Kraus: Special Extraordinary Session

The 2010 Special Extraordinary Session was not without its share of drama.  A three-week ordeal, we faced a potential showdown between the House and Senate, a 20-hour filibuster, and the resulting uncertainty on the outcome of the two bills that Gov. Nixon wanted passed.  And, of course, I was removed from the Jobs Creation Committee for refusing to guarantee my vote.  In the end, both bills were passed out of the General Assembly and both have been signed into law by Gov. Nixon.

Auto Manufacturing Tax Incentives

HB2 provided tax incentives specifically aimed at the auto manufacturing industry and its suppliers.  In brief, the bill allows tax credits for both the construction of a new product line as well as an existing product line if the company makes capitol investments and creates or retains jobs.  It limits the tax incentive amount to $10 million/year for any one qualified company and to a total of $15 million/year for all companies.  Any one company could receive up to $100 million over ten years.

It is vitally important for Missouri to keep and create jobs.  While I believe that it may be prudent to provide incentives to businesses to do this, I voted no on this particular piece of legislation because of my concerns for fiscal responsibility.  Some experts have predicted a budget shortfall next year of nearly $1 billion – due in main part to the fact that this year's budget uses that amount in one-time federal stimulus dollars for operating expenses. We cannot rely on stimulus money to balance our budget; we need to look at every single dollar we are spending and make tough choices.  Allowing one company up to $10 million a year is simply going in the wrong direction.

Changes in Pension System for New State Employees

The second bill, HB1, calls for new state employees to contribute 4 percent of their salary into their own retirement plan, starting with employees hired after January 1, 2011.  It also raises the retirement age for all new employees to 67 or 90-and-out and requires ten years of employment in order to be vested in the system.

I cannot stress enough that our state faces a budget crisis. Asking state employees to contribute toward their own retirement plan is a small, common sense step that we can take.  HB1 is projected to save the state over $6 million in the first year. That savings will multiply each year as future state employees are hired.

These savings are crucial to keeping our state retirement system solvent and our state finances viable in the future.  In contrast to Washington D.C., we must keep government in line with what we can afford.  Passing this bill is a step in the right direction and brings the state up to date with modern retirement plans.

Investment Board Language Removed

In the Senate, there was a move to include language in the pension bill that combined two state retirement investment boards, MOSERS and MPERS, but the investment board language was removed.  Also, the bill does not affect the retirement plans of current state employees.

Ethics Bill Signed into Law

Senate Bill 844 was signed into law by Gov. Nixon and becomes effective August 28, 2010. This bill contains numerous provisions related to conflict of interest, campaign finance, candidate disqualifications, late fees, and Missouri Ethics Commission investigations and enforcement. You can view a summary of the bill's provisions on the Commission's website.

I've made my views on this bill well known.  Although it was a start toward improving ethics standards at the Capitol, my expectations for it were higher and I truly believe that we could have passed a stronger bill.  It is something to work for in the future.

Host Families Needed for Four Exchange Students

Four foreign exchange students are looking for an area Host Family.  They are from Italy, Ukraine, Thailand, China, and Serbia.  All they need is a place to sleep and study, a place at the dinner table, and someone to share with them the American way of living.  In return, they will share their culture with Americans.  If you would like to share your home with someone from another country, please contact Liz Carver at 816-228-8587 or carver{underscore}elizabeth{at}yahoo{dot}com.

Closure at I-470/I-435 Due to Sink Hole Damage

Engineers at the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) have closed the westbound I-470 interchange to westbound I-435, as well as northbound Route 71 to westbound I-435 at 3 Trails Crossing. The damage from a sink hole at that location has expanded, making it necessary to immediately close the roadway.

MoDOT has posted detours, but encourages motorists to find the best alternative routes for their commute. This interchange will remain closed until repairs can be made. To help with detours, MoDOT created a website, linked from www.modot.org/kc, which includes each detour for the major traffic flow from the area. The site includes directions, maps and google mapping tools.

