Interoperability for Missouri's First Responders- May 10, 2009

On September 11^th in New York, the lack of a digital emergency communication system (interoperability) cost 343 firemen their lives. Twenty minutes before the second building collapsed, a police helicopter sent a warning over the police communication system. Since the two systems don't intercept, firefighters were not warned and a horrendous tragedy occurred that may have otherwise been prevented.

In contrast, Minnesota has an interoperability system in place. When the 35W Bridge collapsed, emergency responders were able to communicate effectively, putting everyone on the same wavelength. David Berrisford of Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management was quoted as saying, "It worked wonderfully."

The current communication system in Missouri is over 50 years old. It prevents our emergency personnel from the ability to communicate with local police, firefighters, highway patrol, and paramedics. If we were to face a serious emergency such as New York or Minnesota, we may not have the ability to keep our citizens from danger.

This week both the House and the Senate voted to pass House Bill 22, which specifies how the state will spend part of the federal stimulus funds. It designates over $112 million for a new statewide emergency radio communications system. This will replace the old system and allow first responders to communicate easier and on a broader scale.

While this new system is important to the safety of all Missourians, it was Sikeston's own Department of Public Safety Director Drew Juden's vast knowledge of communication's technology that was key to fully funding this system. We are truly fortunate to have someone of Drew's expertise, and who is willing to come to Jefferson City and testify before both members of the House and Senate.

Over the past few years, we have experienced several natural disasters, such as ice storms, tornados and flooding. In addition, we have police, fire fighters and paramedics risking their lives on a daily basis to help fellow Missourians. The least we can do is provide them with the tools they need to communicate effectively and save lives.

As always, you may Contact Me anytime.  ~   [Back to the Top]

B-I-N-G-O! - April 16, 2009

The game of Bingo, once very popular, has slowed down substantially through Missouri communities. If you play, you may be noticing fewer opportunities to join games in your area. Not-for-profit entities such as the American Legion and Elks Lodge have Bingo licenses in Missouri and they use the game profits for a number of local projects such as scholarships, Veterans Homes and American Legion baseball fields. Unfortunately, there has been trouble conducting Bingo games, which has ended up hurting communities as a result.

The number of Missouri Bingo licensees has diminished from over 900 in 1995 to 367 licensees today. Revenues from the taxes collected on each Bingo card by the state also have decreased accordingly. Without support for the Bingo industry, it may disappear altogether.

The House recognized this concern and took a step to mend the problem. This week we passed HB 620 and HB 671, which loosen current restrictions and allow charitable organizations to provide more assistance to their local communities.

HB 671 gives the gaming commission the ability to decide the daily cash prizes for Bingo. It expands the number of days that halls can run games, as well as the number of hours these activities can take place. Halls with abbreviated Bingo licenses can only host games four times a year under current law. HB 671 changes the number of games allowed to be hosted from four to fifteen. In addition, those with full licenses who were once able to conduct one game a week can now do so twice a week. The halls will also be gaining four hours of playing time.

This bill changes the requirements for license holders by having them make quarterly reports to the commission and pay a $50 annual fee. It repeals the gross receipts tax on the retail sales on each bingo card and pull tab cards. The intent of repealing the tax is to allow the not-for-profit charitable organizations to reduce their expenses and thereby have more money available for community programs.

Not only do we want to give Missourians the ability to enjoy activities like Bingo, we want our communities to have the opportunity to grow and flourish through charitable projects. We understand that when there's more income for non-profit groups, there's more money for veteran's programs and local organizations. We hope to see this legislation move through the Senate and signed by the Governor.

Many of you may be wondering about the federal stimulus money that is coming to the state of Missouri. One program that will help both businesses and our youth is called the Next Generation Jobs Team. It is a summer jobs program that connects youth from the ages of 16 to 24 to businesses that offer internships in Green Energy, Technology, Health Care, Business Operations, Construction, or Life Sciences. The stimulus money will be used to pay the wages for these internships. If you are a business willing to invest in the future of Missouri or a young person who needs a job leading to a career, call Transform Missouri at 1-800-592-6020 to apply. (Some eligibility requirements will apply.) Transform Missouri will match an applicant to a business. It is my hope that many will take advantage of this opportunity.

As always, you may Contact Me anytime.  ~   [Back to the Top]

Drug-Tests for Welfare Recipients - April 15, 2009

After much debate and many long hours of questioning, the Missouri House passed legislation that I sponsored, House Bill 30. Simply stated this bill will prevent drug-users from receiving welfare benefits.

