Roorda: Summary of Thursday's Incident with Rep. Tim Jones, Mega Tax Bill, Cord Blood Collection

On the campaign trail, President Harry Truman would encounter voices from the crowd shouting, "Give 'em hell, Harry." The president would respond, "I don't give them hell. I just tell the truth about them and they think it's hell." This was proved to be true during a speech given by Representative Jeff Roorda (D-Barnhart) in the Chamber of the Missouri House of Representatives on Thursday.

While debating the budget, House Democrats called on republicans to consider reforming corporate tax giveaways, the answer from House Republicans was a loud and resounding "NO!"
The heated debate finally boiled over when Rep. Roorda, the Minority Whip, accused House Republicans of using the budget process to punish Governor Nixon and his administration by drastically reducing the salaries of cabinet-level officials appointed by the Governor. "All we saw this week was phony baloney amendments to take this director's salary away or that director's salary away. Grandstanding that we know is not going to be there at the end," said Roorda

In an angry outburst, Representative Tim Jones (R-Eureka) interrupted Roorda's speech, loudly shouting accusations that the Minority Whip had intentionally skipped out on crucial votes during the previous day's session. Roorda, who had been absent to attend the funeral of a long-time friend and brother of a Nixon-administration official, riled at Jones's accusations that he had "walked" on key votes.

"If you've got something to say, then you stand up and say it" said Roorda to Jones before House Speaker Ron Richard (R-Joplin) cut off Roorda's microphone. Roorda turned and began walking toward Jones, who lunged forward but was quickly restrained by several House Republicans and staff members. Jones's tantrum was quickly ended as he was physically escorted out of the chamber by Republicans colleagues, all the while screaming "You're a liar, you're a liar, you're a liar!" at Roorda.

The fracas shut down house debate for several minutes as Speaker Richard and Minority Leader Paul LeVota (D-Independence), had a sidebar at the dais. Following the discussion, Richard admonished the members and reminded them that outburst would not be tolerated, and budget debate resumed shortly thereafter.

Audio of debate (12 minutes) Here's what things sounded like to the folks at home. The first voice you hear is Rep. Jeff Roorda (D- Barnhart). Rep. Tim Jones (R-Eureka) can be heard yelling in the background at around the 3:15 mark.

Video of debate

HOUSE ELIMINATES EDUCATION INCREASE FROM BUDGET

The Missouri House of Representatives on March 23 voted 80-68 to strip a $105 million funding increase for public schools from the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. The action came on a near-party-line vote with most Republicans in favor of eliminating the funding and most Democrats opposed.

When he proposed his FY 2011 budget in January, Gov. Jay Nixon requested an $18 million increase in the formula for distributing state aid to local schools. Although a boost from current funding, the governor's recommendation was $87 million short of what is deemed full funding of the formula for next year. In a surprise move, House Budget Committee Chairman Allen Icet, R-Wildwood, included the full $105 million when he brought the education appropriations bill before the committee despite not offsetting the increase with reductions elsewhere. The removal of the additional $105 million by the House would keep formula spending at current levels.

The House voted to send to the Senate the 13 appropriations bills that make up the $23.6 billion FY 2011 state budget on March 24. Because the FY 2011 revenue estimate recently was revised downward, lawmakers cut $224 million from the governor's proposal to help put budget in balance. Although the House budget includes $300 million in federal funds the state expects to receive, Nixon wants to hold that money in reserve for FY 2012, which budget officials anticipate will be even more difficult.

To read the full story click click here.

Mega Tax Bill

The "Mega Tax" bill (HJR-56) was heard in the Committee on Ways and Means on March 18th. However, an executive session has not been held. This legislation would shift taxes eliminating corporate and income taxes while greatly expanding state sales tax to make up the difference. Expanding sales tax, however, creates an undue burden on Missouri's lower and middle income families. Instead of making Missouri tax structure less fair, we should be working to create a tax system that fairly distributes the tax burden across the state. Moving forward I will continue to oppose this legislation and work to represent a fair solution to Missouri's budget problems.

Cord Blood Collection

The last two years I have sponsored legislation to establish cord blood collection sites across Missouri for the transportation of cord blood to the Saint Louis Cord Blood Bank. This year the bill is House Bill 1370. Saint Louis Cord Blood Bank provides new mothers with an opportunity to save lives by donating the blood left over from the umbilical cord and placenta after her baby is born. Cord blood is a rich source of adult stems cells that are a valuable resource in treating a wide array of conditions. These cells are not at all controversial and if they are not donated they are simply thrown away as medical waste. Today thousands of people are alive because of the generous donation of cord blood by new mothers. The Saint Louis Cord Blood Bank collects cord blood donations at SSM St. Clare Health Center, St. Anthony's Medical Center and Jefferson Memorial Hospital.

Jay Nixon proposes cutting state's tax credit program by half

[Link to Original Article]

By Virginia Young
POST-DISPATCH JEFFERSON CITY BUREAU

Gov. Jay Nixon has unveiled a sweeping plan that would slash by half the state's $650 million in tax credits, repeal laws that make the credits flow automatically and give state officials broad authority to decide who gets them.

The administration said on Tuesday that the changes were needed so the state could control costs, adapt to changing economic times and target projects with the most payback for the public.

St. Louis boosters immediately condemned the proposal, which they said would destroy valuable economic development tools. The largest tax credit program pumps $186 million a year into preservation of historic buildings. It would be cut to less than $78 million under Nixon's plan.

Jeff Mansell, director of the Landmarks Association of St. Louis, called Nixon's proposal "a devastating blow" to a program that has revived many older parts of St. Louis. He said the historic credit had been "a major driving economic tool in creating jobs."



But with state revenue plummeting, momentum seems to be building in the Legislature to rein in tax credits. Nixon's plan drew praise from a bipartisan working group of senators.

"It's absolutely moving us in the right direction," said Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah. "For the first time we've shifted this from, 'What is the greatest benefit to the developer?' to 'What is the greatest benefit to the taxpayer?'"

When the state issues a tax credit, the treasury agrees to forego that amount of money. The recipient gets a voucher, which can be used to reduce income taxes or various business taxes. In most cases, the credits also can be sold for cash to a bank or investor.

The state has 61 tax credit programs benefitting scores of projects. For example, they fund the cleanup of environmentally contaminated sites, entice high-tech businesses to locate in low-income areas, help livestock breeders expand their herds and pay the bills at domestic violence shelters.

Nixon's proposal, coming with only about eight weeks left in the legislative session, took tax credit supporters by surprise. It was introduced by his economic development director, David Kerr, who explained it to four senators surrounded by lobbyists and staffers, all scrunched into a senator's Capitol office. The senators formed one of eight working groups reviewing budget-cutting ideas submitted by the public.

Kerr said that rather than just putting caps on tax credit programs, the administration wanted to "reform the whole thing from scratch." Under the plan, the state would set a "global cap" of $314 million in tax credits that could be authorized next year. The number is pegged to 70 percent of the credits claimed last year.

Tax credits would be reorganized into six broad categories, such as business development and community assistance. The only programs exempt from the cap would be the circuit breaker and homestead programs, which help elderly and disabled homeowners pay property taxes.

Each category would get a certain percentage of the tax credits allowed under the cap. For example, the biggest share - 30 percent - would go to business development, which would include the state's Quality Jobs program. The next largest share - 20 percent - would be reserved for a new category of "at-large" projects, which could cover unforeseen situations. Economic development officials would oversee the credits. There would be no more "entitlements" - credits guaranteed by law.

While legislators sounded open-minded, some questioned giving so much power over tax breaks to the executive branch.

"That's a shakedown waiting to happen," said House Majority Leader Steve Tilley, R-Perryville. "There's no way that idea's going to make it."

Kerr said that the department would provide annual reports showing the return on the state's investment and that legislators could "take action" if they were unhappy with the results.

Legislators noted that although the proposal would produce long-term savings, it wouldn't do much to help close next year's $500 million budget gap. That's because the state has a huge tax credit liability - more than $2 billion in credits already issued but not yet redeemed.

Time is short to pass a major change, which would need approval in both the House and Senate before the session adjourns May 14. But the state faces unprecedented budget problems that threaten popular programs such as home-delivered meals and K-12 education.

"How can you make those kinds of decisions and not touch the low-income housing tax credit?" asked Sen. Tom Dempsey, R-St. Peters.

Critics have argued for years that groups receiving tax credits end up with privileged status because they don't need to fight each year for scarce state appropriations. As the House began dealing Tuesday evening with what one legislator called "shocking" cuts to balance next year's budget, some said tax credit recipients must share the pain.

Most tax credit programs were established in the early 1990s, when the state was flush. Now, with revenue plummeting, "we do not have the luxury of that extra money," said Rep. Sara Lampe, D-Springfield.

