February 1, 2012
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Budget Update
As work on the budget progresses in the various appropriations committees, the overall budget picture for our state continues to become clearer. Right now our unemployment rate is at 8 percent which is slightly better than that of the national average of 8.5 percent and drastically improved from last year’s record unemployment rate of 9.6 percent. As more Missourians have gone back to work, we’ve seen a slight uptick in our revenues. However, estimating future state revenues has continued to be a challenge. The Consensus Revenue Estimate (CRE) for the current fiscal year calls for 2.7 percent growth for a total General Revenue collection of approximately $7.3 billion. For the next fiscal year the CRE agreed to by the House, Senate and the governor’s office calls for growth of 3.9 percent. That would result in total collections of approximately $7.586 billion. That figure would represent an increase in revenue collections of $285 million from the CRE figures used for the current fiscal year.
So with what appears to be an increase in revenues for the state some may question why our state is facing the prospect of a budget deficit. As I’ve mentioned in previous reports, our current budget is balanced with more than $500 million of one-time Federal Budget Stabilization Funds. Those funds will not be available for our next budget. Combine that with the fact that our state will need to increase the size of our state match for Medicaid funding by some $90 million and you can see how the modest growth in our revenues cannot keep up with the demands of the budget. The budget proposal outlined by the governor during his State of the State Address balances the budget through a series of reductions, cost containment and debt refinancing plans. His budget is also dependent on the legislature passing several changes to statute in order to generate approximately $88.7 million in additional revenue. In the coming weeks we will take a close-look at his proposals to determine if they represent changes that are in the best interests of Missouri taxpayers. One thing you can rest assured of is that we will balance the budget this year without increasing the tax burden on you and your family.
Modernizing Missouri’s No Call List
Nearly 2 million Missourians are signed up for the state’s no-call list that is designed to prevent unwanted telemarketing calls. However, while the list has been a huge success in our state, it currently applies only to landlines. As more and more Missourians have transitioned away from landlines to the use of cellular phones, it has revealed the need to change our no-call list to allow wireless numbers to be protected from telemarketers as well. The attorney general’s office, which is responsible for maintaining the list, says it fielded more than 22,000 calls in 2011 complaining about unwanted telemarketing calls. Many of those calls went to Missourians’ cell phones. This year we hope to protect all phone users, both landline and wireless, from these undesirable solicitations. Bills in both the House and Senate are making their way through the process that would expand the no-call list to include cell phones and also prohibit telemarketers from sending text messages or images to a cell phone. It’s a change I think all Missourians would appreciate. I will do my best to keep you updated on this issue as session progresses.
House Holds Short Weeks to Save Taxpayer Dollars
The House shortened its work on the floor this and last week in an effort to save taxpayer dollars. Normally, we hold legislative sessions Monday through Thursday. However, with most of our work currently being done in committee, we made the decisions to not hold a full session of the House on Thursdays. That decision means the state will not have to pay the 163 members of the House their daily expense allotments. The action resulted in thousands of dollars in savings and is one I think is a smart decision during these tough budget times. Despite Thursday’s lack of floor action, many committees continue to meet and to attend to the legislative duties before us. We will be back on the floor in the coming weeks as more bills make their way to the House Chamber.
House Information and Legislation Online
House members and bills filed may both be found online at http://www.house.mo.gov/default.aspx.
January 24, 2012
“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.” – Psalm 28:7
Taxpayer Protection
Missourians want their government to use their hard-earned tax dollars wisely, especially during these tough economic times. This week, the Missouri House moved to implement the first pillar of our Blueprint for Missouri by passing three bills out of committee that protect taxpayers.
Taxpayers provide the resources of state government, and, without them, we wouldn’t have the resources to provide vital services like roads and bridges. For this reason, we have moved to protect taxpayers by passing three bills that increase transparency at the local level and limit the size of government.
As Thomas Jefferson once said, “An informed citizenry is the only true repository of the public will.” But, information about your government must be readily available so you can make the right decision. HB 1140 is an effort to provide taxpayers with the information needed to make informed decisions about government.
Currently, information about state spending is available online at the Missouri Accountability Portal. HB 1140 requires counties and schools to submit their debts and holdings to the Office of Administration for posting on the portal. This gives taxpayers a one stop shop for tracking how their state and local tax dollars are being spent, expanding the information available to them.
