Carter: Census 2010

On April 1, 2010, the nation will be asked to participate in the 2010 Census, one of the most important federal operations of the decade. By filling out and mailing in your census form, you are ensuring that there is an accurate and complete count of everyone living in the United States. An accurate count helps the federal government determine how $400 billion dollars in funding is given to states and cities. The data is used to determine how much money our community will receive for things like streets, new housing developments, schools, social service programs and law enforcement grants.

It is estimated that for every person not counted in the census, we lose an estimated $1,300 per year. It is clear that we cannot afford to have one single person not counted in the census. Please fill out and mail in your census form, and encourage others to do the same!

With only 10 questions, the 2010 Census questionnaire takes just 10 minutes to complete. Households are asked to provide key demographic information, including: whether a housing unit is rented or owned; the address of the residence; and the names, genders, ages and races of others living in the household. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual's responses with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.

Here is the timeline for the Census:

• March 8 – 11 – Advance letter comes to homes informing them that the census form will arrive the following week and that they should fill it in and mail it back quickly.
• March 15 – 17, 2010 – Census forms hit doorsteps. Forms come with postage paid return envelopes and are addressed only to the particular address and not a particular person.
• March 22 – 24 – Reminder postcards go to homes encouraging people to fill out their forms and mail them back in as soon as possible.
• April 1, 2010 – Census Day in America.
• May – July 2010 – Non-Response Follow Up. The Census Bureau will send out Census Bureau employees to visit addresses that have not yet responded. The Census Bureau employees will visit homes up to six times to encourage residents to respond.
• Dec. 31, 2010 – The Census report is due on the President's desk.

Here are some important phone numbers for your use:

• The Census Bureau is still looking to fill jobs, for more information about census jobs call 866-861-2010.
• For TDD assistance with the census form call 866-783-2010. The lines are open 8a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
• For assistance completing the form, please call the Telephone Questionnaire Assistance center at 866-872-6868.

(If you prefer a Spanish-speaking operator, then dial 866-928-2010.)

Tishaura Jones: Response to Gaming Commission Actions, Local Control of Police, Census Reminder

We're at the end of another busy month and I think I see more grey hair!

I had my first bill hearing!!  HB 1826 would prohibit the Missouri Gaming Commission from setting a nationwide precedent by closing a casino purely for economic reasons.  If the Gaming Commission is allowed to proceed, this would send a bad message across the country that gaming licenses are subject to revocation for declining economic performance.  I'm hopeful that this legislation will pass out of committee next week. I'm also very thankful to House Speaker Ron Richard for co-sponsoring HB 1826 and for his support.  Stay tuned!!

In other news, a bill that I sponsored last year is making progress.  HB 1601, sponsored by Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, would return local control of the St. Louis Police Department.  The State of Missouri has controlled the police departments in St. Louis and Kansas City since 1861 due to circumstances surrounding the Civil War.  The war has long since been over and martial law is no longer a threat.  The department is currently governed by a State appointed board of police commissioners, one of whom was recently in the news for springing his 47-year old nephew from jail for an apparent DWI.  This is an example of corruption at its worst.  The current system is a perfect example of taxation without representation.

Lastly, I am excited to let you know that I filed for re-election to a second term this week.  The election is August 3rd and I appreciate your continued support.

Sincerely,

Tishaura

Get On Board! United States Census 2010

The US Census Bureau needs your assistance, as community leaders, to help us fill crucial positions in order to carry out a fair and accurate count in the 2010 Census. This will help in providing your community with its just share of federal resources. Please help recruit people to fill these jobs in your area. We urgently need local people to apply. Please pass on the information listed below by forwarding it to friends and family.

Crestwood
Watson Road
Crestwood, MO 63126
Phone: 314-800-0680
Census takers start at: $15.25/hour

St. Louis City
Goodfellow Boulevard
Saint Louis, MO 63120
Phone: 314-802-9410
Census takers start at: $17.00/hour

April 1st, 2010 is Census Day in America!  The Census is one of the most important federal operations of the decade.  The questionnaire consists of 10 questions and should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.  By participating, you are ensuring an accurate count of everyone in the United States which will help the federal government allocate $400 billion in funding to cities and states.  It is estimated that for every person not counted in the census, we lose approximately $1,300 per year.  So please take part as best you can!

What's going on with the Gaming Commission?

