LGBTQ+ issues remain in focus during legislative hearings: Statehouse live updates
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JEFFERSON CITY — Follow our live updates from the Missouri State Capitol this week as lawmakers hold hearings on major proposals and other priorities come up for debate in both the House and Senate.
Welcome to the News-Leader's statehouse live blog, where we'll bring you newsworthy tidbits and updates throughout the week from the Missouri State Capitol. Check back on this page throughout the week to see the latest, or visit news-leader.com to see stories on major developments, which will continue regularly. Questions, tips or other feedback? Email or message politics reporter Galen Bacharier at gbacharier@news-leader.com or on Twitter @galenbacharier.
House committee approves pay raises for workers in emergency spending request
The House budget committee unanimously approved an emergency spending plan that includes an 8.7% cost-of-living pay increase for state workers on Tuesday afternoon.
Rep. Cody Smith, a Carthage Republican who chairs the committee, put forward a new version that excludes elected officials, including lawmakers, from receiving the pay raise. Attempts by Democrats to bolster the pay increases were shot down by Republicans on the committee.
Also included in the new version of the spending request: $628,750 for "black vulture mitigation efforts." That comes after Sen. Lincoln Hough, the Springfield Republican who chairs the Senate committee, flagged the issue last week and warned that he could hold up passage of the extra spending until it was dealt with by the state. The vultures have increasingly harmed southern Missouri cattle ranches and farms.
The governor set a March 1 deadline for the legislature to pass the spending bill. It now heads to the full House.
Debate begins on bill to cut unemployment benefits
The Senate began debate on the floor Tuesday afternoon on Senate Bill 21, which would cut how long people can receive unemployment benefits depending on the state's unemployment rate. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, a Jefferson City Republican.
It's a proposal that's been put forward for several years now, and even saw final passage a few years ago — but was struck down by the Missouri Supreme Court back in 2016.
Read more about the measure proposed last year, which passed the House.
LGBTQ+ issues continue to dominate major Senate hearings
Bills aimed at and dealing with LGBTQ+ issues continue to attract passionate testimony and crowded hearing rooms in the Senate, with two more committee meetings Tuesday.
This morning, the Senate education committee heard a bill that would ban discussions and teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation in K-12 schools. Opponents and advocates have called it "the most extreme 'Don't Say Gay' bill in the United States." Read more about the legislation and hearing this morning here.
Minutes after that hearing ended, the Senate emerging issues committee met to hear testimony on a bill that would ban changes to a person's birth certificate. Read the bill here.
Senate passes bill deducting state taxes from broadband grants
The Senate opened its week of work Monday afternoon by passing out legislation deducting state taxes from federal broadband grants.
The bill from Sen. Lincoln Hough, Republican of Springfield, would ensure that the state does not take back dollars on grants awarded through the American Rescue Plan Act, which have gone to internet companies and cooperatives around the state to expand broadband access.
It passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the House.
On tap this week
House to debate crime package: The chamber will likely take up House Bill 301 for debate this week, a package of legislation aimed at increasing public safety and reducing crime. It's a priority for Speaker Dean Plocher, though it's seen some notable changes during the committee process.
Much of the attention on the bill has been from the St. Louis region, where Republican lawmakers have specifically written language allowing for a special prosecutor to be appointed in the city. It's a response to criticism from their side of the aisle that the city's prosecutor, Kim Gardner, has not taken adequate steps to address violent crime. Aides in her office defended her efforts in testimony last week. New language was inserted that allows for a special prosecutor to be appointed in any district if the homicide rate exceeds a certain amount. Here's the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's write-up if you want to read more.
A separate proposal in the bill would have restricted minors from carrying firearms in public, but Republicans in the committee stripped out the proposal. Rep. Lane Roberts of Joplin, the sponsor of the bill, defended the provision against members of his own party, asking "why is an 8-year old carrying a sidearm in the street?"
Senate stalls on curriculum, transparency package: The upper chamber's first real floor debate last week, over a bill imposing restrictions on race-focused curriculum and requiring transparency from districts, ended in a Democratic filibuster as negotiations continued behind closed doors. Read more about that debate and the bill in this Monday morning story.
As those negotiations continue, expect the Senate to take action on several other priorities. Among the legislation sitting on the calendar include a bill with bipartisan support to extend Medicaid coverage for new mothers.
Ban on LGBTQ+ school discussions gets hearing: The Senate committee on education will hear Senate Bill 134, which would ban discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in schools except those conducted by licensed mental health providers.
Two hours later, the emerging issues committee will hear another bill aimed at LGBTQ+ issues — Senate Bill 14, which would restrict the ability of Missourians to change their birth certificate.
More:Trans Missourians and families tell lawmakers proposed bills could have fatal consequences
Sports betting interest remains, but no hearings this week: For many Missouri sports fans, betting is top-of-mind this week, with the Kansas City Chiefs playing in the Super Bowl. But it still isn't legal here, and though lawmakers have repeatedly said coming into this session that it's a top priority, there still aren't hearings scheduled.
When they do, the House bills legalizing sports betting will take place in the committee on emerging issues. Senate bills are likely to go before the appropriations, or budget, committee.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: LGBTQ+ issues remain in focus at statehouse: Live updates
