Kelley: Visit From Turkish MPs,

At right: International Trade Committee meeting with Members of the Turkish Parliament

Massive tornadic systems stomped and marched across most of the Nation’s mid-section this week bringing with it revolving torrents of icy hail, powerful driving rains and mighty winds. Beneath the Capitol Dome, legislative storms built in ominous clouds as the stresses and tensions of a long Session began to play out in deliberative, passionate and stern debate on the House Floor…

“I have found it advisable not to give too much heed to what people say when I am trying to accomplish something of consequence. Invariably they proclaim it can't be done. I deem that the very best time to make the effort.” –Calvin Coolidge

Third Reading & Final House Passage

The following bills were given final approval by the House and sent to the Senate for further consideration.
For more information regarding any specific piece of legislation, please visit www.house.mo.gov.

HB 656, sponsored by Rep. Ellen Brandom (R-160), was third read and passed. Payday loans companies remain an important avenue for those unable to otherwise secure loans and make ends meet. This bill provides greater protections for both the consumer and the payday loan industry.

HCS HJR 5, sponsored by Rep. Darrell Pollock (R-146), was third read and passed. This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing citizens the right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife using traditionally approved devices or methods. Recent activities by extreme animal activist groups, who come from outside the State of Missouri, suggest a continued assault on this very basic aspect of American culture and the livelihood of many Missourians. This resolution would solidify these rights in our Missouri Constitution and put this issue to rest.

HB 661, sponsored by Rep. Don Wells (R-147), was third read and passed. This bill relates to the laws governing debt adjusters. Not only will this bill secure Missouri compliance to federal regulations, but provides greater protections for debt service consumers.

HB 1008, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Long (R-134), was third read and passed. This bill improves the efficiency in the working relationship between private developers and public entities by increasing finance flexibility with respect to highway development projects.

HB 708, sponsored by Rep. Paul Curtman (R-105), was third read and passed. This bill changes the laws regarding violations of public policy of Missouri when decisions are based on foreign law or legal code. The purpose of this legislation is to guarantee that Missourians receive all the rights afforded to them under the Missouri and US Constitutions. Over the past few decades, technological advances have increased international mobility. At the same time, there has been liberal adherence to our nation’s immigration laws, and a clear intellectual push for multiculturalism in America. The result has been a destruction of the melting pot analogy of American culture in which immigrants desired integration into our culture (truly wish to become US citizens). I am all for legal immigration and believe multiculturalism and cultural awareness are extremely positive for our country. However, governing the people of the State of Missouri, based upon foreign laws and legal codes, crosses the line and results in inconsistent and unequal justice.

HCS HB 828, sponsored by Rep. Barney Fisher (R-125), was third read and passed. This bill revises the definition of "construction" as it relates to prevailing wages on public works projects and abrogates the ruling in Utility Service Co., Inc. v. Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. “Construction,” under the new definition, includes; new construction, enlargement, and major alterations. Paying prevailing wage for simple repair and repaint jobs drains needed resources and can result in needed repair and repaint jobs being put off for economic reasons.

Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed

This legislation has been passed by both the House and the Senate and is now headed to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
For more information regarding any specific piece of legislation, please visit www.house.mo.gov.

SS SCS HCS HB 14 was truly agreed to and finally passed by the vote off 150 to 0. This appropriations bill provides funding for supplemental purposes in state departments and offices.

Congressional Redistricting Update

As many of you are aware, it is the duty of the General Assembly to complete the task of Congressional Redistricting, every ten years, following the national census. The House and Senate Redistricting Committees have been working hard on this task for many months, which has been made more difficult due to the fact that Missouri must reduce its Congressional Districts from nine to eight. The Missouri House has worked especially hard on completing and preparing a Congressional Map that meets all of the legal requirements and did pass a map out of the House with a large overwhelming and bipartisan vote many weeks ago. The Senate also passed a version of a map and then finally agreed to conference on the maps to come up with an alternative compromise map. The House has now also passed a compromise version of the map but unfortunately, our State Senate has been unable to come to any agreement so the matter remains “on hold”. We will continue working on this very difficult and challenging issue as the Session quickly speeds towards its final days.

Unemployment Benefits for Missouri’s Unemployed

The Missouri Senate finally passed a bill [HB163] that will allow Missouri to receive federal funding for extended unemployment benefits. Currently, the Missouri Department of Labor pays unemployment claims with tax money collected from Missouri Businesses. The department is responsible for the first 26 weeks of unemployment and then the federal government picks up the bill for the remaining 53 weeks. What the Senate passed allows the State of Missouri to use federal stimulus money for the funding of an additional 20 weeks of unemployment compensation. The bill would also reduce the number of weeks the Missouri Department of Labor would pay unemployment to 20 weeks; at which point an extension would be filed with the federal government for continued support if unemployment has continued. We, in the House of Representatives, are doing everything we can to pass common sense legislation which supports growth of the business community in Missouri. In this way, extensions of unemployment benefits become a non-issue. We must make it easier to do business in Missouri so economic growth occurs in Missouri and Missourians in need of work can find it.