As submitted to the St. Louis American

A couple of weeks ago, the Missouri Gaming Commission accused Pinnacle Entertainment of behavior that was "injurious to the State of Missouri" and started the process to revoke its gaming license for the President Casino. In a letter to Pinnacle, Executive Director Gene McNary stated that the license was being revoked for "inadequate declining performance." Over the last several years, Pinnacle has submitted several plans to either repair the President's hull or replace the facility with an entirely new riverboat, but their efforts have been met with opposition at every turn. In fact, Pinnacle was instructed to apply for an entirely new license when they offered to replace the Admiral with a new boat located in New Orleans. Yet other gaming facilities within the State of Missouri have replaced their facilities and were not required to reapply for a new license. Why is Pinnacle subject to different standards under the law than other gaming license holders?

Of all the casinos in Missouri that are "injurious to the State" as Director McNary claims, why isn't the casino in Caruthersville up for discussion? In 2006, the Gaming Commission took over operations of Casino Aztar in an unprecedented move to save approximately 280 jobs until a buyer was located. If the Gaming Commission succeeds with revoking The President's license, 241 people stand to lose their jobs, seventy percent of which are African-American. In addition, the City of St. Louis could see a reduction in tax revenue of approximately $2.2 million per year, which equates to the salary and benefits of forty employees. Those layoffs would come from one of three places; police, fire, and or city employees. The same numbers of people are subject to job loss in the both situations, yet why isn't the Gaming Commission coming to the rescue in the City of St. Louis?

Here's a bit of history that may provide some context for my comments. In 2008, Missouri voters approved Proposition A which lifted the individual loss limits in exchange for a cap on the number of gaming licenses issued in Missouri at thirteen. Therefore, gaming licenses are a hot commodity in Missouri.

The Missouri Gaming Commission is a regulatory agency according to state law. It's ironic that the Commission is taking actions against the President at a time when North County Development has released plans to open a casino as a part of a 377-acre master plan development that is dangerously close to the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, as well as the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. What's stranger in this situation is that the Gaming Commission warned North County Development that the planned development site faces engineering issues due to its close proximity to a floodplain. So is the commission taking a proactive role and making an arbitrary and capricious decision on what bad economic performance is? Has the Commission published what good economic performance looks like? Does a regulatory body have the authority to decide who is and who isn't profitable? What's the real motivation of the Gaming Commission? Is it to 'free up' a license for North County Development?

State law clearly delineates the nine reasons that the Commission can revoke a license; all of which are related to fraud and abuse and economic performance is not one of them. If we performed a litmus test on all casinos based on economic performance, all of them would be vulnerable in this economy. Senator Robin Wright-Jones (D-5) and I have filed companion legislation in the House and Senate to prohibit this sort of whimsical activity. Our bills state that the Missouri Gaming Commission cannot revoke a license based on economic performance. If passed, this will halt the Commission's efforts to revoke the license from the President Casino, unless they have other tricks up their sleeves.

To state it simpler, whatever the Gaming Commission says it is…it ain't

Advocating Financial Stability

From the St. Louis Community Credit Union

"Approximately 88,000 homes in St. Louis lack any type of checking or savings account, leading to an estimated $91.7 million lost in consumer purchasing power.  A lack of access to mainstream banking in low-income areas may be a contributing factor.  Providing cost effective financial services and education to these low income households is the first step towards great financial stability which in turn will lead to economic development. Last January, the Greater St. Louis United Way coordinated a Martin Luther King Jr. Financial Education Blitz; it is the first of three such efforts.  Hopefully more companies will continue to get involved.  Freedom Loan is another service being offered by the St. Louis Community.  Members can get loans up to $500 with a 90-day repayment period and low interest rates.  It is an attempt to remove people from the payday lender cycle."

We're Not Out of Flu Season Yet!

"Although the case load is dwindling, parents are still urged to make sure their children get a second flu shot.  Children under the age of 14 have made up about 66% of flu patients in Missouri this year.  Those under 10 years old require two doses about 30 days apart for maximum efficacy.  The H1N1 vaccine is widely available and can be found free of charge at local health agencies."

Happy 2-1-1 Day!

Supported by the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH), 2-1-1 is a free service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the entire state of Missouri.  Trained representatives can provide information about any health or human services need.  For more information visit www.211missouri.org.