HB 1135 improves transparency by requiring the review of administrative rules. Over time, department rules become outdated or obsolete. By requiring these rules to be reviewed periodically, we can ensure that all agency rules are efficient and effective.
Under current law, rules can stay on the books of a state agency indefinitely. HB 1135 also requires all administrative rules to sunset after 10 years. By including the sunset provision, all rules will have to venture through the public comment process periodically, giving citizens a say in how our executive departments run.
Part of our effort to protect taxpayers includes limiting the size and scope of government. That is the idea behind HJR 43, the Taxpayer Protection Act, which passed out of the Budget Committee this week.
Upon voter approval, this proposed constitutional amendment prohibits appropriations in any fiscal year from exceeding the total state general revenue appropriations from the previous year by more than the appropriations growth limit when the total state general revenue appropriations for the current fiscal year exceeds the level for Fiscal Year 2008. The appropriations growth limit is the percentage that is the greater of zero or the sum of the annual rate of inflation, the annual percentage change in Missouri’s population and 1.5% of the previous fiscal year total state general revenue collections.
When times are good and the budget is flush with money, past legislatures have used any excess revenue to increase government spending. The Taxpayer Protection Act limits growth in any given year and any money left over after the adjustment is saved for times when the budget is short.
Critics who oppose this legislation and don’t want to limit government growth often point to the effects it might have on education. HJR 43 allows extra funding to be included in future budgets if that money goes toward fully-funding the school foundation formula. This allows us to keep our promise to our children while keeping your state government as lean as possible.
We are working hard to pass legislation protecting you, the taxpayer. By increasing transparency and limiting the size of government, you will be better equipped to track your tax dollars.
House Information and Legislation Onlin
House members and bills filed may both be found online at http://www.house.mo.gov/default.aspx.
January 18, 2012
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you, life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.” – Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Governor Delivers Annual State of the State Address
Members of the House and Senate gathered in the House Chamber Tuesday night to listen to Governor Jay Nixon give his annual State of the State Address. Much like the president’s State of the Union Address, the governor’s speech is used to outline his policy agenda for the upcoming session. Tuesday’s speech was highlighted by the governor reaffirming our commitment to balancing the budget without increasing the tax burden on Missouri families. It’s something we all can agree on regardless of party affiliation and despite the fact it represents an incredible challenge to balance the budget in a year where we face a funding shortfall of more than $500 million.
The governor did call for increased funding for K-12 education and described his funding proposal as a record level of funding for our public schools. While that sounds good in a speech, the reality is his proposed budget would provide an increase of only $5 million to the approximately $3 billion in basic aid for public K-12 schools. That figure still falls short of what is recommended by the funding formula by approximately $472 million. The governor also called for a 12.5 percent cut to higher education. The cut would leave funding for our public colleges and universities at its lowest level in years. These are issues that obviously cause concern as we look at crafting a budget this year. One of the pillars of our Blueprint of Missouri is based on improving our system of education to give our young people the best possible opportunity for future success. Bridging our funding gap on the back of our education system is not something that will gain much support in the legislature. I will keep you updated on this issue as the session progresses and we look for ways to balance our budget without forcing our schools to pay the price.
House Education Appropriations Committee Looks at Funding Formula Fix (HB 1043)
One of the most important issues we will deal with this year involves the way our state’s many public schools are funded. Right now we’re in the midst of a multi-year phase in of the school foundation formula that began in 2006 and will be complete next year. The formula was designed to eliminate the disparities that had existed in the previous funding mechanism that was based on the property tax base of each school district. That system led to some school districts being very wealthy with others being less fortunate. The new foundation formula implemented a funding system based on the needs of each student. When passed in 2005, the idea was to ensure each student in the state received the amount needed to receive a quality education. The idea also was to gradually increase that amount each and every year over a seven-year period.
The foundation formula wasn’t an issue until recent years when our state’s budget woes prevented us from providing the level of funding called for in the formula. As we found we could not meet the demands of the formula, it became necessary to explore how to fairly distribute the monies that were available. Specifically, the issue stems from the concept of “hold harmless” school districts, which are districts that were receiving more funding than was called for with the new formula but were promised they would not receive a funding cut. With slightly more than 150 of Missouri’s more than 500 school districts “hold harmless” it has represented a significant challenge as the legislature has been unable to fund the formula fully. The bottom line is that right now we have all districts, both those that have seen increases in funding under the formula and those who have had their funding frozen, sharing in the pain of reduced funding. That’s why we’re considering legislation this year to make the reduced funding more equitable for all schools. It’s a challenge I hope we can work together to solve so that we can “share the pain” in a way that’s fair for every school district in the state.
