Missives From Missouri: 3/6/11

Weather-Related Disclaimer: missives from legislators concerning road conditions, although timely and important, should be considered snapspots in time. For the most recent travel information, please consult MoDOT's Web site at http://www.modot.org/.

Disclaimer: except when the post starts "MO Expat", all content published on Missives from Missouri is written and supplied by the noted legislator. Said missives will not necessarily reflect the views of Kyle Hill, the operator of Missives from Missouri, and as such the operator does not assume responsibility for its content. More information

12 March 2011

Davis: Campaign Finance Reform Measure Receives Unanimous Approval

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." –Dr. Seuss

This has been a really tough week. There were so many issues that people are passionate about debated on the floor during this week’s sessions. Whether it is doing our best to protect the lives of the unborn, or protecting our citizens by ensuring those who drive on our roads can understand English by requiring driving tests to be in English only, or Constitutionally allowing the right for people to pray, we have done what is right for Missourians. Sometimes decisions are tough but right must prevail and I promise to always do what I believe to be right.

FLOOR ACTION: Monday, March 7^th

HCS HB 108, sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith (R-150), was third read and unanimously passed, 156-0. This bill deals with the regulations surrounding contributions to political action committees and provides some much needed revisions to our campaign finance laws.

HCS HB 174, sponsored by Rep. Mike Thomson (R-4), was ordered perfected and printed. Currently there are nine districts for which each district contributes one member to the University of Missouri Board of Curators. Since the districts are being reduced to eight, this bill allows for at least one, but no more than two, members of the Board of Curators to be from one of the eight districts.

HCS HBs 112 & 285, sponsored by Rep. David Day (R-148), relating to tax classification of sawmills, was ordered perfected and printed. The classification change from commercial to agricultural and horticultural reduces the property tax rate from 32% to 12%. This is a wise move for supporting this struggling segment of the business community in Missouri. The vast majority of these businesses are family run small businesses providing needed regional employment during tough economic times. Creating an environment friendly to their survival is a positive for saving Missouri jobs and businesses.

HB 167, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nolte (R-33), was debated on the floor at great length this week. This is the “English Only Driver’s Exam” bill. MODOT spends millions of dollars on road signs in the name of safety which are in English, the official language of our State. It is not good government policy to then turn around and provide licenses (a privilege, not a constitutional right) to anyone who cannot read them and be aware of situations on our roadways.

FLOOR ACTION: Tuesday, March 8^th

HJR 2, sponsored by Rep. Mike McGhee (R-122), was perfected and printed and then passed on Thursday. This bill proposes a Constitutional Amendment that would guarantee a person’s right to worship or pray on public property. It would also be a reaffirmation of a person’s right to choose any or no religion. This is one of the cornerstones of our nation.

HCS HB 266, sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith (R-150), was ordered perfected and printed. This bill changes the weight limitations for hauling livestock and/or agricultural products on state highways in Missouri. The concern over damage caused by an increase in weight would be offset by fewer hauls.

HB 339, sponsored by Rep. Darrell Pollock (R-146), was ordered perfected and printed. This bill changes the regulations surrounding the carrier of last resort obligations for telecommunications companies. It is a good bill to reduce unnecessary regulations and potential cost in the telecommunications industry.

FLOOR ACTION: Wednesday, March 9th

The perfection debate on HB 167 ended today. If it is worth millions of dollars to put road safety signs up for public safety, we should make sure that drivers can read ALL of them.

HCS HB 213, of which I am the Chief Sponsor, came up for its first debate on the Floor. This bill is commonly referred to as the late term abortion ban. The bottom line is that it is a constitutionally defensible position that the State should protect those who are most needy. With respect to the neediest, who could be more in need of protection than an unborn child? In the State of Missouri, if you are an unborn child who has reached a level of viability, you are currently not afforded any legal protection. We must take the steps necessary to correct this injustice and HB 213 does exactly that.

Third Read Thursday, March 10th

Today, the House gave final passage to the following bills described above: HCS HB 174, HCS HBs 112 and 285, HCS HB 266, HB 339, HB 167 and HJR 2.

Oxford: Safe Schools Coalition Event!

Friends and Allies,

I hope you will attend this event, and some of you also probably belong to organizations that ought to go on record as being part of the Safe Schools Coalition,. Find out how from Worley or from Morgan Keenan - morgan{at}promoonline{dot}org.

JMO

Forwarded message:

Dear Safe Schools Coalition Partners,

We have a very exciting event coming up in several weeks! We are hosting a free screening of the documentary "Bullied." We will also have a guest speaker for after the film. I have attached the flier for more information.

Please feel free to pass this along to friends, family, and co-workers!

Hope to see you there!

Leslie Cuyler Worley
MSW Candidate 2012
Washington University in St. Louis
Safe Schools Coalition

Dempsey: History of Collective Bargaining in Missouri

Over the course of the last few weeks, many of us have watched with interest the debates going on in the capitols of our sister states concerning collective bargaining and unionization.

Closer to home, legislation [SB1] has been filed that would change Missouri’s current law as it relates to the payment of union dues in private sector businesses. This is one of the more controversial bills set to be debated in the Missouri Senate this session. However, while controversial, this issue is not new. The subject of unionization and the payment of dues go back many years in the history of our state.

In 1978, Missouri voters decided against a “Right-to-Work” initiative that was placed on the ballot. Years later, in 2001, the issue again resurfaced in dramatic fashion when then-Gov. Bob Holden issued an executive order that allowed public employees to collectively bargain. That order was promptly rescinded by his successor, Gov. Matt Blunt, after he took office in 2005.

In the current debate, the issue of public employee collective bargaining is not actually on the table here in Missouri at all (the legislation here deals with private sector employees). It is this issue of public employee collective bargaining that has led to much of the contentious debates and demonstrations we have seen in other states such as Wisconsin and Ohio.

We value the service of our state employees here in Missouri. Unfortunately, with the ongoing difficulties in the economy and the tight state budget, difficult decisions are necessary. Pension reforms, workforce reductions, and benefit changes have already been achieved in the Legislature. Our state employees continue to do their part. In fact, even some of our “Rebooting Government” ideas to make government more efficient have come from those who are on the frontlines providing service to our citizens.

As we continue to work our way through a historic recession, belt-tightening is the order of the day and raising taxes is not an option. In a matter of weeks, the Senate will be considering changes across every function of government. By working together, Missouri has fared well in comparison to much of the country. By continuing to work together, we can lead the nation by demonstrating the fiscal discipline to balance our budget and fund key priorities like education.

As we again take up the subject of unionization for debate, it is good to remember that this issue stretches back many decades in our country’s history and people on both sides have strong feelings. However, I am confident that the discussion here in the Show-Me State will remain informative and civil.

I always appreciate hearing from you. If you have any questions about issues or any legislation pending before the Missouri Senate, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Tilley: "Odd Requirement" Just As Important As Encouraging Economic Development, Job Creation

Even though economic development and job creation are on the top of many Missourians minds’ there are several other issues we are working in the state capitol. This week the Missouri House passed a measure [HB167] that would make sure anyone who received a Missouri drivers license would have to pass the drivers test in English.

This may seem like an odd requirement, but currently an individual in Missouri has the option to take the test 11 different languages. However, in 2008 Missourians made English the state’s official language for all formal proceedings with a vote of 89%. We believe extending this into a requirement for a driver’s license makes sense.

While diversity is a proud part of our heritage and should continue to be in our future, we also believe that public safety is important as well. For instance, someone who cannot communicate in English during a routine traffic stop or during an emergency situation on a major roadway could potentially cause serious harm to other motorists.

In addition, a great deal of access is allotted to individuals when through the use of a driver’s license. Some individuals will use a driver’s licenses to get all kinds of government services that they could not otherwise. As an example an individual could obtain a forged birth certificate or social security card and then receive state health provided services.

Additionally, the Missouri Department of Revenue currently will provide an interpreter for any of the existing 11 approved languages – adding even more bureaucracy and cost. The point is, adding this English requirement not only simplifies the standard process of getting a driver’s license, but we believe also improves public safety for our citizens.

In the state of Missouri in 2008 there were over 900 fatalities from car accidents. [Source: http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2011/tables/11s1103.xls] We hope to greatly decrease this number and while many of these fatalities were unfortunate accidents if we can prevent any of them we should try.

