Tim Jones: A Historic Session Concludes

Following weeks of dramatic weather that reflected the looming storm clouds of legislative pressure that built beneath the Capitol Dome, the Heartland was finally visited with a reprieve of gentle days of sunshine and warming temperatures bringing welcome relief to the many residents of our State who are now confronting the aftermath of the power of Mother Nature by ravaging floodwaters. The Session sprinted to a brisk yet incredibly tense end as major, weighty legislative priorities wound their way through the process and left us with mighty successes for all of the people of the great State of Missouri…

“Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.” – Ronald Reagan

The 2011 Legislative Session: A Historic Session for the Ages

The 96th General Assembly has a lot upon which to hang its weary, tattered hat. And although many of us are truly physically and emotionally exhausted with the travails of Session, the successes have truly been monumental and will benefit our entire State. With tremendous bipartisan effort and countless hours of debate and conference meetings, we were able to garner huge support for the FY 2012 Balanced Budget, with no tax increases, and pass Redistricting in historic fashion. I am so proud off all the efforts put forth to make this year’s session a success. Both sides of the aisle worked diligently to make this happen and all deserve credit. Missourians should be proud of the leadership displayed to the entire country by our elected legislators.

During the past 72 days of legislative session, many events have weighed on the minds of the Legislature; indeed the entire country and the world.

• Gabrielle Giffords shooting on January 8, 2011
  We are so thankful for the continued recovery of the Congresswoman from Arizona.
• Earthquake/Tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011
  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan as they continue to recover from one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history. The manner in which the people of Japan have dealt with this catastrophe should stand as a model of behavior for the rest of the world.
  
• Tornadoes and Flooding Ravaging the Midwest
  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been impacted by these tragic weather events. We thank those dedicated volunteers and public servants credited with providing some level of comfort through their ongoing relief efforts.
  

Fulfilling our Responsibility

I am so proud of the work completed by the 96^th General Assembly. It was a true humbling honor to lead the Republican Caucus and the entire House Floor as the Majority Leader. We were able to pass legislation placing Missouri not only on a strong economic path, but a strong moral path as well. The following is a list of the legislation instrumental in forging this path, most of which was passed in an overwhelming bipartisan fashion.

Right to Life

SS SCS HB 213, which I wholeheartedly sponsored as the Chief Sponsor, was truly agreed to and finally passed by the heartfelt, overwhelming bipartisan majority of 117 to 30. Hopefully this legislation will begin the process of altering how our value of life in the womb is reflected in our laws, rather than continuing to allow this barbaric practice to continue. The struggle for life begins at conception and deserves to be protected. Continuing to disregard the miracle of life as if it were an inconvenience is incomprehensible. Unnaturally, and deliberately, ending the life of a child struggling to live is wrong. It is time to give that child the same right to life that you and I enjoy. This is a step in that direction and given the Governor’s track record on supporting life issues, I am confidently optimistic that he will gladly sign HB213 as soon as possible.

Budget

We can all be extremely proud of the work accomplished by the 96^th General Assembly on passing a balanced budget. The fiscal year 2012 budget heavily funds our state’s most important priorities without increasing the tax burden on our already economically strapped citizens. This required an enormous bipartisan effort and was a huge accomplishment. The most impressive aspect about the development of the 2012 budget was our ability to hold the funding for K-12 at 2011 levels while increasing transportation funding for school districts. While the effort to do this has been impressive, an even more impressive effort will be required to prepare our state for future budget shortfalls as the struggle to recover from our nation’s recession continues. In Missouri, smart, conservative budgeting has proven to provide the type of stability necessary, not only to survive this economic recession, but to actually see some growth in revenue. Continuing this economic policy in the future will place Missouri in an enviable economic environment of growth.

Congressional Redistricting

Missouri’s Congressional redistricting bill (HB 193) was passed by the House and the Senate finally agreed to a final compromise map to complete the constitutional duty of the State Legislature in drafting eight new Congressional Districts for our State (CCS SS HCS HB 193). 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. After weeks of stalemate and tense negotiations, a valuable compromise was finally reached as both Chambers passed a final proposed map with overwhelming majorities of support. This bill, CCS SS HCS HB 193, was vetoed by the Governor. Since the Governor decided not to heed the work of the Legislature, in order to prevent this issue from going to the Courts and being decided by unelected judges, the House and Senate, in historic fashion, voted to override the Governor’s veto. This is a serious matter that affects every single person in the State. Hundreds of hours went into the process and the final product is a fair, compact, contiguous map that is good for all of the citizens of our State. The representative will of the people drew and passed the new Congressional District map and then overrode the Governor’s veto. The courts will not draw the district lines; the elected representatives of the people have done so, as is our constitutional duty.

