#teamnasheed

JEFFERSON CITY — As the first Regular Session of the 98th Missouri General Assembly nears its conclusion, legislative action on both sides of the building began to heat up this week. With the budget sitting on the governor’s desk and just two weeks left in session, the attention shifted this week to the most controversial issues on the legislative calendar.

Speculation began Monday morning that the majority party in the Senate would take up two particularly controversial bills: so-called Right-to-Work and Voter ID. Senator Nasheed (D-St. Louis) voiced her opposition to both issues: “If the Republicans think we are going to take a walk on this one, they are in for a surprise. I am prepared to fight. If they think they’re going to catch me sleeping on either of these issues, they’re wrong.”

“Right-to-Work is nothing more or less than an attack on the middle class, Voter ID is an attack on democracy,” she continued. “Republicans want to drive people into poverty, and then when they’re vulnerable, they want to ensure that they are silenced by taking away their vote.”

Neither issue made it to floor by the end of the week, which for many, signals that at least one of the two will be on the schedule for Monday.

BILLS AND COMMITTEES

Senate Bill 334, a bill that would put Harris-Stowe State University on the same level playing field with every other state university, was heard and voted out of the House Higher Education Committee on Tuesday morning, April 28, 2015. Newly installed University President Dr. Dwaun Warmack was present during the hearing and thoroughly answered every question from the committee.

The bill was then sent to the House Select Committee on Education for further review. Early Thursday morning, Senate Bill 334 then passed the House Select Committee on Education following their discussion. The bill will now be reported to the House floor for debate and final passage. This is one of the few bills this session that had no witnesses in opposition on either side.

“The fact that both parties can come together to realize the significance of this legislation is great,” Sen. Nasheed declared. “Senate Bill 334 is an extremely important bill for me. When it passes, the City of St. Louis will have the foundation in place for an institution that will continue to improve for decades. I’m just proud to be a part of this new era for Harris-Stowe State University.”

Sen. Nasheed’s Charter School Retirement Board bill has now been passed by both chambers. Senate Bill 270 now has two versions, one from the House and the other from the Senate. The differing versions will need to be reconciled by a conference committee next week.

On Tuesday, April 28, 2015, Sen. Nasheed’s Neighborhood Watch bill (Senate Bill 155) also received a positive reception in the House Local Government Committee. The bill now needs to be voted on by that committee and taken up by a select committee before it is reported to the House floor.

Both of Sen. Nasheed’s transportations bills, SB 156 and SB 166 are waiting on the House Calendar to be taken up on the floor for debate and final passage. Senate Bill 156 renames a section of Highway 115 in St. Louis in honor of former Missouri State Sen. Theodore McNeal who was Missouri’s first African-American State Senator and the first African-American Appropriations Committee Chair nationwide. Senate Bill 166 will establish the “Dare to Dream” license plate in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 2, sponsored by Sen. Nasheed, would establish November as PICA Awareness Month in Missouri and was voted out by the House and declared Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed. This bill will now go to the governor’s desk for his signature.

ON THE FLOOR

Sen. Nasheed took to the Senate floor to discuss two of her own bills this week. Senate Bill 199, et al…, is a deadly force bill that combines legislation filed by several Senators, including Sen. Nasheed. “Right now, our statute on police use of deadly force is clearly unconstitutional,” said Sen. Nasheed.

Sen. Nasheed’s version of the bill, SB 42, would require police officers to have probable cause that a suspect poses an immediate risk of serious injury before they can use deadly force. However, during debate on the Senate floor, members of the majority party significantly watered down Sen. Nasheed’s probable cause standard. Parts of SB 42 were eventually included in SB 199.

The probable cause standard aligns with the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Tennessee v. Garner, the Missouri Attorney General’s recommendations following a Roundtable on Representative Policing, and with the Missouri Approved Jury Instructions. “The use of deadly force is the most intrusive form of seizure. Therefore, the higher standard of probable cause makes sense,” said Sen. Nasheed.

