Rupp: State's Rights Rally Held At Capitol This Week

There was a great turnout at the rally this week.  This was due to the hard work and great effort of the many supporters.  Thanks to all those who were able to attend.  We are getting our message out to the people of Missouri and the country! As you may know, I am a co-sponsor of the Health Care Freedom Act and a signer of the MO Sovereignty Pledge.  Below is some information on my efforts over the past few years to support state's rights and some actions for this legislative session.

I strongly support the conservative principles of limited government, state's rights, and individual liberties.  I will continue my efforts to preserve Missouri's sovereignty, protect Missouri taxpayers, and defend the individual freedoms of every Missourian.  Here are some of my accomplishments and positions:

State's Rights vs. Out of Control Federal Government

• Senator Rupp is co-sponsoring SCR 34, which will affirm Missouri's sovereign rights under the 10^th amendment and demand the federal government operate solely within its constitutionally delegated powers.
  
• Senator Rupp is co-sponsoring SJR25, which will protect Missourians from any federal health care reform that Washington mandates and ensure Missourians maintain their individual freedom to make their own health care choices.
  
• Senator Rupp has re-filed a resolution identical to one he filed in 2009 to rescind Missouri's 1983 call for a Constitutional Convention, recognizing that there could be no way to control a Constitutional Convention once called, which could threaten our Constitution's very existence. [SCR38]
  
• Senator Rupp voted to reject the Real ID Act in Missouri, a massive unfunded mandate being forced upon states by the Federal Government that would have infringed on Constitutional rights and freedoms of Missouri citizens.
  
• Senator Rupp co-sponsored efforts to reject the NAFTA superhighway, a plan threatening to make our nation's borders more open and viewed as the foundation for a North American Union.

Illegal Immigration

• Senator Rupp wrote and passed Missouri's illegal immigration bill in 2008, which has been called by some one of the best in the country.  The abdication of duties by the Federal Government led him to action.  He has been on the Lou Dobbs Show and Fox News promoting strong illegal immigration reform.
  
• Senator Rupp endorsed the Constitutional amendment to make English the Official language in Missouri

Protecting Life

• Senator Rupp is sponsoring SB747 that strengthens Missouri's insurance ban on elective abortions.  If the federal government passes their "health care bill" Senator Rupp's bill will prohibit abortions being paid for by our tax dollars and will not allow the Federal Government health exchanges to offer abortion coverage.  Senator Rupp believes in the sanctity of every human life and has supported every effort to protect the unborn and provide alternatives to abortions.

2^nd Amendment Rights:

Senator Rupp is a member of the NRA, voted for concealed carry and the Castle Doctrine, and strongly believes in our constitutional rights to bear arms.

Bill to Ban Insurance Coverage for Abortion in Proposed Health Exchanges

The bill (SB747) would expand Missouri's health insurance coverage ban on elective abortions by prohibiting any plans and policies offered through any health insurance exchange in Missouri from covering abortion.

We're not sure what kind of health care plan will come from the federal government, but this bill will make sure the citizens of Missouri will not 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.  My legislation would 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.

Lindenwood University Hockey Team & Coaches Visit Capitol

On Tuesday, the Lindenwood University Ice Hockey Team and their coaches visited the Capitol.  I had a chance to visit with them while they were here.  They are a great group and I wish them well in their future endeavors.  Good luck to them on the ice!


Senator Rupp and Rep. Gatschenberger with Lindenwood University Hockey Team & Coaches

Autism Insurance Bill, SB 618

The Senate Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee, which I chair, will hear public testimony on SB 618, Tuesday, January 19^th at 2 pm in Senate Committee Room 2.  Senate Bill 618, which I sponsored, requires health carriers to provide coverage for he diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders under certain conditions.

Missouri is a Long Way from Wall Street, Washington, D.C.

As the dust hopefully settles from one of the worst economic crisis in our nation's history, there are quite a few things that stand out as evidence of where our country did things right and where things were done terribly wrong.

We all know by now that an overzealous Wall Street – combined with an inflated housing bubble and risky bank loans – had a major impact on where we stand today.  What gets lost in the examination, however, is that Missouri, with its sound, conservative financial practices, is in much better shape than most states when it comes to coping with the fallout.

According to Forbes magazine, three of the ten best-rated banks in the nation call Missouri their home. The ratings take into account the number of non-performing loans, size of the bank, interest margin and other measures, to determine the financial health of the institution. UMB Financial is listed number two, and Commerce Bancshares takes number three as the largest bank ranked in the top 10. Central Bancompany of Jefferson City ranked eighth. These banks are growing, but not beyond their means, and they place a premium on smart, prudent loans that make sense for both the recipient and the lender. If the banks our federal government "bailed out" would have followed these lessons, I doubt they'd be in the mess we're facing today.

The same sound fiscal principals have put our state in a better place than most. We were able to balance the budget last year, without raising taxes, and while fully funding priorities like K-12 education and higher education. We also were able to save nearly $1 billion dollars of stimulus dollars for this fiscal year. Your state government had to tighten the belt, for sure, but we did it with our eyes on priorities, just like your family continues to do throughout this tough economic time. As the session opened at the beginning of January, I noticed that many of my colleagues restated their desire to ensure that our goals remain the same: that we are smart and prudent, while collectively recognizing our priorities and ensuring we make the best decisions for the people that count on us.

I can assure you that, unlike Wall Street or Washington, D.C., and more like the best banks in the nation that call Missouri their home, I will remain dedicated to the fiscal conservatism and common sense that puts the priorities of the people, and not the pocketbook, first.

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.