the time he spends in committees varies from week-to-week but estimated that committee work takes up anywhere from four to 10 hours of his time.

But the part of his day he enjoys the most is building relationships across the political spectrum, seeing different world views, and using those relationships to get things done in the statehouse.

In his seven years serving, Fitzwater has learned that taking a lot of small steps forward can help build momentum for getting things done. He has also learned persistence.

“You can’t be disappointed when you hit a roadblock because there’s so many roadblocks getting things done here. You kind of have to have the resolve to say, ‘Okay that roadblock is not going to stop me from continuing to work on something,’” Fitzwater said.

Fitzwater feels his biggest accomplishment in the legislature has been the passing of

HB 680 in 2017 establishing four adult high schools to be constructed around the state. Today, there are Goodwill Excel and Career Centers in Columbia, St. Louis, Springfield, and Poplar Bluff. These centers offer local workforce training and provide opportunities for individuals over the age of 21 to obtain a diploma.

“Going to a Goodwill locally and [seeing] ‘Donate here to the adult high schools’ and knowing that that’s there because we got a bill done here — that something I’ll always be very proud of,” Fitzwater said.

Raychel Proudie

Democratic Rep. Raychel Proudie spends the majority of her day reading bills and amendments as well as meeting with other legislators.

At the beginning of the session, Proudie spends a lot of time asking for her bills to be heard or sent to a committee. But now, as the session winds down, Proudie’s main focus is reading Senate bills that are coming to the House f loor. Proudie pays extra attention to the amendments added to each bill to ensure that she knows what she is voting for.

“This is the time where you can vote on what you thought was a good bill, they slap an amendment on it, [and] it’s something that is going to be adverse to your district,” Proudie said.

She also spends time meeting with other legislators to discuss and tweak bills instead of spending time enquiring of them from the f loor. Her reasoning: “The less time we spend on lengthy f loor inquiries, if we can help it, the more we can get done.”

Proudie does the majority of her work

outside of her Jefferson City office, noting that being a representative is not a part time job as she is always on call.

“When people need help with stuff, they will call me and be like ‘I need some bread,’ and I’ll get it if I’m home,” Proudie said.

Last year, Proudie worked with Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt to raise money and clean up a municipality in her district. The money raised also went to purchasing food for people who needed it during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with Proudie herself often packaging and delivering the supplies to her constituents.

As part of the superminority, Proudie said she is even more thinly-spread than her Republican counterparts.

Proudie leads the Special Committee on Urban Issues but also serves on the Children and Families, Elementary and Secondary Education, and Higher Education committees as well as the Joint Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect.

In her Special Committee on Urban Issues, Proudie does not limit the testimonies.

“If you drove all the way here to have your voice heard, I’m not going to cut you off. I’m going to let you get that off,” Proudie said.

“When people drive down here to say their piece we’re going to listen to them.”

Proudie feels as though her biggest accomplishment in the legislature is being able to serve an underserved community.

While there is no part of her day that she dislikes, Proudie particularly enjoys the drive to the Capitol. Proudie said she plays her music at full blast and always listens to “hood rap music.”

“I am known to be very shrewd, [but] in the car I am just loose,” Proudie said.

Mary Elizabeth Coleman

One of the things Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman enjoys the most about working in the Capitol is that there is no typical work day.

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“It’s a really long, full day, but it’s a fun day because you’re going from one issue to another issue to another issue. it’s fast paced, but it’s really fun,” Coleman said.

Although her time spent in the Capitol varies depending on where the legislature is at in session, Coleman said it is not uncommon to have 16 hour days during some of the busier days.

Coleman serves on the Judiciary Committee as well as the Special Committee on Litigation Reform. She also chairs the Children and Families Committee. About one-third of her time is spent in committees while the rest of her time is spent on the f loor and meeting with interested parties, she said.

Although visitors have been sparse due to COVID-19, Coleman’s enjoys getting to meet with constituents in Jefferson City.

“When somebody from home comes and is able to see the work that we’re doing and weigh in on a policy that they care about, that is absolutely the best part of the day,” Coleman said. “The only thing that’s better than that is when you get to solve a constituent’s problem.”

During her three years serving, Coleman has learned relationships are paramount.

“There is nothing that happens in this building that isn’t done because of a relationship,” Coleman said. “We’re a collaborative body, and you just can’t do it alone.”

Coleman feels as though her biggest achievement in the legislature thus far has been the passing of fellow GOP Rep. Nick Schroer’s HB 126. She worked on the legislation, which passed in 2019, with Schroer.

“To know that because of the work we did there, we have gone from having literally thousands of abortions a year to less than 100 is incredibly meaningful work,” Coleman said. “I don’t know that there’s anything that I’ll ever do that will mean more to me personally.”

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“Citizens and the businesses we represent need reliable and affordable electricity service in today’s modern world. The proposed

Grain Belt Express

can help prevent brownouts and blackouts like we experienced in February… We believe the efforts of some legislators to retroactively kill the Grain Belt Express project are shortsighted. Grain Belt Express will increase reliability of the Missouri electric grid, boost the state and local economies and provide low-cost renewable energy to Missouri customers.”

Ray McCarty, President and CEO, Associated Industries of Missouri

Missouri Legislators: Stand strong for the Grain Belt Express GrainBeltExpress.com

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The Missouri Times

Elise Eaker

About 100 people gathered in the Capitol Rotunda for a National Day of Prayer ceremony on May 6 with Gov. Mike Parson, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft in attendance.

Parson recounted how he relied on his faith while making decisions for the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m telling you, there is no way you can be a leader at a time when [there is a] pandemic or crisis if you don’t have faith,” Parson said.

The National Day of Prayer was established

by Congress, and former President Harry S. Truman signed into law in 1952 a mandate for every president to declare the day. It is celebrated annually on the first Thursday of May. Kehoe spoke about how his mother was the main influencer of his faith. As a child, Kehoe’s mother would kneel with him and pray before bed each night. Kehoe also spoke about how meaningful it is to be told someone is praying

MEET MARK STRINGER, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH’S DEDICATED DIRECTOR Kaitlyn Schallhorn

For Mark Stringer, getting into the mental health field almost seemed fated.

Growing up, his father would often read about psychology, sharing his education with his son.

As the director of the Department of Mental Health (DMH), Stringer oversees an organization that serves about 170,000 people — some of the most vulnerable individuals in Missouri — each year. The department has multiple state-operated facilities, including six adult psychiatric hospitals, one children’s psychiatric facility, five long-term care habilitation centers, and six regional and six satellite offices for people with developmental disabilities.

“What drives me is that we have very vulnerable people we serve with serious mental illness or substance use disorders,” Stringer said. “We treat and serve those folks everyday. That certainly keeps me going, and they need our help and we provide that.”

A national leader in the mental health field, Stringer was named the DMH director in 2015 after having worked in the department already, first as a deputy director and then as a division director.

He is the former president of the National Association of State and Alcohol and Drug

Abuse Directors and recently testified before Congress about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted substance use.

He advocated for innovative approaches to adapt during the pandemic, especially to help Black Missourians who were disproportionately affected when it came to overdoses.

While Stringer has the people he serves at the forefront of his mind, he also has a deep dedication to the staff in the department, praising their strength and tenacity, particularly during the pandemic.

“If I were king, I would tell people who are interested or would like to be supportive to work a shift at a psychiatric hospital or facility and get a feel for what that’s like,” Stringer said, noting it could be both draining and dangerous for employees to treat people who are very sick. “It’s such demanding work, and outside of our business, you can’t imagine.”

Stringer was born in Festus, moving around often while growing up before returning to Missouri. He lives in Jefferson City where he does work around the house and is the proud grandfather of two grandchildren.

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Parson, Kehoe, Ashcroft speak at National Day of Prayer ceremony

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for him.

“When somebody says, ‘we’re praying for you,’ that injection, that feeling that [it] gives a person like us — who get to serve you — that is something that I really don’t know how to describe,” Kehoe said. “Thank you for praying for us today and every day.”

Ashcroft reflected on the country’s history, saying the U.S. is the greatest country because it started with individuals who wanted to be able to worship freely.

“I thank you for being here today to be recommitted to understanding that our greatness is not founded on elected officials, it is not founded in wonderful buildings like this; it is found in the counsel and guidance, [and] blessing of God Almighty,” Ashcroft said.