Understanding Epilepsy

Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder in the United States, affecting almost 3 million Americans.  Seizures occur when clusters of nerve cells in the brain signal abnormally, this may briefly alter a person's consciousness, movements, or actions.  Onset can occur at any age, in fact, many soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq with traumatic brain injuries are now suffering as well.  Other causes include infections that affect the brain, stokes, brain tumors, Alzheimer's disease, and genetic factors.  However, more than half the time, the cause is unknown.  Currently available medications and other treatments have helped many people live with epilepsy, but over a million victims continue to have seizures which often limit their academic achievements, employment opportunities, and other life experiences. For some helpful first aid tips you can visit talkaboutit.org.

The Epilepsy Foundation of the St. Louis Region (EFS) works to prevent, control, and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy and services.  Over 60,000 Missourians have been diagnosed with epilepsy; EFS is forming partnerships with programs in Kansas and Western Missouri in order to provide a unified voice and services for them and their families.  EFS is seeking support of several issues including Senate Bill 804 (establishes each February 14th as Epilepsy Awareness Day), Senate Bill 825 (prohibits the substitution of anti-epileptic drugs under certain circumstances), and healthcare reforms that would prohibit a pre-existing exclusion from insurance and ensure that people with epilepsy can access treatment options and medications.

Roorda: Autism Bill Advances, Tax Break for Manufacturers, Phone Access Fees

Like scientist in search of a new discovery, members of the Missouri House are in search of something large, yet elusive.  Something that seems complicated, but yet might be simple.  Baffling, but something that perhaps makes perfect sense.

Members of the appropriations committess, and the House budget committee, are rolling up their sleeves, burning the midnight oil, squinting as they search line-by-line through stacks of budget balance sheets for programs and services that can be done without, is under-utilized, or could be down-sized.  We need to find at least $300 million dollars, and probably more, to make the state's books balance.  And it certainly isn't easy.

When you have the people that I have had come into my office...folks in wheel chairs, people who have lost their sight, senior citizens, teachers and 4H...saying  "please don't cut us", you realize that these are our neighbors we are hurting when we make these cuts.  It is a painful process.  Nobody likes to do this, but the state budget begins in the House, and it's on our shoulders.

Of course the budget process in the House is just one step on the long road to balancing the budget, as the proposal must then go to the Senate and then to an inevitable conference committee before it is passed into law and sent to the governor.  But even in a tight budget year, rest assured that the long and deliberate process will yield a fiscally-responsible budget that will allocate the resources at our disposal to the areas of greatest need.

Sincerely,
Jeff Roorda
House Minority Whip
Missouri House of Representatives

Four Weeks and 10 Bills Later, House Debates Autism Measure

House Speaker Had Promised Autism Bill Would Be The First Debated in 2010

The Missouri House of Representatives today for the first time debated legislation that would require insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autistic children. House Speaker Ron Richard, R-Joplin, had promised the bill would be the first piece of legislation debated on the House floor during the 2010 legislative session; instead it was the 11^th.

"Although parents with autistic children no doubt wish Speaker Richard had kept his promise, House Democrats are pleased to finally be debating the autism insurance bill," said House Minority Leader Paul LeVota, D-Independence. "It's too bad we had to wait a month and spend hours debating nonbinding resolutions, but at least we are finally working on this issue."

During a Dec. 3 conference call with reporters, Richard promised the autism bill would be the first measure debated by the House this year, a pledged reported by numerous news organizations, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in a Dec. 4 story.

Instead of the autism bill, HB 1311, the first legislation the House debated this year was a nonbinding resolution to Missouri's congressional delegation on Jan. 19. That bill was taken up four weeks to the day prior to HB 1311.

House Endorses Tax Break For Manufacturers

The House of Representatives voted 134-17 on Feb. 18 in favor tax breaks for companies that upgrade existing manufacturing facilities in Missouri. The bill, HB 1675, would cost the state up to $35 million a year in lost revenue.

The bill's primary purpose is to head off the potential closure of the Ford Motor Co.'s assembly plant in Claycomo, which employs 3,700 people. But other Missouri manufacturing companies could also take advantage of the tax breaks.

To read more click here.

House Approves Reducing Phone Access Fees

The House of Representatives voted 111-40 on Feb. 18 in favor of a bill that would gradually reduce the fees local phone companies charge each other for connecting intrastate phone calls. Missouri's intrastate access fees, which typically are passed on to customers, currently are among the highest in the country. The bill, HB 1750, potentially could lower phone rates in some areas while increasing them in others.

To read AP story click here.

