As Chair of the Missouri Housing Development Commission, I am very excited to announce that moments ago we passed a $35 million economic development initiative. This initiative, first unveiled by Governor Jay Nixon and myself on November 24, will provide property tax relief to thousands of qualified middle- and low-income Missouri homebuyers, create and protect potentially thousands of good-paying jobs and help improve energy-efficiency in Missouri housing.

The $35 million package was approved at today’s MHDC meeting, which was webcast live for the first time ever in an effort to bring increased transparency to the housing agency. The package provides:

1. $15 million to pay the first year of property taxes for qualified homebuyers who purchase a new or existing home after January 1, 2010. This has the opportunity to help between 9,000 and 11,000 Missouri families making less than $100,000 a year.

2. $15 million to finance and begin construction on affordable multi-family housing. This will create and save thousands of jobs at a time when Missouri unemployment is over 9% and allow us to continue to make quality affordable housing available to all Missourians.

3.  $5 million in assistance to qualified homebuyers to help with down payments and closing costs. This helps potential homebuyers overcome the obstacle of coming up with enough cash for a down payment and closing costs. MHDC has been a national leader on this front

.

4. Additional assistance to homebuyers who purchase an energy-efficient home or purchase energy-saving appliances. This is an opportunity to raise energy-efficiency standards in Missouri, making a positive impact on both the economy and the environment. It’s a win-win.

This economic development package provides property tax relief to thousands of Missourians at a crucial time in our economy without spending Missouri tax dollars. This will be paid for entirely out of MHDC’s reserve fund and federal recovery funds already in our possession. This comes in addition to more than $100 million in recovery funds and more than $19 million in reserves already allocated to boost Missouri’s economy and put Missourians back to work.

My goal as Chair is to ensure MHDC is playing a pivotal role in Missouri’s economic recovery and I believe we are doing that. The agency already offers competitive interest rates on home loans for qualified borrowers and a cash assistance loan plan for first-time homebuyers to help with down payments and closing costs. MHDC has also been a national leader in allowing Missourians to use the $8,000 federal first-time homebuyer tax credit up front for a down payment or closing costs. This program has been a success and will continue until at least April of 2010.

At a time when economic resources are scarce, it is important for you to know that I am constantly looking for new and innovative ways to get our economy moving again as well as ways to better marshal the tools and resources that are available.

One of those tools is the Missouri Linked Deposit Program, which provides low-interest loans to qualified small businesses and family farms. On November 23, I announced the largest-ever small business loan issued through the program. A small agricultural company in Marshall qualified for a $3.4 million loan, which will save the business more than $300,000 over five years compared to the cost of a regular loan. In addition, the loan will allow the company to add jobs and expand its customer base.

Thanks to changes made earlier this year to the Missouri Linked Deposit Program through my Invest in Missouri legislation, I am able to issue these kinds of loans to more small businesses with less turnaround time, allowing them to receive much-needed capital quickly.

Again, this costs Missouri taxpayers nothing. The Missouri Linked Deposit Program allows us to invest right here in Missouri to help small businesses that need it the most and who are playing a pivotal role in our economic recovery.

We have about $200 million in loans already out to small business throughout Missouri and we still have another $520 million available. To find out more about the Missouri Linked Deposit Program, click here.

As always, thank you for your interest and feel free to contact me with any ideas, feedback, or questions at clint@clintformissouri.com or 314-645-0555.

Regards,

Clint Zweifel

Missouri State Treasurer

PS. Please click here to check out my new ad for MOST, Missouri’s 529 College Savings Plan.

UPDATE from Democratic Leader Paul LeVota (Independence)

“Improving integrity and accountability in state government has been a centerpiece of House Democrats’ legislative agenda for several years, and it is encouraging that House Republican leaders finally appear to be joining the cause. We are particularly pleased that the House majority leader has embraced some Democratic proposals, including banning lawmakers from simultaneously serving as paid political consultants.