House Information and Legislation Online
House members and bills filed may both be found online at http://www.house.mo.gov/default.aspx.
January 11, 2012
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
On January 16, we will take time to honor the memory of one of the most inspirational individuals this world has known. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. brought hope to a hopeless time and gave vision to those who could not see a future where equality is the norm rather than the exception. He was a shining light in the darkest of times and he led a movement that continues to march on to this day. While it has been decades since he last rallied the people with his impassioned speeches, his message reaches us even now and reminds us that, while we have taken many strides on this journey to equality, we have further yet to travel. On this Martin Luther King Day, I ask you to take the time to appreciate all that we have gained thanks to the visionary leadership of this great man and to commit yourself to carrying on his dream that is as relevant now as it was four decades ago when he first shared it with the world.
House Begins 2012 Legislative Session
My colleagues and I returned to Jefferson City last Wednesday, January 5 for the start of the 2012 legislative session. It’s hard to believe the interim has moved by so quickly, but we’re ready to have a productive session that will address some of the key issues currently faced by our state. Many of those issues were addressed by House Speaker Tilley in his opening address. During the speech, he outlined what he calls his Blueprint for Missouri. The Speaker’s blueprint is focused on crafting a balanced budget without increasing taxes, improving the state’s business climate, creating a better system of education and protecting the values important to Missouri families. We know the people of Missouri expect and deserve a government that stays out of their pockets, lives within its means and respects and protects the values shared by families all across the state. The people also deserve a government that does all it can to create a climate that will allow our economy to flourish and that works to make our schools some of the best in the country. It is my hope this session will allow us to move toward positive policies that will address these issues to the benefit of all Missourians.
While the legislative action hasn’t moved to the House floor yet, the second week of session has brought with it an increased level of activity at the committee level. The debate in the House Chamber tends to produce passionate debate and memorable sound bites but it’s in committee where bills are deliberated and fine-tuned until they’re ready for discussion by the entire body. That’s the mode we’re in right now as our committees work on many bills on a multitude of issues in preparation for the coming weeks of floor debate.
Budget Deficit Looms Large as Session Opens
While the new session brings with it the hope for accomplishing many of the policy objectives we believe will benefit the people of Missouri, it also brings with it the reality of yet another tough budget year. As we look for ways to fund critical programs and to keep our schools funded at a level that allows our young people to excel, we realize it will be a real challenge as budget forecasts call for a budget deficit of anywhere from $425 million to $500 million. That deficit is largely a product of federal stimulus dollars no longer being available to help balance the budget. It will make for a challenging budget process this year, but one thing you can be assured of is that we will not raise your taxes in order to balance the budget. We have been firmly against increasing the tax burden on Missouri families and that a no-tax-hike approach will continue this year. Instead, we will tighten our belts and live within our means just as Missourians do when times are tough. Yes, it will be difficult, but we will work together to fund our priorities and eliminate any spending that is not absolutely necessary. We will learn more about the budget situation in a few weeks when the governor delivers his state of the state address to outline his budget proposal for the next fiscal year.
House Information and Legislation Online
House members and bills filed may both be found online at http://www.house.mo.gov/default.aspx.
January 4, 2012
“Unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.” – Psalm 32:10b
A Look Back at 2011
As we close the book on 2011 it strikes me that this was a year of significant events. As a state, we’ve weathered the storm of high unemployment and a sluggish economy. State government has had to tighten its belt and live a little leaner just as Missouri families have done. And while things have looked bleak at times, we’ve also seen the early signs of economic recovery. 2011 also brought with it many natural disasters that devastated communities in all parts of the state. Still today, Missourians are rebuilding and while it’s hard to see a silver lining in these tragic events, there can be little doubt that they brought our communities closer together and renewed our spirit of perseverance and hope. Some remarkably inspirational tales emerged from the storms that ravaged Missouri – stories that remind us that in times of need, our neighbors will be there to help us. 2011 also saw the creation of new congressional districts as well as new state House and Senate districts in Missouri. While these changes may not be of interest to some, they will change the way we are represented for the next decade. 2011 was a momentous year but also one I hope was memorable for you. As we head into a new year, I wish you and yours the very best.
