Torpey: Scouts Visit, Challenging Washington's Healthcare Law, Committee Updates

A Special Note

Today, our office was pleased to welcome a few constituents from our district to Jefferson City. Members of Boy Scout Troop 173, Girl Scout Troop 1086, along with parents and siblings, joined us in the Capitol for a tour, lunch, and special viewing of the Missouri House in action. After their visit, the scouts will speak with troop leaders and counselors, telling of what they learned, in the hopes of receiving their Citizenship Badges. Our office was excited to welcome our first big group during session and we look forward to welcoming many more!

2011 Legislative Session continues

House Concurrent Resolution 9, sponsored by Rep. Jay Barnes, was debated on the House floor this week. HCR 9 is commonly referred to as the "Repeal Amendment Bill". If ever initiated by 33 of the States, the Missouri delegation to a federal Amendment Convention would submit the following amendment for consideration; "Any provision of law or regulation of the United States may be repealed by the several states, and such repeal shall be effective when the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states approve resolutions for this purpose that particularly describe the same provision or provisions of law or regulation to be repealed." If there is a two-thirds approval by the several states, the approved resolution (for the purpose of repealing a federal provision of law or regulation) would then return to the states where approval of the resolution from the state legislatures of three-quarters of the states would be required for repeal to occur. This will hopefully strengthen state sovereignty and help defend our state against unwanted federal mandates or unnecessary federal regulation.

House Bill 423, sponsored by Rep. Eric Burlison, would create a "Health Care Compact" with other states for the purpose of specifically fighting the federal healthcare reform in a micro approach. Compacts are agreements we enter into with other states in order to conduct business. Compacts can provide legal protection by overruling federal legislation as permitted by Congress.

Committees

Earlier this week, I was appointed by Speaker Tilley to serve on the Joint Committee on Gaming and Wagering. This is a bi-partisan panel consisting of five House members and five Senate members that will meet year round to study and make recommendations to the legislature on issues pertaining to authorized gaming and wagering activities (i.e. lottery and riverboat casinos). I am eager to work with my colleagues from the House and Senate to make certain that we have effective regulations on the gaming industry.

Also this week, I attended the last official meeting of the Appropriations of Public Safety and Corrections Committee. The committee will be making our recommendations to the House Budget Committee (Chaired by Rep. Ryan Silvey) based on knowledge and testimony gained in the past weeks of session, in order to aid the Budget Committee in the work they do with the entire state budget.

On Thursday, March 24th, Senator Will Kraus and I will be holding an open Legislative Forum for our constituents of the 52nd House District and the 8th Senatorial District. The event will be held at the Midwest Genealogy Center (3440 S. Lee's Summit Road, Independence, MO 64055) from 7 to 9 pm. We very much look forward to speaking with you and answering your questions. Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions about this event. If you would like to learn more about the Genealogy Center, visit the website by clicking HERE.

Also, do not forget to RSVP for the first annual 52nd District Day by calling or emailing our office. We look forward to hosting our constituents here in the House of Representatives.