The Missouri Legislature kicks off today, with an even stronger Republican majority, thanks to the results of the November election. The 34-member state Senate now has 25 Republicans and nine Democrats while the House of Representatives has 117 Republicans, 45 Democrats and one vacancy.
Leading the House is incoming Speaker John Diehl, R-Town and Country. The Senate's leader is Sen. Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles.
The day will be filled with the usual pomp and circumstance -- new leaders being elected and new members being sworn in. But with about 500 bills pre-filed, it shouldn't be long before lawmakers hunker down to business.
Perhaps surprisingly, even with a stronger GOP majority, political reporter Jo Mannies observed that Missouri Legislators Lack Specific Agenda As They Return To Jefferson City. While tax cuts were front and center last session, chances are they won't be as high on this session's agenda. Republicans may be waiting to see how the controversial tax cuts passed last session (over the governor's veto) work out.
This year, though, Ferguson is likely to cast its long shadow over the session. As reporter Jason Rosenbaum asked, Lawmakers Produce Ideas Responding To Ferguson Unrest — But Can They Deliver? The legislative response to Ferguson includes a wide array of proposals: reforming the municipal courts and their fines; paring down the number of small independent municipalities; cracking down on racial profiling and changing the laws on the police's use of force; requiring the use of a special prosecutor in the case of police shootings.
Add to that the unfinished business from last year, especially with education. As education reporters Tim Lloyd and Dale Singer report, Student Transfers Top List Of Pre-Filed Education Bills Facing Legislators. But it's unclear whether legislators will overcome their differences from last year. The first pre-filed bill in the Senate, sponsored by state Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, revives the plan ultimately vetoed by the governor because it allowed students in unaccredited districts to use public money to attend nonsectarian private schools. The legislature may also revisit eliminating teacher tenure (along the lines of the ballot measure that failed in November) and look at ending social promotion.
Other pressing issues remain unresolved from last year, as health reporter Durrie Bouscaren noted in Health-Care Bills To Watch In Missouri This Year. Perhaps the most controversial is Medicaid expansion, which is likely to face unyielding opposition again, despite having the support of Misouri's chamber, hospitals and even retired U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, a prominent Republican lawmaker. Other health-related measures that are hoping to make it through this time include a bid to legalize marijuna and to institute a prescription drug monitoring program.
For more personal insights into the upcoming legislative process, check out the Politically Speaking podcasts. In recent weeks, the team has interviewed incoming Speaker Diehl; state Sen. Joe Keaveny, D-St. Louis and the incoming Senate minority leader; and state Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, who has been very involved with the effort to reform municipal courts.
