INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES SKAGGS (Sponsor), BURNETT, LeVOTA, TALBOY, JONES (63), DOUGHERTY AND STILL (Co-sponsors).
5317L.02I
Whereas, the majority leadership of the Missouri House of Representatives believes that seeking solutions to the serious problems facing Missouri is way too difficult; and
Whereas, the majority leadership of the Missouri House of Representatives finds that criticizing Congress is, like, totally easy and great fun as well - way more easy and fun than doing real work; and
Whereas, the Missouri House of Representatives recently passed several nonbinding resolutions futilely seeking to tell Congress how to do its job; and
Whereas, these frivolous entreaties to Congress accomplish nothing and are merely diversions from solving Missouri’s budget crisis, improving ethics and accountability in state government, and other vital matters facing the state:
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fifth General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby declare that nonbinding resolutions to Congress are a complete waste of time; and
Be it further resolved that the Missouri General Assembly requests that the United States Congress ignore all nonbinding resolutions passed by the Missouri General Assembly, which - let’s be honest with ourselves here - it is so going to do anyway; and
Be it further resolved that the Missouri General Assembly hereby pledges to stop wasting time on frivolous resolutions and instead focus on meaningful legislation to solve the difficult problems facing the people of Missouri; and
Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate and House of Representatives and each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation.
CONGRESSMAN ROY BLUNT VOTES “NO” TO CREATING JOBS FOR OUT-OF-WORK MISSOURIANS - STUNNING VOTE AGAINST BIPARTISAN JOBS BILL IN HOUSE
Despite Missouri Having Over 288,000 Unemployed Residents, Blunt Opposed Bill That Will Put Missourians Back To Work
Blunt Also Voted Against Stimulus Package Last Year - Bill Created Over 2 Million Jobs Last Year Alone, According To New Report From Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office
For the second time in a span of just several months, Congressman Roy Blunt continued to ignore the 288,000 unemployed residents of his state by voting “no” to the HIRE Act this afternoon, a commonsense job creation package that will create thousands of good, new jobs across Missouri and more than a million jobs across the nation. The bipartisan bill, has four key provisions including a payroll tax holiday for businesses to encourage hiring, additional funds to help small businesses expand, an extension of the Highway Trust Fund to allow more infrastructure investments, and an expansion of the Build America Bonds program to allow states finance infrastructure projects. Today’s “no” vote comes just several months after Congressman Blunt voted “no” to a House jobs bill last December.
“Congressman Roy Blunt continues to ignore the economic realities of his state by voting against every piece of legislation designed to jumpstart job creation,” said DSCC National Press Secretary Deirdre Murphy. “Instead of looking out for the unemployed workers of Missouri, Congressman Blunt’s voting record shows he cares more about political posturing than the people he has sworn to represent. Today’s vote is just the latest example that Congressman Blunt has been in Washington for far too long.”
According to a new report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congressman Blunt also voted against, created over 2 million last year, has boosted the US economy by 3.5%, and has lowered the unemployment rate by up to 2.1%. The CBO projects that the stimulus will have an even greater impact in 2010.
Treasurer Zweifel and Attorney General Koster announce $303,000 settlement with Sprint
Award impacts 3,640 people
JEFFERSON CITY - State TreasurerClint Zweifel (ZWY-ful)and Attorney General Chris Koster announced today they had reached a $303,000 settlement in a lawsuit against Sprint over uncashed and unclaimed rebate checks. Treasurer Zweifel said his office had already added more than 3,600 Missourians affected by the lawsuit to ShowMeMoney.com. Thirty-six states signed on to the $22 million settlement. As a result, thousands of people will be able to claim their rebate checks and put money back in their pockets.
The suit centered on whether uncashed rebate checks are reportable under Missouri’s Unclaimed Property laws and, if so, who is the proper party to report them to Treasurer Zweifel’s office.
“The law requires companies to report abandoned property to my office each year,” Treasurer Zweifel said. ”We argued that rebate checks become Unclaimed Property under Missouri law if they go uncashed for five years, the same way that stocks and bonds become Unclaimed Property. Ultimately, Missourians should know we hold their property forever until we can reunite them with what is theirs. “
One in 10 Missourians has Unclaimed Property. The average return is $360. Rebate checks may be claimed at ShowMeMoney.com.
