Kelley: The Blizzard of 2011

The State Capitol this week took on a definite resemblance to the Overlook Hotel. If that reference is too obscure, the Overlook Hotel was the featured location in the Stephen King movie, ‘The Shining’. Just as in the movie, snow was piled up around the Capitol and it was difficult to enter or leave. Veteran lawmakers and staff say the last time they can remember being stranded in or around the building was 1995 when Jefferson City received 18 inches of snow.

The winter storm which hit most of the state beginning early Wednesday morning did not spare the Jefferson City area. It began as rain on Monday and slowly turned to snow. On Monday we were reminded of what is important in life when one of the new legislators, Representative Wanda Brown (R-Cole Camp) hit a patch of ice and lost control of her vehicle. She sustained injuries to her back and neck and was taken to University of Missouri Hospital. As of this writing, she is still there, but the prognosis appears to be promising.

The House convened as usual on Monday, but already talk was centering around the weather and any implications it might have on the week. We immediately took up the bill [HB73] which would allow for drug testing of some welfare recipients. Since this was the final vote on the bill, otherwise known as third reading, there were no further amendments allowed, just debate for or against. When everyone was finished talking, the vote was not close. By a vote of 116-27, the House passed the bill and sent it to the Senate.

We also took up a resolution [SCR1] which challenged the authority of bureaucratic agencies to write rules contrary to legislative intent or approval. In this particular case, Proposition C was passed by the voters and contained a provision dealing with renewable energy. The language was unclear and the Public Service Commission took it upon themselves to write rules which went well beyond what was passed. When this happens, the legislature has the ability to challenge the rule with a resolution which must pass both the House and Senate.

The House did not adjourn when the weather turned bad, but we did have only technical sessions after Tuesday in order to take care of housekeeping duties. I did not expect we would be stranded in the building due to weather, but on Tuesday night, over 50 legislators stayed overnight rather than run the risk of going in the ditch. I think we will long remember the Blizzard of 2011.

Until our next update, I am, and remain, in your service.