If you know anyone who would be interested in receiving this Capitol Report, they can click the “Capitol Report Signup” button on my member home page at www.house.mo.gov and enter the appropriate information to receive the Capitol Report. As the days grow a great deal longer under the Capitol Dome, we want to encourage you to keep up with the flurry of legislative activity.

Newman: Time Is Running Out For Serious Work

We're in the countdown...only 11 days are left in the 2011 legislative session.

It's difficult to say what we have actually accomplished so far.

One reporter recently wrote - "The MO GOP-led legislature has been in a rush to pass bills relating to hogs, dogs, discrimination and redistricting". Yes, that seems accurate.

No jobs bills. At least non yet. As a member of the minority party, we do not control what legislation we hear in committees or what is brought up on the floor. Therefore, we are consistently playing defense since we never know what bill we are debating next. I am always prepared to jump into the debate when I can but am often frustrated.

You can be assured that I constantly think of families back home and gauge if any of the bills we vote on will truly benefit anyone. Our state desperately needs additional revenue to boost elementary, secondary & higher education funding along with jobs incentives that mean something. That type of legislation is missing and I don't know when or if we will see it before we adjourn for the year on May 13.

Listen to what we are debating when we are in session - which becomes quite lively at times - www.moga.mo.gov.

Stacey

THIS WILL BE MY LAST UPDATE UNTIL AFTER SESSION CONCLUDES ON MAY 13TH.

ANOTHER SMALL VICTORY TO BRAG ABOUT...

This morning my equal pay bill, HB349 was given a public hearing and then was voted out of committee - Workforce Development and Workplace Safety. This is something to brag about since this bill last progressed this far in 2002 under sponsorship of then-Rep. Joan Bray.

I thank Chair Rep. Barney Fisher (R-Nevada) who believes in pay equity enforcement because of his own mother's experiences as a rural high school principal making less than her counterparts. HB349 will not make it to the House floor this session but Rep. Fisher has agreed to work with me to get it moving earlier next year.

I also thank many who testified in favor of the bill particularly Eli Karsh (St. Louis) an employment attorney and Holly Burgess (Columbia) with AAUW.

I will be working hard on the pay equity issue throughout the state after session ends. Missouri women need equality via wages now and I hope not to disappoint.

SO WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE DOING IN JEFF CITY?

PAY DAY LOANS - HB656

We voted last week 96-58 in favor of legislation that would change state regulations on the payday loan industry. While supporters labeled the bill “reform,” opponents said the measure wouldn’t do anything to prohibit predatory lending practices and was little more than a love letter to the pay day loan industry.

Under existing law, lenders are permitted to charge $75 per $100 borrowed for an annual percentage rate of 1,955 percent. HB 656 would allow lenders to charge $60 per $100 borrowed for an annual percentage rate of 1,564 percent. All of the support for the bill came from Republicans. Democrats unanimously opposed the bill as merely the pretense of reform and were joined by six Republicans.

I VOTED NO.

COMPROMISE ON DOG BREEDING?

On April 13 we granted final approval to SB 113, which would repeal all significant regulations on commercial dog breeders contained of Proposition B, a ballot measure 52 percent of Missouri voters approved in November. On April 18, however, Gov. Nixon announced that he had brokered a so-called compromise on the issue with representatives of the industry and animal welfare advocates. While Nixon’s proposal would still largely repeal Proposition B, it wouldn’t go quite as far in doing so as SB 113 in doing so.

Nixon’s plan was quickly denounced by the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the two groups primarily responsible for funding the effort to put Proposition B on the ballot. Those organizations are also pushing Nixon to veto SB 113 along with 10 agriculture groups and 70state lawmakers.

I HAVE VOWED TO UPHOLD THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT - I CONSISTENTLY VOTE NO ON REPEALING/REVISING PROP B.

REDISTRICTING

Congressional redistricting is at an impasse. And that's an understatement!

House leadership announced we would only have a technical session (no floor debate) last Thursday so the joint House & Senate redistricting conference committee could meet and decide on a new map. They began their public hearing Thursday at 6pm and worked through the night, finally calling off deliberations early Friday am.

On Good Friday the House convened (disrupting many who had Easter travel plans) - even though there was NO compromise map - to present another one of theirs. This was a truly meaningless exercise.

According to the STL Post Dispatch: it cost nearly $40,000 in taxpayer costs for legislators' expenses for three days (including Monday the 18th technical session) in which little public work was being done.

