Legislation providing the legal authorization for Gov. Matt Blunt’s proposed sale of Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority assets cleared the Senate on April 26 following weeks of opposition by Democrats. SB 389, which also caps tuition increases at public colleges and universities, was sent to the House of Representatives on a 23-11 vote.
The governor’s plan calls for selling a portion of MOHELA’s student loan portfolio to raise $350 million for campus construction projects, which are included in another bill the Senate had earlier forwarded to the House. The current plan, however, bears little resemblance to Blunt’s original proposal to bolster life sciences research and spur economic development throughout the state. All projects for the UM System’s Columbia and Kansas City campuses have been stripped from project list, which now focuses on maintenance and repair projects. Critics say the sale will jeopardize MOHELA’s ability to continue providing lost-cost student loans.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
STATE AUDIT SAYS SECOND INJURY FUND GOING BROKE
A report issued by State Auditor Susan Montee on April 25 says the state’s Second Injury Fund is headed for insolvency in 2008 due in part to a 2005 law that capped employer payments into the fund. The state established the fund in 1943 to encourage employers to hire previously injured workers by supplementing workers’ compensation payments to workers who aggravate existing injuries on the job.
Employer fees support the Second Injury Fund. A 2005 law that overhauled the Missouri’s workers’ compensation system capped the fee at 3 percent of an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance premium. The fee previously was based on a formula set by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The audit says the fee needs to be at least 3.5 percent to keep the fund solvent. In the two years before the cap was imposed, the fee was 4 percent.
Employer fees support the Second Injury Fund. A 2005 law that overhauled the Missouri’s workers’ compensation system capped the fee at 3 percent of an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance premium. The fee previously was based on a formula set by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The audit says the fee needs to be at least 3.5 percent to keep the fund solvent. In the two years before the cap was imposed, the fee was 4 percent.
GAMBLING BILL CLEARS SENATE HURDLE BUT FACES MORE
Legislation to eliminate Missouri’s casino loss limits in exchange for increasing taxes on casino operators narrowly won preliminary Senate approval on April 24, but final passage remains far from certain. SB 430 passed 17-16. The bill needs 18 votes to advance to the House of Representatives.
Gambling opponents agreed to end their nine-hour filibuster of the bill after Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph and the bill’s sponsor, agreed to impose higher taxes on casinos than originally proposed. Shields had proposed boosting casinos’ gross receipts tax to 22 percent from the current 20 percent. Under the compromise, the tax rate would increase to 24.25 percent. Casino lobbyists likely will ask the House to return to the smaller increase.
Missouri is the only state to impose casino loss limits, which the Missouri Gaming Commission and casino operators say puts the state at a competitive disadvantage against neighboring states with legalized gambling. Patrons are restricted to losing $500 every two hours. The loss limit is the last vestige of restrictions Missouri voters imposed when they authorized casinos in the 1990s. If the bill clears the Senate, its fate in the House is uncertain.
Gambling opponents agreed to end their nine-hour filibuster of the bill after Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph and the bill’s sponsor, agreed to impose higher taxes on casinos than originally proposed. Shields had proposed boosting casinos’ gross receipts tax to 22 percent from the current 20 percent. Under the compromise, the tax rate would increase to 24.25 percent. Casino lobbyists likely will ask the House to return to the smaller increase.
Missouri is the only state to impose casino loss limits, which the Missouri Gaming Commission and casino operators say puts the state at a competitive disadvantage against neighboring states with legalized gambling. Patrons are restricted to losing $500 every two hours. The loss limit is the last vestige of restrictions Missouri voters imposed when they authorized casinos in the 1990s. If the bill clears the Senate, its fate in the House is uncertain.
HIGH COURT RULING REVIVES MISSOURI ABORTION LAW
The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling upholding a federal law banning a certain type of late-term abortion procedure revives a similar Missouri law that a federal appeals court had struck down. Days after its 5-4 decision on the federal law, the high court on April 23 issued a brief order vacating the appellate ruling in the Missouri case.
