Historical Summer 2011 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
We are over halfway through this legislative session.
Here is an update on some of the bills we have considered.
This week, we voted to gut the Proposition B initiative that regulates puppy mills. Senate Bill 113 will remove the most basic provisions of Prop B – the right to clean cages, clean water, veterinary exams and several other humane acts. Receiving over two hundred letters, calls and emails asking to respect the will of the voters, I did vote against this bill.
It narrowly passed by an 85-71 vote and now heads to the Governor for his signature or veto. One of the first bills that passed the House was the unemployment extension.
This bill passed with overwhelmingly bipartisan support and was being held hostage in the Senate by four Senators.
They were keeping 109 million dollars in federal unemployment funds from reaching families in need.
In addition, they are still blocking 189 million dollars in federal education funds from being approved in the state budget. Their idealistic stand helps no one. Fortunately, the Senate finally passed the unemployment extension, and it was signed by the Governor on Wednesday. Senate Bill 188 would make it more difficult for those who have been injured by illegal race, gender, age or disability discrimination to file lawsuits and win claims against their employers or others who discriminated.
This bill will also remove legal protection for whistle blowers that are fired.
I voted against this bill, but it now heads to the Governor for his signature or veto. At the end of last week, the House preliminarily passed a congressional redistricting map. Several of my democratic colleagues proposed alternative maps, but none of these measures passed.
I voted against the new redistricting map which puts Rep. Lacy Clay and Rep. Russ Carnahan in the same district.
The Senate voted for a slightly different Congressional map, and it now heads back to the House for re-approval.
A different process is used for redistricting the Missouri State Senate and House districts.
The Commissions drawing those maps are working now.
They will probably unveil their proposed maps during the summer.
Finally, a Jobs Bill! House Bill 468 establishes the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MOSIRA).
It encourages investment in technology and businesses. Provisions are included to expand data centers, redevelop the Fenton Chrysler Plant and give assistance for business expansion.
I supported this bill.
The Missouri General Assembly also passed a bill to repeal the corporate franchise tax and phase it out over the next few years.
This would decrease state revenue by more than 87 million dollars.
This tax only applies to corporations with certain assets valued over 10 million dollars. Should this bill be implemented, our state government will continue to see a decline in revenue and massive cuts to education, mental health programs and social services.
I voted against this legislation and will urge Governor Nixon to veto this bill.
It also looks like a vote may be nearing on a bill to allow local control of the St. Louis City Police Department, House Bill 71.
This bill passed the House in February and passed out of a Senate Committee this week. We’ll see if it gains the momentum to pass the Senate and move to the Governor’s desk.
On a happier note, Former Representative Rachel Storch gave birth to a baby boy on March 30th. David Wellington Rockford Akrongold weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and is 21 inches long. Baby, Mom and Dad are all doing well. Congratulations, Rachel and family!
If you have any questions or concerns about any bill that’s being considered this year, please do not hesitate to call my office. Either I or my legislative assistant, Ashley Vaughan, will be able to assist you.
My contact information is below: Office: 573.751.1400 Toll-Free: 866-596-1645 Email: Susan.Carlson@house.mo.gov Address: 201 W. Capitol Ave. Jefferson City, MO 65101
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2011.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2011_05.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
