tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24504246268643244802011-11-06T05:41:15.220-04:00Hello, Thank you for stopping by and checking out the blog for the 67th District in the State of Missouri. I hope to use this site to communicate with my constituents on some of the important issues that are going on in Jefferson City. Please feel free to comment on any of the issues posted here. I look forward to seeing your feedback. Sincerely, State Representative Mike Daus 67th DistrictState Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838862716231024976noreply@blogger.comBlogger2821100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-56545434699533142422008-08-01T21:43:00.000-04:002008-08-01T21:44:38.664-04:00

Missourians drove about 200,000 fewer miles in May 2008 than they did in May 2007, the St. Louis Business Journal reported in a July 29 story citing statistics from the Federal Highway Administration. The total miles Missouri drivers traveled dropped to nearly 6 million from 6.2 million a year ago, a decline of 3.9 percent.With gasoline prices hovering around the $4-a-gallon range, fuel sales in

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-80892134426708995032008-08-01T21:42:00.001-04:002008-08-01T21:43:37.996-04:00

Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan on July 22 appointed a bipartisan duo of lawyers to take over a lawsuit that seeks to compel Gov. Matt Blunt to turn over e-mails being sought by investigators looking into whether the governor and top administration officials violated Missouri’s open records law. Callahan appointed Joe Maxwell and Louis Leonatti, both of Mexico, Mo., as “special

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-20109264875861426162008-08-01T21:41:00.000-04:002008-08-01T21:42:12.012-04:00

During a July 11 news conference outside the offices of the Missouri Ethics Commission, House Speaker Rod Jetton fired back at Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, a fellow Republican who a couple of weeks earlier criticized Jetton for conflicts of interest by working as a paid political consultant for several other GOP lawmakers. Jetton said he found the criticism puzzling since a top Kinder aide attempted to

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-68614380023587710742008-08-01T21:38:00.001-04:002008-12-13T01:35:01.203-05:00

Without public ceremony, Gov. Matt Blunt on July 10 defied the will of Missouri voters by signing a bill into law that repeals Missouri’s limits on individual donations to political candidates. Voters first imposed the limits in 1994 with 73.9 percent support. In an attempt to minimize press coverage of the bill, Blunt’s office didn’t acknowledge that SB 1038 had been signed until late the next

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-63687006534357027602008-08-01T21:37:00.000-04:002008-08-01T21:38:53.192-04:00

After weeks of resistance, St. Louis-based Anhueser-Busch Cos., the largest American brewer, on July 14 relented to a $52 billion buyout by InBev, a Belgian-Brazilian conglomerate. In the end, Anhueser-Busch forced InBev, the world’s largest brewer, to boost its offer to $70 a share from $65 a share. Anhueser-Busch stock had been trading in the $40 range when InBev first made its offer in

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-74057172182183349672008-08-01T21:35:00.001-04:002008-08-01T21:36:59.540-04:00

Gov. Matt Blunt on July 7 signed into law a bill intended to crack down on illegal immigration in Missouri. Most of the measure, however, simply reiterates existing laws prohibiting illegal immigrants from receiving government services or gaining employment in the state. HB 1549 does include some sanctions on employers who hire illegal immigrants but most of the toughest employer provisions were

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-19802859665658057342008-08-01T21:34:00.000-04:002008-08-01T21:35:16.094-04:00

Gov. Matt Blunt on July 9 vetoed a bill that could have given the student member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators full voting rights starting in 2011. The General Assembly passed the bill in May with overwhelming support, culminating years of efforts by lawmakers to secure voting power for the student curator. The voting members of the Board of Curators opposed the bill and praised

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-65984460968127324982008-08-01T21:32:00.001-04:002008-12-13T01:35:01.493-05:00

The Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority has again missed a scheduled payment to the state that was required by a 2007 law championed by Gov. Matt Blunt that diverts some of the agency’s assets to the state to pay for capital improvement projects at public colleges and universities. MOHELA’s board of directors cited the continuing financial difficulties the agency has experienced since being

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-64246323998801408832008-08-01T21:29:00.002-04:002008-12-13T01:35:01.827-05:00

Gov. Matt Blunt has signed into law the $22.4 billion state operating budget for the 2009 fiscal year, which began July 1. This year’s budget increases overall spending by nearly $1 billion over the previous year. Blunt signed 12 of the 13 bills that make up the budget on June 27 before signing the last measure on June 30.The budget includes a $121.3 million increase in direct state aid to local

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-90130550219201714982008-06-12T22:29:00.005-04:002008-12-13T01:35:02.142-05:00

After weeks of speculation, Belgian brewer InBev SA announced a $46 billion offer to buy St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch Cos., the nation’s largest beer producer. Gov. Matt Blunt issued a statement opposing the deal, which he called “deeply troubling.”The takeover of Anheuser-Busch at the very least would strike a heavy psychological blow to the St. Louis region, which has taken great pride in

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-43438672901650780002008-06-12T22:29:00.001-04:002008-06-12T22:29:29.631-04:00

The Associated Press, Kansas City Star and St. Louis Post-Dispatch are seeking to join a lawsuit against Gov. Matt Blunt that seeks copies of potentially damaging e-mail records the administration allegedly tried to have destroyed. An independent investigator looking into possible violations of state open records and record retention laws by high-ranking administration officials originally filed