I had a sense that no legislative work would be done this past Friday so I elected to come back home to my district and keep my 3 scheduled appointments with the 4th grade classes of Glenridge, Captain and Meramec Elementary Schools ini the Clayton School District.

One of my senior colleagues reminded me that sometimes the work we do OUT of the Capitol is far more important that what we do IN the Capitol. In this instance, I agree.

STAY TUNED - THIS WILL BE A VERY LONG PROCESS - ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THE SENATE AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE BATTLING EACH OTHER.

Mayer Tours District Affected by Severe Storms

JEFFERSON CITY – After severe storms and tornadoes blasted their way through parts of the southeast Missouri, Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, is making his way through the affected counties to see the devastation first-hand and to look for ways to help those citizens who are victims of the weekend storms.

Most recently, area residents of Poplar Bluff have been evacuated from their homes to an emergency shelter at the Black River Coliseum due to severe flooding of the Black River. There have been three levee breaches in Poplar Bluff ranging from a 50-foot to a 150-foot breach. State officials report the Black River is cresting and moving down at this point in time.

There are also levee breaches in along rivers in three other parts of the state, including Van Buren. In addition, there have been early evacuation reports in parts of Dexter in Stoddard County.

Senator Mayer, a southeast Missouri native whose home is located in the county of Stoddard, knows all too well the hazards of what massive amounts of rain can do to communities along the levees.

"There have been several historical accounts of tornadoes and thunderstorms tearing through our area of the state," said Sen. Mayer. "Cities along rivers both small and large are no stranger to the rising floodwaters and the dangerous conditions they can bring after these storms."

Local and national agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, State Highway Patrol, State Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross, are working to help Missourians affected by flooding. Approximately 200 National Guard members are either on the ground or in route to assist in continued evacuation and patrol of evacuated areas.

"I praise the members of these agencies and others who are been working with local officials to help Missourians who need the most basic necessities — food, clean water, shelter, and clothing — which we often take for granted," said Sen. Mayer. "As I tour these areas, I pray families receive the help they need and are able to find the strength to recover from this recent string of storms."

Individuals in areas affected by flooding seeking assistance need to contact the Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross at (573) 335-9471.


Senator Mayer stands in front of Fred's Super Dollar Store with Donna Kearbey in Doniphan, located in Ripley County, one of several cities and counties in southeast Missouri affected by the recent severe storms to sweep the state.

Tim Jones: Majority Minute: Appropriation Bills Progress, Three Join Resolutions Await Debate

Our thoughts and prayers go forth to all affected by the tornadoes and continued drenching downpours that have battered and soaked our State for the past many weeks and especially this past weekend.  Many of our members are finding it difficult to leave their constituents and family members back home who are dealing with great difficulties and challenges.  Back at the Capitol, we are briskly moving through a heavy load of legislation as we enter the final three weeks of Session…

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The General Assembly was not in Session on Monday in recognition and honor of Easter Monday.  I do sincerely pray that you and your families all had a safe, blessed and joyous Easter Weekend.

TENTATIVE HOUSE SCHEDULE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK

House Joint Resolutions for Perfection

HJR 15, sponsored by Rep. Don Ruzicka (R-132), is scheduled to be perfected this week. This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment stating a two-thirds majority voter approval be required for any initiative petition relating to harvesting bird, fish, game, wildlife, or forestry resources.

HCS HJR 16, sponsored by Rep. Tony Dugger (R-144), is scheduled to be perfected this week.  This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment changing the number of voter signatures that are required to place an initiative petition or a referendum on a ballot.  The current regulation of 8% for initiative petitions would reduce to 5.25%, and the 5% requirement for referendum petitions would reduce to 3.25% in each Congressional district.

HJR 27, sponsored by Rep. Rick Brattin (R-124), is scheduled to be perfected this week.  This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment specifying that the right of every citizen to possess, purchase ammunition, and any parts or articles for the proper functioning of arms must not be infringed.  A gun is useless if you cannot purchase ammunition.  There are currently restrictions being imposed in other states and Missouri needs to take steps to secure this right for Missourians with an amendment to our Constitution.

House Bills for Perfection - Appropriations

These are additional supplemental budget bills that relate to additional items in our State Budget.  For more information regarding a specific bill, please visit www.house.mo.gov and enter the bill number in the bill search box on the left hand side of the internet page.

HCS HB 17, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
HCS HB 18, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
HCS HB 21, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
HCS HB 22, sponsored by Rep. Silvey

House Bills for Perfection

Although it is growing very late in Session and the likelihood of a House Bill making it all the way through the Senate, back to the House and then to the Governor's desk grows slim, the following bills may still be brought up for consideration. For more information regarding a specific bill, please visit www.house.mo.gov and enter the bill number in the bill search box on the left hand side of the internet page.

