Lichtenegger: Disaster Recovery Committee, Track The Governor's Bill Decisions, Mark Twain Stamp Debuts

I now have a website wherein readers can access my Capitol Reports, press releases, link to various State websites and most importantly sign my guest book with your comments. Please follow this link: http://lichtenegger157.us/ and let me know what you think about this past 2011 Legislative Session.

The Missouri Senate this week joined the House in creating a special Interim Committee to address the recent disaster recovery efforts. Those named as chairpersons of the House Committee are Representatives Shane Schoeller and Bill White. There are three sub-committees: Emergency Response, Fiscal Response and Insurance Response. You can read more here: Disaster Recovery Committee. This important committee will hold a meeting June 30, 1 p.m. at the Sikeston Clinton Community Building, 501 Campanella Drive, 573-475-3725.

*Mid- May I reported regarding a few bills that were reported to the Governor for signing. We took a break from our “bill reporting” to focus on the disaster in Joplin. I would like to return now to report on other bills that were reported to the Governor –which he may or may not veto. To track what legislation the Governor signs you can link here to the Governor's News Room, and if you click on any of the news stories you will see a sign up (the right-most side) to receive various types of e-updates.

• HB213, SB65 bans abortion after 20 weeks of gestation except in medical emergency or when fetus is not viable.
  
• HB294 lowers minimum age to obtain a concealed-gun permit to 21.
  
• HB431 establishes a fund to recruit and retain foster parents.
  
• SB62 extends various medical provider taxes that help draw federal matching funds for Medicaid program.
  
• HB412 renews prescription drug subsidy program for elderly and disabled, which expires this summer.
  
• HB73 requires welfare recipients suspected of using illegal drugs to undergo drug testing.
  
• SJR2, SB3 places a constitutional amendment on the November 2012 ballot that would require photo IDs to vote. Also establishes early voting.
  
• SB54 requires school districts to inform other districts if a teacher is fired or forced to resign for sexually abusing a student.
  
• HB641 bans bath salts and expands ban on K2, synthetic marijuana.
  
• HB45 gives small businesses a $10,000 tax deduction for every new job they create from 2011 through 2014 if the job pays at least the county's average wage.
  
• HJR2 proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to pray on public property.
  
• HB 214 Increases punishment for human trafficking crimes.
  
• SB 320 Revises law on orders of protection and extends address confidentiality program for stalking victims.
  
• HB 307 Authorizes a "Don't Tread on Me" specialty license plate.
  

If you would like the full list of Truly Agreed and Finally Passed 2011 bills, you can request it via email donna{dot}lichtenegger{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov and I will email you the 193-page book. Or you can get it from my new website under the “News Events” tab.

I want to introduce you to a quick way to find any elected State or Federal official using this website: Politician Search. Try it out!

Constituent Corner

The Missouri State Treasurer’s office would like to unite more than $3 million that belongs to more than 31,000 persons in the Cape Girardeau & Perry Counties! Link here Show Me Money for the fastest results and follow the instructions in the UNCLAIMED PROPERTY section. The Treasurer’s office reports that the average claim is $330. The state-wide unclaimed property amounts to more than $600 million! You can also submit a written request to Clint Zweifel, Missouri State Treasurer, P.O. Box 1004, Jefferson City, MO 65102-1004. Specify your name and complete residential address.

If you’re looking to travel this week end, you may want to join in the celebrations in Hannibal, Missouri. The United States Postal Service (USPS) is issuing a new Mark Twain stamp on Saturday, June 25 at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum located at 120 North Main Street in Hannibal, Missouri. The new design will be formally unveiled in a ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on the Museum Mall by Hannibal's Tom and Becky. The public is invited to attend the event. A tent and chairs will be provided for attendees. The mission of the Mark Twain Home Foundation is to promote awareness and appreciation of the life and works of Mark Twain and to demonstrate the relevance of his stories and ideas to citizens of the world. Visit the Mark Twain Museum website.

The Hannibal Post Office will have staff on hand to sell the new stamps and to cancel mail. A special cancellation reading "First Day of Issue" will be available. Those interested may bring envelopes, purchase stamps, and have the special cancel applied. These "First Day Covers" are a good souvenir of the event and are sought by stamp collectors. The Mark Twain Museum will offer for purchase envelopes with a four-color cachet or illustrated design that can be used to make First Day Covers.

The post office will be open by 8:30 am and will remain open until noon for those wanting the special cancellation. The parking lot of the former Murphy Motors business is available for parking for this event.