Tuesday, Dec. 1 marked the first day legislators in both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly could pre-file bills for the 2016 legislative session. During the first two days of pre-filing House members filed 261 bills. This figure shatters previous marks for bill filing activity. In comparison, the 2014 session saw just 195 bills pre-filed throughout the month-long pre-filing period.
House and Senate Hold Joint Hearing to Investigate Syrian Refugee Issue
The House Budget Committee recently held a joint hearing with the Senate Appropriations Committee to question state officials about the assistance programs available to refugees. The decision to hold the hearing came in response to the Paris terrorist attacks that heightened concerns about Syrian refugees being resettled in the United States. Lawmakers gathered in the State Capitol to hear about the state's role in handling refugees, as well as the federal vetting process to catch potential terrorists entering as refugees.
House and Senate members learned the state has approximately $4.3 million in federal funding for refugee programs. They also learned the state has little control over the federal dollars that are channeled primarily through the Department of Social Services, which provides refugees with housing, health care and cash assistance. Members also heard testimony regarding the vetting process utilized by the FBI and the federal defense and Homeland Security departments. Experts testified that the process includes a background verification process that takes from 18 to 24 months before refugees are allowed to come to the United States.
As the hearing concluded, lawmakers had a better understanding of not only how federal dollars are spent on refugees in Missouri, but also a clearer picture of how little control state officials have over how those dollars are utilized. However, some members left the hearing with unanswered questions and Senate Appropriations Chairman Kurt Schaefer still wanted answers regarding the additional costs the state would incur with a potential new influx of refugees. While there are no future hearings scheduled on the issue, lawmakers will continue to monitor the situation in the coming weeks.
House Budget Committee Looks into Stadium Financing Issue
Following the joint hearing on the Syrian refugee issue, the House Budget Committee held a second hearing to discuss the governor's efforts to force a stadium financing plan into place without legislative approval. To date, lawmakers have been upset with the governor for his lack of communication on an issue that would require taxpayers to foot the bill for millions in bond payments for decades.
Several lawmakers who testified against the plan during the hearing are part of a lawsuit designed to block the governor from moving forward with his proposal. Additionally, budget leaders in both chambers have made it clear they will not appropriate funds to make bond payments to fund the new stadium. House members spent time during the hearing questioning whether such a decision would jeopardize the state's pristine credit rating, and criticizing the governor for forcing the legislature into such a position.
Cattle Farmers Encouraged to Participate in Beef Check-off Discussion
Missouri cattle farmers will have the opportunity to participate in a public discussion regarding a referendum to establish a $1 per head beef check-off assessment. The public hearing on the issue will take place Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. at the Missouri Electric Cooperatives building at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia.
The meeting is meant to offer cattle farmers an opportunity to make their voices heard on an issue that will impact the beef industry in all parts of the state. Money generated by the checkoff is meant to be used for marketing, education and research designed to increase domestic and international demand for beef.
The Dec. 9 hearing will be pivotal in determining if a referendum should be held on the issue. If it is, cattle producers will be required to register in order to vote. If the referendum is held, registration of producers is scheduled to begin on Jan.4, 2016 and close on March 4, 2016. Registration will be available at county Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices and online.