The Final Six Weeks

Just six weeks remain before the final gavel comes down on the 2023 regular legislative session. We have quite a few issues ahead of us, but the Missouri Senate continues to move forward, passing legislation to strengthen our state. Among the top priorities for the coming weeks are legislation addressing crime and safety, reforms to Missouri’s initiative petition process and the passage of a balanced budget for the next fiscal year.

The General Assembly only has one duty specifically required by the Constitution. We must pass a balanced budget. Last week, the House of Representatives approved appropriations bills outlining spending for the various departments of state government. In the coming weeks, the Senate Appropriations Committee will review the House budget bills and make its own recommendations. Differences between the House and Senate budgets will need to be sorted out by conference committees before the budget can be approved. That all must happen by May 5, one week before the end of session.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ll be heavily involved in this process. My focus will be on securing investments for the 33rd Senatorial District while ensuring funding is available for key projects to move forward statewide. Crafting a balanced budget for the state is arduous work, but I’m happy to be your watchdog up in Jefferson City.

Among the highlights in the Senate last week was floor debate on House Joint Resolution 43, a proposal to reform Missouri’s initiative petition process. Missouri is somewhat unique among states in that we allow citizens to put forward constitutional changes through a petition process. For almost 100 years, this process has given citizens the ability to weigh in on important issues and let their voice be heard. Unfortunately, I believe, special interest groups have abused this system. Well-funded organizations, many from out-of-state, have targeted urban and suburban areas to pass issues that often don’t reflect rural values. The legalization of recreational marijuana on last November’s ballot is just one example. As originally written, HJR 43 would raise the threshold for approving constitutional changes to 60%, from the simple majority currently required. The Senate is also looking at ways to ensure constitutional changes reflect the will of the entire state. I look forward to continuing these discussions and passing common-sense initiative petition reform that will include the voice of our rural communities. Whatever we approve will have to go before voters in a general election.

In other legislative news, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence voted to send House Bill 301 to the full Senate for its consideration. Shaping up to be one of the main public safety legislative packages for the 2023 session, this bill includes provisions related to minimum sentencing for dangerous felonies, the creation of a tuition reimbursement program for law enforcement training and the authority for the governor to appoint a special prosecutor to step in when local prosecutors fail to bring crime under control.

Last week, the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee issued a “do pass” recommendation for my Senate Bill 206. This bill modifies requirements for investigators and employees of the State Fire Marshall’s office. These changes will help the agency recruit qualified inspectors and continue to provide services to keep Missourians safe. I believe supporting our law enforcement officials and first responders should be a bipartisan issue, so I hope to see this bill approved by the full Senate, either as a stand-alone measure or as part of a legislative package.

With six weeks left in the legislative session, our office will be hard at work fighting for the 33rd Senatorial District. Although the remaining days will be busy, I always try to take time to meet with folks from back in the district. In fact, the opportunity to welcome residents of south-central Missouri to our beautiful State Capitol is one of the brightest spots of each week. If you find yourself in Jefferson City before the end of session on May 12, please stop by my office.

It is my honor to serve the residents of Douglas, Howell, Ozark, Shannon, Stone, Taney and Texas counties in the Missouri Senate, and it’s always a pleasure to hear from friends and family back home. If I can help you in any way, please call my Capitol Office at 573-751-1882.  You can also visit my webpage at senate.mo.gov/mem33, on Facebook: @SenatorKarlaEslinger, or follow me on Twitter: @seneslingermo.