Summer committee hearings foretell key topics for 2022 session

BY STATE REP. BRUCE SASSMANN Missouri’s 62nd District
Posted 9/1/21

Even though the Missouri General Assembly finished its regular session in May, lawmakers and committees regularly meet to continue the people’s business.

Just this week, three committees …

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Summer committee hearings foretell key topics for 2022 session

Posted

Even though the Missouri General Assembly finished its regular session in May, lawmakers and committees regularly meet to continue the people’s business.

Just this week, three committees met in the State Capitol to discuss pressing issues facing Missouri.

The Missouri Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing to discuss critical race theory in schools across the state. In a contentious hearing, conservative lawmakers probed critical race theory advocates about the role of diversity education in schools. After observing the committee and listening to both sides, I’ve concluded that critical race theory is hiding in plain sight in our education system.

Supporters of this divisive theory may use different language to mask their intentions, many schools state have incorporated so-called critical race theory in classrooms across the state. Critical race theory does not belong in our schools, and I’m eager to tackle this issue in our regular legislative session.

The House Committee on Elections and Elected Officials also met to discuss election integrity, as well as efforts to im- prove the initiative petition process. The committee took testimony from election experts across the state, who explained the rigorous and redundant process that Missouri’s election officials undertake to keep our elections secure.

To ensure that Missouri’s elections remain secure, witnesses recommend- ed changing Missouri law to allow for risk-limiting audits and requiring a form of photo identification to cast a ballot.

Finally, the House Budget Committee met to review the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) plan to spend federal stimulus money. Members of the committee also raised concerns concerning critical race theory, mask requirements in schools, and concerns about remote learning.

Although I do not sit on any of these committees, I monitor their activities closely. Even though we are still in the interim period between regular legislative sessions, these committees are still tackling issues that are important to my constituents, and to the entire state. I’m eager to apply what I’ve learned from these committees in our next legislative session.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my office.

(State Rep. Bruce Sassmann, a Republican from Bland, may be reached at 573-751-1344, or via email to bruce. sassmann@house.mo.gov).