The legislation calls for the Department of Social Services to set up a drug-testing program for work-eligible applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). This is a cash-aid program and currently has no restrictions for those who may use illegal or controlled substances. If officially passed and signed by the Governor, Missouri would become one of eleven states that practice drug testing provisions for TANF applicants.

In order to be tested, there must be "reasonable cause" to believe an individual is using illegal drugs. After an administrative hearing, applicants or recipients who test positive will be declared ineligible for TANF benefits for one year from the hearing.

In addition, the bill seeks to help those suffering from substance abuse and addiction. Many times, users need help to get better and get back on their feet. To address this concern, the legislation requires the Department of Social Services to refer the positive testing individual to a substance abuse treatment program approved by the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. This is a program within the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

I think most of you will agree that this legislation is long over-due. Most employees, including military and federal, are required to take a mandatory drug test. Why shouldn't welfare recipients be held up to the same standard?

While researching this bill, I discovered what great damage could be done to the developing brain and neurological system of babies born to mothers on drugs during pregnancy. The damage sustained to these children cannot be reversed. Instead, they must be cared for with psychiatric drugs.

Unfortunately, this type of drug use by mothers is prevalent in the Bootheel. More often then not, these mothers continue drug use after the baby is born forcing the child to be raised in a dysfunctional home. These problems then carry over to our local school systems where behavioral impairment and learning disabilities put them at a severe disadvantage.

This bill would not have been possible without the help of Dr. Kevin Blanton. His expertise and devotion to the health and well being of his small patients inspired committee members to pass the bill onto the floor for debate.

I strongly believe that this legislation will help encourage people using drugs to stop and get help. If they want to receive welfare benefits, they have to be drug-free. HB30 will now move to the Senate, and if passed, will begin to help and enable our citizens to live a clean and productive life, rather than harming themselves and possibly those around them.

As always, you may Contact Me anytime.  ~   [Back to the Top]

Special Elections to be Held for Vacant State-Wide Offices - April 6, 2009

As you know, Missouri holds six state-wide official seats: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor and State Treasurer. What you may not know is that Missouri law currently grants full power to the Governor to choose a replacement.

My friend Representative Jason Smith introduced House Bill 681 to improve the law. The intent of this bill is to restore power to the public when choosing a replacement. It temporarily allows the Governor to administer the duties of a vacant office until a special election will be held to fill the vacancy. Under the new law, the Governor would no longer have the power to appoint someone to finish the whole term; instead it gives the ultimate decision back to the voters.

The recent situation with former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has demonstrated the need for this type of legislation. Each of our state-wide offices is tasked with very specific duties that are vital to Missouri's inner-workings.

As a refresher, I'd like to give you a quick overview of each seat, beginning with the Lt. Governor. First and foremost, he or she assumes the powers and duties of the Governor when the Governor is absent from the state or unable to fulfill duties. The Lt. Governor also serves as President of the Senate. If there is a tie in the Senate, the Lt. Governor has the ability to cast the tie-breaking vote. Following the Lt. Governor we have an Attorney General. The Attorney General, or AG, represents the legal interests of our state as well as our state agencies.

Next, is Secretary of State. The responsibilities include taking measure to protect consumers and making information and resources available to Missouri businesses. The Secretary of State also serves as Missouri's chief election official. He or she works to ensure fairness as well as to make the process of voting clear and accessible for our citizens. The State Auditor's office acts as a watchdog for your tax dollars. This positions calls for financial and performance audits, which also include review of management practices. In addition, the State Auditor assists local governments in developing proper accounting procedures. Finally, we have the State Treasurer. This position manages Missouri's annual state revenues, directs the State's banking services and manages Missouri's $3.1 billion investment portfolio. The State Treasurer's Office also safeguards more than $550 million in unclaimed assets that have been turned over to the State by banks, businesses, insurance companies and government agencies, and tries to locate the rightful owners.

As you can see, these are key responsibilities and crucial to Missouri's growth and prosperity. I feel that we the citizens should have the right to choose these elected officials.

As always, you may Contact Me anytime.     [Back to the Top]

Preparing Missouri Students for a Competitive Future -- March 30, 2009

In this competitive global market, we must work to ensure that our students have the tools necessary to succeed. Accordingly, education must be a top priority to us in the legislature.