Soil and geology specialists from MoDOT are working to take soil core samples where the road collapsed on I-470.  Analyzing the results of the work will help engineers determine how to safely remove sections of the roadway and retaining wall. Preliminary findings from the geology study should be complete by mid-week.

With the ending of the 2010 Legislative Session, the Capitol Report will be issued about twice a month. During this time, if you have an event that you would like me to attend or speak at, please contact my office at 1 (573) 751-1459 or e-mail at will{dot}kraus{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.

Brandom: Special Session Update

The last three weeks have been very busy for the Missouri General Assembly. Governor Nixon called all state legislators back to Jefferson City in late June for a Special Session. In his call for our return the Governor requested the passage of two pieces of legislation that failed to go through both houses during the last session.

The first bill, the Manufacturing Jobs Act [HB2], is designed to encourage in-state business growth through tax incentives for automobile manufactures and suppliers. Tax incentives have been a proven-effective way to create jobs in Missouri. Through the Manufacturing Jobs Act, auto manufacturing companies are able to keep half of the withholding taxes for each full time employee for seven years, but only if that company makes new investments in their infrastructure. Qualified companies must make a $75,000 investment per employee to take advantage of these benefits.

Currently, the Ford plant in Claycomo, Missouri is the oldest operating Ford plant. It employs 3,700 people and purchases from many, many Missouri suppliers. Ford anticipates retooling and eliminating the production of the Escape as it is presently known in order to produce their newest, state-of-the-art hybrid vehicle. To accomplish this production goal, Ford will need to make an investment of up to $400 million dollars in a facility.

As a result, Ford is being recruited by many other states and countries to produce this vehicle outside of Missouri. With 5.6% of Missourians employed in the automotive industry, the loss of a major manufacturing plant in the state would dramatically affect our overall economy.

It is my hope that the passage of the Manufacturing Jobs Act will encourage Ford and other manufactures to expand their production in Missouri and continue to add much needed jobs for our citizens.

The second piece of legislation, the Public Retirement Bill [HB1], changes the requirements for new state employees hired after January 1, 2011. These new employees will be required to contribute 4% of their salary to their own pension fund, instead of the state paying it for them- which is the current process. According to this legislation, 10 years of employment with the state is required before the employee can become vested in their retirement.

Further, to be eligible for normal retirement under this plan, employees must reach age sixty-seven and complete at least 10 years of service or reach age fifty-five with the sum of the employee's age and service equaling at least ninety.

The Public Retirement Bill will not affect current state employees and does not contain the controversial pension oversight board.

After three weeks of hard work, Special Session concluded last Wednesday with the passage of the Manufacturing Jobs Act and Public Retirement Legislation. We have put in place important legislation to help limit our budget expenses and stabilize our economy.

With Special Session now adjourned, I look forward to returning to the Capitol for Veto Session in the fall and continuing to serve the 160^th District.

Tim Jones: Important Issues Covered By Special Session

Heavy July heat and humidity, broken only by intermittent, yet strong fast moving storms, settled over the Midwest and most of the Nation this past week as summer soaked deeply into the city pavement and the country fields.  As I reported last month, the Legislature has been mired in a Special Session, called by the Governor, since June 24^th.  I am very happy to report that all of your pocketbooks and liberties are once again safe as the General Assembly finally concluded the Special Session today with the passage of two bills that I will more fully describe below.  Even without a "Special Session" I typically make a trip once a month or so to Jefferson City to attend to business during the "Interim Session" which we will now return to until Veto Session in September.  In between visits, my hard working assistant, Jody, continues to staff our office and is always available if you need our assistance.  I also continue to "remotely" monitor e-mail and voice mail so if you do need any assistance, please know I remain available and ready to serve!

"Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."  -- Ronald Reagan

Important Issues Considered by Special Session

As I mentioned, during the last week of June, the Missouri House of Representatives fulfilled the Governor's call and convened for a Special Session.  He ordered the General Assembly back to the Capitol to pass two bills which were debated during the regular session which ended in mid May.  One of the bills [HB2] provided tax incentives for automotive manufacturers and suppliers – the other seeks to revamp the state employee retirement system [HB1].

The Governor's call was surprising for several reasons.  The Governor did not express interest in these issues during the regular Session and did not list them as priorities.  The House and Senate did not have a consensus during the regular Session, nor did the Governor work with us to gain the consensus needed on these two items.  Missouri tax dollars pay for Special Session, and in a time when fiscal responsibility is a top priority, it seems that the wisest decision would have been for the Governor to lobby the bills during the regular Session and work with members to reach a consensus.

Even though I believe there was a better way to seek passage of this legislation, the Governor made the call to Special Session, and we answered that call.  House Republicans acted swiftly, utilizing as few Missouri taxpayer dollars as possible.  In fact, we passed an initial version of both bills, in a strong bi-partisan fashion, after only one day of debate.  We worked ahead of time to gain the consensus needed to pass both bills.  We then proceeded to reconcile the House and Senate versions of this legislation which I will now describe.

Growing Missouri Jobs

I certainly had reservations about a targeted tax incentive to a particular industry.  However, we also have to face the reality that Missouri finds itself in competition with the other 49 states for good jobs.  Other states offer tax incentives much more generous than Missouri.  If we are to grow and prosper as a state, we must grant tax breaks to attract and retain good jobs.  Under the leadership of House Speaker Ron Richard, Republicans in the House of Representatives have been champions for economic development in our state.  HCS House Bill 2, sponsored by Representative Jerry Nolte, R-Gladstone, was passed in the House several times but stalled in the Senate until today.  I worked with Representative Nolte on the House floor when the House passed the bill earlier this year.  The bill provides tax incentives for automotive manufacturers and suppliers in Missouri.  By reducing the amount of tax dollars these companies would owe the State of Missouri (and I am all for reducing taxes for everyone and anyone), they are able to create more jobs and retain the employees already in place.  As you know, this economy has left thousands of Missourians unemployed.  With the number of jobless citizens on the rise, job creation and retention is imperative.  One of the projects that this legislation is directed is the possible loss of 3,000 to 4,000 jobs in the Ford Claycomo Plant near Kansas City.  If Ford leaves Missouri, these jobs and many other jobs in related industries will also be lost.  As I mentioned, the House and Senate continued to work very hard on the bill and I am convinced that the final version is not a giveaway or a bailout in any sense of the word.  If you are being intellectually honest about the bill, you will find that the legislation is a responsible approach to offering incentives that will produce results that benefit our entire state. There is no benefit to any company until the company makes a commitment and spends their own money on their own plants, factories or businesses.

My concern is more for the suppliers of goods and small businesses that rely on larger businesses such as the Ford Claycomo Plant. Without Ford, those suppliers and small businesses would not have a market for their goods. This bill received overwhelming approval from business groups, organized labor, economic development groups, school districts, chambers of commerce, county and municipal governments, and others, most importantly the citizens of the Districts in and around the Clay County region.  All Missourians must continue to work together for economic development across our State.

Re-organization of State Employee Retirement Benefits to Save Tax Dollars

The State of Missouri has an extensive and quite generous set of retirement benefits for employees.  However, given economic conditions and declining revenue numbers, the current system is unsustainable.  Because of fiscal restrictions, a change needed to be made.  HCS for House Bill 1, sponsored by Representative Jim Viebrock, R-Republic, made the necessary changes needed to allow the state retirement system to thrive in years to come.  Attracting responsible, hard-working employees is something the State of Missouri takes very seriously, so we must be careful to continue to have an attractive retirement package, just not one that could bankrupt our state.  In addition, we want to ensure fairness to current state employees.  Through this legislation, existing employees would retain the retirement benefits they receive in the current system.  A fiscally responsible retirement package that our state can afford, while continuing to attract good employees to Missouri government positions is important – and we took a good, first step when we passed this bill.  Just like with the jobs bill mentioned above, this public employee pension reform bill underwent a great deal of work and compromise between the House and Senate positions.  I am happy to report that this bill passed as well which will mean that meaningful, cost-savings directed reform will be implemented upon our public employee pension system.  The bill will only affect new hires and it will still provide a meaningful benefit to workers while protecting your hard earned tax dollars.

