Legislative report: Jan. 24, 2018


Lyle Rowland

Greetings from your state Capitol. We had cold beginnings to start the week but hopes of a warmup by weekend sounded great.

We got hit with news about Governor Greitens, and rumors are of course running bank high. The news media is in frenzy over the issue. Most of the other representatives, as myself, are waiting for the investigation to finish before making a final judgment. We certainly don’t condone the governor’s action and want the full story, which should come out in the investigation.

The House didn’t deviate from our work. Committee meetings were being held, and work on the House floor produced three bills being sent to the Senate.

The first bill the House passed, HB 1303, was a ban on lobbyist gifts. For too long, Missourians have felt they can’t trust their government, and this ban will help restore public trust. Earning back this trust starts by getting rid of the undue influence of lobbyists and special interests.  Missourians can be assured their legislators are fighting for them and not special interest groups.

Last week the House GOP also passed HB 1500, known as the hair-braiding bill. The bill number, 1,500, represents the number of hours of hands-on training it takes to become certified to braid hair. This bill lowers regulations for certification, making it easier to open a small business. Just over 47 percent of all workers are employed by small businesses. Lowering regulations, like hair-braiding requirements, will create more jobs in Missouri.

Another important piece of legislation passed through the House last week was HB 1246. The passage of this bill is a step forward in addressing the human trafficking in Missouri. HB 1246 requires certain places, such as airports and train stations, to display posters informing victims of resources and services available to them. We must continue to take steps forward in addressing and fighting the problem of human trafficking.

Complete bill information can be found on the House website at house.mo.gov.

The budget process is beginning to ramp up and should be in full swing this week with the governor’s budget, which was expected to be released on Monday or Tuesday. This is the one issue we have to pass this session. Hopefully we will be able to pass our balanced budget on time.

It’s a privilege to represent you in state government.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
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