Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer

Jefferson City, Missouri - As we anticipate the arrival of Spring and the plans and items we look forward to doing  - your Missouri House of Representatives was busy with the task of moving Missouri forward.

HJR 14 – which relates to Funding for Higher Education, Improvements, Construction, and Transportation Infrastructure –will provide the funding necessary to accomplish the task we have at hand; repairing our broken infrastructure.  The resolution creates the Fifth State Building Fund for the payment of the bonds and any interest earned.

On Thursday, February 14 the House Third Read and Passed HCS HB 48 & 216 and HCS HJRs 5 & 12, this legislation requires a person to submit a specified form of photo identification in order to vote in a public election. This is submitted on a ballot initiative for approval of the people while being added to the Missouri constitution.  

The goal of these bills is to protect the sanctity and integrity of the election process, not to restrict anyone from voting.   Acceptable forms of identification under these measures include: non-expired Missouri driver’s or non-driver’s license; a document issued by the federal or state government that contains the individual’s name, signature, photograph and expiration date; or a photo ID issued by the National Guard, US Armed Forces or US Department of Veterans Affairs. There are also provisions in the bills that would help Missourians who might not have or be able to afford an ID to obtain a proper form of identification at no cost to the voter or vote by provisional ballot. Thus, allowing everyone to partake in the democratic process while safeguarding against voter fraud.

As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House.  If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629.  you can also email me at Kent.Hampton@house.mo.gov.  I look forward to hearing from you.