Finding the Sweet Spot - May 2, 2013 Newsletter by Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal

Newsletter
May 2, 2013

Friends & Neighbors,

If you would like to learn more about the issues addressed in this newsletter or would like to discuss any matter involving state government, please contact my Capitol office.

Thank you,

Maria Chappelle-Nadal
14th District

Senators put in some long hours this week as the body tried to clear the logjam of bills that have yet to be debated on the floor as the session enters the final two weeks. Much of the buzz around the Capitol this week revolved around the Senate's position on the state budget. The chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee was accused by his colleagues of attempting to legislate through the budget process and of sending an unbalanced budget blueprint to the floor. The Senate majority ultimately approved the 13 budget bills which make up the state's $25 billion state operating budget for the 2014 fiscal year in one marathon session last week.

The proposed budget would eliminate funding for dozens of state employees and reduce funding for several state agencies in an effort to send a message to the governor and some state bureaucrats who have raised the ire of the Appropriations chairman and members of the Majority. The proposed budget also rejects hundreds of millions of federal dollars to provide health care to tens of thousands of Missourians by expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

One of the few bright spots regarding the proposed budget is the funding of $700,000 for a new disparity study to look at how minority- and women-owned businesses are competing for state contracts. The last disparity study conducted in Missouri was commissioned in 1994 and completed in 1998. The budget now moves to a conference committee between members of the House and Senate to iron out the differences, and must be finalized by May 10.

At this point in the session, some of my sponsored and co-sponsored bills have stalled in committees in both chambers. As a member of the minority party, it is extremely difficult to pass legislation, so my goal is to amend or change bills during the legislative process on the floor. I have been quite successful this year by amending bills on the Senate floor. Over the next two weeks, I will continue trying to improve legislation as it moves through the process.

For example, by sitting down with the Senate sponsor of a House bill that expands Second Amendment rights in Missouri, I was able to improve the bill and change its focus.  House Bill 436 creates the Second Amendment Preservation Act, which asserts that state law trumps federal law regarding the manufacture, possession and use of firearms and declares all federal laws that infringe on the Second Amendment to be invalid.  By meeting with the House sponsor and the Senate handler of the bill, we were able to reach a compromise and find that “sweet spot” that protects gun owners’ rights while also addressing the issue of keeping guns out of the hands of the wrong people, such as children and gang members.   

During debate on HB 436, I offered an amendment to the bill that states Missouri recognizes responsible gun ownership, including parental supervision of minors in the proper use, storage and ownership of all firearms and the prompt reporting of stolen firearms. The amendment also states, “The General Assembly of the state of Missouri hereby condemns any unlawful transfer of firearms and the use of any firearm in any criminal or unlawful activity.” The language of the amendment is similar to legislation I sponsored this year. The amendment was later approved on a voice vote.

I believe it was important to include this language in HB 436 to show that the General Assembly is concerned about gun violence in our urban centers.  Too much of the discussion about guns this session has been about protecting or strengthening our right to own firearms, but my main concern throughout this session has been finding ways to reduce gun violence and gang activity in our cities and our schools.  Making it even easier to get a firearm or telling federal law enforcement officials that they cannot enforce federal gun regulations in Missouri does nothing to address gun violence and gang activity.   

HB 436 also allows a school district to designate one or more school teachers or administrators as a school protection officer. School protection officers must carry a firearm on his or her person at all times while on school property or be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and subject to immediate removal from the classroom and employment termination proceedings. Additionally, the measure lowers the age a person can apply for a conceal carry permit from 21 years old to 19. The Senate approved HB 436 on a 26-6 vote, sending the amended version back to the House.

As a member of the University City School Board, I am concerned about arming teachers or administrators and calling them “school protection officers.” The only people who should be allowed to carry weapons in our schools are school resource officers, who typically are retired police officers with years of training in the proper handling of firearms.  Although teachers and school administrators may receive some training in how to use a firearm, they lack the years of experience that school resource officers have in responding to dangerous situations.  How tragic it would be for an armed teacher or administrator to inappropriately respond to an incident and injure or even kill a student. 

I will keep you updated in the coming weeks about the progress of my bills, and I hope continue making a difference for my constituents, especially those less fortunate. Unfortunately, many of these important voices are left out of our discussions on the Senate floor and in committees.

