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Missourinet

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You are here: Home / Archives for Legislature

UK variation of COVID-19 not detected in Missouri – yet

January 21, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

A highly contagious version of COVID-19 has made its way to the United States from the UK. During a Capitol press conference Wednesday, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Randall Williams says the state is keeping a close eye on the variation.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams briefs Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on August 5, 2020 (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

“We have not identified a case of the UK variant yet in Missouri,” says Williams. “It is in the Midwest. It’s in Illinois. It’s been in Indiana. Certainly, have seen that around the country. So, we are watching that very vigilantly. We get tests back and so far we’ve been blessed that they have come back negative. But that could certainly be a factor.”

The variation, known as B.1.1.7., has an unusually large number of mutations. The CDC says there is no evidence at this time to show that UK version of the virus causes more severe illness or increased risk of death.

Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, an infectious disease specialist at Washington University in St. Louis, says there have been other strains of the virus but they have not had a significant impact like this one.

“All that we are seeing right now is higher clusters of people, particularly in the United Kingdom and in South Africa,” she says.

Hlatshwayo Davis says the higher rates of transmission are another reason taking health precautions is necessary, such as wearing a mask, proper handwashing, social distancing, and getting vaccinated.

She says Pfizer and Moderna, who have researchers testing B.1.1.7. against the vaccine, think the drugs currently being used will be effective against the UK version of the virus.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, Legislature, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: B.1.1.7., CDC, COVID-19, Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, Dr. Randall Williams, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Moderna, Pfizer

Missouri organizes 9 mass vaccination clinics

January 20, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The Missouri National Guard and the state are working to organize nine mass coronavirus vaccination sites across the state. During today’s press conference at the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Gov. Mike Parson says the sites could be up and running by the end of the month.

Missouri organizes 9 mass vaccination clinics

“Each team will have the capability to administer as many 2,500 doses per day,” says Parson. “We will be starting in southeast Missouri. We will have a setup this weekend to make sure we run all the traps – to make sure everything is going well as we expand into the weeks to come.”

KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau reports the southeast Missouri vaccination event will be in Poplar Bluff on Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hydro Adventures. The vaccinations will be free. There are 1,000 doses designated for the clinic.

Dates and locations for the other sites will be released once they are finalized.

Missouri National Guard mass vaccination teams will be made up of 30 support workers, who will help with traffic control, administrative support, and data input.

Parson says targeted vaccination teams will also be in Kansas City and St. Louis to work with clergies to assist the most vulnerable populations.

“The purpose of all these vaccine teams is to support our existing vaccinators and provide additional vaccination sources for eligible Missourians that may otherwise have a hard time receiving one,” says the governor.

These will consist of four-person teams with one vaccinator and three support staff to assist with administrative duties. A press release from the Governor’s Office says targeted vaccinated teams will have the capability of giving up to 160 doses per day, per team.

The National Guard will also be deploying administration teams to help with data backlogs at the local level. Administrative support teams, made up of three people, will help providers with paperwork and data backlogs due to vaccination entry requirements.

“We are proud to be a small part of the whole-of-government effort to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to our fellow Missourians,” said Maj. Gen. Levon Cumpton, Missouri National Guard Adjutant General. “This effort is truly a team effort, led by DHSS and consisting of multiple physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, local governments and others.”

Vaccine supply remains extremely limited. Parson says the mass vaccination and target vaccination sites will ensure that vaccines are being administered as efficiently as possible and that every Missourian will have the opportunity to eventually receive a vaccine regardless of where they live.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, Legislature, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: COVID-19, governor mike parson, Major General Levon Cumpton, Missouri National Guard

Missouri senators hear testimony about Second Amendment Preservation Act

January 20, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Legislation establishing a Second Amendment Preservation Act had support from rural Missourians during a Tuesday Senate committee hearing in Jefferson City.

State Sen. Eric Burlison (R-Battlefield) represents southwest Missouri’s Greene and Christian counties

State Sen. Eric Burlison, R-Battlefield, the bill sponsor, testified before the Senate General Laws Committee, predicting that President-Elect Joe Biden’s administration will push for gun control.

