Last week marked the half-way point in this legislative session and this week of “spring break” will give us a chance to spend some time at home and connect with those in our district. I look forward to that opportunity and plan to spend several days visiting schools and talking to those 4th grade classes that are starting to study Missouri history and government. I have tried to keep constituents apprised of what is going on in the House and what legislation is being passed that could affect all of us. Several initiatives were passed out of the House and sent on to the Senate last week.
HB 294, approved by the House last week, would strengthen the Second Amendment rights of Missouri citizens. One provision of the bill would lower the age requirement on concealed-carry permits from 23 to 21. Currently, Missouri is the only state to have an age requirement of 23 and this change would put Missouri in line with the majority of other states. The bill would also keep sales taxes on firearms and ammunition from rising above the rate of other sporting good items. While there is not currently a higher rate on ammunition, the bill would prevent this idea, which has been frequently discussed in other states, from happening in Missouri. The bill also changes some antiquated laws that pertain to the purchase of rifles and shotguns and allows Missourians greater freedom when purchasing firearms.
A bill I mentioned in a previous column (HB 213) made its way to the House floor last week. This legislation would make it illegal to abort a fetus deemed capable of living outside the womb. Specifically, it would ban abortions after 20 weeks unless two doctors verify that a fetus is either not viable or constitutes a medical threat to the mother. Doctors would use tests of the fetus’ gestational age, weight and lung function. For a fetus found to be unviable, a doctor would be required to report to the state why the child was unviable after performing the abortion. Doctors who violate the proposed law could be severely fined or imprisoned. We know that there are few abortions performed after 20 weeks but it is in the best interest of all Missourians who value life to make it clear that these abortions cannot be performed unless they represent a threat to the life of the mother.
A proposed amendment to the state constitution passed by the House last week would ensure the right to a secret ballot for anyone voting to form or join a union. HJR 6 was passed because we believe existing law has worked well to allow employees to vote to unionize in private where they are free from intimidation or coercion. We want to protect the rights of Missourians to continue to vote in private even if federal law changes.
The first thing on the agenda when we return on March 28th will be passage of the House version of our state budget for 2012. We will present a balanced budget that will then go to the Senate for discussion and revision. This is required by law and definitely the most important thing that we do each year.
If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 401B State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101
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