Rep. Patricia Pike's Summary Report

JEFFERSON CITY, MO— Representative Patricia Pike’s summary of some of recent legislation.

House Approves School Transfer Bill (HB 42)

Following is an update on the School Transfer Bill passed out of the House this week. This will not be a factor for any of our District 126 schools in Bates or Vernon Counties. It is targeting failing unaccredited schools in urban districts to give those youth a plan for an education in an accredited school system as close to their present school as possible.

The bill passed we just passed represents a complex but common sense solution to this pressing problem. One of the key components of the bill would allow students in failing schools to move to better performing schools in their current district. The goal with this is to allow kids to stay closer to home while also keeping down costly transportation expenses. In the event space can’t be found in a good school in the district, students would be allowed to transfer to neighboring districts, or possibly attend a charter school or take advantage of a virtual school option.

These are just a few components to what is a complicated but crucial fix to the glaring problem we currently have with our student transfer law. We know going forward there will be a great deal of discussion with our counterparts from the Senate, who also approved their own version of a fix this week. While the scope of the bill may change as the session progresses, we know the underlying purpose will remain the same – to give the young people of our state a world – class education that will prepare them for success as adults. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure we take an important step toward accomplishing that goal this year.

House Moves to Extend Big Government Get Off My Back Act (HB 32)

My colleagues and I took action this week to continue a program that has helped nearly 200 small businesses here in Missouri. The Big Government Get Off My Back Act has been in effect for several years now and has bolstered small business growth by providing a tax deduction to small employers who create good-paying jobs.

Specifically, the bill allows a $10,000 tax deduction for each full-time job a business with fewer than 50 employees creates that matches the county’s average wage. The act doubles the deduction for employers who offer new employee health insurance and pay at least 50 percent of the premiums. The provisions of the bill previously applied through 2014, but with the passage of HB 32 we would extend them through the 2019 tax year. The bill now moves to the Senate.

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Receives House Approval (HB 130)

The House engaged in spirited debate this week as we considered a bill to put a prescription drug monitoring program in place. Missouri is the only state in the nation that does not have such a system in place already, and advocates for the issue say it is time to change that distinction.

The goal with the database is to provide doctors and pharmacies with a powerful tool to prevent the abuse of prescription medications, and to protect patients from having conflicting medications prescribed by the various physicians they may see. During discussion on the floor, one of my colleagues described how her sister passed away from an overdose that was the result of conflicting medications. It was a powerful and emotional reminder that such a program has the potential to save lives.

Those of my colleagues, who took issue with the idea, focused their comments solely on the need to protect the private information of Missouri citizens. They pointed to database breaches that have occurred with major companies as examples of cautionary tales for what could happen if Missouri has a central information storage bank for patients.

Despite some of the concerns raised, we approved the proposal and sent it to the Senate. We will now wait to see if the measure can gain traction in the other chamber. In past years similar measures have died in the Senate.

Requiring Additional Safety Standards for Clinics that Provide Abortions (HB 190)

The House also approved legislation this week designed to improve the safety at Missouri’s only clinic that provides abortions. The bill was filed by one of my colleagues who was concerned by a recent inspect that found multiple violations. While those issues were corrected, the concern is that the facility is not inspected frequently enough to ensure it is maintaining adequate health standards.

The bill we passed this week simply says the facility must be inspected no less than once per year. Currently, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is required to inspect ambulatory surgical centers only as it deems necessary. By requiring at least an annual inspection we hope to better protect the health and well-being of the women who use the Planned Parenthood facility in St. Louis.

House Approves Emergency Funding (HB 16)

Also this week, we approved legislation to ensure communities in our state ravaged by natural disasters will receive the funding they need to pay for storm shelters and repairs. To date we have seen $30 million in projects completed around the state, but the funds to reimburse these communities have been depleted. With the bill we passed this week, we have taken the first step toward releasing the funds necessary to help these communities to pay for their repair projects.

Flags, Resolutions, Visits, and More!

• Scheduling Class Visits at the Capitol: If your school is planning on traveling to the Capitol please contact my office at 573-751-5388 and we will be glad to arrange tours.

• Visiting the Capitol Have you visited YOUR Missouri State Capitol lately? Come up anytime and watch us while we work for you. This building is a beautiful place to visit and my Legislative Assistant, Beth, can set up a tour for you if you would like. There are many interesting places to visit in Jefferson City.

• Requesting a Courtesy Resolution
Courtesy resolutions can be requested for many reasons including a special anniversary, birth, Eagle Scout Award, Marriage, birthday, business opening, Special Award, Retirement, or Sports. Please do not hesitate to contact my office should you like to request one.

• United States Flags
If you know of a school, retirement center, non-profit group, or someone else that is in need of a flag, please contact my office so that I can arrange to have a new flag sent to them.

• Scheduling a Visit with Me Back in the District
I always enjoy visiting with my constituents in the 1126th District. Some of my favorite groups are school age children. If you would like to schedule a visit with me, please call my office. Such visits can include reading and talking with school children, visiting retirement centers, visiting non-profit groups, businesses, coffee talks, and more.

• Service Member and Veterans Services
Enough cannot be said of the sacrifices our brave men and women of the Armed Forces make for our freedoms every day, both at home and abroad. The Missouri Veterans Commission has put together a guide for Missouri resources for military service members and their families with contacts for local VA Hospitals and Centers, the American Legion, the VFW, the other resources for our veterans. To request one, please contact my office at 573-751-5388 and we will be more than happy to provide you with one.

It is an honor to serve on your behalf in the Missouri House of Representatives. Please contact my office anytime by email: patricia.pike@house.mo.gov or call 573-751-5388. My Legislative Assistant is Beth Rohrbach and we are always glad to assist you.

Rep. Patricia Pike's Summary Report