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-21315760678838548132008-06-12T22:27:00.001-04:002008-12-13T01:35:02.367-05:00

The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ruled on June 10 that property owners may sue for financial damages when local governments declare property “blighted” in order to pave the way for a redevelopment that doesn’t occur in a timely manner. A declaration of blight is necessary step for government to use eminent domain to seize private property for redevelopment purposes.The case involves a

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-63849704856305348582008-06-12T22:26:00.001-04:002008-12-13T01:35:02.519-05:00

The U.S. Senate on June 10 unanimously confirmed President George W. Bush’s appointment of Missouri Supreme Court Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr. to the U.S. District Court for eastern Missouri. Limbaugh’s elevation to the federal bench will give Republican Gov. Matt Blunt his second appointment to the state high court.The Missouri Constitution gives the governor a limited role in appointing appellate

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-36755982548599201602008-05-22T21:09:00.000-04:002008-05-22T21:10:21.660-04:00

In significantly increasing the fees it charges for driver’s license and vehicle records, the Missouri Department of Revenue factored in costs that under state law it can’t pass on to purchasers, The Associated Press reported on May 21. The AP report was based on about 200 documents related to the fee hike it obtained from the department under the Sunshine Law.Earlier this month the revenue

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-86281557747307071472008-05-22T21:06:00.001-04:002008-05-22T21:08:56.268-04:00

Gov. Matt Blunt on May 21 signed into law a bill that seeks to crackdown on the theft of copper and other valuable metals. SB 1034 imposes new record-keeping requirements on scrap metal dealers and requires them to get a copy of a photo identification from sellers who aren’t regular customers and are seeking to sell more than $50 worth of metal.The bill also prohibits scrap dealers from

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-1891657521058932742008-05-22T21:05:00.000-04:002008-05-22T21:06:46.088-04:00

For nearly 11 weeks after the Senate unanimously approved it, a bill to repeal a controversial village law enacted last year languished in the House of Representatives as Speaker Rod Jetton kept it on the shelf. However, the measure dominated the final three days of the 2008 legislative session, sparking talk among majority Republicans of a coup to overthrow Jetton, a series of political

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-76231107784518393042008-05-22T21:02:00.000-04:002008-05-22T21:05:17.382-04:00

The General Assembly on May 16 granted final approval to legislation designed to crackdown on illegal immigration. However, the final version of HB 1549 included substantially weaker penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants than what had been sought by the Senate.The original House version targeted illegal immigrants by limiting their access to public services, outlawing

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-47036086999401764822008-05-22T20:58:00.000-04:002008-05-22T21:02:50.607-04:00

Amid a public outcry about increased property taxes caused by growth in assessed property values, the General Assembly on May 16 approved a bill that seeks to strengthen existing requirements that are supposed to force local taxing jurisdictions to roll back their tax rates so that they don’t profit from tax reassessments.Property values in Missouri are reassessed every two years. Because overall

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-35306592817907355162008-05-22T20:54:00.001-04:002008-12-13T01:35:02.612-05:00

With just one vote to spare, House Republicans rammed through a bill repealing limits on campaign contributions, which Missouri voters first imposed in 1994 with 73.9 percent support. The measure, SB 1038, cleared the House on a near party-line vote of 83-72. Gov. Matt Blunt is expected to sign it into law.Under current law, individual donors can give no more than $1,350 to a statewide candidate,

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-36840154197837919732008-05-09T10:35:00.002-04:002008-05-09T10:36:56.863-04:00

Supporters of five initiative efforts cleared the first hurdle in getting on their proposals on the ballot when they submitted signed petitions to the Secretary of State’s Office by the May 5 deadline. The measures include three statutory changes – lifting the casino loss limit, requiring utilities to use more renewable energy and allowing home health care providers to unionize – and two separate

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-712362199363601292008-05-09T10:35:00.001-04:002008-05-09T10:35:38.198-04:00

An independent investigator filed a lawsuit on May 5 alleging that Gov. Matt Blunt or top officials in his administration ordered the destruction of backup tapes containing potentially damaging e-mails sent by members of his staff. The destruction was thwarted when two information technology supervisors with the Office of Administration refused to comply because the e-mails were subject to

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-1739653380548332812008-05-09T10:33:00.000-04:002008-05-09T10:34:41.521-04:00

Until recently insurance companies and other businesses authorized to access Missourians’ driver and vehicle license records had to pay just $2,035 for the complete database of 4 million records. The Missouri Department of Revenue’s new asking price for the database: $28 million. Businesses that use the records say the massive fee hike will either put them out of business or result in

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-77792827405808643882008-05-09T10:32:00.000-04:002008-05-09T10:33:21.734-04:00

After substantially scaling it back, the General Assembly on May 7 finally approved a massive tax break to entice a Canadian airplane manufacturer to locate in Kansas City. The package of $240 million over eight years is far less than the $880 million over 22 years originally sought.The tax incentive bill, HB 2393, is to encourage Bombardier Aerospace to build a $400 million assembly plant near

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-38594147794319704602008-05-09T10:31:00.000-04:002008-05-09T10:32:31.701-04:00

Lawmakers on May 7 wrapped up work on a $22.44 billion state operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July1. The budget increases spending by $956.7 million, or 4.5 percent, over the current fiscal year. Despite the increase, the final budget is $502.5 million lower than what Gov. Matt Blunt had requested.Lawmakers substantially trimmed Blunt’s spending request in large part due to a