We want to keep our families as safe as possible and a simple requirement like passing a drivers license test in English can help do that.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve here in the House of Representatives. As always, I welcome your comments. You may reach me at 573-751-1488, send your e-mails to steven{dot}tilley{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov or write to me at the Missouri House of Representatives, State Capitol, Room 308, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

If you know of anyone who would like to receive my Capitol Reports electronically, please contact me with their e-mail address.

Torpey: Ennovation Center, Focus on Two Bills

A Special Note

Pictured at left: John Pinch-Deputy City Manager, Tom Lesnak-President of Independence Economic Development, Jodi Krantz-Vice President of Independence Economic Development, and R. David Edwards-Project Developer and Principal at CEAH Realtors

Last Friday I had the pleasure of visiting the Independence Regional Ennovation Center, located in the former Independence Regional Medical Center. The Ennovation Center is a mixed use business incubator which focuses on three core areas for the development of new businesses: bio-technology, culinary arts, and business and technology. This small business incubator is unlike any other found in our state. Not only does it have the largest kitchen of any incubator in the United States, it also provides the necessary facilities and support services to assist successful startup businesses in an environment that encourages collaboration with other small business entrepreneurs in the enormous building. This incubator is also the only in the state that is not run through a university. This gives our hometown incubator many special advantages.

During my time at the Ennovation Center, I was blessed enough to see a small business in action! I met Ms. Debbie Kraft [at right], owner of Cooking Connections. Debbie not only caters for events such as weddings and family reunions, but she is also dedicated to helping others find the cook within by creating new recipes and cookbooks, and introducing clients to new culinary feats. I wish Debbie the best of luck; I know her business is already on the fast track toward success! To learn more about Debbie, or Cooking Connections, visit her website.

The IREC is not only designed to simply rent you space for your business to locate, but to provide you with the resources and services that you need to make your small business a success, such as secretarial services, financing assistance, support networks, and so on. I encourage you to learn more about the IREC by visiting their website. If you have an idea for a small business, the IREC is the place to go. Contact any one of their knowledgeable employees to learn how to get your business off of the ground.

2011 Legislative Session continues

The House heard a lot of legislation this week, but we focused a bulk of our time on two bills.

HB 167, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nolte, would require Missouri driver's license examinations to only be administered in English. This bill was 3rd read and passed by a 102-56 vote.

HB 213, sponsored by Rep. Tim Jones, specifies that no abortion of a viable unborn child can be performed or induced except in certain specified situations. This bill tightens the laws on late-term abortions. This bill was left on the calendar to be discussed further next week.

Committees

Fiscal Review met this week to discuss two bills that were referred to the committee. First, we heard the fiscal note on House Bill 266, sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith, which changes the laws regarding weight limitations for vehicles hauling livestock or agricultural products on state highways. This bill passed out of committee with an 8-3 vote. Second, we heard the fiscal note for House Joint Resolution 2, sponsored by Rep. Mike McGhee, which proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a citizen's right to pray and worship on public property and reaffirming a citizen's right to choose any or no religion. This bill passed out of committee with an 11-0 vote.

Word of the Week

Often, the General Assembly passes legislation that we refer to as House (or Senate) Concurrent Resolutions and House (or Senate) Joint Resolutions. In the general sense of the term, resolution refers to a settlement, or when an issue is resolved. Our use of the term in the legislature does not vary much from that: an opinion expressed by one or both houses.

A joint resolution is passed by the General Assembly, and becomes legally binding when signed by the Governor, unless he chooses to not sign, or veto. A joint resolution has the effect of a law and is often used instead of a bill when the purpose is of a temporary nature, of an issue pertaining to the federal government, to establish a commission, or express an opinion.

A concurrent resolution is also passed by both houses in the General Assembly to express the policy or opinions of the Legislature. HCR's are often used to petition the legislature to take certain actions, to establish commissions, to adopt joint rules, or to propose amendments to the State Constitution. Unlike joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions require no action by the Governor.

In Other News

On Thursday, March 24th, Senator Will Kraus and I will be holding an open Legislative Forum for our constituents of the 52nd House District and the 8th Senatorial District. The event will be held at the Midwest Genealogy Center (3440 S. Lee's Summit Road, Independence, MO 64055) from 7 to 9 pm. We very much look forward to speaking with you and answering your questions. Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions about this event. If you would like to learn more about the Genealogy Center, visit the website by clicking HERE.

Also, do not forget to RSVP for the first annual 52nd District Day, on April 19th, by calling or emailing our office. I look forward to hosting my constituents here in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Korman: Weather Boring Compared To Floor Activity

This week was fairly uneventful in the weather but certainly not within the walls of the Missouri Capitol.

I introduced two bills this week. The first, House Bill 774, provides for the distribution of any unexpended state appropriations by a state department, agency, or office. A link to the bill is provided here: http://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills111/billpdf/intro/HB0774I.PDF.

The second, House Bill 797, relates to the state land survey program. It transfers land survey duties from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture. A link to that bill is provided here: http://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills111/billpdf/intro/HB0797I.PDF.

HBs 123, 125 and 271, which I co-sponsored were taken and rolled into a House Committee Substitute within HB 294 (R-Riddle). This substitute bill changes the laws regarding firearms, ammunition and concealed carry endorsements. I fully support this bill. Here is a link to the bill: http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills111/billpdf/commit/HB0294C.PDF.

The Missouri House perfected HJR 2 sponsored by Mike McGhee (R-Odessa) this week. The HJR submits to the qualified voters of Missouri an amendment repealing section 5 of article 1 of the Constitution of Missouri, and adopting one new section in lieu thereof relating to the right to pray. I co-sponsored the HJR.

I attended the Missouri State Senate Veteran's Affairs, Pensions and Urban Affairs Committee Hearing on Nuclear Site Permit Bills Senate Bills 321 and 406. The hearing lasting over six hours heard testimony in favor of the nuclear site permit bills as our best plan for meeting our energy challenge as well as testimony in opposition.

Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer hosted a dinner this week for Representatives and Senators in the 9^th Congressional District. We received an update on the issues in Washington D.C. Sarah, my wife, joined me at the dinner and it was wonderful to have her present.

I’ll be joining Senator Brian Nieves on Sunday, March 13 at 3 p.m. at the Belle Star Theatre in Warrenton to give an update on legislation and answering your questions and concerns. Please consider attending. This event is open to the public and all citizens of the 99^th District.

Our office remained busy with visitors from local bankers, home school children, etc. this week. I look forward to visitors at the Capitol; please don’t hesitate to call the office and schedule. We are beginning to see an increased interest from our schools and other groups to have me visit. We strive to give each visit and call the deserved time so please feel free to stop by or contact your 99^th District office at:

201 W Capitol Ave., Office 114C
Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-751-2689
Bart{dot}Korman{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov

Working for You,

Bart Korman

Berry: Comparison Of Proposed Changes To Prop B

Brilliant flashes of Spring splashed across mid-Missouri this week, drenching skies in a glorious bath of sunshine and vanquishing the remaining vestiges of the massive amounts of ice and snow that had piled themselves like cold sentinels along streets and lots, removing any fleeting memories of the blizzard of 2011 and teasing us with hints of an early thaw…

THIS WEEK….

I have had many constituents contacting me regarding Proposition B. I share your concerns about cruelty to animals.

I believe it is my job to be informed on the bills I vote on. That is why I am asking for your input. Prop B was passed by the majority of district 35. So now I am faced with a hard decision. Work to make the law enforceable and practical there by changing the law and opening myself up to criticism. Or leave it the same and know there is not any money appropriated to enforce Prop. B.

Please take the time to review the chart and commentary below. Then I would appreciate your thoughtful response.

PROP B	HB 131
Does nothing to address the problem of unlicensed facilities	Creates a surcharge paid by licensed facilities to promote “Operation Bark Alert” targeting unlicensed facilities.
Offers no funding for any inspection or enforcement of Prop B regulations.	Increases maximum licensing fee from $500 to $2,000 to provide increased funding for inspections.
Applies to all dogs, requiring puppies purchased from exempt operations to have the same vaccination and health standards as those sold from licensed facilities.	Applies only to dogs with licensed breeders.
Requires dogs to be fed once per day.	Requires dogs to be fed twice per day.
“Pet” is defined and limited to dogs.	Pet is defined as “any domesticated animal,” which could also be interpreted to include livestock and put farms out of business.
Does not specify which state agency is responsible for regulating and reporting violations.	Places regulatory authority with the Department of Agricultures and state animal welfare officials.
No enforcement mechanisms.	State animal welfare officials may request the Attorney General or local prosecutors to bring charges in the Circuit Court of any county where a violation occurred. In addition, violators are subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 per violation.
Requires only one vet exam per year.	Requires at least two vet exams per year.
Regulations are arbitrary and not based on veterinary principles. For example, requires that dogs not be kept in temperatures above 85 degrees.	Sets regulations based on veterinary guidelines. For example, veterinary guidelines suggest keeping newborn puppies in a controlled environment above 90 degrees.
Limits breeders to 50 dogs, potentially costing the state $20 million in General Revenue to be paid from lawsuits by breeders impacted by the “regulatory taking.”	Eliminates the 50 dog limit, saving the state $20 million in General Revenue funds in a tough budget climate.

