Rupp: Session Ends on Successful Note

A flurry of activity was ended with the loud bang of the gavel, as the Senate session came to a close at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 14. For those of you keeping score at home, there were 491 Senate bills, 1,265 House Bills, and 83 Joint Resolutions filed this session, yet only a handful of these measures made it out of the Legislature, where they now sit on the governor’s desk and await his signature.

A portion of the legislation that made it to the executive branch were my efforts, while others contained language that I had worked on this session. My biggest priority was to protect taxpayers by balancing the budget without a tax increase. Reducing government spending was also accomplished and will continue to be priorities next session. We tackled the worst budget crisis in our state’s history head-on by advancing several “Rebooting Government” ideas to make government smaller and more efficient (click here to learn more about “Rebooting Government” initiatives.) You may always see my work at my website, but here’s a quick recap of my other priorities:

Autism Spectrum Disorder Insurance Reform – This year we finally were able to get this much-needed insurance reform out of the Legislature and ready for the many families whose lives will be impacted by this historic measure. Under House Bill 1311, insurance companies would no longer be able to deny or cancel coverage just because a child has autism. The proposed insurance coverage would include a physician or psychiatrist’s referral of Applied Behavior Analysis therapy — up to $40,000 per year for individuals — with a cost-of-living adjustment included. This measure makes Missouri the 20th state to cover the diagnosis and treatment of those on the autism spectrum.

Abortion – Language that I wrote that banned any health exchanges in Missouri — including the ones proposed in the federal health care legislation — from offering insurance coverage for abortion, was passed in a bill that also increased the requirements for abortion. These expanded requirements found in Senate Bill 793 include a chance for the mother to hear the child’s heartbeat, see an ultrasound, and view printed materials that detail the child’s development. It also includes mandatory referral to counseling and the Alternatives to Abortion program, and an explanation of the father’s responsibility for child support. Missouri continues to be a leader in protecting life, and I am blessed to be a part of this huge victory for life.

Health Care Freedom Act – This legislation, House Bill 1764, takes the issue to the voters and allows Missouri to be one of the first to sound off on the federal health care plan. If passed in August, no Missourian would be forced to participate in any government or privately run health care system, and it would ensure Missourians remain in charge of their own healthcare decisions without facing fines or penalties from the federal government.

For a complete listing of all Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed bills for the 2010 Session go to the Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov and click on “Session Information” on the right hand side for drop down menu. Then click on “Truly Agreed Bills” for the list.

All in all, I’d have to say that it was a very successful session, as my legislation continued to put Missouri at the forefront of the nation in conservative values. Thank you for your support this session, and I hope to see you in the community.

CENSUS FORMS

If you have not done so, please fill out and mail in your census forms. It is important that everyone is counted. There are two options if someone did not receive a census form or misplaced it.

1. Call the Kansas City regional office to complete a census form over the phone. The number is: ENGLISH - 1-866-872-6868
2. Call one of the regional centers to request to be placed on a list to receive a door to door visit from a census taker. The location and numbers of the regional centers are as follows:
   
   Odessa
   West US Highway 40
   Odessa, MO 64076
   Phone: 816-565-4054
   
   Cape Girardeau
   South Silver Springs Road
   Cape Girardeau, MO 65703
   Phone: 573-290-3220
   
   Columbia
   Business Loop 70 West
   Columbia, MO 64108
   Phone: 573-818-3330
   
   Kansas City
   Pershing Square
   Kansas City, MO 64108
   Phone: 816-977-2140
   
   Springfield
   OPENING SOON
   Springfield, MO 65806
   Phone: 1-866-861-2010
   
   St. Joseph
   Frederick Boulevard
   St. Joseph, MO 64506
   Phone: 816-385-5180
   
   St. Louis City
   Goodfellow Boulevard
   Saint Louis, MO 63120
   Phone: 314-802-9410
   
   St. Charles
   Bass Pro Drive
   St. Charles, MO 63303
   Phone: 636-866-2020
   
   Crestwood
   Watson Road
   Crestwood, MO 63126
   Phone: 314-800-0680

As always, if you have any questions about this week’s column or any other matter involving state government, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can reach my office by phone at (866) 271-2844.