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| NEWS From the Office of Representative Tom Dempsey, 18th District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 5, 2007
CONTACT: Representative Tom Dempsey
(573) 751-1141
House Approves Rep. Dempsey’s Legislation to
Ensure Funding For Children Isn’t Diverted to Other Projects
Jefferson City – Money that was intended to be used to provide mental health and substance abuse services to young people would be fully utilized for that purpose under legislation sponsored by Representative Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, and approved by the House this week. The House passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 184 by a vote of 159-0.
In 2004, St. Charles County passed a 1/8-cent sales tax measure to create a Community Children’s Service Fund to fund mental health and substance abuse services for young people. The tax came in response to findings that showed more than 10,000 young people were in need of a variety of services that were not available at the time. The tax, approved by residents of St. Charles County, was to provide the funding necessary for those services.
The program has worked well but local governments have withheld some of the sales tax money to pay for TIF projects. The Community and Children’s Resource Board that administers the Community Children’s Services Fund in St. Charles County estimates the withholdings are costing them $200,000 annually. Rep. Dempsey’s legislation creates the Children’s Services Protection Act to ensure the money collected from the tax is not diverted and is used for its intended purpose - to provide services to children in need.
“The voters of St. Charles County made it very clear where they wanted their tax money to go and it is our duty to respect their wishes,” said Rep. Dempsey. “We have thousands of children in need and the money to provide the services they require is instead being used to pay for roads and sewers. We have to do the right thing and ensure the money is going to the projects for which it was intended.”
Rep. Dempsey’s legislation applies to all cities or counties who levy a sales tax for the purpose of creating a community children’s services fund. Currently, three other counties have similar funds and many more are considering doing the same.
Rep. Dempsey’s bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
| | | March 15, 2007
Yesterday, by a vote of 143 to 4 the Missouri House of Representatives passed SB 284 related to the establishment of state franchises of video services. I handled the legislation on the House Floor.
SB 284 will make way for major investments in telecommunications infrastructure across the State of Missouri and will provide consumers with greater choice for video, broadband, and telephone services. Competition for these services leads to lower prices and better customer service for the people we serve.
Federal, state, and local regulations have not kept pace with the rapid change in technology. Older monopolistic industries, like telephone and cable, who traditionally provided one brand of service have combined with newer technologies, like wireless and satellite providers, to bring multiple or bundled services to customers. SB 284 will update our state laws to adapt to changes in the marketplace.
Our country has led the world in technological advancement and business development for more than 100 years, not because we are the lowest cost labor provider, or because we pursue protectionist policies, or that we prop up industries with public subsidies. The United States leads the world because we support policies which encourage investment and reward risk. We innovate, adapt, and drive for greater efficiency and productivity in the workplace.
Our responsibility, as legislators, is to ensure a level playing field for businesses to compete. Unfairness and inconsistent regulations in the telecommunications industry are the problems that have called for this solution. SB 284 establishes the same rules for companies who are already competing for the same customers.
Listed below are Customer Service Standards contained in the legislation:
• Video providers will maintain a local, toll-free phone line 24/7.
• Trained company reps must be available during normal business hours.
• Telephone answer time by a customer rep shall not exceed thirty seconds and transfer time on calls transferred shall not exceed thirty seconds. A 90 percent compliance rate is required.
• Customers will receive a busy signal no more than 3 percent of the time.
• Standard installations must be performed within seven business days. A 95 percent compliance rate is required.
• Service interruptions must be worked on no later than 24 hours after the interruption becomes known. A 95 percent compliance rate is required.
• An appointment window for installation and service calls will be either at a specific time or, at a maximum, a four-hour time block. A 95 percent compliance rate is required.
• An operator may not cancel an appointment with a customer after the close of business on the business day prior to the scheduled appointment. A 95 percent compliance rate is required.
• If a service rep is running late for an appointment with a customer and will not be able to keep the appointment as scheduled, the customer will be contacted and the appointment rescheduled at a time when convenient for the customer.
• Refund checks will be issued promptly, but no later than 30 days following the request or within the customer’s next billing cycle, whichever is earlier.
• Credits for service will be issued no later than the customer’s next billing cycle following the determination that a credit is warranted.
• Should a provider not comply with these requirements, a local municipality could seek to revoke the provider’s authority to provide service via an administrative process.