Engler: Fighting for Freedom in Healthcare

As we worked this week in the Missouri Senate to cut costs and streamline government, the federal government ignored the voices of the American people and passed a federal healthcare plan that carries a price tag of more than $900 billion.  The bill mandates that individuals and businesses buy healthcare or face large fines.  The bill contains massive tax increases and is an unprecedented violation of individual rights. We are trying to find ways to protect Missourians from being forced into this costly and bureaucratic plan.

From a state perspective, one of the most alarming parts of the federal legislation is the forced expansion of state welfare. The plan will cost the state $1.34 billion over the next 10 years. This is a significant increase and results in a very serious boost in costs to taxpayers.  The feds tried to placate the state's outcry at this expansion by offering to supplement the funding for the first several years.  Still, in 2017, Missouri taxpayers will be paying for 5 percent of the expansion cost – that's $99.2 million in general revenue.

This cost, combined with the fact that this plan encroaches on the healthcare freedom of Missourians, led the Senate to spend a good deal of time discussing Senate Joint Resolution 25.  The legislation would protect Missourians' healthcare choices by sending to the voters a constitutional amendment that would stipulate that no federal law could compel a patient, employer, or healthcare provider to participate in any government or privately run health care system that they do not want to be in. The bill also makes sure that no law can prohibit a patient or employer from paying out of pocket for legal healthcare services. The legislation would allow the people of this state to have a voice in their healthcare freedom, even as they were ignored by the federal government.

The other focus in the Senate this week was cutting costs, and we spent a day on Tuesday discussing ways that we can streamline government.  Dropping revenue has prompted a serious conversation on how to make sure state government is as efficient as possible, and we wanted to make sure the public had input on how to best proceed.  After taking more than 1,500 submissions from the public, we met on Tuesday in small working groups to go through these ideas.  We succeeded in identifying ways to save between $683.3 to $789.4 million in taxpayer dollars.  Among others, these ideas included consolidating state departments, increasing canteen costs to prisoners, and placing a global cap on tax credits in the state.  The ideas have to be implemented in a variety of ways: through legislative action, the budget process, or executive order.  For a full list of ideas or to submit your own, visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on the "Rebooting Government" logo.

Check this out: The Columbia Missourian recently put together a video on Winston, my English bulldog that sometimes spends time with me at the Capitol.  Check out the video here.

Ervin: Hope is Not a Plan

"The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale." –Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Taylor, May 28, 1816

The Missouri House of Representatives passed their version of the state budget for the next fiscal year beginning June 1, 2010 this week.  Unfortunately, the House passed a budget that I could not support that is at least $275,000,000 out of balance.  The challenges for the next budget year and the year beyond continue to pile on.

While the talk of large numbers and lots of zeroes can be somewhat arcane and "inside baseball", they do affect each of us - after all it is our money.  So bear with me in this update.

Governor Nixon proposed a budget totaling $23,857,795,551.  Included in that budget is $900,000,000 of one-time, federal dependency money that is being used to pay for ongoing operating expenses of state government.  Also included in his budget proposal is $300,000,000 of federal dependency money that is "promised" by the federal government, but has not yet been approved by Congress - we may or may not receive these funds.

Dependence on both of these revenue sources is problematic at best and, at worst, disastrous in future years.  The General Assembly needs to reduce the Governor's recommended budget by at least $650,000,000 to $750,000,000 to begin fixing the structural imbalance of dependence on one-time revenues from the federal government that end this year.

Since the agreement on the consensus revenue estimate in January, we have learned that revenue collections are continuing to decline with year to date revenue collections as of February being down 12.7%, or about $610,000,000 less from what was expected to meet the budget.

Governor Nixon has responded to these declining revenues by withholding more money from the existing budget and asking the legislature to revise downward his recommended budget for the next fiscal year by removing the $300,000,000 that has not been approved by Congress and reducing the general revenue estimate by $200,000,000 to correct an overly optimistic consensus revenue estimate - both prudent recommendations.   These suggested reductions to the Governor's recommended budget total $500,000,000.

Unfortunately, the House only reduced the budget by about $225,000,000.  These steps, and more, are necessary to resolve the structural imbalance that currently exists in the state budget.  The over reliance on one-time, federal dependency money has put our state budget at risk in the coming years.

This $1,200,000,000 of one-time, federal dependency money will not be available in the next budget year, meaning that the fiscal year 2012 budget will start with a $1,200,000,000 hole.  The necessary cuts that will have to be made next year will be unlike anything we have seen in recent years, even topping the cuts that were made in fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005.

The significance of the shortfall in revenue that we face this year, and next, cannot be underestimated.  This is the time when the Governor, the House, and the Senate must work together to fix the structural problems in our state budget.  This will require very difficult decisions, courage, and realism - it is not a time for gamesmanship and politicizing.

The recently released unemployment numbers continue to suggest a national unemployment rate of 9.7% with Missouri's unemployment rate holding at 9.4%. These rates are not expected to change in the near term.  Without more people becoming employed we cannot reasonably expect income tax and sales tax collections to turn upward to fill the hole created by the one-time revenue sources.

The Missouri Senate must now contend with an unbalanced budget and consider further cuts of at least another $275,000,000 to $500,000,000.  We can no longer hope that better times will come.  State government must live within its means just like the rest of us.

Unlike Congress, we must have a balanced budget.  The state of Missouri can't print money to satisfy unrestrained and politically motivated spending habits - even in an election year.  We can either jump off of a ten foot cliff today or choose to jump off of a hundred foot cliff tomorrow.  This is the time to make difficult decisions.  Having hope in a greater, more prosperous future is great motivator - I have that hope myself, but hope is not a plan.

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns.  LaTonya Percival, my Legislative Assistant, and I are always available to answer questions and address your concerns.  I can be reached in Jefferson City at (573)751-2238 or you can write me at doug{dot}ervin{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov or regular mail at 201 West Capitol Avenue, Room 412A, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Tishaura Jones: Response to St. Louis POA's Racism Allegations

The following letter was sent to members of the Missouri House of Representatives by Rep. Tishaura Jones and released to the media.

Dear Colleagues:

Last week, I sent the attached letter to the Democratic members to dispel the myths about Local Control of the St. Louis Police Department. On Thursday, just as we completed one of the most gruesome debates on the State’s budget, the St. Louis Police Officers Association (POA), distributed the attached letter to as a rebuttal. The POA has stooped to an all time low in their attempt to mislead and mischaracterize by accusing me of trying to make you, my fellow colleagues, believe that Local Control is a racial issue. I have never mentioned race in my attempts to convince anyone to support Local Control. The only time race has been mentioned in the debate about local control was attached letter from Joe Steiger. Local Control is not about pensions; it is not about the size of the Board of Aldermen; it’s not about the St. Louis Fire Department; and it is not about race. Local Control is about taxation without representation, it is about the sovereignty of the taxpayers of the City of St. Louis to have the same rights that all of the counties in the State of Missouri currently have. If a lot of you believe that the recently passed federal health care legislation is an intrusion on Missouri’s sovereignty, then state control of the St. Louis Police Department is a violation of St. Louis City’s sovereignty on STERIODS. The POA’s assertion that I inserted race in this issue is a blatant and outright lie. I urge you in the affirmative for the sovereignty of the residents of the City of St. Louis.

Sincerely,


Tishaura O. Jones

63rd District

Rep. Jones' letter from 23 March (PDF)
Response from St. Louis POA legislative chairman Joe Steiger (PDF)

Holsman: Clean Energy Bill Passes First Test

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Energy & Environment Committee of the Missouri House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bill [HB2178] out of committee, as a part of the energy omnibus bill. PACE would allow municipalities to pass bond measure to help homeowners finance the purchase and installation of energy efficient improvements to their properties. The improvements, which might have too high of an up-front price to make them cost-effective for some homeowners, could be initially purchased by PACE funding and the costs would be slowly paid off by the homeowner on his or her property taxes. The legislation sponsored by Representatives Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City, and Rachel Storch, D-St. Louis, was added to the energy omnibus bill as an amendment.

"This is yet another step in the right direction" said Holsman, the ranking member on Energy and Environment who has made energy legislation a priority during his time in the House, "Municipalities like Kansas City can help their constituents become greener and more energy efficient. The return on investment is immense.  I realize in tough times, the environment takes a back seat, but our challenge of becoming energy independent is still very real.  PACE provides private citizens the opportunity to be a part of the solution."

All provisions of the legislation are completely voluntary, with no cost to the state.  Each city will decide if they wish to take advantage of the program.

