Gatschenberger: Legislative Accomplishments, O'Fallon Makes The List, Town Hall Meeting Approaches

Representative Brian Nieves (R) (pictured), Representative Jim Guest (R) and I combined our State Sovereignty Bills HCS 25, 29 & 39 to fight for choice in healthcare

A hard-fought victory for individual choice in health care was earned late yesterday afternoon when we took the final bold step for the General Assembly and "truly agreed and finally passed" the Missouri "Health Care Freedom Act," a measure in response to the recent passage of the federal health control bill commonly referred to by the media as "ObamaCare."

The act was attached to a comprehensive insurance bill, House Bill 1764, and prohibits any federal law from interfering with an individual's health care freedom and liberties—if approved by Missouri voters.  According to the bill, the Health Care Freedom Act will be placed before voters on the August 2010 ballot, and if approved, no federal law can force a patient, employer, or health care provider to participate in any government or privately run health care system in Missouri.  Here is our first chance to tell the federal government not just no… but HELL NO on their push to have us become a full socialist government.

This legislation simply protects the rights of Missourians to choose their own health care products and services without fear of facing fines or imprisonment.  It does not reject any federal health care option, nor take away an individual's choice to participate in the federal health care plan.  The measure expands options, not limits them.  I am proud to help lead Missouri's push-back on this intrusive, costly mandate from Washington, D.C, and eager for Missourians' voices, which have for so long been denied, to finally be heard at the voting booth.

This bill will also protect small businesses from burdensome requirements.

In this economy, we cannot push ineffective, wildly expensive mandates on our businesses and then expect economic growth.  This unprecedented order from the government placed upon individuals and businesses to buy certain products and services must be stopped."

After passing the House by a vote of 108-47, HB 1764 now moves directly to the Office of the Secretary of State due to the referendum contained in the measure.  Our Health Care Freedom Act is being emulated in 42 other states.


Representative Ed Emery and I worked together to regulate sexually oriented businesses.

House members approved legislation that would regulate sexually oriented businesses in Missouri. Handled in the House by Representative Ed Emery, (R-Lamar), SBs 586 & 617 would bar nude activity and restrict semi-nude activity within sexually oriented businesses.  It would also ban the use, sale or consumption of alcohol within such businesses.  In addition, the legislation would prohibit adult establishments from operating between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., and bar anyone younger than 18 from being on the premises at any time.  The House approved the legislation by a vote of 118-28.

O'Fallon, St. Louis Named in Top 100 Places to Live

2010 marks the 13th year of RelocateAmerica releasing its annual list of America's "Top 100 Places to Live." The focus this year was on communities poised for recovery and future growth. The editorial team discovered communities with strong local leadership, employment opportunities, thriving community commitment, improving real estate markets, growing green initiatives, plentiful recreational options and an overall high quality of life. O'Fallon has been on RelocateAmerica's Top 100 list for the past four years. This is the first time St. Louis has made the list. Read more…

Please be my guest!

What:  Town Hall Meeting
When:  May 19
Where:  Lake St. Louis City Hall, 200 Civic Center Drive
Why: Larry Schepker, Director of House Appropriations, will present the 2011 State of Missouri Budget and answer questions regarding reductions in funding.

Representative Brian Nieves will be speaking on what is happening with our State Sovereignty.

I hope to see you there!

For questions on the content of this meeting you may contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-3572 or e-mail me at Chuck{dot}Gatschenberger{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov

Important Ethics Reform

House Passes Strongest and Most Aggressive Ethics Reform Bill in the Country

This week, we voted to pass a very aggressive ethics reform bill through a House Committee Substitute for SB844.

Regardless of whether we are Republican, Democrat or Independent, we can all agree on one thing: maintaining our integrity as public servants should be something we strive to maintain as we work to better the lives of Missourians across our state.

The men and women who have voted us in to office expect us to be honest and work ethically as we pursue legislation that will benefit Missouri families – including the decisions we make in our personal lives, and they deserve nothing less. 

Ethics reform became a top priority when in 2009, Democrats in the legislature were convicted of various crimes involving political and personal issues and accusations of vote-buying were leveled at Governor Nixon's staff.

On the first day first day of session this year, Speaker of the House, Ron Richard, R – Joplin, committed to bringing a bipartisan, comprehensive ethics reform bill to the floor that worked to stop unethical behavior in the House and in all publicly elected offices across the state.  This week, we came through on that commitment by passing SB844.