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-73960244738714566202008-05-09T10:28:00.000-04:002008-05-09T10:31:36.827-04:00

With only a few days remaining in the legislative session, the House of Representatives on May 8 endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to require voters to show a photo ID at their polling place as a condition of voting. The House approved the measure on a near party-line vote of 88-69 with all Democrats opposed and all but one Republican in support.HJR 48 seeks

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-27788350000895098862008-05-01T15:12:00.002-04:002008-05-01T15:13:35.617-04:00

The U.S. Supreme Court on April 28 upheld an Indiana law that requiring voters to show government-issued photo identification at the polls in order to vote. Although the court says the U.S. Constitution doesn’t prohibit states from imposing photo ID requirements, the ruling will have little impact in Missouri, where the state Supreme Court struck down a similar 2006 voter ID law based on the

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-84089201468156789382008-05-01T15:12:00.001-04:002008-05-01T15:12:44.266-04:00

Gov. Matt Blunt’s proposed Insure Missouri plan suffered another blow when legislative negotiators stripped the $353 million allocated for the plan from the state operating budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. A bill to authorize the governor’s plan stalled early in the legislative session, but the Senate recently revived a version of it with the passage of SB 1283. House leaders, however,

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-28913011573962127182008-05-01T15:10:00.000-04:002008-05-01T15:12:12.778-04:00

Budget negotiators have opted to give state employees a 3-percent raise for the upcoming fiscal year, a position proposed by the governor and supported by the Senate. The House of Representatives had wanted to give employees a flat raise of $1,056, which would have put more money in the pockets of lower-paid state employees and given smaller raises to higher-paid workers.Under the 3-percent plan,

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-75796776426953383982008-05-01T15:09:00.002-04:002008-05-01T15:10:45.910-04:00

The House of Representatives on April 28 gave final approval to legislation intended to help the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, which has been struggling financially since the Republican-controlled General Assembly last year raided the agency’s assets to pay for a campus construction plan championed by Gov. Matt Blunt. The bill now awaits the governor’s signature to become law.SB 967

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-37091355651717292422008-05-01T15:09:00.001-04:002008-05-01T15:09:50.064-04:00

The House Local Government Committee on April 30 finally passed a bill to repeal a controversial village law enacted last year but only after loading the measure with amendments likely to kill it. The village provision enacted in 2007 allows a property owner to dodge local land-use restrictions by incorporating their land as a village without any minimum population requirements or obligation to

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-71610261512188610962008-04-24T15:15:00.002-04:002008-12-13T01:35:02.791-05:00

English teachers and other sticklers for proper grammar could be irate when Missouri’s newly redesigned license plates go into circulation this summer with a grammatically incorrect version of the state’s nickname. The error, which the Missouri Department of Revenue says it will not correct, also apparently violates state law.The state’s nickname on the new plates will read “Show Me State.”

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-27752133245783112852008-04-24T15:12:00.001-04:002008-12-13T01:35:02.950-05:00

The Senate on April 23 gave preliminary approval to a revived version of Insure Missouri, a health care proposal Gov. Matt Blunt proposed with much fanfare last fall that seemingly died after encountering stiff legislative resistance, especially in the House of Representatives. While the new proposal, SB 1283, bears the Insure Missouri name and contains some features of the governor’s plan, it is

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-3024217795745910902008-04-24T15:11:00.000-04:002008-04-24T15:12:24.513-04:00

The House of Representatives on April 23 rejected legislation to slash the base minimum wage for tipped workers to $2.13 an hour from the current $3.325 an hour. On the mostly party-line vote of 68-82, all Democrats opposed cutting the minimum wage while most Republicans supported doing so.HB 1851 would have overturned part of a minimum wage ballot measure Missouri voters approved in 2006 with 76

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-25332357347179089592008-04-24T15:09:00.000-04:002008-04-24T15:11:21.916-04:00

With only one vote the spare, the House of Representatives passed legislation to create a legal framework for labor negotiations between public school districts and teachers. The bill, HB 2059, passed 83-67, with one more “yes” vote than the minimum 82 needed to send the measure to the Senate.The bill was prompted by a 2007 Missouri Supreme Court decision that found the state constitution

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-20301869888729662532008-04-17T23:04:00.000-04:002008-04-17T23:05:20.821-04:00

Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan has ruled the state owes Missouri’s probation and parole workers $4.1 million in back pay because the Missouri General Assembly illegally exempted unionized employees from pay raises granted to other state workers. Callahan further ruled the state owes more than $300,000 in taxes on the back pay from 2004 to 2007.However, Callahan didn’t order to the

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-7957076341715527312008-04-17T23:02:00.002-04:002008-12-13T01:35:03.382-05:00

Attorney General Jay Nixon says executions should resume in Missouri after the U.S. Supreme Court voted 7-2 on April 16 upheld Kentucky’s use of lethal injection to execute condemned prisoners. Missouri’s lethal injection procedure, which is similar to Kentucky’s, also has been subject to a court challenge and executions in the state have effectively been on hold since October 2005.For an

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-6353189773925505222008-04-17T22:59:00.002-04:002008-04-17T23:02:11.937-04:00