House Gives Final Approval to Special Elections Bill

Last Monday, the Missouri House of Representatives gave final approval to legislation that would require special elections to fill vacancies for the U.S. Senate and most statewide elected offices. The House approved HB 1497, sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, by a vote of 900in

The bill would require special elections to fill vacancies in the offices of lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer and United States Senator. Under current law, the governor appoints a replacement if a statewide office becomes vacant. HB 1497 would allow the governor to appoint a temporary replacement for U.S. Senate, auditor or attorney general until a special election could be held. The bill would allow the governor to manage the offices of secretary of state or treasurer until a special election.

Speaking in opposition to the bill was Rep. Jeff Roorda, D-Barnhart, who questioned the motivation for the change. "All we've done this session is one grand distraction after another. This is so blatantly political, this bill... to change the way we appoint offices because there's a Democrat in the governor's mansion," said Roorda.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

To read more about this legislation click here.

Holsman Files Clean Elections Bill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Representative Jason R. Holsman, D-Kansas City, filed a bill in the Missouri House of Representatives designed to reduce the influence of large campaign contributions, especially those from Political Action Committees and special interest groups, in Missouri's electoral process.

On July 10, 2008, then-Governor Matt Blunt signed into law Senate Bill 1038, which repealed the campaign contribution limits established for candidates for elected office.  Since then, candidates have accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions from individuals, businesses, PACs, and special interest groups.  Holsman's Bill, House Bill 2164, establishes the Missouri Clean Election Fund that provides financial support for candidates for Governor, State Representative, and State Senator.  In order to be qualified as a Clean Election Candidate eligible for funds under the program, the candidate must be willing to forgo contributions from private donors.  Funding for this program would come from a voluntary check-box that taxpayers could opt to select when paying their state taxes.

"We need to do everything we can to reduce the influence of big money in politics," Holsman said. "Candidates seeking to become Missouri lawmakers should have other means to raise money for campaigns beyond seeking donations from groups that have business to be brought before the General Assembly."

Another bill in the General Assembly, H.B. 1727, sponsored by Rep. Jake Zimmerman, D-St. Louis, and cosponsored by Holsman, would reinstitute campaign contribution limits and would add several other campaign-related ethics reforms.

Keaveny: A Full SLATE of Resources to Get People Back To Work

The unemployment numbers are pretty staggering, but predictions are that it may get worse before it gets better. At the time of this writing, the state of Missouri is sitting at just over 9.2 percent unemployment, while the St. Louis rate is 10.5 percent. The White House recently predicted that 2010 might see a slight dip from the 9.7 percent nationwide level, but it would more than likely hover around 10 percent.

We are fortunate to have excellent resources available to those who are looking for work, and one of the best is the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment, or SLATE. This agency is a free service that puts job seekers and employers together, and they have three centers at 1520 Market Street, 4811 Delmar Boulevard., and 3901 N. Union Street.

SLATE offers many services for job seekers. There’s a resource center that allows access to computers, job-searching publications, and faxing and copying services. SLATE holds workshops on writing resumes and career strategies, as well as computer or occupation-specific training. They also have regular job fairs, such as the U.S. Census jobs testing they held throughout the month of February. They focus on the next generation of workers through their UrbanWORKS program, which provides jobs and unique opportunities to at-risk children.

For those people who have had a conviction, SLATE has formed the Re-Entry One Stop Career Center, or REOS, in collaboration with Missouri Probation and Parole (Department of Corrections) and the U.S. Probation system. The ultimate goal of REOS is to keep offenders from going back to jail by providing links to employment, training, housing assistance, and substance abuse/mental health programs.

The SLATE Missouri Career Center offers businesses a variety of human resource assistance such as candidate pre-screening, recruiting, employee retention and incumbent worker training, all at no cost. They also offer a rapid response team for companies who may be closing or experiencing a downturn.

On a larger scale, SLATE’s Workforce Investment Board gathers area business leaders, economic development agencies, education agencies and workforce organizations to tailor the region’s approach to local workforce issues or concerns. It’s a concentrated effort that strives to help area workers become self-sufficient, while benefiting the bottom lines of businesses.

It’s going to take a heroic collaborative effort from all of us to get those looking for work back in the job market, and organizations that bring us all together, like SLATE, will help get us there. For more information on SLATE, visit
www.stlworks.com or call them at 314-589-8000.

Ruestman: Special Elections and Tax Relief

One of the fundamental principles our country and state were founded on is the idea of free and open elections of representatives and other officials.  However, our state's system of filling vacancies has a loophole in it.  Currently, if certain positions are vacated, the governor can appoint a replacement.

