For Immediate Release:
Feb. 25, 2014

 Contact: Jennae Neustadt
(573) 751-2514
Senator Lamping Files Legislation to Improve the Structure and Process of Government

JEFFERSON CITY — Senator John Lamping, R-Ladue, today filed a package of legislation consisting of eight bills designed to improve the government process in Missouri.

"I’ve had an opportunity to fully understand and evaluate the process by which government operates during my time in the Senate,” said Sen. Lamping. “This ‘better government package’ is focused on increasing efficiency and providing transparency, two things I feel we should always be striving to do."

Legislation included in the package proposes to institute new term limits for legislators, restrict legislators from becoming lobbyists without a cooling-off period, reduce the size of the state House of Representatives, shorten the length of session, require the Legislature to review and revise the education funding formula on a more frequent basis, eliminate retirement benefits for members of the General Assembly, create a defined contribution plan for statewide elected officials, and require the joint election of the governor and lieutenant governor.

Many of the legislative ideas are bills Sen. Lamping has filed previously, including the idea to shorten session and bar legislators from becoming lobbyists immediately upon leaving office.

“The idea to shorten session not only saves the state money and leads to a more efficient process, but also helps to make running for public office more attractive to citizen-legislators,” said Sen. Lamping.  “I also fully support the idea that legislators must wait a period of time before becoming lobbyists. They stand in an unfair position to yield power immediately after leaving office.”

Senator Lamping also filed legislation this session to overhaul ethics laws in Missouri.

“These bills, combined with the ethics overhaul legislation I filed, are positive steps toward making government more transparent, efficient and accountable to Missourians,” said Sen. Lamping.  “I hope my colleagues will consider supporting some, if not all, of these measures.”

The Senate filing period for new legislation closes on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014.