Friday, February 8, 2013
Rep. Rory Ellinger introduced House Bills 511 and 512 Thursday.
State Rep. Rory Ellinger, D-University City, introduced two bills Thursday that impact how law enforcement deals with marijuana possession. The AP reports that the legislation aims to save the state money by keeping first-time drug offenders out of jail and would help people with marijuana convictions in their youth get jobs later by not having to disclose the conviction. "It means keeping the records clean of countless numbers of young people who take a flow trip on the river, they have a little bit of marijuana on them. They don't even bother to come in, they plead out and they can never get a job," Ellinger told The Riverfront Times in November. "Literally thousands of people are affected this way on a yearly basis." Do you think …
Friday, January 18, 2013
University City's state senator issues a welcome video on the start of the 2013 Missouri legislative session.
Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-District 14, released a video message this week as state senators and representatives headed back to Jefferson City to begin the 2013 Missouri General Assembly session. According to a release from Chappelle-Nadal's office, the senator wanted to try something new this legislative session. "Usually we take the opportunity to inform our constituents on state issues via our weekly newsletter," the release read. "However, this session we wanted to give a more personal touch and give you a visual presentation of what happens during session and the interim." To view the video, click here.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
New laws passed during the 2012 Missouri legislative session become effective today. Find out what the new measures mean for driving by MoDOT vehicles, the No-Call List and childhood asthma sufferers in school.
Missourians woke up to a bevvy of new laws which went into effect August 28, 2012. For a complete list of what bills were "Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed," including bills that were also vetoed by Governor Nixon, we've linked to the Missouri General Assembly's website. Missouri state lawmakers are scheduled to return to Jefferson City for the veto override session next month.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Governor Jay Nixon's decision to veto legislation backed by the Catholic Church has spurred talk of a potential override attempt in September.
Despite a Republican majority in both the Missouri General Assembly and the State Senate, influential Democrats say they believe Governor Jay Nixon's veto of Senate Bill 749 would survive a potential override attempt in September. That's one of several findings of the inaugural Blue Arch survey conducted by Missouri Patch sites. More than 50 influential Democrats, primarily from the St. Louis area, but not exclusively, were asked using an automated survey tool what they thought about a variety of questions tied to the Governor's action on the bill, which would in part, allow health care providers, and health care sponsors, among others to decline or refuse "coverage for, abortion, contraception, or sterilization in a health plan if such …
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Former Rep. Gina Walsh is aiming for a spot in the State Senate.
Former state Rep. Gina Walsh (D-Bellefontaine Neighbors) continues to rack up endorsements in her bid for the 13th District Senate seat. Walsh this week said that she had been officially endorsed by St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, not a surprising development since the Democratic official attended her kick-off party earlier this year. She also received backing from St. Louis County Councilman Mike O’Mara (D-Florissant), Councilwoman Kathleen Burkett (D-Overland) and Councilman Pat Dolan (D-Richmond Heights). Walsh was also endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, which represents thousands of police officers across the state. “As the largest law enforcement organization in Missouri, representing over 5,000 sworn law …
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Such a ban could occur in most classroom settings if a local lawmaker's bill is approved in the Missouri General Assembly.
A bill forbidding the discussion of sexual orientation in most classroom settings has continued to advance in the Missouri legislature. House Bill 2051, which was introduced to the House in March 29, is sponsored by Rep. Steve Cookson, R-Fairdealing, and co-sponsored by 19 other members of the House, including Rep. John Diehl, R-Town and Country, who represents the 87th district in St. Louis County. The text of the bill reads, “Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no instruction, material, or extracurricular activity sponsored by a public school that discusses sexual orientation other than in scientific instruction concerning human reproduction shall be provided in any public school.” The bill hasn't been scheduled for a vote, …
Friday, October 21, 2011
He enacted repeals and additions to the social networking law aimed at Missouri schools but said even the revised version has flaws.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has signed Senate Bill 1, which repeals a portion a state school social networking law—Senate Bill 54—passed by the General Assembly this spring. In August, Patch reported on the controversy and confusion surrounding Senate Bill 54, also known as the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. It is sponsored by former Ladue school board member and Missouri State Senator Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield) and designed to protect students. The Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA) sued the state over ths social network portions of Senate Bill 54, claiming it was too vague. MSTA was awarded an injunction on Aug. 26, just two days before the new law was to take effect. At that time Nixon called for repeals to parts of SB 54…
StL_303
4:00 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
a step in the right direction but doesn't go far enough. Marijuana should simply be legal across the board. more ›