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The Missouri Times

EXECUTIVE

Parson signs foster care, adoption support bills into law

Cameron Gerber

Gov. Mike Parson gathered with lawmakers and families on the steps of the Capitol to sign a pair of bills meant to assist families adopting and fostering children.

HB 429 will allow Missourians who serve as foster parents for at least six months to receive a tax deduction to cover the cost of the process, capped at $2,500 per taxpayer or $5,000 for married couples. HB 430 will offer a $10,000 tax credit to anyone facing non-recurring adoption fees and expenses. Priority would be given to applicants adopting children with special needs under the bill. Both changes will take effect at the beginning of next year.

“Every child deserves a family to provide love, support, and a strong foundation,” Parson said. “Missourians who take on this role as foster and adoptive parents are invaluable to the children of our state, and I am extremely pleased to sign these bills today.”

Parson held a ceremonial bill signing with sponsor Rep. Hannah Kelly, Senate handler Sen. Andrew Koenig, and Speaker Rob Vescovo on hand for the event. Several children gathered around the chief executive to sign ceremonial copies of the legislation.

“Today is about [the] 13,970 children that are in the foster care system, and today is about the families whose hearts are ready

PARSON ISSUES STATE WORKFORCE DIRECTIVE

Press Release

Gov. Mike Parson directed all state workers to return to their offices for in-person work no later than Monday, May 17, 2021, and that all state buildings be open and accessible to the public during normal business hours.

“Since the start of COVID-19, our state team members have gone above and beyond to keep state government running and continue providing quality public service to Missourians,” Parson said. “Thanks in large part to their efforts, Missouri is in a strong position, and we continue to move forward each day.”

“With COVID-19 vaccines now readily available across the state and virus activity at its lowest levels since early days of the pandemic, we are confident that it is safe to return to pre-COVID-19 work settings and

and waiting to give them security and permanency,” Kelly said. “We’re going to be able to say we helped do that long after we’re gone and these kids are leading the future of this great state.”

HB 430 passed back to the House earlier this month with amendments attached that would create a Birth Match Program and expand tax credits for contributions to domestic violence shelters and maternity homes. Colleen Coble, CEO of the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV), praised the measure’s passage.

“MCADSV is celebrating 15 years after expanding its mission and purpose to also include sexual assault. To achieve the establishment of a rape crisis center tax credit

schedules,” Parson continued.

The health and well-being of the state workforce remains a top priority for Parson and his administration. COVID-19 screening and testing protocols will remain in place, and the state encourages all employees to consider getting vaccinated. Vaccines are available to all state employees. Team members can use vaccinefinder.org to find available vaccinators in their area. While there will be no statewide mandates, state team members are encouraged to practice COVID-19 preventative measures.

“As public servants in state government, it is important that we maintain a front-facing presence for those we serve, and it’s time we take this step towards normalcy for ourselves and the people of Missouri,” Parson said.

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during sexual assault awareness month is something to celebrate,” Coble said. “We are thankful to Rep. Kelly, Sen. Koenig, and Gov. Parson for their work on this critical legislation that will help provide life-changing services to sexual assault and domestic violence victims.”

The bills were the first to make the leap to the upper chamber, with both pieces passing unanimously in January. They were passed back to the lower chamber and finally passed earlier this month.

Vescovo, who was adopted out of foster care as a child, listed the state’s adoption and foster care systems as a priority of his tenure in office.

Parson also signed Sen. Dan Hegeman’s SB 2, which alters the Missouri Works program, prior to the ceremony.

Dr. Randall Williams: In appreciation of Missouri

In Appreciation, More than four years ago, I became a Missourian. As I told the Senate at my confirmation hearing, to be a good leader as DHSS director, you had to get up every day with courage, humility, and knowing what a privilege it is to serve the people of Missouri.

It is a difficult role because the issues we deal with concerning people’s health are very important and generate tremendous responses from people since their health is so important to them.

Sen. Doug Libla said I was the hardest working bureaucrat he had ever met, and Gov. Mike Parson said I worked harder than any Missourian during the COVID-19 epidemic, and that is because I knew how important our work was.

Every time I go to the Capitol, as I drive into the parking garage, I read the words inscribed in stone more than 100 years ago: “Be Just, and Fear Not.” I believed then — and believe now — from my years as a surgeon, that to help people always involves risks and benefits, and it was never my goal just to lead the parade waving at people, but to actually help people improve their health by developing our subject matter expertise. The military historian Vegetius said the courage of a soldier is heightened by the knowledge of his profession. As the first physician to lead the department in 15 years, it was my mission to develop the skill sets and subject matter expertise to help people when the time came that they needed us — and that turned out to be a really good thing with COVID-19.

I believe fervently that to help people you have to act and that required transforming our culture to one based on a bias to action. The motto of the United States Military Academy class of 2022 is, “For Many, Stand the Few,” and I would say that has defined our culture. Gov. Parson represents 6.1 million Missourians, and they hope all of us will go to work every day to help him as he stands up for them. Gov. Parson had high expectations of us, and we established a new precedent that we would advocate for and defend the health of Missourians. As President “Give ’em hell” Harry Truman said: “I just tell the truth, and they think it’s hell.”

As the St Louis Post Dispatch recognized, we don’t run from controversy, and that is because it is our duty to protect health, keep people safe, and make sure that we as well as others as Mark

Twain said “Do the right thing.”

General John Pershing once said: “I love every inch of Missouri and every ounce of its air.” And I think I know why. I will never forget the awe I had for the Missouri State Capitol Building when I walked into it the first day I was in Missouri, and it would be fair to say it was love at first sight. Everyone was so gracious, and the Capitol was so stunning, and I remember thinking, “What an incredibly special place.” I spent the first 12 out of 16 weekends visiting every county and arriving unannounced to tour the facilities we oversaw like an episode of “Undercover Boss.”

One of the sculptors of the busts in Missouri’s Hall of Fame said Missourians are defined by loyalty, independence, forthrightness, persistence, decisiveness, and plain old Missouri common sense. I would just add that there is innate goodness to help others that are in the people of Missouri’s DNA. At times it is strained — and I am all too aware of the differences in an incredibly diverse state — but I have been to every county, and I still feel it is foundational to what makes Missouri special.

I often said I am a North Carolinian by birth, a Missourian by choice, but both are by God’s grace. To me, Missouri will always represent people who work hard, help others, and are steadfast in the beliefs of the fundamental values of our founding fathers.

Gov. Parson always asked us to get better every day. I have worked a lot of 100-hour weeks trying to do just that. As Truman said in his last speech to the American people as president: “I have tried to give it everything that was in me.”

I get up very early in the morning — what the military calls oh dark thirty — before 5 a.m., and while I have run all over the world, time running with my dog Mo along the Katy Trail as the sun comes up over the Missouri River has brought me more joy than you can imagine.

(Thanks to Kurt Erickson for the introduction to the Katy Trail.) We have tackled tough issues, but certain ones stand out that we were a part of on our watch: • The first real-time review of maternal deaths by our PAMR board in a state that ranks No. 44 in maternal mortality.

We increased our ranking in women’s health by eight — the most of any state in 2019.

• The first redesign of our $1 billion HCBS

and CDS program since 1982.

Passage of the Good Samaritan law and universal Narcan availability law under my DEA law with the first reduction of opioid deaths in 2019 since 2015.

• Implementation of Article 14 of the Constitution passed in 3,000 out of 3,200 precincts which created a medical marijuana program, and we did it the sixth fastest than every other state keeping patients as our north star while meeting all of our constitutionally mandated deadlines. To date, more than $2 million have been transferred to the Veterans Fund.

• Started on Jan. 27, 2020, a COVID Incident Response and helped with a whole government approach to COVID-19. I participated in more than 120 press conferences from the Governor’s Office as we communicated, coordinated, and cooperated with all our federal, state, and local partners.

For much of the winter of 2021, we had the second-fewest cases per capita of the 50 states here in Missouri, and Missouri was incredibly fortunate to have Gov. Parson as its leader during this unprecedented time in Missouri’s history.

• Dutifully regulated all our regulated entities, such as hospitals, and actually enforced existing statutes. I testified multiple times such that abortion providers were held accountable for patient safety and following state laws — which they had not been doing.

• The first Missourian in 75 years to be on the Executive Board and Board of Directors of ASTHO and the first physician to lead DHSS in 15 years. I worked hard with our federal partners to make Missouri a national thought leader in health.

• Creation of the Office of Childhood to promote a holistic approach to children’s wellbeing.

I also realize these are tough times for public health leadership. Ernest Hemingway once called courage “grace under pressure” which is important to remember when you are getting credible death threats as I, and many other public health leaders, have. Senator Kit Bond told me the key to his success was to listen, and I have encouraged all at DHSS to do just that.

Carved in the side of the Capitol are the words, Honor Opus Habet (Honor Has Its Burden) placed there in 1917. I saw them every day when I drove the four blocks to my apartment on Main Street in Jefferson City from the Capitol.

Yes, honor does have its burdens, but I would bear them readily again because one of the great •

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The Missouri Times

honors of my life is that I was invited to become a Missourian.

I am very appreciative to Gov. Parson who when he became governor invited other Cabinet members and me to continue to serve which allowed me to form friendships that I will forever cherish. As I told him recently, it was a privilege to serve with him, and I am thankful for our friendship and his leadership.

I will leave you with my thoughts on being director from the musical Hamilton: “Oceans rise, empires fall, it’s much harder when it’s all your call.”

In both regulatory and policy matters, we made the hard calls at DHSS, and we briefed Gov. Parson who had the courage and strength of character to make many hard calls during COVID-19 and at other times — and Missouri is better for it. As we celebrate our state’s 200th birthday, I am thankful for the dedicated people at DHSS who never forgot that all Missourians, wherever they live and whoever they are, count on us every day to help protect their health and keep them safe.

The next three years are going to be vital and exciting as DHSS receives almost $1 billion in funding to revise public health, and I hope all will work with Gov. Parson to build out the workforce and infrastructure for a solid foundation for many years to come. DHSS needs a director who can commit to that for three years as we move from rescue to recovery. And after four years of being away from my family, I need to honor the commitment I made to my 91-year-old mother, wife, and entire family that this would be my last year.

I will always remember a note I saw at a hospice site on a bulletin board from a patient when I was visiting a health department during my first year here. It said: “I have come to realize this. The most important things in life are the people you love, the places you visit, and the memories you make.”

I carry with me memories of so many people I came to love because they were so kind to me.

Throughout my time in Missouri, people I did not know would constantly tell me they were praying for the governor and me in handwritten notes, phone calls, emails, texts, and when they would see me in stores. I will always associate the word Missouri with prayer.

To all the Missourians who thanked the governor and our team at DHSS for the incredibly long hours we put in, please know we had a keen sense of duty, and I personally want to thank Gov. Parson and all Missourians for allowing me the high privilege to serve the people of Missouri who truly make this a very special place.

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C A M PA I G N S

Scott Sifton has already taken on Eric Greitens — and he’s ready to do it again Kaitlyn Schallhorn

Scott Sifton has already gone toe-to-toe with Eric Greitens. As the only lawyer in the state Senate at the time, Sifton challenged the erstwhile governor over his budget cuts, called for an investigation into potential campaign finance violations, and worked on the impeachment inquiry.

Now, Sifton and Greitens are battling again — but this time over an open U.S. Senate seat.

Sifton, 47, was one of the first people to jump into the race, even before Republican Senator Roy Blunt announced he would not seek re-election. He pointed to the Capitol insurrection as a catalyst for wanting to run for higher office.

Five people were killed and two Capitol police officers later died by suicide after protestors upset about the results of the 2020 presidential election stormed the U.S. Capitol in early January.

“We need to counter-balance the forces that fan those f lames so to speak.

We cannot have a U.S. Senate delegation that consists of Josh Hawley and Eric Greitens. We need more balance than that,” Sifton said. “There are obviously a lot of important challenges ahead of us on policy as well but that was a watershed moment for a lot of people. We need to get back to the business of governing and move our nation forward.”

Sifton termed out of the state Senate

last year, having previously served in the lower chamber. In the statehouse, Sifton was known for his legal expertise as well as his discipline.

“With his legislation and his preparation for the f loor, he was always meticulous and thorough. He was always ready,” former Minority Floor Leader Gina Walsh said. “He could hold the f loor forever once you told him you needed it.

But the thing about Scott is, he liked to stick to the subject matter and stay on task. He didn’t like it when somebody said, ‘What did you think of the baseball game last night?’”

“He is truly a good tool to have in your toolbox for a politician, but he was also great for our caucus,” Walsh said.

Sifton is the sole proprietor of his law practice which also works with OnderLaw LLC where he focuses on environmental cleanup litigation and recouping taxpayer funds spent to combat the opioid epidemic. He is a graduate of Truman State University and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School.

While he lives in St. Louis now, Sifton grew up in Kansas City. And when he was 15 years old, he went through “the most formative experience” of his life. His father lost his job, and his family lost their minivan and the home he grew up in.

Eventually, his parents found new work, and Sifton got a job at a local Ponderosa Steakhouse.

“We all felt that loss in different ways,

and my parents landed on their feet the best they could,” Sifton said.

And that personal story will underscore his message of “building an economy that works for everyone in every corner of Missouri — urban, suburban, exurban, and rural” as his campaign gets off the ground and he travels to every county in the state.

“That includes creating jobs that don’t just let a family get by but actually allows folks to get ahead. That means access to quality, affordable health care, that means investment in our infrastructure in all parts of the state, improving our public schools, prioritizing job training and higher education, and of course, protecting the social safety net — social security and Medicare which matters to everyone regardless of what part of the state they’re in,” Sifton said.

Sifton was first elected to the state Senate in 2012 and inevitably became the go-to expert for the Democrats on tort reform issues. But he also challenged Greitens — who resigned as Missouri’s chief executive after less than two years amid sexual misconduct and campaign finance allegations — during his tenure.

But while Sifton called for investigations into his campaign’s handling of a charity list and use of an encrypted messaging service and was involved in the impeachment discussions, he said he also went stood up against budget cuts to school buses and nursing homes and the elimination of an affordable housing

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program.

“I worked to prevent as much of his agenda from being adopted as possible with some success,” Sifton recalled.

“Sen. [Kiki] Curls and I were the last two standing on SB 43, the employment discrimination bill. We held that off for as long as we possibly could and did as much as we could to keep strong protections against workplace discrimination in Missouri. But on issue after issue, I squared up with Greitens when he was governor, including on dark money, his refusal to disclose the identity of his donors which was ultimately why he resigned. I was on the tip of the spear on that.”

Sifton doesn’t take being a lawmaker lightly — whether that’s in the statehouse or U.S. Senate.

“It’s an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives that has to be considered very carefully. Sometimes you can do good by passing a law; other times you can do good by stopping one from being passed,” he said. “It’s a sobering responsibility.”

As of the latest campaign finance filings, Sifton had nearly $146,000 cash on hand. In comparison, Greitens had about $9,000 cash on hand.

Aside from Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt has officially joined the race.

Congressmen Billy Long and Jason Smith as well as Congresswomen Vicky Hartzler and Ann Wagner are considering joining the Republican field as well.

HARTZLER ON A POTENTIAL SENATE RACE AND HOW SHE’S FORGED HER POLITICAL PATH

Kaitlyn Schallhorn Vicky Hartzler knew as a child she would go into public service. She remembers praying at 9 years old, asking God how she could make a difference, when “state representative” popped into her head.

Hartzler represented Cass and Johnson counties in the Missouri Legislature for six years before eventually serving the 4th congressional district in Washington, D.C. But now, Hartzler has found herself praying about her future again, whether she’s meant to continue her political career in the U.S. Senate.

“Definitely we are looking very seriously at it,” Hartzler said about her rumored interest in replacing outgoing Senator Roy Blunt. “We’re very excited about the opportunities to bring compassionate, effective, strong leadership perhaps to more Missourians.”

The Republican congresswoman said she’s not ready to make an official announcement but is spending her time getting counsel about the open seat. She was in Jefferson City recently where she met with Gov. Mike Parson, legislators, and members of the Missouri Farm Bureau before sitting down with The Missouri Times for a long-ranging interview about

her political life.

“Missouri deserves the best, most effective representation possible,” she said.