As Tragedy Strikes in the Gulf, We Must Step Up to Help

Let us not forget that millions of Americans continue to be affected by the oil spill in the Gulf. Even though many of us feel like there is nothing we can do to stop the damage, WE can help those in need.  While the federal government continues to bumble and stumble its way clumsily through this crisis, great leaders like Governor Jindal and Governor Barbour continue to rally the spirits of the citizens of their States and take specific actions to solve the challenges presented by this crisis.  We have seen the ineptitude of the federal government on full display and it has once again been confirmed that it is we, the people, who can best help our fellow Americans.  I encourage all of you to step up and do what you can to help those who need us the most.  Several websites are accepting donations to aid the people and wildlife of the affected region such as the following:

• www.greatergood.org
• http://www.unitedwaynola.org/gulfoilspill/index.html
• http://www.gnof.org/programs/gulf-coast-oil-spill-fund/disaster-on-the-gulf-coast/
• www.causes.com
• www.nwf.org

If you are not able to give financially, please do continue to keep the families of the Gulf region in your daily prayers.

Visiting the Capitol

Yesterday, as our Special Session continued, I had a very pleasant surprise as I welcomed two constituents, Dan Harms and his granddaughter, Emily to the Capitol.  Dan and Emily both had a "day off" and decided to hop on the Amtrak train and make a day trip to Jefferson City.  They had a nice surprise when they discovered the Legislature was actually in Session!  Dan and Emily were welcomed in the Senate Chamber and I also had the privilege and opportunity to introduce them to the House of Representatives on the House Floor.  I want to thank Dan and Emily for visiting me and if you ever find yourself in or around Jefferson City at any time during the year, please feel free to visit us!  Stop by Room 114A and, even during the interim session, Jody will be happy to meet and greet you!

Personal News & Notes

Being "out of Session" has definitely not resulted in life slowing down much at all. Working almost daily at the law firm, keeping up with constituent services and attending different events in and around the District have kept me more than occupied during the Interim Session.  I continue to owe a huge debt of gratitude to my wife, Suzanne, whose daily sacrifices enable me to continue to serve my constituents and to continue to work towards my vision and goal of making Missouri a better place to live, work and raise a family.  My two daughters, Katie and Abby are a constant reminder of why I have chosen public service as part of my career and that there are future generations and a "greater good" that we are all striving for when we "set to the task" each year in Jefferson City.  Please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can ever be of any assistance and I hope you continue to have an excellent and safe summer!

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

Nance: Yes to Jobs Bill

Today, we passed the Manufacturing Jobs Act [HB2]. This bill is our opportunity to preserve thousands of good-paying jobs with benefits. The Ford plant is a vital part of our economy and we cannot afford to lose it during a time when we’re already hurting. This is not a corporate give away, but a responsible approach to offering incentives that will produce results that benefit our entire state. There is no benefit to Ford until they have made a commitment and started spending their own money on the Claycomo factory.

My concern is more for the suppliers of goods and small businesses that rely on the plant. Without Ford, those suppliers and small businesses would not have a market for their goods. This bill received overwhelming approval from business groups, organized labor, economic development groups, our school district, chambers of commerce, county and municipal governments, and others, most importantly the citizens of our District.

The decision is now up to Ford Motor Company as we have done all we can to preserve those jobs.

