Revised School Social Media Bill On Governor's Desk

Governor's office says bill will be "reviewed closely."

Although Governor Jay Nixon is not indicating whether he'll sign a revised social networking bill this week, the bill is now on his desk awaiting his approval. As previously reported by Town and Country-Manchester Patch, revisions to the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act had been making their way through the General Assembly all last week. Friday the revised bill finally made it's way through the house and senate and is now on Governor Jay Nixon's desk. Last month, Town and Country-Manchester Patch reported on the controversy and confusion surrounding Senate Bill 54, also known as the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. It is sponsored by former Ladue school board member and Missouri State Senator Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield) and …

• Photos (1)
• Documents (5)

UPDATE: Compromise at Core of New MO School Social Media Bill

After an injunction stops a new Missouri social networking law from taking effect, the revised version, Senate Bill 1, is making its way through the legislature during this special session.

UPDATED: 12:45 p.m. Wednesday - The office of Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-MO, told Patch Senate Bill 1 had its third reading Wednesday in the Missouri Senate and was voted on and passed 33-0. The bill is now headed to the House of Representatives. READ ORIGINAL STORY: Last month Town and Country - Manchester Patch reported on the controversy and confusion surrounding Senate Bill 54, also known as the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. It is sponsored by former Ladue school board member and Missouri State Senator Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, and designed to protect students. According to the law, a teacher cannot send an email, text message, or have any private interaction with a student, unless both school administrators and the student’s …

• Photos (1)
• Documents (3)

State Rep. Sue Allen Speaks Out on Claims, Lawsuit Against Nixon

Town and Country State Rep. Sue Allen says she believes the governor overstepped boundaries regarding Joplin, MO funding.

Two weeks ago, State Auditor Tom Schweich, served Gov. Jay Nixon a lawsuit over funds Schweich claims the governor unconstitutionally withheld for the Joplin, MO relief effort. Prior to the lawsuit on Aug. 19, Rep. Sue Allen-R Town and Country sent a letter to her constituents commenting on the state auditor's claims. That letter can be read in the PDF portion of this article. According a State Auditor’s press release, in June Schweich conducted a regularly scheduled audit of the governor’s office. After reviewing the more than $170 million the governor withheld for Joplin relief efforts, the auditor sent a letter to Nixon accusing the governor of withholding the funds prior to the start of the current fiscal year. The Missouri …

• Photos (1)
• Documents (2)

Patch Political Potpourri

Kinder Tries To Brush Off Controversy

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder is feeling the heat, but one political science professor notes that there may not be any alternatives to face Gov. Jay Nixon in 2012.

The past few months have not been kind to Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder. With nearly three decades of experience in state government, success in winning statewide elective office and a potent political organization, Kinder was long thought to be the Republican standard-bearer for governor next year. He also stood aside from running for governor in 2008, a move that gave him a chance to become the defacto leader of the Missouri GOP when the party fared poorly that year. But 2011 has been a different story. The Cape Girardeau native ended up reimbursing the state tens of thousands of dollars after the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on his frequent St. Louis hotel stays. His campaign-funded car was stolen and rammed into a gun shop, an event made a…

• Photos (1)

Teachers Awarded Injunction to Halt Facebook Law, Gov Asking For Repeal

The Missouri State Teachers Association was awarded an injunction to stop a new Missouri social networking law from taking effect Sunday. Meanwhile, Gov. Nixon is asking for repeals to the current law.

The Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA) just learned it was awarded an injunction to stop a new Missouri social networking law from taking effect Sunday. "We just found out about two minutes ago. We're wrapping our heads around it, but this is a good resolution at this point," Todd Fuller, MSTA director of communications told Town and Country-Manchester Patch. Parkway School District Spokesperson Cathy Kelly tells Patch it is too soon to issue a response on Friday's developments. Kelly said district staff is meeting Friday afternoon to review and discuss the new information. As previously reported by Patch, the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA) is suing the state over a new Missouri social network law that prevents students…

• Photos (1)
• Documents (3)