Becoming the ‘right Hartzler’

Hartzler, 60, represents a large and diverse swatch of Missouri in Congress, from the Columbia area sweeping west to just below Kansas City and down to Pittsburg and Lebanon, settling north of Springfield. Her journey to Congress came with the narrow defeat of longtime incumbent Congressman Ike Skelton. She is the second Republican woman elected to Congress in Missouri.

“I did a lot of praying and thinking about [running for Congress]. I was very concerned about the direction our country was going in and the leadership in Congress and how our representative was casting his vote with [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi and policies that we did not believe in here in Missouri,” Hartzler said.

“I felt like it was time to step back in and make a difference.”

Hartzler is a former home economics teacher and has a farm in Cass County along with her husband. They raise corn, soybeans, and wheat on their farm along with a cow-calf operation.

“There’s no one in Congress who loves their district more than her,” Eric Bohl, her former chief of staff, said. “She absolutely loves where she comes from and the people she represents. That goes a long way. She’s not someone who plays politics a lot, and I

think there’s a lot of value to that. [Hartzler] is someone we don’t have enough of these days in Washington.”

Hartzler is now in her 11th year in Congress. She has worked to ensure Gold Star families receive full insurance benefits and raise awareness about the “threat of China.” She’s advocated for religious liberties and is the only member of the Missouri congressional delegation to sit on the Agriculture Committee this year.

Given her background in education, Hartzler still has teenagers at the forefront of her mind, particularly those who struggle with drug use or addiction. After a visit to the southern border a few years ago, Hartzler said she learned cartels were using drones to bring drugs across the border, and agents did not have the authority or tools to take them down. So she successfully worked on legislation giving federal agencies the ability to destroy or control those drones through the FAA Reauthorization Act in 2018.

“To hear our laws were antiquated and these cartels were able to bring drugs here and hurt my community and my district, I knew I needed to do something,” she said.

But one of her proudest moments as a Missouri congresswoman came during her first term. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) determined the Lake of the Ozarks shoreline had been incorrectly surveyed, and people built homes and other structures below the appropriate elevation.

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The federal agency originally ordered about 1,200 homes be destroyed, Hartzler said.

She sprung into action, working with fellow Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, then-U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, and Blunt to rally homeowners, local officials, and media. It was an “all hands on deck” situation, she said.

“Because of our efforts here at home and in D.C., we were successful in our efforts, and FERC ultimately grandfathered in all of those structures. That literally saved 1,200 families from having their homes taken away by the federal government,” Hartzler said.

Hartzler still remembers the night her political career began in the early 1990s.

Her state representative, then for HD 124, was retiring, and a family friend called her husband, Lowell Hartzler. She watched him look over at her and nod, unable to hear what was being said on the other end of the line.

“You’ve got the wrong Hartzler,” her husband said before handing over the phone.

So she became the “right Hartzler” and rose to the occasion, becoming one of just a few Republicans to hold that seat.

Now, with another open seat, Hartzler has another decision to make. But for her, it’s no longer about being the “right Hartzler” but the candidate God has chosen to run for the seat, she said.

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C A P I T O L C U LT U R E

WHAT THE NEW CENSUS APPORTIONMENT DATA MEANS FOR MISSOURI

Kaitlyn Schallhorn

It’s off icial: Missouri will not gain or lose any congressional seats, according to the 2020 apportionment results released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Missouri will retain its eight congressional seats but neighboring Illinois is among seven states losing a congressional seat.

California, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia also lost a seat; Texas gained two seats while Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, and Oregon gained one seat.

The apportionment data is collected ever y 10 years.

In 2010, Missouri lost one congressional seat and had a population of 751,435 per

representative. In 2020, the Census data ref lected a population of 770,035 per representative.

In 2000, when Missouri had nine seats, it had a population of 622,918 per representative.

Missouri ’s population clocked in at more than 6.1 million. It was not in the top 10 runner-up list of states on deck to receive another congressional seat.

Missouri ’s population rose 2.8 percent over the last 10 years, fairly in line with the Midwest average of 3.1 percent grow th. The Midwest saw the slowest grow th percentage over the past decade compared to other regions, according to the data released Monday.

The data release from the Census Bureau didn’t mean much for Missouri in terms of congressional seats, but the attention can now fully be on the legislative map drawing, Yurij Rudensky, redistricting counsel in the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program, said.

“The question now is: Is this going to be a smooth process where the commissioners from the two parties work together or is it going to be another cycle punctuated with partisan gridlock … where the backup judicial panel has to take up the task,” Rudensky said.

Prior to the release of the data, Missouri waff led a bit on just how redistricting would take place. In 2018, voters approved the creation of a nonpartisan state demographer position to draw the legislative districts. The state auditor would pick a handful of people to submit to the Senate where the majority and minority leaders would choose a demographer, under that plan.

If the two leaders could not agree, a demographer would be chosen through a lotter y system.

But in November, more than 1.3 million Missourians voted to repeal those so-called Clean Missouri changes.

It reverted the system back to leaving it up to bipartisan commissions to draw

the districts. But it also instituted a policy of “one person, one vote” for redistricting which opponents have argued could unfairly exclude children or noncitizens.

“There will be opportunities for the public to provide input and comment.

Unlike decades past, there’s a lot more attention being paid to this issue and to other issues that pertain to democracy and voting,” Rudensky said.

“I k now there are a lot of community organizations and other grassroots groups weighing in and tr ying to secure fair outcomes. We will see to what extent the commissions and the backup judicial panel pay attention.”

According to the latest data, the U.S. population as of April 1, 2020, was 331,449,281 — a 7.4 percent increase from 2010 that was recorded at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barklage to plead not Cole County Sheriff’s Department tests soy-based tires Cameron Gerber guilty in personal tax case Scott Faughn

Veteran political consultant David Barklage is expected to plead not guilty in his personal tax case. Barklage was indicted on a felony tax charge in April regarding his personal income.

According to the indictment, Barklage allegedly failed to report $443,633 in income from 20122014. He owes $151,843 in taxes, the indictment said.

Barklage is represented by the prestigious Wampler & Passanise firm which confirmed he would “soon” enter a plea of not guilty in court.

“Mr. Barklage maintains his innocence throughout this process,” the firm said in a statement. “We look forward to reviewing the Federal Government’s evidence regarding Mr. Barklage’s personal taxes.”

The issue at hand stems from his personal tax filings not those of his business entities. During the time period covered under the indictment, Barklage was the full owner of The Barklage Company and had a 50 percent partnership in Barklage and Knodell.

He allegedly failed to report $111,500; $64,464; and $33,535

for work on a political campaign from 2012-2014. Additionally, he did not report $30,000 for lobbying work and $122,580 from an independent media producer during that time period, according to the indictment.

Barklage, a longtime Republican consultant known since the 1990s for being one of the top strategists in the state has, however, never been renowned for his business acumen. Yet that has not stopped him from advising nearly every major Republican in Missouri.

One longtime Republican former staffer and operative told The Missouri Times: “It is a tax issue; it doesn’t change the fact that he is literally a genius in the room. He has a phone full of friends and a long list of clients who aren’t running scared today because we all know that he is just as disorganized as he is brilliant.

He will be just fine.”

The case is assigned to the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri.

The Cole County Sheriff ’s Department is considering rolling with renewable, highperformance soy-based tires designed for use by law enforcement.

The department is nine months into its testing phase for a line of Goodyear Eagle Enforcer tires, which have a portion of their petroleum-based content replaced with renewable soybean oil.

The line is promoted through a partnership with the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council.

“Developing new uses for soy while simultaneously addressing challenges our partners face is key to realizing the bright future for Missouri’s top crop, soybeans,” said Kyle Durham, chairman of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council board of directors.

“The soy-based tires are an exciting example of the innovation we’re proud to drive through farmers’ investments in their soy checkoff, and we appreciate the partnership from law enforcement in putting this technology to work.”

Staff from the council met with the department in June to discuss the availability of the line with the first set installed on a patrol car the following month. A second set was installed on another vehicle this spring, and the department is considering a third set for trial in the near future.

The department averages 25,000 miles per year on its patrol vehicles, with replacements after 40,000. Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler said he was satisfied with the new line’s performance thus far.