As your state Representative, I am committed to providing first-rate educational opportunities that prepare our children for the future both in education and in the economic market they will eventually face. This week we completed a budget that once again provides healthy increases to elementary and secondary education funding.

Our current budget shortfalls have made economic decisions especially difficult. Supporting education with our words and ideals is easy, but financial support is a little harder to come by. Every child deserves a world-class education, and we are working to ensure that Missouri remains committed to achieving this goal, even in the midst of financial difficulty.

While we worked to bridge a $400 million dollar budget shortfall, the importance of education was on our minds. And while many other states, including Kansas, California and South Carolina, have considered massive cuts to education funding, in Missouri we stood firm.

The school foundation formula through which our public schools receive funding was changed in 2005. Instead of focusing on the amount of tax revenue a district's property could generate, as we did previously, we revised the formula to consider the needs of students. When this change was made, we promised to do a four-year phase-in to fully fund the formula. We have been able to fulfill this promise with a fiscally sound budget. In our $22.8 billion budget, funding levels for elementary and secondary education have actually increased.

This year's budget provides our school districts with the funding they need to provide a quality education to the young people of this state. This is a great accomplishment for our state and, more importantly, Missouri students.

It's important to note this was possible because of the fiscally responsible decisions made by the House in the past. We have continued to follow the example of those before us and have crafted our budget in much the same way a family would balance a checkbook.

In concluding, the budget now moves to the Senate for their consideration. Although they will likely make changes, we will work with them to ensure a fiscally responsible budget is ultimately passed.

As always, you may Contact Me anytime.     [Back to the Top]

Protecting Missouri's Farmers - March 4, 2009

There used to be a time when a man's word was all you needed to secure a business agreement. After a firm handshake, the authenticity of a deal wasn't questioned. Times have changed, however, and people no longer conduct business the same way. Handshakes are a result of written deals brokered through lawyers and firmly set in contracts.

Nevertheless, in a few rural communities across Missouri, a person's word is still thought to be unfailing. A grain broker in the small town of Martinsburg, Missouri often conducted business through verbal agreements and handshakes. Members of this community trusted the integrity of their neighbors, letting the golden rule take precedence. Although these practices are seemingly refreshing, the grain broker has been charged with taking advantage of their customers. The end result may be millions of dollars lost by area farmers.

After a routine audit of T.J. Gieseker Farms and Trucking in Martinsburg, it was revealed the company owes more than $1.3 million in unpaid grain royalties. No one can be certain on the exact number, however, because many farmers agreed to the deals over a handshake rather than receiving a ticket. Farmers cannot claim grain without a ticket. In a similar situation, Gallatin Grains in Northwest Missouri voluntarily closed their doors after an ongoing audit. We have begun to see more and more of these activities across the state. We knew something had to be done to protect our hard-working Missouri farmers.

So, as a result of the recent fraud, an agriculture task force is being formed to find legislative solutions that will prevent future incidents. The task force will be formalized in the coming weeks and those selected will focus on a few key issues with the ultimate goal of protecting Missouri farmers from being taken advantage of. Possible topics include creating an indemnity fund to help cover losses when grain elevators fold; enacting additional criminal penalties to discourage unscrupulous behavior by grain elevator owners; and increasing bonding requirements for grain elevators.

Some of these issues are already on the table this legislative session. House Bill 915 increases bonding requirements for grain elevators. HB 923 increases criminal penalties, making it a class A misdemeanor for making trades above and beyond an issued license. Both bills are sponsored by Representative Steve Hobbs, a native of Mexico, Missouri. Representative Hobbs is third generation farmer and knows the importance of these issues. With his proposed changes we have the ability to put the force of law behind handshakes and words given.

Missouri Farmers are vital to the economic growth and stability of our state. What has recently taken place is unacceptable. Not only must we protect these citizens from fraud, we must work to keep hard-earned dollars in their pockets. That is why I fully support the actions we are taking in the House. It is our duty to strengthen the laws set to ensure Missouri farmers a future of security and prosperity.

As always, you may Contact Me anytime.     [Back to the Top]

Four-Day School Week - February 26, 2009

As states struggle with their budgets and consider where to make cuts, one thing we can all agree on is funding for education. Education is the key to success. People have overcome issues of location, poverty, and family background using education as a starting point. It is our responsibility to ensure that our students receive a top notch education.

This week with my support the Missouri House passed HB 242. This bill gives school districts the option to establish a four-day school week. This depends upon a majority vote from the school board and can vary district to district. The number of required hours in a school year remains the same, but the number of days will be 142 rather than 174.