Funding for Veterans Homes
One goal the Missouri House will have in 2012 is to find a new source of funding for the seven veterans homes currently in operation. Right now the Missouri Veterans Commission spends approximately $80 million each year on the homes that provide beds to 1,350 veterans. With a waiting list of 1,650 veterans, the homes can’t keep up with the demand for beds. Unfortunately, even though the homes serve a vital role, they are currently faced with a funding crisis. While none of the seven homes are scheduled to close any time soon, the homes will run out of funding in July 2013 if a new funding source isn’t found. Veteran services must be funded at levels sufficient for the sacrifice our veterans have made for our freedoms.
Interim House Committee Looks at Ways to Improve Missouri’s Prison System
The Interim Committee on Criminal Justice has spent the last few weeks reviewing a report issued by a state task force charged with revamping Missouri’s prison system. Committee members have taken a close look at the task force’s findings and are now looking at ways to implement some of the suggestions outlined in the report. The need for change is based on some startling numbers indicating that our prison system isn’t rehabilitating those who enter into it, while the cost for housing prisoners continues to rise. The Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice has said we are failing in our approach as more than half of all prisoners return to prison within a few years of being released. At the same time, the prison population continues to grow and costs continue to increase. In fact, corrections costs have gone up by 39 percent since 2000.
The committee hopes to make recommendations for legislation that would help reverse that trend. One idea presented by the state task force would require offenders who violate the terms of programs such as drug courts to be placed immediately into detention in county jail. It is thought such a change could save the state up to ten dollars a day per inmate. At the same time, the State has historically not adequately paid its way for county boarding of State prisoners. Any policy change of benefit to the State must not be at the expense of financially strapped counties. Overall, the recommendations of the state task force could save the state from $7.7 million to $16.6 million over the next five years. We will gain a clearer picture of which policies may become legislation when the 2012 session begins Jan. 4.
House and Senate Education Leaders File Legislation to Improve System of Higher Education
The chairmen of the House Higher Education Committee and the Senate Education Committee recently announced a joint legislative effort to ensure more Missourians get college degrees. The legislation filed in both chambers is meant to fix some existing issues in Missouri’s system of higher education that will help to keep students in school. One component of the bill would create a statewide course library of at least 25 courses that would be transferable among all public higher education institutions. The bill also would allow a student to transfer credits from a four-year institution to a two-year institution so that an associate’s degree is attainable in situations where the student may be incapable of finishing a bachelor’s degree. In addition, the bill would require institutions to identify and use the best practices in helping students catch up in core courses like Math and English. The idea is to give students’ a fighting chance to succeed in college and to keep them in college until they receive a degree. It’s an issue I am sure we will discuss in greater detail this legislative session.
House Information and Legislation Online
House members and bills filed may both be found online at http://www.house.mo.gov/default.aspx.
December 28, 2011
“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” – James 4:14 NIV
Life is Short…
At some level, I think most people dread receiving a call about the loss of a loved one or friend. Regrettably, I received such a call today. I was informed that a dear friend whom I’ve worked with on Missouri River issues for ten years was killed in an auto accident on his way to work at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). John Drew was a great person. He was the backbone of our river efforts with such knowledge about every aspect of the river from biology to hydrologics. He was my “go to” person multiple times each week. John was a great sounding board, a stellar strategist and a policy tactician. At the same time, he was unassuming and humble. Never did I hear him criticize another person. He was an eternal optimist as river issues go and that’s hard to come by as frustrating as the issues can become at times. We talked multiple times each week with most conversations involving laughter at some point. We encouraged each other, celebrated the infrequent victories and pulled together throughout it all. John was more than a friend; he was my buddy. Unfortunately, people like John don’t come along often enough.
It has been thought in Jefferson City that I sometimes defend DNR too much. It wasn’t hard to do having worked with John all these years. He was the best, he will be missed and the State has lost a tremendous friend and asset. His knowledge and expertise will create a vacuum for some time. I always wanted to have his intelligent and strategic-thinking mind when I grew up. I will miss his kindness, laughter, graciousness and willingness to take someone like me, with no scientific background and myriad questions, and treat as an accepted peer. He was a blessing to my life and to the State of Missouri. My tears are inadequate for such a wonderful man. I pray Christ envelops his wife, Linda, and his dear family and friends with His love and comfort in the coming days.