The following is a list of the most important changes:

Prop B did nothing to address the problem of unlicensed facilities. HB 131 places a surcharge on breeder’s licensing fees to create, promote, and fund Operation Bark Alert targeting unlicensed facilities. Without HB 131, Missouri authorities would have no funding or legal mechanisms by which to go off the worst abusers of dogs in our state.
Prop B provided no funding for inspection or enforcement of dog breeders. HB 131 increases the maximum licensing fee from $500 to $2,000 to provide increased funding for inspections.
Prop B only applied to licensed breeders and exempted many organizations that own dogs. I agree with the phrase, “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.” HB 131 applies protective regulations to all dogs, requiring that all puppies benefit from the same vaccination and health standards as those sold from licensed facilities.
Prop B failed to specify any government official charged with enforcing the law, unintentionally creating a system without any accountability. If everyone has the duty to enforce the law, no one is fully accountable for ensuring that its mandates are kept. HB 131 places regulatory authority within the Department of Agriculture and state animal welfare officials to ensure that there is an agency fully responsible for ensuring compliance with the law. In addition, it creates a mechanism for state animal welfare officials to refer cases to the Attorney General or local prosecutors for the bringing of civil or criminal charges against those evil Missourians who abuse dogs.
Prop B only required dogs to only be fed once per day and visited by a veterinarian once per year. HB 131 doubles both, and requires twice daily feedings and two vet visits per year.
Prop B created arbitrary regulations related to the care of dogs which were not consistent with best practices advised by veterinarians. For example, Prop B makes it a crime to keep dogs in an environment with temperatures above 85 degrees, but veterinary guidelines recommend that newborn puppies be kept in an environment with constant temperatures above 90 degrees. HB 131 changes the standard to ensure that dogs in Missouri are cared for in accordance with the best practices recommended by veterinarians.
Prop B placed an arbitrary limit of 50 on the number of dogs owned by one breeder. There is a strong argument that this new regulation would be considered a “regulatory taking” subjecting the state of Missouri in a tough budget year to potentially $20 million in damage claims from lawsuits brought by breeders under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. HB 131 removes the arbitrary limit to protect the state treasury.

Online Bill Information

If you would like to track legislation you may log on to www.house.mo.gov and select “Bill Information” and then select “Bill Tracking”. You may search by topic or bill number. If you want to track the bills that I have either sponsored or co-sponsored, just enter my last name and you will be able to look at each of those also.

Mayer: Two Appointments to State Boards and Commissions

JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, announced that two gubernatorial appointments he sponsored have been confirmed by the full Senate recently (3/10). Michael Zito will serve as a member of the Truman State University Board of Governors and Robert Culler will serve as a member of the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority.

The Truman State University Board of Governors is the highest policy making body of the University. The board works to support the mission of Truman State University, which is to offer an exemplary undergraduate education to well-prepared students, grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, in the context of a public institution of higher education. Zito will serve as one of the non-voting, out-of-state members of the board. A graduate of Truman State University, he currently manages the Washington D.C. office of the law firm, Lathrop and Gage. Since 1991, he has served in the United States Army Reserves and currently holds the rank of Major in the Judge Advocate General Corps.

“As a successful graduate of Truman State University, I commend Mr. Vito for giving back to his alma mater in this way,” said Sen. Mayer. “His experience supervising legal activities both on a federal and state level will serve the board well.”

The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority is an 8-member panel that reviews and approves loan applications for the authority’s programs, and sets policy and direction related to operation of the authority. Culler is a lifelong resident of Pemiscot County and is the executive vice-president of First State Bank and Trust Company in Caruthersville. He is a vocal community activist, and is active in several national, state and local boards. He is a graduate of Lincoln University and a past curator of that university.

“From loans to help with marketing a small agribusiness to financing for value-added agriculture enterprises, this board plays an important role in supporting our state’s number one industry,” said Sen. Mayer. “Mr. Culler’s experience in banking in a rural community will certainly be a benefit to the work of the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority.”

For full resolution photos shown below, please contact Senate Communications at (573) 751-3824.

Sen. Mayer with Michael Zito during his Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing to become a member of the Truman State University Board of Governors.

Sen. Mayer with Robert Culler during his Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing to become a member of the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority.

Denison: Relief for Livestock Farmers, Sawmill Operators; Moving Registration Stickers To Windshield

“It’s not what we have in our life, but who we have in our life that counts.” – J.M. Laurence

English-only Drivers Tests (HB 167)

In a past Capitol Report I mentioned a piece of legislation meant to ensure our drivers’ license tests are administered only in English. This week that bill came to the House floor where it received overwhelming approval. The idea behind the bill is nothing more than old-fashioned common sense. Our traffic signs are in English. Our law enforcement officials who keep our roads safe speak English. It makes sense that anyone who travels on our roads should be able to read and communicate in English as well. In addition to this obvious reason, the change to administering the test in English only would protect our state from potential lawsuits. Missouri currently offers the exam in 11 languages. We’ve seen in other states that if you offer the test in more than one language it can create a liability issue where the state potentially would have to offer the test in any of the 300 languages spoken in our nation. In Oklahoma, which also offered the test in 11 languages, a couple demanded to take the test in a language other than the ones offered by the state. The couple ended up filing a lawsuit and Oklahoma responded by passing a bill similar to the one we are working on this year. We hope to follow Oklahoma’s lead this year by passing legislation that will ensure licensed drivers in our state can communicate in English.

Right to Pray (HJR 2)

Also this week, we approved a proposed state constitutional amendment that would guarantee Missourians the right to express their religious beliefs in public places. During debate on the legislation, the bill sponsor talked about school children being removed from classrooms for wearing crosses and carrying Bibles. To protect all Missourians from having their religious freedoms compromised, the bill we passed would specify that the religious activities must be voluntary and subject to the same rules and regulations of all other forms of speech. The amendment also would affirm the right of elected public officials to be able to pray on public premises and have clergy in attendance at public meetings. As a constitutional amendment, these changes would require voter approval before taking effect. It’s something we’re confident the vast majority of Missourians would support to help reaffirm the religious freedoms we all value so much.

University Board of Curators (HB 174)

One piece of legislation we approved this week would change the makeup of the state Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the University of Missouri Board of Curators and the Missouri State University Board of Governors. Our state Constitution requires that each board have nine members and state law says that there can be no more than one member from each congressional district. With Missouri losing a congressional seat because of a lack of sufficient population growth, the nine-member requirement in the Constitution will conflict with our state law that limits board members at one per district. The bill we passed would allow one of the eight future congressional districts to have two members on each board. The governor would choose which district gets two members on a given board.

Sawmill Tax Relief (HB 112)

Another bill passed this week aims to help our state’s struggling sawmills by putting their tax burden in line with other agricultural businesses. Currently, the sawmill industry is suffering from the economic downturn and the struggling housing and construction markets. According to statistics kept by the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri lost 90 sawmills between 2006 and 2009. In 2010, the state's sawmills reported $2.2 million in sales - a 60 percent drop from 2008. The bill we passed this week would provide some much-needed relief to the industry by reducing the tax burden for these businesses. Specifically, it would reclassify sawmills at the agriculture tax rate of 12 percent. Currently, they are taxed at the business tax rate, which is 32 percent. By providing this property tax relief we hope to give some of these family-owned businesses stay in operation. Many of our existing sawmills are an integral part of the rural communities in which they are located. We want to do all we can to help keep them here and to keep the lumber industry afloat.