"PACE is a game changer for energy efficiency and job creation," said Erin Noble, the Energy Policy Coordinator for Renew Missouri, A project of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, "People are excited about this bill because it eliminates the up-front costs and allows them to pay over a twenty-year period, so the energy efficiency savings are more than what the homeowner is paying each month for the additions." Noble went on to say that the Property Assessed Clean Energy bill will help put more Missourians to work updating older homes and making them more energy efficient.

Stouffer: Voting on Principles vs. Emotions

You will often hear me talk about the need for tough decisions from lawmakers. This is the case as we start on the fiscal year 2011 Missouri budget. But, it is also the case for many of the decisions we have to make in the Missouri General Assembly.

Recently, the Missouri Senate passed Senate Bill 618, which would require health insurance companies to cover autism. A similar measure has also been passed by the Missouri House. We have heard quite a bit about autism over the past few years and how it is affecting more children each year. While my heart goes out to those who are affected by autism, be it the children themselves or their family, I had to vote against this particular bill.

This was a tough vote for me, but it is one I have to stand by. At the same time the federal government is shoving health care "reform" down our throats, I cannot vote to let state government dictate what coverage insurance companies can offer. The free market system works. Letting government in, so they can tell insurance providers who they can and cannot cover, is not a good fix to a situation.

History shows us that insurance rates rise when government mandates are enacted. This will be the case with the federal health care law and it would also happen if the autism mandate became law in Missouri. This is government messing with the private sector. In my opinion, there has to be one mindset on this. If someone is against the federal government regulating businesses to the point they can no longer function, then the same principle should be held in relation to government interference at all levels.

Granted, the demands the federal government is making with its so-called reform is not a part of the autism bill. The state is not forcing autism coverage on everybody and also will not fine you or send you to jail for not having it. However, I cannot — in good conscience — vote to allow state government to order insurance companies to do something that will result in raising rates for everybody. That is the unfortunate truth. Despite the good intentions autism legislation has, it will result in higher insurance rates for everybody.

These are the tough decisions lawmakers have to wrestle with every day. I am certainly not opposed to education and health care. These are both very important issues for people of all ages throughout rural Missouri. This having been said, I also have to stand by my principles. It would not be right for me to steadfastly oppose the federal health care bill and turn around and vote yes on a bill that forces insurance providers to do something they know will raise rates universally. It would not be fair to the people I serve in the Missouri Senate.

Rupp: Missouri Will Continue to Reject Taxpayer-Funded Abortions

In an unprecedented move, the federal government has passed health care legislation that will find a way to intrude into your life. For Missourians, unless something changes, this legislation ultimately means higher taxes and health care costs, less freedom when it comes to your health care, and federal subsidies going to pay for abortions and programs like Planned Parenthood.

I will not sit back quietly while this happens. I had hoped, like many of you, that this unpopular bill would have been stopped before it got to this point. Now that it is a reality, I will continue to stand up for the rights of the people of Missouri.

The day after the health care bill passed Congress, and before the president even got a chance to sign it, I testified on behalf of my legislation, Senate Bill 747, which prohibits any health insurance exchanges in Missouri, including federally-mandated insurance, from allowing abortions using taxpayer dollars. The bill, which was passed out of committee and will now be placed on the calendar for full debate, is endorsed by pro-life contingencies from across the state.

I see this as the most important legislation on my docket right now, and I will do what I can to ensure its speedy approval from my colleagues. There have been assurances and even an executive order that federal money could not be used for abortions. However, the Supreme Court has ruled in other instances that an executive order does not trump the law, and thus there is no way to block your tax dollars from funding abortions in the legislation passed Sunday night in Washington, unless Missouri enacts the legislation I am sending to the floor of the Senate for debate.

There are also concerns within the federal health care plan of the powers and authority given to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It could be read that the HHS could provide direct appropriations to agencies that provide abortions, thus circumventing any other directives not to do so. My bill will protect Missouri’s desire to remain opposed to taxpayer-funded abortions.

It is constantly stated that the federal health care plan is historic, and it is, because never in our history has there been such a blatant disregard of the sovereignty of the states and the will of the American people. This fight is far from over, and I will do my part to make sure Missourian’s concerns will be heard.

NEW QUESTION OF THE WEEK

A new question is posted on my website which ask:

In response to the recent federal health care legislation passed by Congress, the Missouri Senate is considering SJR 25 – the Missouri Health Care Freedom Act, a constitutional amendment that would state that no federal law shall compel an individual or employer to participate in any government or privately run health care system. Do you support or oppose this constitutional amendment that would allow each individual Missourian to choose for themselves the type of health care plan they want to participate in?

1. Support
2. Oppose

If you’d like to respond, please go to my web page at: http://www.senate.mo.gov/10info/members/mem02.htm and click on “Question of the Week” in the upper right hand corner.

PREVIOUS QUESTION RESULTS

The current economic situation will bring about severe reductions in our state’s budget in order for the legislature to pass the balanced budget that the Missouri Constitution requires.

In your opinion, which of these actions seems the most reasonable to begin with?

1. Reduce K-12 Education Spending – 6%
2. Reduce Higher Education Spending – 22%
3. Reduce Medicaid/Welfare Expenditures – 37%
4. Reduce tax credits for economic development & job creation – 14%
5. Provide for an earlier release of non-violent prison offenders in order to reduce corrections/prison expenditures – 20%

And which of these would you NOT want to see happen?

1. Reduce K-12 Education Spending – 43%
2. Reduce Higher Education Spending – 11%
3. Reduce Medicaid/Welfare Expenditures – 12%
4. Reduce tax credits for economic development & job creation – 13%
5. Provide for an earlier release of non-violent prison offenders in order to reduce corrections/prison expenditures – 20%

As the 2010 legislative session unfolds, I will continue to keep you, my constituents, apprised of all major developments, and I look forward to continuing to serve your needs and priorities in Jefferson City. 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.

Joe Smith: House Makes Tough Decisions, Hones in on the State Budget

Each year, the Governor and his cabinet work line by line to balance the state budget before handing their final product on to the legislature for passage; this year, however, the Governor presented us with a budget that was way out of balance.  In fact, his budget overspends by $500 million and relies heavily upon $300 million federal dollars from President Obama.

When we received his budget, our Budget Chairman Allen Icet and his committee went right to work, looking for ways to pair down spending and eliminating unnecessary items.  Through their hard work, and the support of the Republican Caucus, the House of Representatives trimmed a total in decreasing 225 million from the state's General Revenue (GR).

The decisions we made to eliminate some of the Governor's wasteful spending were not easy, but it had to be done.  State revenues are declining, thousands of our citizens are out of work and no one – not even the state of Missouri – remains unaffected by the economic downturn.

We've seen Congress and the President overspend our nation into a frenzy, which isn't prudent budgeting.  It looks as though our Governor is on the same path, but in the House we are working to make difficult cuts in order to protect our state's financial future.  Now, the budget will be moved to the Senate where we expect further decreases in spending.  Because of Republicans in the House, we will be able to give the Governor his budget back with millions of dollars eliminated from his initial plan and our state may remain fiscally sound.

Gatschenberger: Federal Health Care Legislation, Coercion Legislation Passes, Fun Facts

US DEBT CLOCK

This link is an eye opener… take a look at the US DEBT CLOCK at http://www.usdebtclock.org/

You can see each and every source for the information contained in the clock by passing your cursor over the specific numbers.  Sources for the clock include:  CBO, Federal Reserve, US Treasury, US Census, OMB.

FEDERAL HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION

House Republicans Oppose Federal Takeover of Health Care and Seek to Safeguard Missourians

I have received numerous phone calls, letters and emails from Missouri citizens expressing their outrage with the health care legislation that President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have pushed through Congress.  I want my constituents to know that I share their outrage and in the House we are working to protect our citizens from these harmful federal mandates.

On Sunday evening, when the United States House of Representatives passed their health care bill, yielding over a thousand pages, they immediately took away our basic rights.  Congress and the President have ignored the cry of the American people and they pushed their own agenda – leaving our citizens to pick up the expensive tab.

We are now required to purchase health insurance whether we want to or not.  If we don't, there will be an annual fine close to $700.  Businesses are also affected by the bill.  They are forced to provide insurance to all employees, if their business employs over 50 people.  It doesn't stop there.  The bill also provides tax payer dollars for abortions.

There is a fine line when it comes to mandates, and the federal government has crossed that line.  It was difficult to watch the votes roll in the United States House of Representatives on Sunday evening.  Even though no Republican voted for the bill, the Democrat majority found the votes they needed to pass their bill.

The federal health care bill costs approximately $940 billion, which is a concern as we face such a serious economic depression, not to mention our national debt which has shot up into the trillions.  Someone has to pick up the tab, and that someone is you and me.  We will be taxed through penalties if we refuse to buy health care and adhere to federal guidelines.

