Tim Jones: Prompt Pay Legislation, Unfunded Mandates, Manufacturing Jobs Act

As we returned to the Capitol, bitter cold gripped the Midwest this week and reminded us that we still very much remain in the throes of winter.  Against the backdrop of looming budget battles and necessary budget cuts in order to have a constitutionally required balanced State budget, we continue to have long days stretching into long nights as we become further embroiled in committee hearings and Floor debates…

"The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending against all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks." – Samuel Adams

Prompt Pay Legislation Passes the House

A piece of true healthcare cost reform legislation passed the Missouri House this week with overwhelming support.  HB 1498, of which I am the chief sponsor, requires health insurance providers to promptly pay claims put forth by doctors and hospitals for services on behalf of patients.  This is a common sense reform that will improve healthcare in Missouri and will reduce costs and inefficiency.

By delaying the return on health insurance claims, patients suffer.  The cost of these delays is passed onto the consumer and this ends up being an extreme inefficiency in our healthcare system.  Working Missourians must pay their bills and debts in a timely manner; I see no reason why health insurance companies should not also be held accountable.  Currently only two-thirds of claims are processed within sixty (60) days of the claim.  This excellent piece of compromise legislation will change that and make the entire system more efficient, reliable and cost conscious.

Our doctors and dentists should not be forced to wait on payment for months on end.  Healthcare providers do the work needed to keep Missourians healthy and they should be paid for it.  HB 1498 is a common-sense reform that will make sure that happens.  I applaud all of the health care providers and insurance companies who came together in a bi-partisan way to craft a piece of legislation that will improve the health care system for all of Missourians.

Unfunded Mandates

Unlike the federal government, the State of Missouri is required to pass and maintain a balanced budget.  Just like Missouri families, we can only spend money that we actually have.  While politicians in Washington D.C. have been spending money faster than they can print it (what comes after a TRILLION?), Missouri House Republicans have been successfully fighting entitlement spending and keeping our budget balanced.

This past week, the House passed House Concurrent Resolution 38, imploring the federal government not to pass unfunded mandates onto the state.  We are in tough economic times and balancing the state budget will be the number one priority for House Republicans. Congress has made a habit out of passing their spending on to states when they don't feel like paying the bill, in the form of mandated programs.  House Republicans have held the line for years on increased spending, but when Congress forces state officials to spend additional money, limited state resources must be rerouted from vital state services and education to entitlement spending.  We fight every day to ensure that your money is spent wisely. I hope that you will join me in opposing Congress dictating to Missourians where and how your hard-earned tax dollars are spent.

HB 1675 Manufacturing Jobs Act "Creating Missouri Jobs"

The House passed HB 1675 this week creating an act that will help Missouri bring manufacturing jobs to our state.  This bill allows companies that create new manufacturing jobs in Missouri to keep half of the withholding tax they would normally pay for ten years if they invest at least $50,000 per full-time employee on factory improvements for a new product.  It is not about saving jobs in failing industries but creating new ones by encouraging Missouri manufacturing companies to expand their operations in this state with new products and production lines.

The competition for bringing new jobs to this state is a fierce one.  We are not above competing with other states for jobs.  We should do all we can to encourage businesses to expand in our state so we can get more Missourians working.  The Manufacturing Jobs Act is another tool we can use to attract serious manufacturing jobs and allow us to foster business growth to allow us to compete on the global market.

HEALTH CARE FREEDOM ACT UPDATE

As many of you know, I am the chief sponsor of HJR 57, the "Health Care Freedom Act". 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 HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE HOUSE CALENDAR FOR DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.  TODAY, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS ACTING MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND HAD THE NOTABLE OPPORTUNITY TO ANNOUNCE THAT HJR 57 WILL BE COMING UP FOR DEBATE IN THE NEAR FUTURE!

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.

Eureka Police Department To Host National Police K-9 Workshop

The Eureka Police Department will be hosting the North American Police Work Dog Association National Workshop, April 30th - May 7th, 2010. The event is the largest Police K-9 event held annually in the United States. There will be well over 200 of the top Police K-9 teams from across North America attending the event. The Police Officers and their K-9 partners will be staying at the Holiday Inn. Six Flags will be used as the primary training location for the events which include patrol work, narcotics detection, explosive detection and search and rescue. The event will not only spotlight the City but will provide a huge economic boost to area businesses.

There will be a public demonstration held at Eureka High School on Thursday, May 6th at 7:00 pm. The demonstration is free and will provide the public an opportunity to watch some of the best Police K-9 Teams from across the Country.

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 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

• The first George Washington celebration was held in St. Louis on February 22, 1817
• Westminster College was founded in Fulton on February 23, 1853
• George Caleb Bingham, painter, former State Treasurer and former State Representative (a TRUE Renaissance man!) was inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians on February 15, 2010

MODOT Traveler Information Map

For work zone location, flooding information and weather-related road conditions visit MoDOT's Traveler Information Map. It's your first source of information when planning your trip across the Show-Me state.

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

This week I am extremely pleased to announce that my HB 1750 passed out of the House by an overwhelming vote of 111 – 42.  This bill is commonly referred to as the "access reform" bill.  If we can successfully move this bill through the Senate, this bill will result in lower telephone access charges and fees for millions of Missourians and will assist the telecommunications industry in providing greater innovations, new exciting products, lower rates and better and more advanced infrastructure across our entire State.  I want to thank all of my colleagues who worked in a bipartisan way to move this bill to passage in the House this week.

Personal News & Notes

Last week was Valentine's Day weekend.  And although the Jones household had to deal with a sudden attack by the common cold and flu on nearly all of us (including Baby Abby who has had a runny nose since November), I treasured the time that I had to spend at home (coughing and all!) with my ever understanding and hard working wife Suzanne and our two beautiful daughters Katie and Abby.  Love is truly patient (although trying at times!) and is truly kind and the love of a family cannot be appropriately described but must be experienced to be fully understood.  I hope that you and your family had a great Valentine's Day weekend!

Glory of Missouri Award Winners

We have many excellent and talented students in our District!


Winners from LaSalle Springs Middle School


Winners from Rockwood Valley Middle School


Winners from Wildwood Middle School

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.