The Missouri General Assembly enacted the state law in 1999 over then-Gov. Mel Carnahan’s veto. The law, which had been blocked in court ever since, bans an abortion procedure known medically as “extraction and dilation.” Abortion rights opponents call the procedure “partial birth abortion.” Doctors who violate the law are subject to felony charges.
The same day the Supreme Court issued its order on the Missouri law, the state House of Representatives gave passed a bill imposing strict regulations on abortion clinics. Abortion rights supporters say the bill could force two of the three Missouri clinics that provide abortion services to stop doing so. The bill, HB 1055, must still be approved by the Senate to become law.
The Missouri General Assembly enacted the state law in 1999 over then-Gov. Mel Carnahan’s veto. The law, which had been blocked in court ever since, bans an abortion procedure known medically as “extraction and dilation.” Abortion rights opponents call the procedure “partial birth abortion.” Doctors who violate the law are subject to felony charges.
The same day the Supreme Court issued its order on the Missouri law, the state House of Representatives gave passed a bill imposing strict regulations on abortion clinics. Abortion rights supporters say the bill could force two of the three Missouri clinics that provide abortion services to stop doing so. The bill, HB 1055, must still be approved by the Senate to become law.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
SENATE REPUBLICANS FORCE MOHELA VOTE
Senate Republicans shut down debate in the early morning hours of April 19 to force votes on two bills related to Gov. Matt Blunt’s plan to sell Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority assets. The sale would raise $350 million to pay for construction and maintenance projects at state colleges and universities. Democrats say the sale would jeopardize MOHELA’s ability to continue providing low-cost student loans and had kept plan, which failed to clear the legislature last year, stalled for more than a month.
The plan approved by the Senate, however, bears little resemblance to the governor’s proposal promote life sciences research and economic development in Missouri. Republicans stripped the plan’s centerpiece – an $89.5 million life sciences research center at the University of Missouri-Columbia – and also removed funding for other projects at the UM System’s Columbia and Kansas City campuses.
The Senate gave first-round approval to SB 389, which provides legal authorization for the sale, on vote of 21-12. The Senate voted 20-13 to send HB 16, which contains the project list, back to the House for final approval.
SB 389 and HB 16 were just the seventh and eighth bills since 1970 on which the Senate shut down debate to force votes. Five of those actions have come since Republicans took control of the Senate in 2001. Unlike in the House of Representatives where the majority party routinely uses its power to cut off discussion, Senate tradition allows for indefinite debate.
The plan approved by the Senate, however, bears little resemblance to the governor’s proposal promote life sciences research and economic development in Missouri. Republicans stripped the plan’s centerpiece – an $89.5 million life sciences research center at the University of Missouri-Columbia – and also removed funding for other projects at the UM System’s Columbia and Kansas City campuses.
The Senate gave first-round approval to SB 389, which provides legal authorization for the sale, on vote of 21-12. The Senate voted 20-13 to send HB 16, which contains the project list, back to the House for final approval.
SB 389 and HB 16 were just the seventh and eighth bills since 1970 on which the Senate shut down debate to force votes. Five of those actions have come since Republicans took control of the Senate in 2001. Unlike in the House of Representatives where the majority party routinely uses its power to cut off discussion, Senate tradition allows for indefinite debate.
COMMISSION NOMINEE GAVE GOVERNOR $50,000
Just 15 days before Gov. Matt Blunt nominated Rudolph Farber to the powerful State Highways and Transportation Commission on March 19, the Neosho banker donated $50,000 to the governor’s re-election campaign. The donation was made on March 4 and became public with Blunt’s April16 campaign finance disclosure report. Democratic lawmakers criticized the timing as the most recent – and most blatant – example of government for sale by the Blunt administration.
When asked at an April 17 news conference whether the donation was made in exchange for the appointment, the governor said: “I think one’s not connected to the other.” When contacted by The Associated Press earlier that day, Farber hung up the phone before the reporter could even tell him what the call was about. “I’m sorry, I have no desire to talk to you,” Farber told the reporter.
At his confirmation hearing before the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee on April 18, Farber denied any quid pro quo. “It is my strong belief that the substantial contribution and support I’ve given to the governor is unrelated to this appointment,” Farber said, according to the AP. The committee endorsed Farber’s appointment, and the full Senate confirmed him on April 19.
