93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Cole County’s legislative delegation is pushing Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s (R) supplemental budget request, to give state employees a 5.5 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA).
State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) tells 939 the Eagle that Cole County lawmakers have sent a letter to fellow legislators. The letter was signed by State Reps. Rudy Veit (R-Wardsville) and Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson City), along with State Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City).
“They think it’s very necessary and they cite some figures that, I think we might be the worst state in the country for state worker pay,” Basye says.
State employee pay will be one of the first issues lawmakers address during the 2022 session, which begins Wednesday in Jefferson City. Governor Parson says entry-level retail positions often pay more than front-line state employees receive.
Basye, who chairs the Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, tells 939 the Eagle that congressional redistricting and voter ID will also be top priorities early in the session, which begins Wednesday at noon in Jefferson City.
Chairman Basye predicts CRT and a few other education-related bills will be one of the first issues addressed by the House this month.
“I did converse through text messages with (House) Speaker (Rob) Vescovo a couple of weeks ago, and I think we’re going to have the CRT-related bills, curriculum-related bills referred very, very early,” says Basye.
Basye has also filed pre-filed legislation to allow the recall of school board members. Republicans currently control the Missouri House 111-49.