Easing Weight Restrictions for Livestock Hauling (HB 266)

Another piece of legislation now on its way to the Senate would help Missouri be more competitive with other states that have increased weight limits for trucks hauling livestock. In Missouri, we currently have an 80,000 pound weight limit on most of our highways. However, vehicles utilizing U. S. Highway 36 from St. Joseph to U. S. Highway 65 and U. S. Highway 65 from the Iowa state line to U. S. Highway 36 have a weight limit of 85,500 pounds. The bill we passed would remove these specified highways and apply the increased weight limitation to any vehicle hauling livestock or agricultural products on any highway of this state. The weight limits would not apply to vehicles operated on the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways. We believe this change will help farmers to be more efficient as they haul livestock with fewer trips needed because of the increased capacity. It is estimated it will allow them to increase the number of livestock that can be transported at one time by about 10 percent, which will result in savings of approximately $2 per head of livestock.

Transportation Committee Hearing

At left: Giving testimony on HB 291

On Tuesday, March 8^th, House Bill 291, which requires window stickers to show current motor vehicle registration instead of license plate tabs, which I sponsored, was heard. In addition to law enforcement that testified, officials from the State of Texas also provided informational testimony.

Also, Pam Holt, RN, BSN, Trauma Prevention Education Coordinator, and Injury Prevention Program Coordinator, St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, gave testimony for House Bill 713 which would require the driver and each front seat passenger in cars and trucks to wear a safety belt with certain exceptions.

Visitors

On March 8^th, representatives of the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA), were at the Capitol visiting legislators. The visitors were: Glenda Thurlkill, Margaret Watson, Marca Hayter, Trudy Puckett, Susie Compton, Scott Morrison, and Henry Anton.

Also on March 8^th, Donna and Leo Giger, Springfield, were at the Capitol with the Missouri Council of the Blind. I appreciated their visit.

On March 9^th, Susan Wade, Public Relations Manager, Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Kathryn Vicat, Event Coordinator, O’Reilly Family Event Center were at the Capitol.

March 9^th was [at right] Disability Rights Legislative Day at the Capitol. Visitors in my office were, Scott Wheeler, Marisa Clary, Barbara McDuffy, Frank Collins, Treasurer of People First, Dennis Brown, Heather Keating, Judy Shreck, and Angel Walker.

On March 10^th, Stephanie McGinnis was at the Capitol with her parents, Steve and Rhonda McGinnis, and sisters, Mandy and Tenslee. Stephanie’s art work was selected by the Missouri Art Education Association, and was displayed in the Third Floor Rotunda. An awards reception was also held in the Capitol Rotunda. While at the Capitol, they were introduced as guests on the House floor by Rep. Denison, and they viewed the debate on the House floor from the side gallery.

Pictured left to right: Steve McGinnis, Rhonda McGinnis, Stephanie McGinnis, Rep. Denison, Mandy McGinnis, Tenslee McGinnis

Award

Pictured at right: Sen. Robin Wright-Jones, Rep. Denison, John Bennett

March 9^th was Brain Injury Awareness Day, and I was very honored to be recognized for legislative efforts to prevent brain injuries by the Brain Injury Association of Missouri. Senator Robin Wright-Jones was also recognized.

I look forward to hearing from you, and if you will be in Jefferson City, please stop by my office. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Best wishes.

10 March 2011

Engler: Focusing on Missouri’s Energy Future, Dog Breeding Regulations

It was a long week this week. We talked about several tough issues including local control of the St. Louis police department, nuclear power and dog breeding.

Since the Civil War the state has controlled the St. Louis Police Department. I have mixed feelings about this. When I was mayor I would not have wanted the state to control our police department in Farmington, but police officers in the city of St. Louis do not want the control to go back to what they perceive is a corrupt aldermanic government. I don’t think this bill [SB23] will pass.

We worked for a long time on adjustments to the so called “puppy mill” bill [SB113]. I have said from the beginning that when the description of this legislation went to the voters that it was not well written and I still feel this way. Some of the provisions in the bill would put unfair burdens on legitimate dog breeders in the state. The majority of people in my district did not vote for it and essentially we can’t limit good breeders who are doing a good job. This is nearly a billion dollar industry and the state can’t be putting businesses out of business.

In the bill we added that veterinarians need to visit these licensed breeders at least two times a year; that the breeder has to have exercise programs for the animals; and the facility and treatment of the animals has to be humane. Our changes actually go further than the original Prop B by going after non-licensed breeders who jeopardize the safety of puppies and dogs. Currently, unlicensed operations go without any regulation. Now our challenge is to enforce this.

On Wednesday night I sat through a seven hour committee hearing regarding the second nuclear plant in Missouri. This [SB321] is very contentious and it will be very expensive. Every electric provider is supporting the legislation, but we have to have consumer protections to make sure the cost associated with this is justifiable and that the consumers don’t pay an exorbitant amount when the plant is built.

Currently 80% of Missouri’s electric comes from coal fired plants and the EPA is about to crack down even more on emissions. We need some alternative energy sources to protect our future.

Summer may not be right around the corner, but with weather warming, work on our next Missouri State Fair is underway. This week, the entertainment lineup for the fair was announced. You can see some of the recently released details by visiting www.mostatefair.com. There are links to the entertainment, daily highlights, and special events taking place this year from August 11 to 21.

Next week we will be working on the supplemental budget for the current budget year and probably debating Right to Work legislation.

Rupp: Redistricting in Our State and Listening to Public Opinion

Last December, the results from the 23^rd Decennial Census showed that the population of the 2nd Senatorial District would be affected, along with a number of Congressional districts in Missouri. It was concluded that Missouri would lose a Congressional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, despite having a steady population growth of 7 percent. I was disappointed that our state lost a seat, but I am determined to draw new district lines that will fairly represent our citizens and Missouri’s population.

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Redistricting, it is my responsibility and honor to visit communities throughout Missouri and hear the thoughts and opinions from citizens regarding the redistricting process that is currently taking place across the state. It is also my duty to make sure that any changes that are made by redistricting fairly represent the people of Missouri.

Recently, we received Missouri’s census data from the federal government, which was the first step in really determining where the population in our state has settled. Our goal for the new Missouri congressional maps to be finished is May 14. After the maps have been approved by the House and Senate, the governor has his allotted time to make his decision. The new maps must be in place to ensure proper filing in February 2012 for congressional candidates.

I would like to encourage citizens to attend the informative and open hearings that we are conducting regarding redistricting throughout the state, or to submit comments through my office. The more input we get, the more accurately we can draw the congressional lines. It’s clear that after the redistricting process, we shall have a congressional map that looks much different than it does now, and we want this map to reflect one person, one vote in Congress.

As always, if you have any inquiries regarding this issue or any other matter within state government, please visit my website at www.senate.mo.gov/rupp. Here, you can also subscribe to my RSS feed on the main page of my website; it will keep you up to date on all my columns, press releases, and multimedia postings. Always feel free to e-mail me or call my office toll-free at (866) 271-2844.

Nance: District Visitors

At right: Excelsior Springs Career Center students visiting the Capitol were Dustin Lloyd, Eric Jones and Devan Crow.

"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that the government wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." –Ben Stein

In the District

Crews begin demolition and construction on two Crooked River crossings in Ray County this month. Route B and Route BB will close mid-March.

Keith Winge was here this morning promoting Missouri Tourism with a special Pancake Breakfast.

Congratulations to Lawson students who participated and reached the special recognition for their art work being viewed on the Third Floor Rotunda.

Tristan Burton, Joshua Gamber, Dexter Fletchall, Maggie Lyon, Kane Barrett, Caitlin Bailey, Haley Rash, Dylan Thies, Luke Mammon, and Griffin Johnson all displayed their artwork.

Cassie James received the Upper Elementary Presidents Award for her "tempra paint" art. Justice Burton received the Governor's Choice Award for his "two color linoleum print".

House Floor

HB 214, which would change the laws regarding human trafficking, by a vote of 155-0.

We also perfected HB 167 which would require all Missouri Driver’s License exams to be administered in English. It only makes sense that when road signs, traveler alert billboards, and the like, are in English, that anyone possessing a Missouri driver’s license should be able to read basic English.

HB 266 passed on Thursday and it allows a heavier load on state highways by agriculture vehicles.

In Committee

The House Higher Education Committee voted do pass HB 223, which would establish the Caring for Missourians Program within the Department of Higher Education to award grants to eligible higher education institutions to address nursing shortages.

The House General Laws Committee voted do pass HB 123, which would prohibit the sales tax on firearms or ammunition from being levied at a higher rate than for any sales tax or other excise tax charged on any sporting goods or equipment or any hunting equipment.

