A bill that indirectly provides state funding for private schools and home schools is viewed as a victory for parent choice by some and potential cover for bad actors by others.
The bill, which on Wednesday was still waiting for Gov. Mike Parson s signature, creates what are called Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. It offers $50 million in tax credits for donations to not-for-profit organizations that provide scholarships for student tuition to private schools and religious schools or costs for home schools. The scholarships can be used by students in any town with a population over 30,000.
In the Senate, Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, voted in favor. In the House vote, Republicans Chuck Basye, Rocheport; Cheri Reisch, Hallsville; and Sara Walsh, Ashland, voted in favor of the bill. State Rep. Martha Stevens, D-Columbia, voted against it. The House vote happened before the election of Democratic State Rep. David Tyson Smith, of Columbia.
It started as a civics class proposal when Shruti Gautam was a freshman. It was something I always kind of noticed was missing, Shruti said. It was a problem for my friends.
The problem? The lack of feminine hygiene products in Columbia Public Schools.
Her idea was to stock all-female student restrooms with free feminine hygiene products or in plainer terms, menstrual products or period products. I just think that it s a basic human right to take care of your body, said Shruti, now a 17-year-old senior.
She took her idea to teachers, to janitors, to Jen Rukstad, who then was Rock Bridge principal, and then to Chief Equity Officer Carla London and Superintendent Peter Stiepleman. They allowed her to conduct a pilot project at Rock Bridge, she said.
MISSOURI- A new bill introduced by Rep. Martha Stevens (D-Columbia) would provide vouchers for food at farmers markets for low-income, pregnant and postpartum women, as well as children up to 5 years of age who are at nutritional risk.Â
House Bill 652 states that it will allow the Department of Agriculture to apply for a grant under the USDA Senior Farmer s Market Nutrition Program and apply for a grant and submit a state plan under the USDA s Women s Infant and Children (WIC) Farmer s Market Nutrition Program to help low income families who meet the requirements.
When introducing this legislation, Stevens said her inspiration for proposing the bill came from her work with advocates.
Missouri News Update - Morning - KRCU Public Radio: 02/05/21
Fresh produce from farmers markets might become more accessible for women, infants and children in low-income families in Missouri as Rep. Martha Stevens introduced House Bill 652 to expand WIC vouchers to be used in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
In the Feb. 4 morning hearing, representatives from the Rural Community Committee scrutinized how the bill plans to encourage participation.
In similar food insecurity programs, the Missouri Department of Agriculture saw staggered levels of participation from county to county because of administrative costs.
Rep. Stevens commented on the expectations of the new program.
JEFFERSON CITY - Governor Mike Parson is set to give the 2021 State of the State address on Wednesday at 3 p.m.Â
The State of the State address is a time for the Governor to outline policy and budget goals for the year. Parson s office has said little though about the contents of his 2021 speech. Some mid-Missouri state representatives are anticipating COVID-19 to lead the conversation, especially when it comes to the economy, education and vaccine distribution.Â
To Sara Walsh, the Republican representative of District 50 and the Majority Caucus Chair, the State of the State address this year is an opportunity for Parson to establish the next steps in handling the pandemic.