When asked at an April 17 news conference whether the donation was made in exchange for the appointment, the governor said: “I think one’s not connected to the other.” When contacted by The Associated Press earlier that day, Farber hung up the phone before the reporter could even tell him what the call was about. “I’m sorry, I have no desire to talk to you,” Farber told the reporter.
At his confirmation hearing before the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee on April 18, Farber denied any quid pro quo. “It is my strong belief that the substantial contribution and support I’ve given to the governor is unrelated to this appointment,” Farber said, according to the AP. The committee endorsed Farber’s appointment, and the full Senate confirmed him on April 19.
CARNAHAN PREVAILS IN DISPUTE OVER VOTER ROLLS
Secretary of State Robin Carnahan made a “reasonable effort” to clear ineligible voters from election rolls and didn’t violate the National Voter Registration Act, a federal judge ruled on April 13. The U.S. Justice Department sued Carnahan in November 2005 claiming local election authorities failed to keep election rolls updated by removing the names of people who had moved or were otherwise ineligible.
U.S. District Court Judge Nanette Laughrey ruled the Justice Department failed to prove inaccurate voter lists resulted in fraud and that Carnahan had taken adequate steps to update the lists. “The Court declines to order the secretary of state to do things which she is already doing voluntarily,” Laughrey wrote in her decision.
U.S. District Court Judge Nanette Laughrey ruled the Justice Department failed to prove inaccurate voter lists resulted in fraud and that Carnahan had taken adequate steps to update the lists. “The Court declines to order the secretary of state to do things which she is already doing voluntarily,” Laughrey wrote in her decision.
JUDGE TELLS STATE TO STAY MUM ON BACK WAGES
Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce on April 10 ordered the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to stay out of a dispute over whether tipped workers whose employers didn’t initially honor the state’s new minimum wage law are entitled to back wages. Joyce’s temporary restraining order instructs the department not to take a position on whether back wages are owed. A hearing the matter is set for next month.
Missouri voters in November passed Proposition B to boost the state’s standard minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.50 an hour and the minimum wage for tipped workers from $2.13 to $3.25 an hour. When the law took effect on Jan. 1, however, the labor department advised employers they didn’t have to give raises to tipped workers, so long as those workers earned at least $6.50 an hour through wages and tips combined.
Gov. Matt Blunt overruled the department on March 14 and ordered it to advise employers to pay tipped workers $3.25 and hour. A group of restaurant owners sued the department last month seeking a court judgment that the proper minimum wage for tipped workers is $2.13 an hour or, in the alternative, an exemption from paying back wages covering the period of Jan. 1 to March 14.
Missouri voters in November passed Proposition B to boost the state’s standard minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.50 an hour and the minimum wage for tipped workers from $2.13 to $3.25 an hour. When the law took effect on Jan. 1, however, the labor department advised employers they didn’t have to give raises to tipped workers, so long as those workers earned at least $6.50 an hour through wages and tips combined.
Gov. Matt Blunt overruled the department on March 14 and ordered it to advise employers to pay tipped workers $3.25 and hour. A group of restaurant owners sued the department last month seeking a court judgment that the proper minimum wage for tipped workers is $2.13 an hour or, in the alternative, an exemption from paying back wages covering the period of Jan. 1 to March 14.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
The Last of the Survey Results
These are the last of the results I have from the 67th District survey sent out earlier in the year. Please see the other post from 4/11/07 for more details on how the survey was conducted.
#9 Do you support eliminating state taxes on social security benefits for all seniors?
Yes-54.5%
No-40%
No Opinion-4.2%
Blank-1.3%
#10 Do you support a law that would allow a citizen to use deadly force against those who unlawfully enter dwellings, residences, and vehicles even if there is no apparent danger to their life?
Yes-55.3%
No-39.4%
No Opinion-3.8%
Blank-1.5%
#11 Do you support raising boarding fees and increasing tax rates on gaming boats?