HB 138
HCS HB 401
HCS HB 552
HCS HB 597
HCS HB 613
HB 686
HCS HB 688
HCS HB 732
HB 741
HCS HB 773
HCS HB 787
HCS HB 893
HB 924

House Bills for Third Reading

These bills are slightly further along in the process and, if voted out this week, will be off to the Senate for further consideration.

HCS HB 161, sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox (R-118), is scheduled to be third read this week. This would authorize Pettis County, upon voter approval, to change its transient guest tax from $2 per room, per night to up to 5% and increases the number of members on the Pettis County Tourism Commission.

HCS HB 366, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Silvey (R-38), is scheduled to be third read this week.  This bill changes the laws regarding economic development.  By offering tax incentives for the development and expansion of technology business facilities, data storage centers, and server farm facilities, we will improve the job outlook for Missourians.

HCS HB 473, sponsored by Rep. Tishaura Jones (D-63), is scheduled to be third read this week.  This bill establishes the Missouri Charter Public School Commission and regulates the operation of public charter schools in certain districts.  The idea is to give options to students and help improve school district performance.

HCS HB 523, sponsored by Rep. Chris Molendorp (R-123), is scheduled to be third read this week. This bill changes the laws regarding the Missouri Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Act, insurance coverage for portable electronics, and residential and home warranty service contracts.

HCS HB 562, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Grisamore (R-47), is scheduled to be third read this week.  This bill changes the laws regarding the Missouri Children's Services Commission and establishes the Missouri Task Force on Prematurity and Infant Mortality

HCS HB 579, E.C., sponsored by Rep. Keith Frederick (R-149), is scheduled to be third read this week.  This bill changes the laws regarding fees for medical records, hospital licensure, MO HealthNet dental benefits, and the Missouri Rx Plan and authorizes permanent sickle cell disease standing committees.

HCS HBs 600, 337 & 413, sponsored by Rep. Rodney Schad (R-115), is scheduled to be third read this week.  These bills change the laws regarding public safety, prohibit all drivers, regardless of age, from text messaging while operating a moving vehicle unless the device being used is equipped with technology allowing for voice-recognition hands-free texting, and expand the crime of making a false declaration with the purpose to mislead a public servant in the performance of his or her duty, respectively.

HCS HB 664, sponsored by Rep. Mike Leara (R-95), is scheduled to be third read this week. This bill changes the laws regarding the Firemen's Retirement System of St. Louis.

House Concurrent Resolutions

Although it is growing very late in Session and the likelihood of a House Concurrent Resolution making it all the way through the Senate, back to the House and then to the Governor's desk grows slim, the following bills may still be brought up for consideration. For more information regarding a specific bill, please visit www.house.mo.gov and enter the bill number in the bill search box on the left hand side of the internet page.

HCR 32, sponsored by Rep. Bernskoetter
HCR 38, sponsored by Rep. Cierpiot
HCR 46, sponsored by Rep. Nolte

Senate Bills for Third Reading

HCS SB 161, sponsored by Rep. Casey Guernsey (R-3), is scheduled to be third read this week.  This bill is the compromise bill relating to SB113, which revised portions of Proposition B.  Nearly all groups on both sides of the issue have come together in support of HCS SB 161.

House Bills with Senate Amendments

SS SCS HCS HB 45, as amended, sponsored by Rep. Denny Hoskins (R-121),
SCS HB 798, HB 141, HB 153, HCS HB 363, HB 415 & HB 813, sponsored by Rep. Brown (85)
HCS HB 108, SCA 1 and SA 1, sponsored by Rep. Smith (150)
SCS HB 307 & HB 812, sponsored by Rep. Gatschenberger
SCS HB 388, sponsored by Rep. Burlison
SCS HCS HB 631, sponsored by Rep. Grisamore

BUDGET BILLS THAT HAVE PASSED THE HOUSE & SENATE

SCS HCS HB 2, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
SCS HCS HB 3, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
SCS HCS HB 4, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
SCS HCS HB 5, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
SCS HCS HB 6, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
SCS HCS HB 7, as amended, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
SCS HCS HB 8, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
SCS HCS HB 9, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
SCS HCS HB 10, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
SCS HCS HB 11, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
SCS HCS HB 12, sponsored by Rep. Silvey
SCS HCS HB 13, sponsored by Rep. Silvey

Throughout Session, I will continue to send the Majority Minute to my constituents, colleagues and friends across the State.  If you ever have any questions, feel free to contact my office at 573-751-0562.

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

Tim Jones.

