Tim Jones: Third "Fog Shrouded" Week, State of the State Response, Health Care Freedom Act

The third "fog shrouded" week of Session began with the Monday holiday in celebration and commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and all the good and great accomplishments of his life.  The shortened week was no less busy though and we had a great debate on Tuesday evening in the House that culminated in the Missouri House sending a bipartisan Resolution (111 to 44) [HCR18] to our Congressional delegation and our State wide elected officials demanding that they take a stand and reject the Federal Health Control proposals.  As the week continued, hard work on the challenging State's Budget consumed headlines and hearing rooms…

"The support of State governments in all their rights, as the most competent administration of our domestic concerns, are the surest bulwarks against anti-republican tendencies" -Thomas Jefferson

Addressing the Governor's State of the State Message

We are in the midst of challenging times on many fronts.  As your State Representative, I know that you want honest answers about the future of our state and as your elected representative, it is my job to give you those answers.

Last night, Governor Nixon delivered his annual "State of the State Address" to the General Assembly and to the people of Missouri.  Although the opening exhortations of the speech were uplifting, the Governor's proposed solutions to our State's problems are unwise and simply recycled failed programs of the past.  In fact, much of what the Governor "said" is quite contradictory to what he actually "proposes".  The devil is truly in the details.

Job Growth

On Governor Nixon's watch, nearly 62,000 Missourians have seen their jobs disappear.  That means, nearly 170 Missourians lose their job each day.  The unemployment rate has grown to an astonishing 9.6%, which is the highest it has been in a quarter of a century.  We must reverse this trend.

Last year, when the unemployment rate was much lower, the Governor made the mistake of relying on a federal bailout.  He pledged that he would use stimulus money to create jobs.  Well, he has already blown through 80% of the stimulus funding we have received and the jobs have not materialized.

We cannot spend our way out of this crisis, particularly with federal bailout funds that mortgage our children's futures; we must help Missouri's small businesses create new, innovative jobs.  That is the only way our state will remain competitive in an ever evolving global market.  And leaders in St. Louis are moving forward with the global trade initiative and the Midwest China Hub Commission.  The Governor should assist in that effort, not impede it.  Unfortunately, the Governor is dragging his feet.  I am hopeful that in the coming months, he will join us in supporting this significant investment opportunity.

House Republicans are also working to bring Missouri businesses innovative programs and job training initiatives.  Last week, the Speaker of the House held a two-day summit with key business leaders across the state of Missouri, searching for answers on how to grow the economy – right now, not years from now.

The attendees of that meeting were tasked with further research and are planning to meet again to discuss what they can do to implement job creation and job retention in our state.

Budget & Taxes

In addition to using stimulus money to promote job growth in our state, the Governor also used it to irresponsibly balance our budget with that money, despite our constant warnings to the contrary.  Governor Nixon explicitly stated: "If there's debt, Missouri kids and grandkids will pay that debt off." This is a truly shocking statement.  Our burden should NOT be passed on to future generations.

And now here we are, one year later.  Because of the Governor's failure to act swiftly to address the budget crisis, we now face an even bigger shortfall.  To add insult to injury, while Governor Nixon made a promise to not raise taxes, just weeks ago HIS tax commission voted to raise taxes on Missouri farmers by almost 29%.  This is a devastating blow to our agricultural producers after one of the worst farm income years since 1945.  Missouri farmers are a lifeline to our state's economy – we simply can't afford to raise taxes on their land.  In an effort to stop this madness, the House passed a joint resolution out of committee [HCR17] this week opposing this massive tax hike on one of our State's most important and largest industries.

Rest assured, House Republicans will NOT raise your taxes.  We will continue to tighten our belts and find ways to stretch every dollar, just like countless Missouri families and businesses MUST do every day.

Further, just like his colleagues in DC, the Governor's office lacks transparency.  Last year, the House and Senate passed a bill to make the Governor's budget accessible to you online, but the Governor vetoed that bill.

And then, Governor Nixon mismanaged Missouri's budget and literally ran our state into a deficit.  Then after depleting the state's checking account, he used your income tax refunds to fill those budgetary holes.  The Governor's staff claimed it was because of delays in processing, but we later found out we were once again being misled.  Your tax returns were not delayed because of "processing issues," but rather due to Nixon's huge budget shortfalls.

To put a stop to late tax refunds from the Governor, lawmakers will file a joint resolution telling Governor Nixon that we expect him to return your money to you ON TIME.

Ethics & Accountability

In order to overhaul government, transform budgets and reform ethics, you must be willing to take those steps on your own.  And you must be willing to start with your own house.  Here are the facts:  the Governor has the largest and highest paid personal staff of any Missouri Governor in history.

In his State of the State Address, the Governor talked about reforming the ethics of political culture here in Jefferson City.  We believe he should start in his own office.  For instance, just this past year, lawmakers have credibly charged Governor Nixon's staff with offering them jobs for their votes.  The Governor has also rewarded top donors with the state's most lucrative fee offices.  The Governor has also withheld vital health and safety information from the public by not releasing dangerous E. coli report levels in our most popular lake, the Lake of the Ozarks.

