Allen: Bilzzard of 2011, Last Week's Legislative Action, Healthcare Compact

Blizzard 2011

We entered February witnessing a rare event with much of the state of Missouri under a blizzard warning. This blizzard left many Missourians and travelers stuck at work, stuck on the roads—but hopefully most were stuck safe at home.

We had met for session on Monday and Tuesday of that week, but dismissed the rest so those who could get home would have time. Other than the sheer display that Mother Nature put on, I was impressed with the job our highway patrol, MODOT, and emergency personnel did in preparing and reacting to the weather.

While some people were able to make it home, I was unable. The drive was too far and the snow was coming down too fast for me to even consider it, so I had decided to book a room at the nearby Capitol Plaza Hotel. There was a large group of us that had opted to stay. We spent the days reading over our appropriation committee material and brainstorming ideas to better deal with our state’s current fiscal situation. These informal meetings proved very fruitful and perhaps will pay off in the long run, both figuratively and literally.

State of the Judiciary Address

Last Wednesday, February 9, Chief Justice William Ray Price, of the Missouri Supreme Court gave the annual State of the Judiciary Address. His address had one main theme: the problem of over-incarceration.

Judge Price pointed out that the recidivism rate on non-violent offenders was 58.5% after 5 years. This high rate is very costly to the state, both monetarily and in overall public safety. He urged for the expansion of Drug Courts, Adolescent Courts, and Veterans Courts. These courts, according to Judge Price, take a much more rehabilitative approach to non-violent offenders and have substantially less recidivism.

I have discussed the problem of recidivism with many constituents. While we need to be tough on crime, we also need to be smart about it. Probationary programs like the Hawaii’s “HOPE Program” and specialized courts around the country have proven to be effective. Based on a City of St. Louis’ cost-benefit analysis, after two years, the state saves $2.80 for each $1 spent on drug courts. After four years, the state gains $6.32 for each $1 spent on drug courts.

In the end, it’s a matter of Public Safety and Missouri needs to do what works.

You can find the State of the Judiciary Address in its entirety at the Missouri Court’s website, www.courts.mo.gov.

Last Week’s Major Legislative Action

House Bill 162

This week the House passed HB 162 sponsored by Rep. Barney Fisher. This bill addresses the precedent set by the Franklin v. CertainTeed Corp. court ruling which, for the first time in history, moved occupational disease claims from the workers compensation system into the courts. HB 162 reverses this ruling. This legislation will permit appropriate compensatory damages to once again be determined by the worker’s compensation system. The result will be a reduction in liability insurance cost for small business and less of a burden on our court system. This saves taxpayer money that can be used to educate our children and strengthen the job market in Missouri.

House Bill 91

Sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nolte, HB 91 specifies that an employer and his or her employees will not be liable for any injury or death for which compensation is recoverable under provisions of workers compensation. HB 91 will also be taken up for perfection in the House next week. This common sense legislation will reduce the cost of liability insurance, reduce the burden on our court system, and create a better environment to attract small businesses to Missouri.

Healthcare Compact

State governments all across the country are tired of the encroachment of the federal government. As a result, several states have banded together to sue the Federal Government, asking judges to strike down Obamacare as unconstitutional. These efforts are making progress, as several courts have now found the law unconstitutional. However, other courts have upheld the law.

The US Supreme Court will ultimately determine if the law is constitutional or not. Missouri needs to be proactive to offer a good healthcare plan in case Obamacare is not repealed. This week, Representative Burlison introduced HB 423, which creates a “Health Care Compact” with other states.

A compact is a legal device that states can use to work together aside from the Federal Government. We already have compacts on issues as diverse as energy production, our border with Nebraska, and the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Compacts can be given legal powers from Congress that overrule Federal Laws, like Obamacare.

By consenting to this Compact, Congress agrees that each member state can enact state laws that supersede any federal regulations within the state in the area of health care. This would allow us to create our own laws governing healthcare for individuals in Missouri.

Budget Committee Doings

Last week on Budget we passed out HCR 3 that relates to the submission of a proposed federal balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution. It is time for the federal government to begin acting responsibly with YOUR tax dollars. There is little that can be construed as responsible about the way the federal government continues to rack up record deficits. Continuing to deficit spend, says you either do not understand the problem, do not care about the problem, or your goal is economic turmoil.

Survey’s are in!

So far, we have received nearly 1000 of the surveys sent out in January. I am reading the comments and we are compiling results of survey questions. While I have had a few responses about a bias of questions, the comments have overwhelmingly spoken FOR the tone of the questions. I actually was occasionally able to identify the responder from the "comment" prior to seeing the return name.

The one survey question most unclear was regarding "alternative energy". That issue is complex and over time I will attempt to clarify some of those questions. Solar is an alternative energy not identified in the question. We do currently have discussion occurring in Town and Country regarding solar.

Also quite a few responses identified concerns that NEED to be addressed at the federal level, in Washington, DC. I very much share these concerns and always encourage citizens to contact our US Senators and Congressman. That contact information is in the District Directory I sent out in 2009. I have to hope our calls and emails with respectful concerns are heard. Otherwise we need to vote accordingly in subsequent elections.

Thanks again to all those who participated, we will be sending the results to all those who responded later this month.

MOSourceLink

I would like to make small business owners in the district aware of a free resource that is at their disposal. MOSourceLink is a program that can help connect local business owners to business resources offered in their area.

MOSourceLink partners with more than 350 governmental and nonprofit resource organizations. These partners can offer and help facilitate information in areas such as business startups and planning, marketing and sales, funding, loans, product development, operations, and virtually any other business-related field of interest.

I encourage both business owners and aspiring business owners in our district to get in contact with MOSourceLink with any questions or assistance they may need. Programs like MOSourceLink can be invaluable to our local businesses, especially in this tough economic climate.

Here is their contact information:

Phone: (866)-870-6500

Website: www.MoSourceLink.com

This Week in Pictures

At a Press Conference discussing my Cyber-Bullying Bill, HB 273.

Junior League ladies from across the state will be visiting the Capitol this week to lobby their legislators to support HB 273. The intent of HB 273 is to protect EVERY student from being bullied. This provides Missouri statute with a standardized definition of cyber-bullying and directs Public Schools to formalize cyber-bullying policies, reporting mechanisms, and teacher training. HB 273 seeks to empower Missouri Public Schools to handle cases of cyber-bullying with appropriate measures while also preserving parental rights in such matters.

I am glad to have the Junior League’s support and look forward to their delicious cinnamon rolls!