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| Capitol Report For the Month of March | Contact: (573) 751- 3074 | ||
Spring Recess Marks Half-Way |
Expanding Missouri's Healthcare |
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| Spring Recess Marks HalfWay Point of Session | |||
The General Assembly enjoys an annual spring recess during this time every year. This time marks the halfway point of session. It is a time in which Missouri lawmakers are able to take a break from the lawmaking process, spend time with our families and return to the Capitol refreshed and ready to work.As we move into the final two months of session, the Senate will begin passing legislation and working on crafting an adequate budget for Missouri. The debates will get longer, nights will get later and bills will start hitting the governor’s desk.I am happy to be back on the floor and addressing the important issues our state faces. |
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| Fighting For Missourians' Financial Futures | |||
One of my signature pieces of legislation this year was recently given a hearing in the Senate Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee. Senate Bill 193 would increase Missouri’s minimum wage from the current $7.65 an hour to $10.00 an hour. Last year, 34 states considered increasing minimum wage, and 13 states, including Missouri, raised the minimum wage in accordance with inflation. Missouri’s minimum wage increase this year was 15 cents. |
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| Ensuring Equal Pay Within Businesses | |||
Another important piece of legislation I filed this year is also being considered by the Senate Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee. Senate Bill 144 would require the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish “best” practice guidelines for equal pay, regardless of gender. The guidelines set forth would pertain to state and local governments and public businesses. They would include: what gender pay equality is; why gender pay inequality happens; the benefits of gender pay equality; and how to achieve gender pay equality.
This is a fairness issue we should be addressing and for which we should be setting guidelines. More than that, it depresses our economy. This bill would merely suggest these guidelines, not require them. They are very generic, but would be a step in the right direction in creating equal pay for all Missourians. According to a study by the University of Missouri- Truman School of Public Affairs, women make up 51 percent of Missouri's population and account for 48 percent of the work force. However, these studies also revealed that women will earn 29 percent less than a man for the same job and work, even though women hold a lower unemployment rate. There is no excuse and no room for inequality between genders in this day and age. If we do not address this issue now, it will only further erode opportunity. We must work together in order to ensure that male and female employees receive equal pay for equal work.Senate Bill 144 would promote economic development and support for women and their families. Missouri’s economy continues to struggle due to gender inequality. On average, women employed full-time in Missouri are losing a combined total of $8 million dollars due to the wage gap. This measure would aid Missouri in closing the wage gap and provide all Missouri women the opportunity to work in an equal and fair industry. If approved and signed into law, the measure would take effect on August 28, 2015. |
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| Expanding Missouri's Healthcare | |||
Throughout the session we have experienced numerous visitors here at the Capitol calling for the expansion of Medicaid eligibility for Missourians. For three years I have filed legislation and fought diligently for the expansion of Medicaid, under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). This year has proved no different. I filed Senate Bill 90 in effort to provide adequate and affordable healthcare to improve the health and lives of all Missourians.
This month I submitted a courtesy resolution on the Senate floor (3-19) for John “Lefty” O’rear of Jefferson City. He is a healthcare advocate who is now fighting a different battle, cancer. Missouri is currently going through a healthcare crisis that we have battled for the past three years. We have waited for far too long to talk about how we can increase healthcare in our state through Medicaid expansion. Constituents lined the halls of the Capitol this month out of frustration that they have been ignored. They are ready for us to have the debate, and I agree that the time has come to talk. It is important to our credibility to show Missourians that we are addressing the important issues. I have been informed by my colleagues, opposing Medicaid expansion, that they welcome this debate. So why should we hinder this discussion any longer, when clearly Missourians have spoken. People from every corner of this great state are asking for Medicaid expansion, and we owe it to the constituents we serve to at least bring it to the floor for consideration. |
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| Working Towards Passing Missouri's Budget | |||
Earlier this month the House passed their version of Missouri’s budget and delivered it to the Appropriations Committee, which is the first step in the Senate’s approval process. Once the budget has been revised in Appropriations, it is sent to the Senate floor so that all Senators are able to offer amendments and recommendations during debates.In December every year, the budget process begins when the governor and the Legislature come to together to establish the state’s Consensus Revenue Estimate (CRE). This is used to determine where the amount of Missouri’s general revenue funds will be allocated. Net general collections for the 2016 Fiscal Year are estimated to be $8.673 billion. This represents a 3.6 percent growth from the previous year. This allows the General Assembly a $26.1 billion budget to work with this year. As the General Assembly returns to session, passing a budget for Missouri is the first on our agenda. Establishing Missouri’s budget is the only constitutional requirement we must complete during session. The funds for our budget are provided by Missouri’s hard-working tax payers. It is our obligation to provide a balanced and fiscally responsible budget for Missouri citizens.It is our goal to provide an approved version of the budget to the governor earlier than previous years. Once received, the governor has 15 days to either sign or veto the budget. Last November, voters passed a provision allowing the General Assembly the ability to now release funds that the governor has withheld. Due to this ability, we are making efforts to promptly deliver the budget to the governor’s desk in order to appropriately address any actions the governor takes during regular session in order to get state funds distributed in a time efficient manner. |
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| Staying Involved | |||
Every week, I do a podcast with Independence City Councilman Chris Whiting called “Dialogue with Missouri Sen. Paul LeVota.” The idea came from the late Congressman Jerry Litton. He held the same strong passion for staying involved with constituents that I have and talk about issues they are facing. Staying connected with the constituents I serve is of the utmost importance to me. I encourage all Missourians to listen to my podcast and contact me with any concerns you may have. If you would like to listen to my podcasts and find out what I am working on now, click here. As you can see, there is much work to be done by your elected officials in the upcoming year. It is an honor to serve as your state senator. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments at www.senate.mo.gov/levota or by contacting my Capitol office at (573) 751-3074. |
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Senator Paul LeVota |
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Sen. LeVota discussing key
Sen. LeVota on the Senate Floor.
Sen. LeVota on the Senate Floor.
