"Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty." –Ronald Reagan
Tax Credit for Pregnancy Resource Centers
This week the Missouri House gave approval to HB 2252, which provides a continuation of the successful tax credit program for pregnancy resource centers in our state. As someone who is strongly pro-life, I believe we should have no abortions in our state. One way to reduce abortions is to help our pregnancy resource centers. These centers provide resources and education to women who are expectant mothers or recently had a baby and who have no other support network available. These women and their children deserve and need a helping hand. These resource centers provide advice on child-rearing, job training, maternity and baby clothes, and referrals for medical care, all at no cost.
HB 2252 reauthorizes this tax credit so Missourians can choose to support them when they file their income tax returns and that will go to support these centers. It is also important to note these centers are run by the private market, not the government. Part of being pro-life is supporting and protecting those who cannot protect themselves. Missouri's pregnancy resource centers are an excellent and cost effective way to do so.
Public Prayer Amendment
The Missouri House gave initial approval to HJR 62 this week. This proposed constitutional amendment guarantees a person's right to worship and pray on public property without the fear of intimidation. This is already allowed and protected in the US Constitution, but many people do not fully understand the parameters of the freedom. The purpose of this amendment is to make it perfectly clear to all Missourians.
The lack of education on this issue is especially important in regard to Missouri school children. Many students do not understand their rights and often feel intimidated to not show their faith at school out of fear. HJR 62 makes it clear to all students they are allowed to pray and are free to do so without fear. To help make this clear, this amendment also requires public schools receiving state funds to prominently display the Bill of Rights of the Constitution.
No one in America should ever feel any pressure or intimidation for expressing their religious beliefs. Freedom OF Religion was one of the primary precepts on which this nation was founded. The Missouri House just took another step forward to ensure our freedom of religion is further protected from any infringement.
Maintaining a Balanced Budget
This week I would like to provide you another update on the progress of our state budget. The budget has passed through the Senate and is now in conference between the House and Senate, which is where differences between the two versions of the budget are hammered out and compromises are reached. This budget will be balanced without a tax increase, period. This is something I have been very firm on from the very beginning of my time as your State Representative. We cannot raise taxes on working Missourians, it is not right and it is bad economic policy. The last thing in an economic recovery you want to do is raise taxes, and therefore expenses, on businesses and consumers. In the Missouri House we will simply not let this happen.
To balance the budget without a tax increase we have had to cut expenses, just like nearly every Missouri family has had to do when their revenue declined over the last two years. These cuts are painful at times, but necessary. My only wish is the federal government would take a page from Missouri and do the same instead of running up deficits that are bankrupting our future. In Missouri, leadership on the state budget means balancing it without a tax increase and without deficit spending, the opposite of actions being taken currently in Washington, DC.
House Bill 1786-Sensible Economic Development
House Bill 1786, of which I am the chief sponsor, passed through the House this week with an overwhelming bipartisan majority. The bill focuses on bringing major events (collegiate and amateur sporting events and not for profit organization conventions) to Missouri that would otherwise not come here. The legislation is available for use state-wide and is designed to bring economic prosperity to our state.
Through this bill, tax credit incentives are offered to those that hold their events in our state. For example, next year if the Final Four basketball competition was to be held in Missouri, that game or event would be issued a refundable tax credit equal to 100% of the eligible costs or 90% of the tax revenues within the market area which are directly attributable to the game or event. The tax credits are capped at 10 million dollars.
One of the major components of HB 1786 is its ability to increase tourism in our state. Large events typically bring in out of state citizens and fans that would be generating new revenue for Missouri, and improve our economy for all our citizens.
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 health care that they want. As we have seen, the disastrous aftermath of the passage of ObamaCare continues to dominate our headlines and continues to show us how truly flawed this new federal entitlement is. HJR 57 was "third read and passed" out of the House several weeks ago by a vote of 109-46 and I am happy to report that I was invited to present the bill to the Senate Committee on Government Accountability just this morning. The Senate also continues to debate their version of the Health Care Freedom Act (SJR 25). You may view the legislation at this link: http://house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills101/bills/HJR57.htm Thank you all very much for your continued support of this very important proposed constitutional amendment, and I will continue to keep you posted on its progress!
Tim's Legislative Platform for 2010
I have sponsored and filed sixteen individual pieces of legislation this Session. 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
Fast Facts
- The House inducted James McDonnell, Jr. into the Hall of Famous Missourians last week.
- Missouri has an excellent set of Military Programs designed for and focused upon supporting military children and youth. One of the goals of the program is to create community support networks for youth who have parents experiencing deployment. There are many other facets of this great program. For more information about "Operation: Military Kids" contact: www.operationmilitarykids.org or http://4h.missouri.edu/programs/military
Personal News & Notes
The last four weeks of Session always seem to be the most interesting and the most intense. Long days and hectic schedules become par for the course as bills fly back and forth between the Chambers and everyone looks for a good legislative vehicle on which to complete their priorities. I want to thank all of the great folks who support me back home as we become fully immersed in our work at the Capitol, especially my family and my colleagues at my law firm, DosterUllom. It is hard to believe that in less than twenty five days the Session will be over and summer will be upon us!
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. We have had many visitors to the Capitol so far this year; if your travels find you anywhere in or around Jefferson City, please do not hesitate to stop by and visit us in Room 114! Until our next report, I remain, in your service.
On the House Floor with the Glory of Missouri Award winners from Eureka High School (left) and Lafayette High School.
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