Legislative Update: April 20, 2018
Weekly Update
It was another great week in Jefferson City as ASUM’s legislative priorities continue to move! With only a few weeks left of the legislative session, we’re moving quickly in hopes of passing important legislation benefitting UM System students. With most of our legislation in the Senate, we are extremely optimistic about these bill’s chances of passing!
Platform Updates
Mental health, HB 1419 sponsored by Representative Haefner’s (R-St. Louis County), will be heard on Monday in the Professional Registration Committee.
Our STEM initiative, HB2255, sponsored by Representative Bart Korman (R-Montgomery) and carried by Senator Jay Wasson (R- Christian and Greene), will be heard in the Senate Economic Development Committee on Tuesday.
Our consent education legislation, HB 2234, sponsored by Representative Holly Rehder (R-Scott), has been placed on the House calendar to be perfected in the coming weeks. We are optimistic this legislation will move quickly through the House and into the Senate.
Legislative Update: April 6, 2018
Weekly Update
After two weeks away from the Capitol for spring break, ASUM is back in Jefferson City for the final month of the legislative session!
During the break, the House of Representatives restored funding for the higher education budget from which the Governor proposed significant cuts. This was a win for all UM System students! In the coming weeks, ASUM will continue working to ensure the security of higher education funding in the Senate.
Platform Updates
On Wednesday, our mental health and STEM initiatives were both perfected on the House floor. This is the final step before the bills head to the Senate! Our mental health bill, HB 2354, was amended onto Rep. Haefner’s (R-St. Louis County) HB 1419 on the House floor by Representative Keith Frederick (R-Rolla). This allowed our initiative to get further in the legislative process by attaching onto another mental health related bill. Our STEM initiative, HB2255, sponsored by Representative Bart Korman (R-Montgomery) was also perfected on the floor. With both bills headed to the Senate, we are optimistic these bills have a shot at becoming law this year!
Our consent education legislation, HB 2234, sponsored by Representative Holly Rehder (R-Scott), is expected to be perfected on the floor in the coming weeks. We are optimistic this legislation will move quickly through the House and into the Senate.
Other News
UM System students present research in the Capitol rotunda
ASUM interns also visited with UM System students in the Capitol on Thursday to present undergraduate research projects. Our team learned a lot from these impressive students! These presentations further show the importance of a UM System degree and students’ value to our state. Congratulations, students!
Legislative Update: March 16, 2018
Weekly Update
This week at the capitol was busy, as the legislature worked to wrap up budget decisions before their spring break. With many of our platforms in the final stages of the House process, ASUM is excited about the progress our legislation has made so far! The team will be back to work following the UM System’s spring break, on April 3rd.
Platform Updates
This week, our Consent Education bill (HB 2234) was passed out of the House Rules Committee. After spring break, it will be added to the House calendar for Perfection, which will require a full vote on the House floor. This bill has been well received by the House and ASUM is optimistic. If you are interested in learning more about this bill, please click here.
Our Mental Health Initiative, HB 2354, sponsored by Rep. Fredrick (R- Rolla), was referred to the Health and Mental Health Policy Committee. After spring break, ASUM will be working hard to ensure a hearing at the earliest opportunity. If you are interested in learning more about this bill, please click here.
The STEM Initiative is moving full steam ahead! On Tuesday, the Senate version (SB 1056), filed by Sen. Wasson (R- Christian and Greene), was heard in the Economic Development Committee. The hearing went well and ASUM expects the committee to vote the bill out once back in session. On the House side, HB 2255, filed by Rep. Korman (R- Montgomery and St. Charles), has been added to the House calendar for Perfection. Depending on how quickly the House is able to move, this bill could receive a Floor vote in the week following spring break. If you are interested in learning more about SB 1056 (click here) or HB 2255 (click here), please click the respective links.
Legislative Update: March 8, 2018
Weekly Update
Roughly halfway through the 2018 Legislative Session, ASUM is working as hard as ever to advocate on behalf of the UM System Students.
On Monday, our STEM Initiative (HB 2255) passed out of the House Rules- Administrative Oversight committee. As HB 2255 gets closer to a House Floor hearing, Legislative Interns are working hard to secure funding. On the Senate side, Sen. Wasson’s (R- Christian and Greene) bill, SB 1056 (STEM Initiative), will be heard in the Senate’s Economic Development Committee on Tuesday, March 13 at 12 pm. ASUM is optimistic about the bill’s chance and looks forward to the chance to testify on this bill.