Today SB 284 was Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed by the Senate and is on its way to the Governor for his signature.
| | | March 6, 2007
The Local Government Committee voted do pass on HCS HB 184, establishing the Children's Services Protection Act which prohibits any sales tax revenue levied to provide services for children in need to be diverted to any tax increment financing plan or project.
From here the bill will go to the Rules Committee and then, if passed, will be placed on the House Calendar by the Speaker.
Hopefully we can pass this legislation to keep dollars from be diverted away from children's services.
Thank you to Rep. Vicki Schneider, Local Government Committee Chair, for giving me the opportunity to present this legislation. | | | March 1, 2007
Below is a Press Release sent from the Alzheimer's Association:
Each year the Alzheimer's Association, St. Louis Chapter, honors those who have shown an outstanding commitment to expanding care and services for people with dementia with the Leadership of the Year Award.
This year Rep. Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, is one of the honorees.
Representative Dempsey earned the Leadership of the Year Award because of his work with helping to increase funding for Alzheimer Service Grants. The grants help expand programs and services, including family education, outreach and respite for family caregivers. Thanks to Rep. Dempsey’s efforts, the grants doubled in amount.
The Alzheimer's Association will present Rep. Dempsey with the award on Tuesday, March 13th during the Memory Day ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda. He and two other recipients will be honored at a reception in the statehouse later that day.
The Alzheimer's Association, St. Louis Chapter, sincerely thanks Rep. Dempsey for his tireless efforts and leadership support on behalf of individuals with Alzheimer’s and their families.
The Alzheimer’s Association, St. Louis Chapter, serves 38 counties in eastern Missouri and western Illinois, offering numerous programs for those dealing with the many stages and issues of the disease. The Alzheimer’s Association’s mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. For additional information about the disease, family support or research, visit the Alzheimer's Association, St. Louis Chapter website at www.alzstl.org or call the 24-hour Helpline at 800-980-9080.
| | | February 27, 2007
The House schedule for the next four weeks of session will tentatively be as follows:
Monday, March 5
4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 6
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 8
10:00 a.m.
Monday, March 12
4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 13
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 14
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 15
10:00 a.m. - ?
(Spring Break begins upon adjournment)
Monday, March 26
4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 27
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 28
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 29
10:00 a.m.
Friday, March 30
10:00 a.m.
(Technical Session only – last day to file bills. Bills must be filed by 3:00 p.m.)
| | | February 20, 2007
My name is Rhoda Hays, and I am an intern for Representative Dempsey. I am a freshman at Lincoln University; I am working toward a Bachelor of Science with a major in Political Science. I am only a part time intern, because my time is limited. But the time that I have spent here has been very rewarding, I have learned much about how our government works.
I grew up as the daughter of a poor preacher, with a dream to go to college and make something of my life. I have always loved being involved in government and learning how it works. Representative Dempsey and his staff have made me feel very welcome, and answered many of my questions. I appreciate his conservative stand, and his compassion for people. I am looking forward to a very interesting and rewarding session.
| | | February 15, 2007
Today’s Daily Message is provided by Representative Dempsey’s intern, Kyle Steele.
My name is Kyle Steele, and I am interning in Representative Dempsey’s office for the 94th General Assembly. I am currently a junior at the University of Missouri – Columbia, pursuing a degree in History, and a Business minor. After I have completed my undergraduate career, I plan on attending law school. My experience as a House of Representatives intern is in conjunction with the Civic Leaders Internship Program, which is offered through the Honors College at Mizzou.
I was born and raised in St. Charles, Missouri, and that is why I was initially attracted to Representatives Dempsey’s office in particular. Upon researching his political career before my internship, I began to assimilate that he has always been an extremely motivated and concerned civil servant. My time spent in his office has only solidified my assumptions. Both Representative Dempsey and his staff have made me feel completely welcome in what can be an intimidating atmosphere at the Capitol. In the short time that I have spent interning, I have had numerous valuable experiences. Further, I look forward to whatever I may encounter throughout the entirety of the session, and am honored to be a part (if only a small one) of this outstanding office.
| | | February 14, 2007
In recent years, the State of Missouri has seen a significant increase in ballot initiative petitions offered to the people of Missouri. This practice has resulted in cases of election fraud in the signature-gathering phase. Organizations pay people to collect signatures, and many times they are paid by the signature. This has led to cases of workers falsifying signatures or information to increase their payment. I look to end the practice of using paid petition circulators in hopes of reducing election fraud.