This system was, no doubt, put in place to provide efficiency.  The problem, we've learned in recent years, is the ease at which such power can be used for personal or corrupt purposes.  As Governor Blagojevich of Illinois taught us, it is far too easy to use appointments to return favors or even sell for bribes.  No state is immune to such under-the-table dealings.

Missouri House Bill 1497, which we sent to the Senate on Monday, seeks to correct this issue.  It provides for a special election in the event that the offices of United States Senator, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor or State Treasurer are vacated.  Of course, if the Governor's office is vacated the Lieutenant Governor would fill that role.  The bill also lays out a process to perform the duties of those offices until an election happens.

Legislative Update

My bill, House Bill 1350, to reform property taxes is stalled once again.  This bill would cap the yearly assessment to property.  Because my bill freezes property taxes at the agreed assessed rates until the resale of the property, the only loss is in tax increases!  It seems unfair to expect those who worked hard to own their own property to be taxed more and more every year.  The Oversight Committee of the General Assembly made a determination of how much the bill will cost based on what different taxing entities tell them.  Figures from school districts, counties and other special districts, have estimated that YOUR property taxes will continue to increase statewide up to an additional $328 billion by the year 2013!  This appalls me.  Money these taxing entities want, but have never collected, is not a loss.  My bill creates no real loss.  In the meantime, many people who are now struggling to make their house payments are facing continually rising property taxes.  Where does it end?  When does the government realize that to allow citizens to keep the money they earn is the road to success!

I am fighting an uphill battle, but it is important this issue is pushed to the forefront of public commentary in our state.  Please let all of your elected officials know how you feel about this issue.  Economic growth for individual citizens is what our country needs, not continued growth of government that must be always funded by the wage earner.  Elected officials must understand that it is not the time in history to continue to TAKE from its citizens.  It is the time to make it as easy as possible for them to be rewarded for their labors!

Engler: Complaint with AG regarding hiring illegal immigrants

Jefferson City – Senator Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, has filed a complaint with the attorney general's office against the contractor and subcontractor hired to build the Hampton Inn in Farmington.  The St. Francois County Sheriff's department arrested 14 undocumented workers at the construction site on February 13.

Senator Engler filed the complaint against Thomas Construction and its subcontractor for using undocumented workers.  Under a law approved by the Legislature in 2008, employers that knowingly hire or continue to employ illegal immigrants can face civil liability in state courts and lose their business licenses.

"The unemployment rate in St. Francois County is at 11.1 percent," said Sen. Engler.  "It is outrageous that illegal aliens were receiving more than $13 an hour when there are so many skilled local workers without jobs."

When St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock contacted the U.S. Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he was told to release all but one of the illegal immigrants.  The lone illegal alien that was held had a warrant for his arrest and was later picked up by immigration officials.

"It is unfortunate that immigration officials forced the St. Francois County sheriff's department to release these illegal aliens,  and frustrating that there is little we can do to make the federal government do its job," said Sen. Engler.  "However, we do have the ability to hold the employers liable for hiring these illegal immigrants. Filing this complaint begins that process."

With the complaint filed, Sen. Engler said the attorney general's office may now investigate and bring civil action against the businesses for knowingly employing illegal immigrants.

Kraus: Legislation at the Capitol

Legislation Promotes Exercise and Good Health

This week, I presented my bill, HB 1691, on pedestrian and bicycle days to the Tourism Committee.  This Committee was as enjoyable as touring the great state of Missouri!  This legislation requires the governor to issue annual proclamations for a Walk and Bike to School month and day in October and Bike to Work month, day, and week in May.

The highlight of this hearing was the presentation of testimony by 13-year-old Jonathan Hugh, who accompanied his father, Brent, to Jefferson City to testify on behalf of "kids who walk and bike to school."  I always like to see young people learn about and be involved in the legislative process, and Jonathan did himself proud as he presented his position to the Committee members.  He pointed to the benefits of the bill for children as "exercise and a better mood."  Walk and Bike to School days are also an opportunity for schools to organize safe passage for kids to walk to school.

Jonathan shares a love of cycling with his father, who is the Executive Director of the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation.  In his testimony in favor of the bill, Brent pointed out that Missouri is #15 in childhood obesity.  Special days, while costing the state nothing, serve as a rallying point around which to organize events that can address problems such as obesity.  In creating enthusiasm and comradeship for healthy exercise, the events can in turn lead to positive physical and mental health benefits.