Among many of the taxes set forth, a couple stand out:

1. 3.8% tax on investment income for families making over $250,000 and individuals making over $200,000 starting in 2012
2. 40% excise tax on so-called "Cadillac" insurance plans, which are essentially high-end insurance plans

I have no direct influence over the actions of our President and Congress, but I do have a say when it comes to what we do in the Missouri House of Representatives to protect citizens from federal health care mandates.  Why should the government dictate what you must and must not do – especially when it comes to your own health care insurance?

On the first day of this year's session, we introduced the Health Care Freedom Act [HJR57] on the floor of the House and approved it for final passage in early March.  Sponsored by Tim Jones, R – Eureka, it protects Missourians from health care mandates sent to us from the federal government.  I have introduced HCR 39, HCR 9, HJR 74, and HB 2145… all of these bills have to do with protecting your rights when it comes to healthcare.  (HCR's are House Concurrent Resolutions… they are passed by both the House and the Senate and have the effect of law.  HJR's are House Joint Resolutions… they place a proposed amendment to the State Constitution before the voters for approval or they approve an amendment to the United States Constitution.  HB's are House Bills).

The Health Care Freedom Act is a proposed constitutional amendment that gives individuals and employers the opportunity to pay directly for lawful health care services without being subject to federal penalties and states that the purchase or sale of health care insurance in private health care systems cannot be prohibited by law or rule.

This Health Care Freedom Act is vital to the prosperity of the state of Missouri and our citizens.  If it passes the Senate, it will go to a vote of the people.  That means you will have the power to voice your support or opposition for this resolution.

Thirty-three states have filed legislation to oppose the federal health care legislation, and we are hopeful that you will join us in this fight.  States should retain the power to regulate health care and allow their citizens the freedom to choose between health care options in the open market.

House Passes Bill Protecting the Lives of the Unborn and Expecting Mothers

I am firmly planted in my belief that we should do everything in our power to protect the sanctity of life.  In addition to the lives of the unborn, we must remember to shield expectant mothers from harm.  On Monday, we perfected House Bill 1327 and 2000, which changes the laws regarding the consent requirements for obtaining an abortion and creates the crime of coercing an abortion.

Many times, women who seek to get an abortion only do so because they are forced or pressured to do so by their husband, boyfriend or any other outside force.  This is wrong and should be against the law.

If a person is found guilty of this despicable behavior, he or she will be subject to face a class A felony with a maximum prison term of 10 years, a fine of up to $10,000 or both.

The responsibility does not just fall on the coercer, however, but the doctor performing the abortion as well.  Any person who performs or induces an abortion and knows that the pregnant woman has been coerced will be guilty of a class C felony (except in the case of medical emergency).

The bill also takes steps to protect the lives of the unborn through requiring a thorough checklist of items that must be completed before an abortion is performed or induced.

Abortions cannot be performed or induced without the voluntary, informed and uncoerced consent of the expecting mother at least 24 hours prior to the abortion.

The physician must provide orally and in writing the following items:

• The physician's name
• Medically accurate information including the abortion method, any risks associated with the method being performed, alternative to abortion and follow-up care information.
• The gestational age of the unborn child
• The anatomical and physiological characteristics of the unborn child

Physicians must also provide prominently displayed statements encouraging a pregnant woman seeking an abortion to contact agencies that help women carry an unborn child to full term and statements that inform the women that no one can coerce a person to have an abortion.

A facility must maintain a toll-free, confidential, 24-hour hotline telephone number for callers to obtain regional information about abortions, risks and alternative to abortions.  This information must also be available on the facility's website.

Through these important steps, we are hopeful that expecting mothers will be fully informed about abortion and the risks that may result from the procedure.  Most notably, we hope that this legislation will save lives of the unborn and allow expectant mothers to have the care, attention and resources they need to carry their unborn child to full term.

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

The world first skyscraper –Louis Sullivan's Wainwright Building was built in 1897 in St. Louis

The nation's first interstate highway was constructed here (I-70)

The Gateway Arch – at 630 feet – is the nation's tallest man-made monument.

Tim Jones: Balancing The State's Budget, Protecting The Unborn & Expecting Mothers

Bright sunshine and the promise of Spring earlier in the week eventually gave way to rolling storm clouds and drenching rains, reflecting the tumultuous and passionate environment inside the Capitol as we began the difficult work of crafting and passing the State's budget on the House Floor.  House Republicans successfully led the way to making necessary cuts to tighten the belt of Government while continuing to provide all of the basic and necessary services a State Government should.  As the nation continues to struggle through a very difficult economic recession and politicians in DC continue to pass terrible legislation that the American people do not want, the State of Missouri has taken the first step in passing a constitutionally mandated, balanced budget…

"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

BALANCING THE STATE'S BUDGET: HOUSE REPUBLICANS DO THE HEAVY LIFTING

It is no secret that we are facing the worst economy since the Great Depression.  Projected state revenues are down nearly 14% over the past fiscal year.  Our State budget in FY 2010 was $23 Billion and our income no longer permits either sustaining that budget or increasing our next year's budget.  We are facing a $500 M to $800 M revenue short fall in FY 2011 and an additional $900 M in FY 2011.  Raising taxes will severely cripple businesses big and small and cause more long term unemployment.  But many people in our state have grown accustomed to various programs and spending commitments.  We have been flooded with emails from various parties asking that we not make reductions to their program.  Each program has its supporters and its critics.  We all know we need to reduce spending but we have had a hard time reaching an agreement about which programs should stay, go or be reduced.  Unfortunately, however, the work of securing individual legislator agreement to reductions is a hard task.

The Missouri House successfully passed a $23 Billion 2011 budget today.  This budget draft contained spending reductions of over $220 Million.  This may be short of the total reductions that actually need to be made for the next fiscal year. The House was unable to agree on making any additional spending reductions at this time but we will revisit each line item when necessary.  The Senate has agreed to make up differences with additional spending reductions when they receive the budget as passed by the House.  Governor Nixon has also proposed $500 Million of reductions including reductions to K-12 education.  This means the State Senate members have agreed that they will find a way to reduce spending even more than what the House has done.  Under the Missouri Constitution the Missouri General Assembly must pass a balanced budget and the budget must be delivered to the Governor for signature by May 7^th.  It is imperative, therefore, that we not only balance the budget but also deliver the budget on time under the law.  Therefore, the Missouri House voted and passed the Budget and moved it into the Senate for its final phase of spending reduction analysis so that we can reach a final balanced budget on time by May 7^th.  It was very difficult to make the spending reductions that were made and it was more difficult to pass the budget out of the House knowing that there is more that needs to be reduced.  Even so, it is critical that we keep the budget process moving forward so we can reach the next level of debate and the next round of reductions.

Sadly, House Democratic Leadership played politics with our budget and refused to join in the effort to balance the budget.  House Democrats voted against all significant spending reductions and even rejected Governor Nixon's proposed reductions in spending.  Our state is facing a serious budget crisis and a bi-partisan effort, not Washington style politics.  We in the House made the first major rounds of spending reductions for this Budget process.  We will now continue with our negotiations with the Senate for further reductions so that we can balance our budget, keep our state debt low, and set a climate where we can help our economy recover.

Protecting the Lives of the Unborn, Expecting Mothers

I am firmly planted in my belief that we should do everything in our power to protect the sanctity of life.  In addition to the lives of the unborn, we must remember to shield expectant mothers from harm.  On Monday, we perfected House Bill 1327 and 2000, which changes the laws regarding the consent requirements for obtaining an abortion and creates the crime of coercing an abortion. Many times, women who seek an abortion only do so because they are forced or pressured to do so by their husband, boyfriend or any other outside force.  This is wrong and should be against the law.

If a person is found guilty of this despicable behavior, he or she will be subject to face a class A felony with a maximum prison term of 10 years, a fine of up to $10,000 or both.  The responsibility does not just fall on the coercer, however, but the doctor performing the abortion as well.  Any person who performs or induces an abortion and knows that the pregnant woman has been coerced will be guilty of a class C felony (except in the case of medical emergency).

The bill also takes steps to protect the lives of the unborn through requiring a thorough checklist of items that must be completed before an abortion is performed or induced.  Abortions cannot be performed or induced without the voluntary, informed and uncoerced consent of the expecting mother at least 24 hours prior to the abortion.  The physician must provide orally and in writing the following items: The physician's name, medically accurate information including the abortion method, any risks associated with the method being performed, alternative to abortion and follow-up care information.

Physicians must also provide prominently displayed statements encouraging a pregnant woman seeking an abortion to contact agencies that help women carry an unborn child to full term and statements that inform the women that no one can coerce a person to have an abortion. A facility must maintain a toll-free, confidential, 24-hour hotline telephone number for callers to obtain regional information about abortions, risks and alternative to abortions.  This information must also be available on the facility's website.

