Oxford: March Madness Edition

Friends, Allies, and Constitutents,

It's hard to believe that the Legislative Session is already about half over. (It began on January 5, and our last day to be in Jefferson City, barring the governor calling an Extraordinary Session, is May 13.) So far much of this Session has been occupied with fighting anti-worker legislation and attempts to lower corporate tax rates (which would of course increase taxes for the rest of us).

Here are some of the most important recent actions by Missouri legislators ----

Cost of Living Increases Overturned

The House of Representatives on Thursday voted 92-60 to overturn a state minimum wage law approved by 76 percent of Missouri voters in 2006. Democrats unanimously opposed reversing the will of voters, while all but nine Republicans supported doing so. Under the voter-approved law, the state’s minimum wage is adjusted annually to adjust for inflation. For the first couple years after the law’s passage, this meant that the state minimum was higher than the federal minimum. Because the federal minimum trumps the state wage if it is higher, Missouri again began following the federal wage in July 2009 when it increased to $7.25 an hour, where it remains today. HB 61 would prohibit the state minimum wage from ever exceeding the federal minimum. The bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

During the debate on this issue, I offered a "family-supporting wage" amendment to try to help my House colleagues understand that 1) 59% of minimum wage workers are heads of households, and 2) you can't support a family on the minimum wage and that this has rippled effects throughout our community. My amendment failed, but it was a lively discussion at least.

Senate Fillibuster Threatens Unemployment Benefits

About 13,000 Missourians could lose their extended unemployment benefits as of April 2 due to a few Republican senators who are blocking legislation to allow the state to accept $81 million in federal funding for the program. The initial deadline for passing the bill passed on March 3 without Senate action, but Missouri lawmakers still have through the end of the month to avoid the extended benefits from being eliminated. Although the bill, HB 163, passed easily in the House of Representatives last month, the conservative senate Republicans blocking it from coming to a final vote said the state should refuse the funds to send the message that the federal government should reduce spending. HB 163 supporters noted that taxpayers won’t save a dime if Missouri refuses the money since its share would be distributed among other states.

House Passes Tax Amnesty Bill

On March 3 the House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill that would offer amnesty to delinquent taxpayers in hopes of convincing them to pay their back taxes. Under the bill, HB 116, interest and penalties would be waived for those who pay taxes that were due prior to Dec. 31, 2010. The state expects the amnesty program, which was proposed by Gov. Jay Nixon, will generate about $74 million in revenue – the same amount that a previous amnesty in 2002 raised, according to The Associated Press.

House Approves Huge Tax Cut for Business (Which May Mean Higher Local Taxes)

The Missouri House on March 3 voted 106-52 in favor of phasing out the state’s franchise tax on large corporations. Under HB 76, the state would lose about $87.5 million a year in lost revenue once the tax was fully eliminated in 2016. The franchise tax is levied on companies with more than $10 million in assets. Smaller businesses are already exempt from the tax. Supporters of the bill said it would encourage business growth in Missouri, while opponents called it just another gift to the business lobby that will shift the tax burden to average Missourians and further reduce state revenues. For example, when the state is unable to adequately fund schools, local school districts are forced to put school bond issues on the ballot. The bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

Issues You've Been Writing Me About

Many of you have written to ask me to defend the Prop B legislation against puppy mills in MO. I promise to vote no and do all I can to fight repeal or damaging reforms. I know almost 80% of my district voted for Prop B. I endorsed Prop B and worked for its passage. However, I am only one vote out of 163 House members, so I ask all of you who care about this issue to keep organizing about it and taking the message to the media and the public. Only widespread opposition will prevent the General Assembly from seriously weakening the Prop B language.

I also have had many e-mails about bills that favor concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO's) over neighbors who are concered about health, safety, and quality of life issues. I promise to support local control and regulation of CAFO's based on scientific evidence.

Two Hearings Secured on Nine Bills Sponsored Thusfar This Session

I am pleased that all nine bills or resolutions that I have filed thusfar this year have already been assigned to committee. In most previous years, many of my bills did not receive a committee assignment until the final day of Session, a way that the Speaker of the House has been apt (under both Democratic and Republican leadership) to kill minority party bills. See the full list of what I am sponsoring and co-sponsoring at: http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills111/spon/spn059.htm.

My House Concurrent Resolution 35 was heard in the Veterans Committee on March 1 and was voted Do Pass 14-0. This resolution calls for the creation of a voluntary reporting system for Missouri National Guard members who experience health problems or birth defects due to exposure to depleted uranium while deployed. My thanks to Leon "Bud" Deraps of Veterans for Peace for bringing this issue to my attention and being my star witness before the committee. I will continue working toward getting this debated on the House floor.

I filed House Bill 637 on Feb. 22 with 23 co-sponsors. This is the Tax Justice for a Healthy Missouri plan which would create a more modern, fair, and adequate income tax system. It would reduce taxes on average for 60% of Missourians, and if approved by the voters would raise $1.3 billion of revenue. (Missouri is currently running $4 billion under the Hancock revenue caps that passed in 1980, so the money is obviously sorely needed.) If you are interested in this bill, write me at jeanette{dot}oxford{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov to request a summary and fact sheets. A vigorous public discussion of this issue is needed, so help me out if you can - letters to the editor on the bill are especially useful.

On March 9 HB 636, the Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act (CARE Act) will be heard in the Children and Families Committee. I recruited a record high of 35 co-sponsors for this bill in 2011, and this is the first ever hearing for the bill which had been filed several times before. The bill simply tries to guarantee that rape victims will receive emergency contraception if they request it. I hope you will contact the Children and Families Committee with messages of support. Find their names and contact information at: http://www.house.mo.gov/CommitteeIndividual.aspx?com=164

Announcements

Citizens for a Stronger St. Louis, the campaign to Save the St. Louis City Earnings Tax, asks everyone to Vote YES on Prop E on Tuesday, April 5. In addition, the Yes on Prop E campaign is looking for energetic and outgoing people to join a door-to-door canvassing team. They are paying $9 per hour. If you know anyone that might be interested in joining the team, have them go to http://citizensforastrongerstlouis.com/canvass/ or call 314-737-3990.

The Second Annual SAGE Movie Benefit is at Metropolitan Community Church, 1919 S. Broadway, on Saturday, March 12, 2011, 7:15 p.m. (with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.). The movie is Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement, and here is a brief description:

After 42 years, feisty and delightful lesbian couple Edie and Thea are finally getting married. From the early '60s to the present day, the tireless community activists persevere through many battles, both personal and political. These two compassionate and brave women are a model of courage and strength that speaks to everyone, of any age. Through this film audiences will recognize that dancing, like loving, can continue at any age, and rediscover the timeless message "Don't postpone joy". Susan Muska and Greta Olafsdottir (The Brandon Teena Story) return with a love story of two remarkable women whose commitment to each other is an inspiration to us all.

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door or at www.SageMetroSTL.org. View a video clip at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL83Yl4-9Vc.

Charlie King and Karen Brandow, social justice musicians extraordinaire, appear to benefit the Peace Economy Project on Saturday, March 19, at 7 p.m. at Tegeler Hall, St. Louis University. For more information, see: http://www.peaceeconomyproject.org/site/events.php

Stonewall Democrats of Eastern Missouri will meet on Sunday, March 20, at 3 p.m., location to be announced shortly (probably St. Charles County this month, and car pools will be available). We'll discuss the recent decision of the Obama Administration to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). For more information, call 314-771-8882.

JMO