The House of Representatives on April 15 voted 107-40 to send a proposed constitutional amendment to voters that, if ratified, would increase the state sales tax to provide an estimated $116 million a year -- $928 million over the eight-year life of the tax – to pay for improved services for military veterans. The Senate must still pass the measure for it to go on the November ballot.HJR 71,

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-12328492062769799632008-04-17T22:59:00.001-04:002008-04-17T22:59:57.160-04:00

House Democrats led the defeat of a proposed constitutional amendment to extensively overhaul the Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan, which has served as a national model for judicial selection since its adoption in 1940. After winning first-round approval on an 80-63 vote earlier in the week, HJR 49 was defeated 69-83 on a final vote on April 17.Under the nonpartisan plan, the governor plays a

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-66336226582790049212008-04-17T22:58:00.000-04:002008-04-17T22:59:02.432-04:00

While the House of Representatives endorsed giving up to $880 million in tax breaks over 22 years to a Canadian airplane manufacturer, a similar bill remains stalled in the Senate after several days of debate. The legislation is a key part of the state’s effort to convince Bombardier Aerospace to build passenger jets in Kansas City.The House gave preliminary approval to its bill on April 15.

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-38447455688034896922008-04-17T22:56:00.002-04:002008-12-13T01:35:03.496-05:00

Gov. Matt Blunt is asserting his office provides him an “absolute privilege” against liability in a pending defamation and wrongful termination lawsuit filed against him by a former employee, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on April 15. In court documents related to the case, Blunt claims the privilege applies even if he made “intentionally false statements” about the employee.Scott

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-77993239518081752922008-04-17T22:55:00.000-04:002008-04-17T22:56:28.271-04:00

Jefferson City attorney Michael Shmid, whom Gov. Matt Blunt appointed to a Democratic seat on the Missouri Ethics Commission, has asked that his appointment be withdrawn after the state Democratic Party questioned his party affiliation. The law requires the six-member commission to have equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans.Shmid is an associate in the Schreimann, Rackers, Franka and Blunt

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-7676996110351820372008-04-17T22:54:00.002-04:002008-12-13T01:35:03.674-05:00

Missouri will begin phasing in new vehicle license plates this summer. The new plates will feature a bluebird, the state bird, sitting on a hawthorn branch, the state floral emblem. The new design will replace the current Missouri plates that have been in use since 1997.Motorists who renew their vehicle registrations after June 16 will receive the new plates, which will cost an additional $2.78

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-46928781770177349822008-04-10T22:22:00.000-04:002008-04-10T22:23:41.301-04:00

During testimony before a legislative committee on April 1, Public Service Commission Chairman Jeff Davis took credit for helping utility companies draft 2005 legislation, which later became law, that critics said hurt consumers while increasing profits for the companies. The revelation, reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in an April 4 story, raised further questions about Davis’

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-84530809054751936342008-04-10T22:19:00.000-04:002008-04-10T22:22:07.909-04:00

The House of Representatives on April 10 sent to the Senate a bill to prohibit the state from complying with the federal Real ID act, which critics say imposes expensive requirements on states and violates the privacy of citizens. Congress passed the law in 2005 but immediately encountered resistance from state governments.Six states – Oklahoma, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, South Carolina and

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-56055990555749808952008-04-10T22:18:00.000-04:002008-04-10T22:19:15.292-04:00

Gov. Matt Blunt on April 9 appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission an associate attorney of the law firm in which Andy Blunt, the governor’s brother, is a partner. If confirmed by the Senate, Michael Schmid, a lawyer with the Jefferson City firm of Schreimann, Rackers, Franka and Blunt, will hold a Democratic slot on the commission. The news release from the governor’s office announcing

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-46743442668265441952008-04-10T22:17:00.000-04:002008-04-10T22:18:08.358-04:00

The House of Representatives on April 9 voted 80-58 to strip a private school voucher provision from a bill to raise minimum teacher salaries. As a result, House Majority Leader Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, told The Associated Press he will not allow a final vote on the measure. “That bill will not see the light of day,” Tilley said.The voucher provision of HB 2040 would have granted tax breaks to

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-2295603479735341282008-04-10T22:15:00.000-04:002008-04-10T22:16:44.546-04:00

On an 84-65 vote, the House of Representatives on April 10 approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would severely restrict state spending. If also approved by the Senate, the measure would go before Missouri voters on the November ballot.HJR 70 sponsored by House Budget Chairman Alan Icet, R-Wildwood, would limit annual growth in general revenue spending to the rate of inflation with a

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-67139239424342038322008-04-10T13:31:00.002-04:002008-04-10T13:32:40.939-04:00

The Missouri Gaming Commission would be prohibited from licensing any new casinos until 2010 under legislation that won first-round House approval on April 2. Supporters say the moratorium is needed to gage the strength of the gambling market, particularly in the Kansas City area, where Missouri casinos will soon face competition from new facilities in Kansas.As currently written, however, HB

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-77603343941525117952008-04-10T13:31:00.001-04:002008-04-10T13:31:52.410-04:00

With the bare minimum number of votes required, the House of Representatives on April 3 voted 82-68 in favor of a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit the authority of state courts. Majority House Republicans shut down debate to force the vote after more than an hour of discussion.HJR 41 sponsored by state Rep. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, would prohibit state judges from ruling