A core component of ASUM’s mission is to empower students to engage in the political process. On Tuesday, we hosted our 31st annual Student Advocacy Day. Students from all four UM System campuses came to Jefferson City to meet with lawmakers from their respective districts and, with the help of ASUM interns, voiced opinions and concerns on student-related issues. Thank you to all students who participated and allowed their voices to be heard! ASUM and the Missouri Legislature appreciates you!
Students from all four UM System campuses gathered in Jefferson City this Tuesday to speak with their lawmakers about important student issues.
Legislative Update: March 1, 2018
Weekly Update
With session ramping up, ASUM has been busy keeping on top of our legislation’s progress. Both Consent Education and the STEM Initiative continue to fly through the legislative process! Several ASUM members testified in House committee hearings this week on various issues relating to students.
On Monday, legislative intern Jennifer Mossgraber (UMSL) testified in opposition to Rep. Taylor’s (R- Christian) conceal and carry bill (HB 1936). This bill would allow anyone with a conceal and carry permit to carry a firearm on campus. Students have consistently shown opposition to allowing conceal and carry on campus. If you are interested in learning more about this bill, please click here. If you are interested in learning more about ASUM’s stance on this bill, please click here.
On Wednesday, Executive Director Steven Chaffin (MU) testified for informational purposes on Rep. Davis’ (R- Jasper/Newton) bill relating to tuition caps (HB 1936). This bill addresses increasing tuition caps above inflation. If you are interested in learning more about this bill, please click here. If you are interested in learning more about ASUM’s stance on this bill, please click here.
Platform Updates
This week, our Consent Education bill (HB 2234) moved one step closer to the finish line. Working with Rep. Rehder (R- Sikeston), HB 2234 passed out of committee and has been referred to Rules-Legislative Oversight. This is the final step before the bill is heard on the House Floor! Interns have been working hard this last week to gain support and we are optimistic about the bill’s chances. If you are interested in learning more about this bill, please click here.
In addition, our STEM initiative (HB 2255) was voted out of the House Ways and Means committee. The bill was referred to Rules-Administrative Oversight, where we are optimistic about it passing. The next step will be to get this bill a hearing on the House Floor. ASUM is excited to announce that Sen. Wasson (R- Christian and Greene) has filed the STEM Initiative on the Senate side as SB 1056. If you are interested in learning more about this legislation, please click here.
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for the 31st Annual Student Advocacy Day hosted by ASUM on Tuesday, March 6, from 11:00am – 3:00pm. This is a stellar way for any UM System student to work alongside ASUM in Jefferson City and talk with lawmakers about student issues. Transportation and lunch are provided. Click here to visit the event’s Facebook page, or click here to skip that step and RSVP.
Legislative Update: February 15, 2018
Student Leader Lobby Day
The S&T delegation of ASUM at Student Leader Lobby Day
ASUM had a very busy week in Jefferson City this week with the annual Student Leader Lobby Day and two of our bills receiving hearings in House committees. It’s all hands on deck as session is heating up and all of our legislation is moving full speed ahead.
On Tuesday, student leaders across the four UM System campuses met in Jefferson City with ASUM leaders and interns to discuss student concerns. It was a great opportunity for students to meet with their elected officials, as well as see first hand how ASUM operates on a day-to-day basis. We look forward to our annual Student Advocacy Day next month when more students from each campus have the opportunity to come work with us! If you’re interested in attending, you can find more information below!
Legislation
ASUM Legislative Director, Chelsea Spence, testifying in favor alongside Rep. Holly Rehder.
Our STEM legislation, HB2255, sponsored by Rep. Korman (R-Montgomery) was heard in the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday. The bill was well received and will be voted on in executive session this Monday. This legislation will provide scholarships to students in the UM system who pursue STEM degrees. To learn more about our STEM initiative, please see our issue fact sheet.
Our consent education legislation, HB2234, sponsored by Rep. Rehder (R-Scott) was heard Tuesday in the Children and Families Committee. Rep. Rehder presented the bill, followed by thirteen other testimonies in favor including Legislative Director, Chelsea Spence, student representatives from It’s On Us, and statewide organizations and nonprofits. The outpouring of support lasted for over an hour! We are extremely grateful and humbled by the support we received. The bill was well received and will be voted on this Tuesday. You can read more about it here.