I have no problem with any citizen trying to place an issue on the ballot. I just want it done fairly and by the law. It is my belief the writers of the Constitution developed initiative petitions in order to inspire and provide a voice for ‘grassroots’ ideas that truly reflected the sentiments of the citizens involved; however, when a person is paid by the signature, which is becoming commonplace, it becomes in their best interest to achieve a higher number of signatures leaving the process susceptible to fraud.
Currently, the law requires that all petition circulators be over the age of eighteen and registered with the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office. Each petition circulator must register their name, the petition issue, their address, whether they have been or expect to be paid for their work, and who paid them or offered them compensation. Current law also states that any signatures turned in by an unregistered circulator shall not be counted.
HB 863, which I filed today, would prohibit a registered petition circulator to receive any type of compensation for their work. I believe that this bill will make the ballot initiative petition system more open and honest. Gathering signatures for an issue a citizen feels strongly about should be done out of a sense of duty not out of financial gain. This will make our entire election process better. | | | February 13, 2007
For the remainder of the week, I plan to finish the House Bills for Third Reading calendar, which includes the Medical Assistance for the Working Disabled bill (HCS HB 39), as well as the Pharmacy bill (HCS HB 545 & 590).
Today we started on Speaker Jetton's Social Security Tax Cut bill (HCS HB 444, et al.), which we will continue to debate tomorrow. There are 14 amendments distributed on that bill, which will take some time to get through. | | | February 12, 2007
I have several bills being heard in Committee tomorrow.
HB 184 establishes the Children's Services Protection Act which prohibits any sales tax revenue levied to provide services for children in need to be diverted to any tax increment financing plan or project.
HB 551 establishes the Line of Duty Compensation Act which authorizes a claim to be filed with the Division of Workers' Compensation on behalf of public safety workers who are killed in the line of duty.
HB 579 allows for the deployment of health care professionals licensed, registered, or certified in Missouri or any other state in an emergency and grants them with immunity from civil damages.
HB 674 requires the Department of Public Safety to establish rules for fire protection sprinkler systems in long-term care facilities and allows rules for systems in all state-owned offices and facilities.
HB 184 will be heard in the Local Government Committee at 8:00 a.m. in Hearing Room 6.
The other three bills will be heard in the Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee at noon in Hearing Room 6. | | | February 8, 2007
This legislative session is off to a very busy start.
We have seen an unusually high number of bills filed this year compared to last year, or the year before.
By the end of February 8, 2005, there were 482 bills filed, and by the end of February 8, 2006, there were 716 bills filed.
This year 828 bills have already been filed. | | | February 7, 2007
The slide of employer sponsored health care and rapid increases in insurance premiums has strained family budgets and made health care insurance out of reach for many Missourians. During my last term, we took steps to rein in runaway medical costs by enacting legislation to reduce frivolous lawsuits, outrageous jury awards, and escalating insurance premiums. These problems created a crisis for the medical community and the Legislature responded. Health care affordability is again a top priority for the Missouri House of Representatives. With our fiscal house in order we are working on a new program for low income Missourians. We are also taking several steps to reduce the number of uninsured Missourians by making long-term health care insurance payments fully deductible, providing incentives for small businesses and their employees, and reinstating benefits for the working disabled.
In his State of the State address, Gov. Matt Blunt outlined his principles for a new health care program for low income Missourians called MO HealthNet. This new program is designed to promote preventative care by establishing wellness plans monitored by primary care physicians. Increasing reimbursement rates for doctors is another part of the plan. While Medicaid treats the symptoms of diseases like Type 2 diabetes, the goal of Healthnet is to help consumers make better choices and fight the causes of Type 2 diabetes. Better health habits will lead to success in other areas of people’s lives.
Of course, many people are paying for their own health care and it hasn’t gotten easier. Our family budget has been squeezed by higher health insurance premiums, co pays, and monthly payments for braces, and I know there are many others who make difficult choices to meet their basic needs. I am cosponsoring legislation to make the cost of long term health care insurance fully tax deductible. The Governor has included this as a priority in this year’s budget and we are moving toward passage. We should help people who plan and pay for their future health needs.
We are taking several steps to reverse the slide of employer supported health insurance this year. I support proposed legislation that allows employer and employee health plan contributions to be made with tax-free dollars. In addition, the Governor has proposed a franchise tax cut for companies who provide insurance for their employees. There is a greater recognition in the Legislature that a quality job is a job that includes health benefits.