Students would go to school one extra hour each day making a 7½ hour day with 30 minutes for lunch. Schools would be in session 1,065 hours or 142 days.

The single most important issue is that this option is left solely to that of local school districts. I have said it and will say it again - I 100% support local control of our schools. I believe the right to make changes belongs with our local school boards, administrators, teachers and parents.

Educational excellence in Missouri is a top priority for me. Educational budget cuts often result in decreased funding for things like school supplies and teacher salaries - HB 242 acts as a remedy. The bill allows school districts to decrease spending on overhead costs such as heating and transportation, leaving more funds available for educational essentials. It also reduces the need for substitute teachers, cutting costs for school districts.

School districts used to receive 75% reimbursement for transportation as part of the state formula. The past few years has seen this amount reduced to 42% leaving the remainder of the expense to be made up by local school districts. During the last two legislative sessions, legislation has been brought up on the floor of the House to increase school transportation funding. This issue has always lost to Amtrak funding because many of the city students take Amtrak to college.

A four-day school week could also mean improved attendance rates for both students and teachers. Opening up a weekday allows more time for sporting events, doctor appointments, and more time for parents to spend with their children. In addition, the attractiveness of a four-day work week could make staff recruitment easier.

Missouri's youth need to be academically successful in order to compete in our growing global economy. A four-day school week allocates more time to focus on the quality of education. Students who are struggling may be able to use the free weekday for remedial programs and the teachers willing to help would be paid extra. The extra day could also be used for professional development and ongoing education for teachers.

This bill is an attempt to craft a mandate to allow local school districts to make decisions based on their needs to be successful academically and economically.

Currently, 17 states have adopted the four-day-week option and are experiencing a positive effect on attendance and an increase in test scores. A school in Minnesota expects to shave ten percent off transportation costs, which is especially helpful when fuel costs are uncertain. Webster County School District in Kentucky saved more than $150,000 and ranked much higher on state-wide standardized tests: from 111th in 2003 to 53rd in 2007.

The success of school districts in other states with four-day school weeks is encouraging. If the final bill passes, I trust our local school boards' judgment on deciding whether this option would be a good fit for their schools. Education is a top priority and I will continue to do my part to ensure Missouri's students are provided with the necessary means to achieve academic success.

As always, you may Contact Me anytime.     [Back to the Top]

Teacher Protection Act - February 19, 2009

This week the House passed the HB 96, also known as the Teacher Protection Act, to change the laws regarding school employee liability, safety practices and reporting acts of violence. It gives teachers the ability to maintain order as long as they follow established school policy. Most importantly, the bill allows school employees to focus on teaching without worrying about litigation.

One of the most important parts of the bill outlines new discipline procedures to defend teachers who use force to protect their students and property. A good teacher is one who has a disciplined classroom. The Teacher Protection Act gives teachers the ability to construct a controlled classroom without fear of frivolous lawsuits, and if a student's actions are destructive, an educator should be able to correct this to ensure student productivity and safety. That way, it allows students and teachers to focus on learning instead of classroom management.

This bill also allows all teachers and administrators to be aware of acts of violence throughout the school. Suspended students would not be allowed on school property without specific permission and would be prohibited from attending off campus, school sponsored activities. Furthermore, it requires a notice of reportable offenses to be attached to an offending student's record and transcript. All of these provisions are aimed at ensuring a safe learning environment for Missouri students. In addition, The Teacher Protect Act exempts unqualified employees who refuse to administer medication or medical services from disciplinary action and exempts qualified employees from any civil liability for administering medication or medical services. Teachers should be able to take the necessary steps to protect their student's health.

I am a strong proponent of HB 96. I believe every child has a right to high quality education and I will continue working to provide a safe environment for our students and school employees. Educators and administrators should be able to effectively manage their schools without fear of being reprimanded. I am thankful that the Missouri House of Representatives is dedicated to education issues and that we were able to work together to pass the bill this session.

I have had numerous inquiries about job possibilities for the upcoming census. If you are interested, you may call toll-free 866-861-2010 and you will be connected to an information hotline. You may apply for these jobs at this number as well.

As always, you may Contact Me anytime.