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-25943380586829447362008-04-10T13:29:00.000-04:002008-04-10T13:30:59.503-04:00

In what has become an annual ritual, the House of Representatives on April 3 approved a bill to repeal Missouri’s motorcycle helmet law for riders age 21 and older. The bill typically passes each year in the House, where most lawmakers believe wearing a helmet should be a personal choice and not a government mandate, only to be blocked in the Senate by safety advocates. The House sent the measure

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-45651933736643947432008-04-10T13:28:00.000-04:002008-04-10T13:29:44.123-04:00

The Senate on April 3 voted 26-7 in favor of a wide-ranging legislative package intended to crack down on illegal immigration. The bill, SB 858, now heads to the House of Representatives. Provisions of the bill include prohibiting illegal immigrants from receiving most forms of state assistance, barring them attending public colleges and universities in most cases, requiring police to check the

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-14928927326016649942008-04-10T13:27:00.000-04:002008-04-10T13:28:34.572-04:00

The House of Representatives on April voted 133-19 in favor a proposed constitutional amendment that would require local governments to roll back their property tax levies following reassessment. If approved by the Senate, the measure would go on the statewide ballot in November.Property reassessment occurs every two years. An existing constitutional provision seeks to prevent taxing

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-67010649655576991662008-03-27T16:00:00.001-04:002008-12-13T01:35:03.894-05:00

In a decision that essentially maintains the status quo, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled 6-1 on March 18 that all Missouri municipalities may use eminent domain to aid in the redevelopment of blighted property. The decision overturned a circuit court's ruling that under the Missouri Constitution only charter cities can use eminent domain for redevelopment.The case was brought Homer Tourkakis, an

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-62682907277212584352008-03-27T15:58:00.002-04:002008-12-13T01:35:04.130-05:00

The Missouri Ethics Commission has granted so-called "hardship" exemptions to nine state lawmakers to allow them to keep at least some of the money they accepted in excess of the state's campaign contribution limits that briefly were lifted in 2007 but later reinstated by the Missouri Supreme Court.According to The Associated Press, the lawmakers granted hardships include state Rep. Ron Richard,

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-21220111189987850452008-03-27T15:44:00.000-04:002008-03-27T15:57:49.871-04:00

The Senate on March 25 approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would require more than 4,300 sex offenders with old convictions to register with the state. The amendment seeks to reverse a 2006 Missouri Supreme Court ruling that sex offenders don't have to register if they were convicted before the registry law took effect in 1995.The court based it ruling on the state constitutional

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-63482665421714933532008-03-27T15:41:00.002-04:002008-12-13T01:35:04.447-05:00

The Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority is considering skipping a $5 million payment due Monday as a part of Gov. Matt Blunt's controversial plan to use the agency's assets to pay for campus construction projects. The MOHELA board was scheduled to discuss at its March 28 meeting whether it can afford to make the payment.Since its founding in 1981 to provide low-cost student loans, MOHELA's

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-33032723468344260442008-03-27T15:29:00.002-04:002008-12-13T01:35:04.609-05:00

The House of Representatives on March 27 approved a $22.45 billion state operating budget for the 2009 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The House budget is nearly a half-billion dollars under the $22.94 billion Gov. Matt Blunt requested.The budget provides the minimum increase required by law for public schools and doesn't reverse the health care cuts of 2005. Republicans narrowly defeated

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-80238703233924974802008-03-13T20:00:00.000-05:002008-03-13T20:01:42.038-05:00

This week the house debated HB1463 which would prohibit the entrance of undocumented students into public institutions of higher education. Whether you are sympathetic or not to the plight of undocumented students, this bill has a major flaw.Every year the public institutions of higher education in this state would have to certify to the appropriation committees of the General Assembly that they

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-90056706708775071972008-03-13T19:59:00.002-05:002008-03-13T20:00:30.650-05:00

After just 10 minutes of debate, House Speaker Pro Tem Bryan Pratt, R-Blue Springs, on March 11 unilaterally, HJR 41, would prevent state judges from ruling in cases involving taxation. Supporters say it would prevent judges from imposing tax increases, something a Missouri judge has never done as they are already prohibited from doing so by the state constitution. Opponents say it will prevent

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-50063203602364876932008-03-13T19:59:00.001-05:002008-03-13T19:59:41.285-05:00

Less than a year after the Republican-controlled General Assembly pushed through Gov. Matt Blunt’s plan to use Missouri Education Loan Authority assets to pay for capital projects, the agency is losing money for the time since it was created in 1981. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on March 7 that MOHELA has laid off 16 employees and is letting another 23 vacant jobs go unfilled as a result

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-8263478656645653652008-03-13T19:57:00.001-05:002008-03-13T20:17:12.374-05:00

Gov. Matt Blunt is demanding that the special investigative team that is looking into possible wrongdoing by his administration pay $540,000 for records they have requested. Attorney General Jay Nixon appointed the independent team to determine if administration officials broke any laws related to the firing of Blunt’s former deputy counsel.The investigative team was supposed to finish its

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-34305328407754804692008-03-06T21:44:00.000-05:002008-03-06T21:45:39.020-05:00

The House of Representatives on March 6 approved legislation to eliminate some existing state regulations on telephone companies, including certain billing, maintenance and customer service requirement. HB 1779 sponsored by state Rep. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, also establishes rules governing Internet-based phone service.Under current law, phone companies face less rate regulation if they operate in