“The first set of Goodyear Eagle Enforcer tires currently has 22,000 miles of service with no reported issues,” Wheeler said. “This has been

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a positive experience, and we expect to continue with the soy-based tires.”

The tires were designed for use by law enforcement, according to the Missouri Soybean Association, boasting traction and tread-life benefits from the soy components alongside performance features needed to navigate demanding conditions. Beyond its Eagle Enforcer line, Goodyear also offers soy-based tires for pedestrian drivers.

According to Goodyear, the soybean alternative offers increased flexibility at lower temperatures in addition to mixing better with rubber compounds in the tire to reduce energy consumption and a more energy-efficient production process.

Goodyear and the United Soybean Board have partnered to promote the new line throughout the country since 2019.

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Bicentennial Bridge to connect capital city with Missouri River

Cameron Gerber

As Missouri celebrates its bicentennial, a new landmark is under construction in the capital city to celebrate the milestone.

The Bicentennial Bridge will provide a pedestrian and bike path from the Capitol to Adrian’s Island, an area along the Missouri River. The bridge will connect to a 30-acre parkland north of the Union Pacific Railroad.

The project is expected to expand Capitol tourism and provide access to a new park as well as the City Greenway and Katy Trail system, an enhancement Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin said had been in the works for a long time.

“We’re a very unique city to have such a beautiful Capitol overlooking this amazing river and to have such an asset in our city — it’s like we’ve been so close, yet so far from it,” Tergin said. “Now we’ll be able to actually take

a walk or bike over this bridge and be able to be at our riverfront and be able to connect with our river; we’re very fortunate and we’re excited to be able to enjoy the beautiful nature in our capital city.”

“It’s such a unique perspective to look up at the Capitol from Adrian’s Island,” she continued. “It’s a stunning view that we aren’t able to see at the moment, and we soon will.”

The bridge will feature a Gold Star Memorial honoring veterans at the entrance in addition to educational panels along its length from various sponsors. The new park will have walking and biking trails and feature assets taken from the statehouse during its renovation, including stone columns from the top of the building.

The largest project approved by the Bicentennial Commission, the bridge has several beneficiaries in the community; the DeLong family has been longtime supporters, putting

more than $3.5 million behind the construction while Union Pacific just announced its $200,000 sponsorship. The project has a price tag of around $4.5 million and is still taking donations, with around $500,000 still needed.

“We have several businesses, banks, and individuals who have contributed,” Tergin said.

“It’s really been a lot of local support, and we welcome more as we continue fundraising. I’ve seen so many people peering over the edge and asking questions, and it’s exciting to see that enthusiasm and interest from the community.”

Tergin isn’t the only official excited for the bridge: Gov. Mike Parson has touted the project, saying it embodied Missouri’s focus on transportation and infrastructure.

“I can’t think of a better example of infrastructure and workforce development.

This has almost every piece of infrastructure out there,” Parson said. “It is the perfect

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C A P I T O L C U LT U R E

The Missouri Times

example of the private sector, city, county, and state working together for what I believe will be a true addition to our bicentennial year for the state of Missouri and for generations to come.”

Tergin said the hope was to complete the bridge as close to the bicentennial as possible.

She plans on a dedication of the portion that’s completed by the anniversary in August with a full reveal expected in the fall.

“This whole project has this feeling of discovery — a lot of people didn’t even know there was an island, and it’s a great opportunity for people in the capital city and visitors to discover this amazing park that just happens to be right out the back door of our Capitol,” she said. “It really is an amazing opportunity for us as a city and as a state.”

Visualization from Bartlett & West.

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The Missouri Times

STATESMAN OF THE YEAR The Missouri Times honored Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz as its 2020 Statesman of the Year on March 30 at The Millbottom. Thank you to everyone who attended and celebrated with us!

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The Missouri Times

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Photos by Jessalynn Cairer

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Blake Rollins named Missouri Farm Bureau CAO MISSOURI FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT TESTIFIES Cameron Gerber

After working on agriculture policy on the national level, Blake Rollins is joining the Missouri Farm Bureau as its new chief administrative officer (CAO).

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve as Missouri Farm Bureau’s Chief Administrative Officer,” Rollins said. “Missouri Farm Bureau is a tremendous advocate for Missouri’s farmers and ranchers, and I look forward to finding ways to add value to our members.”

Rollins served as deputy chief of staff for former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, joining the team in 2017. He previously served as director of the Office of External and Intergovernmental Affairs at USDA, counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture,

Nutrition, and Forestry, and legislative assistant for U.S. Senator John Boozman of Arkansas.

Rollins is a graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law, holding a law degree and LLM in Agriculture and Food Law. He received his undergraduate degree from Taylor University in Indiana.

He will replace Dan Cassidy, who retired from the position in January after 18 years in the position and 26 years with the bureau overall.

Former Director of Public Affairs Estil Fretwell held the spot in the interim.

Rollins was selected by Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins and the bureau’s board of directors. Hawkins is also new to his role; he was elected to serve as the 15th president in December. He worked as an account manager for Rosen’s Inc., an agriculture chemical distribution company, and is the former deputy director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Hawkins has served as the MOFB Youth Ambassador and director of national legislative programs where he led the bureau’s national lobbying efforts and policy development process for nearly 15 years. He recently testified before a congressional subcommittee on the importance of internet infrastructure in rural communities.

BEFORE CONGRESS ON RURAL BROADBAND Kaitlyn Schallhorn

Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins testified before a congressional subcommittee to advocate for greater access to affordable broadband, particularly in rural communities.

“America’s farmers and ranchers embrace technology that allows their farming businesses to be more efficient, economical, and environmentally responsible,” Hawkins told lawmakers. “Today’s farmers and ranchers are using precision agricultural techniques to make decisions that impact the amount of fertilizer they need to purchase and apply to their fields, the amount of water needed to sustain crops, and the amount and type of herbicides or pesticides needed.”

Appearing virtually before the House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, Hawkins pointed to four principles: ensuring data accuracy and mapping; planning for the future; fostering local, state, and federal partnerships; and focusing on precision agriculture.

Hawkins advocated for additional mapping to determine which areas should be eligible for federal and state funds and consideration of speeds to address educational and teleworking needs. He also emphasized the importance of local, state, and federal partnerships.

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A G R I C U LT U R E

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Hawkins recalled driving with a farmer in southern Missouri last month when they were slowed by construction work. A fiber-optic cable was stretched across the road, and the farmer said, “Maybe they’ll come my way in just a year or so.”

Hawkins said there is “good news” in Missouri when it comes to broadband access. The state created the Office of Broadband under the Department of Economic Development, and the Federal Communications Commission has awarded grants.

The challenge now, Hawkins said, is accountability.

“There are more dollars that are coming, and it’s up to us to make sure that there’s accountability and that we’re working hard at the national level to increase [accuracy],” Hawkins told The Missouri Times following his testimony. “We have to make sure we’re deploying as quickly as possible, and we’re delivering speeds that are necessary not just for recreation but for actual business. And ultimately planning for the future with whatever is put in place.”

Hawkins testified on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation at the request by the ranking members of the committee led by Missouri Congressman Sam Graves. The hearing was regarding the reauthorization of the Economic Development Administration.

Missouri-made soybean technology expands accessibility Cameron Gerber

A FULL-SERVICE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & LOBBYING FIRM HEADQUARTERED IN JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI

NEXUS-GRP.COM

SOYLEIC technology, developed in Missouri, is receiving a boost through a partnership with Global Processing and the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council.

The brand presents a high oleic soy option designed for use at high temperatures for baking and cooking in commercial and home kitchens without producing trans fats or requiring hydrogenation.

The product is used in everything from dressing to biodiesel and was developed at the University of Missouri’s Fisher Delta Research Center.

Under the partnership, access to the brand would expand in Midwestern states through increased processing opportunities. Kyle Durham, chairman of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, said the partnership would benefit farmers and consumers alike.

“Bringing new soybean varieties and market opportunities to growers is central to what we do: investing their soybean checkoff dollars,” Durham said. “Partnerships are key to bringing growers the best returns, and we’re proud to be taking this step forward in empowering farmers to improve

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their bottom line with value-added soybean varieties and markets.”

Under the non-exclusive partnership, Iowa-based producer and distributor Global Processing will have access to the SOYLEIC formula and combine the variation with other soybean traits to serve its producers and farmers.

