President Obama has called for the House to vote to move health reform forward as early as next week. Your representative, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, voted for reform last fall, and is a critical ally in our fight. But with insurance company lobbyists pulling out all the stops to block reform and smear its champions, we must speak up right away.
Please call Rep. Cleaver today to say “thank you” — and to report that OFA supporters in Missouri have pledged 146,687 volunteer hours to back up members of Congress like yours who stand up for health reform.
We know the stakes: Coverage for millions of uninsured Americans. Ending insurance company abuses, like denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and drastically raising premiums. Reining in costs that are bankrupting families and crushing businesses. Putting life-and-death decisions in the hands of patients and doctors, not insurance company bureaucrats.
Everything we’ve worked for depends on winning this upcoming vote in the House of Representatives — and it’s going to be very, very close. If there was ever a time to pick up the phone and make a difference, that time has come.
Thanks for joining together for this Final March for Reform. Because of you, we’re going to win this.
Mitch
Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
Final March to Reform….from OFA
Stephen –
As the President has made clear, Americans deserve a final up-or-down vote on health reform. And the House is now expected to hold its final vote as soon as one week from today.
As we speak, insurance-industry lobbyists are gathering at the D.C. Ritz-Carlton to stage a last-minute blitz to block reform — even as they jack up premiums by as much as 60% for small businesses and families across the country.
So starting today, we’re launching an unprecedented week-long campaign sprint — our “Final March for Reform.” Each day until the vote, we’ll feature a powerful new way for OFA supporters to speak out in our communities and weigh in directly with Congress.
Today, we’ll start by spreading the facts about reform in our communities. Smears and falsehoods have clouded this debate — Congress must understand that if they pass reform, their constituents will know the truth about what we’ve finally achieved. Click here to begin.
We’ve put together a simple summary of the President’s proposal, a fact sheet to show friends and co-workers how the plan will specifically help them, posters to display, Facebook notes to post, and much more.
We’re on the verge of solving a crisis that has vexed our nation for generations — and eluded the best efforts of seven previous Presidents.
But our opponents will stop at nothing to distort the President’s proposal and derail our progress. It may all come down to what we do together this week.
Today, it’s time to show the insurance lobbyists that no smear campaign cooked up at a posh hotel can match the power of millions of regular citizens who are ready for change and committed to the truth.
Please join our truth squad — and start spreading the facts today:
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.
•
Once again Roy Blunt fails to stand for Missourians!
From the DSCC
For Immediate Release
March 4, 2010
Contact: Deirdre Murphy, 202-485-3129
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.
Join me on Twitter @JohnBurnettKC
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
State Rep John Burnett
News From Senator McCaskill’s trip to Afghanistan and Iraq
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
President Obama has called for the House to vote to move health reform forward as early as next week. Your representative, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, voted for reform last fall, and is a critical ally in our fight. But with insurance company lobbyists pulling out all the stops to block reform and smear its champions, we must speak up right away.
Please call Rep. Cleaver today to say “thank you” — and to report that OFA supporters in Missouri have pledged 146,687 volunteer hours to back up members of Congress like yours who stand up for health reform.
We know the stakes: Coverage for millions of uninsured Americans. Ending insurance company abuses, like denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and drastically raising premiums. Reining in costs that are bankrupting families and crushing businesses. Putting life-and-death decisions in the hands of patients and doctors, not insurance company bureaucrats.
Everything we’ve worked for depends on winning this upcoming vote in the House of Representatives — and it’s going to be very, very close. If there was ever a time to pick up the phone and make a difference, that time has come.
As the President has made clear, Americans deserve a final up-or-down vote on health reform. And the House is now expected to hold its final vote as soon as one week from today.
As we speak, insurance-industry lobbyists are gathering at the D.C. Ritz-Carlton to stage a last-minute blitz to block reform — even as they jack up premiums by as much as 60% for small businesses and families across the country.
So starting today, we’re launching an unprecedented week-long campaign sprint — our “Final March for Reform.” Each day until the vote, we’ll feature a powerful new way for OFA supporters to speak out in our communities and weigh in directly with Congress.
Today, we’ll start by spreading the facts about reform in our communities. Smears and falsehoods have clouded this debate — Congress must understand that if they pass reform, their constituents will know the truth about what we’ve finally achieved. Click here to begin.
We’ve put together a simple summary of the President’s proposal, a fact sheet to show friends and co-workers how the plan will specifically help them, posters to display, Facebook notes to post, and much more.
We’re on the verge of solving a crisis that has vexed our nation for generations — and eluded the best efforts of seven previous Presidents.
But our opponents will stop at nothing to distort the President’s proposal and derail our progress. It may all come down to what we do together this week.
Today, it’s time to show the insurance lobbyists that no smear campaign cooked up at a posh hotel can match the power of millions of regular citizens who are ready for change and committed to the truth.
Please join our truth squad — and start spreading the facts today:
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