Hoskins: Crowded Capitol Halls Signifies Citizen Participation, Peaceful Access To Political Process

My intention is to provide these weekly reports to you while the Legislature is in session. I’m afraid that with everything that has been happening these last two weeks, my Capitol Report was a casualty. This week’s Capitol Report is a two-week report. That doesn’t mean it will be twice as long, but I hope you find that it is packed with good information.

­

Legislation

Because of legislation being debated on the House floor, the halls of the Capitol have been quite crowded. Sometimes it could be tough to get to the House Chamber because there were so many people waiting to talk to their legislators. The up side is obviously that people were letting us know how they feel about different issues. These last two weeks, most of the people in the halls were private people here in support of their issue. For me, they’ve included student nurses, career and tech ed students, and University Extension. The down side is that sometimes most of the people in the halls are paid to be here to lobby. I appreciate that lobbyists are quite helpful in providing information but I honestly prefer hearing from constituents directly. I’ll leave that as a word to the wise to encourage you and other constituents in the 121^st District to always feel welcome to contact me about issues important to you.

Last week, I was essentially consumed with the budget. I’m pleased to report that the budget continues making progress but it still has a long way to go before it will be finished. The Appropriations Committees are to have their work done now and my committee met the deadline. Now the appropriations bills will move on to the Budget Committee for further revision. Appropriations – Transportation and Economic Development, the committee I chair, completed hearing testimony from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) last Monday. Last Tuesday, we met to go over all the budgets we’re assigned – from MoDOT, Economic Development, DOLIR, and DIFP (Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration). Then that Wednesday, we finished making modifications to that part of the budget and approved it to go to the full Budget Committee. As a member of Budget, I will continue exercising influence into creating the budget to ultimately be presented to the Governor.

So far in this session, 604 bills have been filed. Over half of them, 364, have been referred to a committee. The committee chair will determine when the bill will be heard, which determines if it will progress on to the full House. Unless I serve on the committee, my opportunity to act on a bill occurs when it comes before the full House.

In legislative action this week, we have been busy in committee and on the House floor. In Higher Education, we heard HB 223, which proposes the Caring for Missourians Program to provide grants specific for nursing students. We know our country has a nursing shortage so this grant would be a way to educate more nurses to help fill that void. I was thrilled to see a large contingent of UCM nursing students here at the Capitol in support of this bill.

In the Veterans Committee, we heard testimony on HB 368 to issue an identification card for veterans. I appreciate recognition for our veterans but I wonder if this could be accomplished with a notation included on a Missouri driver’s license. The driver’s license option is now under consideration.

On the House floor, we advanced a number of bills. HB 205 will change the laws regarding unlawful discriminatory employment practices as they relate to the Missouri Human Rights Law and establishes the Whistleblower Protection Act. I see this as important for employers and employees. HB 209 is designed to limit the damages a plaintiff can receive from a nuisance lawsuit to any farm regardless of size and to require that to bring a lawsuit, the plaintiff must own or have possessory interest in the property being affected. The way it now stands, someone that has no vested interest in the area can file suit against a farmer. Another bill we are advancing through the House Chamber is HB 107 to require special elections to fill certain vacancies in the positions of United States Senator, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and State Treasurer. As it now stands, if any of these positions are vacated between elections, then the Governor appoints the replacement. I agree that these officeholders should be elected by the voters.

Capitol Visitors

Education is a common thread among almost all visitors coming to the Capitol. If they are not students, then they are generally here to educate us as legislators. Education is truly a life long process. This week, I welcomed nursing students from UCM, people from University Extension, and career and tech ed students.

Last week, one of the largest and perhaps most inquisitive groups was at the Capitol for International Education Day. UCM’s Joy Stevenson and Heather Hoel spearheaded the effort to coordinate with colleges and universities from all over the state to host 375 international students representing 74 countries. Add in the faculty and staff from the 24 Missouri schools participating plus representatives from the Missouri Departments of Higher Education and Economic Development and you can see it was an impressive group. Students from around the world come to the United States for top-ranked post-secondary education available in essentially any educational discipline. The purpose of International Education Day is to show students from different governmental structures how our democracy works. Open entry into our Capitol building is one of the messages I use to illustrate our belief in peaceful access to our political process. Visitors often comment about the ease of admission into our Capitol. You are safe to assume there is security in place, but I appreciate that we don’t limit access with metal detectors as in many government buildings.

Also last week, the Missouri Arts Council announced the winners of the 2011 Missouri Arts Awards. I am extremely proud to share that this year’s promotional poster features Warrensburg artist Teresa Dirks. Her featured work is entitled Tide of Fate and uses mixed media on canvas. I especially like the strong, dramatic colors. I am honored that the Missouri Arts Council presented me with a framed poster, which will proudly hang in my Capitol office.

Warrensburg’s CLIMB High brought nearly 25 high school sophomores for their annual trip to Jefferson City last week. After their original plans were cancelled due to the weather, they could not have had a more beautiful day. I think it was pretty windy for Eddie Chitwood driving the bus but there was no danger of snow with 70+ degree weather. Stormy Taylor should be very pleased with such an attentive group. After seeing the sights and going to the top of the Dome, CLIMB High finished their day with ice cream at Central Dairy, an important Jefferson City landmark.

At the Big Brothers Big Sisters Silent Auction earlier this year, Mary Shippy purchased my donation, a trip for two on Amtrak to spend the day in Jefferson City. Mary made a great choice in selecting a perfect day to redeem her trip and brought Donna Bennett with her to see the sights. Besides the Capitol, they toured the Governor’s Mansion and the Supreme Court. Warrensburg is fortunate to have an Amtrak stop for Missouri’s only passenger route to completely cross the state.

News You Can Use

The State Parks Youth Corps is gearing up to help young Missourians ages 17-21 gain work skills, experience beautiful outdoors, and put money in their pockets. This is a great opportunity for Young Missourians to have a great summer job while building trails, leading tours, excavating historical sites, designing marketing campaigns, and much more. I’d consider this an especially good resource for Johnson Countians since Knob Noster State Park is one of the locations available where young Missourians may be able to work. There are limited slots available statewide and there are also income eligibility requirements. Go to the website at www.MO.gov to check out the details and get the application. Summer will be here before you know it!

LOVE Approach Volunteer Training

NewBeginnings will be hosting LOVE Approach Volunteer Training on Saturday, March 19 from 9:30-2:30 at the Childrens Building at First Baptist Church in Warrensburg. The cost is $25 to cover lunch and training supplies. This is an important ministry in the Warrensburg community making a difference in the lives of children, adults and families every single day. For questions or to register, contact Carol Graham at 660-747-3593 or cgrahamnb{at}yahoo{dot}com.

Reminder

In the last few days, I have sent a survey to voters in the 121^st District by household. I have found the information quite useful from the two previous surveys I’ve sent out and anticipate this one will yield information just as useful. For the first time, you have the option of providing your input by return mail or you can submit your responses on-line through my State Representative page on the House website at www.house.mo.gov. I appreciate the input of my constituents.

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.