Nolte: Governor Signs Missouri Business Tax Relief Plan

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – There will be one less hurdle for businesses to expand and hire more workers thanks to legislation advanced by Representative Jerry Nolte which was signed into law today. Gov. Jay Nixon signed the legislation (SB 19) that was handled in the Missouri House by Rep. Jerry Nolte, R-Gladstone, that eliminates the state’s corporate franchise tax. The legislation, which would phase out the franchise tax over a period of five years until it is repealed entirely in 2016, is similar to another bill sponsored by Nolte (HB 76) that was approved by the House earlier this year.

“This is a great day for Missouri businesses as we eliminate an unnecessary tax and remove an artificial barrier that for years kept some businesses from expanding and hiring more workers,” said Nolte.

The late Senator Harry Wiggins (D-Kansas City), a strong advocate of eliminating the franchise tax, described it as “a tax businesses pay for the privilege of paying other taxes.” The franchise tax, which is a tax on a corporation’s assets such as inventory and buildings, is a “temporary tax” in existence since 1917. While the legislature has reduced the tax over the years, leading business organizations have proposed doing away with the tax entirely as part of the “Fix the Six” legislative package. Nolte’s bill will reduce the tax each year until it is phased out entirely in 2016.

“Lowering the tax burden will make our state a more attractive location for businesses that seek to relocate and it will make it easier for existing businesses to grow,” said Nolte. “We must remain competitive with states like Kansas, which recently repealed its franchise tax. By lowering our tax burden we will send a strong message that Missouri is open and ready for business.”

Nolte said Missouri is one of only a few states that have both a corporate income tax and a corporate franchise tax. He said eliminating what is, in effect, double taxation would put Missouri on a level playing field with other states that are competing to attract new businesses and jobs.

The legislation will go into effect August 28.

Dempsey: MoDOT to close Route 94 at Mid Rivers Mall May 2-4

The Missouri Department of Transportation and its contractor, Fred Weber, Inc., will close Route 94 at Mid Rivers Mall Drive at 9 p.m. nightly Monday, May 2 through Wednesday, May 4 to place girders for the new Mid Rivers Mall Drive bridge.

All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. the following morning. Only one direction will be closed at a time. Drivers can use Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Central School Road and Kisker Road to detour around the closures.

• Crews will close eastbound Route 94 at 9 p.m. Monday, May 2.
• Crews will close eastbound Route 94 at 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 3. Once crews have finished placing girders on the eastbound bridge, sometime around midnight, they will reopen eastbound Route 94 and close westbound Route 94.
• Crews will close westbound Route 94 at 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 4.

Residents who live off Pitman Hill Drive will be able to access westbound Route 94 at all times, and will need to use the detour when eastbound Route 94 is closed. Residents who live off Roberts Ridge will be able to access westbound Route 94 at all times.

This is part of a $25.5 million project to extend Route 364 from west of Central School Road to Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Charles County. Crews will also construct bridges at Kisker Road and Mid Rivers Mall Drive over the new route. The project is scheduled to be complete in 2012.

Dugger: Proposition B Compromise In House, Redistricting Stalls

"If we ever forget we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under". – Ronald Reagan

PROPOSITION B

We are still awaiting the Governor's signature on SB 113&95.In addition SB 161 will be the bill that the compromise language will be carried on.

Redistricting

The new Congressional Districts are still being debated in the House, but we have reached no agreement at this time. We have until May 13 to work out the details. Currently the House proposal has Wright County in the 4^th Congressional District, Douglas County in the 7^th Congressional District, and Texas County in the 8^th Congressional District. The Senate proposal has all three counties in the 8^th district.

HB 828 – Prevailing wage

Prevailing wage is the requirement that employers pay employees a specified hourly wage higher typically higher than a normal rate.

In Missouri it applies to certain categories of work, determined by statute, rules, and regulations. One of these categories is construction.

Prevailing wage was never meant to apply to maintenance of buildings and simple repairs; for instance, things like repainting an old building.

Recently, the Missouri Supreme Court determined that employees repainting old buildings were actually doing construction work, so they should be paid prevailing wage.

This bill fixes the court case, to bring "prevailing wage" back to where it was intended – without this fix "prevailing wage" could be extended to a ridiculous point where you can't even legally hire a neighborhood kid to paint your shed without having to pay them upwards of $20 an hour.

HJR 5 – Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish

The past several years have not been friendly to gamesman in our state. Federally, President Obama is talking about gun control, and nationwide, the price of guns and ammunition continue to sky-rocket in response.

Worse, groups like the Humane Society have stated that they want to end all sport hunting in the country:

"If we could shut down all sport hunting in a moment, we would." —Wayne Pacelle, president of HSUS, Associated Press

Because of Missouri's initiative petition process the Humane Society can come into our state, drop millions of dollars, and put a measure on the ballot to outlaw certain kinds of hunting or fishing.

