‘House’ votes down 6-hour recess for Heritage Intermediate

Missouri State Senator Scott Rupp spoke to students at Heritage Intermediate last week about the important functions of state government. The senator divided the 172 fourth graders into two groups, one representing the Missouri Senate and the other the Missouri House of Representatives. Rupp asked the students for ideas that they thought would make a good law. Students responded with items that included a law mandating ice cream at school, not having to make up snow days and one that would make the school day shorter. Additionally, a suggestion was made that a mandatory six-hour recess would make a great law, and quite a few students agreed.

One of those in agreement was 10-year old Abi Jessen, who, when recognized by the President of the Senate, said “Mr. President, we should have six hours of recess because it would give us more energy to learn.”

Another student and member of the Senate, Olivia Harmann, argued against the bill saying “I think it’s a bad idea to have a six-hour recess because we wouldn’t be spending that time learning.”

The bill ultimately passed a voice vote in both the House and Senate, but Governor (and fourth-grade teacher) Brandis Genebacher quickly vetoed the legislation. “We have too much important learning to do.”

The veto was overridden in the Senate, but lost by one vote in the House, so there would be no change in recess on this day.

“This is a fun exercise that shows students what we actually do in the Capitol,” Rupp said. “They learn how we make laws, why we make them, and how difficult the process can be sometimes. But in the end they have a much better idea of how government works on a daily basis. This is one of the most fun things I get to do as a senator.”