Special Session Measures

NEWS RELEASE    ---     From the Office of Representative Shelley Keeney - 156^th District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	CONTACT:    Rep. Shelley Keeney
September 23, 2011	(573) 751-5912

Special Session Measures

The Mo legislature is in special session and has truly agreed and passed two bill that have now been sent to the governor for his approval.

Senate Bill 1—Modifies provisions relating to communications between school district employees and students.  The House gave overwhelming approval by a vote of 139 to 2 to legislation that has commonly been referred to as the “Facebook Fix.” The fix is necessary because of an unintended consequence that resulted from a bill passed during the regular session to protect students from inappropriate conduct by unscrupulous teachers. Our goal was to make certain that communications through social media such as Facebook and Twitter are viewable by parents at all times.  Instead, the language in the bill caused concerns that it would limit the ability of our many good teachers to use these tools to communicate school-related matters with their students.

SB1 requires each school district to put in place a written policy concerning employee-student communications. The policy must be in place by March 1, 2012 and must pertain to the use of electronic media and other mechanisms to prevent improper communications between school district staff members and students.  In addition, the bill repeals a provision that would have prohibited teachers from creating and using a work-related Internet site unless it is also available to school administrators and the child’s parent or guardian.  SB 1 allows teachers to establish and maintain a work- and non-work related Internet site to have exclusive access with a current or former student. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.

SB 7—Establishes the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MOSIRA). The House also approved SB 7 by a vote of 94 to 48.  In essence, MOSIRA is a seed program designed to kick start Missouri’s next generation of hi-tech jobs.  The goal is to make our state a national leader in life sciences and technology and to help retain and grow science and technology companies in Missouri. The bill also would allow us to develop our high-tech workforce – something that will create good-paying jobs for Missouri residents and give a significant boost to our economy. One of the great things about MOSIRA is the funding method it would utilize. It would not create any new taxes nor would it seek budget money currently being directed to Missouri general revenues. Rather, after a set base year, it would capture part of the increase in gross receipts from state income taxes generated by employees working within designated science and innovation fields. Money generated would then go into a fund that would continue to do outreach to attract more high-tech jobs. This is a revenue neutral bill with solid taxpayer protections. 

MOSIRA is a pro-growth, pro-jobs bill with NO fiscal note (completely subject to appropriations based solely on net gains) that will keep Missouri extremely competitive in the fast growing 21st century field of Bio-Tech & Bio-Science.  In addition, for those Missourians who are pro-life, the bill contains extremely stringent pro-life protections relating to prohibitions on public funding of stem cell research. Good news for all Missourians!

Please let me know if you would like to receive my weekly updates via electronic E-Mail, by sending an email with your name to: Shelley.Keeney@house.mo.gov

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns about state government.  Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-5912.  You may write me at: Shelley Keeney; Missouri House of Representatives; State Capitol -- Room 313; Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806 or email me.