Overview

Governor Elise Montgomery (R-KS) The state legislature is now gaveled to order to debate this bill for 72 hours.

Governor Elise Montgomery (R-KS) The state legislature is now gaveled to order to debate this bill for 72 hours.

Governor Elise Montgomery (R-KS) 72 hours to vote.

Governor Elise Montgomery (R-KS) 72 hours to vote.

Title: Virginia High School Civics Proficiency Act State: Virginia The law the bill will change:: School Funding Effect of the change:: Raise Sponsor: Evie Brink Requires the Board of Education, in establishing high school graduation requirements, to require, except in the case of a high school student whose individualized education program indicates otherwise, each high school student to take and correctly answer at least 70 percent of the questions on a test composed of at least 25 but not more than 50 of the questions on the civics portion of the U.S. Naturalization Test in order to graduate high school with a standard or advanced studies diploma, provided that such student may take such test at any time during grades nine through 12 and as many times during such period as necessary to achieve the minimum 70 percent passing score. Appropriates $16 million to develop the test, train teachers, and administer it. Appropriates an additional $5 million a year for yearly administration and support. View full bill

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which I first introduced last session in response to a disturbing trend in governance propagating its way across our fine nation and, indeed, our state. In recent years, there has arisen a new movement of prosecutors funded by wealthy progressive billionaires who have the sole goal of, essentially, not doing the job of their elected office. Instead of enthusiastically and energetically prosecuting crimes to their fullest extent, they take a pitiful stance towards even the most hardened of criminals so long as they meet certain demographic criteria. In the name of diversity, equity, and inclusion, they make a mockery of their own offices by refusing to prosecute, supporting leniency or seeking blatant, unfairly soft sentencing, or causing so much dysfunction that nothing can get done, by design. Missouri saw this most blatantly in none other than Kim Gardner, the disgraced former Circuit Attorney for St. Louis City. But she is not the only one, not in Missouri or in other states. It is time for the legislature to make a stand. Other states have authority given to their duly-elected Governor that allows them to suspend such corrupt, impotent, or incompetent public officials. The best example of this that I can think of is Florida, which has successfully suspended rogue prosecutors like this in recent years. It is time to replicate that record of success here in Missouri. This isn't a matter of partisan one-up-manship. This is a matter of civil rights and justice. Citizens who are denied safe streets and their due justice by malicious public officials are denied their most fundamental rights, as the government deliberately fails to carry out its most fundamental duty, slowly allowing the creep of anarcho-tyranny in our society. This bill is common sense. It allows the Governor to suspend these rogue prosecutors or any other public official who is obviously failing to uphold their obligations to their people. The State Senate shall then have oversight ability, ensuring accountability and guarding against abuse of power by the Governor. This amendment should immediately be put forth by the Missouri government to be approved by voters in the next election season. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it. I yield.

Governor Elise Montgomery (R-KS) The state legislature is now gaveled to order to debate this bill for 72 hours.

Governor Elise Montgomery (R-KS) The state legislature is now gaveled to order to debate this bill for 72 hours.

Title: Texas School Funding Improvement Act State: Texas The law the bill will change:: School Funding Effect of the change:: Raise Sponsor: Kyle Fitzgerald (R-TX) This bill increases school funding in Texas from Low to Moderate. Specifically, this bill: Increases the basic allotment per student, as outlined in the Texas Education Code Section 48.051. Increases the school safety allotment to cover costs associated with the placement of one School Resource Officer (SRO) per campus, as mandated under Texas law. Increase teacher and non-teacher staff salaries, including increasing minimum salary schedules and providing funds to districts to increase teacher and staff salaries, provide retention incentives, and increase pay for hourly employees. Increase funding for Career and Technical Education (CTE) grants and programs. Eliminate STAAR tests that are not federally mandated. View full bill

Title: Statewide E-Verify Act State: Texas The law the bill will change:: Sanctuary Policies Effect of the change:: Lower Sponsor: Kyle Fitzgerald (R-TX) Summary: This bill lowers sanctuary policies in Texas. Specifically, this bill requires all employers in Texas to participate in the e-verify system. View full bill

Title: Rogue Prosecutor Control Act State: Missouri The law the bill will change:: Prison Reform Effect of the change:: Lower Sponsor: Samuel William Madison A Bill To propose an amendment to the Missouri Constitution allowing for the suspension of municipal, county, and state prosecutors Proposed Amendment to the Missouri Constitution: Article: Executive Suspension and Removal of Prosecutors Section 1: Authority of the Governor The Governor of Missouri shall have the authority to suspend any prosecutor at the municipal, county, or state level for: - Dereliction of duty - Gross negligence - Corruption - Criminal activity This suspension shall be enacted by an Executive Order, which must specify the grounds for suspension based on credible evidence or legal proceedings. Section 2: Immediate Effect of Suspension Upon issuance of the Executive Order by the Governor, the suspension of the prosecutor shall take effect immediately. The suspended prosecutor shall be barred from performing any duties associated with their office until a final decision is made by the Missouri Senate. Section 3: Senate Review Within ninety (90) days from the date of the suspension, the Missouri Senate shall convene to review the suspension. The Senate shall hold hearings where the suspended prosecutor, the Governor, or their representatives, and any relevant witnesses or evidence can be presented. Section 4: Senate Vote Following the review, the Missouri Senate shall vote on whether to uphold the suspension. A simple majority vote (50% + 1 of the total votes cast) shall be required to uphold the suspension and remove the prosecutor from office for the remainder of their term. Section 5: Replacement If the Senate votes to uphold the suspension: - The Governor shall appoint an interim prosecutor to serve for the remainder of the term. - The Senate must confirm this appointment by a simple majority vote within thirty (30) days of the appointment. Section 6: Definitions - Dereliction of Duty: Willful or negligent failure to perform the duties of the office as required by law or by the standards of the profession. - Gross Negligence: A conscious and voluntary disregard of the need to use reasonable care, which is likely to cause foreseeable grave injury or harm to public interest. - Corruption: The misuse of public power for private gain, including but not limited to bribery, embezzlement, or any act of official misconduct for personal benefit. - Criminal Activity: Any act that constitutes a felony or misdemeanor under state or federal law. Section 7: Judicial Review Any decision by the Governor to suspend or by the Senate to uphold the suspension may be subject to judicial review in the Missouri Supreme Court for procedural compliance with this amendment. Section 8: Amendment and Ratification This amendment shall be placed on the ballot for approval by the voters of Missouri. If approved by a majority of voters, it shall become part of the Missouri Constitution. View full bill