New bill requires plaintiffs named

This week I was happy to welcome representatives from Ozark Border Electric to the capitol. General Manager David Schremp and several board members visited along with electric co-ops from across Missouri. I have been a member of Ozark Border Electric since 1980, and frankly I consider it the best in the state. It was good to have a chance to introduce my honored guests on the House floor.

My first bill, HB 728, was introduced last week. The bill requires the plaintiff to be named in lawsuits involving the separation of church and state. This measure seeks to remedy a problem I’ve seen go on for too long. Groups such as the Freedom from Religion Foundation have used the courts to try to remove any type of religious symbols from public spaces, including in Missouri. Some have tried to remove references to God from our money and Pledge of Allegiance. These lawsuits are often brought by unnamed plaintiffs who may not even live in the community affected. Under my bill, the actual name of the person bringing the suit must be disclosed. This will ensure those who challenge our long-held traditions and symbols will not be cloaked in secrecy, but will instead be subject to the transparency and openness we expect in our legal system.

House Speaker Elijah Haahr this week announced the creation of the Special Committee on Government Oversight. The new committee is charged with the reviewing and monitoring of policy implementation by the executive branch and its departments.

Speaker Haahr said, “We have a deep commitment to ensuring the government is a good steward of taxpayers’ money and is transparent in its actions.”

The Speaker appointed state Rep. Robert Ross to chair the committee. Ross is in his fourth term in the House and serves on the Budget Committee and as Chairman of the Professional Registration and Licensing Committee. Outside of his duties of a representative, he is small business owner.

“I look forward to leading this committee and being a watchdog of the effects decisions made by the administration have on Missourians and their tax dollars,” said Ross. “Having an in-depth knowledge of the state’s $30 billion budget and my understanding as a small business owner of how Missourians expect their hard-earned dollars to be used will guide the course of this committee.”

Speaker Haahr added, “The members of this committee have a long history of demanding accountability of government. I am confident this committee will thoroughly review and scrutinize our bureaucracy to ensure our government is operating in a way that deserves of Missourians’ trust.”

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Contact Rep. Billington at hardy.billington@house.mo.gov or by calling 573-751-4039.