In the final two weeks of Missouri’s 2024 legislative session, lawmakers are working urgently to pass key legislation. The Missouri Senate made progress on renewing taxes that fund Medicaid through the Federal Reimbursement Allowance (FRA) after a lengthy filibuster. These taxes generate $1.4 billion, matched by $2.8 billion in federal funds. The Senate is working to finalize the state budget before the May 10 deadline. 

District News:

The South Gate of Fort Leonard is set to re-open for 24 hours a day/seven days a week. I would like to thank everyone who came out to the South Gate meeting and continued to stay engaged. This was definitely a community/team effort.

It was great to see a large crowd at the Shafer Road meeting in Licking. Thank you to everyone for staying engaged with this project and I am hopeful we will receive funding to repair this road in the state budget.

Maries County Day at the Capitol was held on April 23. It was great to see constituents from Maries County travel to Jeff City to learn more about the legislative process. I am already making plans for next year to highlight businesses & organizations in the 143rd District at the Missouri Capitol.

Mobile Offices: During the month of June, I will be holding mobile offices around the 143rd District. The locations and times will be sent to the local newspapers and posted on my social media pages.

Missouri Legislature Passes HB 2634, Preventing Medicaid Funding Going to Abortion Providers

HB 2634 would make it illegal for public funds, including Medicaid reimbursements, to support abortion facilities or their affiliates, while granting taxpayers and the Attorney General the right to take legal action to enforce these provisions.

House Bill 2634 simply codifies in our statutes that we will not allow abortion providers or their affiliates to be reimbursed through our state’s Medicaid program. Medicaid funds will remain dedicated to senior citizens, disabled persons and those in financial need pursuant to Missouri law The bill also amends an existing statute, requiring MO HealthNet participants to obtain services only from qualified providers and empowering the Department of Social Services to revoke contracts with providers found unqualified due to specific offenses. Additionally, the bill prohibits reimbursement to abortion facilities under the “Uninsured Women’s Health Program”.

We must stand for the most vulnerable members of our society. Today, the unborn have a voice.

Missouri House Passes Amended SJR 74, Heads Back to Senate for Further Review

The Missouri House of Representatives has made a historic move by passing SJR 74, which proposes crucial changes to the state constitution in an effort to enhance the integrity and transparency of the constitutional amendment process.

SJR 74 aims to refine various provisions pertaining to constitutional amendments, addressing key concerns regarding voter approval thresholds, foreign influence in initiative petitions, voter eligibility, and the review process for proposed amendments. Under the resolution, an initiative would need to win a statewide popular vote and a majority in at least five of the state’s eight congressional districts.

This legislation will strengthen the constitutional amendment process in Missouri. This bill still ensures that a simple majority of the votes cast decides an election; however, this legislation requires a concurrent majority of five of the state’s eight congressional districts to approve any constitutional amendments or initiatives. This simply seeks to ensure that we are getting a truly fair representation of the state. The amendments made reflect our commitment to upholding the integrity of our state’s constitution and ensuring that the voices of Missourians are heard.

After careful consideration and debate, the Missouri House passed SJR 74 with amended language that would curb any potential foreign activity in the initiative petition process, reflecting the collaborative effort of legislators to ensure that the proposed amendments align with the best interests of Missourians while prohibiting any outside influence.

Our House language reinforces safeguards against noncitizen voting and prohibiting foreign involvement in initiative petitions, ensuring that Missouri’s electoral processes remain untainted by outside influences. In passing this legislation, we are standing for democracy and accountability, and saying once and for all that our constitution is not for sale.

The resolution now heads back to the Senate, and if approved, heads to the Governor’s desk. With his signature, the resolution would be put before the voters for approval.