Rupp: Hard Work and Optimism Begin 2010

This week marked the start of what is certain to be a challenging session, as the General Assembly convenes in Jefferson City at noon on January 6. Some of the issues I will be working on this session include autism insurance reform, mandatory drug tests for welfare recipients, and repealing the commercial weight zone in St. Charles County. I also intend to file additional protections for victims of identity theft legislation, among others. My new appointments as vice-chairman of the Senate Education Committee and as chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting give me the sense of optimism and hard work in 2010.

The new year also enacts a new law that affects all Missourians. New car inspections can now wait until five years after the manufacture date of the vehicle, beginning January 1. For example, if you buy a new vehicle in 2010, your first car inspection wouldn't need to take place until 2015. From then, you will only have to get your car inspected every time you renew your license plates. This new law should streamline vehicle registration by allowing for one less document to be gathered during the relicensing process.

The year 2009 was a difficult one for everyone, but I am pleased to say we have guided our state through a historic economic challenge by remaining fiscally responsible and prudent in our budgetary and legislative decisions. Despite the economic challenges, we were able to assist Missouri businesses and corporations by developing a larger set of tools for creating jobs that get Missourians back to work. We began addressing Medicaid and Medicare fraud by making more costs more transparent. In fact, more than a dozen of my own proposals succeeded in 2009 — ranging from expanding the New Markets Tax Credit Program to encourage investment in small businesses located in distressed communities (HB 191) to expanding consumer protections to require notification of security data breaches (HB 62) to expediting and increasing the efficiency of state road improvement projects through the awarding of additional design-build contracts (SB 128).

I know that there will be more difficult decisions to come in 2010, but I also know my dedication to conservative values and my common sense approach will serve the 2^nd District and the state of Missouri well.

Bill Banning Insurance Coverage for Abortion in Proposed Health Exchanges

I plan to file a bill expanding Missouri's health insurance coverage ban on elective abortions that would prohibit any plans and policies offered through a health insurance exchange in Missouri from covering abortion. The bottom line is, if any health care plan comes down from the federal government, the state of Missouri will not make our citizens subsidize abortions in policies offered through the health insurance exchanges currently being discussed in the pending federal health care bills.  I've already co-signed on to a bill that will allow Missourians to reject whatever health care Washington mandates. My legislation will continue to protect our unborn children.

Under current Missouri law, health insurance policies are barred from providing coverage for elective abortions except through separate optional riders (additional provisions to the insurance policy) that require an additional premium. Senator Rupp's proposed legislation will serve to eliminate concerns of public funds being used to purchase coverage for abortions through any plan or policy sold within any exchange in Missouri.

This bill is a proactive approach to combat any attempt to use Missouri taxpayer dollars for abortions.  When you combine it with my efforts to reject the federal health care plan, I think we can protect every Missourian, born and unborn, from a federal government that is overstepping its bounds.

Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Meet

The Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee met (1/5) in the Capitol to discuss the Missouri Department of Natural Resource's (DNR) actions regarding the discovery of high levels of E. coli bacteria in the Lake of the Ozarks last summer.

The committee invited several individuals to testify, including DNR Director Mark Templeton, former DNR Deputy Director and general counsel Joe Bindbeutel, former DNR Communications Director Susanne Medley, as well as lab technicians who conduct water quality tests for Missouri's public waterways.

The public hearing included a review of the information provided to the committee by the department at the committee's request. In late July, the committee began thoroughly reviewing the circumstances that led to a nearly month-long delay in the release of public health reports concerning E. coli in the Lake of the Ozarks. The committee also discussed if changes in law are necessary to prevent similar delays in public health information in the future.

Senators serving on the committee include Chairman Sen. Brad Lager (R-Savannah), Vice-Chairman Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia), Sen. Matt Bartle (R-Lee's Summit), Sen. Tom Dempsey (R-St. Charles), Sen. John Griesheimer (R-Washington), Sen. Jim Lembke (R-St. Louis), Sen. Luann Ridgeway (R-Smithville), Sen. Joan Bray (D-St. Louis), Sen. Tim Green (D-St. Louis) and Sen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City).

The Senate will reconvene at 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11. The Second Regular Session of the 95th Missouri General Assembly will run through Friday, May 14, 2010.

As the 2010 legislative session unfolds, I will continue to keep you, my constituents, apprised of all major developments, and I look forward to continuing to serve your needs and priorities in Jefferson City. As always, if you have any questions about this week's column or any other matter involving state government, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can reach my office by phone at (866) 271-2844.