Tim Jones: Job Creation Taskforce Meets, Special Elections for Statewide Office, Telling Congress to Balance the Federal Budget

At right: Rep. Jones presents a bill relating to the financial & banking industry in the General Laws Committee.

Winter storms continued to roll across the plains and sweep through the Midwest before repeatedly pounding the mid-Atlantic and Northeast states as we all braved the highways and country roads on our return to a snowbound Jefferson City.  Conversely, debate and discussion continued to heat up within the halls of the Capitol as we considered several very necessary and very timely good government principles this week in passing legislation calling upon our federal government to pass a balanced budget amendment, in requiring welfare recipients to be drug tested and in offering our citizens the right to vote to elect any vacancies amongst our state wide office holders.  Looming large over all these topics is the continued debate over the most appropriate way to balance our state's budget during these difficult economic times…

"The policy of the American government is to leave their citizens free, neither restraining nor aiding them in their pursuits." –Thomas Jefferson

Job Creation Taskforce Meets

House Republicans remain committed to ensuring there are high-paying, quality jobs available for every Missourian who wants one.  On Tuesday, the Speaker's Job Retention and Economic Growth Task Force met for the second time.  The panel includes approximately 25 people, experts in their respective fields, who have worked in Missouri economic development for years.  Their goal is to find ways the House can help make Missouri competitive on the national level for everything from manufacturing and major industry to small business.  Members were able to evaluate incentive packages that other states have successfully used to attract thousands of jobs.  The goal of House Republicans is to identify areas where the state could be more efficient and effective at putting Missourians to work.  We strongly believe in a robust free market where business thrives.  There is no better way to bolster Missouri's economy than through the efforts of personal initiative.

Special Elections for Statewide Office

Nothing is more important than the will of the people.  As elected officials, we serve for their well being.  This is why the House passed HB 1497 this week that will require the Governor to call a special election for any vacancy that occurs in a statewide office.  Currently, the Governor appoints the successor for the remaining balance of the term. We all saw what happened in Illinois when Governor Blagojevich attempted to sell a US Senate Seat to the highest bidder.  In the Missouri House we will not allow this to happen.  All political power originates from the people. Why should any particular governor's voice on who should be our State Treasurer or Secretary of State be more important than the voice of the people of Missouri at the ballot box?  It is not and that is why I supported HB 1497 and participated in a positive way during the debate on this measure on the House Floor.

Telling Congress to Balance the Federal Budget

For too long, Congress has continued to add billions, now trillions, of dollars annually to our federal debt.  Because the federal government is not constitutionally required to pass annual balanced budgets, like 49 out of the 50 states, this process has continued to spiral out of control.  The federal debt now exceeds 12 trillion dollars and Congress has shown no interest in putting a stop to this dangerous trend.  That is why the House Republicans passed Budget Chairmen Allen Icet's House Resolution 34 [HCR34] which urges the United States Congress to submit a balanced budget amendment to the states for ratification.  We must stop this trend of out-of-control deficit spending that passes the cost of our projects and programs on to our children and grandchildren.  With this resolution, the Missouri House calls on Congress to put a stop to the fiscal irresponsibility and urges them to finally pass a balanced budget amendment.

Few things frustrate the American people more than the out-of-control Congressional spending that has continued for decades.  Our families recognize that we must make enough money to cover our expenses and when times get tough, we must make tough decisions. But unfortunately, Congress has failed to recognize these common-sense values.

This week, Senator McCaskill criticized Missouri's General Assembly and Governor for utilizing the federal stimulus funds to plug major budget gaps that she forced on Missouri over a year ago.

Speaker Ron Richard responded, "Last year, we wanted to send the federal bailout funds back to Washington, DC – but that was not acceptable to Senator McCaskill.  Then, we wanted to send the bailout dollars back to Missouri taxpayers in the form of a tax rebate – that was not acceptable to Senator McCaskill either.  Since the bailout dollars have been received, Missouri has lost an additional 62,600 jobs and the unemployment rate sits at 9.6%.  Senator McCaskill's federal bailout has not worked.  I urge you to stop spending and start following the fiscally conservative lead that Missouri Republicans in the House of Representatives have practiced for nearly a decade."

Currently, our federal government has racked up an estimated 100 trillion dollars in unfunded liabilities that our nation's children and grandchildren will be left to pay.  Unfortunately, just this week, President Obama submitted his budget recommendations to Congress which included 3.8 trillion dollars in spending; 1.6 trillion of which we cannot afford and will be piled on top of the more than 12 trillion dollars of national debt that we already have.

Requiring the federal government to balance its budget each year is long overdue.  For decades, efforts to pass a balanced budget have come up short.  I believe that to ensure a fiscally stable future, our federal government must begin to live within its means and it must start down that long road now and without further delay.

HEALTH CARE FREEDOM ACT UPDATE

I am the chief sponsor of HJR 57. As I have discussed, if it is passed and approved by the voters, it will 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

I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT HJR 57 WAS VOTED "DO PASS" BY THE HOUSE GENERAL LAWS COMMITTEE THIS WEEK BY A BIPARTISAN VOTE OF 10 TO 4.  IT WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE WHERE IT WILL NEED APPROVAL BEFORE MOVING TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR FULL DEBATE.

Thank you all very much for your continued support of this very important resolution and I will continue to keep you posted on its progress.

SIX FLAGS ST. LOUIS IN EUREKA IS HIRING!!

I am very excited to report that Six Flags St. Louis, which is located in the heart of the 89^th District, is hiring more than 3,000 employees to fill positions for the 2010 season which begins on April 2^nd.  Six Flags will be hosting job fairs to fill these positions on February 20, 27; March 6, 13, 20 and April 3, 10 and 17.  For more information, please visit:  http://www.sixflags.com/stLouis/index.aspx

FAST FACTS

Scott Joplin, who lived in both St. Louis and Sedalia, was known as "The King of Ragtime".  He wrote the famous "Maple Leaf Rag" after a club in Sedalia.  Josephine Baker, a St. Louis native, was a civil rights activist who used her musical talents to help the African American community.

IRS Free File Program

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Tim's Legislative Platform for 2010

So far this year I have sponsored and filed thirteen 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

Over the past two weeks, another of my bills was heard in committee and several of my bills continue to move steadily through the legislative process.  I will continue to work hard to advance good government legislation that benefits all Missourians and will continue to keep you updated on the progress and status of the bills.

Personal News & Notes

I have returned 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 wonderful 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.  Until our next report, I remain, in your service.