The Missouri House gave preliminary approval last week to a legislative proposal that would help the Kansas City Police Department attract and retain the very best law enforcement personnel.
With a first-round voice vote, House members approved legislation that would allow the department to offer better pay to officers and the chief of police. HBs 640 and 729 would eliminate the current authorized salary ceiling for the Kansas City police chief and allow the Board of Police Commissioners to establish a salary ceiling by resolution. The bill would also eliminate the existing salary ceilings for police officers, computed according to rank, and empower the board to use the salary minimums as a base in pay ranges for officers in crafting their comprehensive pay schedule program.
Lawmakers approved legislation last week aimed at protecting businesses, schools, and churches from burdensome government mandates. By a vote of 105-36, the House approved HB 184 to prohibit local ordinances requiring businesses to pay for new electric vehicle charging stations. The bill's sponsor said his legislation comes in response to a trend that has seen municipalities mandate that small businesses, shopping centers, and churches install and pay for electric charging stations whenever they make improvements to their facilities. He said an ordinance in St. Louis County requires businesses to add and pay for electric charging stations even if they expand their parking lot.
During the same week, we discussed legislation to improve pay for Kansas City police officers, Gov. Parson called on legislators to provide additional support for a program that is designed to attract more Missourians to law enforcement careers. Parson announced the Missouri Blue Scholarship has already helped fund the training for 217 Missouri law enforcement recruits and asked lawmakers to approve new funding for the program. Parson announced the Missouri Blue Scholarship program in October as a way to help attract more Missourians to law enforcement careers and address officer shortages in law enforcement agencies across the state.
I participated in several hearings last week. The highlight of these was when I presented HB 44 to the Transportation Infrastructure Committee. The passage of this bill will result in the naming of a portion of U.S. Highway 50, the "SGT James L. Shipley Memorial Highway." With only a 24-hour notice, five individuals from the Tipton community agreed to appear in person at this hearing to testify in favor of this bill. John Schuster, John Brant, Jill Tobin, Henry Suddarth and Vernon Gage praised Shipley and expressed their support. Their attendance and testimony tugged at the heartstrings of the members of the committee, who were moved by the stories they told. It was unfortunate the author of the book about James Shipley, Jeremy Amick, could not attend. Amick spent numerous hours interviewing Shipley and is very knowledgeable about his life and experiences. Amick's book, "Together as One," chronicled the life of James Shipley.
In recognition of career and technical education month, many CTE students and their advisers visited my office, the House chamber and toured the Whispering Gallery and dome.
If you have any comments, questions or concerns,contact me at 573-751-2077 or email [email protected].
State Rep. Willard Haley represents House District 58, which includes parts of Miller, Morgan and Moniteau counties.