“I have found it advisable not to give too much heed to what people say when I am trying to accomplish something of consequence. Invariably they proclaim it can't be done. I deem that the very best time to make the effort.”--Calvin Coolidge
Third Reading & Final House Passage
The following bills were given final approval by the House and sent to the Senate for further consideration.For more information regarding any specific piece of legislation, please visit www.house.mo.gov.
HB 656, sponsored by Rep. Ellen Brandom (R-160), was third read and passed. Payday loans companies remain an important avenue for those unable to otherwise secure loans and make ends meet. This bill provides greater protections for both the consumer and the payday loan industry.
HCS HJR 5, sponsored by Rep. Darrell Pollock (R-146), was third read and passed. This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing citizens the right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife using traditionally approved devices or methods. Recent activities by extreme animal activist groups, who come from outside the State of Missouri, suggest a continued assault on this very basic aspect of American culture and the livelihood of many Missourians. This resolution would solidify these rights in our Missouri Constitution and put this issue to rest.
At right: With Speaker Tilley on the House Floor.
HB 661, sponsored by Rep. Don Wells (R-147), was third read and passed. This bill relates to the laws governing debt adjusters. Not only will this bill secure Missouri compliance to federal regulations, but provides greater protections for debt service consumers.
HB 1008, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Long (R-134), was third read and passed. This bill improves the efficiency in the working relationship between private developers and public entities by increasing finance flexibility with respect to highway development projects.
HB 708, sponsored by Rep. Paul Curtman (R-105), was third read and passed. This bill changes the laws regarding violations of public policy of Missouri when decisions are based on foreign law or legal code. The purpose of this legislation is to guarantee that Missourians receive all the rights afforded to them under the Missouri and US Constitutions. Over the past few decades, technological advances have increased international mobility. At the same time, there has been liberal adherence to our nation’s immigration laws, and a clear intellectual push for multiculturalism in America. The result has been a destruction of the melting pot analogy of American culture in which immigrants desired integration into our culture (truly wish to become US citizens). I am all for legal immigration and believe multiculturalism and cultural awareness are extremely positive for our country. However, governing the people of the State of Missouri, based upon foreign laws and legal codes, crosses the line and results in inconsistent and unequal justice.
HCS HB 828, sponsored by Rep. Barney Fisher (R-125), was third read and passed. This bill revises the definition of "construction" as it relates to prevailing wages on public works projects and abrogates the ruling in Utility Service Co., Inc. v. Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. “Construction,” under the new definition, includes; new construction, enlargement, and major alterations. Paying prevailing wage for simple repair and repaint jobs drains needed resources and can result in needed repair and repaint jobs being put off for economic reasons.
Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed
This legislation has been passed by both the House and the Senate and is now headed to the Governor’s desk for consideration.For more information regarding any specific piece of legislation, please visit www.house.mo.gov.
SS SCS HCS HB 14 was truly agreed to and finally passed by the vote off 150 to 0. This appropriations bill provides funding for supplemental purposes in state departments and offices.
Congressional Redistricting Update
As many of you are aware, it is the duty of the General Assembly to complete the task of Congressional Redistricting, every ten years, following the national census. The House and Senate Redistricting Committees have been working hard on this task for many months, which has been made more difficult due to the fact that Missouri must reduce its Congressional Districts from nine to eight. The Missouri House has worked especially hard on completing and preparing a Congressional Map that meets all of the legal requirements and did pass a map out of the House with a large overwhelming and bipartisan vote many weeks ago. The Senate also passed a version of a map and then finally agreed to conference on the maps to come up with an alternative compromise map. The House has now also passed a compromise version of the map [SB68] but unfortunately, our State Senate has been unable to come to any agreement so the matter remains “on hold”. We will continue working on this very difficult and challenging issue as the Session quickly speeds towards its final days.
Attention: Scholarship Opportunity
The Women Legislators of Missouri sponsor scholarship awards for graduating high school senior women in Missouri. They will award nine $500 scholarships to women in the 2011 graduating class. One recipient from each congressional district will receive a scholarship award. If you are interested in applying for this scholarship award, the deadline is April 27, 2011. For an application, contact Denia Fields at denia{dot}fields{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.
Washington, D.C., School Choice Program Restored and Expanded
From Washington, D.C.: After an aggressive, multi-year battle to save school choice in the nation’s capital, children in low-income D.C. families won a landmark victory this past week as national lawmakers officially reauthorized and expanded the highly successful D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. The passage of this historic budget deal restores and extends the school voucher program for DC metro schools and provides – over five years – $300 million for education in the District of Columbia. The agreement preserves the federal three-sector approach to education reform in the nation’s capital that has seen significant improvements in student attainment. This is true education reform for the most needy and most vulnerable children in our society.
Unemployment Benefits for Missouri’s Unemployed
The Missouri Senate finally passed a bill [HB163] that will allow Missouri to receive federal funding for extended unemployment benefits. Currently, the Missouri Department of Labor pays unemployment claims with tax money collected from Missouri Businesses. The department is responsible for the first 26 weeks of unemployment and then the federal government picks up the bill for the remaining 53 weeks. What the Senate passed allows the State of Missouri to use federal stimulus money for the funding of an additional 20 weeks of unemployment compensation. The bill would also reduce the number of weeks the Missouri Department of Labor would pay unemployment to 20 weeks; at which point an extension would be filed with the federal government for continued support if unemployment has continued. We, in the House of Representatives, are doing everything we can to pass common sense legislation which supports growth of the business community in Missouri. In this way, extensions of unemployment benefits become a non-issue. We must make it easier to do business in Missouri so economic growth occurs in Missouri and Missourians in need of work can find it.
Michelle Moore Needs Your Help
Michelle Moore is a great friend and colleague back in the St. Louis region. 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.
Visiting the Capitol
I always enjoy it when constituents visit the Capitol and want to thank all who make the journey. This week I had the pleasure [at right] of being joined by Wildwood residents John and June Schroeder, Keith and Dory Barbero, Sandra Bitter, Joan and Jerry Bess, and Joyce Schnoes; as well as St. Louis City residents, Tom and Linda Whelan. 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
This week many of us are celebrating the high Holy Days of both Easter and Passover. These most holy days represent times of renewal and a welcome to Spring with flowers blooming and birds singing. This is the time to give thanks back for all that we have been given. Easter and Passover both represent a times of hope, thanksgiving and rebirth. During one of the most important weeks of the year, I wish for you all the best during this time of renewal and peace.
If you know anyone who would be interested in receiving this Capitol Report, they can click the “Capitol Report Signup” button on my member home page at www.house.mo.gov and enter the appropriate information to receive the Capitol Report. As the days grow a great deal longer under the Capitol Dome, we want to encourage you to keep up with the flurry of legislative activity.
As the Session grows long indeed and we find ourselves here working at the Capitol on Good Friday, I can tell you I am most eager for the trip home this afternoon to spend a joyous and happy Easter weekend with Suzanne, Katie, Abby and the rest of my family. Happy Easter to you and yours as well! 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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