“A key omission from his plan, however, is the restoration of campaign contribution limits, which were repealed in 2008 despite being first imposed by nearly three-quarters of Missouri voters. Prohibiting lawmakers from accepting a plate of chicken wings or a slice of pizza from a lobbyist is admirable but does little to negate the perception of a legislature for sale if lobbyists and other wealthy donors can still give massive amounts of money – such as the $100,000 donation the majority leader received from a single contributor earlier this year – to candidates for elected office.”

Majority “Leader” Steve Tilley unveils ethics legislation, but dont worry about his ethics because according to his dad, he is fine.

From the Turner Report:

“I’m not afraid to use the power of my position to make sure this bill gets done.”

It has not been that long since Tilley’s name was regularly featured in Turner Report posts abput Missouri politicians accepting gifts from lobbyists Previous posts about Tilley can be found at this link.

Tilley says he read the posts and did not like what he was reading. “I knew that no lobbyist gift was going to buy my vote, but I printed a couple of the stories out and showed them to my dad. He told me he knew I hadn’t done anything wrong, but he said it sure looks bad.”

(Emphasis mine)

Ok Team Tilley, we are waiting.

“The Pelican Brief” Missouri Style…

It all started in the spring with news of the FBI investigating “pay for play” in Jefferson City, and slowly but surely a disturbing pattern is emerging.

In the November 3^rd editorial published in the Lees Summit Journal Rep. Yates clearly outlined his frustration with the status quo in Jefferson City, by calling out his own colleagues.

He wrote “Jetton’s clients, including some from our area, have collected huge campaign donations, interestingly after supporting controversial legislation.

For example, after a vote that tried to alter Missouri’s Non-Partisan Court Plan, Jetton’s clients saw an extreme influx of donations to their campaign committees.

This is somewhat alarming, noting that many of Jetton’s clients are in leadership positions and oversee the prerogatives and goals of the entire House.

This bill in particular caught the eye of many in the Missouri General Assembly. Proposals to change Missouri’s selection of judges have come and gone for years, never usually making it out of committee. However, this last session, a bill to change the process came out of committee and ended up passing the Missouri House 85-72. I voted against this legislation.

Ironically, $250,000 in campaign contributions, all stemming from one Joplin family interested in changing the plan, were deposited in the next several weeks to House Leaders, including Jetton clients. “

Irony, thy name is Brian Yates. I am sure the former Representative meant well when he wrote about ethics in Jefferson City on November 3^rd, I am sure he fully intended to file the ethics legislation he promised in January.  So what made Rep. Yates resign suddenly 3 weeks later?

The GOP in Jackson County is right in the middle of this hot mess, with 3 key Jackson County Representatives fighting it out in a primary for the 8^th senate district.  Pratt, Deusenberg and Will Krause are all battling it out in what could be a very entertaining primary for the nomination next year.  However, beneath the political smokescreen lies a bigger problem for the people of Missouri.

What Representative Yates was writing about in his piece is an effort that has been underway to undermine the process in which Justices for the Missouri Supreme Court are chosen. The group leading this fight is “Better Courts for Missouri” , a secretly funded organization.  The sole purpose of this group is to turn the way we select justices in Missouri from one of Merit selection to an electoral process opening up the Supreme Court to the highest bidder.

What is wrong with that you say? Nothing if you happen to own a large manufacturing company that is facing the possibility of lawsuits stemming from asbestos. From the Kansas City Star:

“Within days of a controversial vote last April in the Missouri House, rumors flew that a reward was coming for the Republican leaders who pushed it through.  And those rumors proved true. $25,000 poured in a week after the vote. Then $5,000. Then $50,000. Then $100,000, followed days later by another $25,000. And another $50,000. The campaign contributions – more than $250,000 in all – came from an influential family, the Humphreys family of Joplin. The family held strong feelings about the issue at hand: changing the state’s judicial selection process. Campaign cash flowed freely following legislative action this spring on how the state’s judges are picked, The Star’s investigation found.