Kraus: Every Dollar Counts

This week, the Senate Transportation Committee heard SB 324, a bill I sponsored to remove the requirement for a front license plate on most vehicles. This idea was raised during our Rebooting Government sessions in both the General Government and Transportation Committees. Removing front plates will save the state between $1 million and $1.5 million dollars.

Nineteen states currently require only one license plate. Among those, four — Kansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Tennessee — border Missouri. Two other border states —Illinois and Nebraska — have similar legislation pending.

While this isn’t a new idea in Missouri — former 8^th District Senator Matt Bartle pushed for it last year — it is becoming more popular because of our difficult budget situation. Right now, every dollar counts.

Many law enforcement agencies and officials believe they will be less effective in catching criminals and clearing crimes if they cannot see the front plate. However, they could lose that money in personnel, the equivalent of maybe twenty officers, if we do not make the change. No evidence has been found that shows any less effective law enforcement in states that have a single plate requirement.

Since one of the stated objectives for your District 8 office is to be fiscally responsible, I will continue to look for opportunities like this to save taxpayer dollars. If you have any ideas, I would be glad to hear them.

Shaving My Head for Charity

Many of you know that I sport a military style haircut. This weekend, I’m going one step further and having my head shaved. It’s for a good cause.

On Saturday, March 12, at 4:00 p.m. I will be at John’s Barber Shop to have my head shaved in return for a minimum of $1,000 in donations to Hope House, a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

Hope House offers a lifeline of safety from abuse for thousands of local women and children by providing education, prevention, and support. With the help of Hope House, women have been able to change their lives in a positive way.

My offer was quite a surprise to my wife, Carmen. She noted that, “Will has worn his hair the same way for 19 years."

I guess it is time for a change. I look forward to a friendly and successful auction.

John’s Barber Shop is located at 217 SE Douglas Street, Lee’s Summit 64063. If you would like to make a donation, you can mail a check made out to Hope House to John’s Barber Shop, or drop it by the shop from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. I’ve offered to match any additional donations over the $1000 mark up to $2000. Thanks to Nick Swearngin, owner of the shop, for organizing this charity auction.

Welcome Visitors

Again this week, constituents from District 8 took the time to come to the Capitol, which I always appreciate. Some of the visitors were Mike Frommer, David Witt, Tracy Damario, Debbie Kline, Tina Jackson, and Judy Green.

Lara Vermilion, President of the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce, organized a group of about 35 members and businesses to come here for its Chamber Day. I was very honored to have a chance to visit with this group.

The General Assembly always has a Physician of the Day to take care of any medical issues that might come up. On Wednesday, Dr. Sean Clinefelter, Grain Valley, handled those duties here at the Capitol. Many thanks to him.

Students of Daniel Young Elementary, Thomas J. Ultican Elementary, and John Nowlin Elementary Schools, all of Blue Springs, visited the Capitol this week. I am always glad to take the time to talk with our young citizens about state government.

Upcoming Elections

The following elections are scheduled in Eastern Jackson County. I encourage you to remember the dates for your area and get out and vote!

Date	Election
Mar. 22	Kansas City Mayor/City Council General Election
Apr. 5	Municipal Elections for the following: Kansas City (Earnings Tax Question) Blue Springs Grain Valley Greenwood Lake Lotawana Lake Tapawingo Levasy Lone Jack Oak Grove Raytown Sibley
Apr. 5	School Board Elections for the following: Lee’s Summit R-VII School District Blue Springs R-IV School District Grain Valley R-V School District Oak Grove R-VI School District Lone Jack C-6 School District Raytown C-2 School District

Lichtenegger: Legislation that recently passed the House

HB 214- expands the crime and increases the penalties of human trafficking.
HCS HB 276, 233 & 274- changes the laws regarding unlawful picketing or protesting of a funeral.
HB 61- prohibits the state minimum wage from exceeding the federal minimum wage and specifies that every employer must pay each employee receiving gratuities as compensation a wage of $3.63 per hour.
HCS HB 116 & 316- changes the laws regarding the collection of money owed to the state and authorizes an amnesty from the assessment or payment of the penalties, taxes, and interest on certain unpaid tax delinquencies.
HCR 3- submits to Congress a proposed federal balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution.

Constituent Corner

Photo Left: Cape Girardeau County Sheriff, John Jordon (center), testified during a public hearing on HB 658 – The Meth Lab Elimination Act. This bill changes the controlled substance classification of all methamphetamine precursor drugs. The change will require a physician's prescription to obtain any of these drugs.

Photo Right: SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence (SADI) members (l to r) Zetties Adams, Gloria Osby, LaRue McAllister, Stephanie Zeschke, Karen Broshuis and Amber Lackamp (center front). The Alliance provides vital services that enable those with disabilities to retain an independent living environment instead of being institutionalized and there by dignifying their humanity and personhood.

Mayer: Senate Advances Measure to Go After Unlicensed Dog Breeders in Missouri

Bill Strengthens Proposition B Provisions Passed by Voters

JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Senate gave second round approval today advancing a measure that would create a new crime targeting unlicensed dog breeders, as well as strengthening the guidelines and increasing the number of inspections of licensed dog breeders in Missouri. Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, sponsored Senate Bill 113 & 95. The bill now moves to the House for similar consideration.

Parson said the bill keeps the heart of the proposition Missouri voters adopted by strengthening provisions and inspections of licensed dog breeders and cracking down on unlicensed breeders. It is estimated there are more than 1,500 unlicensed breeding facilities in Missouri.

“We all want puppies and dogs to be bred and raised under healthy and safe conditions,” said Parson. “That is why we have created a new crime and funding mechanism to hire more inspectors to go after and shut down unlicensed breeders in our state. We also build on the will of the people by making sure licensed breeders must follow common-sense guidelines to protect the health and well-being of their dogs and new puppies.”

Senate Bill 113 & 95 allows the Missouri Department of Agriculture to refer cases of unlicensed breeders to the Attorney General, circuit attorney, or local prosecutor. It also makes it a crime to operate without a license, with punishment ranging up to a Class A Misdemeanor. Parson said the bill also raises the cap on the license fee for breeders from $500 to $2,500, and creates an additional fee of $25 per breeding facility to fund Operation Bark Alert. The fee structure funding would potentially go to hiring an additional five inspectors to join the department’s current staff of twelve inspectors.

“This legislation will truly make a difference as it gives the Dept. of Agriculture every tool they need to combat bad operators, and go after unlicensed facilities,” said Parson.

Parson said the bill also dramatically increases veterinarian involvement. It requires breeders to consult veterinarians to determine how often a dog can breed and must have a veterinarian approved exercise plan for each dog. Stacked cages would be allowed, but only if they include an impenetrable barrier keeping waste and fluids from dropping on the dog below.

The bill also requires breeding facilities to keep sale and veterinarian records for two years on every dog, and make them available to Dept. of Agriculture inspectors upon request. The measure also changes the definition of "pet" to only apply to dogs.

Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, said it was important to clarify provisions in Proposition B.

“These common-sense changes will protect the health and safety of ‘man’s best friend,’ while allowing this important industry to continue in Missouri,” said Mayer. “It reforms the industry by making the care and health of the dog the number one priority of any breeding facility.”

Tim Jones: More Pro-Business Fixes Advance, Friend In Need Of Kidney Donor

A rush of spring storms swept across hill and vale early in the week leaving in its wake surging chilly wintry winds and a return of Old Man Winter as a grey stony veil settled upon us mid week, appropriately for Ash Wednesday, as we began the 40 day journey into the Lenten Season, eagerly anticipating warmer, gentler Spring days and sunnier vistas ahead…

A dinner was held in the White House for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time; at which time John F. Kennedy made this statement: “This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone”— John F. Kennedy

FLOOR ACTION: Monday, March 7^th

FLOOR ACTION: Tuesday, March 8^th

FLOOR ACTION: Wednesday, March 9th

Third Read Thursday, March 10th

Today, the House gave final passage to the following bills described above: HCS HB 174, HCS HBs 112 and 285, HCS HB 266, HB 339, HB 167 and HJR 2.

Recent Missouri Unemployment Information

Revised unemployment figures for the State of Missouri show a trend in the wrong direction. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Missouri’s unemployment rate in December (the most recent month available) is now reported as 9.6% instead of the 9.5% originally claimed. This is concerning on a number of levels including the fact we are .6% higher than the national average of 9% and since Gov. Nixon took office, Missouri has lost 104,300 jobs. Employment stats are available at http://data.bls.gov/pdq/SurveyOutputServlet?series_id=LASST29000003&data_tool=XGtable.