“This settlement will ensure that Missourians will be able to get the full value of any rebate checks issued by Sprint and processed by Young America from 1999 through 2002,” Attorney General Koster said. “In addition, Sprint has agreed to report all future unclaimed rebates annually.”
About the Lawsuit
The lawsuit began in 2006 against Young America Corporation, a rebate processor company from Minnesota. The suit expanded to include T-Mobile, Walgreens and Sprint as individual companies that used Young America to process their rebates.
The lawsuit contended that either Young America or the retailer was responsible to report uncashed rebate checks to Treasurer Zweifel’s office, making it possible for rebate holders to make a claim for their rebate check. The retailers contended that Young America was responsible, while Young America contended the retailers were responsible. Walgreens and T-Mobile settled in 2009.
Treasurer Zweifel, Attorney General Koster and Sprint agreed to leave the disputed issues unresolved in order to avoid additional litigation and accomplish the settlement. Sprint denies any liability for the money claimed by Missouri and other states.
Sprint has paid the funds to Treasurer Zweifel’s office to resolve the matter. Young America has provided the names and addresses for all rebates over $50.
Jeff City Report from
State Representative John Burnett
This week:
DWI “reform”
Ethics, ethics,ethics
Payday Loan Bill
Greetings!
The whole State came to Jeff this week. We had the opening day of filing for office and on the same day the Missouri Bar Examination. So the town was full of politicians and lawyers. Wow. Today only 20 of the 163 House Members are lawyers so maybe we can recruit a few more from the new folks taking the test?
I am term limited in the House so I did not file for reelection. My friend and neighbor Will Royster filed for the seat I now hold and guess what? The same young Rizzo man who has run against me time after time is also filed. Since he had not shown up at any local event in the two years since the last election I thought perhaps he had moved away. But he has popped back up for his umpteenth run. Fun.
Budget posturing has been getting the headlines but there are couple of issues like DWI laws and “ethics reform” that are likely to get much floor time soon.
In the Budget debate the Rs have been taking the position we should not rely on Stimulus funding from Washington. Now those funds are sent to the States to help with the budgets but they want to cut social services rather than rely on Washington. Really. I couldn’t make this stuff up.
DWI reform on the front burner for the 25th consecutive year
Post Dispatch story sparks a new wave of get tough laws
A few weeks ago the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court spoke to a joint House and Senate session. He told us that we have to stop filling the prisons with non-violent offenders and urged the use of DWI courts similar to the drug courts we now have that are being hugely successful.
So, what happens? Several legislators file bills and the Governor himself advocates a “new” dwi law. All of the proposals, almost without exception, focus on increased penalties. Funny thing about that. A professor at MU has studied the effect of increased punishment on drinking and driving and concluded that heavier penalties do not decrease drinking and driving. In fact almost zero effect. What does is the public perception about the likelihood of apprehension if one does drink and drive. So. The public, if they believe it is likely they will get caught will drink and drive less. That is what all the advertising is about telling people if they drink and drive they will be caught.
But that is not what is being pushed. Since it is easy and very popular to stand and rail against drunk drivers that is what many politicians are doing. If there is NO one that will step up and defend drunk drivers, and there is not, it is a dream come true for legislators who otherwise would never step up on a difficult issue where there might actually be opposition.
So we have proposals to double and triple the time drivers lose their licenses. We have proposals to let blood be forcibly taken from drivers without a warrant that has always been required by a little thing called the Fourth Amendment. And I think everyone will end up with an ignition interlock device on their car before these folks are finished.
Now this will, as the Chief Justice pointed out, lead to even more unlicensed and uninsured drivers on our streets.
PAYDAY LOAN REFORM HEARINGS HELD AROUND THE STATE
Hearings held in St Louis and Hannibal
Newspapers all over the state have been calling on the Speaker to let the Payday Loan bill have a hearing. But he chooses to not even assign it to a committee.
Here is what the Kansas City Star said about it this week:
“Another week, and still no word from Missouri House Speaker Ron Richard on a committee assignment for the payday loan reform legislation sponsored by Democrats Mary Still of Columbia and John Burnett of Kansas City.
The legislation would rein in some of the abusive practices of the operations that lend money at exorbitant rates. Richard’s refusal to even assign the bill to a committee is perplexing.
Or maybe not. The speaker has received frequent and sometimes hefty contributions from the payday loan industry.”
