Committee hears resolution to provide live feed of Senate floor

By Sawyer Bess, Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — The public could have access to live video feed of the Senate if a Senate resolution is agreed to.
“It’s just a basic transparency move, if people want to see the Senate and what we’re doing,” said the resolution’s sponsor, Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove. “It’s really about access for everyone.”
Aside from North Carolina and Missouri, 48 other states provide live feeds of their Senates.
Moon said Wednesday that Missouri residents would benefit from a livestream, like educators looking to teach about government or those who live far away from the Capitol. A drive to Jefferson City could take over four hours for the farthest Missouri residents.
At the same time the resolution was being heard in committee, disability advocates from across the state were visiting the capitol for Disability Rights Legislative Day.
“It would allow them to not have to travel and inconvenience themselves and be able to see what we’re doing,” Moon said.
Counterarguments focused on how a video feed could affect Senate proceedings and behavior on the floor.
“There’s always a certain number of egos in the Senate, and I’m just not sure more camera time would make the body a better place,” said Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lee’s Summit.
While Cierpiot expects video to encourage more grandstanding and performances, Majority Floor Leader Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, questioned whether video could discourage senators from saying certain things.
“Are senators going to be less likely, or guarded, about speaking their mind for fear that video might be used against them?” Luetkemeyer said.
Though there may be concerns about grandstanding and self-censorship, Moon said he believes senators would be encouraged to come to the floor more prepared.
Other supporters were concerned about serving Missourians.
“It’s not about the representatives, it’s not about the senators, it’s about the people that we represent,” said Dusty Blue, a candidate for state Senate.
Moon said the public has interest in video feeds and wants more transparency.
“Our bosses want it, those who’ve elected us have asked for us to livestream so they could see what we’re doing,” Moon said. “Will we listen to our bosses or will we ignore their wishes?”
Moon has failed to gain support for similar legislation in previous years.
Moon said he has gathered 126 supporting witness forms, and one in opposition.
The Missouri House has offered live video feeds since January 2015. The Senate offers live audio feed, but senators are only called out by their district and not their names. This can make it difficult to keep track of who is speaking.
“It’s incredibly important that people have an opportunity to monitor what’s going on,” activist Ron Calzone said. “I don’t (always recognize voices), and the district numbers sometimes escape me.”
Lt. Gov. David Wasinger supports the resolution, and called for Senate transparency in a Facebook post.
Only the Senate needs to pass the resolution if it leaves committee. The current resolution text says the livestream must be operational by March 1, but Moon acknowledged this date would likely need to be pushed back.