Public Service Announcement

The Eureka Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Swap Meet/Garage Sale in the Six Flags Parking Lot on March 26, 2011. This is a huge event and a great advertising opportunity for your business in the event map. There are only a limited number of spots available, so, if you are interested, please contact Joy Sauter, the Membership and Marketing Director for the Eureka Chamber of Commerce, at joysauter{at}eurekachamber{dot}us.

Important Tax Information

Taxpayers making $58,000 or less can visit http://www.irs.gov/efile/ to prepare and E-File federal tax returns, for FREE, through a landmark partnership between the IRS and tax software providers.

Michelle Moore Needs Your Help!

Michelle Moore is a great friend and colleague back in the St. Louis region. This week 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

Special congratulations to Glory Award winners from Eureka [at right] and Lafayette High Schools who came to the Capitol on Monday to receive their awards. This was a great achievement for these young men and women that I was honored to be able to present to them. 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

If you know anyone who would be interested in receiving the 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 longer under the Capitol Dome, we want to encourage you to keep up with the flurry of legislative activity. Now that another long Session Week has concluded, I am excited to be ready for the trip home this evening to spend time with Suzanne, Katie and Abby and to let my partners at Doster Ullom know I am hitting the legal files! 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.

Purgason: Nuisance Lawsuits Culled, Praise For KMOV's Welfare Investigation

This week the Senate debated and gave final approval to a bill which would help preserve the rights of farmers to operate their farms and ranches within the law without fear of losing their livelihood as a result of being sued. A disturbing trend has developed recently in which farmers are the targets of nuisance lawsuits designed to do nothing other than make it difficult for them to stay in business.

As urban dwellers move to rural areas, this situation is happening more and more often. A farmer has worked the land or raised livestock, often being the second or third generation to do so. A neighbor sells his or her land to a developer and suddenly a new subdivision goes up next to a cornfield or feedlot. Before they know what is happening, a summons to appear in court is served. Under current law, even if the farmer is found to be not guilty, they can be sued again the very next day for the very same thing.

Agriculture is our state’s number one industry. Not only are jobs provided in crop and livestock production, but other businesses such as energy, transportation, processing, and sales employ tens of thousands of people. Allowing production agriculture to fall victim to baseless legal action is simply not acceptable.

The actions being taken against those involved in production agriculture are many and varied. Farmers are being targeted for dust and noise created by machinery and equipment, livestock odors, controlled burning of crop residue, and other legal agriculture practices. Most farmers in our state try to be not only good stewards of the land, but also good neighbors. They attempt to minimize intrusions on new neighbors, but some simple facts do not change: animals smell and tractors make noise. These are not new revelations in rural living.

SB187 will help protect those involved in production agriculture by limiting damages from lawsuits filed simply to make it difficult for someone to operate a farm or ranch

On a different note, I find that I learn new things every day in this job, and I try to take everything in stride. However, what I learned about where some of Missouri’s welfare recipients are spending their time has me boiling mad.

The government program which distributes welfare benefits is known as TANF (Temporary cash Assistance to Needy Families). Paper food stamps have been replaced by magnetic strip EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards. As such, the transactions are readily and easily traceable.

Since much of Missouri’s population lives near a state line, it is understandable some activity is going to occur in other states such as Kansas, Illinois, and Arkansas. However, some states where benefits are being spent are a very long distance from the Show-Me State. One is not even accessible by car.

Chris Nagus, a St. Louis television reporter, examined records provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services. What he found is nothing short of incredible.

In Florida, Missouri welfare recipients spent $84,061 on food and withdrew $9737 in cash from ATMs. In California, the totals were $69,672 for food and $7818 in cash. In the biggest insult to taxpayers, welfare recipients spent $2737 for food and withdrew $175…in HAWAII!

I thought it was bad enough when I would be in line at the grocery store, hoping I had enough money to pay for hamburger and the person in front of me was using an EBT card to pay for steaks. These new events are a whole new level of insult to taxpayers. I am sure there are many hard working Missourians who would love to take their families to Florida, California, or Hawaii for a vacation but cannot afford to do so or cannot get time off from work. Apparently, if a person is not encumbered by having a job it is easier to get away.

No one is saying there are not those who truly need help through no fault of their own. However, when a person is able bodied and can use the system to avoid being productive, no one benefits, including the recipient.

There once was a time when being on welfare came with a stigma. Now it is considered normal since that is what their parents did. One generation follows in the footsteps of the previous. We can pass law after law in Jefferson City, but nothing takes the place of personal responsibility.

As always, you may contact me at 573-751-1882, e-mail to chuck{dot}purgason{at}senate{dot}mo{dot}gov or write to me at State Capitol, Room 416, 201 West Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Hoskins: Fixing An Unenforceable Law

This week’s Capitol Report will be somewhat lengthy as there are a number of items I want to cover in more detail than I usually cover in this report.

This morning, I was supposed to be in three committee hearings at the same time. It would have been four hearings but fortunately for me, the Budget Committee was cancelled. We worked very hard in Budget this week so I am pleased to report we have completed hearing testimony. Next week, Budget will begin the amendment process. That will be lengthy discussion.

So now let me report on what happened this morning in those other three committees. This morning, I testified on HB 45 in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. This is the bill known as the Big Government Get Off My Back Act. We passed this bill in the House on January 20^th with a vote of 136-21 to provide tax relief to small business. I reported details of my bill when it passed out of the House several weeks ago, so now it is moving through the Senate process. I’ll continue to keep you posted as it makes progress in the Senate.

Also this morning, my HB 202 to freeze the legislative per diem at current levels passed out of the Committee to Downsize State Government. HB 202 passed by consent 14-0. Consent is the process to move bills to consideration by the full House more quickly. It can only be used when the entire committee is in support of the bill. I look forward to this being placed on the House calendar.

Over the last several weeks, I have received a number of contacts from constituents concerning proposed changes to Proposition B. This is the Puppy Cruelty Act initiative petition that passed last November. The majority of those contacting me were opposed to any legislation making any changes.

I agree that dogs and puppies or any animals should not be abused. The problem is that the provisions in Proposition B, as written by the Humane Society of the United States, are currently unenforceable. House Bill 131 is a reasonable solution to provide funding to implement the provisions in Prop B and fix the language to make the provisions enforceable by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. HB 131 does not repeal Proposition B.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), an out-of-state special interest group, authored the wording in Prop B. HSUS admitted during testimony in the House Committee meeting that some provisions in Prop B need to be tweaked. I agree that Proposition B must be changed so Missouri can legally enforce the provisions in it.

Here are some questions with my answers about Proposition B and HB 131:

Should dogs be fed once or twice in a 24 hour period?
Prop B requires dogs to be fed every 24 hours. HB 131 increases the requirement to twice every 24 hours, unless dietary reasons provide for otherwise.
Should a veterinarian visit a dog breeding facility once or twice a year?
Prop B requires one veterinarian visit. HB 131 increases the requirement to twice a year.
What government program do we take funds from to implement Prop B?
There is a finite amount of funding available to support the operation of the state. Should we reduce funding to Education, Medicaid, Meals-on-Wheels, etc. to fund the investigators needed to implement Prop B? Prop B did not provide funding to institute the program. HB 131 provides a funding mechanism to implement the provisions without taking money away from Education, Medicaid, Meals-on-Wheels, etc.
Should unlicensed/exempt dog breeders comply with the same rules as licensed dog breeders?
Prop B only deals with licensed dog breeders, however, most problems occur with unlicensed/exempt dog breeders which are not covered in Prop B. HB 131 requires unlicensed/exempt dog breeders to comply with the same provisions as licensed dog breeders.
Should retail pet stores, animal shelters and dog trainers have to comply with Prop B?
The authors of Prop B (HSUS) exempted themselves and these other groups from complying with the provisions in the new law. HB 131 removes that exemption and requires these groups to comply with the same rules to ensure dogs are not abused.

My intent here is to clarify some of the differences between the legal language in Proposition B and HB 131. I encourage you to visit www.house.mo.gov and read HB 131 to learn more about the provisions it contains. Again, HB 131 does not repeal Proposition B.

Ways to Keep in Contact

Keep sending in those surveys! I am thrilled to have so many coming back. For the first time this year, constituents can respond to the survey on-line and save postage by accessing my State Representative page on the House website at www.house.mo.gov. I appreciate the input of my constituents. In a few weeks, I’ll report the results of my survey.

On March 24, I will be continuing my ongoing custom to hold public meetings at each of the three Johnson County branches of the Trails Regional Libraries. The libraries make a convenient location to provide a Legislative Update and meet with constituents. I find these events a great opportunity to share what’s happening in Jefferson City as well as hear about things important to you. The Legislature will be on spring break that week so I am taking the opportunity to give you a personal report of the status for the first half of this year’s session. I will begin at Knob Noster at 9:30 a.m., continue with Warrensburg at 12:30 p.m., and host the final one of the day at 2:30 p.m. at Holden. There will be more specific information as the event nears. In the meantime, help spread the word. Besides talking about legislation, I’m open to hear opinions on issues important to you, too.

Reminder

I consider communication with my constituents a high priority. My weekly Monday morning chat at 8:45 a.m. with Woody at KOKO Radio on AM 1450 is one of the best ways I’ve found for you to literally “hear” from me. Tune in every Monday morning at 8:45 to hear the latest concerning District 121.

Please share this report with anyone you feel would be interested in this information. It is genuinely a privilege to serve as your state representative.

Sater: Busy Week Before Mid-Session Break

This has been a busy week at the Capitol. In the Health Care Policy Committee we passed out three bills and debated three others. One of the bills that passed was a combination of three different bills on the prevention of brain injuries of students participating in sports. These three bills all had to be adjusted to find common ground between proponents and opponents, so my office was busy with meetings. The process ended with a consensus of all parties and a house committee substitute was passed and sent to the House Clerk. This week I also presented a bill and had another one of my bills pass out of the Rules Committee. Hopefully, HB 29 will get floor debate in the next few weeks. The passage of any bill is not easy and there is always a lot of work done by many people.

In addition to the Health Care Policy Committee work the Budget Committee has been meeting all week trying to find money that isn’t there. We went through each “markup” book for House Bills 1-13, which are the appropriation bills, dealing with the budget. We started last Monday at noon and met for many house going through every state program that uses state funds. This is something I’ve done for many years, but I remind myself all the time, it is the taxpayer’s money, not mine. This weekend I will work on amendments to move some money from one program to another.

For the last several years it has been proposed to cut the Dept. of Tourism budget by several million dollars. I intend to offer an amendment to increase this line item because for every dollar spent there is a return of $8-10 and it especially helps southwest Missouri. I also want appropriations for Mo. State University and UMKC School of Pharmacy to develop a pharmacy program at Mo. State. This would create more healthcare jobs for out part of the state. I also will have several amendments decreasing some state programs because even though state revenue was up 5-6% in January I do not think it will hold. I hope I’m wrong, but would rather be conservative in revenues.

The House “third read & passed” several bills this week. The most debated bill that passed was the English only version of the state driver’s license test [HB167]. Another bill of interest was the increase of tonnage for livestock transport trucks which mirrors our surrounding states [HB266]. We changed the tax classification for sawmills from commercial to agriculture [HB112], and we tweaked the telecommunications statute to keep fair and equal competition on rate charges for Missouri citizens [HB339]. How these bills will fare on the Senate side is anyone’s guess.

Thank you for allowing me to serve all of your needs in the 68^th district.

Kelley: Bill Targets Use of TANF Funds Outside Missouri

I find that I learn new things every day in this job, and I try to take everything in stride. However, what I learned about where some of Missouri’s welfare recipients are spending their time has me boiling mad.

The government program which distributes welfare benefits is known as TANF (Temporary cash Assistance to Needy Families). Paper food stamps have been replaced by magnetic strip EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards. As such, the transactions are readily and easily traceable.

Since much of Missouri’s population lives near a state line, it is understandable some activity is going to occur in other states such as Kansas, Illinois, and Arkansas. However, some states where benefits are being spent are a very long distance from the Show-Me State. One is not even accessible by car.

Chris Nagus, a St. Louis television reporter, examined records provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services. What he found is nothing short of incredible.

In Florida, Missouri welfare recipients spent $84,061 on food and withdrew $9737 in cash from ATMs. In California, the totals were $69,672 for food and $7818 in cash. In the biggest insult to taxpayers, welfare recipients spent $2737 for food and withdrew $175…in HAWAII!

I thought it was bad enough when I would be in line at the grocery store, hoping I had enough money to pay for hamburger and the person in front of me was using an EBT card to pay for steaks. These new events are a whole new level of insult to taxpayers. I am sure there are many hard working Missourians who would love to take their families to Florida, California, or Hawaii for a vacation but cannot afford to do so or cannot get time off from work. Apparently, if a person is not encumbered by having a job it is easier to get away.

No one is saying there are not those who truly need help through no fault of their own. However, when a person is able bodied and can use the system to avoid being productive, no one benefits, including the recipient. A bill was filed this week to limit where benefits issued in Missouri can be spent (HB 816) and I was pleased to add my name as a co-sponsor. I expect the legislation will be debated soon.

There once was a time when being on welfare came with a stigma. Now it is considered normal since that is what their parents did. One generation follows in the footsteps of the previous. We can pass law after law in Jefferson City, but nothing takes the place of personal responsibility.

http://www.kmov.com/news/broke/Missouri-Lawmaker-Proposes-Changes-to-Food-Stamp-Program-117717968.html

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

Mike

I had mentioned in my last report I am very proud of the success of the students in the 126th District. Lamar R-I, Liberal R-II, Golden City R-III, Lockwood R-I, Greenfield R-IV, Avilla R-XIII, and Dadeville R-II received Missouri's 2011 Distinction in Performance Award, but I found out today that Everton R-III after corrections made by DESE was also awarded this most impressive accolade bestowed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on the basis of the district's academic achievements and progress during the 2009-2010 school year. So once again congratulations to all of these schools and if you would be willing to fill out a survey on issues effecting Missouri follow the link below.

http://www.house.mo.gov/housesurvey/Survey.aspx?s=f8fac3862136404cb912e9e6d1ba77ae

08 March 2011

Mayer: Audio Discussing State Budget

Jefferson City — Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, recently added new audio links to his multimedia page, which is located on his Missouri Senate website. This page features audio and video links (both streaming and broadcast quality — when available) for visitors to listen to and watch Sen. Mayer address issues that are important to him and the citizens of the 25^th Senatorial District.

The new audio links include Sen. Mayer discussing budget items and how they relate to Missouri’s future.

Senator Mayer will continue to add audio and video clips throughout the year. You can download his podcast and listen to it by going to Sen. Mayer’s multimedia page: http://www.senate.mo.gov/media/11info/mayer/Multimedia.htm.

Mayer: Officer and Public Safety Grants Awarded for Cities and Counties in the 25th District

Op. note: the version e-mailed contains spelling errors that have been fixed on the Senator's Web site.

JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, is pleased to announce that several law enforcement agencies located in his Senatorial district have received grants that will be used to help obtain essential law enforcement equipment necessary to increase public and officer safety.

“Securing the safety of our local, county and state officers and the general public they serve is always a top priority,” said Sen. Mayer. “I’m proud that three counties and nine cities in my district will receive the funding needed to help provide adequate safety measures to protect the citizens of our state.”

The Missouri Department of Public Safety will distribute more than $850,000 in grants provided by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance to purchase much-needed equipment, including bulletproof vests, in-car cameras, police radios and other necessary public safety items. Cities and counties in the 25th District listed below received more than $85,000 in grant funding, which is limited to $10,000 for each award with a 10 percent local match requirement.

Agency	Light Bars/ Lights	Siren Box	Flashlights	Ballistic Vests	Protective Clothing	In-Car Cameras	Radios/ Repeaters	Cages/ Partitions	Misc.	Award
City of Bernie (Stoddard Co.)	28								7	$8,359.72
City of Dexter (Stoddard Co.)						3				$8,977.50
City of Doniphan (Ripley Co.)						10				$6,313,50
Dunklin Co.	2	2					3		68	$8,699.40
City of Essex (Stoddard Co.)	1	1	1				2	1	4	$5,399.00
City of Greenville (Wayne Co.)	2	1	2		11		2	2	4	$6,561.00
City of Hayti (Pemiscot Co.)	3				20		1		121	$5,024.34
City of Kennett (Dunklin Co.)				1						$6,930.00
City of Malden (Dunlin Co.)					9				1	$8,684.10
New Madrid Co.							10			$9,000.00
Pemiscot Co.									12	$5,610.59
City of Puxico (Stoddard Co.)	1	1		2					4	$2,328.26
Three Rivers Community College (Butler Co.)					4					$3,389.36
TOTALS =	37	5	3	3	44	13	18	3	221	$85,276.77

Local Law Enforcement Block Grants are used to provide funds to city police, county sheriffs, public university police departments, and state law enforcement agencies to underwrite projects that reduce crime and improve public safety. Moreover, this block grant program emphasizes local decision-making and encourages communities to craft their own responses to problems dealing with crime.

“I know the law enforcement agencies in the 25th District will use funds provided by the grants to benefit our communities as a whole,” said Sen. Mayer. “Whether used for hiring, training and employing additional law enforcement officers or increasing security measures in and around our schools, our district will reap the benefits of these awards for many years to come.”

For more information about the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants Program, call the U.S. Department of Justice Response Center at 1-800-421-6770 or visit www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA.

Kelley: MAP Testing Uptdate: support your local schools

I am very proud of the success of the students in the 126th District. Lamar R-I, Liberal R-II, Golden City R-III, Lockwood R-I, Greenfield R-IV, Avilla R-XIII, and Dadeville R-II received Missouri's 2011 Distinction in Performance Award, a most impressive accolade bestowed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on the basis of the district's academic achievements and progress during the 2009-2010 school year.

The Distinction of Performance recognition is given to school districts meeting academic performance standards based upon the state-mandated MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) tests, high school end-of-course exams, graduation rates, ACT scores, and other measures.

The school districts have risen to exceptional levels among Missouri school districts because of the leadership of its Board of Education and administrators, the concern and involvement of its teachers, staff and community members, and the heartfelt commitment and diligence of its students and their parents.

As the end of the school year is quickly, approaching teachers continue to prepare students for excellence on state testing. Motivation is a key influence on the students' success and I would like to encourage all community members to show their support for our students as they show MO that students in District 126 excel not only in athletics, but also in academics. The support the community gives to athletes is very heart-felt; however, we should also support and cheer on students to academic success, which is the overall focus of school and a brighter future.

Our students need to know that their performance is important and we believe in their success, so I urge everyone to show their support to the leaders of our future. Education is the key to success and a better life; therefore, it is vital we must instill in our students that the ultimate focus is education. I would encourage businesses to contact the local schools to find out the MAP testing dates and to decorate windows or offer specials to students during this important time.

Until my next update, I am, and remain, in your service.

Allen: Prop B Reservations Explained

HB 131 – Clarification of Prop B

My office has received many calls about HB 131 which would clarify the ambiguous language within the recently passed Proposition B. It is my duty to ensure that the “spirit of the law” within an initiative petition is carried out correctly and does not have unintended consequences. Bills passed in the House go through Committees and an amendment process to ensure the bill does only what it intends. Initiative petitions like Prop B do not have this luxury.

For example, HB 131 revises the term "pet" from meaning any domesticated animal to only include dogs in order to protect farmers, who were not the target of this bill. HB 131 also takes measures to strengthen the intent of Prop B. It improves some of the care guidelines by, for example, increasing feeding requirements from once a day to once every twelve hours and by increasing necessary veterinary care from once yearly to at least two personal visual examinations annually by a licensed veterinarian. It also removes the exemption of retail stores, show breeders, animal shelters, and dog trainers from these regulations.

For more details on this legislation, please refer to the chart on page 3.

HB 61 – Minimum Wage Law

HB 61 passed the House last week. There is harsh rhetoric surrounding this bill and I would like to clarify the facts. This bill would automatically match the state minimum wages to the national minimum wage. The national and state minimum wages are currently equal – so no one working at minimum wage will see a pay decrease.

Currently, the minimum wage adjusts yearly based upon the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The CPI-W is a national index with absolutely no direct tie to Missouri. Missouri continues to be one of the greatest “bang-for-the-buck” states in the country. In the fourth quarter of 2010, Missouri had the 8th lowest cost of living in the United States. Tying ourselves to a national index is a disservice to Missourians. Small businesses that are already struggling will be forced to lay off workers and/or raise the cost of goods to comply with these automatic adjustments. This would make Missouri a more expensive place to live and hurt lower income families. With the exception of Illinois, all bordering states have their minimum wage at the national level. A fluctuating wage rate creates uncertainty for employers and can put our state at a comparative disadvantage to our neighbors. HB 61 will protect all Missourians and our businesses.

HB 76 – Corporate Franchise Tax

Last week the House passed HB 76 to phase out the corporate franchise tax. This is designed to give us a legup in attracting new businesses to the state. HB 76 is part of the Show-Me Solutions package backed by the Speaker.

HB 116 – Tax Amnesty

Our Tax Amnesty bill has passed the House! This is the bill that Rep. Flanigan and I have worked on since last summer. It authorizes amnesty from the assessment or payment of all penalties, additions to tax, and interest on delinquencies of unpaid taxes administered by the Department of Revenue which occurred on or prior to December 31, 2010. Many other states have successfully used this approach and, based on the fiscal review of this bill, HB 116 is expected to bring in $74 million in back taxes. This collection of revenues will help cover budget shortfalls.

HB 214 – Human Trafficking

HB 214, sponsored by Representative Zerr, passed the House. This bill makes punishments harsher for perpetrators of human trafficking and protects the victim’s legal rights more securely. It does this by expanding and solidifying the definition of these crimes, and by making the penalties more severe for the perpetrators. Most importantly, in cases of sexual trafficking the defendant can no longer use the defense of being unaware of the victim’s age. These human trafficking reforms are vital to combat these crimes against humanity.

HB 107 - Elections

The House third read and passed HB 107. The bill requires special elections to fill vacancies in the positions of United States Senator, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and State Treasurer.

The Shoeman

I would like to recognize an outstanding citizen from the District for his charity work in Kenya and other East African countries. George Hutchings has earned himself the title of “The Shoeman” through his work collecting used shoes in the area. George exports these shoes to retailers in developing countries, where they are cheaply resold to local people. George has expanded his work to use the excess returns from exporting the shoes to initiate clean drinking water programs in these countries.

Please help The Shoeman’s cause by donating any used shoes from you or your family! You can find easy drop off points located near you on The Shoeman’s website: shoeman.org

The number of Members of the 96th Missouri General Assembly who, as of 7 May 2011, have agreed to supply missives and/or have done so:
House Republicans	20 of 105
House Democrats	8 of 54
House Vacancies	4
Senate Republicans	12 of 26
Senate Democrats	1 of 8
Senate Vacancies	0

12 March 2011

FLOOR ACTION: Monday, March 7th

FLOOR ACTION: Tuesday, March 8th

FLOOR ACTION: Wednesday, March 9th

Third Read Thursday, March 10th

11 March 2011

A Special Note

2011 Legislative Session continues

Committees

Word of the Week

In Other News

THIS WEEK….

Online Bill Information

English-only Drivers Tests (HB 167)

Right to Pray (HJR 2)

University Board of Curators (HB 174)

Sawmill Tax Relief (HB 112)

Easing Weight Restrictions for Livestock Hauling (HB 266)

Transportation Committee Hearing

Visitors

Award

10 March 2011

In the District

House Floor

In Committee

Shaving My Head for Charity

Welcome Visitors

Upcoming Elections

Constituent Corner

FLOOR ACTION: Monday, March 7th

FLOOR ACTION: Tuesday, March 8th

FLOOR ACTION: Wednesday, March 9th

Third Read Thursday, March 10th

Recent Missouri Unemployment Information

Public Service Announcement

Important Tax Information

Michelle Moore Needs Your Help!

Visiting the Capitol

Personal News & Notes

Ways to Keep in Contact

Reminder

08 March 2011

HB 131 – Clarification of Prop B

HB 61 – Minimum Wage Law

HB 76 – Corporate Franchise Tax

HB 116 – Tax Amnesty

HB 214 – Human Trafficking

HB 107 - Elections

The Shoeman

Support Missives With Kachingle

Follow Every Word

Participation Numbers

Past Missives by Legislator

Past Missives by Date

Legislation Mentioned This Session

Latest posts from The Missouri Expatriate

FLOOR ACTION: Monday, March 7^th

FLOOR ACTION: Tuesday, March 8^th

FLOOR ACTION: Monday, March 7^th

FLOOR ACTION: Tuesday, March 8^th