In agreement, Jim Farrel of the American Heart Association testified that days such as this can promote health and well-being around the state.  I see this as a win-win situation in that, while taxpayers are not called upon to support yet another program, promotional efforts can result in better health habits of Missourians, and thereby save us all some pain and money in the long run.

I asked that this bill be allowed "Consent Status."  Consent status is given when a bill has no fiscal impact, is non-controversial, and contains no penalty provisions.  Passage of the bill becomes much smoother.  Already this bill has been voted out of the Tourism Committee by consent; I hope that it continues to move forward to the benefit of both Missouri's young people and its adults.

House Passes Bill to Reduce Phone Access Fees

In other Capitol news, the House of Representatives gave final approval last week to legislation, HB1750, that would gradually reduce the access fees many Missourians pay each time they make a long distance phone call within the state.  Currently, when a customer in one part of the state calls a customer in another part of the state using a different phone company, a per minute access fee is charged. While the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the access rates for interstate calls, the state regulates access fees for long distance calls made within the state.

Missouri's intrastate access rates are some of the highest in the country, and this legislation, if signed into law, should improve that standing.  Over a 10-year period, access fees will be reduced, which will benefit Missourians in the form of lower prices and greater flexibility in choosing services.

Insurance Coverage for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

In other significant legislation passed last week, state-regulated group insurance policies would have to provide coverage for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Autism affects one of every 110 children in America and an estimated 34,000 children in Missouri.  This bill, HB 1311 & 1341, balances both sides of the issue:  the costs that a requirement for insurance coverage incurs to businesses against the growing need for coverage for children with autism.  In the bill, the insurance companies would be required to cover children up to 18 years of age and cover up to $36,000 per year in costs for treatment.  Missourians with individual insurance policies would not be mandated to obtain a policy with autism coverage.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Goodman: Getting Government Out of the Way

Thomas Jefferson once said, “government is best which governs the least.” I try to adhere to this principle as I work setting the policies of our state.

In the communities of the 29th District, churches, charities and other philanthropic organizations provide a helping hand to those who have fallen on tough times and need help to get back on their feet. In some communities of the 29th District, innovative and conscientious citizens have put together a not-for-profit, faith-based community health clinic to provide quality health care to neighbors in need, using mostly volunteer services and donated resources. Unfortunately, the efforts of these good people to address a problem on their own have encountered governmental roadblocks. Specifically, the state wanted to regulate the volunteer clinic as an insurance company.

I sponsored SB 616 this session to exempt such clinics from the regulations applicable to insurance companies. To make sure the exemption is only used by legitimate charitable efforts, the following conditions must be met to qualify for the exemption:

• Eligibility for the plan must be limited to those earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($44,100 annually for a family of four) and not covered under any other group insurance arrangement.
• The plan must be operated on a not-for-profit basis.
• Covered primary care services must be provided to enrollees, either by providers on staff of the sponsoring organization or by volunteers recruited from a local medical or osteopathic society who have, in both instances, agreed to provide their services for free or for nominal reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses or supplies related to the service provided.
• Payments to outside contractors for marketing, claims administration and similar services must total no more than 10 percent of the total charges.
• The plan must receive the approval and endorsement of the local medical or osteopathic society in consultation with the Missouri State Medical Association.
• The sponsoring non-profit organization must file an annual report with the Secretary of State.

Seeing individuals in our communities come together, work and sacrifice to meet the needs of our neighbors makes me proud and grateful to be a Missourian. While I believe government cannot offer the best solutions to many problems, I am convinced government should not impede viable solutions proposed by our private citizens. Senate Bill 616 is intended to remove a roadblock hindering valiant efforts by conscientious Missourians. I am pleased to report that the Senate passed my bill late last week. It now progresses to the Missouri House for similar action.

As always, I welcome your ideas, questions and concerns about Missouri government. You may contact me at the State Capitol as follows: (573) 751-2234, jack{dot}goodman{at}senate{dot}mo{dot}gov or by writing to Senator Jack Goodman, Missouri State Capitol, Room 331-A, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Nance: Autism, Job Creation, In the District

"All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual." –Albert Einstein

Autism

HCS HB 1311 passed the house this week and would require that health insurance carriers (that issue or renew health benefit plans on or after August 28, 2010) provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

The act prohibits health insurance carriers from denying or refusing to issue coverage on, refuse to contract with, or refuse to renew or refuse to reissue or otherwise terminating or restricting coverage on an individual or their dependent because the individual is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

Coverage under the act is limited to treatment that is ordered by the insured's treating licensed physician or licensed psychologist, in accordance with a treatment plan. It is time that Autism is treated as a neurological disease. Early intervention is the key.

