Tim Jones: Proposition C and MSD

PROPOSITION C:  THE MISSOURI HEALTHCARE FREEDOM ACT

As you likely know, there is an election next Tuesday, August 3rd.  On that ballot you will find Proposition C, the Missouri Health Care Freedom Act which was passed in the last legislative session by a bipartisan, super majority vote of the House and Senate.  I was the original, lead sponsor of the Proposition in the House.

What do the different options on Proposition C mean for you?

I submit that a "Yes" vote on Proposition C preserves your present right to keep your own health insurance plan or choose any other private plan or no plan without being penalized for that choice.  A "Yes" vote is also your first opportunity as a citizen to express your opinion as to the federal healthcare bill that has come to be known as "ObamaCare". A "yes" vote on Prop.C (the Healthcare Freedom Act) is a message to Washington D.C. that you want the federal government to stay out of your healthcare options and choices.

A "No" vote on Proposition C would limit Missourians only to a government designed and approved plan.  A "No" vote on Prop. C sends a message to Washington D. C. that you agree with the federal government controlling your healthcare choices.

The actual ballot language reads:
Shall the Missouri Statutes be amended to:

• "Deny the government authority to penalize citizens for refusing to purchase private health insurance or infringe upon the right to offer or accept direct payment for lawful healthcare services.
• Modify laws regarding the liquidation of certain domestic insurance companies?"

The entire language of the two page bill may be found at the following link: http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills101/biltxt/truly/HB1764T.HTM.

If Proposition C passes on August 3rd, it will become a Missouri statute.

While our current healthcare system is not perfect, it is by far the best system in the world.  President Obama and a majority in Congress are seeking to impose their values and laws on our health system that has, up to this point, been run by state law and private enterprise.

One of the most important facts about ObamaCare is that Congress has EXEMPTED themselves from all the healthcare and insurance mandates that are imposed on the rest of the country.  If the new Federal Law is so good, then why did Congress exempt themselves?

Missourians will be the first citizens in the nation to vote on this issue.  The eyes of the Nation will be on the Show Me State next Tuesday, August 3^rd!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding Proposition C, the Missouri Health Care Freedom Act and do not forget to vote next Tuesday!

Rep. Tim Jones' Storm Water Consumer Protections Law Enforced by Judge

JEFFERSON CITY – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Tim Jones (R-St. Louis County) meant to protect St. Louis area residents from storm water fees for services they are not receiving has been enforced by a Lincoln County judge. The legislation became law August 28, 2009.

HB 661 prohibits the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District from assessing a district property owner any fee for storm water management services if the property uses a septic system and does not receive any other services from the district.  Previously, the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District charged an "impervious surface runoff surcharge" to all property owners within the district's service boundaries regardless whether they received services from the district.

"I think it is a monumental victory for hard working taxpayers that the court has enforced this law and ruled that MSD can no longer collect fees for storm water services," Rep. Jones said.  "No longer will my constituents be paying for services they are not receiving."

"It was an honor and privilege to champion this legislative change for the folks in and around my district," said Rep. Jones.  "This is a great victory for the citizens affected by this fee."

MSD has not decided if they will file an appeal or find a funding replacement.