Yes-70.4%
No-21.5%
No Opinion-7.0%
Blank-1.1%
#12 Should the state allow slot machines in businesses other than gaming boats?
Yes-81.3%
No-11.7%
No Opinion-5.7%
Blank-1.3%
#9 Do you support eliminating state taxes on social security benefits for all seniors?
Yes-54.5%
No-40%
No Opinion-4.2%
Blank-1.3%
#10 Do you support a law that would allow a citizen to use deadly force against those who unlawfully enter dwellings, residences, and vehicles even if there is no apparent danger to their life?
Yes-55.3%
No-39.4%
No Opinion-3.8%
Blank-1.5%
#11 Do you support raising boarding fees and increasing tax rates on gaming boats?
Yes-70.4%
No-21.5%
No Opinion-7.0%
Blank-1.1%
#12 Should the state allow slot machines in businesses other than gaming boats?
Yes-81.3%
No-11.7%
No Opinion-5.7%
Blank-1.3%
Monday, April 16, 2007
Registering Voters
Currently we are debating HB845 which would send to those who apply for a fishing or hunting license a voter registration card. Amendments were offered that would have granted other applicants (like students who register to take classes at MO institutions of higher education) the same benefit. These amendments were ruled out of order and were not allowed to be debated on the floor. You have to start to wonder whether or not the goal is to get residents registered to vote or whether the goal is only to get a specific group of residents registered to vote.
Here's the link to the bill: http://www.house.mo.gov/bills071/bills/hb845.htm
Here's the link to the bill: http://www.house.mo.gov/bills071/bills/hb845.htm
More Survey Results Regarding Transportation
These are more results I have from the 67th District survey sent out earlier in the year. Please see the other post from 4/11/07 for more details on how the survey was conducted.
#6 Do you support a 1 cent sales tax to rebuild the highways?
Yes-53.4%
No-41.3%
No Opinion-3.6%
Blank-1.7%
#7 Do you support a toll-road system to rebuild the highways?
Yes-27.5%
No-64.9%
No Opinion-5.3%
Blank-2.3%
#8 Should Missouri implement a primary seat belt enforcement requirement?
Yes-54.3%
No-40.8%
No Opinion-3.8%
Blank-1.1%
#6 Do you support a 1 cent sales tax to rebuild the highways?
Yes-53.4%
No-41.3%
No Opinion-3.6%
Blank-1.7%
#7 Do you support a toll-road system to rebuild the highways?
Yes-27.5%
No-64.9%
No Opinion-5.3%
Blank-2.3%
#8 Should Missouri implement a primary seat belt enforcement requirement?
Yes-54.3%
No-40.8%
No Opinion-3.8%
Blank-1.1%
Friday, April 13, 2007
More Survey Results
These are more results I have from the 67th District survey sent out earlier in the year. Please see the other post from 4/11/07 for more details on how the survey was conducted.
#4 Do you support a state law that would prohibit businesses from hiring illegal immigrants?
yes-67.9%
no-26%
no opinion-4.3%
blank-1.7%
#5 Do you support a state law that would prohibit a landlord from renting to an illegal immigrant?
yes-56.8%
no-37.9%
no opinion-3.2%
blank-2.1%
#4 Do you support a state law that would prohibit businesses from hiring illegal immigrants?
yes-67.9%
no-26%
no opinion-4.3%
blank-1.7%
#5 Do you support a state law that would prohibit a landlord from renting to an illegal immigrant?
yes-56.8%
no-37.9%
no opinion-3.2%
blank-2.1%
MODOT EXPECTS $18 BILLION FUNDING GAP IN 20 YEARS
Missourian Department of Transportation Director Pete Rahn on April 11 said that over the next 20 years the state is expected to have nearly $37.4 billion in transportation needs but only $19 billion in expected revenue. Rahn made his comment during discussion of MoDOT’s long-range transportation plan before the State Highways and Transportation Commission.
According to The Associated Press, long-range plan anticipates that over the next 20 years MoDOT will need $16.3 billion to expand the state highway system, $11.8 billion to maintain existing roads, $4 billion for public transportation, $3.5 for bridge maintenance, $1 billion for passenger rail, $710 million for airports and $60 million for river ports.