HCS HB 1 on retirement was passed out of the House. All new state employees will contribute 4% of their salaries towards retirement. This will save the state pension plan in the long term. The state previously required the contribution, but as more money flowed to the state in the middle 70’s, the legislature paid the entire retirement costs. The most controversial part of the bill that added the Missouri State Retirement Investment Board was pulled from the bill. The teacher’s retirement fund is not affected by the bill.

Joe Smith: Special Session Overview

This week, the House fulfilled the Governor's call and convened for a Special Session. He ordered the General Assembly back to the Capitol to pass two bills which were debated during the regular Session; one being a piece of legislation that would provide tax incentives for automotive manufacturers and suppliers - the other seeking to revamp the state employee retirement system.

The Governor's call was surprising for several reasons:

• The Governor didn't express interest in these issues during the regular session. He did not list them as priorities.
• The House and Senate didn't have a consensus on these issues during the regular Session, nor did the Governor work with us to gain the consensus needed.
• Missouri tax dollars pay for Special Session, and in a time when fiscal responsibility is a top priority, it seems that the wisest decision would have been for the Governor to lobby the bills during the regular Session and work with members to reach a consensus.

Even though I believe there was a better way to go about the passage of this legislation, the Governor made the call to Special Session and we answered that call.  House Republicans acted swiftly, utilizing as few Missouri tax-payer dollars as possible. In fact, we only held debate for one day. We worked ahead of time to gain the consensus needed to pass both bills.

Growing Missouri Jobs

Under the leadership of Speaker Ron Richard, Republicans in the House of Representatives have been champions for economic development in our state.

HCS House Bill 2, sponsored by Representative Jerry Nolte, R-Gladstone, was passed in the House several times but stalled in the Senate.  The bill provides tax incentives for automotive manufacturers and suppliers in Missouri.

By reducing the amount of tax dollars these companies would owe the State of Missouri, they are able to create more jobs and retain the employees already in place.

As you know, the down economy has left thousands of Missourians unemployed.  With the number of jobless citizens on the rise, job creation and retention is imperative. We are hopeful the Senate will adopt this bill quickly so it can be sent to the Governor for final approval.

Re-organization of State Employee Retirement Benefits

The State of Missouri has an extensive and quite generous set of retirement benefits for employees. However, given economic conditions and declining revenue numbers, the current system is unsustainable.  Because of fiscal restrictions, a change needs to be made.

HCS House Bill 1, sponsored by Representative Viebrock R—Republic, makes the necessary changes needed to allow the state retirement system to thrive in years to come.

Attracting responsible, hard-working employees is something the State of Missouri takes very seriously, so we must be careful to continue to have an attractive retirement package, just not one that could bankrupt the state.

In addition, we want to ensure fairness to current state employees.  Through this legislation, existing employees would retain the retirement benefits they receive in the current system.

A fiscally responsible retirement package that our state can afford, while continuing to attract good employees to Missouri government jobs is important -- and we accomplished that through this bill.

Nance: Update on Special Session

The Missouri House gave approval Wednesday to a revised version of the Manufacturing Jobs Act as well as legislation that overhauls the state employee pension system.

The Manufacturing Jobs Act, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nolte, R-Gladstone, would provide incentives for automotive and transportation manufacturing companies and suppliers who create and retain Missouri jobs. The bill would provide up to $15 million per year in incentives for manufacturers who invest in a new product line and is designed to help retain 3,700 jobs provided by the Ford Motor Company plant located in Claycomo.

An amendment added to the bill by Rep. Rick Stream, R-Kirkwood, would extend the Homestead Preservation tax credit, which is set to expire this year.

Another provision of the bill added in committee would provide incentives aimed at luring data centers to locate in Missouri.

The version of the bill adopted by the House would pay for the incentives by taking unused funds from the Quality Jobs tax credit program. Proponents say the change severs the link between the Manufacturing Jobs Act and the pension overhaul that was intended to offset the costs of the incentives.