Through these important steps, we are hopeful that expecting mothers will be fully informed about abortion and the risks that may result from the procedure.  Most notably, we hope that this legislation will save lives of the unborn and allow expectant mothers to have the care, attention and resources they need to carry their unborn child to full term.

HEALTH CARE FREEDOM ACT UPDATE

As mentioned above, 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.  The bill was "third read and passed" out of the House last week by a vote of 109-46.  The bill is now pending in the State Senate and the Senate is also debating their version of the Health Care Freedom Act (SJR 25) as well.  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!

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 April 3, 10 and 17.  For more information, please visit:  http://www.sixflags.com/stLouis/index.aspx

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 fifteen 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

Personal News & Notes

At right: Rep. Jones welcomes his daughters Abbey & Katie to the House floor.

We are now firmly in the second half of Session and the days at the Capitol will grow much longer.  Passionate debate will be held on many important pieces of legislation and we will also continue to have to keep an eye on Washington DC where the rights and liberties of Missourians continue to be at risk every day.  I want to thank everyone who supports me and sacrifices so much during these days of Session, especially as we begin our marathon sprint to the final weeks.

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.

Purgason: Legislation That Supports Common-Sense Citizens

It is hard to go anywhere these days without hearing the overwhelming concerns common-sense citizens have with the problems in Washington and in Jefferson City. While most folks want solutions to the problems we face as a country, they are not happy with what they have seen over the past year from Congress or the Executive branch of our federal government.

Many people have voiced their concerns with the federal health care proposals, out of control government spending and the ever growing $14,000,000,000,000 (trillion) national deficit, but it seems that no one is listening.

Like you, I am concerned about utopian claims from Washington that government can provide more services at less cost. I am also deeply concerned about any proposed federal bureaucratic expansion that would cost state taxpayers another $200 million at a time when the state cannot fund the programs that are now in place.

To ensure your voice is heard by the ruling majority in Congress, your Missouri Senate is working this week to send a message that enough is enough. This week your Missouri Senate pushed back again working for the passage of "The Health Care Freedom Act" (SJR 25). This important legislation would allow the people of Missouri an opportunity to vote for a constitutional amendment that would block mandatory participation in Washington's total government-run health care proposal.

This measure, if passed by the voters, would not allow fines or penalties to be levied against employers and individuals who opt out of government-run care and pay for their own health care. I believe we should protect our individual freedom and not let government bureaucrats gain more control over our lives. I think it is very unfortunate that the states are put into this position. I wish our congress would have addressed some of these issues before it got to the point that it is today, but those opportunities have passed us by.

The Senate Appropriations Committee continued its work this week with discussions on spending priorities and spending cuts to the Governor's recommendations for the state's Fiscal Year 2011 budget which begins July 1. It is no secret that deeper spending cuts will have to be made for next year's budget, but thus far we are just trimming around the edges and rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

At some point in the budget process, the politicians will have to accept the facts, make the spending cuts and balance the budget. However, I expect it may take a little longer than the regular legislative session for the Governor and the General Assembly to come to an agreement on difficult budget cuts. It looks like I may need to contact my landlord and extend the lease on my apartment.

I cannot stress to you enough the severity of the budget this year and even greater problems next year. With that in mind, the Senate this week broke from tradition on floor debate and split up into groups of four to study reforms to our state government. The group to which I was assigned dealt with tax credits and economic development. The department put forth a plan to rearrange our 61 tax credit programs into six more easily managed tax credit departments.

My honest opinion is that government does a really poor job at economic development and we actually create no new jobs. The only jobs we create are ones that produce more red tape and bureaucracies. The private sector is the area that creates jobs --- our small business owners across the state. 92% of the jobs created in this state are created by small businesses, but we spend millions of dollars per year dangling out tax credits and incentives to lure 8% of the businesses to the state at the expense of the ones that are already here.

I think we need to explore a more common-sense business development philosophy such as telling business people that we will lower your taxes, eliminate the red tape of government, lower the rules and regulations and, basically, leave small businesses alone and allow them to do what they do best --- grow and create jobs for the future. Given the current job situation, apparently what we have been doing in economic development is not proving to be successful. Sometimes simple answers for complex problems are better because we as a government have allowed simple problems to become so complex.

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns.  I can be reached in Jefferson City at (573)751-1882, e-mail to chuck{dot}purgason{at}senate{dot}mo{dot}gov or write to me at 201 West Capitol Avenue, Room 420, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Nance: Federal Healthcare Reform, Court Upholds Damages Cap, State Budget Vote

At left: Visiting last week from Lawson and Liberty were Amy, Jennifer, Jake, Isabelle and William Kanning. They took tours of the Capitol, Governor’s Mansion and Whispering Chamber.

"The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem." –Milton Friedman

Federal Healthcare Reform

Many of you have contacted me about the health insurance reform bill passed late Sunday night and signed into law on Tuesday.  You have asked that the state legislature respond by opting out of this plan and protect state sovereignty.

In early March, we passed the Health Care Freedom Act (HJR 57), sponsored by Tim Jones, R – Eureka.  This resolution, which ultimately depends on a vote of the people, proposes a constitutional amendment that provides a shield to safeguard Missourians who do not wish to participate in the federal health care mandate.  The proposal specifically focuses on preventing Missourians from being penalized and taxed for not following Washington D.C.'s requirements of forced health care coverage.

With the passage and signing into law of healthcare reform, we are learning more about the way Washington really works. "Deemed passed" and "reconciliation" are everyday terms now, but the semi-final result of the healthcare law has certainly stirred emotions on both sides.

Should the United States government require health insurance coverage be purchased by all Americans?  Nothing in our Constitution allows this intrusion on our personal freedoms. We all want continued coverage for pre-existing conditions and there are some good parts of the bill. But most are angry with the process, the deals, and the fact that even the Congress cannot tell us what is in the law they just passed. Medicare and Medicaid were simple compared to the 2,700 pages plus that is contained in this law. Medicare costs are now nine times what was originally predicted.

How will the state raise the funds to meet our portion of the cost of increased healthcare coverage mandated by the federal government? The only guarantee we have is the IRS will absolutely collect the taxes and penalties the law calls for with its new 16,500 employees.

The US Debt Clock

To see what is happening with our federal debt and what it source is you can visit The US Debt Clock at:  http://www.usdebtclock.org/

You can see each and every source for the information contained in the clock by passing your cursor over the specific numbers. Sources for the clock include:  CBO, Federal Reserve, US Treasury, US Census, and the OMB.

Court Upholds Cap on Noneconomic Damages

The Missouri Supreme Court issued its opinion Tuesday in Klotz v. Shapiro, a challenge to the state's statutory $350,000 per case cap on noneconomic damages awarded in medical malpractice cases. The court ruled only that the new damage limits do not apply retroactively to injuries that occurred prior to the effective date of the law. However, in its ruling, the court did not overturn the noneconomic damage cap. The statute was enacted in 2005.

State Budget

House Budget Chair Icet was praised this week for his work on the budget process and the bipartisanship exhibited in the budget committee.

Representative Maynard Wallace offered an amendment for school funding to be the same as the previous year and was also praised by democrats for his work and the need to balance the budget with such a tough decision. They, however, voted against his amendment. In the end, however, the final budget vote had more bipartisan support than I have seen in six years.

Many members consider the election year politics and won't vote for the budget. With revenues down, our state is facing a serious budget crisis. The House made the first major rounds of spending reductions for the budget, and will now continue negotiations with the Senate for further reductions needed to balance the budget, keep the state debt low, and set a climate where our economy can recover.

In the Capitol

HB 1625 dealing with S-CHIP passed out of the Insurance Committee Wednesday.  The Senior Citizen Advocacy Committee heard HB 1737 regarding Universal Design in Affordable Housing which would set standards and requirements for the construction and rehabilitation of affordable units.

Jane St. John was at the Capitol promoting awareness of Disability Rights Legislative Day.

A Visit to Orrick's 4^th grade class

On the 15^th of March, I was invited by Mrs. Holm to speak to Orrick's 4^th grade class. I shared my job responsibilities and answered their questions about government. (Picture below)

Nodler: The Fight Against Mandated Healthcare: Giving Missourians a Voice

I joined many of you this week in disbelief as Congress voted to support a healthcare bill that forces all U.S. citizens to purchase healthcare. It violates the personal freedoms that our great nation was founded on and ignores the cries of outrage from citizens throughout the country. On a state level, however, we are working to ensure that Missourians have a voice with Senate Joint Resolution 25, legislation I co-sponsored, that would provide Missouri citizens with a line of defense against this federal mandate.