The House of Representatives is working on a comprehensive, bi-partisan ethics bill that will change the public perception of how business is conducted in our State Capitol.  We want Missourians to know that our legislature is made up of honorable, hard-working men and women that are here to do the job of the people.

Federal Healthcare

In his State of the State Address, Governor Nixon broke his silence on the massive healthcare bill coming out of Washington, but what he said meant little.  Despite the fact that nearly 30 House Democrats have joined us in opposing the Federal Healthcare Takeover, Nixon has decided that he will take whatever the federal government mandates him to do.  I would rather the Governor do what Missouri citizens elected him to do!

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who supported the Federal bill in its early form, has now come out against the legislation after calculating the true cost on the residents of his state.  He may have said it best: What began as a "noble" health reform effort has become a "trough of special bribes, deals, and loopholes."

By his refusal to condemn this healthcare bill, Governor Nixon is aiding and abetting the Washington Democrats agenda—and THAT is unacceptable.  Just prior to the State of the State address, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed a resolution demanding that Democrats in Congress stop their dangerous experiment with our health care system.

Missouri Republicans take healthcare very seriously – and we can back it up:  We have continued to fund health clinics around the state so that children of the most low-income families in Missouri can be seen by a doctor for free.  The list of these clinics can be found online at www.MoKidsCovered.com.

Right now, we are also taking the first steps in addressing medical coverage for thousands of families across our state that have children with Autism.  This bill continues the dialogue, and recognizes the importance for lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats alike, to work together in finding a way to expand healthcare coverage for families dealing with Autism.

HEALTH CARE FREEDOM ACT

Missourians have spoken out against a federal takeover of healthcare, and this week, House Republicans joined them in their fight.  We want to send a very clear message to Congress:  We do not support a federal mandate on healthcare and we are urging the Missouri Congressional Delegation to vote against a bill that would take away our liberties as American citizens.

Democrats in Washington intend to pay for their healthcare experiment by shifting massive costs to each state.  We cannot – in every sense of the word – AFFORD an experiment.

Democrats claim that their health care bill would not add to the skyrocketing deficit, but they are not being straightforward about the costs.  Washington liberals want to shift the costs to states like Missouri—forcing us to pay $450 million every year.  ($450 million figure according to State of Missouri estimates)

Missouri Republicans take healthcare very seriously, and we have proven that through HCR18.  We join you, the people, in standing against the federal government on this issue.

As I previously discussed, I have sponsored House Joint Resolution 57 which would, if passed and approved by the voters, secure the current rights and freedoms that Missouri citizens have to choose to participate in whatever health care system or care that they want.  Seventy five of my colleagues have co-sponsored this legislation and I am very grateful to them for their support.  You may view the legislation at this link: http://house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills101/bills/HJR57.htm.

THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE HAS REFERRED THE HEALTH CARE FREEDOM ACT TO THE GENERAL LAWS COMMITTEE FOR HEARING.  THAT HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010 AT 8:30AM.

I welcome all of you to come to your State Capitol and have your presence noted and your voices heard as this very important piece of legislation works its way through the legislative process.

ATTENTION POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS!

$15 million in Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) reserve funds has been allocated for the funding of the new Home Ownership Purchase Enhancement Program.  Qualified Missouri families that purchase a home in 2010 are eligible for an incentive payment of up to $1,250, based upon the home's real estate tax bill amount.  Homebuyers who are approved for the real estate property tax HOPE incentive may also be eligible to receive an additional incentive if purchasing a newly-constructed, energy-efficient home or if energy-efficiency upgrades are made within 60 days of purchase. The maximum combined total of incentive payments under the HOPE program is $1,750.  For more information, please visit:  www.mhdc.com.

CALLING ALL STUDENT LEADERS!

The Bank of America recently announced their Student Leaders Program which offers community-minded high school juniors and seniors an invaluable opportunity to help change the world through an exciting leadership program.  For more information and to apply please visit:  www.bankofamerica.com/neistudentleaders.

Tim's Legislative Platform for 2010

So far this year I have sponsored and filed ten individual pieces of legislation.  I have co-sponsored numerous other bills.  To review all of the bills that I have sponsored or co-sponsored, please follow this link:  http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills101/spon/spn089.htm.

Personal News & Notes

At right: Rep. Jones with the Mace family in Jefferson City.

As I quickly return to the very busy routine of extremely full weeks of practicing at my law firm, legislating and debating at the Capitol and of course spending as much quality time as possible with my excellent family, I must continue to thank my wife Suzanne and daughters Katie and Abby for all of their continued sacrifices.  Their support and encouragement sustain me in the long days and nights as Session begins to pick up steam.  This will be an exciting and busy year and I encourage all of you to participate in this excellent adventure and journey that we call democracy!

Feel Free to Contact Us!

If my extremely dedicated (and very busy!) Legislator Assistant, Jody Williams, or I can be of any assistance throughout the year, please do not hesitate to contact us at 573.751.0562 or by email at jody{dot}williams{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov or at tim{dot}jones{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.  And if your travels find you anywhere near the Capitol, please do stop by and visit us in Room 114.