Ethics, ethics everywhere and not a not a drop to drink
In the special Committee on Government Accountability and Ethics Reform that I serve on we are still working of drafting a bill to bring “ethics reform” to Jeff City. Not nearly as easy as it sounds. So far we have identified about fifty issues that should be addressed.
The big ticket item is campaign finance limits on donations. That issue is admittedly hot and holds the key to other problems as well such as transparency and reporting.
And we have to try to reach a consensus on this very difficult issue while Republican leaders do their level best to sabotage the effort. This week we had a committee meeting and had been discussing the limit issue for over an hour when Steve Tilley, the Majority Floor Leader, and one of the dozen who filed bills just popped into the meeting and joined the discussion. Now he has that right as a member of the leadership but this is the first time in 7 years I have seen such a thing happen. He makes no pretense he will do all he can to stop limits. Oh. It is his job to raise big bucks for the Republican House candidates and he is doing a very good job at it and limits would make his job more difficult. I understand. I just do not agree. 74% of the Missouri citizens voted for campaign limits in Proposition A a few years ago. Beyond me how they can keep a straight face in this argument.
The Chair of the Committee is doing a fantastic job in keeping this issue on track. I expect we will have the skeleton done this next week.
Dear Friend, Washington has a way of isolating itself from tough decisions and difficult situations.
But our country didn’t become a superpower by taking the easy road.
I recently returned from an intense and productive trip to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kuwait, India and NATO headquarters. Many others who take this trip have stayed in the U.S. embassies and capital cities. But what would I learn if I stayed in the embassies?
That’s why during my trip last week, I got off the beaten path, going into northern Afghanistan to meet with local leaders and heading out to Lahore, Pakistan, to meet with local Pakistanis there.
These meetings gave me different perspectives on America’s role in the region and our path to success in the war on terror. It also was helpful in giving me additional insight on making sure we protect our troops and save taxpayer dollars on wasteful contracting.
Best of all, amid all of the meetings, I got to visit with our heroic men and women in uniform serving our nation in harm’s way. I spoke with troops to thank them for their service and sacrifice and to make sure they have what they need to be safe and successful.
The threat of terrorism is real and, in large part, it originated in the region I visited. America’s goal in Afghanistan is to eliminate terrorists, the Taliban, which has supported them, and any ability for terrorists to organize attacks against the United States.
I wanted to see first hand if we are making progress in defeating the forces of evil who want to harm our American way of life. We are making progress but much work remains to be done. I’ll continue working to keep us moving in the right direction.
I‘m on Twitter, a networking tool that helps me keep in touch with Missourians — read more about Twitter here. Keep up to date on how I’m working for you in Washington by following me @clairecmc.
Treasurer Clint Zweifel headlines House Democrats “Road to the Majority” tour in northeast and central Missouri Six-stop tour highlights strong field of Democratic candidates for 2010 midterm election
St. Louis
- The Missouri House Democrats will continue their “Road to the Majority” Tour in northeast and central Missouri on Friday, February 26, and Saturday, February 27. State Treasurer Clint Zweifel (ZWY-ful) will headline events in Troy, Louisiana, Hannibal, Kirksville, Macon and Columbia.
“We have a strong field of Democrats running in 2010 who understand the need for innovative and fiscally-responsible solutions to move Missouri’s economy forward,” Treasurer Zweifel said. “They understand we need to provide small businesses and farms right here in Missouri with the tools they need to succeed and provide quality jobs that put food on the table for Missouri families.”
The grassroots fundraising tour will highlight local candidates for the state legislature.
“While the Republican leadership continues to talk about everything but jobs in Jefferson City, Missouri Democrats are taking our message to everyday working class families. That message is simply that we need to deliver real jobs to our citizens,” said State Representative Mike Talboy, Democratic Speaker-elect and Chairman of the House Democratic Campaign Committee.
The “Road to the Majority” Tour will make the following stops:
Friday, February 26
5:30 - 7:00 pm - Woods Fort Country Club, 1 Country Club Drive, Troy
7:00 - 9:00 pm - The Eagle’s Nest Winery, Inn & Bistro, 221 Georgia Street, Louisiana
Saturday, February 27
9:30 – 11:00 am - Java Jive Coffee Shop, 211 N. Main, Hannibal
1:00 - 2:30 pm - Shrine Club, 2401 S. Baltimore St (Hwy 63), Kirksville
3:00 - 4:30 pm - Apple Basket Café, 215 N. Rollins Street, Macon
6:30 - 8:30 pm - D. Rowe’s Restaurant & Bar, 1005 Club Village, Forum & Nifong, Columbia
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - State Representative Jason R. Holsman, D-Kansas City, filed a bill in the Missouri House of Representatives designed to reduce the influence of large campaign contributions, especially those from Political Action Committees and special interest groups, in Missouri’s electoral process.
