This week, Jeff Reed with the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association stopped by the office to discuss their policy priorities. There are a lot of cattle farmers in the district and I value their thoughts, which pretty much mirrors our rural values. Also, this week the House passed the Second Amendment Preservation Act.
House Approves Second Amendment Preservation Act (HBs 85 & 310)
Members of the Missouri House gave approval to legislation meant to protect the Second Amendment rights of Missourians against an overreaching federal government.
Known as the Second Amendment Preservation Act, the bill is meant to protect law-abiding gun owners from potential gun control legislation that could be passed in Washington, D.C. It states that laws and other actions that prohibit the manufacture, ownership and use of firearms, firearm accessories or ammunition within Missouri exceed the powers granted to the federal government. It also declares that all federal laws, acts and orders that infringe on Missourians’ second amendment rights are invalid in the state.
Additionally, the bill declares it is the duty of the courts and law enforcement agencies to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners and states that no public officer or employee of Missouri or any political subdivision of the state can have authority to enforce or attempt to enforce federal laws that infringe on the right to keep and bear arms.
With the approval of the House, the bill now moves to the Senate for consideration
House Committee investigates overpayment of unemployment benefits
The House Special Committee on Government Oversight took testimony this week from Missourians who are being asked to repay unemployment benefits they received in error through no fault of their own.
The committee heard from Department of Labor Director Anna Hui, who told members the state-issued approximately $150 million in “overpayments” that the state now wants back. Hui explained overpayments are “kind of built into” the unemployment system. The department is expected to make an eligibility determination and get payment out to an applicant within 14 days, generally based solely on the information provided by the applicant. As additional information comes in, often from the applicant’s current or past employers, it could prove he or she was not eligible.
Hui told the committee Gov. Mike Parson has made clear he wants the department to seek collection of those overpayments, viewing them as taxpayer dollars that went to ineligible individuals.
Several legislators said they have heard from constituents who have been asked to pay back thousands of dollars in state or federal relief, sometimes months after they received it. One constituent was asked to repay about $23,000.
One of the members of the committee said it’s wrong for the state to ask people already struggling financially due to COVID-19 to pay back thousands of dollars.
Federal directives have given states the option not to require repayment of assistance from the federal government, which makes up the majority of the $150 million the department overpaid. The labor director explained that Missouri is choosing to seek repayment of federal relief.
Members of the committee told the director the state shouldn’t expend its resources to pull money from Missouri’s economy just to send it back to the federal government.
The committee also heard from a union that includes 500 school bus drivers and monitors. The union representative said many of them make salaries that would put them near the poverty level, yet roughly 400 are being asked to pay back thousands of dollars.
Members of the committee said the repayment situation is adding to already heightened stress for struggling Missourians. They want Missourians to know legislators are paying attention and are looking for a solution.
Several members have already filed legislation to address the unemployment overpayments and more are developing legislative solutions.
Atchison represents District 153.
If you have any questions regarding any state matters or legislation, please don’t hesitate to contact at Darrell.Atchison@house.mo.gov or call 573-751-1066.