Legislative week three

By State Rep. Bennie Cook, Missouri's 143rd District
Posted 1/25/23

This week the State of the State was held in the House Chamber and Governor Mike Parson outlined his priorities for the 2023 Legislative Session. He would like to see investments in infrastructure …

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Legislative week three

Posted

This week the State of the State was held in the House Chamber and Governor Mike Parson outlined his priorities for the 2023 Legislative Session. He would like to see investments in infrastructure improvements, public safety, workforce development and education, and health and mental health care.

We are also looking to tackle initiative petition reform to ensure the voices of rural Missouri are heard. Right now the current law allows proposals that make it to the ballot to be approved with a simple majority of votes cast. Several pieces of legislation have been filed to update the initiative petition process. I will keep you updated on the progress of this legislation.

It was great to have Texas County Memorial Hospital Projects & Foundation Director Jeff Gettys at the Missouri State Capitol for the State of the State & to discuss issues facing rural healthcare.

Committee Work Begins

This week we had our first meeting for the Subcommittee of appropriations for Public Safety, Corrections, Transportation, and Revenue. This committee will be weekly to work on the budget for each of the listed departments.

Several legislators and I met with Sheriff’s from across Missouri this week to discuss legislation that would prevent counties from abolishing their sheriff’s office.

Next week, Crime Prevention and Public Safety will meet. Our first item on the agenda is to discuss Truth in Sentencing and other legislation that is on HB 301. It will be an honor to serve as the Vice Chair of this committee.

District Happenings

Congratulations to all of the students that participated in the annual Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay contest sponsored by the VFW Post 6337- Licking, MO.

Scholarship Competition for Graduating Seniors

Young women hoping to continue their academic career by attending college have the opportunity to obtain financial assistance from the Women Legislators of Missouri Caucus. The caucus is once again sponsoring 16 $1,000 college scholarships available to graduating seniors across Missouri.

The Women Legislators of Missouri Caucus created the senior scholarship program to provide financial assistance to students on the basis of leadership, academics and community service. Candidates must fill out an application and are required to submit a 500-word essay answering the question, “If you were a state legislator, what is one specific goal you would hope to achieve and why?” A link to download the scholarship is located at http://bit.ly/molegwomen.

For more information, contact my Legislative Assistant Abby Ice.

Flat MoDE Kids are back!

Human MoDE kids have been walking the halls of the state Capitol for over six years, when a few parents and their children began advocating for insurance coverage for their children’s therapies. Over the years, these children have learned to advocate for themselves and their siblings. They have testified at hearings and met with legislators, and continue to advocate for better special education practices and policies.

The “flat” versions of the MoDE kids are a way for legislators to raise awareness as we advocate for these children.

To learn more about MoDE, visit www.moempower.org.