We are already battling what they have done in Proposition B, but it was just a test-case. HSUS often times follows up an initial effort with a broader more reaching effort to curtail hunting and fishing.

In other states it may start with an obscure style of hunting or fishing or a rare animal, but vague language and high priced attorneys then fight to expand or uphold what was already passed.

The constitutional amendment we passed makes it harder for liberal outside groups to tell us how we should appreciate our land, property, and heritage. Conservation and appreciation of the outdoors have been a hallmark in Missouri's history with huge numbers of hunting and fishing advocates and we want to keep it that way.

It is a pleasure to serve you, If there is anything me or my staff can do to assist you please give us a call.

Sater: Flooding Causes Hundreds of Road Closures Across Southern Missouri

This is a great resource, please bookmark this page and use it as needed.  Be safe. DS

Flooding Causes Hundreds of Road Closures Across Southern Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY – Heavy rainfall is causing problems for motorists, especially in southern portions of Missouri.  Currently, there are 434 flood closures, most of which are on minor routes south of Interstate 44, and more rain is forecast.

Knowledge of road conditions can help drivers avoid delays and unsafe conditions. Before you go, check the Missouri Department of Transportation's Traveler Information Map at www.modot.org to get up-to-date information on the latest road conditions and closings due to high water.

The interactive map is updated continually and is easy to use.  You can pan in and out for a broad perspective of statewide road conditions or double click an icon or area to zoom in for a more local, street-level view.  Hold the mouse over an icon for more details on the route, date, time and condition.  Double click on a region of the map that has several icons to unstack them and better see which routes are affected.  For a text-only version that gives information by county and route, click on the flooding icon in the legend on the left side of the page.

Travelers can also call MoDOT's toll-free number, 888-ASK-MODOT, to get road condition information.

Lant: Predecessors Were Right About Final Weeks Being Crazy, Survey Results

Marilyn Ruestman, Kevin Wilson, Ron Richard, and Tom Flanigan all tried to tell me how crazy the last few weeks of session are but I had no idea.......

We started this goofy week with hail storms, high winds, and driving rain, then it got rough. Because for the most part, this was the last week a bill had a chance of passing, the bill handlers were fairly frantic about getting their legislation out of the House. We had a Payday Loan bill [HB656] go through that provides more protection for the consumer and the loan industry. We passed a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment [HJR5] that guarantees a citizens' right to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife. We changed the law regarding violations of public policy of Missouri when decisions are based on foreign law or legal codes.( No Sharia Law ) [HB708]

Legislation was agreed to by both the House and the Senate to provide funding for supplemental purposes in state departments and offices. This was much needed legislation to close some loopholes. The Senate finally passed the bill [HB163] to allow Missouri to receive federal funding for extended unemployment benefits. This bill had been held hostage by a handful of Senators trying to make a point about the huge deficit the federal government is running. It is hard to believe, but one Senator can keep legislation from moving through the Senate. This is what has happened to our re-districting efforts [HB193]. When we were seated in January, we were told that our most important function this year was to get the Congressional re-districting done by the third week of April so that we could insure that we, not the supreme court, would make the decisions for our eight congressional districts. The Senate initially wanted to submit a new map first so while we were working on our map, we waited for the Senate to finish theirs. About six weeks ago we were informed by the Senate that they could not agree and for us to go ahead and finalize ours. What makes this such a daunting task is that each district must have the same number of citizens in it and we were not allowed to change the political make-up by over a percent or two. By losing one district, all those constituents had to be re-distributed to new districts. We had our map ready three weeks ago and it was approved by all eight of the U.S. Representatives as well as The House. A poll revealed that 22 of the 34 Senators approved. It looked like a sure deal. Not to be! One Senator, Jason Crowell, decided that he didn't like the way his Congressman's district was made up so he filibustered and refused to be budged. One man, through hard headedness, selfish ambition, or who knows what, has affected Missouri's six million citizens for who knows how many years. Why, you ask is this such a big deal? Because the Supreme Court of Missouri now has to map our Congressional Districts instead of the elected representatives of the people. We probably won't know what our districts are going to be until just before the election cycle begins, putting the Congressmen and women at a tremendous disadvantage. We won't even know what district we are a part of until late next fall. I don't know what can be done to stop this ridiculous practice in the Senate, but the work of the people sure as heck isn't getting done this way! I will tell you this, our Senators in Southwest Missouri are doing their best to do the right thing! Unfortunately, there aren't enough of them to outnumber the numbskulls elsewhere in the state!