House Prepares Blueprint for 2012 Legislative Session
As we’re now just days away from the beginning of the 2012 legislative session, the legislative agenda for the coming year has begun to take shape. While we will place a primary emphasis on creating a fiscally responsible, balanced state budget this session, we also will see a number of important issues addressed in the coming months. One thing you can be certain of yet again this year is that the Missouri House will not allow any kind of tax increase. Raising taxes is an unacceptable way to balance the budget when your hard-earned dollars are needed in your pocket. Instead, we will balance the budget by making fiscally responsible, common sense choices. The majority of taxpayers maintain they want no tax increase and the House will again follow that guidance.
The blueprint we will follow this year also will focus on improving our business environment so that Missouri is an even more attractive location for businesses looking to relocate or expand. We want employers around the country and even around the world to know that we are open for business and ready to fill the jobs they create with capable, hard-working Missourians.
This session will also bring with it a great deal of discussion on ways to improve our system of education. We will look at a fix to our public school foundation formula. The goal is to have funding distributed to every public school in the state in a way that is fair and equitable. To help young people make the transition from high school to college we also hope to expand the investment options available through our MOST college savings program that has been a huge success since its creation.
We want to make Missouri’s system of education one of the finest in the nation and this session will give us the opportunity to take some steps in a positive direction. These are just a few of the things we will talk about in 2012. The list is certain to grow in the coming days and weeks. As always, I will do my best to keep you updated as the session progresses.
House Information and Legislation Online
House members and bills filed may both be found online at http://www.house.mo.gov/default.aspx.
December 14, 2011
“If you fully obey the Lord your God…you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The Lord will make you the head, not the tail…you will always be at the top, never the bottom….However, if you do not obey the Lord your God… The alien who lives among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower. He will lend to you, but you will not lend to him. He will be the head, but you will be the tail.” – Deuteronomy 28:1, 12-13, 15, 43-44 NIV
I found the following blog at http://blog.crown.org/2011/11/29/til-debt-do-us-part/ interesting. I hope you do as well. Thanks, Randy
TIL DEBT DO US PART
Posted on Handwriting on the Wall on November 29, 2011 by Chuck Bentley
It has been said that the best way to please everyone is to believe nothing, say nothing and do nothing. Since launching this column, I have certainly succeeded in not pleasing everyone!
On Monday, one of my articles was featured in The Washington Times, one of the few major daily newspapers that takes a conservative view of the political world. You may want to see my article here. It was subsequently reposted at FoxNation.com.
On the day it was published, it ranked as one of the most read articles on The Washington Times website. While I cringed at the editor’s choice of “BENTLEY: Don’t Feed the Lazy,” for a title, I was pleased that the Bible verse I cited, II Thessalonians 3:10, was included. Needless to say, the polarized responses to the article indicate a significant national divide.
As Christians, we need to take an ardent stand for our economic freedom that was granted to us by God’s grace and kindness. If we stand passively on the sidelines trying to please everyone, I believe we will become enslaved without a shot ever being fired on our soil.
A primary area where our policies are deviating from biblical truth is in the management of our national debt. Let’s take a look at a simplified analysis of the financial problems we currently face in the U.S.:
- U.S. tax revenue: $ 2.15 trillion1
- Federal budget: $ 3.8 trillion2
- New debt: $ 1.65 trillion3
- National debt: $ 15 trillion4
- Recent budget cut: $ 38 billion5
Now let’s remove some zeros and pretend it’s your budget…
- Your annual income: $ 21,500
- Your household spending: $ 38,000
- New debt this year: $ 16,500
- Your credit card debt: $ 150,000
- Recent budget cut: $ 385
In a household budget, whenever unsecured debt approaches a 1 to 1 ratio with annual income, the borrower is in serious trouble. When this ratio reaches a 2 to 1 level the problem intensifies to out-of-control trouble. If you are somehow able to borrow to a 7 to 1 ratio, the problem becomes a runaway crisis. It screams for immediate action to reverse the trend.
The Federal Government has become the caretaker of first and last resort. This philosophy is simply unsustainable. Our deviation from God’s principles is rapidly becoming our downfall.
So our elected officials have now recognized that a 7 to 1 ratio is unsustainable. Thus, we have a special deficit-reduction “Super Committee,” charged with cutting at least $1.2 trillion in government red ink over the coming decade. Note: This is not to reduce the $15 trillion in existing debt, but only an attempt to reduce deficit spending each year!
