Legislative Report
Things are unsettled in the Missouri Senate. The Freedom Caucus has been trying to
throw their weight around . Senate Pro-tem Calab Rowden decided to strip Hoskins,
Brattin, Koenig and Eigel all have ties to the Freedom Caucus, which consists of a
group of hard-right Republican members. The group has reportedly been linked
to some tensions and fillibusters in recent weeks.
Charter School proposals are being floated in the House. Currently they are still in
committee. It looks like they will be voted on next week. We will see when the
markups read when they are finished.
The House Committee also passed out of committee the statewide open enrollment
bill (HB 1989). The vote was 11-6.
The Senate has been very active in education matters (SB 728 and SB 814.) Koenig
again presented a parents bill of rights and gender issues. If passed, any teacher
caught addressing gender issues could lose the right to teach for four years. SB 814
deals with assessment procedures. Before it was marked up, it was very pro-charter
schools. After the mark-up it appears to put charter schools on the same footing a
public schools.
Koenig has presented a bill that increases the amount of money paid to people
accepting voucher money (SB 727) He also submitted a bill (SB 729) that proposed
that the funding for home and private should meet the state adequacy target which
is currently $6375 per pupil.
Much of this information can be found in emails sent from the state office. Don’t
forget to respond to the calls to action sent by the state office.
Things are unsettled in the Missouri Senate. The Freedom Caucus has been trying to
throw their weight around . Senate Pro-tem Calab Rowden decided to strip Hoskins,
Brattin, Koenig and Eigel all have ties to the Freedom Caucus, which consists of a
group of hard-right Republican members. The group has reportedly been linked
to some tensions and fillibusters in recent weeks.
Charter School proposals are being floated in the House. Currently they are still in
committee. It looks like they will be voted on next week. We will see when the
markups read when they are finished.
The House Committee also passed out of committee the statewide open enrollment
bill (HB 1989). The vote was 11-6.
The Senate has been very active in education matters (SB 728 and SB 814.) Koenig
again presented a parents bill of rights and gender issues. If passed, any teacher
caught addressing gender issues could lose the right to teach for four years. SB 814
deals with assessment procedures. Before it was marked up, it was very pro-charter
schools. After the mark-up it appears to put charter schools on the same footing a
public schools.
Koenig has presented a bill that increases the amount of money paid to people
accepting voucher money (SB 727) He also submitted a bill (SB 729) that proposed
that the funding for home and private should meet the state adequacy target which
is currently $6375 per pupil.
Much of this information can be found in emails sent from the state office. Don’t
forget to respond to the calls to action sent by the state office.
What is Right with Missouri Public Education?
Why are Missouri students outperforming the national average? Our dedicated teachers, administrators, and education professionals are the difference and the heart of our communities!
In 2022,
Why Join MRTA? The ABC's of MRTA
Advocacy
- It is available to every Missouri child regardless of location or financial status.
- Class sizes tend to be smaller in early years to allow for more quality education for each child.
- Allows for specialized classes, advanced courses, trade schools, and technical courses.
- Offers various extra curricular opportunities from athletics to theater.
- Provides services like reduced/free lunch, academic assistance, transportation, and special needs education.
- Schools provide a gathering space for the community.
- Public schools offer resources that are diverse.
- Public schools are accountable to the state for academic performance. Teachers are required to be certified by the state and also require ongoing education.
- The average Missouri teacher has over 22 years of experience.
Why are Missouri students outperforming the national average? Our dedicated teachers, administrators, and education professionals are the difference and the heart of our communities!
In 2022,
- High School Graduation Rates Nationwide were 86%, Missouri was 90%
- Students to take ACT Nationwide were 52%, Missouri was 76%
- ACT Composite Scores Nationwide were 20.6, Missouri was 20.8
- Experienced teachers matter the most when it comes to student success
- 95% of teachers entering their 15th year of service will stay in teaching until they reach retirement eligibility
- In 2020-2021, the average number of service for a Missouri teacher was 22.5 years
- Missouri's children perform above the national average due to experienced and professional public school teachers.
Why Join MRTA? The ABC's of MRTA
Advocacy
- PSRS/PEERS Pensions
- Public Education
- Retirement Security
- WEP/GPO
- In partnership with AMBA, we provide our members with up to $10,000 in discounts and value
- Monthly E-Newsletters
- Phone2Action
- Legislative Alerts
- External Lobbyist
- MRTA members have volunteered over 680,000 hours to our communities
- Given over $535,000 in MRTA-Foundation Grants to active educators
- Fellowship opportunities with other former teachers
- Social gatherings
Governor Parson asked the legislature to add $177 million to fully fund the foundation formula, $233 million for school transportation needs, $32 million to expand the Career Ladder Program, and Continue the Teacher Baseline Salary Program that raised teacher pay from $25,000 to $38,000 per year.
Parson also requested $56 million to expand to pre-kindergarten options to all four-year-old children eligible for free and reduced priced lunch at no cost. To further strengthen the child care network, he includes $78 million to increase child care subsidy rates and establish three new child care tax credit programs.
Governor Parson also recommended several key investments in workforce development and higher education, including $800,000 for Governor Parson's Fast Track Program.
