While we had many successes this legislative session, like any other year, several good bills did not make it to the Governor’s desk.
These bills included numerous measures to honor the memory of the late Rush Limbaugh. One such bill was HB 1200, which I filed to designate “Rush Limbaugh Day” on Jan. 12 of every year. Thirty-seven members of the House co-sponsored the legislation, and it made it through two House committees. I also added the bill as an amendment to a Senate bill, which the House passed. Unfortunately, when the bill returned to the Senate that portion was removed.
In addition, Sen. Holly Rehder filed an identical bill and efforts were also made to create a “Rush Limbaugh Memorial Highway” in Cape Girardeau County. Despite our best efforts, this year we came up short. However, I will continue working to ensure we have a permanent memorial to ensure Rush’s legacy is remembered for generations to come.
Rush’s impact on American politics cannot be overstated. To me, and many Americans, he was an irreplaceable figure. Through his daily radio show, he not only provided information and commentary but also motivation and encouragement in tough times. He was an inspiration to many by overcoming his hearing impairment. His contributions to charity were legendary, including hosting an annual leukemia “Cure-a-Thon.”
Because of his immeasurable impact on our country, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and was named by Time Magazine as one of the most influential people in the world. I believe President Trump would not have been elected had it not been for Rush Limbaugh.
Missouri continues to bounce back from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and recently saw another month of job growth. For the month of April, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in Missouri dropped to 4.1 percent, which is down from 4.2 percent in March. The change amounts to a growth of approximately 600 jobs over the month.
The state has seen dramatic growth when compared to April of 2020. One year ago, Missouri’s unemployment rate was 12.5 percent. Since that time, the state has seen its unemployment rate improve by 8.4 percentage points, which amounts to nearly a quarter of a million jobs.
Missouri had previously seen an unemployment rate low of 3.1 percent in July of 2018. The rate was at 3.7 percent in March of 2020. Missouri’s unemployment rate has been below the national rate for every month since February 2020. The national unemployment rate increased from 6.0 percent in March to 6.1 percent in April 2021.
Another bill passed during the 2021 legislative session contains a provision meant to improve school bus safety for all Missouri students. The bill will create the Joint Task Force on School Bus Safety.
The task force will study school bus transportation safety, including analyzing entrance and exit safety, the effectiveness of seatbelts and other related issues. The joint task force will consist of two state representatives, two senators, the commissioner of education, the director of the Department of Transportation and the director of the Department of Public Safety. The task force will meet at least three times a year to develop an annual report analyzing school bus transportation safety. The legislation requires the task force to submit their report to the governor and General Assembly by Dec. 31 of each year.
May God bless and keep you and our great nation.
Hardy Billington represents District 152, which includes parts of Butler and Dunklin counties.