The federal healthcare bill that was signed into law this week institutes government mandates that will only increase costs and bureaucratic red tape in the healthcare system. It hurts businesses by mandating that they cover their employees. Consumers are the ones who will have to foot this bill as businesses pass on the costs of this coverage to their customers. An unprecedented individual mandate will force citizens to face serious fines if they are not insured. It saddens me that the implications of this $940 billion plan will be felt by our children and grandchildren as federal costs increase and the quality of healthcare in this nation declines.

Heightening costs will also create a serious funding dilemma for states. The healthcare plan forces a massive Medicaid expansion that would cost Missouri taxpayers $1.34 billion over the next 10 years. The federal government has tried to sway states by offering to foot the bill or the expansion until 2017, when the state would pick up 5 percent of the cost. Ultimately, the burden to pay for the expansion is still on the shoulders of you, the taxpayer, whether the check is signed by the state or by the feds.

We took time this week to fight these actions and protect the rights of citizens in this state. We debated SJR 25, a constitutional amendment that, upon voter approval, would provide that no federal law can compel a patient, employer, or healthcare provider in our state to participate in any government or privately run healthcare system. It protects the right of patients and employers to pay directly for legal healthcare services.

Last week, I discussed the importance of protecting our state’s sovereignty. Our country’s Constitution does not give the federal government the power to make citizens enter into private contracts against their will. At this writing, 13 other state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit to try to protect their states and challenge the federal healthcare mandate. The lieutenant governor announced that he will seek to join them, and I support his efforts and hope that Missouri can successfully challenge this misguided attempt at healthcare reform.

Joe Smith: House Republicans Oppose Federal Takeover of Health care, Seek to Safeguard Missourians

This week I have received several phone calls, letters and emails from Missouri citizens expressing their outrage with the health care legislation that President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have pushed through Congress.  I want my constituents to know that I share their outrage and in the House we are working to protect our citizens from these harmful federal mandates.

On Sunday evening, when the United States House of Representatives passed their health care bill, yielding over a thousand pages, they immediately took away our basic rights.  Congress and the President have ignored the cry of the American people and they pushed their own agenda – leaving our citizens to pick up the expensive tab.

We are now required to purchase health insurance whether we want to or not.  If we don't, there will be an annual fine close to $700.  Businesses are also affected by the bill.  They are forced to provide insurance to all employees, if their business employs over 50 people.  It doesn't stop there.  The bill also provides tax payer dollars for abortions.

There is a fine line when it comes to mandates, and the federal government has crossed that line.  It was difficult to watch the votes roll in the United States House of Representatives on Sunday evening.  Even though no Republican voted for the bill, the Democrat majority found the votes they needed to pass their bill.

The federal health care bill costs approximately $940 billion, which is concerning as we face such a serious economic depression, not to mention our national debt which has shot up into the trillions.  Someone has to pick up the tab, and that someone is you and me.  We will be taxed through penalties if we refuse to buy health care and adhere to federal guidelines.  Among many of the taxes set forth, a couple stand out:

1. 3.8% tax on investment income for families making over $250,000 and individuals making over $200,000 starting in 2012
2. 40% excise tax on so-called "Cadillac" insurance plans, which are essentially high-end insurance plans

I have no direct influence over the actions of our President and Congress, but I do have a say when it comes to what we do in the Missouri House of Representatives to protect citizens from federal health care mandates.  Why should the government dictate what you must and must not do – especially when it comes to your own health care insurance?

On the first day of this year's session, we introduced the Health Care Freedom Act [HJR57] on the floor of the House and approved it for final passage in early March.  Sponsored by Tim Jones, R – Eureka, it seeks to protect Missourians from health care mandates sent to us from the federal government.

The Health Care Freedom Act is a proposed constitutional amendment that gives individuals and employers the opportunity to pay directly for lawful health care services without being subject to federal penalties and states that the purchase or sale of health care insurance in private health care systems cannot be prohibited by law or rule. This Health Care Freedom Act is vital to the prosperity of the state of Missouri and our citizens.  If it passes the Senate, it will go to a vote of the people.  That means you will have the power to voice your support or opposition for this resolution.

Thirty-three states have filed legislation to oppose the federal health care legislation, and we are hopeful that you will join us in this fight.  States should retain the power to regulate health care and allow their citizens the freedom to choose between health care options in the open market.  The Missouri State Senate is debating Health Care Freedom Act this week in the State Senate so please contact them and ask them pass this legislation.

Joe Smith: House Passes Bill Protecting the Lives of the Unborn, Expecting Mothers

I am firmly planted in my belief that we should do everything in our power to protect the sanctity of life.  In addition to the lives of the unborn, we must remember to shield expectant mothers from harm.  On Monday, we perfected House Bill 1327 and 2000, which changes the laws regarding the consent requirements for obtaining an abortion and creates the crime of coercing an abortion. Many times, women who seek to get an abortion only do so because they are forced or pressured to do so by their husband, boyfriend or any other outside force.  This is wrong and should be against the law.

If a person is found guilty of this despicable behavior, he or she will be subject to face a class A felony with a maximum prison term of 10 years, a fine of up to $10,000 or both.  The responsibility does not just fall on the coercer, however, but the doctor performing the abortion as well.  Any person who performs or induces an abortion and knows that the pregnant woman has been coerced will be guilty of a class C felony (except in the case of medical emergency).

The bill also takes steps to protect the lives of the unborn through requiring a thorough checklist of items that must be completed before an abortion is performed or induced.   Abortions cannot be performed or induced without the voluntary, informed and un-coerced consent of the expecting mother at least 24 hours prior to the abortion.  The physician must provide orally and in writing the following items:

• The physician's name
• Medically accurate information including the abortion method, any risks associated with the method being performed, alternative to abortion and follow-up care information.
• The gestational age of the unborn child
• The anatomical and physiological characteristics of the unborn child

Physicians must also provide prominently displayed statements encouraging a pregnant woman seeking an abortion to contact agencies that help women carry an unborn child to full term and statements that inform the women that no one can coerce a person to have an abortion. A facility must maintain a toll-free, confidential, 24-hour hotline telephone number for callers to obtain regional information about abortions, risks and alternative to abortions.  This information must also be available on the facility's website.

Through these important steps, we are hopeful that expecting mothers will be fully informed about abortion and the risks that may result from the procedure.  Most notably, we hope that this legislation will save lives of the unborn and allow expectant mothers to have the care, attention and resources they need to carry their unborn child to full term.

Rep. Tim Jones Announces Missouri Lieutenant Governor's Senior Service Award Recipient

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Rep. Tim Jones, R-Eureka, announced Tuesday that Jan Long, Eureka, was named as one of the recipients of Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder's Senior Service Award.  Jones named Long as a nominee for the Mid-East Region.

"Jan is an extremely giving and caring woman," Jones said. "Her extraordinary compassion and willingness to help her community has defined her as a senior citizen who goes above and beyond."

The Lieutenant Governor's Service Award acknowledges senior citizens that provide their local communities with at least 40 hours of community service per year.  Kinder will present the award to Long in Eureka.  In addition, Kinder will hold a luncheon for all ten recipients of the award in his office in Jefferson City.

Long is the owner and operator of Long Ford in Eureka.  She and her husband were the founders of Rockwood Bank in Eureka where she plans and takes all the Senior trips with the Prestige Club of Rockwood Bank.  Long is also the founder of the Eureka Historical Society and organized the Tri-County Helpmates more than 25 years ago.

Cunningham: “Health Care Freedom Act” to be Debated on Senate Floor Wednesday

Missouri Sen. Jane Cunningham’s Senate Joint Resolution 25, which prohibits federal laws from interfering with freedom of choice in health care, will allow Missouri to be one of the first states in the country to debate how states will respond to the recently-passed federal health care on Wednesday, March 23.

Senate Joint Resolution 25 calls for Missouri voters to approve a constitutional amendment that says no federal law can force a patient, employer, or health care provider to participate in any government or privately run health care system. The legislation will also protect small businesses from hefty mandates and job killing payroll taxes. The proposed legislation has 20 Senate co-sponsors and is being emulated in 37 other states.

“This legislation doesn’t reject any federal health care option, or take away any current health care rights. It simply expands and protects the current options Missourians have,” said Sen. Cunningham. “That being said, I will continue to fight the unconstitutional encroachments of the federal government upon our state under the guise of health care reform. We want to tell the federal government ‘Don’t Tread on The Show Me State.”

Kraus: Fiscal Responsibility

Bill on Bicycle and Walking Days Goes to the Senate

Last week, I presented HB 1691 to the House of Representatives for a vote.  This bill requires the governor to issue annual proclamations for a Walk and Bike to School month and day in October and Bike to Work month, day and week in May.  It received strong bipartisan support as it passed by a vote of 142 yes, one no, and one present.  The bill has been sent to the Senate and has been assigned to the Progress and Development Committee.

