Northwest Missouri legislators successfully shepherded bills intolaws this year that run the gamut from energy cost savings forconsumers to safeguarding children from Internet predators.
The lawmakers worked on proposals that have benefits for the stateat large and Northwest Missouri in particular.
State Rep. Jim Whorton, D-Trenton, was able to transform hismembership on the House Environment and Energy Committee intoconsumer advocacy on behalf of senior citizens.
"The bottom line is saving energy," Mr. Whorton said.
State Rep. Maurice Lawson, D-St. Joseph, is the panel's chairmanand likewise supported measures that reduce consumers' energy costs.One of his bills allows residents the ability to sell back unusedelectricity to utilities.
"You can't let that power go to waste, or you won't beprofitable," Mr. Lawson said.
State Sen. David Klindt, R-Bethany, supported legislation aimed atinhibiting pedophiles from using the Internet to prey upon youths.One portion of an omnibus sex crimes bill allows for creation of acomputer forensics lab in the state to help law enforcement agenciesinvestigate Internet-based crimes.
"When the federal government decides they're going to provide moreof those (labs), we'll be in a good position," Mr. Klindt said.
The crime of enticement was formalized this session, in effectcriminalizing Internet-based luring of children for sexualexploitation. Those ideas also were tacked onto the bill, with Mr.Klindt crediting Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox for assistance.Mr. Cox has participated in Internet chat room investigations thathave led to successful convictions in sex-related cases.
"He has done a lot of work going online," Mr. Klindt said.
State Rep. Randall Relford, D-Cameron, contributed to theprotection of emergency workers responding to roadside accidents. Anew law will enforce penalties against motorists who fail to give theright of way to stationary vehicles or crews responding to accidentson highway shoulders.
"They certainly pushed that one," Mr. Relford said of lawenforcement lobbying for the bill. "(But) there are other peopleworking on emergencies. I think that would hopefully have a positiveimpact."
Mr. Relford also promoted legislation - amended onto a Senate bill- that toughens teacher certification requirements in public schools.
"I was really happy that I got that done," he said. "I thinkyou're going to see schools taking a hard look at their quality ofteachers."
State Rep. Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby, was able to gain support for aMissouri Dental Association-backed bill that allows dentists anddental hygienists to voluntarily attend interventions in lieu ofdisciplinary action.
"I was asked to help out, when they realized they had problems,"Mr. Hegeman said. "It encourages them to come forward."
State Rep. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, said two of his biggersession achievements turned out to be appropriations provisions thatreduced the amount of projected funding cuts to mental healthservices and special education classes.
Mr. Shields also cited efforts to include the role of parents andstate government in a school accountability bill as significant.
"They're in the mix, too," he said.
In the eyes of state Rep. Glenda Kelly, D-St. Joseph, progress wasmade in securing increased per-pupil higher education aid forMissouri Western State College.
"It prepared some language (addressing the disparity of statefunding for the college)," Ms. Kelly said of the session.
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