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-74824149136244713382008-03-06T21:43:00.000-05:002008-03-06T21:44:24.133-05:00

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services would keep a record of Missourians’ prescription drug use under a bill the House sent to the Senate on March 6 by a vote of 84-69. HB 1619 sponsored by state Rep. Kenny Jones, R-Clarksburg, would also require pharmacists to maintain an electronic log of medicines containing pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-81645846285344256192008-03-06T21:42:00.002-05:002008-03-06T21:43:25.743-05:00

Office of Administration Commissioner Michael Keathley died on March 5 at his Dexter home following a five-year fight with cancer. Keathley, who would have turned 51 this month, had served has OA commissioner since January 2005 and was Senate administrator for three years prior to joining Gov. Matt Blunt’s administration.Later that day Blunt appointed State Budget Director Larry Schepker as

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-89066785170748661702008-03-06T21:42:00.001-05:002008-03-06T21:42:51.181-05:00

At a March 5 news conference, State Treasurer Sarah Steelman claimed Missouri government is losing an estimated $49 million a year from illegal immigrants not paying state income taxes. The Associated Press, however, immediately reported that Steelman had overstated the financial loss.Steelman based her estimate on a Pew Hispanic Center report that says Missouri is home to between 35,000 and

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-53156147553201580502008-03-06T21:41:00.000-05:002008-03-06T21:42:07.677-05:00

The House Elections Committee on March 4 held a public hearing on legislation to require lawmakers to publicly disclose any state tax credits received by themselves, their spouses or their children. Under HB 1674, such tax breaks would be listed on the personal financial disclosure reports that lawmakers already must file with the Missouri Ethics Commission. State Rep. Shannon Cooper, R-Clinton,

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-60519019853711850332008-02-28T16:04:00.003-05:002008-02-28T16:08:48.541-05:00

HB 1313 - gives preference in state purchasing contracts to certain disabled veterans doing business as Missouri companies.HB 1311 - ensures write-in candidates for municipal office meet all required qualifications, deadlines, and tax obligations for holding elective office.HB 1305 - allows individual school districts to exempt high school transfer students from the requirement to pass certain

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-17179023434782301282008-02-28T15:59:00.004-05:002008-02-28T16:04:25.204-05:00

Special Committee on Family Services heard HB 1831 which would change the laws regarding consent requirements for obtaining an abortion and creates the crime of coercing an abortion.The Special Committee on Tax Reform passed HB 1773, which would authorize an income tax dependency exemption for stillborn children.Special Committee on Government Affairs heard HB 1440, which would require certain

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-88802459741177048762008-02-28T15:57:00.001-05:002008-12-13T01:35:04.906-05:00

This week the House Transportation Committee heard HJR67. HJR67 would put a small dent in our transportation funding crisis by taking 10% of all new general revenue in the future and putting it into the transportation fund. Of coarse the proponents of the resolution repeat over and over again how this proposal would increase funding for transportation without raising taxes.The first problem with

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-12160712100265110512008-02-28T15:56:00.000-05:002008-02-28T15:57:02.325-05:00

The Missouri House of Representatives welcomed three new members. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, Mark Parkinson, R-St. Charles, and Michele Kratky, D-St. Louis, became the newest members of the Missouri House of Representatives. Although a new member this session, Representative Mary Kasten is no stranger to the Missouri House. She served in the House from 1983 until 2001 representing the 158th

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-1515746853507341172008-02-28T15:52:00.000-05:002008-02-28T15:56:14.152-05:00

By a unanimous vote, the Senate on Feb. 27 sent to the House legislation to limit property tax increases caused by property reassessments. Under existing law local governments are supposed to roll back their tax rates following reassessments so they don't profit from rising property values. However, many taxing jurisdictions that are charging a rate below their legally authorized rate ceiling

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-91775256029597987642008-02-28T15:51:00.000-05:002008-02-28T15:52:17.084-05:00

With the bare minimum number of votes required, the House of Representatives on Feb. 25 voted 82-51 to establish highway memorial sign program for drunken driving victims. The bill, which now goes to the Senate, would also prohibit unofficial memorial markers.The Missouri Department of Transportation would administer the program. Families would have to pay $1,040 for the markers, which would

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-28003991009363118822008-02-28T15:50:00.000-05:002008-02-28T15:51:23.480-05:00

The Senate on Feb. 25 voted to repeal a statutory provision enacted last year that allows owners of property in unincorporated areas to establish their land as an independent village regardless of population and with no obligation to provide services. A second vote is required to send the bill, SB 765, to the House of Representatives, where House Speaker Rod Jetton is expected to block it.Jetton,

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-57630366595451951742008-02-21T16:19:00.003-05:002008-12-13T01:35:05.063-05:00

Today the house approved HJR 55 which "reconfirms" a citizen's First Amendment right to pray and worship in all public areas. I was the last to speak on the resolution before it was passed by the house. My remarks focused around the fact that while the legislature is in its seventh week and many Missourians are concerned on how they will pay for health care, housing expenses and education, we

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-63224940591116219572008-02-21T16:17:00.001-05:002008-12-13T01:35:05.296-05:00