Judicial nominees for the state supreme and appeals courts, along with some larger circuit courts, are vetted by commissions made up of lawyers, gubernatorial appointees and a sitting judge. But conservatives have assailed the process, arguing that it gives too much influence to trial attorneys.

At the forefront of the fight has been the Humphreys family, owners of Joplin-based Tamko Building Products Inc. Tamko makes roofing products and other building materials. The company has been named in numerous asbestos lawsuits and boasts of a “very aggressive” litigation strategy.

Some companies believe that, through the political process, they can put judges on the bench who are more conservative and sympathetic to corporations.

Jetton and other House leaders have courted the Humphreys family for years. According to a Jetton confidant, who asked not to be identified, Jetton set a goal at the start of his reign as speaker to cultivate the Humphreys family first as $50,000 donors and then elevate the family to $100,000.”

Allowing political donations from either side of the partisan divide to determine how our Supreme Court justices are chosen is bad for the law and for Missourians, but it seems to be great for the Missouri Republican Party.

There is a lot of money at stake here folks, not just in the political sphere that is Jefferson City, if the opponents of the Missouri Court plan get their way, look out.  It will become harder and harder to advocate on behalf of the average Missourian. I don’t know about you but I can’t compete with $50,000 donations.  I can’t buy my way into a meeting with my Representative or Senator. I depend on a non partial judiciary to do what is best for Missouri.  This is not a John Grisham novel. This is real life.

It has happened in other states, don’t be fooled Missouri. Don’t be fooled in Ohio “In the weeks before the election, Justice O’Donnell’s campaign accepted thousands of dollars from the political action committees of three companies that were defendants in the suits. Two of the cases dealt with defective cars, and one involved a toxic substance. Weeks after winning his race, Justice O’Donnell joined majorities that handed the three companies significant victories.”

Is this what the Humphreys are hoping for in Missouri?

The Missouri GOP has a problem on their hands and they know it.  A letter is circulating from an anonymous GOP Representative, Here’s the letter:

“To My Colleagues, (I am withholding my name today so you read what I say and not focus on who I am)

Our Missouri Republican House is full of hard-working, industrious legislators who are doing their best for Missouri.

But our attempts to build a better and stronger party are being held back by the waste and greed of select individuals who have directed the party’s resources to advance their own agendas. It began with Rod Jetton, and continues today with Steve Tilley.

Speaker Jetton’s exploits are well known to many of us. By “sharing” resources between his campaign committee and the HRCC, and later between his campaign committee and consulting practice, he has abused the trust of the party by directing funds from their intended purposes.

Seven out of ten dollars that Speaker Jetton’s leadership committee raised in 2007-2008 went to non-fundraising overhead: to paying for things such as his consulting firm’s staff, meals and lodging. Such a number is impossibly high if the real purpose of the committee is to get Republicans elected, but it’s much more believable if your objective is self-enrichment.

Speaker Jetton has blurred the lines between lobbying and consulting, deservedly attracting negative attention that unfortunately has fallen on our party as a whole. We owe each other loyalty but we should not allow our trust to be abused. It is our responsibility to disavow these actions, as well as the manner in which they continue today through the HRCC.

It seems that in the past unless you raised a certain amount of money or hired a particular consultant that you could not advance in our body. I completely support ethical efforts to raise money to elect ethical, conservative Republicans to fill our ranks to keep a pro-business, anti-tax majority. But it seems more and more that the money we are raising is not to elect ethical conservatives— but to support lavish lifestyles and to pay for appointments, committee assignments and leadership positions.

As we work hard to raise money in this economic climate, we must question how that money is spent.

Through their multiple political connections, Tilley and Jetton are inexorably connected. After Jetton left the HRCC, his leadership committee was given a jump-start of $15,922.00 by a PAC connected to Tilley. Tilley has directly employed Jetton’s consulting services, and their indirect relationships are too numerous to count here. Through them, Tilley has been linked to many of the same controversies that have embroiled Jetton.