According to The Associated Press, long-range plan anticipates that over the next 20 years MoDOT will need $16.3 billion to expand the state highway system, $11.8 billion to maintain existing roads, $4 billion for public transportation, $3.5 for bridge maintenance, $1 billion for passenger rail, $710 million for airports and $60 million for river ports.
GOVERNOR OPPOSES GUTTING NEW MINIMUM WAGE LAW
Gov. Matt Blunt says he opposes efforts by House Republicans to severely weaken a minimum wage law Missouri voters approved in November. Blunt made his comments during an April 11 news conference.
With 76 percent support, Missourians approved Proposition B, which increased the state’s standard minimum wage to $6.50 from $5.15 an hour. The Senate in February passed SB 255 to fix a flaw in the minimum wage law related to overtime pay for police and firefighters. When the bill came before a House committee, however, Republican lawmakers voted to repeal key voter-approved provisions that will annually adjust the minimum wage to account for inflation and that boosted the minimum wage for tipped workers to $3.35 from $2.13 an hour.
Blunt said lawmakers should pass the original Senate bill – which the group that placed Prop B on the ballot has endorsed – without making other major changes in defiance of voters. State Rep. Shannon Cooper, R-Clinton, told The Associated Press that he will use his position as House Rules Committee chairman to prevent the bill from reaching a vote unless all issues are addressed. If the statutory fix isn’t passed this year, it could end up costing local governments substantially more in overtime pay for police and firefighters.
With 76 percent support, Missourians approved Proposition B, which increased the state’s standard minimum wage to $6.50 from $5.15 an hour. The Senate in February passed SB 255 to fix a flaw in the minimum wage law related to overtime pay for police and firefighters. When the bill came before a House committee, however, Republican lawmakers voted to repeal key voter-approved provisions that will annually adjust the minimum wage to account for inflation and that boosted the minimum wage for tipped workers to $3.35 from $2.13 an hour.
Blunt said lawmakers should pass the original Senate bill – which the group that placed Prop B on the ballot has endorsed – without making other major changes in defiance of voters. State Rep. Shannon Cooper, R-Clinton, told The Associated Press that he will use his position as House Rules Committee chairman to prevent the bill from reaching a vote unless all issues are addressed. If the statutory fix isn’t passed this year, it could end up costing local governments substantially more in overtime pay for police and firefighters.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Survey Results
As many of you know every year I send out a survey that attempts to focus on some of the legislation I believe will be debated in the Missouri House. Although we still have some surveys coming back to the office I thought you might be interested in seeing what the results are to date. Of course I will also include the final results with the end of session report that I will send out during the summer.
The survey is sent out to all households with registered voters in the 67th District. We sent out about 12,500 surveys. Of that number we have received 530 responses. Here's the results so far to the first three questions asked. I'll post the other results over the next several days.
#1 Do you support a takeover of the St. Louis Public Schools by the State of Missouri?
yes-59.1%
no-30.8%
no opinion-8.7%
blank 1.5%
#2 Do you support legislation that would require parental consent before a student could participate in extracurricular activities?
yes-57.2%
no-35.1%
no opinion-6.2%
blank-1.5%
#3 Do you favor the sale of MOHELA assets in order to pay for college construction projects?
yes-12.1%
no-74.3%
no opinion-11.5%
blank-2.1%
The survey is sent out to all households with registered voters in the 67th District. We sent out about 12,500 surveys. Of that number we have received 530 responses. Here's the results so far to the first three questions asked. I'll post the other results over the next several days.
#1 Do you support a takeover of the St. Louis Public Schools by the State of Missouri?
yes-59.1%
no-30.8%
no opinion-8.7%
blank 1.5%
#2 Do you support legislation that would require parental consent before a student could participate in extracurricular activities?
yes-57.2%
no-35.1%
no opinion-6.2%
blank-1.5%
#3 Do you favor the sale of MOHELA assets in order to pay for college construction projects?
yes-12.1%
no-74.3%
no opinion-11.5%
blank-2.1%
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