Missouri State Rep Ben Baker talks memorial highway, Prop A

Missouri State Representative Ben Baker made his weekly appearance on the Morning Newswatch and discussed several topics with the guys.

House Bill 810 passed last week, which designated a portion of Highway 60 in Neosho between Kodiak Road and Cemetery Road as the Davey and Natalie Lloyd Memorial Highway in honor of Baker’s daughter and son in law who were murdered in Haiti almost a year ago.

“You know it seems something really small actually in comparison when you think about the whole situation and how much we miss them and all of that,” Baker said. “But at least it is something that we can remember them by. And every time people drive that stretch of highway in Neosho.”

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled this week to uphold Proposition A, which installs a $15 and hour minimum wage as well as employees earning an hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. 

Baker didn’t agree with the ruling.

“So, I think they got it wrong again,” Baker said bluntly. “The Missouri Supreme Court usually does, it seems. You know, since Prop A passed on the ballot, there was a lawsuit with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and some other business groups that I think was a valid lawsuit. And the Missouri Supreme Court ruled the wrong direction in my opinion this week.

… But on the single subject claim of the lawsuit, the single subject violation, they dismissed that without prejudice and cited a lack of jurisdiction. So, that actually leaves room for potential future challenges in lower courts, which I would say it’s very likely that that will be challenged then in the lower courts.”

Another topic that came up with Baker was the Missouri House passing SB63, which is a bill that gives the opportunity for homeschool students to participate in extracurricular activities like sports or fine arts or band with the public schools.

“I think the final vote on this will probably be today in the Senate, which is just a huge deal and a huge win for those parents and kids in my district that have advocated for this for so many years, which some of them unfortunately graduated before it ever got done and never had that opportunity,” Baker said. “It makes it to where there’s no extra class requirement for them to be able to participate and gives them an opportunity to try out for those activities. It doesn’t guarantee them a spot on the team or anything, but it gives them the opportunity to try out. And if they meet the qualifications and they’re good enough, then they can be chosen to also participate. So it’s a big deal. It was a huge win yesterday.”