State Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Shelbina) serves as the Missouri Senate Majority Leader, a powerful position in Jefferson City. Republicans have a supermajority in the Senate, 24-10. Senator O’Laughlin is the first female to hold that post in state history. She joined us live this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” to preview Missouri’s 2024 legislative session and to discuss education, particularly the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Leader O’Laughlin tells listeners that DESE wants an additional $250-million in funding next year, emphasizing that she’s opposed to that. Senator O’Laughlin says schools are receiving record funding but that the money is not getting to teachers. She says our classrooms are being “dumbed down” and that schools need to be teaching students how to read and write:
(AUDIO): State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) discusses education legislation and food costs on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) says parents know better than school administrators which schools work best for their children. She has filed Senate Bill 81, which essentially authorizes parents to choose the school that their children attend … public, private or parochial. The Arnold Republican tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that she believes her bill could hit the Senate floor next week. Senator Coleman also tells listeners she’s optimistic about her bill to exempt retail sales on food from state and local sales taxes: