Rep. Ian Mackey (D) represents the 99th district in the Missouri House of Representatives. The district includes Clayton, Ladue, Warson Woods and a piece of Kirkwood. Currently, he is in his seventh year in the state legislature. From January through May, Monday through Thursday, representatives work in Jefferson City to vote on, debate, and pass legislation.
“There’s been a few things that I’ve sponsored that have become law,” Mackey said. “I think the one that I’m most proud of is a bill in 2021 that reduced and limited the use of seclusion rooms on students in K-12 schools. We’re working to fully eliminate it.”
According to Mackey, seclusion rooms are solitary confinement cells for students who display behavioral challenges. Rep. Mackey also serves on the K-12 Education Committee, working with school discipline.
“It’s been my favorite committee to serve on every year in the legislature. I just got an amendment on a piece of legislation in the House that would prohibit school districts from using zero-tolerance policies,” Mackey said.
Zero tolerance policies are immediate consequences for serious misconduct.
On the topic of gun violence in schools, Mackey stated that Red Flag Laws would help prevent forms of school shootings. Red Flag Laws allow anyone to present information to a judge who says someone is a risk to themselves or others and should remove their firearms temporarily.
“It’s not something our Republican colleagues think we need right now. They haven’t signaled any support for it, but it would help prevent future incidents,” Mackey said.
With curriculum policies, Mackey mentions a term known as the ‘Heckler’s Veto.’ This commonly involves parents trying to stop a school from teaching a piece of content that they do not like.
“Bans and things like that have kind of taken a back seat. We actually won those battles, which was terrific. We don’t win a lot, but we were able to keep those away,” Mackey said.
Cell phone bans are also currently discussed throughout the United States. Mackey believes the legislature should not be involved in policing schools’ decisions.
“I’m skeptical anytime an adult, particularly an older adult, has an idea about students and technology because I think students have a better understanding of technology than some of my colleagues. I think local districts can make that decision, and students can advocate for themselves and have that conversation locally.”
For a student interested in politics, Mackey says that the best way to get involved is to volunteer for local campaigns.
“In addition, I would say going to Jefferson City,” Mackey said. “Being there in person, meeting your elected officials, talking to other elected officials. We’re a really accessible state capital.”
It’s common for people to visit the capitol to share their thoughts on legislation, says Mackey.
Mackey believes that individual citizens are powerless when it comes to the actions of large organizations like ICE or the president. However, the ability to vote is still an important right that citizens have.
“Our power is at the ballot box. The power that we have as citizens exists when we vote. After that, the people we voted for have power. We lost it,” Mackey said. “We gave our power away at the ballot box, and this is what happens.”
