“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.”—Thomas Jefferson
FLOOR ACTION: Monday, February 28th
HCR 3, sponsored by Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst (R-93), was read the third time and passed with overwhelming support; 127 to 30. Our nation has a serious problem with a federal government that refuses to operate within its means. The message of fiscal responsibility was sent last November. The people want the federal government to cease out of control spending because we cannot continue on this disastrous course. HCR 3 is one of many measures designed to restore fiscal responsibility.
HCS HB 76, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nolte (R-33), was perfected and printed. This bill addresses the reduction of the corporate franchise tax over the next five years until the complete elimination of the tax on January 1, 2016. We need to take steps to make the business environment in Missouri more attractive. By making Missouri more attractive for business, companies will choose Missouri as their home and in turn increase the jobs available to all Missourians.
FLOOR ACTION: Tuesday, March 1st
HCS HBs 276, 233 and 274, was ordered perfected and printed. Sponsored by Ward Franz (R-151), this bill would recognize the rights of families to privately mourn the loss of a family member and picketing or protesting funerals is a violation of these rights. Allowing families to privately grieve the loss of a family member is the right thing to do. I fully supported this bill and I dedicate my support on this bill to Eureka’s own Corporal Riley Baker who perished while serving in action several years ago in the US Marine Corp, sacrificing his life so that the rest of us may continue to live in peace and freedom.
HCS HB 61 was ordered perfected and printed. HCS HB 61, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nolte (R-33), couples the minimum wage in Missouri with the federal minimum wage and places a minimum wage on workers receiving gratuities at $3.63 per hour which is actually higher than the current federal wage on the same topic. This legislative fix is needed because there are major problems with the current law. Missouri employers are required to pay the higher of the two minimum wages (Missouri vs. Federal); by using the CPI (which can spike) to adjust Missouri’s minimum wage, the Missouri wage could be higher than the federal amount; a Missouri hike based on CPI would make our rate higher than the surrounding states; and the CPI-W reflects the national cost of living average, not necessarily the same as Missouri’s. This places our state at a competitive disadvantage, reduces the number of jobs in Missouri, requires expenditures for the monitoring of the federal rate, could create a double adjustment with a Missouri increase and a federal increase, and creates uncertainty in labor costs for employers. For those arguing for a living wage, the notion that being employed, at the lowest, entry level position, should provide a person enough income to support their family is to completely deny the avenue for hard working individuals to rise up the ladder of success and realize their piece of the American Dream. By attempting to manipulate the free-market and artificially increase wages- “for the good of the poor” – you actually shut those in need out of the market by making the lowest paid positions attractive to more experienced and educated workers.
FLOOR ACTION: Wednesday, March 2, 2011
HCS HB 214, sponsored by Rep. Anne Zerr (R-18), was ordered perfected and printed. This bill enforces and strengthens the laws relating to the horrendous crime of human trafficking.
HB 136, sponsored by Rep. David Day (R-148), was ordered perfected and printed. This bill allows the spouses of certain active military members to be eligible for unemployment benefits and to receive a temporary courtesy license to practice his or her occupation or profession in this state.
HCS HB 116 & 316 as amended, sponsored by Rep. Tom Flanigan (R-127), was ordered perfected and printed. This legislation is related to the collection of monies by the state and the authorization of amnesty for certain penalties assessed on unpaid tax delinquencies. This encourages delinquent taxpayers to become current and meet their legal obligations while providing for much needed revenue for the State.
FLOOR ACTION: Thursday, March 3, 2011
Today, the House Third Read and gave Final Passage to all of the afore-mentioned perfected bills: HCS HBs 276, 233, and 274, HCS HB 76, HCS HB 61, HCS HB 214, HCS HB 116 and 316, and HB 136.
Public Service Announcement!
The Eureka Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Swap Meet/Garage Sale in the Six Flags Parking Lot on March 26, 2011. This is a huge event and a great advertising opportunity for your business in the event map. There are only a limited number of spots available, so, if you are interested, please contact Joy Sauter, the Membership and Marketing Director for the Eureka Chamber of Commerce, at joysauter@eurekachamber.us.
Important Tax Information
Taxpayers making $58,000 or less can visit http://www.irs.gov/efile/ to prepare and E-File federal tax returns, for FREE, through a landmark partnership between the IRS and tax software providers.
Michelle Moore Needs Your Help!
Michelle Moore is a great friend and colleague back in the St. Louis region. This week we found out that she is projected to be on the kidney donor wait list for 3 years. Do you know someone who can help? Please visit http://www.atraditionallifelived.com and/or http://twitter.com/Michelle_Moore for more information. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING TESTED FOR DONATING YOUR KIDNEY TO MICHELLE, PLEASE CALL 314-362-5365 OR 800-633-9906 - OPTION 2 - BEFORE APRIL 25TH.
“If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be most attained when all persons alike share in government to the utmost.” —Aristotle
Visiting the Capitol
I always enjoy it when constituents come visit me at the Capitol and want to thank all who make the journey. A special thanks to; Eileen Tyrrell, her daughter Haley (from Eureka), and friend Maddie Seiler (from Wildwood), here with the Federated Republican Women’s Club of St. Louis; Greg Brown (Eureka Fire Chief), Mike Wiegand (Eureka Chief of Police), and Dr. Patrick Feder, all from Eureka; Ken Schmidt of the National Association of Health Underwriters from Eureka; Deborah Willis with the Alzheimer’s Association from Wildwood; Coach Ron Colletti, his daughter Catherine, and the rest of the F.I.R.S.T. LEGO League team #6056 here for the METS week robotics demonstration from Wildwood; Jennifer Fisher, from Eureka, an MU student presenting at the University of Missouri Undergraduate Research Day; and Sabrina Dawn Reed, from Wildwood, recognized as a Joanne Breckenridge Scholar by the Missouri Federation of Republican Women. If you ever find yourself in or around Jefferson City at any time during the year, please feel free to visit us! Stop by the Majority Leader’s Office in Room 302 and we will be happy to meet and greet you!
Personal News & Notes
On Monday, I made a very special trip to my grade school alma mater, Most Sacred Heart Catholic School and met with the 7th graders in Connie Bachmann’s class. I was very impressed with the young men and ladies of the 7th grade and their insightful questions. And finally, if we can ever be of any assistance to you at your State Capitol, 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.
Until our next update, I am, and remain, in your service.
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