Legislative Update - 2023, Week 1

By Otto Fajen, MNEA Legislative Director 

SESSION BEGINS!

The 2023 legislative session began at noon on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Both chambers swore in newly elected members and selected key leadership positions.

The Senate approved Sen. Caleb Rowden as President Pro Tem. Sen. Cindy O'Laughlin will serve as Majority Floor Leader and Sen. John "J.J." Rizzo will continue to serve as Minority Floor Leader.  Sen. Rowden offered opening remarks that included support for school choice and changes to school accountability and teacher pay. Rowden's remarks also included support for greater restrictions on the citizen-led initiative petition process.

The House elected Rep. Dean Plocher as Speaker. Rep. Jonathan Patterson will serve as Majority Floor Leader and Rep. Crystal Quade will continue to serve as Minority Floor Leader. Rep. Plocher offered opening remarks that focused significant attention on education issues, including a statement of support for school choice legislation and changes to teacher pay. Plocher's remarks also included support for additional state tax cuts. The House convened on January 5 for a technical session.

The MNEA Legislative Update will keep you informed in a timely manner concerning developments on legislation affecting students and schools and will advise you of actions you can take to affect the legislative process.

 

COMMITTEE CHANGES

The Senate convened on January 5 and approved a resolution to revise the Senate rules pertaining to committees for this session. The rules change added workforce development issues to the responsibilities of the renamed Committee on Education and Workforce Development. The Committee on Ways and Means was eliminated, and tax policy issues were moved to the renamed Committee on Economic Development and Tax Policy.

The new House Rules establishing revised committees will be taken up by the House during next week's session.

House and Senate committee rosters will be updated once the new committee structures are complete, and committees will begin work soon. 

 

MNEA'S EDUCATION ADVOCACY

Students are at the center of Missouri NEA’s legislative advocacy. MNEA believes that every child has a basic right to attend a great public school. The Association strives to ensure that all students have the time and resources to learn, caring and qualified teachers, and an education that inspires their natural curiosity and desire to learn.

MNEA also continues to lead the fight to defeat the proposals that would harm public education. The Association’s legislative advocacy must ensure that legislators fulfill their commitments to stand up for children and public education during the legislative session.

 

BECOME AN MNEA EDUCATION ADVOCATE!

Commit to being an advocate in your legislative district! MNEA’s Education Advocate program seeks members who will be a contact person to their respective State House or Senate members on public education issues. MNEA’s Government Relations department will pair members with their legislators and provide information, talking points, and resources to conduct important legislative outreach throughout the year.

You can find more information and sign up to be an MNEA Education Advocate at www.mnea.org/edadvocates.