“Gun bans directly, magazine bans, attacks on private gun manufacturers, red flag laws and restrictions on individual citizens from buying firearms,” Burlison testifies.

Burlison’s Senate Bill 39 declares that it’s the duty of the courts and law enforcement agencies to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. Senator Burlison also emphasizes that his bill does not try to prevent the federal government from enforcing federal gun laws in Missouri.

No one testified against the bill at Tuesday’s hearing, although there was written testimony submitted against it. While some who testified for the bill share Burlison’s concern about the Biden Administration, others are more concerned about their own personal protection.

Chuck Marley of eastern Missouri’s High Ridge traveled to Jefferson City to testify for the Burlison bill, saying his son was shot to death in September 2018 while giving a ride to a man who requested one. Marley urges senators to help law-abiding citizens to protect themselves.

“Alex’s killer was a felon on parole from federal prison. He should never have had a gun,” says Marley. “It was illegal for him to have a gun but guess what, he had a gun. No amount of laws is going to keep criminals from having a gun.”

Another person who testified lives in western Missouri’s rural Benton County. She tells senators that she needs a gun to protect herself from drug dealers and motorcycle gangs there.

“I live way in the country (in Benton County). I’ve had meth heads down the road break into my place. I’ve recently got where my life is at stake, one of the head guys down there wants to take me out to join a motorcycle gang,” the woman testifies.

Burlison’s bill declares as invalid all federal laws that infringe on the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment. The sheriff of northeast Missouri’s Lewis County, David Parrish, has concern with some of the bill’s language. He testified for informational purposes only, emphasizing the importance of protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.

Former State Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, a former judge, has read the bill and says it’s “unconstitutional on its face.”

As for Senator Burlison, he says all Missouri gun laws would remain in effect, under his bill. Burlison sponsored a similar bill in 2013, which was vetoed by then-Governor Jay Nixon (D). An override attempt that fall failed by one vote.

Burlison also testifies that Missouri shelves are almost bare now, regarding ammunition.

Senate General Laws Committee Chairman William Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, indicated Tuesday that the committee will vote on the bill at their next hearing.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Business, Crime / Courts, Legislature, News Tagged With: ammunition, Battlefield, Benton County, Columbia, former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, former State Rep. Chris Kelly, High Ridge, Lewis County Sheriff David Parrish, Missouri Senate General Laws Committee Chairman Bill Eigel, motorcycle gangs, President-Elect Joe Biden, Second Amendment Preservation Act, State Sen. Eric Burlison

Missouri K-12 education community buckles up for potential eventful legislative session

January 19, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The coronavirus pandemic has created a world of challenges for America’s educational system, maybe to the point of driving some members of the Missouri Legislature to put a greater emphasis this session on changes to Missouri K-12 education. In the Senate, roughly 40 bills have been filed so far about K-12 education. The House has more than 30.

Missouri Capitol

Out of the gate, the Missouri Senate Education Committee is scheduled to consider Tuesday two contentious public education topics.

Senate Bill 23 would let parents use tax credits to pay for their kids to attend private school, get tutoring, school supplies, and other educational needs. Supporters refer to this type of legislation as educational savings accounts and opponents call it private school vouchers.

Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, is offering the proposal.

“This notion that one school can be all things to all kids is something that is false,” Koenig tells Missourinet. “I have five kids and they all learn differently. The reality is every child is different and every school can’t be everything to every child. It shouldn’t be a situation where you can only move your child if you are rich. And that’s the situation. If you’re are rich, you can pay for private school tuition or move your family into a school district that is better performing.”

Brent Ghan with the Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) says the group strongly opposes such bills.

“What it boils down to in their kind of convoluted schemes essentially to direct taxpayer money to private schools,” he tells Missourinet. “We are not opposed to private schools but we draw the line when private schools receive taxpayer dollars whenever they are not accountable to the public like traditional public schools are.”

Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, is proposing a similar measure. Both could cost the state up to $50 million annually during a time when Missouri is watching every penny it has.