In order to bring state law into compliance with the 1985 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the Senate on April 29 voted 32-2 in favor of legislation that would somewhat limit when police are authorized to use deadly force. Missouri’s outdated use-of-force statute became an issue when St. Louis County prosecutors presented the grand jury conflicting information regarding the applicable legal standard following last summer’s fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown by a white Ferguson police officer.

Ultimately, Sen. Nasheed voted no on the bill saying, “I simply refuse to vote for a weak bill on such an important issue. It is ridiculous that one day after the unrest in Baltimore, one session after Ferguson, the Senate cannot pass a strong deadly force bill. Simply put, this bill is weak and deserves to be in the trash,” Sen. Nasheed declared.

On Wednesday, the full Senate also took up SB 44, “Ban the Box.” The bill would prohibit state employers from inquiring about criminal records before granting an interview to an applicant. The bill was ultimately laid over by the body and should be taken up again next week. “I worked out a good, bi-partisan compromise on Ban the Box. Some of my colleagues still have some problems with it, but that’s what the Senate is all about,” said Sen. Nasheed. “I look forward to meeting with my colleagues individually about their concerns.”

Nationwide, 15 states have adopted some form of Ban the Box including the District of Columbia and several other major cities like San Francisco, Seattle and Sante Fe. Statistics show that white with criminal records, are called back for an interview 17 percent of the time, while African-Americans with the same criminal records are less likely to get a callback, at just 5 percent of the time.

On the floor, Sen. Nasheed offered statistics in support of her bill: “It costs more $20,000 per year to incarcerate an individual in Missouri, but we only spend $10,000-$12,000 a year on our public school students. Large companies have taken it upon themselves to Ban the Box. Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, and the Koch Brothers.”

She continued with an impassioned plea to her colleagues, saying that “one of the first requirements that is needed upon release from prison is to obtain a job. Having employment for the men and women that have paid their debt to society increases opportunities for them to obtain housing and healthcare. When people are unemployed they are angry, they are frustrated, and they commit crimes. The state of Missouri must Ban the Box.”

APPROPRIATIONS

At the end of last week, the agreed upon budget was sent to the governor’s desk. It now awaits final decisions from that office. In accordance with the Missouri State Constitution, the budget must be finalized by midnight on May 8, which is 15 days since it was sent to the governor.

OTHER NEWS

Governor Signs $250 million Supplemental Spending Bill

On April 27, the governor signed into law legislation authorizing $250.4 million in supplemental spending for the 2015 fiscal year, which ends June 30. The bill, HB 14, includes $120 million in additional general revenue spending authority, much of which will replace spending authority from other sources the Republican-controlled General Assembly included in the budget but which didn’t materialize.

The most significant item in the bill is $147.77 million, including $82.27 in general revenue, for increasing prescription drug costs under Missouri’s Medicaid program. The measure also includes $41.52 million, with $8 million in general revenue, for various services for the elderly and disabled.

On April 30, the House of Representatives voted 140-9 to pass legislation that would ask Missouri voters to determine if state and local officials should be prohibited from operating automated traffic enforcement systems. If also approved by the Senate, the measure, HB 207, would appear on the August 2016 statewide ballot.

House Approves Statewide Ban on Traffic Cameras

Most Missouri cities suspended the use of red-light and speeding enforcement cameras after the Missouri Court of Appeals issued a string of decisions in 2013 declaring local traffic camera ordinances “void and unenforceable” because they conflict with state law. The state Supreme Court heard arguments in the appeals of three of those cases last December and could rule at any time.

Bill to Cut Welfare for 6,300 Children Vetoed

On April 30, the governor vetoed legislation that would strip more than 6,300 Missouri children of their welfare benefits. His action likely sets up a showdown the Republican-controlled General Assembly, which passed the bill with veto-proof supermajorities in both chambers.