Parson also requested $56 million to expand to pre-kindergarten options to all four-year-old children eligible for free and reduced priced lunch at no cost. To further strengthen the child care network, he includes $78 million to increase child care subsidy rates and establish three new child care tax credit programs.
Governor Parson also recommended several key investments in workforce development and higher education, including $800,000 for Governor Parson's Fast Track Program.
Legislative Day is Tuesday, February 14, 10:30 am, Capitol 1st Floor Rotunda
Jenifer will be driving and will take others in her vehicle. If you want to ride with her or drive yourself, meet at Wal-Mart in Republic in the parking lot closer to Hwy 60 at 7:00 am. Call Jenifer if you are interested in going at 417-830-4799.
It would be best to set up an appointment with your elected officials before you arrive. Getting through security will take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the lines. Leave purses and other nonessential items in the trunk of your car. Identification is NOT required to enter. MRTA will have all the information you need when you arrive. Please RSVP for your group by calling toll free 1-877-366-6782, so MRTA will have enough materials for everyone who will be attending.
Governor Parson asked the legislature to add $177 million to fully fund the foundation formula, $233 million for school transportation needs, $32 million to expand the Career Ladder Program, and Continue the Teacher Baseline Salary Program that raised teacher pay from $25,000 to $38,000 per year.
Parson also requested $56 million to expand to pre-kindergarten options to all four-year-old children eligible for free and reduced priced lunch at no cost. To further strengthen the child care network, he includes $78 million to increase child care subsidy rates and establish three new child care tax credit programs:
Governor Parson also recommended several key investments in workforce development and higher education, which includes:
Parson also requested $56 million to expand to pre-kindergarten options to all four-year-old children eligible for free and reduced priced lunch at no cost. To further strengthen the child care network, he includes $78 million to increase child care subsidy rates and establish three new child care tax credit programs:
- Child Care Contribution Tax Credit - Encourages contributions to child care providers to improve and expand facilities and services;
- Employer-Provided Child Care Assistance Tax Credit - Benefits employers who offer child care assistance to their employees; and
- Child Care Providers Tax Credit - Assists child care providers with payroll costs and incentivizes capital improvements to child care facilities.
Governor Parson also recommended several key investments in workforce development and higher education, which includes:
- $275 million for transformational capital improvement projects at Missouri's public higher education institutions;
- Seven percent ($71 million) increase in core funding to Missouri's public higher education institutions - the largest increase in 25 years;
- $38 million for Apprenticeship Missouri
- $2.2 million to modernize Missouri's 27 job centers;
- $800,000 for Governor Parson's Fasts Track Program; and
- $500,000 for Jobs for America's Graduates
MRTA Announces Partnership with Firm of Steven R. Carroll and Associates.
Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel, the largest retired public school personnel association in Missouri, is pleased to announce partnering with the firm of Steven R. Carroll and Associates as their new external lobbyist. To help supplement our advocacy efforts for public education and public pensions for our members, the Carroll lobby firm will allow for extending MRTA's advocating efforts with the Missouri legislature for 2023. The firm of Steven Carroll and Associated will assist in direct lobbying, monitoring legislation, providing testimony, written reports, and setting up meetings with legislators and MRTS. The firm will coordinate MRTA's activities around key bills with Maria Walden, MRTA Executive Director of Randy McClain, MRTS's Committee Chair.
Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel, the largest retired public school personnel association in Missouri, is pleased to announce partnering with the firm of Steven R. Carroll and Associates as their new external lobbyist. To help supplement our advocacy efforts for public education and public pensions for our members, the Carroll lobby firm will allow for extending MRTA's advocating efforts with the Missouri legislature for 2023. The firm of Steven Carroll and Associated will assist in direct lobbying, monitoring legislation, providing testimony, written reports, and setting up meetings with legislators and MRTS. The firm will coordinate MRTA's activities around key bills with Maria Walden, MRTA Executive Director of Randy McClain, MRTS's Committee Chair.
MRTA PHONE2ACTION
As you know Missouri's Legislative Session begins today. With COVID restrictions at the Capitol, public input is going to be extraordinarily hard this year. We need you all to become "Virtual Activists" in 2023. All of our communication with legislators is going to have to be via email, phone calls and letters this year. To make this easier for you MRTA is offering an exciting new service for you, MRTA Phone2Action.
With MRTA Phone2Action, you can now sign up to have all of our Legislative Updates sent straight to your phone. PLUS, we have made it easier to write your legislators. With Phone2Action you can now write your legislators with just a few taps on your smartphone!
Please sign up now as Missouri Legislative Session begins.
As you know Missouri's Legislative Session begins today. With COVID restrictions at the Capitol, public input is going to be extraordinarily hard this year. We need you all to become "Virtual Activists" in 2023. All of our communication with legislators is going to have to be via email, phone calls and letters this year. To make this easier for you MRTA is offering an exciting new service for you, MRTA Phone2Action.
With MRTA Phone2Action, you can now sign up to have all of our Legislative Updates sent straight to your phone. PLUS, we have made it easier to write your legislators. With Phone2Action you can now write your legislators with just a few taps on your smartphone!
Please sign up now as Missouri Legislative Session begins.
GOVERNOR NIXON SIGNS THE PROCLAMATION OF RETIRED EDUCATORS' DAY JUNE 8