Eigel’s proposal, Senate Bill 25, also includes provisions that would expand charter schools in any school district located within a charter county as well as in any Missouri city with a population greater than 30,000 people.

Missouri Senate Education Committee Chair Cindy O’Laughlin, R-Shelbina, is an advocate of charter school expansion. Charter schools are public and privately funded schools operating independently of traditional public schools.

“Most people within communities support their school. It’s kind of the center of their community, especially in our rural areas. People feel a lot of pride and loyalty to that school,” she tells Missourinet affiliate KWIX in Moberly. “But there are always going to be some people who just for whatever reason don’t thrive in that particular school and would like to go somewhere else. I believe that parents should have the right to send their child somewhere else if it isn’t working for them in the current school that they are in. So, I think parents need more choice and I think our rural schools need more funding.”

Under current state law, charter schools are allowed in Kansas City, St. Louis, and any unaccredited Missouri public school district.

Ghan says the MSBA wants greater accountability for charter schools.

“Charter schools just don’t play by the same rules as our traditional public schools. They don’t have the same degree of accountability for taxpayer dollars,” he says. “Until we see greater accountability for charter schools, we are going to be very much opposed to their expansion to other districts outside of St. Louis and Kansas City.”

Ghan says another problem MSBA has is charter schools do not have members elected to their boards.

The committee will also hear a bill sponsored by O’Laughlin. Senate Bill 55 would ban any K-12 public school from being a member of a statewide activities association, like MSHSAA, if the school prohibits a home school student from participating in an event or activity offered by a public school.

Tuesday’s hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Education, Legislature, News Tagged With: Brent Ghan, Charter schools, educational savings accounts, K-12 education, Missouri House of Representatives, Missouri School Boards' Association, Missouri Senate, Missouri Senate Education Committee, school vouchers, Senator Andrew Koenig, Senator Bill Eigel, Senator Cindy O’Laughlin

Legislation appointing Missouri House and Senate marshals to be heard on Monday

January 19, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

A Missouri House committee will consider legislation to appoint House and Senate Marshals, to help provide physical security and perform other duties at the State Capitol in Jefferson City.

State Rep. Lane Roberts, R-Joplin, speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on February 26, 2020 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The Missouri House Crime Prevention Committee will hold a hearing next Monday on legislation from State Rep. Lane Roberts, R-Joplin. He’s a former state Department of Public Safety (DPS) director and a former Joplin police chief. Roberts also chairs the Crime Prevention Committee.

Under House Bill 784, Missouri House and Senate marshals would be able to wear a concealable firearm and make arrests based upon state law. They would have to have at least five years’ experience as a law enforcement officer and have a peace officer license.

Under the two-page bill, the House and Senate marshals would aid the sergeant-at-arms in their respective chambers. They would help oversee the physical security of the areas in the Missouri Capitol under control of the House and Senate.

Any marshals authorized under the bill would be in addition to Capitol Police officers or other law enforcement personnel.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, Legislature, News Tagged With: House bill 784, Joplin, Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri Capitol Police, Missouri Department of Public Safety, Missouri House and Senate marshals, Missouri House Crime Prevention Committee, peace officer license, State Rep. Lane Roberts

Missouri House takes coronavirus-induced break

January 14, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The spread of COVID-19 has set in at the Missouri Capitol – one week into the legislative session. A statement from Missouri House Republican leadership says due to the rising number of cases in the building, the lower chamber will not be in session next week.

The Missouri House and Senate convene on January 9, 2019 for a joint session to commemorate the 100th General Assembly (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

House Speaker Rob Vescovo of Arnold, Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann of O’Fallon, and Majority Floor Leader Dean Plocher of St. Louis say the move is out of an abundance of caution to protect members, staff, and visitors.

This week, Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, and Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lee’s Summit, announced they are quarantining after being exposed to someone carrying the deadly virus.

On Tuesday, Missouri House Democrats offered up a proposal to require all members to wear a mask while on the floor because some members, often Republicans, choose not to wear a mask and follow COVID-19 safety guidelines. The plan was voted down.

The House is made up of 114 Republicans and 48 Democrats.

