Supporting Teachers and Students
In a significant victory for education in the Show-Me State, the Missouri General Assembly has passed SB 727 and HB 2287, two comprehensive education reform bills aimed at enhancing elementary and secondary education across the state. Upon passage of these bills, Rep. Perkins stated, “I enthusiastically support this legislation and look forward to the benefits it will bring both students and teachers here in Missouri.” Part of this legislation includes an historic pay raise for teachers, which Perkins said was “long overdue”. These bills now head to the governor for his signature.
Missouri House Passes Legislation to Combat School Bullying
With recent high-profile incidents of bullying and violence in mind, the Missouri House of Representatives has unanimously passed HBs 1715 & 2630, also known as the “Missouri Childhood Hero Act”. This legislation marks a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of students across the state.
HBs 1715 & 2630 aim to ensure that students who are the targets of bullies are not re-victimized by school districts’ zero-tolerance policies, which often suspend both instigators and those who seek to defend themselves. The Act also seeks to ensure that schools investigate incidents before meting out punishments.
The goal is to ensure that victims aren’t automatically suspended just for being involved or protecting themselves. By implementing clear policies and support mechanisms, we are empowering schools to effectively address and prevent bullying, creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment for all.
Missouri House Passes Bill to Safeguard Our Elections
The Missouri House of Representatives this week gave approved a resolution that will strengthen the state’s electoral process and preserve the integrity of our elections. HJR 104 would amend our state constitution to include key voting procedures and requirements in an effort to ensure fair and transparent elections for all Missourians. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
- Only citizens of the United States would be entitled to vote in public elections.
- All elections must be conducted using paper ballots or any mechanical method prescribed by law. This aims to ensure transparency and prevent tampering.
- Each voter is entitled to only one vote for each issue or open seat being voted on in an election. This prevents multiple votes by a single individual.
- The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in a primary election for a party becomes the sole candidate for that party in the general election, unless removed or replaced by law. The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in the general election is declared the winner.
Voting machines must be tested and certified as secure according to federal standards before each election in which they will be used. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the voting process.
Sincerely,
Scott Bell
Legislative Assistant
40th District
158th District