Nance: Excelsior Springs, Ray County Grouped With Western Jackson County

Redistricting

HB 193 was passed on the House floor on Wednesday. Representative Aull offered the amendment to put Excelsior Springs-Ray County-Lafayette-Saline County in another Congressional District. We did point out that “Rural issues and values deserve fair representation, just as urban issues and values deserve fair representation. The mentioned counties have over 600,000 acres in crops compared to 79,000 in Jackson County.

The amendment failed and our only hope is for the Senate to make changes. With these boundaries possibly lasting the next thirty years, it is imperative that the process is deliberated well.

HB 503, which would repeal a provision requiring a presidential primary to be held in February in any year a presidential election is held and sets the primary to be held in March of each presidential election year.

HB 578, which would allow the state or any political subdivision or agency of the state to transfer ownership of used tires, scrap tires, or tire shred to a private entity for disposal or recycling under certain conditions.

HB 38, which would require certain administrative officials of jails or detention facilities to notify the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System within five hours of the escape of certain specified dangerous felons.

HB 68, which would prohibit a political subdivision from imposing a fine or penalty on the owner of a pay telephone on the owner’s property for calls to an emergency telephone service from the pay telephone.

HB 98, which would extend from June 30, 2011, to December 31, 2015, the 50-cent fee that is collected on the retail sale of a lead-acid battery as well as the fees for any hazardous waste generated.

HB 468 changes the laws regarding economic incentives for job development, retention, and training and establishes the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act.

HB 103

I had the opportunity to present the Forest Management bill (HB 103) to the Tourism and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday. Charlie and Ellen Leabold and John Weir were the originators of the bill as they made suggestions from their experiences. The bill allows the Department of Conservation, in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources, to establish a program for good forestry management with any funds received going to the Park System.

Visitors

Orrick Superintendent, Marcus Stucker and Marvin Griffin visited the Capitol about school issues on the House calendar this week. Rita May and Lorinda Gravel were at the Capitol on Wednesday for the “Autism Awareness Rally”.

Pictured above are Ray County Home Schoolers.