The Senate on Feb. 21 passed a bill to repeal Missouri’s campaign contribution caps and allow individual donors to give unlimited amounts to candidates. The bill passed 24-9, with most Republicans in favor of repealing the limits and most Democrats opposed. The measure must still pass the House of Representatives.Missouri voters first imposed the contribution limits in 1994 with 73.9 percent in

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-63802511778809801582008-02-21T16:16:00.001-05:002008-12-13T01:35:05.441-05:00

Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce on Feb. 13 declared ballot language prepared by the Secretary of State’s Office for a proposed constitutional amendment to ban stem cell research to be “insufficient and unfair” and imposed new language. For similar reasons, another Cole County judge last month invalidated the secretary of state’s ballot language on a proposed initiative to ban state and

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-80874281983498758002008-02-21T16:15:00.002-05:002008-12-13T01:35:05.576-05:00

The Missouri Supreme Court on Feb. 19 struck down a 2006 state law that sought to force registered sex offenders who live within 1,000 feet of a school or day care center to move. The unanimous court said the law violated the Missouri Constitution’s prohibition against laws that are retrospective in operation.A 2004 law prohibited sex offenders from moving within 1,000 feet of a school or other

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-6836605970886123092008-02-21T16:14:00.000-05:002008-02-21T16:15:09.732-05:00

The Senate Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 18 heard a bill that would allow parents of a stillborn baby to claim the deceased child as a dependent on their state income taxes. SB 1064 sponsored by state Sen. Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, would provide such parents with the $1,200 deduction for one year following a stillbirth.

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-50567996540486476362008-02-21T16:12:00.000-05:002008-02-21T16:14:16.177-05:00

The Senate on Feb. 18 gave final approval to $46 million in funding for new medical buildings at the University of Missouri’s Columbia and Kansas City campuses. Last year state Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, stripped funding for the buildings from a larger capital improvements bill to punish two Democratic senators for their opposition to related legislation.Under the bill, the Ellis Fischel Cancer

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-62262309621960335602008-02-19T16:18:00.001-05:002008-02-19T16:20:07.631-05:00

Follow this link to see the bills that will be coming up for debate on the house floor.http://www.floorleader.com/Announced_Legislation.html

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-42954628888310633082008-02-14T21:48:00.002-05:002008-02-14T21:51:09.149-05:00

House Health Care Policy Considers House Bill 1625 - February 12, 2008Jefferson City - The House Health Care Policy Committee today heard testimony on legislation that would provide pharmacies with liability immunity for refusing to assist or participate in any act or service in connection with any drug or device that causes a pregnancy to end prematurely resulting in an abortion.View the video

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-48061240132401540532008-02-14T21:41:00.000-05:002008-02-14T21:47:34.530-05:00

The House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee on Feb. 12 held a hearing on a bill that would make it a crime for sex offenders to photograph children without the approval of their parents.Under HB 1537 sponsored by state Rep. Tim Jones, R-Eureka, violators would face a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Some committee members, however, questioned

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-4781080720391810042008-02-14T21:40:00.002-05:002008-12-13T01:35:05.773-05:00

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, the first Republican to declare his candidacy for governor after Gov. Matt Blunt last month unexpectedly decided to forgo re-election, surprised supporters by dropping his bid for the office. Kinder, who instead seek re-election to his current job, announced his decision on Feb. 8 at the state Republican Party's annual Lincoln Days event in Springfield.Kinder's withdrawal

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-71706534681676882442008-02-14T21:39:00.001-05:002008-02-14T21:39:59.034-05:00

By a 145-0 vote, the House of Representatives on Feb. 12 passed a bill to undo a tax hike imposed last year on residents of Kansas who work in Missouri. Sponsored by House Minority Leader Paul LeVota, D-Independence, the bill seeks to head off retaliatory action by the Kansas Legislature.A bill Gov. Matt Blunt signed into law last year included a provision added by the Senate that ended the

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-12911083824269059352008-02-13T19:35:00.004-05:002008-02-13T19:43:02.453-05:00

For all those artistic types (and those who just want to have a fun time) take a look at the upcoming fundraiser for the Marti Frumhoff Memorial Garden: http://hatsofftomarti.blogspot.com/.All proceeds will help to fund a memorial garden located at Utah and Morgan Ford.

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-30754814842291801692008-02-12T20:44:00.001-05:002008-12-13T01:35:05.938-05:00

A week after Rick Sullivan was confirmed by the Missouri Senate it was announced that the Special Administrative Board (SAB) of the St. Louis Public Schools will begin a search for a new superintendent. Although they encouraged current superintendent, Diana Bourisaw, to apply for the job she has declined and I can’t say that I blame her.For all the debate I heard a year ago about the need for

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-32382001562634072042008-02-11T17:27:00.000-05:002008-02-11T17:28:46.065-05:00

Here's a link that will take you to a video update of some of the events that happened in Jeff City the Week of the 4th.http://www.house.mo.gov/pr/Video/2-8-08/weekend%20update.wmv

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-77010803084544515092008-02-07T11:30:00.000-05:002008-12-13T01:35:06.169-05:00

Missouri Department of Transportation Director Pete Rahn warned lawmakers that “the bottom drops out of Missouri’s transportation funding in 2010.” Rahn made his comments during his State of Transportation speech to the General Assembly on Feb. 6.In 2004, voters ratified Amendment 3, which redirected existing state money to transportation from general revenue and authorized MoDOT to sell billions