David Terrell, Kathy Teachout, and Cheryl Jones

Dr. Dr. Kevin Blanton

Sandra Bollinger

On a personal note: We had visitors from the Sikeston House of Refuge- Linda Frankum and Linda Cravens. Dr Kevin Blanton of Sikeston testified before the Special Standing Committee for Children and Families. Sandra Bollinger was here to speak about the Pharmacist/Pharmacies bill. I was also visited by a wonderful group of students from Southeast Missouri University as well as their president, Dr. Ken Dobbins. Some of their photos are above.     [Back to the Top]

Focusing on FOCA - February 12, 2009 #2

In past sessions, the General Assembly has passed several bills that take measures to prevent abortion and defend the sanctity of human life. This week we passed House Resolution 294 and made further progress by opposing the federal Freedom of Choice Act.

The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) would eliminate every restriction on abortion nationwide. FOCA establishes the right to abortion as a "fundamental right," elevating it to the same status as the right to vote and the right to free speech. FOCA was introduced in 1989 when some in Congress feared that Roe v. Wade might imminently be overturned. FOCA's main goal was to create a "fundamental right to abortion," eliminating any federal, state, or local government action (including the enactment of abortion-related legislation) that limited or "impeded" access to abortion. States were allowed to enact pro-life legislation in 1993, but FOCA-style legislation continued to be introduced: most recently in April 2007 by Senators Obama and Clinton along with others. The federal Freedom of Choice Act would nullify any federal or state law "enacted, adopted, or implemented before, on, or after the date of its enactment" and would effectively prevent the State of Missouri from enacting similar protective measures in the future.

FOCA would specifically invalidate the following commonsense protective laws properly enacted by the State of Missouri:

1. A parental consent law for minors seeking an abortion;

2. A prohibition on government funding or use of public facilities for abortions;

3. Health and safety regulation for abortion facilities;

4. A twenty-four-hour waiting period and informed consent law that provides an opportunity to consider the gravity of a decision to abort a child;

5. A partial birth abortion ban (Infant's Protection Act);

6. A requirement that only physicians can perform or induce abortions and that such physicians maintain medical malpractice insurance;

7. Conscience protections for doctors and hospitals not wanting to perform or induce abortions;

8. A prohibition on performing or inducing abortions in order to use fetal organs or tissue for transplantation or experimentation;

9. Licensing of most abortion clinics as ambulatory surgical centers to ensure basic health and safety of patients;

10. Alternatives to abortion programs to encourage and support women who do not want abortions

During our debate on the House Floor, many opposed HR 294 because FOCA has not been formally introduced as a bill in Congress. However, President Obama told Planned Parenthood, "The first thing I'd do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing I'd do." We have taken the President seriously, thus we must prevent FOCA from removing Missouri's limitations on abortion.

Protecting innocent lives is crucial. I fully support HR 294 and will continue to support and fight for measures that prevent abortion and protect the sanctity of life.

Tax time is upon us. If you need a paper copy of the Missouri State 1040, there are several ways to get one. Go to www.dor.mo.gov/tax; fax your request to 573-751-4800; or call 1-800-877-6881. The Department of Revenue stopped putting tax forms at post offices and libraries as a money saving measure and has saved $65,000 this year by doing so. If you filed last year, you should have gotten one in the mail. The Department of Revenue recommends filing electronically if possible in order to have your taxes processed more quickly.

As always, contact me with questions about this or any other issue by calling toll free 866-834-9219 or by emailing me at Ellen.Brandom@house.mo.gov.               [Back to the Top]

Coordinated Efforts Aid in Southeast Missouri Storm Recovery - February 12, 2009 #1

Last week as I listened to the State of the State address, many of you were dealing with the wrath of Mother Nature. By Wednesday morning, a large portion of southeast Missouri was covered with a blanket of ice, leaving over 125,000 residents without electricity or a way to heat their home. Many in the county lost their water as well.

As I traveled home at the end of last week, I surveyed the damage and destruction that was left from the storm. Downed limbs, snapped electric poles and ice-covered power lines and trees lined the sides of the road. Even a week after the storm, many southeast Missouri residents were still in the dark and the cold.

As I toured area shelters and the Sikeston Department of Public Safety Command Center it was clear that the one bright spot in the whole ordeal was the efforts of local leaders and volunteers.

In Sikeston, we are very fortunate to have such a competent Public Safety Department led by Chief Drew Juden. Their round the clock vigilance kept our residents secure and as comfortable as possible. Our Board of Municipal Utilities, under the direction of General Manager Ed Throop, began working long before the storm arrived, and continue to put in the long hours necessary to restore power to all residents.