Media reports say members of the Senate Republican Majority Caucus are discussing Friday whether to also take a break.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, Legislature, News Tagged With: COVID-19, House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, House Speaker Rob Vescovo, Majority Floor Leader Dean Plocher, Missouri Capitol, Missouri House of Representatives, Missouri legislature, Missouri Senate

Missouri National Guard heads to Washington, D.C. to help with safety efforts

January 14, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

Gov. Mike Parson is sending members of the Missouri National Guard to Washington, D.C. to help with potential safety problems in the run-up to the presidential inauguration. They will help with security, medical evacuation, and logistics.

Missouri National Guard heads to Washington, D.C. to help with safety efforts

The move follows an internal FBI memo warning of possible “armed protests” at all state capitols, the U.S. Capitol, state, local and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings in the days leading up to the inauguration.

The Guard tells Missourinet the current authorization allows them to help up to 31 days, but the length could change depending on the need. Due to operational concerns, the number of soldiers involved is not being released.

Security has also ramped up around the Missouri Capitol after the FBI bulletin was leaked. Multiple law enforcement agencies are helping with the efforts in Jefferson City.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, Legislature, Military, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: FBI, governor mike parson, Missouri Capitol, Missouri National Guard, U.S. Capitol

For the first time in state history, Missouri House censures a member

January 13, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The Missouri House of Representatives has voted 140-3 today in favor of censuring a member for the first time in state history. Eight lawmakers voted “present”.

State Rep. Wiley Price, D-St. Louis, is at the center of the public reprimand for allegedly having sex with an intern and trying to cover up the details – accusations he has denied. He says there were discrepancies in a report released by the bipartisan Missouri House Ethics Committee.

Rep. Wiley Price, D-St. Louis (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

The committee unanimously recommended last month to censure Price. A report was then released to the public stating that Price shared with his legislative assistant that he had sex with an intern and Price attempted to coerce his assistant into lying to an investigator as well as the committee. He reportedly threatened to fire his assistant if she did not comply and said, “where I come from, people die for doing sh** like this”.

Under oath, Price said the assistant made up the story in retaliation to losing her job, but he did not inform appropriate House staff that he gave notice to the employee.

According to the report, an investigator interviewed Price, who stated he had not called the intern on his cell phone, and that he did not have and has never had her cell phone number.

The committee subpoenaed phone records between Price and the intern between January 22 through January 27, 2020. It found seven phone calls and 26 text messages had been exchanged between them. The last phone call, on January 26, lasted 46 minutes. Details of their text conversations were not included in the report.

According to the report, Price denied four times under oath to the committee that he called or texted the intern. After being shown the subpoenaed phone records, the report says Price changed his story.

Price admitted on the House floor today that he lied to the investigator about having the intern’s phone number. Once the investigator told Price what the probe was about, he said “I probably panicked.”

“At which point, I denied everything because I wanted nothing to do with this. I know what the implications are, especially now in the current climate that we are in when somebody comes on a politician with these kinds of accusations. I knew then that it wasn’t true and so I denied everything. When the lady asked me specifically did I have her (intern’s) number, I said no. And to that, I am wrong,” says Price.

Price says he was not under oath during his deposition.

“It was just a woman asking me questions about my personal life. When I stepped in front of the committee, I told them everything. They then tried to take my deposition and compare it to what I said under oath and say that I lied in my deposition and therefore, it’s perjury. Now whether I panicked in my deposition or not, that’s either here nor there.”

Price says his phone records show the intern texted him. According to Price, he returned the text with a 107-second phone call. Then he says she called him three times that night and he let all three calls go to voicemail.

“These are in the phone records,” he says. “This is not for debate.”

Price did not mention the three other phone calls and 25 other text messages listed in the report.

Price maintains the allegations are unsubstantiated.

“Because of the implications involved with these claims brought against me, I felt that I was under attack. Based on a falsehood and the current political climate, politicians are never given the benefit of the doubt. Even more specific to me, when a white woman brings forth accusations of a black man’s sexual improprieties, historically it doesn’t work in my favor,” he says.