Even with these hoped for cuts, we’ll still be trillions of dollars more in the hole by 2021.
Does it sound like anyone on that committee is aware of Proverbs 22:7: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”?
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Super Committee can find no common ground for agreement. Just as European leaders find themselves unable to reach a meaningful solution to their problems while teetering on the verge of insolvency—so does America.
This political gridlock has divided the nation into two camps—one wants to tax the rich to close the deficit gap while the other would be satisfied to simply reduce our deficit spending. Neither side, it seems, is willing to admit that we are standing on the edge of a cliff, looking into an abyss of debt.
Rancorous partisan fighting among lawmakers in Washington continues to produce more confusion than solutions. Perhaps they should consult the wisdom of the Old Testament for clarity:
“If you fully obey the Lord your God…you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The Lord will make you the head, not the tail…you will always be at the top, never the bottom….However, if you do not obey the Lord your God… The alien who lives among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower. He will lend to you, but you will not lend to him. He will be the head, but you will be the tail.” 6
When our national budget reflected our obedience to God’s ways, we were the largest lending nation in the world. Tragically, we have given up our once high position as the “head” to become the “tail” –the largest debtor nation in the history of the world.
Debt has divided us. Only a return to God and His principles will unite us again and move us from being the tail back to being the head.
I pray you will stand with us as we seek to influence our nation back to honoring God in all our ways and to protect our priceless freedoms.
We were home in Georgia for a quiet Thanksgiving weekend, except for a surprise $1400 expense to remove roots from our septic system! Thank goodness for emergency savings!
We are getting ready for all of our children (and grandson!) to gather for Christmas, including my son who will be on leave from combat duty in Afghanistan.
Did you participate in this year’s “Black & Blue Friday” madness? My next post will address the rise of “competitive shopping” and how this sickness afflicts our nation.
Be sure to leave your feedback in the comments below.
Chuck Bentley
1 “Federal Revenues Have More Than Tripled Since 1965,” The Heritage Foundation
2 “In $3.8 Trillion Budget, Obama Pivots to Trim Future Deficits,” The New York Times, Feb. 1, 2010
3 “White House Expects Deficit to Spike to $1.65 Trillion,” The Wall Street Journal, Feb. 14, 2011
5 “Congress Passes $38 billion in Budget Cuts,” Los Angeles Times, April 14, 2011
6 Deuteronomy 28:1, 12-13, 15, 43-44. NIV
********************************************************************
House Information and Legislation Online
House members and bills filed may both be found online at http://www.house.mo.gov/default.aspx.
Check out my new website at www.randyasbury.com.
Proudly Serving the Constituents of the 22nd District.
Randy Asbury
Missouri House and Senate Map Links
Below are links to the new Missouri House and Senate maps:
Interactive House Map:
http://oa.mo.gov/bp/redistricting/newlegislativedistricts/
House Map and Population Count:
http://oa.mo.gov/bp/redistricting/pdf/HouseApportionmentFiling.pdf
Senate Map and Population Count:
http://oa.mo.gov/bp/redistricting/pdf/SenateApportionmentFiling.pdf
December 7, 2011
“You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my only source of hope.” – Psalm 119:114 NLT
Bill Pre-Filing Begins
Just a little more than a month away from the official beginning of the 2012 legislative session, legislators are now pre-filing bills that will set the tone for the session. Legislators are able to file bills before the session begins each year on December 1. So far only a few bills have been filed but that number will grow in the next few weeks as House members make clear their legislative priorities for 2012. To keep up with the growing list of pre-filed bills you can visit the Missouri House of Representatives official website at http://www.house.mo.gov/billlist.aspx?year=2012.
County Commission Budget Fix
Late in the last session, I filed an amendment that would allow county commissions to reduce their budgets twice each year if their budgets experienced a verifiable decline in funds of two percent or higher and such amount could not be estimated or anticipated when the budget was adopted. In addition, the budget reduction shall not unduly affect any officeholder. Before any reduction affecting an independently elected officeholder can occur, negotiations shall take place with all officeholders who receive funds from the affected category of funds in an attempt to cover the shortfall. No dedicated funds could be affected by this decrease and county commissions would still be able to reduce the budgets of those departments for which they are directly responsible (e.g. Road and Bridge Department in Randolph County).
