Tim Jones: Winter Doldrums

Vengeful Winter returned in earnest bearing down with no quarter given to the bulk of the Nation, gathering drenching energy from the Gulf and depositing a fury of blinding whitewash across the country’s mid-section, finishing its onslaught upon the oft storm battered Northeast. Treacherous conditions gave great challenge to our journey back to the Capitol as one of our own was caught in nature’s unyielding grip. Thankfully, Rep. Wanda Brown is recovering well and a frosty, desolate, yet sun drenched day made our paths somewhat manageable for the return home by mid-week…

Winter Doldrums & Legislative Update

An unusual winter calm descended upon the Capitol by midweek as many legislators and staff returned home by Wednesday afternoon due to the severe weather conditions that battered our State earlier in the week. Those of us who did succeed in reaching the Capitol on Monday continued with our legislative duties during our Monday and Tuesday sessions. The House third read and passed HB 73 (drug testing of TANF/welfare recipients) by an overwhelming vote of 116 to 27. HB 73 has now been reported to the Senate. We trust the Senate will see the necessity and practicality of the bill. The House also adopted and perfected the amended version of HCS HB 163. This legislation changes the laws regarding unemployment compensation benefits in order for Missouri to receive recently approved additional federal funds for those most in need of it. No Missouri tax dollars will be expended relating to this bill. Yesterday, we third read and passed SCR 1. This resolution disapproves a final order of rule-making by the Public Service Commission with regards to the Electric Utility Renewable Energy requirements. The Speaker has also placed HB 162 on the calendar for perfection. HB 162 addresses the precedent set by the Franklin v. CertainTeed Corp. court ruling which, in essence, moved occupational disease claims from the workers’ compensation system into the courts. In response to the business communities “Fix the Six” agenda, HB 162 essentially reverses the court’s ruling. Full explanations, summaries, text and information relating to these bills and all others filed this Session can be found at the Missouri House website: www.house.mo.gov .

Blizzard Conditions

At right: The State Capitol During the Jefferson City Blizzard of 2011.

With a blizzard warning being issued for the first time EVER in the State of Missouri, the Governor issued a State of Emergency and activated the National Guard. Now that the snow has subsided, the long cleanup process has begun. We are also beginning to experience the forecasted single digit and subzero temperatures, so please continue to heed travel warnings and only travel when absolutely necessary. Attempts to travel in these conditions can become disastrous in seconds. Some of us have begun the long journey home to tend to family and community needs during this time. Those of us remaining are “holed up” safely here in the Capitol where hopefully by Thursday everyone will be able to make the return home. Near the close of our Tuesday morning Session yesterday, as House Majority Leader, I was tasked with the decision of what to do with our legislative calendar for the rest of the week. With the blizzard bearing down on us, I conferred with the Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House. I decided to place the House in what is referred to as “Technical Session” for Wednesday and Thursday. That way, if members needed to hold hearings to keep committee work moving along, they could, in their discretion, but members would not be required to remain for any official Floor action for the rest of the week. Some of our members knew they would not be able to return home until later in the week (Joplin was forecasted to and did receive THIRTY INCHES of snow!) so by going into Technical Session, members had the option of returning home to tend to their families or to remain here at the Capitol continuing their work. Most members remained at the Capitol Tuesday night and began departing for home by Wednesday afternoon. As Majority Leader, I have remained to assist our Members as needed and make sure basic needs were taken care of throughout the storm. For all of you “back home”, please do be safe and be sure to check on any neighbors who may need assistance. In the meantime, we will be dreaming of Spring!

Eureka!

Six Flags of St. Louis announced on Monday they intend to hire 3,000 employees for the 2011 season. This will be the 40th Anniversary season for Six Flags which provides seasonal work for the community ranging from marketing/sales internships to front gate ticket takers.

Public Service Announcement

The Mid-East Area Agency on Aging is a not-for-profit agency providing services for anyone age 60 or older living in the counties of St. Louis, Franklin, Jefferson, and St. Charles. For more information about the services provided by MEAAA, please call (636) 207-1323 for services in St. Louis County, and toll-free 1-800-AGE-6060 for St. Charles, Jefferson, and Franklin counties. Especially during these weather conditions, many elderly may need assistance they normally may not need, such as, Meals on Wheels and Energy Assistance.

Visiting the Capitol

If you ever find yourself in or around Jefferson City at any time during the year, please feel free to visit us! Stop by our new office location in Room 302 and we will be happy to meet and greet you!

Personal News & Notes

I am finding that my duties as Floor Leader truly run the gamut. This week, during historic blizzard conditions for mid-Missouri (we received upwards of two feet of snow) I learned to play “Storm Coordinator”, “Caterer” and the “In General Answer Man.” I am sought out by members, of both sides of the aisle, for my advice and counsel on a number of issues, from legislation to human resources to office administration. I am very humbled by the fact that I can be of service to not only my own constituents, but to constituents and their Representatives all across the State. And because this makes for very long days and sometimes longer nights, I continue to owe a debt of gratitude and thanks to my excellent staff, my colleagues at my law firm, DosterUllom, LLC, and especially to Suzanne, Katie and Abby, who are a sight for sore eyes every Thursday evening when I return home! I am happy to report that the Jones Homestead did not receive the brunt of the storm and that Suzanne and the girls are doing just fine, enjoying the days off and playing with the neighbor kids. Everyone is warm and safe which is such a great relief! Here at the Capitol, if we can ever be of any assistance, do not hesitate to contact us at: 573.751.0562 or you can reach my primary assistant, Jody at: jody{dot}williams{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.