Bipartisan agreement on welfare reform bill

By Katie Kreider

Two state senators from opposite parties and different sides of the state announced March 4 that they had come together on legislation that would prohibit the use of electronic welfare cards at certain places, such as casinos and liquor stores.

Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-St. Louis County, announced she decided to work with Sen. Will Kraus, R-Jackson County, on a bill she opposed last session.

Last year Kraus proposed a similar bill that would require photo identification to get food stamps. Chappelle-Nadal argued the bill would hurt her constituents who rely on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund for support.

However, Chappelle-Nadal said she decided to work with Kraus this year after she learned that people were abusing the TANF fund.

"These funds are supposed to be used for families who are in need and for children who are in need," Chappelle-Nadal said. "So when I found out that these cards were being used for casinos and at strip clubs and out of town for possible vacations, I was dismayed."

The bipartisan bill would limit Electronic Benefits Transfer cards from being used for liquor, strip clubs, casinos and other recreational activities.

This bill is similar to a federal law passed in 2013 that would regulate the use of TANF welfare cards at casinos, strip clubs and to buy liquor and tobacco. This legislation takes it one step further by also regulating all recreational activities such as going to the movies or to amusement parks.

Missouri Senator proposes stronger laws for parental responsibility with firearms

(MDN News) -- At the same time that Pres. Barack Obama's administration is pushing for tighter restrictions on gun sales, a St. Louis area Democratic Senator is taking another approach -- stronger laws for parental responsibility over firearm access.

Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, has proposed a bill that would create an offense for failing to prevent an illegal firearm possession or for the failure to safely store a firearm. The bill would also require a parent or guardian with a child enrolled in a school to notify the school district -- or the governing body of a private or charter school -- that the parent or guardian owns a firearm.

"This bill is very important to me because in urban cities across the nation, we experience gun violence every single day and usually our type of gun violence deals with people who live in high poverty areas (and) areas where there aren't enough resources," Chappelle-Nadal said.

Under the bill, an offense would be a Class A misdemeanor unless death or injury results, making the offense a Class D felony.

Sen. Brian Munzlinger R-Williamstown, who proposed a bill last week that would declare certain federal firearm laws unenforceable, said he believes Chappelle-Nadal's bill is a step above and beyond what would make anyone safer.

Munzlinger, however, believes programs such as the NRA's Eddie Eagle Program should be instituted in schools.

Missouri's Senate votes to expand charter schools

On Wednesday, April 11, the Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill expanding charter schools throughout the state. Currently, charter schools are only allowed in St. Louis City and Kansas City.

The difference between metropolitan, suburban and rural districts has been central to education policy issues such as regulation of charter schools, school funding and allowing students to transfer from unaccredited districts.

Democratic Sen. Maria Chapelle-Nadal represents a St. Louis County district that stretches from University City to Hazelwood. She spoke against the bill in question saying that, while several St. Louis city senators were in favor of the legislation, it would negatively impact her district.

"St. Louis city school district is nothing like the University City school district," Chapelle-Nadal said. She said her constituents would be against using their tax money to fund charter schools.

During an exchange with a fellow Democrat, Sen. Joseph Keaveny from St. Louis City, she spoke about how the population shifts out of the city have impacted the county districts. Keaveny was in favor of expanding charter schools, saying that it's important to keep people in the city by offering more options.

"We lost a significant number of young families because of the quality of education," Keaveny said. "Charter schools have kept people in the city."

Meanwhile, legislation to deal with inequities in the state's school funding formula are stagnating in the legislature.

Missouri Senate passes bill easing Proposition B restrictions on dog breeders

The Missouri Senate removed a year's worth of efforts to restrict Missouri dog
breeders by passing a bill that dilutes most Proposition B restrictions.

The bill, passed with a vote of 20-14, removes the measure's limitation on 50 dogs
in breeding facilities and also dissolves requirements for bigger cage sizes.

Missourians voted 52 percent in favor of Proposition B in November general election.

Since then, some lawmakers have argued voters were unaware that the measures passed
in Prop. B were harming good breeders and a legitimate industry in the state.

Humane Society spokeswoman Barb Schmitz said this isn't true.

"The issue was thoroughly debated for a year," Schmitz said. "Voters knew what they
were doing. And if lawmakers are really intent on overturning the will of the
people, then I find that extremely disappointing."

Sen. John Lamping, R-St. Louis County, warned there is a problem with easing the
restrictions Missourians voted to pass with Proposition B.

"There's a risk to legislating this way, by proposition," he said. "I think I'm
quite confident that my district read the bill, did their best to understand the
bill and voted their will. I think this is a very dangerous way to legislate."

Sen. Maria Chappell-Nadal, D-St. Louis County, voted against changing the law, but
she acknowledged supporters' arguments about voter confusion in November.

"Proposition B does not deal with pounds, yet it is messaged to our constituents
that Proposition B is saving puppies," she said.

The bill now will be sent to the House for debate. If it passes, it will be sent to
the governor to sign into law.