The House also approved the pension overhaul bill after adding several amendments. Sponsored by Rep. Jim Viebrock, R-Republic, HB 1 would require new state employees to contribute 4 percent of their pay toward their pension plans and increase the minimum retirement age.

The bill also contained a provision that required new state employees to be employed with the state for 10 years before qualifying for their pension. House members adopted an amendment offered Rep. Jeanne Kirkton, D-Webster Groves, to reject the change and keep the current five year requirement.

The House passed the Manufacturing Jobs Act (HB 2) by a vote of 125-19. The pension overhaul (HB 1) passed by a vote of 92-54. Both bills now move to the Senate for consideration.

Above summary provided by House Media Center.

Tim Jones: Special Session Underway, Fourth of July Remarks, Stepping Up To Help The Gulf

Heat and heavy humidity have finally exhaled and given way to slightly cooler breezes this week as we find ourselves moving gently through the summer months and towards an always patriotic July 4^th weekend.  It is hard to believe that the 2^nd Regular Session of the 95^th General Assembly ended over six weeks ago and yet we now find ourselves right back at the Capitol this week pursuant to the Governor's call for an Extraordinary Special Session to address two legislative items:  economic development/job creation and public employee pension reform.  Until this week I was busily attempting to keep up with the excitement and mayhem of the two little daughters who grace our home, practicing full time at my law firm, DosterUllom, and attending events in the District and across the State.  Even without a "Special Session" I typically make a trip once a month or so to Jefferson City to attend to business during the "Interim Session".  In between visits, my hard working assistant, Jody, continues to staff our office and is always available if you need our assistance.  I also continue to "remotely" monitor e-mail and voice mail so if you do need any assistance, please know I remain available and ready to serve!  In the meantime, I wish you and your families a very safe and fun Independence Day weekend and please do say "hello" if you see me "around town"…

"The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time." --Thomas Jefferson

"Let us be sure that those who come after will say of us in our time; that in our time we did everything that could be done.  We finished the race; we kept them free; we kept the faith." –Ronald Reagan

Extraordinary "Special" Session

As I mentioned in my opening paragraph, we are in the midst of an extraordinary or "special" session.  The Governor issued the official call for the session a few weeks ago and the House and Senate convened last week and began conducting the necessary "technical" and procedural days to bring the two legislative items to the Floors of their respective Chambers.  Today, Tuesday, June 29, 2010 we held debate on the House Floor relating to a bill [HB2] for economic development and job creation and a separate bill [HB1] relating to public employee pension reform.  Because we are in the middle of this Special Session and the outcome is not yet clear, I will wait until the bills move further along in the process before discussing them in fuller detail.  Stay tuned!

We Stand Together, From Sea to Shining Sea

Most importantly this coming week is the fact that on the 4^th of July we will once again celebrate the birth of our great nation.  It is a celebration of liberty and independence.  It is a vital reminder of the red white and blue and of the thousands upon thousands who have died in the name of the freedoms we all enjoy every day.

The birth of our nation has an unforgettable history and has sparked traditional celebrations that have continued for hundreds of years.

It all started in 1776, on July 2^nd, when the United States of America "officially" separated from Great Britain.  Congress then focused on the Declaration of Independence, primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, which was fully agreed upon on July 4^th of that year.  Around this time, John Adams had written to his wife, Abigail, that it would be the most memorable epoch in the history of America.  He thought that it should be, "…celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival," and that, "It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

John Adams' instructions match our 4^th of July traditions almost exactly.  As you know, many of our cities in and around St. Louis observe the 4^th of July holiday by holding parades, barbecues, various fairs and festivals and of course, culminating the evening in grand fireworks displays.