 Community News -

Tickets Now Available for the 2nd Annual "A Taste of U. City" - .pdf (May 9) - http://www.senate.mo.gov/media/13info/Chappelle-Nadal/columns/images/Taste%20of%20U2013%208.5x11%20flier%20with%20kids%20pricing.pdf

2013 Women of Courage Awards Deadline (May 13) - http://www.nwpc.org/home

"Ferguson Twilight 5K/10K & Fun Run" - Register Here (May 18) - https://register.bazumedia.com/reg/form?eventID=1318

Sen. Chappelle-Nadal's 2013 Online Legislative Survey - http://www.senate.mo.gov/D14Q13/ZipValidator.aspx

 Maria In The News -

Senate Bill Would Limit Campaign Contributions (Springfield News-Leader) - http://www.news-leader.com/article/20130502/NEWS06/305020016/Missouri-Senate-ethics-reform-campaign-limits?nclick_check=1

House Committee Weighs Privacy Concerns, Fraud Risks in Two Bills (Springfield News-Leader) - http://www.news-leader.com/article/20130430/NEWS06/304300022/Missouri-legislature-driver-s-license-records-copies-food-assistance-benefits-fraud

Friday Roundup of Missouri Politics (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) - http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elizabeth-crisp/friday-roundup-of-missouri-politics/article_342e07e5-9d03-5731-a62b-56664696fc89.html

On the Trail: Primary Shift Gets Chilly Reception and Showcases Legislative Reality (St. Louis Beacon) - https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/content/30565/on_the_trail_early_primary_backlash

Missouri Senate, House Ready to Try Again on Tax Credit Reform (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) - http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/missouri-senate-house-far-apart-on-tax-credit-reform/article_df699ab9-d48e-5554-bf8a-0bf753a119db.html

 Citizen Comments - 

"Naturally, the cowards are afraid of the NRA; those guys are well-armed! Senator, please keep up the fight for Medicaid expansion. I've tried obviously unsuccessfully to beat "adoption" into the heads of my senator and representative, and at least the latter responded to me. My thinking is that considering the complexity of the issue and the relative inexperience of our legislators, plus the ideological intransigence of so many of the GOP, this was all too much to swallow so quickly. (Some of them just might be pretty stupid, too, I'm afraid.) Your Westminster buddy." – Norm

"Your weekly newsletter is very nicely written." – Michael

"A Profile of Confidence in my senator is how I feel. You stand out as exclamation point against field of obliterators seeking to destroy instead of building strong state and strong people.  Thank you, Love you." – Claire

"Thank you so much for taking time to meet with me via skype this past Friday. It was such an informative experience to hear about SB 124 and your efforts to improve gun safety in Missouri.  It was inspiring to hear how passionate you are about the issue, and your dedication to the St. Louis community that you serve.  I will do my best to educate those around me about your bill in hopes that it will continue to gain support." – Lauren

"Senator Chappelle-Nadal: I have just this week been made aware through Facebook that you are a sponsor of Resolution SCR 11. Your willingness to speak for the people of St. Louis after years of unaccountability by the EPA is commendable.  Remarkable too is that Missouri’s representatives from both parties support and stand with the community with Resolution 18 in the House.  Thank you for your service to Missouri and your integrity in initiating this legislative action. God speed to you in all your endeavors politically." – Agnes

"Dear Sen. Chappelle-Nadal, It was a pleasure having the opportunity to meet you on Saturday, April 20th, at the Earth Day Forum you organized in Clayton High School. It was helpful too, because subsequently I contacted Microgrid Solar, one of the presenters, who is visiting me tomorrow (May 1) to do an energy audit on my home. You were also nice enough to send me birthday greetings for my birthday on May 20, which I received today. I don't remember any other legislator in the House or Senate doing so, so thanks for your kindness!" – Martin

 Weekend Review - 

April 25 - April 28, 2013

It was another busy weekend in the 14th Senatorial District. I was energized by some of the students, teachers, parents and chaperones from Clayton High School who traveled to the Capitol on Thursday afternoon. It is always nice to see students from my alma matter. After session on Thursday, I attended an executive session of the University City School Board. Friday, I attended a luncheon with Missouri's Attorney General Chris Koster to discuss several legislative and urgent issues within the district.

Saturday night was unforgettable! I was pleased to attend and speak at the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Bal Vihar Center of Indian Cultural Education at Clayton High School. The theme for this year's celebration was "It takes a Village to raise a child." The event focused on students ages 5 through 16 and the need to foster and preserve Indian cultural values among the children of Asian/Indian origin. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and constituents.

Sunday, I geared up for the last three weeks of the legislative session and spent some time outdoors in my garden, went morel mushroom hunting and purchased plants from the University City plant sale.

 Deuce of the Week - 

Sen. Chappelle-Nadal and Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg,
during "Seersucker Wednesday" in the Senate.