Hoskins: "Full Steam Ahead" on HB45, Committee Updates

A busy week of legislative work has ended with a big snow storm. These are the days when we are sure glad to see those MoDOT snow plows clearing the way. Many thanks to all those people clearing our roads and at all hours. These are also the days when I’m glad to have four wheel drive on my own vehicle.

­Legislation

In continuation of last week’s report, HB 45 moves full steam ahead. The Big Government Get Off My Back Act was completely voted out by the House this morning and will now head to the Senate for consideration. I am proud to report that this is the first bill not only to have been debated this session but is now the first bill to be fully passed out of the House.

As I visited with constituents this summer and fall, I repeatedly heard them say that we need to find ways to put people back to work. The vast majority of new jobs are created by small businesses. That is just as true in Johnson County as anywhere else in the country. HB 45 provides a tool to encourage small businesses with 50 employees or less to earn a tax deduction for new full-time jobs paying at least the average county wage. In Johnson County, these jobs will pay at least $30,000.

Debate on the House floor yesterday afternoon was fairly lively and I felt quite productive. There was limited opposition to the bill and it came from people that admitted to not having much experience in owning or working with a small business. When the final vote was taken, the House was extremely supportive with 136 voting for HB 45 and only 21 opposing it. I’m not the only small business owner in the House as I kept hearing from House members who either own small businesses or are involved with small businesses in some way. As you see by the way this passed the House, the Missouri House understands the importance of supporting small business development as much as possible.

In other legislative news to report, my committee, Appropriations – Transportation and Economic Development, held two meetings this week. The first was an organizational meeting to help the members become better acquainted. With 9 of the 15 members being newly elected, we need every opportunity to get to know each other. At the second meeting, we heard public testimony from associations and communities concerning the importance of funding for programs contributing to efficient transportation and positive economic development. Of the 12 who spoke, several testified in support of Amtrak. I see the value of Amtrak since it stops in Warrensburg but there are many legislators not nearly as familiar with it. Railroads save time and rail travel is safer than driving. I’m certainly an advocate.

Wednesday evening, the House Chamber hosted Governor Nixon’s State of the State address. I am glad the Governor is in agreement with the General Assembly that it is imperative to put Missourians back to work and maintain a balanced budget. I have concerns about some of his key points as how they might potentially impact the 121st District. For example, I was puzzled that of the 863 state jobs he proposes to be eliminated, not one was within his own office. As House members, we are leading by example as we have already reduced expenses and are continuing to pursue other ways to cut our own expenditures. Governor Nixon also made note of his planned 7% reductions to 4-year universities and community colleges totaling $53.6 million to 4-years and $10.2 million to community colleges. This does not sound good for Johnson County. The final point that he made in his speech that I found especially of concern is Governor Nixon’s suggestion that K-12 schools will see level funding. As with most things, the devil's in the details. The Governor's statement is incumbent upon schools to sit on over $112M in new dollars until next fiscal year, a decision that will be made across 522 school districts statewide. As school districts continue to struggle, it will obviously be hard for them to sit on a cash balance while continuing to cope with lower local contributions and a withhold by the Governor of over $62 million in school transportation funds. Regardless, under the current plan by the Governor, there will most certainly be less appropriated to schools next year, which will change the way funds are distributed through the formula setting the stage for an unfortunate 'who loses the most' contest. Education is not an area that should be involved in a tug of war.

In Other News

While the Missouri Association of Realtors was in Jefferson City this week, I learned about an opportunity I’d like to share with you. This organization sponsors Missouri Business Week, a business and leadership educational opportunity for high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors. It will be held June 26-30 at the University of Missouri. Encourage high school students you know who might be interested in a week of learning about business and teamwork to check this out. Go to www.missouribusinessweek.com for more details and the application information.

Last week, I asked you to join me in going to Union Pacific’s web site to vote for the Little Rock Express to bring the Union Pacific Steam Train through Missouri in 2011. I am delighted to report that we did it! The Missouri-Arkansas route was selected by 3000+ votes more than the three other routes being considered. The others under consideration were the Tuscola Turn (Iowa-Illinois), the Baton Rouge Rambler (Texas-Louisiana), and the Boise Limited (Idaho-Utah). Be watching for information for when the Little Rock Express comes through Johnson County on its way to the first stop in Boonville.

Capitol Visitors

In spite of the snowy weather to round out the week, there have been lots of visitors in the Capitol. Johnson County was well represented at the Missouri Association of Realtors. A strong contingent that came to my office included Heather Myers, Vance and Loree DeLozier, Bill Aldrich, Pam Petersen, Jeff and Ramie Terry, and Joseph C. LeMay. Don Peterson was also by my office in support of KMOS, another important resource for the community and a big piece of west central Missouri. Even when I’m in Jefferson City, I have ready access to KMOS on local cable.

Please share this report with anyone you feel would be interested in this information. It is genuinely a privilege to serve as your state representative. In the meantime, keep warm and be safe during this true January weather.