From the annual and glorious Boston Pops performance, to the fireworks illuminating the St. Louis sky over the Arch and the burly waters of the muddy Mississippi, to the red, white and blue celebration at Mount Rushmore, we honor our country in many dignified and fantastic ways. As millions of us gather from sea to shining sea, we stand together – not as Republicans, not as Democrats – but as Americans.  It is my hope that we continue these traditions, from generation to generation, just as John Adams instructed in his letter.  May we always stand together in the name of our great country.

May God bless you, bless your family and may God bless the United States of America.

Stand Up & Be Counted!

Currently, Missouri is represented by nine members in Congress.  The U.S. Constitution requires the federal government to conduct a census every ten years for the purpose of apportioning the 435 delegates nationwide to the body.  This is a process that has occurred every ten years since 1790.  So far, only 78% of Pettis County households have returned their census forms.  The percentage in Saline County and Lafayette County are 70% and 74% respectively.

There is a realistic concern that Missouri might lose a seat in Congress.  Of the five states that are closest to the next lower number of members in Congress based upon predictions made by POLIDATA Demographic & Political Guides, Missouri has the smallest number that would result in the loss of a seat.  Said in another way, if Missouri's final count is off by as little as 10,000 people, our Congressional delegation will shrink from 9 to 8 members.  This information may be viewed on the web at http://www.polidata.org/news.htm. If Missouri loses a seat in Congress, we will collectively lose influence in our nation's Capitol and also lose some of our influence in the presidential selection process.  States like California and Texas are expected to be the big winners.

There are other ramifications to an undercount of people in our community.  Other political subdivisions including the Missouri General Assembly use this same data for reapportionment.  The numerous public service announcements over the last several months have informed us that the census data is used for a variety of purposes by the federal government as well as state and local governments.  In fact, over $400 billion in federal assistance funds for our state and local governments – used to support our roads, schools and hospitals – are allocated according to census data. There is an indication that the rural areas in our state are underperforming as compared to the metropolitan areas.  If outstate Missouri is not fully counted, we in rural Missouri can lose representation in the Missouri legislature to our big city brothers and sisters.

Over the next few weeks, census workers will be placing phone calls and going to the residences of citizens who have not yet returned their forms; please do your best to provide them with the required information.  Under Title 13 of the United States Code, all of the information you provide is strictly confidential and the Census Bureau may not sell or give away your address to people who may want to send you mail.  However, if you are concerned about the credentials of anyone claiming to be a census worker, you may call (800) 923-8282 or your local census office in Kansas City at (816) 977-2100, Odessa at (816) 565-4031, Columbia at (573) 818-3310 or Springfield at (417) 520-2510.

If you have not received your Census form, you should call 1-866-872-6868 or the Odessa Census Office at (816) 565-4054.  I urge you to do this today.  An undercount of less than two-tenths of our population will result in a loss of a member of Congress in our state.  An accurate count includes your household.

As Tragedy Strikes in the Gulf, We Must Step Up to Help

This summer, we have not been able to turn on the television or radio without seeing and hearing more devastating reports about the oil spill in the Gulf.  Innocent lives have been lost, wildlife is suffering and the economic livelihood of the Gulf states is in deep jeopardy.

Even though many of us feel like there is nothing we can do to stop the damage, WE can help those in need.  While the federal government continues to bumble and stumble its way clumsily through this crisis, great leaders like Governor Jindal and Governor Barbour continue to rally the spirits of the citizens of their States and take specific actions to solve the challenges presented by this crisis.  We have seen the ineptitude of the federal government on full display and it has once again been confirmed that it is we, the people, who can best help our fellow Americans.  I encourage all of you to step up and do what you can to help those who need us the most.  Several websites are accepting donations to aid the people and wildlife of the affected region such as the following:

• www.greatergood.org
• http://www.unitedwaynola.org/gulfoilspill/index.html
• http://www.gnof.org/programs/gulf-coast-oil-spill-fund/disaster-on-the-gulf-coast/
• www.causes.com
• www.nwf.org

If you are not able to give financially, please do continue to keep the families of the Gulf region in your daily prayers.

