Tim Jones: Majority Minute: A Thank You

Thank you for receiving and reviewing The Majority Minute every Monday during our 2011 Regular Session.  I do hope you have found the information useful and helpful.  As we make a very quick sprint to the finish during this last week of Session.  I know that the days will be long and the tension thick but I am encouraged by the great amount of success that the House has enjoyed these past few months.  If I can ever be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our office.  I wish you all a very relaxing, safe and enjoyable summer with your family and friends!

Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a Happy Mother's Day and enjoyed spending time with their families.  Thanks to all the Mothers out there for all that you have done.  A special thanks to all the special mothers in my life, my wife, Suzanne, my mom, JoAnn, my sister, Amy, my great grandmother, Helen, and all of my aunts and cousins who are all great moms.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Bills Completed Today Thus Far

These bills were third read and passed by the House today.  If the Senate decides to move quickly on these bills, they still can be passed by the General Assembly this week…

HCS SB 59, sponsored by Rep. John Diehl (R-87), was third read and passed.
HB 138, sponsored by Rep. Mike Thomson (R-4), was third read and passed.
HCS HBs 504, 505 & 874, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Silvey (R-38), was third read and passed.
HB 658, sponsored by Rep. Dave Schatz (R-111), was third read and passed.
HCS HB 732, sponsored by Rep. Ellen Brandom (R-160), was third read and passed.
HCS #2 SB 97, sponsored by Rep. Paul Fitzwater (R-152), was third read and passed.
SB 71, sponsored by Rep. Scott Largent (R-120), was third read and passed.
HCS SS SB 118, sponsored by Rep. David Sater (R-68), was third read and passed.
HCS SCS SB 29, sponsored by Rep. Caleb Jones (R-117).

TENTATIVE HOUSE SCHEDULE FOR THE REMAINING DAYS OF SESSION

The last few days of Session are frenetic to say the least.  The bills below are currently up for final consideration.  More legislation will move through the House this week than at any time during the Session.  Many of these bills have been debated several times by both the House and Senate and are finally up for final consideration.  To keep up to date on all the activity in the House this week, please feel free to visit www.house.mo.gov at any time!

House Concurrent Resolutions for Third Reading - Informal

HCR 38, sponsored by Rep. Mike Cierpiot (R-56).
HCR 28, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nolte (R-33).
HCR 41, sponsored by Rep. Mark Parkinson (R-16).
HCR 48, sponsored by Rep. Dave Schatz (R-111).
HCR 33, sponsored by Rep. Lyle Rowland (R-143).

Senate Bills for Third Reading

HCS SB 207, sponsored by Rep. Darrell Pollock (R-146).
HCS SS SB 202, sponsored by Rep. Shane Schoeller (R-139).
SB 237, sponsored by Rep. Jay Barnes (R-114).
HCS SB 243, sponsored by Rep. Scott Dieckhaus (R-109).
HCS SB 250, sponsored by Rep. Rodney Schad (R-115).
HCS SCS SB 270, sponsored by Rep. Tony Dugger (R-144).
HCS SB 284, sponsored by Rep. David Sater (R-68).
SCS SB 323, sponsored by Rep. Sue Allen (R-92).
SB 38, sponsored by Rep. Chris Carter (D-61).
HCS SCS SB 60, sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox (R-118).
SS SCS SB 65, a bill I sponsored.
HCS SB 90, sponsored by Rep. Eric Burlison (R-136).
HCS SS SCS SB 132, sponsored by Rep. Todd Richardson (R-154).
HCS#2 SCS SB 162, sponsored by Rep. Casey Guernsey (R-3).
SS SB 238, sponsored by Rep. Dave Hinson (R-98).
HCS SB 325, sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith (R-150).
HCS SS SCS SB 351, sponsored by Rep. Jay Barnes (R-114).
HCS SCS SB 356, sponsored by Rep. Tom Loehner (R-112).
HCS SS SB 360, sponsored by Rep. Zach Wyatt (R-2).
SS SCS SB 70, sponsored by Rep. Ward Franz (R-151).
HCS#2 SCS SB 117, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Flanigan (R-127).
HCS SB 180, sponsored by Rep. Noel Torpey (R-52).
HCS SS SCS SB 254, sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox (R-118).

House Bills with Senate Amendments

SCS HB 798, HB 141, HB 153, HCS HB 363, HB 415 & HB 813, sponsored by Rep. Cloria Brown (85).
HCS HB 108, SCA 1 and SA 1, sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith (150).
SCS HB 307 & HB 812, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Gatschenberger (R-13).
SCS HB 388, sponsored by Rep. Eric Burlison (R-136).
SCS HCS HB 631, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Grisamore (R-47).
SCS HB 270, as amended, sponsored by Rep. Eric Burlison (R-136).
SCS HB 186, sponsored by Rep. Sue Entlicher (R-133).
SCS HB 149, sponsored by Rep. David Day (R-148).
SS SCS HCS HBs 73 & 74, sponsored by Rep. Ellen Brandom (R-160).
SCS HB 256, sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox (R-118).
SCS HCS HB 214, sponsored by Rep. Anne Zerr (R-18).
SS SCS HB 137, sponsored by Rep. Mike Thomson (R-4).
SCS HCS HB 641, sponsored by Rep. Ward Franz (R-151).
HCS HB 197, SCA 1, sponsored by Rep. Tishaura Jones (D-63).
HB 340, SA 1, sponsored by Rep. Glen Klippenstein (R-5).
SCS HCS HB 250, sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox (R-118).
SS HCS HB 338, sponsored by Rep. Darrell Pollock (R-146).
SCS HCS HB 578, sponsored by Rep. Mike Thomson (R-4).
SCS HB 737, sponsored by Rep. Craig Redmon (R-1).
SS SCS HB 282, sponsored by Rep. Ward Franz (R-151).

FY 2012 Budget Highlights

Left over $28 million on the balance sheet.
Held funding for the Foundation Formula harmless (education funding the first priority).
Appropriating $12 million more to Higher Education institutions across the state. Rescued the Senior Missouri Rx Program from elimination in the Senate.

Continued funding for production of alternative fuels to relieve dependency on foreign oil.
$8.4 billion for the MO Healthnet program to fund access to healthcare for the neediest Missourians.
$40 million for training, retention and development within the Dept. of Economic Development.
$365k in cuts to the Missouri House of Representatives budget.
Reduced Department Directors and Deputy Directors pay to a maximum level of $86,500, saving state taxpayers over $1.0 million.
Held the Governor accountable for his excessive use of the state plane by restricting expenses from other state departments.

Historical Veto Override

As many of you may know, after weeks of stalemate and tense negotiations, a valuable compromise was finally reached as both Chambers passed a final proposed map with overwhelming majorities in support.  This bill [HB193] 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 voted to override the Governor's veto.  This is a serious matter that affects every single person in the State, hundreds of hours of time 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 override was the first successful veto override since 2003.  This is a difficult process in the House and requires bipartisan support for success.  To see an interactive map and/or hear an interview on the subject, visit http://house.mo.gov/largemap.aspx?map=3 or http://centralmoinfo.com/LEGISLATURE-OVERRIDES-VETO-ON-CONGRESSIONAL-REDIST/9767772.

If you ever have any questions about any legislation, feel free to contact my office at 573-751-0562.

Until our next update, I am, and remain, in your service,

Tim Jones.