I am unable to sympathize with them. They took an institution designed to help Republican candidates and used it to promote themselves. The Missouri Republican Party does not need and cannot afford the type of leadership that hides from the public view and operates in the shadows.

We need new leadership in the House.

For a member of the Missouri House to stand up and demand this change is unusual, but given the circumstances I see no other choice. I certainly never imagined myself doing this, but now I find myself disappointed for not doing it sooner.

We need to demand new leadership to retain our majority.  Speaker Jetton was obviously corrupted by power.  We are entrusted by the people to do what is right.  As painful as it may be for some, we need to disavow Speaker Jetton and his associates.  We are the party of values, not this disgusting behavior.  We need to clean up our House before the Democrats attack us and take the majority.

Signed,

Anonymous”

Meanwhile Brian Yates is telling everyone he can that “Rome is burning while Nero played the fiddle”.

Congrats to Steve Kraske and the Political team over at the KC Star, unfortunately I think this is just the beginning.  We will continue to hold the GOP responsible in Jackson County and hope that you do the same.

Now that Yates has quit being the state rep to become a pay day loan lobbyist, he immediately steps in to help his new favorite candidate – Mike Cierpiot.  Why, because he wants Mike to support pay day loan companies in Lee’s Summit.  We know how bad these loan shark companies are for the very people they purport to help.  Why would a gentleman who has spent 7 years in public service turn around and hurt the very people that needed his leadership?  It makes this Jackson Countian very nervous. Mike Cierpoit – will you sign a no more pay day loan pledge?

More here.

Here is the letter Yates sent to “friends”….. By the way Rep. Yates,  let the people of the 56th district choose their replacement, we don’t crown hand picked successors in Missouri!

Dear Friends,

In case you have not heard, I would like to inform you all that I have stepped down as representative of the 56th House District.  Many people over the past few days have been asking me to clarify the reasons for my departure from office, and I would like to explain these reasons at this time.

The number one reason of why I am stepping down from office is my family.  Since the birth of my son, I have realized just how hard it is to devote time to public office and to my family.  To reduce the time that I spend with my family to serve public office is not something that I want to pursue, and my wife and son are a higher priority to me than public office.

Many have asked why I chose this past Tuesday to resign.  I chose this date to ensure that Eastern Jackson County would have the advantage over other districts in the 2010 elections.  Resigning this week ensured that a special election will be held in either February or April of 2010.  The incoming representative, most likely Mike Cierpiot,  will then have half a session’s experience going into the 2011 session.  With term limits, we are anticipating 50-60 new legislators to be elected in 2010.  Stepping down now significantly enhances the incoming representative’s knowledge and seniority in the following session, which will greatly benefit the 56th district, as well as eastern Jackson County.

I am extremely proud to have served the 56th district for 7 years, and I am humbled that you have elected me your state representative.  I am proud of the legislation I have both sponsored and crafted while in office.  I thank everyone who has contacted me over the past week with words of support.  I look forward to the job that Mike Cierpiot will do as our next representative of the 56th District.

Sincerely,

Brian Yates

State Representative Jason Kander does a great job.  He has been an outstanding Representative for the 44th distrcit continuing a history of great public servants in the 44th.  Once again this last week,  Representative Kander has shown why he is a rising star in Missouri politics.  Here are some recent examples of the hard work Jason is doing on behalf of the people of Missouri.

Representative Kander’s letter to the  Kansas City Star

“Public has to demand change in ethics” by Mary Sanchez of the Kansas City Star

Rep. Kander’s Ethics Reform Memo

His latest newsletter

Imagine this it’s November 3rd 2010, we wake up and Missouri has a new Senator.  A Senator who has spent their career in bed with lobbyists and big oil. A Senator whose number one interest is that of himself and his family.

Imagine this it’s November 3rd 2010, we wake up and Missouri has a new Auditor, an Auditor who campaigned on transparency but instead we  have ended up with yet another politician more interested in themselves than the people of Missouri, or worse yet an Auditor who has made Missouri a laughing stock:

So yes friends fundraising matters.  These early quarters help to build momentum, and get a team in place.

