Each representative shall be twenty-four years of age, and next before the day of
his election shall have been a qualified voter for two years and a resident of the
county or district which he is chosen to represent for one year, if such county
or district shall have been so long established, and if not, then of the county
or district from which the same shall have been taken.
Each senator shall be thirty years of age, and next before the day of his election
shall have been a qualified voter of the state for three years and a resident of
the district which he is chosen to represent for one year, if such district shall
have been so long established, and if not, then of the district or districts from
which the same shall have been taken.
Missouri Constitution, Article III, sections 4 & 6
The qualifications for the 163 representatives and the 34 senators trace back to the 1875 version of the state constitution. Perhaps it’s time for a few additional qualifications…
To begin, Missouri’s guiding document should be inclusive, noting that a substantial portion of the legislature are not he.
Next, can we add, “Every representative and senator must demonstrate a basic understanding of mathematics via successful completion of a test administered by the Commissioner of Education.”
So much of what the elected do tracks back to money and math is very important in handling money. For example, despite knowledge of a severe revenue shortfall in front of the state, several legislators have already filed proposed bills and constitutional amendments to reduce state revenue. For example, Senator Andrew Koenig (R – St. Louis County) has again proposed reductions in the state income taxes and sales taxes. Senate Bill 611 has a few good things in it (such as created a modest state earned income credit) but the massive bill contains item after item reducing state revenue. In a similar vein, Senator Bill Eigel (R – St. Charles Co.) proposes a constitutional amendment – Senate Joint Resolution 31 – to limit the state to spending just what it spent the previous year and almost automatically ratcheting down the income tax rate. Both measures guarantee slashing and amputating many needed and desired state programs.
Third, “Every representative and senator must pass a test demonstrating mastering of the United States Constitution.”
Despite what many sent to Jefferson City think, Missouri cannot arbitrarily refuse to follow federal law, regulations, and court decisions. For example, federal rules allow pharmacies to dispense without a prescription certain emergency contraception products. Representative Jeff Pogue (R – Salem) proposes House Bill 1752 to prohibit pharmacies from following that federal rule. And, well, the Missouri House alone has already accepted seven direct bills to limit or make abortion illegal, as well as “health care” items, such as Representative Mike Moon’s (R- Ash Grove) House Bill 1372, which talk of “unborn children” having full state constitutional protection.
Fourth, and most important, “Every representative and senator must demonstrate through a cataloguing of their actions that they have empathy for all their fellow Missourians.”
Can’t require empathy? Without it, how can anyone make the best choices for all their neighbors?
Submitted by Glenn Koenen, WCD Member