On July 10, 2008, then-Governor Matt Blunt signed into law Senate Bill 1038, which repealed the campaign contribution limits established for candidates for elected office. Since then, candidates have accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions from individuals, businesses, PACs, and special interest groups. Holsman’s Bill, House Bill 2164, establishes the Missouri Clean Election Fund that provides financial support for candidates for Governor, State Representative, and State Senator. In order to be qualified as a Clean Election Candidate eligible for funds under the program, the candidate must be willing to forgo contributions from private donors. Funding for this program would come from a voluntary check-box that taxpayers could opt to select when paying their state taxes. Seven states and two major cities currently have Clean Elections Legislation in place, including the states of Arizona, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Californians will be voting on a Clean Elections ballot initiative in June of this year.
“We need to do everything we can to reduce the influence of big money in politics,” Holsman said. “Candidates seeking to become Missouri lawmakers should have other means to raise money for campaigns beyond seeking donations from groups that have business to be brought before the General Assembly.”
Another bill in the General Assembly, H.B. 1727, sponsored by Rep. Jake Zimmerman, D-St. Louis, and cosponsored by Holsman, would reinstitute campaign contribution limits and would add several other campaign-related ethics reforms.
Jason Klumb named as Regional Administrator of the GSA’s Heartland Region
WASHINGTON—The U.S. General Services Administration today announced the appointment of Jason Klumb to serve as the Regional Administrator of GSA’s Heartland Region, effective February 24, 2010.
As the Heartland Regional Administrator, Klumb will oversee all of GSA’s operations in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska; including management of federal real estate and information technology. He will also be responsible for an inventory of 400 government-owned or leased buildings, 1,000 employees, and a budget of approximately $175 million.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Jason Klumb to the GSA leadership team as we work to create a greener, more efficient, more cost-effective, more open, and more responsible government for the American people,” said Martha N. Johnson, Administrator of General Services. “Jason’s experience in public service will be invaluable as we pursue this effort in the Heartland Region.”
Klumb has a long record of leadership in Missouri government and politics. At the age of 24 he was sworn in as one of the youngest legislators in Missouri history, representing Bates, Cass, and Vernon Counties in the state House of Representatives. He later served as legal counsel to the Lieutenant Governor and as Assistant Attorney General.
Klumb is a Major in the Army National Guard Judge Advocate General Corps, and recently returned to private practice after a year-long deployment to Kosovo as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Klumb received a Bachelor of Arts degree from William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., a Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri School of Law, and a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics.
# # #
GSA provides a centralized delivery system of products and services to the federal government, leveraging its enormous buying power to get the best value for taxpayers.
§Founded in 1949, GSA manages more than 11 percent of the government’s total procurement dollars and $30 billion in federal assets, including 8,600 government-owned or leased buildings and 213,000 vehicles.
§GSA helps preserve our past and define our future, as a steward of more than 480 historic properties, and as manager of USA.gov, the official portal to federal government information and services.
§GSA’s mission to provide superior workplaces, expert technology solutions, acquisition services, purchasing and E-Gov travel solutions and management policies, at best value, allows federal agencies to focus on their core missions.
On July 10, 2008, then-Governor Matt Blunt signed into law Senate Bill 1038, which repealed the campaign contribution limits established for candidates for elected office. Since then, candidates have accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions from individuals, businesses, PACs, and special interest groups. Holsman’s Bill, House Bill 2164, establishes the Missouri Clean Election Fund that provides financial support for candidates for Governor, State Representative, and State Senator. In order to be qualified as a Clean Election Candidate eligible for funds under the program, the candidate must be willing to forgo contributions from private donors. Funding for this program would come from a voluntary check-box that taxpayers could opt to select when paying their state taxes. Seven states and two major cities currently have Clean Elections Legislation in place, including the states of Arizona, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Californians will be voting on a Clean Elections ballot initiative in June of this year.
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