CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Prevailing wage, RealID, and Honoring Vietnam Veterans

Democrat News - 4/5/2017

Prevailing Wage Bill Heads to Senate (HB 104)

The House approved legislation this week meant to make public construction projects more affordable for taxpayers. The bill would repeal Missouri's prevailing wage law to help reduce the cost of construction and maintenance projects for municipalities and school districts.

Missouri law currently requires contractors and subcontractors working on public works projects to pay employees the prevailing wage for the particular locality in which the project is being completed. While the state's minimum wage is $7.70 per hour, prevailing wage requires significantly higher wages. In St. Louis, the prevailing wage is approximately $37 an hour. The bill approved by the House would change Missouri law to require contractors and subcontractors to pay employees state or federal minimum wage, whichever is higher. Contractors and subcontractors would be permitted to pay higher than the minimum wage, but that would not be a requirement.

Supporters of eliminating the prevailing wage say that it causes many public works projects to be too expensive. Communities and school districts are either forced to pay too much for needed construction or maintenance, or to forego the projects entirely. Removing the prevailing wage requirement will allow the state to be better stewards of taxpayer dollars. If both chambers approve the bill and the governor signs it into law, Missouri will join states such as Kentucky, West Virginia, and Indiana, which have all repealed their prevailing wage laws in recent years. Missouri is currently one of 29 states with a prevailing wage law in place.

House Advances Legislation to Allow Missourians to Obtain REAL ID-Compliant Identification (HB 151)

Legislation that would give Missourians the option to obtain photo identification that complies with the federal REAL ID Act is now on its way to the Senate. The bill approved by the House this week would require the state revenue department to issue Real ID-compliant driver's licenses and identification cards to those who want them.

Passed by the U.S. Congress in 2005, The REAL ID Act was designed to enhance security procedures by establishing new minimum standards for driver's licenses. Missouri responded to the requirements by passing a state law in 2009 to protect the private information of Missouri citizens by prohibiting the Missouri Department of Revenue from complying with the federal act. Because the state has not complied with the requirements, Missouri licenses are no longer a valid form of identification at federal facilities and military bases, and will no longer be valid at airports as proof of identity for domestic flights beginning in 2018. For Missourians who do not want to comply with the REAL ID requirements because of privacy concerns, the legislation would allow them to request the existing style of Missouri identification that is not compliant with the federal act.

I believe this bill is designed to provide a reasonable solution ensuring Missourians aren't burdened with having to get alternative identifications to access federal facilities or to visit family members on military bases. This bill is about giving Missourians the freedom to decide whether to obtain identification that is compliant with REAL ID.

House Moves to Protect Alternatives to Abortion Agencies (HB 174)

The Missouri House has approved legislation meant to protect the rights of alternatives to abortion agencies to provide their services without government interference. The bill is a response to a St. Louis ordinance that prevent agencies and the individuals who work there from providing their resources and counseling to expectant mothers.

I supported this bill to protect the free speech rights of agencies, and prohibit political subdivisions from creating rules to prevent pregnancy centers and maternity homes from providing resources to expectant mothers.

Missouri's Alternatives to Abortion Program was created to assist women in carrying their unborn child to term instead of having an abortion, and to assist them in caring for their child or placing their child for adoption. Services are available during pregnancy and for one year following birth.

House Gives First-Round Approval to Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (HBs 90 & 68)

The Missouri House has given initial approval to a proposed tracking system for prescription drugs that supporters hope will fight opioid abuse in Missouri. The bill aims to help stop the practice of "doctor shopping," which involves offenders going from doctor to doctor in order to obtain multiple prescriptions for valuable and addictive medications.

The Narcotics Control Act would allow Missouri to join the 49 other states that already have a prescription drug monitoring system in place. The bill would require the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to establish and maintain a program to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of all Schedule II through Schedule IV controlled substances. The bill would require information on these drugs being prescribed and dispensed to be reported within 24 hours. By the year 2020 the information would be updated in real time.

My research finds that prescription drug abuse is one of the fastest growing epidemics in the United States, and that a monitoring program would allow prescribers a way to find and address abuses. They note that because Missouri is the only state without such a program in place, border states see citizens cross into Missouri to "doctor shop" for prescription drugs. I supported this bill to get prescription pain medicines like OxyContin and Vicodin off the streets, and to lower the number of overdoses. The bill requires another vote in the House before moving to the Senate.

Honoring Missouri's Vietnam Veterans

I was disappointed that I was unable to attend the ground breaking for the Veteran's Memorial in Perryville this past week. However, I was honored to welcome veterans who served in the Vietnam War to the House Chamber to recognize them for their courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty and country.

The observance of Vietnam Veterans Day was created in 2012. I want to recognize the courage and patriotism of those who served during the Vietnam Conflict who now reside in District 145 and throughout Missouri. I am so thankful for the veterans who bravely fought, served, and sacrificed during the Vietnam Conflict and returned home to no parades, ceremonies, or public celebrations to welcome them. Today, I stand in gratitude for their courageous service and sacrifices made on behalf of the nation.