All of the responses from our survey have been returned and the results are as follows:

• The question on workforce development (right to work) had a 68.9% favorable response.
• Allowing School Districts to opt out of prevailing wages for building projects got a 64.2% favorable response.
• Making School Districts pay for remedial education for students entering colleges only had a 22.7% favorable response.
• 3.2% favored large businesses receiving incentives while 82.9% thought small businesses should receive the same treatment.
• Progressive, flat, and fair tax all received about 30% of the support.
• Requiring photo Id’s for voting received a 66.6% favorable response.
• 47.8% of us think initiative petition provisions should be revised or modified.
• A booming 94.3% think we should require prisoners to work.
• Only 37.1% believe we should add nuclear reactors.
• Education Funding (Is education adequately funded) had a 70.9% response.
• Finally, 33% of us think we should create some toll roads to improve highways and hardly anyone thinks we should raise taxes.(What a Surprise!)

This is probably all the good news you want this week, more next time.

Sater: This Week In The Missouri House, Issue 15

FYI…DS

[Click here to read]

Sater: Flooding Update (Monday, April 25, 4 p.m.)

Customer Service, 1-800-654-5428

Flooding Update Monday 4/25/11, 4 p.m.

Joplin - The Missouri Department of Transportation Southwest District has closed numerous routes due to flooding.

Closed routes include:

Barry County

• MO 39, south of Route 248
• MO 76, southeast of Cassville
• MO 97, near Monett
• Route C, at McDowell, Flat Creek
• Route U, Flat Creek, east of Butterfield
• Route Y, Flat Creek, north of Cassville
• NEW--Route DD, Big Sugar Creek, west of Seligman--NEW

Jasper County

• MO 37, north of Reeds
• Route D, east of Oronogo
• NEW--Route O, south of Alba--NEW

Lawrence County

• MO 97, north of Stotts City
• Route DD, east of Miller

McDonald County

• MO 59, south of Lanagan
• MO 90, inside city limits of Noel
• MO 90, southeast side of county
• Route CC, between Goodman and Lanagan
• Route DD, Elk River
• Route E, Sugar Creek near Powell
• Route H, southwest of Pineville
• Route TT, Elk River west of Noel
• Route U, Sugar CreekNEW--Route KK, south of Route 90--NEW

Newton County

• MO 86, near Racine
• Route AA, southwest of Neosho
• Route CC, Lost Creek, just south of MO 86
• Route W, between US60 and Ritchey
• NEW--Business 60 in Neosho, toward Granby between Kentucky and Nighthawk Roads--NEW

Motorists are urged to never drive over roads covered in water.

For more information, contact MoDOT Southwest District Customer Service 1-888-275-6636 or 417-621-6500. You may also view the Traveler Information Map at: http://maps.modot.mo.gov/timi/index.aspx?district=7

Oxford: Call to Action Around Senate Bill 188

Friends, Allies, and Constituents,

I am pleased to share the news that Gov. Jay Nixon will have announced (or will shortly announce) his plans to veto Senate Bill (SB) 188 by the time you receive this. SB 188 and House Bill 205 are steps backward on civil rights protections in Missouri. To read a letter to the editor about these bills by Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Chair Rep. Steve Webb of Florissant, go to:

http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_4605704b-444e-5631-a348-6edca9f10369.html

You also may learn more about what's at stake in these bills by watching the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57wEaIyiqMc

Please take time to contact Gov. Nixon to thank him for his planned veto of SB 188. You can do this by e-mail, regular mail or telephone, using the following contact information:

E-mail: http://governor.mo.gov/contact

Mail:
Office of Governor Jay Nixon
P.O. Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Phone:
573-751-3222

SB 188 and HB 205 were pushed by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce as part of their "Fix the Six" so-called pro-business agenda. See that full agenda at:

http://mochamber.com/mx/hm.asp?id=010411fixthesix

Instead of "Fix the Six" as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial board recently wrote, we need to "Nix the Six" - there is nothing pro-business about this attack on human rights and Missouri workers. Let Daniel Mehan, president and CEO of the MO Chamber, know that you recognize the "fix the six" platform as bad for Missouri, not pro-business. (His contact information is at the webpage indicated just above.) Companies that are growing recognize the need for a diverse workplace with office policies that protect the rights of all. The Missouri Chamber ought to be supporting bills like the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act if they want to improve Missouri's business image instead of putting forward a platform like "Fix the Six" that looks like it is stuck in the worst of the 1950's.

In addition to contacting Mehan and Gov. Nixon, let Sen. Rob Mayer, President Pro Tem of the Missouri Senate, and Speaker of the House Steven Tilley know that they should not seek to override Gov. Nixon's veto of SB 188 because Missourians do not support this retreat from civil rights protections. Mayer's e-mail is rob{dot}mayer{at}senate{dot}mo{dot}gov, and Tilley's e-mail is steven{dot}tilley{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.