I would like to thank Brent Hugh, Executive Director of the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation, Jonathan Hugh, and all others who have helped with this bill.

At no cost to the state, days such as this provide an opportunity for schools to organize safe passage for kids to walk or ride to school; create enthusiasm, knowledge and comradeship for healthy exercise; and lead to positive physical and mental health benefits for Missourians.

Lee's Summit Musical Cast Performs in Jefferson City

I enjoyed meeting with the Lee's Summit West High School winter musical cast last week.  The students were honored by being selected to perform at the state Capitol on March 16.  My time with the group was very well spent.  I always find it fruitful to meet with students, talk with them about the job of a state representative, and be challenged with their questions and concerns.

Members of the cast performed "What I Did for Love" from "A Chorus Line" as part of the Fine Arts Education Day, sponsored by the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education.

Health Care Vote

To protect Missourians against being forced to purchase health insurance, I voted for HJR 48, 50 & 57 in the House of Representatives.  This resolution, passed last week, proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Missourians from being mandated to participate in any health care system.  This vote is particularly timely in light of Sunday's passage of the health care legislation in the U.S. Congress.

After being passed in the House, the state resolution has been sent to the Senate for its consideration.  If approved by both chambers, it would go to Missouri voters for approval.

The Constitution of the United States limits the powers of the federal government and gives all others not named in the Constitution to the states.  It does not allow the federal government to step into everyone's lives to make an individual's health care decisions.  It does not allow the federal government to require that citizens purchase particular goods and services just because they live in the United States.

As a representative who believes in listening to constituents, I am sickened by the legislative sleight of hand used to force passage of the federal legislation to which most Americans are opposed.  The sheer number and magnitude of the special deals needed to buy votes to pass the federal health care legislation should alert us to the weakness and wrong direction of this bill.

In Missouri, I'm very glad that the House stepped up to pass HJR 48, 50 & 57 to stop health care mandates and the citizens of our state may have a chance to vote on it as a constitutional amendment.  Let's let the citizens decide on this massive re-structuring of our health care system.

House of Representatives Cuts Its Budget

Missouri's budget has undergone numerous cuts in staff and programs as state revenues continue to spiral downward.   As we look for ways to decrease spending in the state budget, we also have made significant decreases in our own House budget as well.

An obvious place to cut in a tight budget year is to decrease our work-related travel expenses.  Most travel expense reimbursements are now being denied.   Professional memberships are also being dropped.  In the past, the House has been a member of several key organizations including the National Conference of State Legislatures, the American Legislative Exchange Council, and the Council of State Governments.  This year, we opted out of our memberships in an effort to reduce spending for a total of $345,000 in savings.

In addition, we worked with the Joint Committee on Legislative Research to eliminate the Legislative Budget Office, which saved $242,000.  We have saved another $100,000 – 200,000 of the House budget fund that would have been used in redistricting responsibilities.

Technology brings a mixed bag of costs and savings and its use, even if beneficial, must always be monitored for need versus available funds.  Therefore, reimbursements for cellular phones used for work have also been eliminated, saving the House $55,000.  In the Chambers, the House plans to replace a cumbersome paper system with laptop computers to reduce paper consumption and costs.  Although laptops are expensive, over time we expect to see significant decreases in paper costs and a more efficient handling of House business.

I hear from my constituents that they are concerned about the cost and size of government.  Out of Missouri's 2010 Operating Budget, only 1.6 cents of every dollar goes to the combined offices of Elected Officials, Judiciary, Legislature and Public Defender.  While the House budget is a very small part of the total state budget, I'm glad that we have joined our fellow Missourians in making sacrifices.

MoDOT to Sell Excess Property

Thirty-two pieces of prime real estate throughout the state will go on the auction block April 26-30 when the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) holds its second Realty to Roads property sale.   MoDOT plans to use the money on road and bridge projects.

A similar effort to sell excess property last November netted more than $675,000 for road and bridge projects. Because that sale was so successful, the transportation department is looking to move another 32 pieces of property off of its inventory. The parcels range in size from a quarter of an acre to 200 acres.

The property is no longer needed to build, improve or maintain the state highway system. Selling the excess right of way not only brings in extra money for highway projects, but it saves maintenance costs and puts the property back on the tax rolls to the advantage of local communities.

Additional information about the property for sale can be found on MoDOT's Web site, www.modot.org/realtyforsale.

Holsman's Urban Farming Bill Passes Committee

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Shortly after two o'clock today, the Missouri House of Representatives' Committee on Agriculture Policy unanimously voted to pass a bill [HB1848] sponsored by State Representative Jason R. Holsman, D-Kansas City, which would create a task force to study urban agriculture and vertical farming in Missouri's metropolitan areas. The committee also unanimously voted to mark the bill as a 'consent bill' which means that the proposed legislation is non-controversial in nature. Consent bills are often fast-tracked through the legislative process as they can usually be passed out of the house without substantial change.

At left: Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser traveled to
Jefferson City to testify in favor of House Bill 1848.

The Agriculture Policy Committee held a hearing on the bill on Thursday, March 18th, but waited to vote on the issue until today. In Thursday's hearing, several witnesses testified in favor of the bill, including Katherine Kelly from the K.C. Center for Urban Agriculture, Gwenne Hayes-Stewart from Gateway Greening, Adam Saunders from the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, and Mayor Mark Funkhouser from Kansas City. Mayor Funkhouser, in his testimony, commented that in many urban areas of Missouri, it was easier for citizens to find and purchase unhealthy foods, such as cheeseburgers than wholesome fruits and vegetables. No one testified against the bill.

"There is a lot of interest in the idea of urban agriculture, and multiple initiatives are underway in my city and throughout the state to encourage it," said Funkhouser, "I am gratified that Rep. Holsman took the lead and introduced this legislation. Passage of Holsman's bill will ensure we bring together the most useful strategies in this almost forgotten art."

Having been marked as a consent bill greatly increases the proposed legislation's chances of making its way through the General Assembly. The bill still needs to be approved by the House, pass through the Senate, and be signed by the governor before it becomes law.

"Not only is this a good idea, but this will be a great opportunity for youth," said Rep. Steve Hodges, D-Mississippi County, a member of the Agriculture Policy Committee, "this will give people in the metro areas a sense of achievement; taking a vacant lot full of trash and junk and turning it into something functional."

Ruestman: School Construction Act

This week the Missouri House of Representatives goes to work on the budget bills.  We are making every effort to find the least painful cuts in order to balance the budget.  The Republican majority is still maintaining its struggle to fully fund the education formula.  The price has not been determined yet, but there will be programs affected.  Your local counties, municipalities and school districts have found themselves with a shortage as well.  We must all have consideration for each other.

This year, I am once again sponsoring the School Construction Act [HB2276].  This is a bill to lower the cost of labor on school construction, remodeling and maintenance.  This could save you, the taxpayer, up to 25% on much-needed new school buildings.  It allows local school boards to opt out of the prevailing wage requirement which inflates wages significantly above the local rate.

The fiscal note provided for the bill estimates that it could save the state between $600 million and $1 billion.  I remind you that these are YOUR TAX DOLLARS.  You could certainly spend that money yourself rather than paying it toward an inflated cost of new schools.  If we are able to get a public building using less taxpayer money, why wouldn't we?  Quality is not jeopardized because the same architect serves as an inspector for the job no matter what the cost or who provides the labor.

Last week this bill, House Bill 1960, passed out of the House Workforce Development Committee.  It is now headed to the Rules Committee for final clearance before heading to the Floor for debate.  I'll be busy building a solid coalition to support schools.

If you have problems, questions or wish to express concern over an issue, please do not hesitate to contact me or my Legislator Assistant, Jonathan, at my Capitol office either by phone 573-751-9801 or by e-mail at Marilyn{dot}Ruestman{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.

Keaveny: Mid-Session Report Available Soon

Residents of the 4^th Senate district can expect my 2010 mid-session newsletter to arrive in their mailbox very soon. This publication gives constituents an in-depth opportunity to see the progress we've made so far this session, including a list of my legislative priorities and a survey that asks for your opinion on critical issues facing our district and state. Click here to see the electronic version of the 2010 mid-session newsletter or here to take my 2010 survey online.

My website can be a great resource for you, as it includes an updated community service directory, the Missouri Unclaimed Property database, press releases, handouts and information on scheduling a visit to the Capitol or requesting a Senate resolution.

My goal is to keep you as informed as possible as we rapidly approach the end of the session on May 14.

Please be on the lookout for my mid-session report, and as always, don't hesitate to contact my office at (866) 783-1534 or (573) 751-3599. I look forward to hearing from you.

