JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Senate today gave first-round approval to a bill that contains a few of the many cost-saving recommendations that were presented during the Senate’s “Rebooting Government” work day, which was held March 23.
Senate Bill 734 , sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg), includes some of the ideas the education working group considered last month in the Senate’s effort to begin restructuring and streamlining state government.
First, current law requires students to earn one unit of credit in physical education to graduate from high school. One recommendation added to SB 734 would allow a school board to adopt a policy permitting any student who has participated in three or more years of high school interscholastic athletics to receive one unit of P.E. credit to satisfy the graduation requirement. The P.E. requirement could also be fulfilled if a student has earned a fine arts credit for participation in high school marching band for three or more years.
The bill would also require regional professional development centers to assist school districts in identifying and implementing cost-saving measures.
The Senate identified between $689 million and $789 million in potential taxpayer savings during the work day after reviewing hundreds of citizen-submitted ideas for saving money. For a complete listing of the recommendations submitted by the Senate’s working groups, visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on the Rebooting Government logo. The Senate will continue accepting submissions from Missourians throughout the legislative session.
Senate Bill 734 must receive one more “yes” vote from the Senate before moving to the House for similar consideration.
The Second Regular Session of the 95th Missouri General Assembly runs through May 14, 2010. For more information about the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov . To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or e-mail newsroom@senate.mo.gov .
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