“The visionary farmer leaders at the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council have created one of the most exciting opportunities that the soybean industry has seen in decades,” said Global Processing President Dave Wilcox.

“Through persistence and modern seed breeding, we now have a breakthrough that will benefit everyone in the soybean value chain. This would not have been possible without the long-term investment and calculated risktaking from the soybean checkoff.”

The strain has been tested in Missouri and around the Midwest since 2017, and the technology is still being studied. Producers are responsible for every step of the process, from planting to marketing. Patents are owned by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service and the Curators of the University of Missouri.

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OPINION

Building the future of a thriving Missouri economy with ‘Right to Start’ bill Travis Fitzwater

If all net-new job gains over the past 30+ years have come from one sector of the economy, would we have the fortitude to incentivize that behavior?

Missouri HB 1202, or the “Right to Start” legislation that has moved through the Missouri House of Representatives, attempts to do just that.

America was built by entrepreneurs, people willing to take risks, build their dreams, and hire people to help.

Over the last few decades, America’s startups (businesses younger than 5 years old) and entrepreneurial environment have been dwindling even though all net-new jobs have come from this sector of our economy. Why is hard to define.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to change it. And, we must.

If we want job growth in Missouri, we must properly incentivize those risk-takers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and community servants through state policy. It’s crucial for our state to have an economic development policy that radically changes the conversation on job growth here.

If HB 1202 were to pass, we’d phase in business income taxes for those who take the risk of starting a business in Missouri. This gradual phase-in from 0 percent in year one with 1 percent increases every year to the full 4 percent in year five would give startups a little more runway to get off the ground instead of tying the burden of the full tax code around their young companies neck from the jump.

Also, the bill would direct the Missouri Office of Administration to give 5 percent of state contracts to new businesses that are

Does Missouri love diversity?

Kendall Martinez-Wright

I am writing this completely openedminded and with an open heart. As the last weeks of session come to an end, I think about the thousands of bills, resolutions, and more that went through, and I think to myself which ones were important. Was it the SB 26 that would give the right to run over individuals practicing their First Amendment rights like the late Rep. John Lewis did in the 60s? Was it the feral hog legislation that would add more punishments in the constitution for individuals who let out hogs in the wild? All these issues are important, but the one most important to me is the anti-LGBTQ legislation that was rampant for the second year in the row in both chambers.

As the only openly Afro-Puerto Rican trans woman who is an advocate as well as being the first candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives in 2022, from moving and living in rural Missouri, I witnessed firsthand the struggles most individuals in the LGBTQ community deal with. From systemic areas such as being able to fire some due to their gender identity and sexual orientation (Bostock v. Clayton County Georgia 2020) to struggling with their authentic selves during elementary/secondary years, these individuals had to deal with various hurdles of life unbeknownst to them.

This session, the Missouri General Assembly had pieces of legislation that would ultimately police how children can interact with their counterparts in interscholastic activities as well as impede medicinal access for getting proper health care for those who identify as transgender, intersex, or gender nonconformed. One

of those pieces specifically was HJR 53 which was a constitutional amendment that would ask the voters of Missorui to decide to place provisions for individuals who do identify as trans to essentially reopen the trauma of their past gender in order to participate in the “correct” sport.

I find this disheartening not only due to the hardships some individuals deal with within the LGBTQ community but now more than ever it has become a quest to showcase who is valid or invalid as a human. I know some will think that the LGBTQ community is making too much progress but, for Black trans women such as Dominique Lucious, Nina Pop and, Aerrion Burnett, something they have in common is they have been killed in Missouri due to a rise of anti-trans violence. Last year alone in the U.S., 44 individuals were victims of fatal violence in which the majority of the deaths were those who was either Black or Latino transgender women.

Missouri is called a sanctuary for life by many Republican officials and citizens, but I am a firm believer that if we are a true sanctuary for life, we must acknowledge all forms of life from conception to old age. I find that if we truly embrace the beauty of diversity within this state and respect those who differ in this state, Missouri would definitely succeed in the ranks. There are areas that are not debatable and all things humanity is one of them. In closing, I leave you with my own quote: “God blesses us to be diverse for a reason. It is up to the person’s heart to showcase the true beauty of loving all people.”

5 years or younger. This would legitimize startups in our state with contracts early in their development as a way to encourage business development.

The bill has a provision establishing Missouri’s Office of Entrepreneurship, too. This office would be in charge of being a voice for our startups. Currently, we have many effective voices in the Economic Development space but none specifically leading the charge on the most important businesses for a GROWING economy, new businesses.

Finally, the bill would provide mobility to employees making less than $75,000 per year by banning non-compete agreements going forward. We want to make sure everyone in Missouri can have access to the free market without overly burdensome contractual obligations that most citizens in Missouri

don’t have the financial backing or personal legal support to negotiate away.

Encouraging an ecosystem of entrepreneurship in the state is much more important to job growth than any other incentive package we can offer. If we help Missourians start and expand their homegrown businesses, we have a much better chance of keeping them in Missouri.

And, if we have more Missourians building businesses, we have many more Missourians getting access to new, innovative, and crucial jobs for the state’s workforce going forward.

It’s time for Missouri to take the lead in encouraging new business growth, entrepreneurship, and a thriving economy that helps its citizens thrive in the free market. It begins with the “Right to Start” a business bill.

State Rep. Travis Fitzwater is a Republican who represents HD 49 of Callaway and Cole counties.

He serves as the chairman of the House Fiscal Review committee.

Right to hunt, fish gains movement in Legislature

Gabriella Hoffman

Missouri could soon become the 24th state to adopt a right to hunt and fish amendment. This comes after Montana failed to pass a similar amendment this legislative cycle.

On May 5, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources approved HJR 23, setting the bill up for a full chamber vote. It already passed the lower chamber by a 125-18 vote and needs to meet a two-thirds threshold in the Senate.

If the right to hunt and fish amendment lands on the 2022 ballot, it would amend the state constitution to include Article I, Section 36 to read like this: That hunting and fishing provide exercise, social and emotional health, 2 employment opportunities, and nutritious proteins; and that hunters and anglers are driving forces supporting Missouri’s economy.

To protect this important heritage and fundamental right, the individual right of hunters and anglers to engage in hunting and harvesting wildlife, and fishing, by traditional legal means shall be forever guaranteed in this state, subject to duly authorized powers of the conservation commission conferred in Article IV, Section 40(a) of the Constitution of Missouri.

Why? Hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters are the Kendall Martinez-Wright is a candidate for largest contributors to conservation funding in the HD 5.

U.S.

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Under the Pittman Robertson Act of 1937, sportsmen and women pay excise taxes collected on guns, ammunition, tackle, archery, and licenses that pay for wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, and hunter education courses. Those monies are collected by the Department of Interior and then distributed to the 50 state wildlife agencies.

Lawmakers agree.

“We all know that the heritage to hunt and fish in this state is significant and historic,” Rep. John Black, a key backer, said in February. “It would seem appropriate that within 200 years from our founding, we finally get it in the constitution.”

Rep. Chris Dinkins, who filed similar legislation before, echoed Black and said, “As Missouri becomes more urban and the traditions of allowing citizens to hunt and fish are being whittled away, we just want to make sure that we have this in black and white, that we are forever permitted to hunt.”

With more attacks on hunting and fishing expected, these constitutional amendments can safeguard these American pastimes against future attacks.

Gabriella Hoffman is an award-winning freelance outdoor writer and host of the “District of Conservation” podcast. Her work has been featured in Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Sporting Classics Daily, Sporting Classics Magazine, Verily Magazine, and other publications.

The Missouri Times

Shoshana Weissmann Missouri is becoming a national leader on occupational licensing reforms Over the last few years, Missouri has cleared the way for more people in the state to find work and has also lowered barriers of those moving into its towns and cities to pursue employment.

This change was a long time coming.

Excessively burdensome occupational licensing laws can be extremely detrimental to small business owners, military spouses, and a community and economy in general.

A few sharp elected officials in Missouri — those like Rep. Derek Grier and Gov. Mike Parson — took note of this, and just last year successfully enacted legislation implementing universal licensing recognition in the state.

