JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri General Assembly just can’t escape the Governor’s extramarital affair. This time, it came up during the third reading of Rep. Shamed Dogan’s hair braiding bill.
“Are you worried the Governor is going to sign this since his girlfriend was a hairdresser? ” Rep. Mike Butler, D-St. Louis, asked Dogan.
“I don’t know what this has to do with this debate,” Dogan said, shutting down that line of questioning quickly. “And prefer it if you remained to the subjects in the bill.”
Other than the tongue-in-cheek reference to Gov. Eric Greitens admitted extramarital affair and some heated debate over the lack of education required, it was smooth sailing for House Bill 1500.
Of the two amendments introduced, House Amendment 1 — which pertains to the denial of licensure — was passed and House Amendment 2 — which adds an educational requirement of 10 hours — was rejected.
“This bill gets the government out of people’s hair,” Dogan said.
Several others spoke up in support, calling it “common sense” and a “poster child bill for reducing regulations.”
The bill repeals the requirement that hair braiders be licensed by the state Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, instead requiring hair braiders to pay $25 state registration and complete a self-test about diseases and infection control.
The bill has now been perfected by the House.
Alisha Shurr was a reporter for The Missouri Times and The Missouri Times Magazine. She joined The Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University.