Next week, the House will take up legislation to renew the Medical Assistance for the Working Disabled program. The program was eliminated because the costs were not controlled and it grew well beyond its original $7 million projected cost. There is a group of people who have very high medical costs due to a disability. They make a difficult choice to be totally dependent on the state and federal government or to work and lose thousands of dollars in health care benefits. A job provides income and gives personal satisfaction. This revamped program will reward work and lead to greater independence for more than 4,000 disabled Missourians.
People who lack the ability to pay for their own medical care have turned to the state and uncompensated care when they are in need. For too many people, a trip to the emergency room is their only visit to a doctor. That care is paid for through our taxes and cost shifting to paying customers. As promised, I am working on health care affordability, encouraging small business owners to provide health care for valued employees, and providing assistance to people who pay for their own health insurance. Finally, we are reshaping our health care safety net by focusing on the causes of illness and asking people to be proactive in their choices when the state is paying for their health care.
| | | February 6, 2007
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) is an independent organization governed by a seven member commission with its own spending authority and a dedicated revenue stream. The state does provide a small amount of general revenue for transportation needs and reviews MODOTs budget.
Several years ago, to encourage communication, restore public confidence, and add accountability in transportation decisions, the Legislature passed legislation creating the State of Transportation address to be given by the Director of Transportation who works on behalf of the Transportation commission.
Tomorrow, Director Pete Rahn will be giving the 2007 State of Transportation address to the General Assembly.
| | | February 5, 2007
A Post-Dispatch editorial dated 2/4/07, states that the tax cut proposal on Social Security benefits is not needed. It goes on to say that only the wealthy would receive the tax break and in some pensions the first $6000 is already not taxed. I am a co-sponsor of House Bill 444 which authorizes an income tax deduction for any Social Security benefits received, regardless of your age or income. I feel that people should not pay tax on Social Security benefits when they’ve already paid taxes on their earnings.
A new poll question asks for your opinion. Click on the Polls section on the left and voice your opinion.
| | | February 1, 2007
After the Katrina disaster, BJC and others helped establish a triage center to care for those who were displaced due to the storm. It was very difficult to staff the center because doctors and other skilled health care workers were concerned about their exposure to lawsuits. Many were hesitant to provide emergency care because of unknown insurance risks.
I am again filing legislation which would grant civil immunity for health care professionals in a declared disaster, HB 579. The bill is similar to last year’s HB 1118. After working on language with attorneys and hospital staff, HB 1118 passed the House with 145 votes and was moving toward passage before a filibuster shut down the Senate on the last day of session.
| | | January 31, 2007
Among many other things this weekend, I will be attending the 2006 Annual Saint Charles Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Years and Lifetime Distinguished Service Awards Banquet and Celebration.
This year’s winners are:
Citizen of the Years: Dan Borgmeyer
Dan is the owner and President of Borgmeyer Advertising and has served in various sales and advertising positions with such well-known companies as Carnation Milk, KIRL AM Radio and Jackson Waterbury Advertising. Dan is also the past president of the Saint Charles Chamber of Commerce and has provided leadership to such clubs and organizations as the Boys and Girls Club of Saint Charles County, the Board of Directors for Duchesne High School, the Parents Coordinating Council, the Academy of the Sacred Heart, the Endowment Board for Saint Cletus Parish and the Historical Restoration Committee for Saint Charles Borromeo Parish.
Lifetime Distinguished Service Awards:
Civic: Don Boschert, Jr.
Cultural: Bill Goellner
Humanitarian: Cathy Glosier
Chamber Champion: Dawn Peterson
Congratulations to all of the Award recipients, and thank you for all of your help in Saint Charles.
| | | Janaury 30, 2007
The first bill to hit the floor this year was HB 15, a supplemental budget bill providing $6.3 million for home heating assistance. The Missouri Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which is administered by the Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, is designed to help pay heating bills for those Missourians in need of assistance during the months of October-March.
Missouri’s Utilicare program was created in 1979 to help Missourians with winter heating costs but did not receive funding from 2001-2005. Last year, the program was funded for the first time in 5 years.
HB 15 was perfected today and will be third read on Thursday, after which time it will head to the Senate for debate.