Gatschenberger: Health Care Addendum to March 19th Capitol Report

TennCare Shows Folly of Government-Run Healthcare

by James R. Edwards Jr. (from HumanEvents.com the week of February 15, 2010)

The slam-dunk election of Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts has apparently taught Washington Democrats nothing.  They remain hell-bent on forcing their version of "health reform" on the country.

Yet, a valuable lesson could be learned from one of the best teachers, experience.  Democrats should consider the nightmare known as TennCare.

I worked in the Tennessee congressional delegation or lived in Tennessee during the first years of the TennCare experiment-gone-awry.  That well-intentioned but grossly utopian program parallels the health legislation produced by the U.S. House and Senate.

In 1994, Democratic Gov. Ned Ray McWherter revamped Tennessee's Medicaid program and kicked it off as TennCare.  It was to do what no government-run health care had ever done successfully before:  reduce costs while expanding coverage to more people.

Much like the current federal legislation, TennCare was supposed to cover the uninsured and uninsurable in the state.  It was supposed to provide affordable health coverage.  It was supposed to squeeze out waste and overutilization of medical services.

Things didn't go as planned by McWherter and his Health Services Commissioner, Nancy-Ann Min DeParle.  If DeParle's name sounds familiar, it could be because she became a health official in the Clinton administration and now serves as Obama's health czarina.

TennCare quickly signed up people.  The state's uninsured population fell significantly.  Some 1.2 million enrolled in the program by 1998.

But "crowd-out" also kicked in.  Only 55 percent of TennCare beneficiaries had previously been uninsured.  The rest were people who had had private, employment-based health insurance but moved over to "free" health care.

All those newly insured Tennesseans became new patients.  They took advantage of their new insurance, which charged people right over the poverty line just $2.74 in monthly premiums.  TennCare promised them generous coverage for doctors, hospitals and medicine.  It shifted them from the emergency room to doctor's offices.

According to Rep. Phil Roe, a physician who now represents Tennessee's First Congressional District, TennCare patients with sniffles went to the doctor and billed the state for a prescription instead of heading to the local drug store and themselves paying for over-the-counter medicine.

As Ronald Reagan reminded us, you get more of what you subsidize.  And Tennessee subsidized medical services in a big way.  The Wall Street Journal said in 2004, "If a doctor prescribes aspirin, TennCare pays for it.  Ditto for antacids for heartburn and other over-the-counter products."  Tennessee became the leading state for prescription medicine consumption.

TennCare's "free" care sparked unsustainable increases in the program's costs.  Its 1.2 million to 1.4 million beneficiaries sent program costs from $2.5 billion in 1995 to $8 billion by 2006.  TennCare gobbled up 38 percent of the entire state budget.

The governor who inherited this nightmare, Don Sundquist, wrestled to meet the unpredictable and unsustainable costs.  The Republican even floated a state income tax, which taxpayers understandably rejected.  His successor, Democrat Phil Bredesen, fought liberal lawyers to eventually reduce TennCare's rolls and overhaul its benefits structure.

To control costs, TennCare slashed what it paid providers.  The program reimbursed doctors at such low rates for treating TennCare patients, doctors stopped seeing TennCare patients.  Hospital reimbursements dipped to 60 percent underpayment.  PriceWaterhouseCoopers determined in 1999 that TennCare underpaid providers 10 percent under the level regarded as "actuarially sound."  Providers began to shift costs to privately insured patients, charging them more and forcing private health costs up.

The state couldn't disenroll people from TennCare, despite state audits showing widespread fraud and abuse.  Litigation terrorists at the Tennessee Justice Center sued the state to keep it from tightening eligibility rules.

TennCare contracted out the administration of the program to private insurers.  Despite the best efforts of managed care, TennCare didn't allow real-world forces to work.  So, the state's Blue Cross Blue Shield left TennCare.  Of 11 private insurers managing Tenncare, three went bankrupt.  The state government ended up taking over the risk management of TennCare.

The bureaucracy to oversee TennCare also swelled.  Government bureaucrats became a regular part of medical practice.  The government interference wasted doctors' and other providers' time and resources.  It also interfered with actual treatment of patients.

Over a decade after its inception, TennCare the monster has finally been changed back from Mr. Hyde to Dr. Jekyll.  It has nearly returned to a normal, expensive, wasteful government-run Medicaid entitlement program.

Gov. Bredesen pared the TennCare rolls.  He established CoverTN, a more sustainable program for covering Tennesseans without private insurance who don't qualify for Medicaid.  This program covers up to $25,000 of health care annually, and carries more realistic premiums and copayments.

Unfortunately for America, not only have Washington Democrats learned nothing from the Massachusetts Senate shot heard 'round the political world.  An architect of the TennCare nightmare has learned nothing about the folly of government-run health care.

It is impossible for the government to do health care well.  It can't contain costs.  It can't improve quality.  It can't expand access to decent care.  It can't manage insurance.  Only private, market-based health care can achieve cost containment, quality improvement and expanded access to decent care all at the same time.  Can't we please learn from the TennCare debacle?

Schaefer: Legislation Sent to House, Gubernatorial Appointment Sponsorship

Since returning from Spring Break, there has been a flurry of activity both in the Legislature and in my office. Several bills received the Senate's approval this week and the Senate announced an innovative plan to consider citizens' ideas on how to streamline state government.

Sponsored Legislation Sent to the House

On Thursday, Senate Bill 887 was given final approval in the Senate by a 26-5 vote. This bill places spice cannabinoids (commonly known as "spice" or "K2") on the state's list of Schedule I controlled substances. In addition, Senate Bill 855, which creates Heritage Birth and Marriage Certificates, was also sent to the House of Representatives on Thursday for similar consideration.

Bills Considered In Committee

I also presented multiple bills in committees this week. On Tuesday, I presented Senate Bill 917 to the Small Business, Insurance, and Industry Committee. This bill would establish standard criteria for measuring the quality of health care providers. 

In addition, I presented Senate Bill 918, which would establish provisions regarding pharmacy benefit managers (PBM), to the Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee. This bill would prohibit PBM's from automatically enrolling a pharmacy in a contract or modifying an existing contract without permission from the pharmacy. A PBM would also be prohibited from reassigning a prescription that has been presented in one pharmacy to another pharmacy in the PBM's network. When the PBM contacts the prescribing health care practitioner to confirm or modify the original prescription, the prescription must be filled at the in-network pharmacy of the patient's choice.

On Wednesday, I present Senate Bill 999 to the Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee. This bill introduces a job creation measure aimed at developing 21st century manufacturing jobs. As data centers and other technology-focused jobs are created in the United States, Missouri (especially central Missouri) is in a position to lead the way in new and developing economic fields. The average data centers could employ up to 200 full-time permanent jobs and create thousands of construction jobs for the 19th district.

Gubernatorial Appointments

This week I sponsored one gubernatorial appointment. Michael Warrick (at right) was appointed to serve as a member of the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan Board of Trustees. The board is charged with maximizing the health care purchasing power of public entities in our state. In addition, the board is responsible for the general administration and operation of the plan covering medical expenses of various participants, in charge of the financial viability of the trust, establishes all eligibility and participation requirements for members wishing to join the plan, and develops all rules and regulations necessary to efficiently operate the plan.

Streamlining State Government

The Senate took a major step this week to address how to best deal with our state's declining revenues while still remaining fiscally responsible. My colleagues and I will set aside a full day to work in groups and review more than 500 ideas that have been submitted to the Senate's "Rebooting Government" website. This site allows citizens to submit their ideas on how to reboot Missouri state government, whether it be through more control, alterations, or deletions.

Eight groups of four senators will be assigned with coming up with five ideas they agree on that will either be introduced in legislation or implemented through the budget process. Groups will meet to examine ideas in the following categories:

• Agriculture/Outdoors/Department of Natural Resources
• Courts/Legal/Department of Public Safety
• Education
• General Government/Office of Administration
• Retirement
• Social Programs
• Tax Structure
• Transportation

I will participate in the Agriculture/Outdoors/Department of Natural Resources groups with Sen. Frank Barnitz, D-Lake Spring; Sen. Dan Clemens, R-Marshfield; and Sen. Wes Shoemyer, D-Clarence. Public notices will be posted regarding the location where each group will be meeting. Public testimony will not be taken at these meetings; however, all working groups will be open to the public.

Missourians can continue to submit their ideas by visiting the Senate's Rebooting Government website (www.senate.mo.gov/RebootMO). Submissions may be anonymous and ideas will continue to be accepted throughout the legislative session.

Notes from the District

I would also like to extend my congratulations to two basketball teams from my district that have excelled this season. I will present a resolution to the Moberly High School Spartans and Lady Spartans for their winning seasons.


Thank you for your continued interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Randolph counties. If you have any questions or concerns involving state government, please contact my office.