Missouri Delta Medical Center Administrator Charles Ancell, along with his staff and area doctors, worked non-stop to provide needed medical care. In speaking with Joy Cauthorn, safety disaster planner for MDMC, and Emily Featherston, Director of Nursing, they made it clear that their emergency disaster preparedness training was invaluable in meeting the area's needs.

Perhaps the most heartwarming sight was the way individuals took care of themselves and their communities. During the midst of the storm, Doris Smith, County Director for Social Services, and other Social Service employees and volunteers began arranging the Sikeston Field House into a shelter.

The volunteers with the Sikeston Salvation Army immediately assisted in food preparations for area residents. Help arrived soon, in Charlotte and Randy York, Lynn and T.J. Feeler and Dennis and Karen Ziegenhorn who cooked over 500 meals five times with food donated by Brenna and Jeff Burnett owners of Save A Lot Stores.

Another shelter manned by volunteers was the Miner Baptist Church, who not only acted as a warming center for residents, but also delivered water to surrounding areas and laundered clothing for the out of town utility workers. Also, the Food Giant Stores provided food for this shelter as well as offering perishables to any resident who needed them.

One of the most memorable things I witnessed was a woman from a church in Arab, Mo., who brought monies raised by her church members to help persons at the shelter through the Red Cross.

Another area that rose to the occasion to take care of their own was the community of Chaffee. As the ice began to increase Tuesday evening, Pat Lizenbee, head of the Housing Authority, used a generator to open the Chaffee Nutrition Center as a shelter. Both the Chaffee Food Giant and Chaffee VFW donated food to the shelter, while Kathy Blevins stepped up to cook. Dollar General provided needed supplies. Susie Probst soon provided disaster assistance delivering water. Chaffee Emergency Management Coordinator Kevin Payne and volunteers went door-to-door checking on residents.

Within 2 days, the National Guard had sent over 250 members to the Southeast Missouri area to help where needed; from clearing roads to going door-to-door to check on residents. Shelters distributed food and water to local residents. The Department of Natural Resources is working with residents and local governments to manage storm debris in the fastest and best way possible. It is these coordinated efforts that will help the area recover faster.

Utility workers from across the region traveled to southeast Missouri to aid in restoring power. Over 4,000 utility workers spread out over the area, working up to 18 hours a day to replace poles, string new power lines and restore power to area residents and businesses.

There are so many who deserve recognition for their efforts that it would take a lifetime to name them all. Know that I am very grateful to all the volunteers who took care of their friends and neighbors in this time of crisis.

As the recovery efforts continue, I will be sure to follow them closely. It is important to restore power, return our children to the classroom and get area residents back to work. In these economic times, the last thing we need is for businesses to be shut down due to bad weather and the lack of power.

As always, please contact me if you have questions on this or any other issue. My toll-free number is 866-834-9219 or email me at Ellen.Brandom@house.mo.gov.

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House Proposes to Reject Salary Increases - January 21, 2009

It's already the third week of the 2009 legislative session, and we are beginning to work through stacks of bills and legislation that have already been introduced. Many of our proposals are aimed at helping you and your family during these tough economic times and ensuring better, more efficient and careful use of your tax dollars.

One of our first priorities this session is to act on the recommendations of the Missouri Citizens' Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials. In its 2008 report, the commission recommends a cost of living increase for all elected officials equal to whatever we, the General Assembly, approve for state employees and an additional $1,500 increase for associate circuit judges. The Constitution requires that we act on the recommendation as a whole, and does not allow us to pick and choose and pass some increases but not others.

While we look at cutting the budget of many of our state departments, I will vote to reject the recommendations of the citizens' commission. If most of people I represent won't get a pay raise (many have even lost their jobs), then Judges and lawmakers sure shouldn't get one. This year in the House, Rep. Mike McGhee from Odessa has sponsored House Concurrent Resolution 5, which proposes to disapprove the recommendations of the commission and hold the salaries of elected officials at their current level. In order to move this resolution through both the House and the Senate before the constitutional deadline, Rep. McGhee introduced the resolution on the first day of session and it was the first item that the House Committee on Rules acted upon.

Since November 2006, Article 13 of the Constitution requires both the House and the Senate to act on the recommendations before February 1. It takes a 2/3 vote in both the House and the Senate to override the recommendation. If it fails in either chamber to be overridden, it becomes law. Before 2006, the recommendations of the commission only went into effect if the General Assembly included the raises in the budget.