This means people with occupational licenses — including architects, dental hygienists, and psychologists — can now move to Missouri and work in their licensed professions without going through expensive and time-consuming recertification in the state. The legislation also narrowed the ways

in which licensing boards can deny licenses based on criminal history to make sure there is a tighter relationship between the crime committed and the job one would perform which can also help reduce recidivism rates.

In light of the pandemic, it is notable that Missouri is working to allow foreigntrained physicians, whose credentials meet licensing board standards, to work in America. Even before the pandemic, America faced a daunting and growing shortage of physicians — and it is only going to get worse.

Doctors who immigrate here face an expensive and long licensing process, and immigrant health care professionals are extensively underemployed in America.

Legislation like this would be transformational for the health care system and set Missouri ahead of every other state. Another bill sponsored by Sen. Denny Hoskins would expand the Advanced Practice Registered

Bridging the education divide Lauren Arthur

As we approach the final week of the 2021 Legislative Session, the issue of education remains at the center of bipartisan discussions in the Missouri Senate.

While the final legislative product is unknown at this time, members of both parties in the upper chamber have worked to find consensus for the first time on a range of issues.

For me, this shift began during a hearing in front of the education committee last year as I presented my legislation on Competency-Based Education.

Right now, the state reimburses schools for daily attendance levels without any incentive to help students who are ready to move along in a subject they’ve mastered. My bill would have allowed the state to reimburse school districts for students enrolled in competency-based courses, similar to the way schools receive funding now for daily attendance. Under that bill, schools would be encouraged to promote achievement instead of only being rewarded for attendance.

As I presented the idea, Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin had some tough but fair questions.

As we talked about my bill and the reasons behind it, we found ourselves agreeing on several points. At that moment, the wall that sometimes exists between two lawmakers of opposing parties began to crumble, and we could see in each other a shared purpose.

My bill did not pass that session, but the conversations between Sen. O’Laughlin, myself, and others continued in the interim. We found more areas of agreement than disagreement.

We agreed that the traditional public education system does not work for everyone, but many districts offer incredible opportunities for students. We agreed that innovation in our schools is desperately needed. And we agreed

overwhelmingly that literacy is foundational for student success.

This year, we met as sort of an ad-hoc Education Working Group. Unlike a committee, there was no bill to consider or votes to take.

Instead, this was a group of people from across the political spectrum trying to find common ground for the common good. This approach represents bipartisanship in action and serves as an example of collegiality that is too often absent from the public sphere. And the good news is, I really feel like we’re just getting started.

When Senator Roy Blunt announced his retirement earlier this year, he talked about the current state of American politics and how too many people refuse to find common ground.

He said: “I think the country in the last decade or so has sort of fallen off the edge with too many politicians saying ‘If you vote for me I’ll never compromise on anything.’ … We’ve seen too much of it in our politics today at all levels … and rather than spending a lot of time saying what I’d never do, I’d spend more time saying what I’d try to do and be willing to move as far in the direction of that goal as you possibly could rather than saying ‘I’ll never do this.’”

That’s good advice and is something more elected officials need to hear (and do).

I think in the Missouri Senate we have started down this path. People have stopped saying what they’d “never do” on education and have started moving as far in the direction of our shared goals as possible. When that happens, students, parents, teachers, and communities will benefit for years to come.

Sen. Lauren Arthur is a Democrat who represents SD 17 which includes part of Clay County. She is a former middle school teacher who also serves on the Senate Education Committee.

Nurse (APRN) scope of practice which would allow nurses to give more care while reducing costs. It’s a model that works successfully in many states, and clearly, lawmakers hope will work well in Missouri.

But licensing reforms don’t stop there. Missouri has 21 military bases, and legislation spearheaded by Republicans in the state legislature would also allow military spouses and veterans to more easily have their licenses recognized so that they can move to Missouri and work. Too often, military families move to a new state and lose an income because of the licensing process. Another bill, HB 491, is not quite licensing reform, but similar in that it allows people to work from their homes without arbitrary government restrictions. Many localities have laws that prevent home-based businesses even when they have no impact on the neighborhood.

Finally, another bill from Sen. Andrew

OPINION

MISSOURI IS BECOMING A NATIONAL LEADER ON OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REFORMS

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Koenig would allow people with criminal records to find out from occupational licensing boards whether their record would disqualify them from being able to acquire a license. As people try to get back on their feet, they have to know what’s open to them before investing time and money, if we want them to succeed.

All of this new work follows past attempts to make Missouri a member of medical licensing compacts, reduce licensing requirements for barbers, allow people to work while waiting for their license from another state to be recognized, and more.

Other states should seek to reduce government red tape and bureaucracy in order to make their economies more competitive the way Missouri is trying to.

Shoshana Weissmann is a fellow at the R Street Institute, a free-market think tank.

PARSON CAN CATCH MISSOURI UP WITH NEIGHBORING STATES FOR EDUCATION Cindy O’Laughlin

COVID-19 has changed many of the ways we do things in the past year, including the way we educate our children.

We have seen more changes and modifications made to the way we teach our kids this year than any previous year. Some parents appreciate these changes, including an online format, while other parents are clamoring to get back in person.

What this reveals is that parents and students would like to have more flexibility when it comes to education; COVID-19 has finally shown that the status-quo of a one-size-fits-all approach just does not work for thousands of families across our state. That is why school choice reform has become such an important topic here in Missouri.

Before I go any further, a little bit of trivia for you: Missouri is tied with Tennessee for being the state that neighbors the most other states: eight. Being surrounded by so many neighbors, we get to see what policies they are implementing in their own states and to see if they may be beneficial to Missouri.

From looking at our neighbors, we discover that Missouri is woefully lagging behind in the field of school choice. While most of our neighboring states offer their residents some form of state support for school choice, Missouri is currently lagging. I think we can borrow the policies that work in those states and to try and implement them on our own.

For instance, Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and even Illinois have some form of a tax credit for donating to scholarship funds at qualified schools. This program incentivizes private donors to give money to scholarships set up by private schools, which are then offered to students in need. This creates an incentive for private donors to help pay for education. The states vary in the size and scope of the tax credit offered, but this is just one example of encouraging people to look to private schools for alternative education options.

Other states, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, have some form of a special-needs voucher or ESAs for children with disabilities. School vouchers work by giving families state-provided funds to help pay for tuition at private schools. Families with children with special-needs are able to get state money to send their children to a school that best suits their unique needs. Education Savings Accounts operate in a similar function, except ESAs can be applied

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to more programs; families can withdraw their kids from public school and receive state funds that they can then put to pre-approved programs. This could include tuition at a private school, but could also include private tutors or online programs.

Kentucky has become the 28th state in the country to adopt a private school choice program just this week, when the Kentucky legislature OVERRODE the governor’s veto to pass a $25 million ESA program. This program is limited to families with income equal to or less than 175 percent of that required for the free or reduced lunch school program. Meanwhile, private school choice is available to students in counties with a population of more than 90,000.

The Kentucky Legislature recognized that school choice empowers families to choose the education options that work best for their children, and it specifically helps low-income families find a better education.

In May, the Missouri Legislature passed its own version of ESA legislation (HB 349). Missouri’s version, which is a tax credit to donors, not a voucher to parents themselves, will provide families with the option of withdrawing their children from district schools and to receive some money to send them to an alternative; be it another private, district, charter or home school setting. Our education system is meant to empower students with an education, not bureaucrats and administrators. Thus, the money should follow the student, not just a building.

I have received calls of support for this program from many constituents, and I hope to hear from more of you on this issue and others related to education reform. COVID-19 has exposed the one-size-fits-all flaws inherent in the system, and more families are clamoring for choice now than ever.

I’m glad the Missouri legislature realizes it is time for Missouri to join with its neighbors in recognizing that ESA programs and other school choice reforms help our families get the education they need. I want to thank Gov. Parson for his due consideration of this legislation and look forward to his signing of HB 349.

Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin is a Republican who represents SD 18. She chairs the Senate Education Committee.

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OPINION

Perspectives from the super minority Ashley Aune

As a first-term state representative, I’m constantly asked, “So, how is it really?” Being a Democrat in a very red state, I understand the curiosity — signing up to be the underdog every day isn’t most people’s idea of a good time. But this job is so much more than that, and as my first regular session comes to an end, I want to share an insider’s perspective of what it’s really like to legislate in the great state of Missouri.