Visiting the Capitol

If you ever find yourself in or around Jefferson City at any time during the year, please feel free to visit us.  Stop by Room 114A and, even during the interim session, Jody will be happy to meet and greet you!

Personal News & Notes

Being "out of Session" has definitely not resulted in life slowing down much at all.  Working almost daily at the law firm, keeping up with constituent services and attending different events in and around the District have kept me more than occupied during the Interim Session.  I continue to owe a huge debt of gratitude to my wife, Suzanne, whose daily sacrifices enable me to continue to serve my constituents and to continue to work towards my vision and goal of making Missouri a better place to live, work and raise a family.  My two daughters, Katie and Abby are a constant reminder of why I have chosen public service as part of my career and that there are future generations and a "greater good" that we are all striving for when we "set to the task" each year in Jefferson City.  Please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can ever be of any assistance and have a wonderful July 4^th weekend!

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

Ruestman: Summary of Special Session

Many of you may have heard that the governor has called a special session.  According to our state constitution, the governor has the power to call the legislature back into session when there is an immediate or pressing need to be handled.  This year, our governor has decided that there are two issues of just such importance.

House Bill 1 of the extraordinary session makes several changes to the Missouri State Employees' Retirement System (MOSERS).  The changes include:

• Allowing the state auditor to audit any retirement system established by the state or other political subdivision;
• For new state employees after January 1, 2011, retirement eligibility will be age 67 with 10 years of service; or, at least 55 years of age with the sum of their age and service equaling 90 (it is currently "80 and out"); and,
• New state employees must contribute at least 4% of their pay into the system.

The second bill, House Bill 2, known as the "Manufacturing Jobs Act" provides incentives for qualified manufacturing companies.  To be eligible for the tax credit a business must manufacture goods at a facility in Missouri.  Additionally, the following stipulations must be met:

• The company must, "make a capital investment of at least $75,000 per retained job at the facility for the manufacture of a new product within two years…";
• The company must manufacture a new product or currently be making capital improvements to a facility to manufacture a new product;
• The company must continue to make these goods for the period in which it receives the benefits of the program.

I am currently deciding the merits of these bills and listening to concerns brought forth from both sides of these issues.  I always appreciate the input I receive from my constituents.

If you have problems, questions or wish to express concern over an issue, please do not hesitate to contact me or my Legislator Assistant, Jonathan, at my Capitol office either by phone 573-751-9801 or by e-mail at Marilyn{dot}Ruestman{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.

Nance: Special Session Begins

Special Session begins today with two items on the agenda. A bill [HB1] requiring NEW state employees as of January 1, 2011 to contribute toward their retirement and NEW state employees, statewide officials and legislators could not draw retirement until reaching the age of sixty two.

The second bill [HB2] is the Manufacturing Jobs Act. It is the most important legislation of the year. The original bill was sponsored by Jerry Nolte and me because of the impact it has on our districts. It could be used by any manufacturer, but in our area, it is sometimes called the Ford Bill.

Ford would probably qualify for $8 million of it. Some people think the $8 million Ford could keep from the state withholding tax from employees would affect state funds. If Ford does not get a top volume vehicle, many employees and the ancillary jobs like Magna Seating and other subsidiaries could also see closings.

To reap any benefit, Ford would have to invest $400 million. With that kind of investment, they would be making a long term commitment. The Claycomo plant is the second highest taxed facility that Ford has nationwide. We must do what we can as legislators to keep the Ford Plant. Final vote is expected Tuesday.

I will keep you posted.


Bob Bates and Ron White traveled with me to Jefferson City on Wednesday to accept a proclamation honoring Missouri Masonic Lodge’s MoCHIP identification program. The program just processed their 100,000^th identification.


I was honored by personal comments the Governor shared about my work for the children of Missouri.

Excelsior Springs Waterfest is this weekend. The parade begins at 10:00 on Saturday.