In 2007, Rep. McGhee introduced a similar resolution and the House voted to disapprove the commission's recommendation with an overwhelming majority; however the Senate refused to take action to kill the bill and the raises passed. We do not want to see this happen again this year and are taking the steps move the rejection of the recommended pay increases through both chambers before the end of the month and keep these funds available for more important initiatives such as job creation and education programs.

When Rep. McGhee's resolution reaches the House floor, early next week, I plan to vote against ANY pay raises. It's just not right for us to even consider raising our salaries while so many Missourians have lost their jobs and we all work hard until our economy takes a turn for the better.

While we are only a few weeks into the 2009 legislative session, it is already clear that we are on pace to have one of the most productive sessions ever seen. At this point, we are two weeks ahead of the typical session schedule. Just days after our new Speaker was elected on opening day, he named all of his committee chairs and vice chairs. Shortly, after that, all committee assignments were finalized and the House gave strong bipartisan support to the rules under which we operate. With that, the groundwork was laid for the House to begin the business of moving legislation through the process.

This is National Radon Action Month. Radon comes from the natural radioactive breakdown of uranium in soil, water, and rock which sometimes escapes into your home. The Surgeon General has warned that breathing air containing high levels of radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is giving out free test kits to determine if your home has unacceptable levels of radon. To receive your free kit call the Department directly at 573-751-6102 or register online at www.dhss.mo.gov/Radon/. You may also call my office at 866-834-9219 for more information on this or any other issue that concerns you.

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2009 Legislative Session Begins With Focus on Missouri Families - January 8, 2009

This week marked the opening of the 2009 legislative session and with it the beginning of our efforts to provide relief to Missourians struggling with the current economic downturn. Every session brings with it a new set of challenges and this one will be no different. We know hard-working Missourians want and need help during these trying times. While the federal government is preoccupied with billion dollar bailout plans for big business, we here in the Missouri House will place our focus where it is needed most - on Missouri families.

During opening day proceedings, I had the honor of voting in our new leader, Speaker of the House Ron Richard, who will direct our legislative efforts to help Missouri families. Speaker Richard has worked over the years to promote economic development and create good-paying jobs for Missourians.

Speaker Richard is no stranger to our area. He has been here on multiple occasions to meet with civic, community and business leaders. On one occasion, a local doctor told me that after meeting with the Speaker about bureaucratic red tape involving a particular issue. He received a phone call within three days and the situation was resolved.

It's good to have friend in this powerful position.

During his opening day address, Speaker Richard outlined those four main points that make up what we are calling our Family Recovery Plan. Under the plan we will work to expand successful job-creating initiatives like the Quality Jobs Program and develop innovative incentives that will attract new businesses to our state. We will work to revise our personal income tax to provide a modest tax cut that will keep more of your hard-earned dollars in your pocket where they belong. We will explore ways to improve our system of healthcare so it is affordable and accessible while at the same time ensuring it is free of the waste, fraud and abuse that has plagued it in the past. And we will find ways to promote development of our alternative energy sources such as clean coal, wind farms, hydroelectric and nuclear power.

We know the Family Recovery Plan is essential to provide Missourians with the assistance they need during these tough economic times. However, we also know there are many more issues we will face this session. At the top of our list will be crafting a budget that spends your tax dollars in a way that is responsible and cost effective. The sound financial planning of the past has placed our state in a fortunate position during these trying times, but we must face the realities of a tight budget year and be prepared to use your tax dollars in the most efficient manner possible. Also this year we will work to improve our system of education so that each child is prepared for future success and we will continue efforts to ensure the goal of a college education is one that is attainable for every Missouri student.

We will reaffirm our commitment to protecting the lives of the unborn and build on the success the legislature has had in greatly reducing the number of abortions in our state in recent years. In addition, we will stand firm in protecting the rights of gun owners regardless of how the national political landscape may change.

We have an aggressive agenda before us this session and I am excited to take on the challenge of turning some of these ideas into effective policies. The Family Recovery Plan will be the cornerstone on which our legislative successes will be built, but it is only one part of the body of work we will complete this year.

For any of the legislation we pass, you can rest assured we will have the best interests of Missouri families at heart. Where our federal government has failed to act, the Missouri House will remain committed to seeking effective solutions to the problems faced by Missourians from all walks of life.

Please contact Contact Me anytime.

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