Please lend your voice to oppose the legislators’ ongoing efforts with regard to workplace discrimination and whistle-blower law, and Voter ID legislation.

Missouri NEA Legislative Update     Week 4, No. 1, January 23, 2012

By Otto Fajen
MNEA Legislative Director

WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION AND WHISTLE-BLOWER LAW

The Senate took up SCS/SB 592 (Brad Lager) for floor debate on January 23, but did not bring the bill to a first round or Perfection vote. After discussing the measure for more than an hour, the Senate placed the bill on the Informal Calendar, a sort of parking lot for legislation that may be brought up again later this year whenever the Senate is in session. Further debate is expected on this bill, perhaps later this week.

The Association opposes SB 592. The bill makes several harmful changes to the state’s anti-discrimination law in employment, disability and housing and significantly limits and weakens “whistle-blower” protections.

PUBLIC SCHOOL TRANSPARENCY

The House gave first round approval (Perfection vote) to HCS/HB 1140 (Jason Smith) on January 23. This bill requires the Office of Administration to maintain public school and county government accountability information on the Missouri Accountability Portal. Prior to completion of debate, the House adopted HA 1 to also require cities and other municipalities to provide such information on the Portal. School districts and public charter schools must annually provide detailed employee compensation data, operating budget and bonded indebtedness to the Office of Administration for inclusion on the Portal.

The Association supports HB 1140. Missouri NEA supports accountability and transparency that fosters confidence and investment in public education and promotes economic prosperity for all Missourians.

VOTER ID

The legislature passed HCS#2/SJR 2 (Bill Stouffer) in 2011. The SJR will now place proposed constitutional requirements for voter ID and early voting on a statewide ballot in 2012. HB 1104 (Shane Schoeller) is implementing legislation for SJR 2, should it be approved by voters. The House Elections Committee will hear the bill on January 24. The bill requires a person seeking to vote in a public election to provide election officials a photo identification. Missouri NEA believes voting is a constitutional right that should not be restricted by unnecessary voter photo identification requirements or other additional barriers to the voting franchise. The Association opposes the bill.

HOUSE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The House Higher Education Committee will meet on January 24 to hear two bills:

1) HB 1041 (Mike Thomson) to authorize the governing board of any state university to convey or transfer real property, except in fee simple, without further authorizing legislation during the next five years.

2) HB 1042 (Mike Thomson) to revise the duties of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, including creating standards for course transfers and awarding of associate’s degrees.

PLAN TO ATTEND YOUR MNEA LEGISLATIVE BRUNCH OR DINNER!

Legislative involvement is close to home at your MNEA Legislative Brunch or Dinner. The event is a great opportunity to visit with local area legislators and hear a legislative briefing.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO JEFFERSON COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DINNER ON FEBRUARY 16.

Area legislative dinner/brunch schedule:

• Kansas City Jan. 28, 2012
• St. Louis Feb. 9, 2012
• St. Charles Feb. 23, 2012
• Springfield Mar. 17, 2012