When I was first elected to public office last November, I knew entering the Missouri House as a member of the super minority party would come with some remarkable challenges. I understood I would be on the losing side of some difficult votes as a Democrat and that any legislation I wrote wouldn’t be fast-tracked over to the Senate. However, I also discovered some smaller — but still significant — obstacles when I actually got to Jefferson City.

For instance, the majority sets the legislative agenda, and they have strategic reasons for wanting to keep that agenda relatively confidential — even from their own members. As a member of the minority party and someone new to the building, I initially struggled to keep up with which pieces of legislation I should keep on my radar and which were low priority. But I quickly learned to stay flexible and resilient, and I discovered that by focusing on

the legislation that went through my committees or happened to fall into my own areas of expertise, I could be more prepared and more confident in my contributions when the issues come up on the floor.

I also underestimated the toll some of the disagreements over particular bills take on you.

When Republicans repeatedly refused to uphold their constitutional duty to fully fund Medicaid, I heard from so many of my constituents over the entire course of the budget process. They asked me to stand up for them, to fight for their vote, or to make sure they got the coverage they had been promised.

Knowing what was at stake, understanding how many people in my district and across the state were counting on me and my colleagues to come through for them made losing that fight that much more devastating.

Other work on the floor challenged me in different ways. There were simple, but disappointing differences in approach to policy, like when House Republicans passed a school voucher system that effectively subsidizes private schools with public dollars. Other times, that work felt like personal attacks. When our caucus helped Republican Rep. Tom Hannegan use a rare procedural move to get his Missouri Nondiscrimination Act — which would provide protections for LGBTQ+ Missourians — onto the House floor, Republicans approved a measure that specifically discriminated against our state’s transgender children just two days later.

It hurts to see my colleagues — including

people with whom I had built strong professional relationships over the course of the legislative session — use their power to hurt one of our state’s most vulnerable populations.

But not everything was contentious or emotionally draining, and my first year had a number of highlights, as well. I got to work with veteran legislator Rep. Ron Hicks from St. Charles County to get HB 1325 passed out of the Emerging Issues Committee in March. This bill would end stigmas against medical cannabis users in family court. Currently, some judges are restricting custodial or parental rights from qualified medical marijuana patients in family court because of their use of legal medical cannabis. I approached Rep. Hicks about this issue, he took immediate interest, and worked with me to help push the bill through the legislative process.

I built other relationships across the aisle as well, including an unlikely friendship with my fellow freshman, Rep. Bill Hardwick from Pulaski County.

He and I connected early in the session on an issue we both care deeply about: improving our state’s cybersecurity infrastructure. We worked together to draft the Missouri Cybersecurity Act, which establishes a commission of public and private experts from across the state to share information, challenges, and best practices. I’m so proud that this piece of legislation made it across the finish line this week as an amendment to a Senate bill that was Truly Agreed and Finally Passed.

I also had the chance to meet and learn from experienced legislators on my side of the aisle alongside a strong contingent of fellow first-year Democrats. Although our caucus is small, each member has exposed me to different perspectives and values, and the more experienced members have helped me understand the inner workings of the Capitol and taught me how to be an effective public servant.

This summer, I expect to build even more connections with members of the freshmen class as we learn more about each facet of our state on the Freshman Tour, which will be held this June. I look forward to the interim to recuperate and reflect on what I’ve learned and how I can use that information to make next year even better.

But mostly, I want to use this time to reconnect with my constituents and hear their concerns going into 2022. They sent me here, and I’m so proud to do this work on their behalf.

I know folks will continue to ask what it’s really like to be a Democratic lawmaker in Missouri, and I look forward to continuing to respond with, “It’s genuinely the most challenging and incredible thing I’ve ever done.

“And I love it.”

State Rep. Ashley Aune is a Democrat who represents HD 14 of Clay and Platte counties. She is a member of the House Rules - Oversight Committee.

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Sen. Brian Williams reflects on the 2021 legislative session

Brian Williams

We recently witnessed the trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer who was convicted of killing George Floyd in Minneapolis. The cell phone video of that tragic event captured the attention of millions of people all across the world. Protests against police brutality took place throughout the country. As the first Black male to serve in the Missouri Senate in 20 years, I felt it was my responsibility to take a stand.

I ran for the Missouri Senate to represent the SD 14 because I care deeply about the big issues facing our neighborhoods: health care, jobs, and safer streets. As a young man growing up in Ferguson, my mother and grandmother taught me that if I saw problems in the world, I had a responsibility to do my part to fix what I could, where I could. Simply put, I was interested in making the world around me a better place.

Each day I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the people of my district. I work hard, using my experiences and perspective to shape public policy for the better, especially when it comes to creating jobs, improving our schools, and making our streets safer.

Over the past year, I have traveled all over the state to raise awareness of the issue of police brutality and advocate for police reform. One of the most important things we can do to make our streets safer is to improve the relationships between police officers and the communities they serve.

That is why I filed SB 60. This legislation focuses on three commonsense reforms: • Prohibiting law enforcement from using a respiratory chokehold unless deadly force is authorized;

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Increasing the penalty to a Class E felony for officers and correctional staff who engage in sexual conduct with a person in their custody; and • Preventing officers who have been discharged from one department for wrongdoing from simply moving to another department.

Through these long-overdue changes, I believe we can begin the process of improving police/ community relations and restoring the trust that is the very foundation of public safety. This is not an “us versus them” situation. Law enforcement groups and advocates support these simple, but important reforms. These groups include: • The National Association of Social Workers; • Empower MO; and • The Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and more.

In a perfect world, we would have a governor and a majority party in the legislature who would be willing to go even further, but I will not let a long journey stop me from taking the first step.

These are good reforms we can pass this year to save Black lives. We will ban chokeholds with this bill.

We will stop sexual misconduct with this bill. We will stop departments from hiring bad officers with this bill. I am proud of the work we have accomplished, and I look forward to passing this bill so we can save Black lives.

I am also working on expungement legislation.

We can keep our communities safer and stronger by making sure people who have served their time can find a good job with a good wage as they reenter society. I have sponsored legislation to make expunging non-violent criminal records easier.

Specifically, my bill: • Allows information from the Missouri Central Repository to be made available to expungement clinics or legal aid organizations; • Lowers the expungement surcharge amount from $250 to $100 and allows a judge to waive the surcharge if the petitioner is found to be unable to pay the cost; • Lowers the earliest time to request expungement from seven years to three years for a felony, and from three years down to one year for a misdemeanor; and • Streamlines the process to help people who have paid their debt to society find a goodpaying job and rebuild their lives.

I expect this bill to continue to move forward, and I will keep working through the interim to build consensus on this important issue.

In August 2020, Missouri voters amended the constitution to expand Medicaid to working people.

In St. Louis County, home to my district, voters approved the measure by nearly 73 percent.

Unfortunately, a majority of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle in the Missouri House and Senate voted to block the funding needed to provide services to the expansion population. This is incredibly frustrating and deeply disappointing.

Here is how I see it: Because of the way legislative districts are drawn, even though a majority of voters approved Medicaid expansion, there are not 18 senators whose districts voted for Medicaid expansion. To put it another way, there are more Senate districts that defeated Medicaid expansion than passed it.

I do not believe this should matter. Medicaid

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expansion is in the state’s constitution.

Every elected official swore an oath to uphold the constitution, whether they voted for all of its amendments or not. From where I stand, by blocking Medicaid expansion, these legislators are violating their oath.

However, until voters start holding their elected officials accountable, I believe these numbers are not going to change, and this matter will end up before a judge.

In the meantime, the question remains: What will state officials do on July 1 when the constitution says Medicaid expansion goes into effect? Will they enroll eligible individuals? Or will they ignore the constitution and block working women and men from the health care they need?

It appears that all eyes are on the governor and his administration to see what happens next.

I know that sometimes our country and our communities seem deeply divided, especially right after a major election. Despite that, I firmly believe there is more that unites us than divides us. As a state senator, I represent every single one of the 180,000 constituents in my district, not just the ones who voted for me. I hope other leaders feel the same way because public safety, police reform, saving Black lives, and social justice should not be partisan positions. They should be common goals we all share.

Sen. Brian Williams is a Democrat who represents SD 14 in St. Louis County. He is the vice-chairman of the Senate Progress and Development Committee.

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