At this time, municipalities and the state have statutory authority to reduce a budget; commissions are the only political entity of the three without that authority. In the economy in which we live, it’s imperative that counties have flexibility to reduce a budget when revenues are down. This amendment accounts for that possibility while attempting to avert a situation where an independent officeholder’s budget could be unduly targeted for political or other reasons. As a former county commissioner, I understand the responsibility commissioners have been given to live within their means. This amendment provides for that in difficult economies and was acceptable to other county officeholder state organizations last year. I’m confirming their ongoing support and then I will file the amendment for the 2012 session.
Interim Committee on Disaster Recovery Readies Final Report
An interim committee charged with taking a closer look at how the state responds to natural disasters is in the process of readying its final report to the Speaker of the Missouri House. The committee spent the last few months travelling around the state to visit areas devastated by natural disasters. As we all know, Missouri was extremely unfortunate with tornadoes striking Joplin, Sedalia and St. Louis and flooding causing serious problems in both Southeast and Northwest Missouri. While the state has handled these situations well in many cases, the committee found a few key areas where improvements can be made. One change the committee will likely recommend is to remove some of the red tape that currently exists that has prevented physicians from other states from lending a helping hand during times of need. It is likely that legislation will be filed in 2012 to ensure physicians can cross the border into Missouri during times of emergency without worrying about legal repercussions. The committee also is likely to recommend changes to the state’s prevailing wage law in relation to disaster recovery efforts. Committee members found that the prevailing wage had tripled in Joplin, which would cause rebuilding efforts there to be much more costly. Several members of the committee would like to reduce the cost of rebuilding efforts by exempting disaster recovery construction projects from prevailing wage requirements. This is an issue we will almost certainly discuss during the 2012 session.
House Information and Legislation Online
House members and bills filed may both be found online at http://www.house.mo.gov/default.aspx
Check out my new website at www.randyasbury.com.
Proudly Serving the Constituents of the 22nd District.
Randy Asbury
Representative Randy Asbury to Seek Re-Election to Missouri House of Representatives – District 6
News Release
Representative Randy Asbury
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4849 Hwy B / Higbee, MO 65257 / Phone (660) 273-9903 / Cell 573-823-7906
Website / www.citizensforasbury.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 6, 2011
Representative Randy Asbury to Seek Re-Election to Missouri House of Representatives – District 6
HIGBEE, MO – State Representative Randy Asbury has announced he will seek re-election to the Missouri House of Representatives in the newly drawn District 6 which includes the northern one-half of Randolph County, Macon County and the eastern portion of Linn County.
“After prayer and numerous considerations, Connie, our children and I have agreed it is our desire to continue to represent our friends in Randolph and southern Macon County. We also look forward to meeting and seeking to gain the confidence and trust of those I aspire to represent in the remainder of Macon County plus eastern Linn,” stated Asbury.
District 6 includes a strong agricultural and business community which fits well with Asbury’s experience, qualifications and committee positions in Jefferson City. He has worked closely with Randolph and Macon County officials over the past year through efforts to retain and create jobs in the area.
In addition to his role as state representative, Asbury has been executive director of the Coalition to Protect the Missouri River since 2001. His responsibility with that group includes representing the economic wellbeing of agriculture, navigation and utility interests. Prior to being elected to the Missouri House, Asbury was Randolph County Associate Commissioner, former deputy director for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, farmer and agribusiness owner.
Asbury presently serves on the Budget, Local Government, Appropriations for Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees and is Vice Chair of the Emerging Issues in Animal Agriculture Committee. He also serves on the Interim Committee for Budget Transparency and the Interim Committee for Strengthening Missouri Families.
Asbury recently received the Associated Industries of Missouri 2011 Friend of Manufacturing and Industry Award for voting 100 percent in favor of policies that promote business in Missouri.
In addition, the Y.O.U.N.G. Conservatives of America indicated that Asbury’s voting record reflects a commitment to individual freedom, personal responsibility and limited government. Asbury was ranked as one of the top five Republicans in the Missouri House of Representatives for his commitment to those issues and his willingness to defend both the Missouri Constitution and the United States Constitution.
“I am excited about the opportunity to serve the citizens of Linn, Macon and Randolph counties. My experience in Jefferson City has been very rewarding and I look forward to representing the citizens of District 6 in a manner that makes them proud and honors Christ.”
More information about Asbury can be found at www.citizensforasbury.com.
-30-