Under existing law, benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program carry a lifetime cap of 60 months. Senate Bill 24 would lower that cap to 45 months. Nearly 9,500 current recipients – two-thirds of whom are children – will have already been on the program for more than 45 months by the time SB 24 takes effect, meaning they would immediately lose their benefits.

“Missouri law should not mandate such meanness toward innocent children,” the governor, said in his veto message. Nixon noted the average TANF family benefit of $228 a month is not especially generous and that to qualify for that sum a family of three can have a monthly income from other sources of no more than $292 a month.

Some supporters of SB 24 say reducing TANF benefits would encourage recipients to take more personal responsibility for their situations. Many question how children, who make up the bulk of TANF beneficiaries, are supposed to take personal responsibility for their parents being poor.

“Simply put, Senate Bill 24 is a bad bill. The lifetime limit extends to all recipients, even children in families that receive the benefits. Imposing a family sanction on these low-income Missouri families is a harsh penalty that will harm the poorest kids in our state. We’re punishing children who have no control over their situation.” Sen. Nasheed declared.

Senator Nasheed she will be promoting National Foundation for Women Legislators – National Rifle Association Bill of Rights Essay contest. The contest is open to college-bound, female, high school juniors and seniors who are available for the September 11-15 Annual NFWL Conference in Oklahoma City. Six winners will receive a $3,000 college scholarship and an all-expense paid trip to the conference.

Application Requirements:

The following materials should be EMAILED as separate documents, to [email protected] by the deadline.

1. Completed Essay Contest Application Form

2. Final Essay

3. One (1) Letter of Recommendation from a teacher, advisor, employer, etc.

4. One (1) Letter of Recommendation from an elected woman official in your state.

 Eligibility:

Applicants must be:

• College-bound female high school juniors or seniors (Class of 2015 or Class of 2016)

• Available to attend the NFWL Annual conference, September 11-15 in Oklahoma City, OK, where they will be presented with the award.

Deadline: Essays are due no later than 5 p.m., Friday, June 12, 2015. Essays received after this date will not be considered for the contest.

JEFFERSON CITY — On the last day of the long legislative work week, a large contingent of Missouri citizens entered the Capitol to make their voices heard on the important topic of Medicaid expansion. This demonstration provided the Legislators with a burst of energy at the end of a long work week. Many of the demonstrators were wearing red shirts to show their dedication to remaining a cohesive unit, held signs, including a number of them asking the General Assembly to “Have the Debate.” Demonstrators pushed the need for discussion. The stated purpose of the march was to draw attention to the issue.  Sen. Nasheed joined the demonstration, stating, “demonstrations and protests are the backbone of politics, and played an important role in my own political career.” After many elected officials closed their office doors, to avoid most of the demonstrators, they could still be heard, delaying the start time of session for one hour.

BILLS AND COMMITTEES

This week, Senate Bill 44, which prohibits employers from inquiring into, or considering the criminal records of applicants before offering a conditional offer of employment, was reconsidered. The reconsideration motion came after a senator, who previously voted “no”, realized the significance of this bill and the effect it can have on continuing to move Missouri forward. Senate Bill 44 was voted “do pass” from the Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee.

Senate Bill 155 was reported to the Senate floor out of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee. This bill will create a fund for neighborhood watch organizations, giving communities an opportunity to deter crime by increasing civilian involvement. Senate Bill 155 would establish the Neighborhood Watch Fund. “It is so important that citizens have resources available to take responsibility for the safety of their own neighborhoods,” Sen. Nasheed said. “I am looking forward to speaking on Senate Bill 155 on the floor, and I am confident it will be well-received by my colleagues.”

Senate Bill 161 was unanimously voted out of the Senate Education Committee. This measure focuses on the issues of anti-bullying and eroding the culture of social promotion in our schools, it garnered support from the entire committee with little hesitation. Senator Nasheed stated, “This is an important step in helping our kids get the education that they deserve by creating a safe and positive learning environment.”

