Defend our friend Israel in Missouri

This year I proudly co-sponsored HB 1006, a measure that prohibits Missouri from doing business with companies that boycott Israel. Here are the remarks I made on the House floor in support of the bill, which passed the House:

Billington

“I had the honor of visiting Israel about eight years ago. We were traveling with a team of people, and I went to Jerusalem and was close to the King David hotel. About a block from me, a suicide bomb went off and killed 12 people. It was a terrible thing.

“About three or four years later I went back, and Israel was 100% safer. Why? They built a wall. That is what we need to do in this country.”

Organizations involved in the boycott not only seek to weaken our ally, Israel, but some are even alleged to be linked with terrorism.

We must continue to defend our biggest friend in the Middle East and also work to improve our own border security. I believe accomplishing both are critical to the survival of our great nation.

On May 17th, the General Assembly concluded a legislative session that saw approval of several important policy reforms. The legislature’s efforts during the 2019 session also include passage of a fiscally responsible state spending plan. The $29.7 billion budget provides a record level of funding for K-12 education and fully funds the school foundation formula for the third year in a row. The spending plan also provides funding boosts for state scholarship programs and for the state’s institutions of higher learning. Additionally, the budget funds repairs for the state’s deteriorating transportation infrastructure.

After months of work, legislators were able to pass more than 90 bills and send them to the governor’s desk. The bills that received final passage include priorities outlined by House leadership, as well as issues supported by the governor.

HB 397 is meant to protect underage victims of sex trafficking from prosecution. Lawmakers endorsed the change to ensure young people who are forced into prostitution aren’t further traumatized by facing criminal charges.

Another provision in HB 397 is meant to better protect children by improving the state’s Amber Alert system. The bill is known as “Hailey’s Law” in honor of Hailey Owens, who was abducted and murdered at the age of 10 while walking home from a friend’s house. The legislation would require the Amber Alert System to be tied into the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES), which is the computer system that allows all law enforcement in Missouri to communicate.

HB 397 and HB 138 would also prevent do-not-resuscitate orders from being issued for Missouri children without a parent being aware. Commonly referred to as “Simon’s Law,” the legislation would prohibit a health care facility, nursing home, physician, nurse, or medical staff from putting such an order in a child’s file without a parent’s permission. That permission may be written, or given orally in the presence of at least two witnesses.

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Hardy Billington represents the 152nd District. Contact him at hardy.billington@house.mo.gov or by calling 573-751-4039.