House ends term in some turmoil

Rep. Allen Andrews

As the first half session comes to a close, I want you to know how grateful I am for the honor to represent you and to be your voice in the Capitol.

My colleagues and I crossed the legislative finish line Friday evening with a long list of accomplishments meant to move Missouri toward a brighter tomorrow.

However, the immensely productive session came to a grinding halt during a normally frantic final week as the Senate bogged down in a filibuster. The shutdown left many bills in limbo but didn’t diminish the fact the House and Senate had already sent most of their priorities to the governor.

The quiet final week also took on a somber tone in the House as the Speaker stepped down from his position. The difficult moment brought members together to offer support to one another and to regroup and refocus on the business of representing their constituents.

Members moved quickly to elect Floor Leader Todd Richardson as the new Speaker. As he then said to his colleagues and the members of the media, “It is time to get back to the important business we were sent here by Missourians to accomplish.”

As the gavel dropped for the final time, the House and Senate had a significant list of legislative accomplishments to be proud of, including:

Fiscal Year 2016 State Operating Budget — The legislature approved a $26.1 billion operating budget that increases funding for K-12 education by $84 million to take total funding for public schools to the highest level in state history. It also increases higher education funding by $12 million and reins in the unsustainable growth of the state’s public assistance programs, including expanding use of managed care in the state Medicaid system.

The budget bills have been signed by the governor.

Welfare Reform — Legislation that will add new eligibility and work requirements for recipients of federal welfare benefits to help move them back to work so they can become self-supporting and independent.

The Heartland Institute had previously rated Missouri last in the nation in regard to its programs’ moving people back into the work force. The legislation was vetoed by the governor the House and Senate overrode the veto.

Unemployment Reform — Legislation to ensure Missourians have access to unemployment benefits when they are out of work while also protecting Missouri’s job creators from excessive taxes and fees. The bill ties unemployment benefits to the unemployment rate and requires the unemployment fund to have more cash on hand. The bill was vetoed by the governor and the House overrode the veto. The Senate has yet to take action on the override motion.

Dairy Revitalization Act — Legislation to revitalize Missouri’s struggling dairy industry that has seen more than 2,500 dairy farms close in the past decade. The bill includes a dairy producer margin insurance premium assistance program forfinancial protection and a scholarship program to encourage young people to pursue ag careers. The bill is law.

Education Reform — Legislation designed to address the school transfer issue to give the 62,000 children in failing schools the opportunity to receive a better education.

It would allow students in failing schools to move to better performing schools in their district, or possibly attend a charter school or take advantage of a virtual school option. The bill awaits the governor’s signature.

I voted no on this bill due to the possible increased costs and negative impact this bill could have on our rural school districts.

Worker Freedom Legislation — For the first time in Missouri’s history, the General Assembly passed a right-to-work bill to give workers the freedom to choose whether to join a union.

The bill is meant to make Missouri more attractive for new and existing job creators. The bill has been sent to the governor for his consideration.