Unfortunately, this will only cover about 30% of the state's autism spectrum disorder persons.

House Passes Bill Focusing on Job Creation

The House of Representatives has worked to improve economic development in the state of Missouri.  In recent months, however, the focus on job creation has been even stronger due to our economic downturn.  Putting our citizens back to work is a top priority in the House and we are passionate about our focus which is to create jobs, retain the jobs we already have in place and working to attract new business to our state.

This week we took a large step by passing HB 1675, which takes measures to improve and protect Missouri's business climate.

This particular bill focuses on creating and maintaining jobs in our state by targeting two groups: Manufacturing Employers as well as Manufacturing Suppliers.  If manufacturing employers create new jobs, they get a tax rebate while doing so.

The bill does give incentives that would keep or add jobs to the automotive industry. Locally, that would affect Ford Motor Company in Claycomo and many manufacturers that supply Ford. By no means does it apply to only the auto industry.

In the District

The Northland Coalition held an appreciation breakfast for volunteers on Friday. I participated with a class on the legislative process.

Congressman Roy Blunt and State Senator Bill Stouffer stopped at Jeffery Kyle's in Richmond on Friday to visit with citizens.

Hardin's United Methodist Church raised funds for the volunteer fire department on Saturday through an appreciation lunch. I was the guest speaker and it gave me an opportunity to share my stories of what volunteers meant to Excelsior Springs in the 50's and 60's. As many of you know, my dad was a volunteer firefighter.

Masonic Lodge 57 of Richmond held a fundraiser on Saturday. I was able to use my expertise in serving and dishwashing.

Kander: 3 New Lessons Learned in Jeff City

1. Progress in the General Assembly is the result of laser-like focus.

I can't yet say whether ethics reform proposals like those in Flook-Kander will reach the Governor's desk, but I can report significant progress.

No matter whether we are successful in pushing reforms through the legislature this year, I have already learned one lesson: getting anything done requires dogged determination and the discipline to focus significant blocks of time on a specific issue.

Prior to our hearing (of which video footage is available) in front of the special committee on ethics reform and government accountability, I "lobbied" each individual member of the committee. While fierce debates are taking place on the floor of the House regarding topics as controversial as healthcare, taxes, and social services, I give one-on-one pitches to colleagues about the virtues of Flook-Kander.

When the House isn't in session, I go office to office working the issue. This part reminds me a bit . . . (READ MORE)

2. Partisans can't possibly disagree on everything ALL the time.

No two people can agree on every issue all of the time, and fortunately, that means that no two people can disagree on every issue all of the time. I'm trying to focus on the latter part as often as possible.

Bipartisanship requires us to put major disagreements aside when working together on issues of agreement. I'll give you a couple of my favorite examples from this year so far: (READ MORE)

3. I'm still working on the little things.

While some parts of this job are just as tough as I expected, there are small challenges that I never anticipated, as well. When you see people interviewed on television, it doesn't look that tough.

But when I'm on camera, I always think of the scene in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, where Ricky (played by Will Ferrell) gives his first TV interview and his hands keep floating up next to his face and into the camera's view as if they were filled with helium. "I'm not sure what to do with my hands," he admits to the interviewer. "Just put them at your side!" he's told. Easier said than done.

While I don't struggle quite as much as Ricky Bobby did . . . (READ MORE)

Well, those are my latest lessons learned. Thank you for reading!

Sincerely,

Jason

Schupp: Autism Debate Expected TODAY!

This week in the Capitol was one of the busiest in terms of my committee meetings scheduled that I can remember.  Since several meetings overlapped, Legislative Assistant Casey and Intern Julie ran back and forth attending whatever meeting I was missing to keep me apprised of testimony and discussion and pull me in for votes.

Of particular importance was the Appropriations meeting for Public Safety and Corrections, since it involved the marking up of the committee budget bills, voting and passage back to the Budget Committee.  Read below to hear about this week's committee experiences in more detail.

Again, thank you for providing me the opportunity to serve you, our community and our state.

Truly,

Jill

Committee News

Appropriations:  Public Safety and Corrections

The critical budget process is one that, regardless of the level of importance it carries, moves very quickly through the initial committee process.  We spent 5 hours sprinting through the hundreds of pages of budget line items comparing the Governor's proposal for FY 11 against the budgeted and actual expenditures and withholds for the current fiscal year. 

