A bill to reduce unemployment benefits to 8 weeks has been filed. That and the rest of of the Missouri AFL-CIO Weekly Labor Report is below…..
Unemployment Insurance Cuts
Senator Bernskoetter’s SB 8 will be heard this Wednesday in the Senate Economic Development Committee. The bill ties the number of weeks of unemployment insurance eligibility to the previous quarter’s statewide unemployment rate, taking it down to as low as 8 weeks of unemployment. Opposing this bill has been a longtime priority of the AFL-CIO.
What Union Members need to know!
Session Off To A Quick Start
Three weeks into the 2024 legislative session, the Republican supermajority was plagued by dysfunction. Senator Bill Eigel disrupted the floor, and Senate Pro Temp Caleb Rowden stripped Freedom Caucus members of their chairmanships and parking spaces. Even little things, like adopting the rules at the start of the 2023 session, were difficult.
The 2025 session is off to an entirely different start. A new Governor, Speaker, and Senate leadership team and turnover due to term limits have led to a new start among the Senate supermajority. With a fresh attitude, they’re off to a quick start. Whether the harmony survives first contact with tough legislative issues and can be sustained through sessions is probably the most important factor in determining what kind of year it will be.
In the House, Minority Leader Ashley Aune completed the Democratic appointments to House committees. House committees will start hearing bills next week. Senate Committees are a week ahead, with most committees finishing their first round of hearings this week.
Issues Moving Early
The legislative session has a long way to go, and new issues will certainly arise. Some major ones that we know are coming (such as the repeal attempts on Amendment 3 and Proposition A) haven’t started moving yet, but here’s a quick outline of major issues that have popped right out of the gate.
Utilities
One of the first bills to hit the Senate floor will likely be Senator Cierpoit’s SB 4 & SB 5 (likely rolled together). These omnibus utility bills, which were heard in the Senate Commerce Committee last week, make a multitude of changes regarding our utility infrastructure, including reworking the depreciation schedule of utility assets and allowing rate base changes tied to future test years, rather than established rate years. Supporters, such as the Gas Workers, point out that this will lead to more investment in critical infrastructure and create jobs. Critics, such as the Consumer’s Council, raise concerns about utility rate increases that will hurt seniors and working families.
Local Control of St. Louis Police
The Senate Committee on Transportation and Public Safety heard two bills centered around the State retaking control of the St. Louis police department. Senate Bill 52, sponsored by Senator Schroer (R- St. Charles), focuses solely on putting the St. Louis Police Department under State Control. Senate Bill 44, sponsored by Committee Chair Travis Fitzwater (R- Calloway), is an omnibus crime bill that would set a mandatory staff level for St. Louis Police, and place them under the control of a board of 5 members, 4 appointed by the Governor plus the St. Louis BOA President. The bill also contains significant changes to criminal law throughout the state.
Open Enrollment
Attacks on our public schools will resume next Wednesday when Rep. Polltit’s HB 711 will be heard in the House’s Committee on Secondary Education. The bill would allow students to attend school outside of their district of residence.
(graphic courtesy of OpenClipartVectors – Pixabay)
