Submitted by the office of Jim Kalberloh
To the Constituents of the 126th District,
January has come to a close and February is here and legislation is moving through the process. We 3rd read and passed an Initiative Petition bill today and it is now on its way to the Senate. This week we also had Missouri Memory Day, an Alzheimer Awareness group came by and visited, and is definitely a worthwhile endeavor. I wish everyone in the district a great week ahead.
Missouri House Advances Legislation to Reform the Initiative Petition Process (HJR 43)
Members of the Missouri House this week approved a proposed change to the constitution that would allow voters to decide if the state should raise the threshold to modify the constitution in the future. The House approved HJR 43 by a vote of 108-50. The key component of HJR 43 would change the threshold required to approve changes to the state constitution. Currently, changes to the constitution require only a simple majority for approval. If approved by the legislature and voters, HJR 43 would raise the threshold to 60 percent voter approval for passage.
Supporters of the measure say it will protect what they view as a sacred document that should only be amended when absolutely necessary. They point out the current version of the Missouri Constitution has changed more than 60 times since it was written in 1945. In comparison, the United States Constitution has been amended only 17 times since 1791. Proponents also say the increased threshold will help minimize the influence of out-of-state groups that have no ties to Missouri but spend millions of dollars to change the state constitution. The sponsor of HJR 43 said the groups “try to reimagine Missouri in their vision.” He said, “I think it should be in the vision of the people of the state of Missouri.”
The legislation also requires that voters in each congressional district have the opportunity to review and comment upon all initiative petitions proposing amendments to the constitution. The secretary of state would administer the public forums, which would take place at least 15 days before the measure appears on the ballot.
The sponsor said “This would require that you go into all eight and give people a chance to have their voice heard and submit testimony. We’re trying to give them a greater voice and give them a chance also to find out everything that’s in that.”
Lawmakers Observe Missouri Memory Day
Many lawmakers were clad in purple on Wednesday, February 1 as the Missouri House of Representatives officially recognized Missouri Memory Day. The annual observance is meant to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and place a focus on the importance of helping those living with dementia and their caregivers.
Approximately 120,000 Missourians currently live with Alzheimer’s. Nationally, more than 6 million Americans are living with the disease, and that number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050. Alzheimer’s kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined, with 1 in 3 seniors dying with Alzheimer's or another dementia.
During Missouri Memory Day, legislators learned about the importance of recognizing the needs and rights of those living with Alzheimer's disease, as well as their family members and caregivers. Advocates also informed lawmakers on efforts to advance critical research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure.
New Website Launched to Help Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families
Veterans, service members, and their families now have a website they can access that is designed to help reduce the rate of suicide in Missouri. This week, Gov. Mike Parson unveiled the new site located at www.mogovchallenge.com.
Missouri established a Governor’s Challenge team in 2021 under Parson’s leadership. The Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families is a non-partisan state interagency team created to collaborate, plan, and implement suicide prevention best practices and policies for service members, Veterans, and their families across the state. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration originally launched the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges to bring together leaders in community and state governments to prevent suicide among service members, Veterans, and their families.
I am honored to serve as your Representative in the Missouri House. If at any time, you have questions, concerns or ideas regarding state government, please feel free to contact me at 573-751-5388 or Jim.Kalberloh@house.mo.gov.
State Representative
Jim Kalberloh
District 126