While I spent quite a bit of time meeting with the non-partisan legislative liaison for the departments to deepen my understanding of the budget, it is clear there is much to learn and understand about how the funding sources and the categories of expenditures relate to each other and manifest themselves in programs, personnel, and infrastructure.

The majority party came into this week's actual "budget mark up" meeting and introduced cuts that would support the budget chair's charge of decreasing the budget an additional 5% across the board in every department from the budget proposed through the Governor's recommendations.

When I asked why this was the charge from the budget chair, I didn't feel that I was getting a response that warranted undermining the proposed budget.  I also disagreed with the premise that we would just continue to pile the cuts on in the areas in which the Governor had made withholds in the current budget year.  This would create a two year gap in the programs that had received some difficult cut backs already.  How would this end up affecting our ability to maintain a level of safety and run our corrections operations? 

In the end, with testimony from Corrections Director George Lombardi, we were able to get the majority side to agree with the rejection of the ill-conceived cuts in order for this budget to be reviewed in the Budget committee as a part of a whole.  In other words, the Corrections and Public Safety budgets will now be scrutinized alongside all other areas of the state's budget in order to make contextual decisions.

Higher Education

The current issues likely to face serious consideration in Higher Ed include the grade point average standards required to be maintained for recipients of need-based Missouri Access scholarships, and whether the higher scholarship amounts received by students attending Missouri's private universities versus public universities should remain intact.
 

Tax Reform

The Tax Reform Committee continues to hear proposals to reduce property taxes for seniors.  Though not heard yet this year, the proposal offered by Rep. Jake Zimmerman that allows seniors on fixed incomes to defer their tax increases until they sell their homes or pass on their estates supports the goal of helping seniors stay in their own homes while maintaining revenue-neutral status.     

Children and Families

Within the Children and Families Committee we are back to hearing abortion coercion legislation which continues to drive a wedge between pro choice and pro life camps.  The legislation is unquestionably designed to further intimidate and shame the woman who is making a decision to terminate her pregnancy.

Administration and Accounts

In Administration and Accounts, we have agreed to maintaining legislators' daily expense allowance at the current level, rather than accepting a raise, for two years.  This legislation will be moved forward in the process.

News Alert: Cutting the Budget

House appropriations committees have started (and by now, ended) the process of "marking up" the budget bills proposed  by the Governor's office in consultation with each department.  Governor Nixon's proposed $23.86 billion state operating budget has been reviewed and in some cases amended in appropriations committees. 

Budget Chair Allen Icet had instructed each committee chair to cut 5% out of their budgets, regardless of what services those budgets support.  It has been rumored that the cuts he proposed of at least an additional $300 million were based on the idea that the state will not receive promised federal dollars.  When I asked for the rationale in committee, as you read above, I was provided no reasonable explanation, and specifically not this explanation.

The departments of health, mental health and social services were particularly hard hit in committee, with majority members approving about $60 million in cuts to those agencies. Items that the cut may influence included funding for health clinics that serve the poor, domestic violence shelters and the state's Alternatives to Abortion program.

With the appropriations committees finishing their work, the bills will move to the House Budget Committee before the appropriations bills are debated by the full House.

NEWS ALERT: House Debates Autism Measure

On Tuesday, the House debated legislation that would require insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of children with autism.

The legislation approved by the House provides for payments of up to $36,000 per year for treatment up to age 18.
 
HB 1311 passed final approval, 135 to18 votes, on Thursday Feb. 18 and will now move to the Senate for consideration.

Rumor has it that the Senate will raise the capped amount for annual treatment.

Freshmen Dems' Caucus Sessions

The Freshmen Democratic Caucus welcomed three speakers this week who discussed science and biotechnology. Jason Hall with Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) led the discussion, accompanied by Dr. Anthony Harris of the University of Missouri, Columbia and Cynthia Kramer of S.C.O.P.E. (Science and Citizens Organized for Purpose and Exploration.) We discussed some of the important biotechnology and life sciences legislation that will be debated this session including the MOSIRA bill [HB1511] that Rep. Schupp is co-sponsoring.

Next week, the caucus will host a presentation on nursing homes and long-term care facilities in the public and private sector.  Speakers will include Director Margaret Donnelly, Department of Health and Senior Services;  Barbara Madison, Right at Home;  and Fmr. Sen. Chuck Graham, representing AFSCME.

We have rescheduled our session on state healthcare options and will have Ruth Ehresman of the Missouri Budget Project immediately following the nursing home and long term care discussion.