Denison: Relief for Livestock Farmers, Sawmill Operators; Moving Registration Stickers To Windshield

“It’s not what we have in our life, but who we have in our life that counts.” – J.M. Laurence

English-only Drivers Tests (HB 167)

In a past Capitol Report I mentioned a piece of legislation meant to ensure our drivers’ license tests are administered only in English. This week that bill came to the House floor where it received overwhelming approval. The idea behind the bill is nothing more than old-fashioned common sense. Our traffic signs are in English. Our law enforcement officials who keep our roads safe speak English. It makes sense that anyone who travels on our roads should be able to read and communicate in English as well. In addition to this obvious reason, the change to administering the test in English only would protect our state from potential lawsuits. Missouri currently offers the exam in 11 languages. We’ve seen in other states that if you offer the test in more than one language it can create a liability issue where the state potentially would have to offer the test in any of the 300 languages spoken in our nation. In Oklahoma, which also offered the test in 11 languages, a couple demanded to take the test in a language other than the ones offered by the state. The couple ended up filing a lawsuit and Oklahoma responded by passing a bill similar to the one we are working on this year. We hope to follow Oklahoma’s lead this year by passing legislation that will ensure licensed drivers in our state can communicate in English.

Right to Pray (HJR 2)

Also this week, we approved a proposed state constitutional amendment that would guarantee Missourians the right to express their religious beliefs in public places. During debate on the legislation, the bill sponsor talked about school children being removed from classrooms for wearing crosses and carrying Bibles. To protect all Missourians from having their religious freedoms compromised, the bill we passed would specify that the religious activities must be voluntary and subject to the same rules and regulations of all other forms of speech. The amendment also would affirm the right of elected public officials to be able to pray on public premises and have clergy in attendance at public meetings. As a constitutional amendment, these changes would require voter approval before taking effect. It’s something we’re confident the vast majority of Missourians would support to help reaffirm the religious freedoms we all value so much.

University Board of Curators (HB 174)

One piece of legislation we approved this week would change the makeup of the state Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the University of Missouri Board of Curators and the Missouri State University Board of Governors. Our state Constitution requires that each board have nine members and state law says that there can be no more than one member from each congressional district. With Missouri losing a congressional seat because of a lack of sufficient population growth, the nine-member requirement in the Constitution will conflict with our state law that limits board members at one per district. The bill we passed would allow one of the eight future congressional districts to have two members on each board. The governor would choose which district gets two members on a given board.

Sawmill Tax Relief (HB 112)

Another bill passed this week aims to help our state’s struggling sawmills by putting their tax burden in line with other agricultural businesses. Currently, the sawmill industry is suffering from the economic downturn and the struggling housing and construction markets. According to statistics kept by the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri lost 90 sawmills between 2006 and 2009. In 2010, the state's sawmills reported $2.2 million in sales - a 60 percent drop from 2008. The bill we passed this week would provide some much-needed relief to the industry by reducing the tax burden for these businesses. Specifically, it would reclassify sawmills at the agriculture tax rate of 12 percent. Currently, they are taxed at the business tax rate, which is 32 percent. By providing this property tax relief we hope to give some of these family-owned businesses stay in operation. Many of our existing sawmills are an integral part of the rural communities in which they are located. We want to do all we can to help keep them here and to keep the lumber industry afloat.

Easing Weight Restrictions for Livestock Hauling (HB 266)

Another piece of legislation now on its way to the Senate would help Missouri be more competitive with other states that have increased weight limits for trucks hauling livestock. In Missouri, we currently have an 80,000 pound weight limit on most of our highways. However, vehicles utilizing U. S. Highway 36 from St. Joseph to U. S. Highway 65 and U. S. Highway 65 from the Iowa state line to U. S. Highway 36 have a weight limit of 85,500 pounds. The bill we passed would remove these specified highways and apply the increased weight limitation to any vehicle hauling livestock or agricultural products on any highway of this state. The weight limits would not apply to vehicles operated on the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways. We believe this change will help farmers to be more efficient as they haul livestock with fewer trips needed because of the increased capacity. It is estimated it will allow them to increase the number of livestock that can be transported at one time by about 10 percent, which will result in savings of approximately $2 per head of livestock.

Transportation Committee Hearing

At left: Giving testimony on HB 291

On Tuesday, March 8^th, House Bill 291, which requires window stickers to show current motor vehicle registration instead of license plate tabs, which I sponsored, was heard. In addition to law enforcement that testified, officials from the State of Texas also provided informational testimony.

Also, Pam Holt, RN, BSN, Trauma Prevention Education Coordinator, and Injury Prevention Program Coordinator, St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, gave testimony for House Bill 713 which would require the driver and each front seat passenger in cars and trucks to wear a safety belt with certain exceptions.

Visitors

On March 8^th, representatives of the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA), were at the Capitol visiting legislators. The visitors were: Glenda Thurlkill, Margaret Watson, Marca Hayter, Trudy Puckett, Susie Compton, Scott Morrison, and Henry Anton.

Also on March 8^th, Donna and Leo Giger, Springfield, were at the Capitol with the Missouri Council of the Blind. I appreciated their visit.

On March 9^th, Susan Wade, Public Relations Manager, Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Kathryn Vicat, Event Coordinator, O’Reilly Family Event Center were at the Capitol.

March 9^th was [at right] Disability Rights Legislative Day at the Capitol. Visitors in my office were, Scott Wheeler, Marisa Clary, Barbara McDuffy, Frank Collins, Treasurer of People First, Dennis Brown, Heather Keating, Judy Shreck, and Angel Walker.

On March 10^th, Stephanie McGinnis was at the Capitol with her parents, Steve and Rhonda McGinnis, and sisters, Mandy and Tenslee. Stephanie’s art work was selected by the Missouri Art Education Association, and was displayed in the Third Floor Rotunda. An awards reception was also held in the Capitol Rotunda. While at the Capitol, they were introduced as guests on the House floor by Rep. Denison, and they viewed the debate on the House floor from the side gallery.

Pictured left to right: Steve McGinnis, Rhonda McGinnis, Stephanie McGinnis, Rep. Denison, Mandy McGinnis, Tenslee McGinnis

Award

Pictured at right: Sen. Robin Wright-Jones, Rep. Denison, John Bennett

March 9^th was Brain Injury Awareness Day, and I was very honored to be recognized for legislative efforts to prevent brain injuries by the Brain Injury Association of Missouri. Senator Robin Wright-Jones was also recognized.

I look forward to hearing from you, and if you will be in Jefferson City, please stop by my office. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Best wishes.