Outside the Capitol
ASUM Leadership pictured with President Choi, as well as student athletes representing Mizzou Football and Mizzou Women’s Basketball.
ASUM Leadership was invited to the Missouri 100 Meeting by President Choi last weekend. ASUM System leadership and campus presidents met in Columbia with leaders across the state in a variety of fields. ASUM was very excited to be invited to this prestigious event. We thank President Choi for welcoming us into his home and allowing us to represent the student voice to influential men and woman across the state.
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for the 31st Annual Student Advocacy Day hosted by ASUM on Tuesday, March 6, from 11:00am – 3:00pm. This is a stellar way for any UM System student to work alongside ASUM in Jefferson City and talk with lawmakers about student issues. Transportation and lunch are provided. Click here to visit the event’s Facebook page, or click here to skip that step and RSVP.
Legislative Update: January 26, 2018
Sen. Rowden (R- Boone/Cooper) speaking Thursday at the Boone County Forum. Sen. Rowden discussed the troubles facing higher education and his plans to tackle these issues, particularly higher education funding.
This week at the Capitol, ASUM leadership and interns were hard at work. With the Governor releasing his proposed budget and several of ASUM’s platforms up and running, this was a busy week! With a tight budget, interns will be working diligently in the coming weeks to maintain funding for higher education and the University of Missouri System. Consent Education and Mental Health are both moving quickly through the legislative process.
Budget
On Monday, January 22, Governor Greitens released the proposed budget for fiscal year 2019. In his proposal, the Governor recommended $1.1 billion for the Department of Higher Education, down from the previous year’s $1.9 billion. The Governor also recommended no funding for ‘Higher Education Initiatives,’ down from $10.7 billion last year. This included several partnership programs between the UM System that enable institutions to pool resources and reduce duplicate programs. Lastly, the Governor recommended $376 million for the University of Missouri System, down from $419 million last year. Interns will be working in the coming weeks to advocate for increased funding to higher education.
Current Legislation
Our Consent Education platform has officially been filed by Rep. Holly Rehder (R- Scott) as HB 2234. In the coming days, we our hopeful this important piece of legislation will be referred to a committee in the House. We are thankful for Rep. Rehder and her office for all of the work they have done to support this legislation! Full bill language is available here.
Mental Health (SB 788), filed by Rep. Fredrick (R- Rolla) in the House and Sen. Nasheed (D- St. Louis) in the Senate, has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. The team will be working hard these next couple of weeks to secure a hearing. Full bill language is available here.
Out in the Community
This past Thursday, ASUM leadership attended the Boone County Forum to discuss the problems facing higher education. Several legislators, including Sen. Rowden (R- Boone and Cooper), spoke on the challenges currently facing higher education and their plans to tackle the issue.
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for the 31st Annual Student Advocacy Day hosted by ASUM on Tuesday, March 6, from 9:00am – 1:00pm. This is a stellar way for any UM System student to work alongside ASUM in Jefferson City and talk with lawmakers about student issues. Transportation and lunch are provided. Click here to visit the event’s Facebook page, or click here to skip that step and RSVP.
Legislative Update: January 19th, 2018
2018 legislative intern team hard at work over Winter Break
During the first week of classes, ASUM leadership and interns were in the Capitol working to get our platforms moving in the legislative process. We are excited to announce that our Consent Education platform officially has a bill sponsor in the House of Representatives. Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Scott), agreed to carry the bill in the House and help get this important legislation passed. We are very thankful for her willingness to work with us on this issue! You can read the bill language here.
This week, the Allan Purdy Statewide Work Study bill, sponsored by Rep. Kendrick (D-Columbia) received a hearing in the House Higher Education Committee. Executive Director, Steven Chaffin, testified in favor of the legislation to the committee members. While the committee has not voted yet, the bill seemed well received by the members. You can read the bill language here.
In the coming weeks, the intern team and ASUM leadership will work to solidify support in both the Senate and the House for upcoming hearings. We are extremely excited that our platforms are moving through the legislative process so quickly! We look forward to updating you all as more advancements are made.