The House Committee Substitute for SB844 contains the following provisions that help to ensure ethical behavior:

• Bribery of Elected Officials: The Governor or anyone acting on his behalf shall not make any offer or promise of an appointment to any position in exchange of a legislator's vote.  Any member who accepts a bribe is guilty of the crime acceding to corruption.  Any bribe on any level will not be tolerated.
• Elected Officials as Lobbyists: No member of the General Assembly shall serve as a lobbyist for two years after the conclusion of their last term in the General Assembly, which is the same provision found on the federal level.
• Felony Benefits: Any elected official who is found guilty or pleads guilty to a felony will immediately forfeit all benefits from the state.
• Transparency in Appointments: For every appointment made by the Governor, Speaker and President Pro Tem of the Senate, information shall be publicly disclosed of the appointee and the amount of any contribution they have made to any campaign or candidate committee for a period of four years prior to the date of the appointment.  This will also apply to the spouse of the appointee or any business where the appointee holds a substantial interest.  Appointments should be made solely on merit, not on campaign contributions.
• Lobbyist Gifts: No elected Missouri official shall accept a gift from a lobbyist in excess of $2,500.00 dollars per year.  Honorarium gifts shall not count against the total.  Items having a value of less than ten dollars do not count against the total.
• Campaign Contribution Limits: The limit on campaign contributions is raised to $20,000.00 per year.
• Committee to Committee Transfers: No person shall transfer campaign funds from committee to committee with the purpose of concealing the donation source.  Punishment for the first violation is the funds must be returned; the second violation is a Class C misdemeanor; for the third and subsequent violations the person transferring the funds is guilty of a Class D felony.
• Donations from Appointees: An elected official cannot use the power of their position to leverage campaign donations.  Therefore, no statewide office holder shall accept any donation from any person whom the office holders appoint to a position with the advice and consent of the Senate.
• Joint Committee on Ballot Statements: Establishes the Joint Committee on Ballot Statements to prepare and review ballot summary statements for al petitions and referendums submitted to the voters by either the General Assembly or the petition process to ensure that political games are not played with the writing of language for amendments.  This gives Missouri voters a clear understanding of what they are voting on.
• Special Election for Statewide Vacancies: This legislation requires the Governor to call a special election for any vacancy in statewide office happening during the term of a statewide office holder.  That way, Missourians can have a voice in who their statewide elected officials are in times of vacancies, rather than the Governor appointing these positions.
• Drug Testing of State Elected Officials: Requires all state elected officials, members of the General Assembly, leadership staff and Gubernatorial department heads to be drug tested.
• Early Voting: Requires each election authority to create one advance voting center in each senatorial district and allows any registered voter to vote early.  This allows for greater access and participation in the voting process.
• Photo ID Requirement: Requires individuals to show a photo ID when voting on Election Day.
• Fee Office Reform: Requires the Department of Revenue to use only county collectors, treasurers or city collectors as fee office agents.
• Lawsuits on Behalf of the State: Allows the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, Speaker Pro Tem of the House and President Pro Tem of the Senate to file a lawsuit defending the constitutional rights of Missouri residents and to bring the suit in the name of the State of Missouri.
• Secret Ballot Guarantee: Guarantees the right to vote by secret ballot in elections involving the formation of a union or a labor organization.
• Political Activity Dues: Union dues may not be used for any political activity if designated as not for political uses by the member contributing the dues.  This provision also adds a $10,000 fine per violation and a Class D felony.

As your state representative, I have a large amount of respect for you – my constituent – and it is my responsibility to act in an ethical manner.  I understand my responsibility to act with integrity and take it very seriously. 

The provisions in SB844 work to ensure this behavior with members not only in the House of Representatives, but on a state-wide level.

Our State Capitol and legislative process was founded by men and women who had a deep reverence for the state of Missouri.  Their intentions, written into the stone in the House Chamber, are clear: Honor, Truth, Virtue and Equality.  You can be certain that these virtues are being sought after by House Republicans.

STAY IN TOUCH

As always, please let me know your thoughts about these or other matters of concern by calling my office at: (573) 751-3572 or by emailing me at chuck{dot}gatschenberger{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov

FUN FACTS

Blink, Blink, Blink… watch for lightning bugs on warm evenings this month.

The Stork is in the forest!  Skunks and Fawns are born through late June and Opossum young begin emerging from the female's pouch

Session ends today at 6:00 pm. I will now be able to spend more time in the district and I look forward to seeing more of my constituents and my family.  You will still be able to reach me through my Capitol office… so don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance.