Davis: First Consent Bills Advance, Midwest Pipeline Through Missouri

One of Missouri’s native sons—the most famous, perhaps—once said, “Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.” Besides giving us some of the greatest written works of all time, Mark Twain certainly had an ability to put a humorous twist on a government and a bureaucracy that has often been downright foolish in some of its operations for well over a century.

The media this past week was replete with news stories calling this week’s presidential primary a “waste of money” or a “beauty contest.” The media focused their outrage on the General Assembly for not acting to save the state $7 million by eliminating the nonbinding primary. However, what is not mentioned is the fact that we passed SB 282 last session. This legislation would have tied the choosing of our delegates to the primary results by moving the election to March as the national parties wished. Unfortunately, the Governor vetoed this important piece of legislation. If the Governor had signed this into law, we wouldn’t have faced losing half of our delegates to the party conventions. Faced with this possibility, the state party decided to choose our delegates through the caucus process ensuring that all of them would be counted. Now, we will rely on the outcome of the party caucuses on March 17 to finish the job. Until that time, it would be good if the media pointed its finger at who really cost the state its presidential primary and the money for the “beauty contest.”

Floor Action This Week

HB 1219, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Elmer (R-141), changes the laws regarding unlawful discriminatory employment practices as they relate to the Missouri Human Rights Act and establishes the Whistleblower Protection Act. This bill corrects inequities that have arisen in our system due to several recent Court decisions over the past several years. The legislation would return Missouri law to the position it used to occupy as a mirror to the federal civil rights law. The proposed legislation would re-establish a level playing field for all employers and employees, allowing employers to properly deal with problem employees while still providing employees the protections they deserve. In this difficult economic environment, where employers are faced with increasing burdens in the areas of taxation, regulation and litigation, we should do all we can to ensure that our small business owners have a level playing field in our State so they can operate in a stable and certain business environment.

HB 1036, sponsored by Rep. Tony Dugger (R-144) repeals the provision that require a political party’s emblem to be printed on an election ballot above the party caption.

HB 1039, sponsored by Rep. Mike Leara (R-95) allows a retiree of the Missouri Local Government Employees’ Retirement System to have health insurance or long-term care insurance premiums deducted from his or her retirement allowance.

HB 1099, sponsored by Rep. Paul Fitzwater (R-152) designates March 26th of each year as “Veterans of Operation Iraq/Enduring Freedom Day.”

HB 1100, sponsored by Rep. Paul Fitzwater (R-152) designates March 30th of each year as Vietnam Veterans Day.”

HB 1105, sponsored by Rep. David Day (R-148) allows the Adjutant General to waive the maximum age requirement for a member of the state militia.

Additional Items of Interest

Midwest Oil Pipeline


Following President Obama’s rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline, plans for a new Midwestern oil pipeline are being considered along an existing pipeline route, which could make winning approval easier. The proposed pipeline has potential for thousands of construction jobs.

Plans by Enbridge, Inc. to build a 600-mile pipeline from Flanagan, Ill., to Cushing, Okla., would run along an existing pipeline route running diagonally from northeast to west-central Missouri

The company is still soliciting commitments from oil shippers but hopes to begin construction in the middle of 2013 and complete work on the $1.9 billion project a year later.

The pipeline, which also would cut across southeast Kansas, would link to an Enbridge pipeline from Canada to Chicago that carries Canadian crude. The pipeline would cross through 11 Missouri counties. Estimates are that the project could employ 3,400 construction workers for the pipeline and an additional 300 to 400 people for related facilities, such as pump stations. Follow its progress at www.enbridge.com/flanagansouthpipeline

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative in Jefferson City. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call or better yet, come by the capitol and visit for a while.

Just for Fun

Having Fun with Signage

In a Podiatrist's office:
"Time wounds all heels."

On a Plumber's truck:
"We repair what your husband fixed."

On a Church's Bill board:
"7 days without God makes one weak."

At a Tire Store
"Invite us to your next blowout."

In a Non-smoking Area:
"If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action."

On a Maternity Room door:
"Push. Push. Push."

At an Optometrist's Office:
"If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."

On a Taxidermist's window:
"We really know our stuff."

On a Fence:
"Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive!"

At a Car Dealership:
"The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment."

Outside a Car Exhaust Store:
"No appointment necessary. We hear you coming."

In a Vets waiting room:
"Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"

In a Restaurant window:
"Don't stand there and be hungry; come on in and get fed up."

In the front yard of a Funeral Home:
"Drive carefully. We'll wait."

Sign on the back of a Septic Tank Truck:
"Caution - This Truck is full of Political Promises"