Torpey: Significant Citizen Reaction To Prop B Revisions, Deputy Whip Appointment

Ed. Notes: Senate Bill 4 is incorrectly identified in this missive as Senate Bill 50. SB50 would allow electric companies to recover costs for developing new plants with consumer rate increases. Also, Stanley Cox is sponsor of HB131, not Chuck Gatschenberger.

A Special Note

This week, we have received many phone calls and emails in relation to legislation wanting to change or repeal Proposition B. Several members of the Missouri General Assembly have crafted legislation with varying language, from Senator Stouffer’s Senate Bill (50) which plans to repeal the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act in its entirety, to Representative Gatschenberger’s House Bill (131) which would simply modify some of the language of the Act. There is a lot of information on our House website, so I urge all of you to consider all sides of the issue. I look forward to receiving more letters, emails, and phone calls with your opinions. At the end of the day, the Missouri voters have spoken on this issue, and I believe that the General Assembly needs to remember that.

2011 Legislative Session continues

This week, members heard many bills for the first time. However, a bulk of our time in session was spent on House Bills 73 and 47, relating to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives heard the legislation once again, along with many amendments to edit the two bills. These two pieces of legislation, which after amendments, were finally read and passed, require certain recipients of TANF money to be tested for the illegal use of controlled substances. These bills not will not only help ensure that state TANF money is being used efficiently with recipients, but will also be another safeguard for children in homes where controlled substances are being used. In the end, I believe that all Missouri children deserve to grow up in a safe and comfortable home and House Bills 73 and 47 will aide that these children are taken care of.

Committees

House Speaker Steven Tilley announced the creation of two new special committees Tuesday. Tilley formed the committees to address the issues of services to the disabled and renewable energy. He appointed Representative Jeff Grisamore to serve as the chairman of the House Special Committee on Disability Services. Tilley appointed Rep. Jason Holsman chair the House Special Committee on Renewable Energy.

A bulk of my meetings this week were for my committee on Fiscal Review and my committee on Appropriations of Public Safety and Corrections. Fiscal Review committee read the fiscal note/review for the TANF bills and discussed the impact on the General Revenue fund. The Small Business committee met, as usual, to discuss current legislation affecting small businesses of Missouri. In Downsizing State Government, we heard House Bill 44, sponsored by Rep. Sara Lampe regarding the Paper Reduction Act and House Bill 139, sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith regarding the Missouri Accountability Portal.

Leadership

Early this week, Representative Jason Smith, Majority Whip, graciously appointed me as a Deputy Whip. This new position will help me play a key role in helping our caucus achieve its legislative priorities for the 2011 legislative session. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve in this position; I will be able to better represent the interests of the 52^nd District and I definitely look forward to working to help ensure the passage of legislation that will be of great benefit to the people in our area as well as the entire state of Missouri.

If you have any questions or concerns, call or email my office and we will get back to you as soon as possible. I hope you all enjoy the warmer weather we are blessed with this week!