Believe me no one wants to wake up to Senator Blunt and Auditor Davis, just thinking about it makes me shiver.

I admit it, sometimes I can be a little harsh. Forgive me for my last post.   It was snippy and tripe.  Much like this last legislative sessions.  There were some accomplishments:

The Governor got his jobs bill. Congratulations.

Jobs are important and vital as is education which received some attention in the final weeks of the legislative session.

However, on an issue that impacts every Missourian, every day The GOP failed to lead or compromise on health care.  To say that I am disappointed is an understatement.  I have a hard time understanding why the GOP doesn’t get that heatlh care costs and accessibility are the issues of our time.

I have written on it before and those arguments are just as valid now.  As a Jackson Countian I wish I could say that I had more faith in our local GOP leaders (Pratt, Yates and my own Representative Gary Deusenberg) to do the right thing  with regard to health care. The truth is I think all 3 of them spent the entire session thinking about the 8th senatorial seat.This is compassionate conservatism.

Nothing.

Here.

Here

or

Here

Nope they don’t get it.  Isn’t this the same group of politicians who purport their morality and family values?

As we watch the economy in Missouri and this nation stumble under the weight of and cost of health care and watch our own insurance premiums rise we can say thank you to the GOP for once again proving just what dim-witted, backward thinking compassionate conservatives they are.

For too long there have been perceptions that Democrats can’t or won’t work with “Big Business”.  Not true.  Democrats are problem solvers.  Democrats are compassionate and realistic.  Democrats realized along time ago that to solve the complex issues of our time, we must work together to build a consensus.  Most Republicans just don’t get it.  Instead of working with the Governor and with business to create a solution that would work for Missouri the GOP under the leadership of Speaker Ron Richard (R-Joplin) are just plain obstructionists.

Do they even have one viable legislative accomplishment regarding health care this year???

I cant help but feel frustrated.  The evidence is there.  The people of this state want heath coverage. they want it now.  1 in 3 Missourians are not insured. 1 in 3.   The hospitals get it, big business gets it, the Democrats of this state get.  When will the GOP get it?

Jackson County its time to stand up.

Health care costs are a major cause of economic downturn. We may have lost a major manufacturing facility because our health care is so expensive. Health care costs are driving the “big 3” out of business.  Un-insured and underinsured Missourians are raising the rates for all Missourians.  The fiscally responsible theing, the morally responsible thing would be to work with the Governor to bring healthcare back to the table to ease the burden on our companies and hospitals.  Having a progressive hatlh care solution will drive an economic recovery for the state and attract business not drive it away.

Stand up Jackson County.

Really? Is that what you call it when you refuse to insure poor children.  Is that what we call Missouri Values?

In a forum with Republican Representative Rick Stream of Kirkwood and faith leaders from around his community took the Representative to task.

From the  Webster Kirkwood Times

Rev. Steve Albers of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church closed the meeting by arguing that state legislators’ preferences toward budget cuts need to be re-examined in light of Missouri families’ economic woes.

“You are not governed by faith issues, you are governed by politics and policies,” Albers said. “It’s about priorities and people. Think about those in our society who have needs beyond our resources.”

Indeed, would the Missouri Grand Obstructionist Party for once practice the morals they so quickly espouse.   What is moral about Democratic Legislators having to fight to insure our children?  What is moral about wasting precious time debating an abortion bill, when the people of our state are struggling with economic turmoil?  What is moral or right in perverting the will of the people?  Instead of “leading Missouri forward”  The Missouri GOP, like the National GOP has betrayed the conservative principles they are founded on, and Missourians are paying the price.

We have written about this issue before, our Governor was elected in such an overwhelming fashion because the people of Missouri recognize that we can no longer do business as usual.