Senate Bill 165, a bill that creates a petition process for the expungement of certain criminal records, was heard by the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee this week. When asked to clarify the bill, Sen. Nasheed stated, “This bill is about recognizing when people have paid their debt to society so that they can once again contribute to their communities.”

Senate Bill 334 was also heard in the Education Committee this week. This legislation will establish a wider selection of degree programs for students at Harris-Stowe University. When asked about this bill, Sen. Nasheed said, “It’s one of my top priorities to make as many opportunities in education for the young men and women in my district, and the city of St. Louis.”

APPROPRIATIONS INFORMATION

Committee discussions on the FY16 budget began on Tuesday. The Appropriations Committee heard 8 House Budget Bills extending sunsets of the Federal Reimbursement Act payments (FRA) which will reimburse hospitals for services provided to indigent clientele.  All of the chairman’s bills extend the sunset for one year, whereas Senator Schaaf’s original bill would extend it 2 years.  It was last extended four years ago, for a four year time limit.  There were no opponents as all 8 House Budget Bills were passed unanimously, only discussion of the advantages/disadvantages of one year instead of multiple years.

House Bill 1 (public debt) was closed with no changes.

House Bill 2 (DESE) had 13 changes, and several line items left open which means the committee can come back and amend the line later. For the 2016 fiscal year, Sen. Nasheed was able to secure $400,000 in funding for math and science tutoring.

Lastly, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard and passed the tax amnesty bill, House Bill 384 - This act grants amnesty for payment of all penalties, additions to tax, and interest accrued on state tax liability due but unpaid as of December 31, 2014. The House had included the estimated $60m in tax revenue generated from the bill as part of their budget, meaning the budget is now at least $60m out of balance. The Committee amended the bill to direct the proceeds to adult dental care only. The last two tax amnesty bills to pass were 2002 and 2003.  There are 377,000 individuals eligible, but the Department did not provide a total amount outstanding.

OTHER NEWS

The House of Representatives on March 19 voted 114-38-2 in favor of legislation that would prohibit Missouri cities from restricting merchants from using paper or plastic bags for customer purchases or from imposing a tax or fee for providing such bags. The bill, HB 722, now advances to the Senate.

The bill was filed in response to a proposed Columbia city ordinance that would have prohibited grocery stores and other retailers from using plastic bags and required merchants to charge a fee for providing paper bags. The ordinance, which the Columbia City Council ultimately decided not to pursue, was intended to reduce landfill waste and encourage customers to use reusable sacks.

The House of Representatives on March 18 voted 115-44 to slash the maximum lifetime benefits a TANF recipient could receive from the existing 60 months to 30 months. Under the House version of the bill, SB 24, roughly 18,000 of the Missouri’s poorest residents, about two-thirds of whom are children, would lose their cash benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

As originally passed by the Senate, SB 24 would cut lifetime benefits to a maximum of 48 months. The House and Senate must negotiate the differences between their versions before a final vote can be taken to send the bill to the governor. “If the other legislators are serious about ending the cycle of poverty, they will focus their efforts on creating job opportunities, providing a quality education to all children and reforming a criminal justice system that is systematically balanced against the poor,” stated Sen. Nasheed.

Senator Nasheed would like to remind citizens of the 5th Senatorial District that the Believe in Missouri Scholarship, will be awarded to a constituent going back to college to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree with WGU Missouri.

A college degree is a necessity now more than ever, and Sen. Nasheed is working to boost college completion in our region. The Believe in Missouri scholarships are valued at up to $2,000 and are being provided by WGU, Missouri-based, on legislative districts throughout the state. They are designed to help working adults reach their dreams of a degree in a format that fits their lives.

Senator Nasheed will help select the local scholarship recipient, based on academic record, financial need and readiness for study at WGU Missouri.

WGU Missouri is Missouri’s online university, providing bachelor’s and master’s degree programs that are respected and accredited. Residents can earn a degree in business, information technology, teacher education, or healthcare, including nursing. Tuition is only approximately $6,000 annually, and students may take as many courses as they can complete within each term.