Jobs Jobs Jobs

The 96^th General Assembly passed numerous pieces of legislation designed to improve Missouri’s ability to compete for jobs. The Elimination of the Corporate Franchise Tax, with the passage of SB 19, is just one of those measures. This is a huge step for business development in Missouri and will ensure future job growth. Especially in a tough economy, businesses are interested in locating and expanding in states where it is cheaper and easier to do business.

Big Government Get Off My Back

The passage of SS SCS HCS HB 45 changes the laws regarding the Big Government Get Off My Back Act and provides additional incentives for responsible businesses that provide health benefits to those new, full-time employees. In particular, there is a $10,000 tax incentive for each new full-time job created or a $20,000 incentive for each new full-time job created when the business offers health insurance and pays at least 50% of the premiums of all full-time employees. The bill also seeks to limit and reduce the amount of regulations that Government forces onto small businesses that simply cause them to spend time doing paperwork instead of growing their enterprise. This bill is a positive step in the direction of strengthening Missouri small businesses, encouraging growth and providing needed jobs for Missourians

2^nd Amendment Rights

The 96^th General Assembly has also taken steps to protect and advance our 2^nd Amendment rights. Missouri is currently the only state that requires someone to be 23 before they are able to obtain a conceal and carry permit. This bill [HB294] reduces that age requirement to 21 in order to be in step with states around us. This bill also restricts the ability to raise the price of ammunition through a higher sales tax in order to make the purchase of ammunition difficult and reduce sales. As well, this bill reduces the red tape involved in the purchase of firearms out of state, alleviating unnecessary costs.

Prop B Fix

After much debate and testimony from both sides on the issue, what was sent to the Governor will provide better protections for dogs and allow good dog breeders to stay in business. The consensus from both sides agreed that leaving Prop B as it was would result in the loss of thousands of jobs in Missouri. The final fix, provided by the “Canine Cruelty Prevention Act” (SB 161), was an agreement that satisfied every stakeholder involved including dogs. Rather than a tuck, dogs across Missouri are now sporting a wag and I am pleased to report that EVERY Missouri animal rights group and EVERY Missouri agricultural and dog breeding group ALL supported the final legislative solution.

TANF

After a long journey, SS SCS HCS HB’s 73 and 47 were truly agreed to and finally passed. Giving your tax dollars to drug using parents who are benefiting from our welfare system is not the answer to their economic and unemployment problems. By forcing them to enter drug treatment, or stop using, we end up with a win-win situation. Maintaining employment becomes an issue for drug users. By ending this cycle of abuse and unemployment, they become more productive, gainfully employed, and better able to provide for their families. Supporting their habits with your tax dollars defeats the whole purpose of providing support and likely exacerbates the reason they are unemployed to begin with; drug use.

Voter Identification

Many people throughout our nation’s history have spent their lives fighting for the right to vote. To continue to allow liberal voting regulations can only result in a loss of integrity of the entire system and denies the right to have your vote counted. If we have an opposing view, if I vote once and you vote twice, my vote did not count. We want everyone to have the right to vote, AND, ensure that everyone only casts ONE ballot. SB 3 and SJR 2 accomplish this goal.

Visiting the Capitol

I always enjoy it when constituents visit the Capitol and want to thank all who make the journey. 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

At left: With the three most important women in my life, Suzanne, Katie and Abby.

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 this Legislative Session ends, I am ever thankful to my entire Capitol staff, Jody, Tom and Tad! I also am ever grateful to the folks who have kept everything running smoothly in my absence, Suzanne, Katie and Abby at the homestead, and of course, my great partners and colleagues at my law firm of DosterUllom, LLC. When the Session ends today at 6:00pm, I am looking forward to travelling home to West St. Louis County as soon as possible. Although I am running on fumes and near complete exhaustion, I am extremely happy of the prospect of holding the three most important women in my life, Suzanne, Katie and Abby, in my arms and knowing that precious family time is just around the next bend. Finally, if we can ever be of any assistance to you at your State Capitol, during the coming Summer months even while we are in the Interim Session, please 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,