Price stressed his character while serving in the House over the past two years.

“I’ve always kept it above board,” he says. “I’ve always been professional in this building.”

Rep. Jered Taylor, R-Republic (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

According to Trevor Fox in House Communications, the only time the House has ever expelled a member was John Sampson of Callaway County in 1865. Rep. Jered Taylor, R-Republic, led an effort today to have Price expelled. He fought back tears as he said publicly condemning Price does not go far enough.

Taylor says Price committed perjury and charges should be pursued.

“Censure is a slap on the wrist. The representative has disgraced the honor of this great institution,” he says. “This hasn’t been about the left and the right, or Republicans and Democrats. It’s right versus wrong. It’s about holding one of our own accountable when the actions are deplorable. And whether or not you believe there was a sexual relationship with the intern – okay, maybe there wasn’t. But it was the cover up. It was everything else that happened. It was the committing a Class E felony.”

Taylor cited House policy banning inappropriate relationships with interns.

“We should all take into consideration the rules and the House policy that we adopt,” says Taylor. “If we don’t do anything, we should get rid of those rules. They mean nothing. These policies absolutely and unequivocally prohibit these type of relationship. If we merely censure the representative, we are sending a loud and resounding message that nothing has changed in this body. What message does this send to every LA (legislative assistant) in this body? What message does this send to every parent of an intern? What message does this send to every female legislator serving now and that wants to serve in the future?”

He says future victims will not come forward and report such allegations.

“Why would you? Why would you subjugate yourself to this type of public scrutiny if nothing is going to happen – if we are going to sweep it under the rug,” he asks. “In any other realm, any other environment, a person would be immediately terminated for any one of these actions. But because the perpetrator is a prestigious member of the Missouri House of Representatives, you are going to let him get away with this and not expel him. We will be giving him the opportunity to do this again and again and again. But the next time the LA is not going to come forward for fear of retaliation. The intern is not going to say anything for fear of retaliation. From what I understand, the LA still works in this building. We are creating – we are creating a hazardous work environment for that LA and for all other LA’s for that fact.”

Under the terms of the censure:

*Price must be removed from committees he serves on;

*He cannot serve in leadership or have an intern, and

*He must pay $22,500 to cover the investigation’s costs.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, Legislature, News Tagged With: Missouri House Ethics Committee, Missouri House of Representatives, Rep. Jered Taylor, Rep. Wiley Price

St. Louis Democratic legislator wants Missouri House to investigate Giuliani

January 13, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

A St. Louis Democratic state lawmaker is calling on the Missouri House to investigate whether former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani committed perjury at a heated December House committee hearing in Jefferson City.

State Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis, speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on January 12, 2021 (photo courtesy of Benjamin Peters at House Communications)

State Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis, says 20 of his Democratic colleagues have joined in his call.

Republicans control the Missouri House 114-47, and Representative Merideth says he’s sent a letter to House Speaker Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, requesting an investigation.

On December 14, Giuliani testified via zoom before the House Special Committee on Government Oversight in Jefferson City. Merideth notes Missouri House rules require that witnesses testifying before House committees sign an affidavit that their testimony, to the best of their knowledge, is true on penalty of perjury.

Mayor Giuliani and Representative Merideth clashed multiples times during the December hearing, when Giuliani alleged fraud in both Pennsylvania and Georgia in November’s presidential election.

Both accused each other of being dangerous, and spoke over each other multiple times. The hearing got so heated that then-Committee Chairman Robert Ross, R-Yukon, had to bang the gavel three times, to restore order.

Former Mayor Giuliani, who led the Trump campaign’s post-election legal challenges, described Philadelphia that night as a “crooked Democratic machine,” and alleged fraud in Georgia as well.

“I think we’re right to be upset about this action and about your spreading of misinformation and lies that are inflaming things across our country, at a time when we need to move on and accept the results of an election. Thank you,” Merideth told Giuliani that night.

“Obviously, you have no interest in the truth. All you have an interest in is lecturing me,” Giuliani responded.