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-83212280333091238082008-02-07T11:26:00.000-05:002008-12-13T01:35:06.460-05:00

During her State of the Judiciary address to the Missouri General Assembly on Feb. 5, Supreme Court Chief Justice Laura Denvir Stith promised to provide more openness to the process of selecting nominees for the state’s high court and Court of Appeals. The process came under intense criticism this summer by Gov. Matt Blunt and others during the selection of candidates to replace former Supreme

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-70338243525256579352008-02-06T15:18:00.000-05:002008-02-06T15:25:56.182-05:00

The Budget Committee approved supplemental appropriations(HB 2019) for the University of Missouri for the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center at the Columbia campus and a Pharmacy and Nursing Building at the KC campus.Special Committee on Tax Reform approved a bill (HB1661) that would allow residents from other states who work in MO to deduct property taxes from their state income taxes. This would

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-46476111367510242482008-02-06T12:41:00.000-05:002008-02-06T12:42:15.012-05:00

In the wake of Gov. Matt Blunt surprise announcement on Jan. 22 that he will not seek re-election, three prominent Republican elected officials have entered the race to replace him. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, State Treasurer Sarah Steelman and U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof have all announced their plans to seek the GOP gubernatorial nomination in the August primary.The changes in plans by the three, who

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-6998704630427456432008-01-24T11:58:00.000-05:002008-01-24T12:00:57.644-05:00

As it does in January of every election year, the Missouri Ethics Commission adjusted the state’s caps on individual campaign donations to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index. However, since by statute the commission must round inflationary adjustments to the nearest $25, the limit for House candidates will remain unchanged at $325.For Senate races the limit will rise to $675 from

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-75054595840626598792008-01-24T11:57:00.000-05:002008-01-24T11:58:50.534-05:00

With about a month until candidate filing opens and nine months until the November general elections, Republicans are left without a candidate for governor. In the wake of the announcement, several prominent Republicans are considering running, including Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, House Speaker Rod Jetton, State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields and U.S. Reps. Kenny

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-33252462355129545932008-01-23T14:10:00.000-05:002008-12-13T01:35:06.613-05:00

Some of the toughest challenges for many of us who serve in the Missouri General Assembly is the time we spend away from our families. Fortunately this was not a problem for me last week when Patricia, Mate and Vincent (first timer to the Capitol) joined me. They had fun doing the normal site seeing and on Thursday they spent the day with me at work. As the picture clearly indicates Mate was

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-4862439349245756462008-01-23T12:06:00.000-05:002008-12-13T01:35:06.822-05:00

On Tuesday the House Transportation committee heard HB1423. Here's the bill summary:This bill specifies that anyone who has had his or her driving license and privilege suspended due to an alcohol-related traffic offense will be deemed to have not fulfilled the suspension and a restricted driving privilege will not be issued until the person has completed 30 days of a suspension and has filed

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-34670627447798530502008-01-22T17:57:00.000-05:002008-12-13T01:35:06.948-05:00

Gov. Matt Blunt today released a television address to Missourians announcing that having achieved virtually everything he set out to accomplish when he ran for governor he will not seek a second term.In his address, Gov. Blunt cites among his accomplishments turning an inherited $1.1 billion deficit into three straight surpluses without a tax increase, cutting taxes, ending the education cuts of

Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096744243890125473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-69040298502193486912008-01-21T10:53:00.001-05:002008-01-21T10:53:24.031-05:00

During his 2008 State of the State address on Jan. 15, Gov. Matt Blunt proposed a $22.94 billion state operating budget for the 2009 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The proposed budget would increase total state spending by $1.45 billion – or 6.8 percent – from original FY 2008 appropriationsThe governor is also seeking an additional $106.3 million in supplementary spending for the current

State Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838862716231024976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-36921964960393700012008-01-21T10:51:00.000-05:002008-01-21T10:52:37.458-05:00

Amid the continuing scandal over his administration’s deletion of potentially embarrassing e-mails, Gov. Matt Blunt is unilaterally moving ahead with a $2 million plan to permanently archive all e-mails sent or received by most executive branch agencies, The Associated Press reported on Jan. 16.Blunt has faced criticism over the e-mail issue since the summer. Scott Eckersley, Blunt’s former

State Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838862716231024976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-61496603059060745842008-01-21T10:50:00.000-05:002008-01-21T10:51:26.989-05:00

Because of a Missouri Supreme Court ruling reinstating the state’s campaign contribution limits, Gov. Matt Blunt was slated to return $4.46 million in over-limit donations. According to his latest campaign finance disclosure report, however, the governor has only returned about $2.2 million to contributors.John Hancock, the governor’s campaign spokesman, told The Associated Press that the

State Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838862716231024976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2450424626864324480.post-39425659823672312008-01-21T10:49:00.000-05:002008-01-21T10:50:47.201-05:00

State Rep. John Bowman will resign from the Missouri House of Representatives effective Jan. 31 after pleading guilty on Jan. 11 to a federal misdemeanor charge of bribing a bank official. Bowman, who originally had been charged with a felony, is expected to receive probation when he is sentenced on April 3.Bowman, D-St. Louis, was one of 17 people indicted in January 2007 as part of a fraudulent

State Rep. Mike Daushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838862716231024976noreply@blogger.com0