From Governor Nixon’s Office :

Gov. Jay Nixon today announced that Associated Industries of Missouri, a major organization that has represented the interests of businesses and companies across the state for 90 years, has endorsed the Governor’s agreement with the Missouri Hospital Association to provide health care coverage to nearly 35,000 Missouri parents – at no cost to state taxpayers.”

There is really only one party interested in Moving Missouri Forward….and the GOP ain’t it.

< –>

Last week was spring break for the Missouri General Assembly, let’s hope that the Missouri GOP enjoyed their break.  While they were on vacation,  over 150,000 of Missouri’s children remain with out health care.  Those numbers are not abstract.  They represent real Missouri families, who struggle to afford the care that their children deserve.

Frustration is an understatement.  These republicans are the same ones who fight tooth and nail to restrict abortion access.  The “value” life, but what about the “quality of life” that they purport to value so much.  The number of uninsured is rising.  During these tough economic times families are having to choose between insurance and their homes, between insurance and food.  Where is the compassion for their fellow Missourians?

Governor Jay Nixon, made no secret of his plans to restore the devasting cuts of 2005, that was a major platform of his campaign.  When he was elected in Novemebr the people of Missouri endorsed his plan to insure our most vulnerable.

But once again the Missouri Grand Obstructionist Party is standing in our way.  The Jackson County Democrats and our elected officials will continue to fight for affordable health care for all of Missouri. That is common sense, that is a Missouri Value.

States that have expanded their SCHIP insurance:

Kansas

Arkansas

If this is important to you please contact Rep. Allen Icet Chairman of the House Budget Committee at 573-751-1247  or allen.icet@house.mo.gov

Representative Paul Levota, (D-52) The Missouri House Democratic Leader is in D.C. this week to Meet with President Obama and Treasury Secretary Geithner, as well as Transportation Secretary LaHood, and the Presidents  advisor on Health.  “As Missouri’s sole representative, I will express to the president the needs and challenges facing Missourians and the willingness of Democratic members of the General Assembly to assist the Obama Administration in ending the crisis,” LeVota said in a statement.

You can follow Representative LeVota’s adventures in D.C. here.

“I am not an advocate for abortion; I don’t think anyone who is pro-choice is. I am an advocate for privacy and a woman’s right to make decisions for her body without any interference from the government. “ 

While getting ready to sit down to dinner last night I was having a conversation with my husband about Representative Cynthia Davis and the latest attempts by the extreme elements of the Missouri “Pro-Life” movement to restrict a woman’s right to privacy.  My11 year old daughter asked me  what we were talking about, sensing a perfect opportunity for a conversation about “deeper” things.  I took a deep breath and began.

I explained to her once again, that I valued human life and I valued the dignity that I feel is guaranteed to us by our constitution. I was angry I said because I felt like the representative was trying to legislate a moral and ethical standard that would in the end seriously harm the rights of women to discuss any concerns they had.  I explained to her that if I became pregnant and for any reason I had any questions about wanting to have the baby this bill limits the people I can turn to for advice. I can’t talk to my minister, I can’t talk to a friend, because this bill would make them criminals for giving me advice if I choose to have the abortion.

My 11 year old daughter said” this reminds me of the 2 prevailing forms of government in China over the last 800 years.” Taylor explained the difference between the basic teachings of Confucianism which  “stress the importance of education for moral development of the individual so that the state can be governed by moral virtue rather than by the use of coercive laws,” and  Legalism; “the Legalist’s emphasized the rule of law of the state over individual autonomy.  The Legalists viewed the common people of lower class and their actions as evil and foolish.”

She then proceeded to explain to her father and I that ” Representative Davis should govern in China, that’s where dictatorships makes sense.”

It blew me away when she tarted talking about this, it opened the door for a more robust conversation about personal responsibility, and dating and all of those “other” uncomfortable conversation topics.

I want my girl to grow up smart about her body.  I want her to stay “pure and innocent” forever.  I am a realist and I know that sharing with Taylor, our morals, is no guarantee she will make the right decision.  Because children are arrows and we are just the bows, I will continue to fight for my daughters rights.