“I have no interest in more and more lies from you,” Merideth said. “I am tired of your lies. America is tired of your lies, and they are dangerous, sir. They are dangerous.”

“You are very dangerous, because you’re covering up a massive election fraud,” Giuliani responded.

The two continued to speak over each other, until Chairman Ross hit the gavel multiple times.

Giuliani testified that night that GOP inspectors were not allowed proper access to view absentee ballots being counted in Pennsylvania.

Representative Merideth says he’s also sent a letter to the New York State Bar Association.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, Elections, Legislature, News Tagged With: Arnold, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former State Rep. Robert Ross, Georgia, Missouri House Speaker Rob Vescovo, Missouri House Special Committee on Government Oversight, New York State Bar Association, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, St. Louis, State Rep. Peter Merideth

Missouri Capitol heightens security after FBI warning of armed protests; House discusses emergency plans

January 13, 2021 By Alisa Nelson

The Missouri Capitol has extra law enforcement keeping an eye on the building after reports of possible “armed protests” at all 50 state capitols and the U.S. Capitol. The increased presence follows an FBI warning of threats of an “uprising” in the days leading up to the January 20 inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden.

During a press conference Monday following the inauguration, Gov. Mike Parson said the state is taking precautions.

Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lee’s Summit (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

“We’re quite aware of what’s going on there,” said Parson. “I think our state is a little different, compared to a lot of other states where you are seeing maybe some of these issues coming.”

Pro-Trump rioters at the U.S. Capitol last week and the FBI memo are making some state lawmakers feel uneasy. On the Missouri House floor Tuesday, Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lee’s Summit, says the Capitol needs a comprehensive emergency plan.

“One of the things that we are, you know, being made aware of from law enforcement agencies on a daily basis is that, while we know right now we are under increased threat, they don’t see it ceasing in the near future. But I think what is important for us to remember, gentlemen, is that we may never know when an event happens. Right now we are getting tips and we’re being tipped off to holes within our system, but emergency preparation is what saves lives and we are finding that we are not prepared and that is terrifying I think for most of us. We’ve got to figure out a way to address it,” says Ingle.

Majority Floor Leader Dean Plocher, R-St. Louis County, says the Capitol Police team does not have the ability to respond in the event of a hostile takeover or most other emergencies.

Rep. Dean Plocher, R-St. Louis County (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

“I think it’s incumbent upon us, if it’s not going to be provided for us, to provide security – essentially crafting our own method of security. We’re trying to work with the executive branch and that has occurred over several years,” says Plocher. “When the executive branch is on the third floor, I feel quite safe. But when the executive branch is not on the third floor, we kind of are left in the dark. We don’t have the resources. We haven’t crafted a game plan, if you will, to address some things. Fortunately, Missourians haven’t tried to take such actions into their own hands. But I think it’s something we need to look into.”

The executive branch is another term to refer to the governor.

Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance, has been working for years to update security plans. He says the Legislature needs to come up with a bipartisan approach to address the gaps.

“We’re all sitting on this floor right now discussing this together and we’re going to do a little bit more of this in a little while – for one reason and one reason only. This is the one thing we are all on the same team on. I know my wife wants me to come,” says Hicks. “We are trying to build up security in the building. Our Capitol Police – they are a 34-unit team. They try to do their best that they can. But they are 34 members that do not have the equipment or the updated equipment they need to do what needs to be done.”

Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

Hicks says lawmakers should think about some of their most vulnerable constituents – children.

“What would happen if an incident did occur and you have a hallway filled with children outside your office that you’re speaking to. Would you know what to do? Let’s just say a tornado is hitting,” says Hicks. “Would you know where to take them? I may not be someone with a weapon. It could literally be someone having a heart attack right here on the House floor.”

ABC News reports state, local and federal government courthouses and administrative buildings could be targets. The FBI is also getting reports of threats to harm Biden, Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Copyright © 2021 · Missourinet

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, Elections, Legislature, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Gov. Mike Parson, Missouri Capitol, President Donald Trump, President-Elect Joe Biden, Rep. Dean Plocher, Rep. Keri Ingle, Rep. Ron Hicks, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris

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