In other recent political news in MO

Competing Sides Rally on Dog Breeding Regulations:

As Gov. Jay Nixon sought to build support for alternative legislation to overhaul new voter-approved regulations on the dog breeding industry, hundreds of Missourians on both sides of the issue rallied at the Capitol and Governor's Mansion on April 20 urging him to either sign into law or veto a bill on the issue that the General Assembly has already passed.

Lawmakers on April 13 granted final approval to SB 113, which would repeal all significant regulations on commercial dog breeders contained of Proposition B, a ballot measure 52 percent of Missouri voters approved in November. On April 18, however, Nixon announced that he had brokered a so-called compromise on the issue with representatives of the industry and animal welfare advocates. While Nixon's proposal would still largely repeal Proposition B, it wouldn't go quite as far in doing so as SB 113 in doing so.

Nixon's plan was quickly denounced by the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the two groups primarily responsible for funding the effort to put Proposition B on the ballot. Those organizations are also pushing Nixon to veto SB 113. A group of 70 state lawmakers and 10 agriculture groups sent Nixon a letter strongly urging him to sign SB 113, while leaving the door open to follow-up legislation if he does so. Nixon faces a constitutional deadline of May 3 to act on the bill.

Senate Approves $23.2 Billion State Operating Budget:

The Senate on April 20 approved the 13 appropriations bills that make up the $23.2 billion state operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 to set up negotiations with the House of Representatives, which passed its version of the bills in March. Both chambers must agree on final budget for the 2012 fiscal year by a constitutional deadline of May 6.

The Senate and House versions of the budget are for the most part similar, although they differ in the details. Here are some of the difference reported by the Missouri Budget Project:

The Senate-

• Gave modest increases to each State Department for administrative costs

In HB2 (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)

• Eliminated $1.3 million in grants for drop out recovery and math and science tutoring in St. Louis, as well as an early literacy program offered at Southeast Missouri University, but restored $300,000 for the Missouri Scholars and Fine Arts Academies
• Cut more than $2.5 million from Independent Living Centers, which constitutes more than 50 percent of their funding and will jeopardize the existence of the smaller centers.

Total increase (compared to the House proposal) amounts to approximately $13.5 million.

In HB3 (Department of Higher Education)

• Reduced the overall cuts in the core budget of higher education institutions to 4.8 percent. The Governor proposed a 7 percent core cut for higher education institutions.
• Used $1 million from the Nursing Board Fund to support 4 year nursing degree programs.
• Eliminated $2 million that funded a pharmacy doctorate program at Missouri State University in collaboration with the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy

Total increase (compared to the House proposal) amounts to approximately $7.2 million.

In HB10 (Departments of Health & Senior Services and Mental Health)

• Made additional reductions in funds for services in almost every service area. (The withholds made in last year's budget have already been assumed as permanent cuts.)
• Increased funds for overtime payments.
• Cut about $1.6 million from the Division of Community and Public Health.
• Cut $24 million from senior services (respite care, homemaker, personal care, adult day care, home-delivered meals and other related services).
• Cut about $1.5 million to Area Agencies on Aging for services including meals.

Total cut (compared to the House proposal) amounts to approximately $27.2 million in the Department of Health & Senior Services, and $5.5 million in the Department of Mental Health.

In HB11 (Department of Social Services)

• Cut $1 million from early childhood programs.
• Eliminated funding for the MO Rx program (assistance with pharmacy costs for low income individuals)
• Added $10 million to fund medical homes affiliated with public entities.

Total cut (compared to the House proposal) amounts to approximately $25 million.

For more on urgent budget issues, see: http://www.mobudget.org/. I continue to believe that now is the time for Missouri to recognize and address our outdated, unfair, and inadequate individual income tax system, as well as gathering needed information as to whether corporations are paying a fair share for the resources that they receive from the common good. Obviously we need to fund K-12 and higher education adequately, but we should not take from elders, peoples with disabilities, and families in poverty in order to do so.

House Endorses Industry-Friendly Payday Loan Bill

The House of Representatives on April 19 voted 96-58 in favor of legislation that would change state regulations on the payday loan industry. While supporters labeled the bill "reform," opponents said the measure wouldn't do anything to prohibit predatory lending practices and was little more than a love letter to the industry. The bill now goes to the Senate.

A key criticism of the measures, HB 656, is that it fails to limit excessive interest rates in a meaningful way. Under existing law, lenders are permitted to charge $75 per $100 borrowed for an annual percentage rate of 1,955 percent. HB 656 would allow lenders to charge $60 per $100 borrowed for an annual percentage rate of 1,564 percent. Critics also say the bill would weaken existing consumer protections. All of the support for the bill came from Republicans. Democrats unanimously opposed the bill as merely the pretense of reform and were joined by six Republicans.

JMO