Lant: Session Over With Business Unfinished, A Surprise In Pineville

Well, Session is officially over but I have now found out that it is NEVER really over. There are several bills that were left over that the Senate either didn't have time to properly address or preferred not to address for whatever the reason. Among the leftovers were two or three bills that really should have been finished. These were primarily economic development issues and implementation of them could help generate some much needed jobs. There are several ways to revisit these bills. The most obvious solution is to just simply wait until next session and re-introduce the legislation. In the case of these bills, I hope that another method is employed. The Governor has the power to call a special session to address unfinished business. The only criteria is that he feels like there is agreement between the House and Senate that the special session will produce the passage of the bill. It is a considerable expense to the taxpayers to call us all back to Jefferson City, and the Governor would be reluctant to do it if there were no chance for passage. Of course, in case the Governor doesn't like the bills, he is not likely to call a special anyway. Then the Legislature has the power to call themselves back with a 3/4 agreement of both bodies. If you're not confused by now, I assure you, I am! We'll just have to wait and see how this plays out.

Last summer, when Senator Richard and Representative Flanigan were holding meetings with the five new Southwest representatives, they told us that our first year would be a real learning process. As freshmen, we would be a part of several committees and participate in the process of presenting and debating bills. We would learn the importance of protocol and be expected to do many, many things we had never done before. They also warned us repeatedly that by the end of our first session, we would begin to find out who we could, and could not, put our trust in. I naturally assumed they were talking about the folks on the other side of the aisle. This is not necessarily true. Senator Richard emphasized that our word was the most important thing we possessed. If we became known as one who could not be trusted to keep our word, then our value as a representative of our district was worthless! I am sad to report that in the last two weeks of session, I saw more than one individual change their vote on an issue because of pressure from special interest groups. We always tend to associate this behavior with the desire for campaign money, but if a special interest group threatens to fund your opponent and run ads against you, it is much more effective than simply not contributing to your campaign fund. I am proud to report that no member of our Southwest Caucus would ever compromise our values or core beliefs. If I had to do that to remain in office, then it's time to come home anyway.

I was able to pull a real surprise on the folks at Pineville Saturday. The Historical society was holding a fundraiser for the restoration of the old courthouse and part of the days' activity was a play re-enacting the Secession in 1961. I had known about the plans for several months and was able to put together a group from Jefferson City to provide a surprise last act to the pageant. When the play concluded, the town Marshall led a motorcade onto the square with Supreme Court Judge Mary Russell, Speaker Pro-Tem Shane Schoeller, House Clerk Adam Crumbliss, Representative Charley Davis, Newton County Commissioner Marilyn Ruestmann, Ex Rep Kevin Wilson and Myself, following close behind. We disembarked and Judge Russell read a proclamation asking McDonald County to please resist any more Secession attempts! They agreed and it was then time for BBQ Chicken and homemade hot rolls! What a fun day!

My goal this summer is to visit as many people in the District as possible. I look forward to seeing you soon. If you need something, please call or E-mail me at home or at the Capitol. Bev is in the office daily and can forward messages to me. Until next week, I am and remain, in your service,
Bill Lant
bill{dot}lant{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov
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(573) 751-9801
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