For information concerning eligibility requirements, you can contact the North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC), 16 North Court Street, Bowling Green, MO 63334, or by phone at 573-324-2231. Following is a link to their website: http://www.communityaction.org/CAA%20Service%20Area/NECAC.htm
| | | January 29, 2007
I filed a bill today that would increase accountability for public utilities regulated by the Public Service Commission. Three major outages in the past nine months have created real hardships for people dependent on electricity. People with limited mobility or who have medical equipment at home were adversely affected. Other people lacked family to stay with, the means to stay in a hotel, or the ability to rent a portable generator. Electric utilities should be held to a higher standard. The past storms have caused real concerns about utilities’ ability to meet our energy needs. My legislation, if enacted, will increase accountability and push for reliability.
The bill provides a tiered credit for customers who lose their power. If a customer loses power for at least 48 hours, the electrical company that services the home would provide a $50 credit to the customer’s account, plus expenses directly related to the outage. If the outage goes beyond a week, the credit would be increased up to $100.
If there are more than three occasions in one year when a home is without power for at least 48 hours, the utility would be fined $2,000 per day per home. The fines would be forwarded to the local school district of the affected residence. In the event of a natural disaster, the PSC would have discretion to provide relief to the utility. Finally, it is the intent of the legislation that the cost would be born by shareholders, not ratepayers.
As property owners, we can help protect electrical infrastructure. However, as the caretaker of the system, electrical service providers are charged with the primary responsibility of maintaining their infrastructure. This legislation will help restore public confidence in our utilities and make sure that energy companies are making their best effort to keep the power on.
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Tonight’s State of the State Address will probably be the most covered event in the media tonight and tomorrow. What may not get a lot of coverage is that the House, today, voted overwhelmingly, by a vote of 118 to 37, to reject a pay increase for elected officials, which included a pay raise for all State Representatives and State Senators. The Resolution was HCR 13, and can be found at http://www.house.mo.gov/bills071/biltxt/intro/HCR0013I.htm. | | | January 23, 2007
A key priority for the Missouri House this year is eliminating the tax on Social Security benefits. The proposal would allow any taxpayer to subtract from his/her Missouri adjusted gross income the amount of Social Security benefits included in his/her federal adjusted gross income. I have received some emails on the subject. An email from a constituent reads as follows:
“I am a 70 year old widow. Removing the paying of the Missouri state tax from my income would be fantastic.” She added, “I need to supplement my SS (Social Security) with a part time job. This part time employment requires me to pay my own SS which is a double wammy (and checking with the SS office I get NO benefit from this deduction since it is not counted toward what I have paid in). I am paying SS on my SS. This doesn’t seem fair to me. Any increase in my pocket would be a great benefit. I am not at the poverty level and do not want to be there, but I am not wealthy either.”
Another gentleman had these comments: “Anyone with a calculator and a third grade education can figure out how punitive double taxation is to seniors.”
Missouri is one of only fifteen states which currently taxes Social Security benefits. In 2006, a Legislative survey was sent to constituents in the 18th District. Over 1000 people responded and the results were posted in the End of Session report. One of the questions asked “Should Missouri eliminate pension and retirement taxes?” Eighty-nine percent of those who responded were in favor of the tax cut.
Taxing retirement benefits is an unfair burden on our Seniors. When people work their entire lives to support our society, raise their children, help their communities, and pay taxes, we should do everything possible to show our appreciation for that contribution.
Letting people keep their money will do more to help meet housing, food, and healthcare needs than a new program which would provide a fraction of the benefit.
The budget impact of the Social Security tax cut is expected to be $100-105 million. This is part of a larger than anticipated $300-500 million over revenue expectation. There will be competing proposals on the best use of this money.
I have supported eliminating taxes on Social Security and pension benefits since first running for state office. After several years of budget shortfalls, a rebounding economy and better management of state spending have provided an excellent opportunity to eliminate this double taxation.
The current poll question on my website (www.TomDempsey.org) asks your opinion on the process to amend the Missouri Constitution by initiative petition. Please let me know your thoughts.
| | | The State of the State Address is this Wednesday, January 24th. It will be available on the following websites, radio stations and Charter Cable:
KMOV.com, Live Web Cast
KSDK.com, Live Web Cast
KWMU
KWRE
Charter Channel 8 in Saint Charles
Below is the entire schedule for the House of Representatives this year.
January
3 Session begins – 12:00 p.m.
10 Joint Session – State of the Judiciary Address – 10:30 a.m.
15 Martin Luther King Day – No Session
24 Joint Session – State of the State Address – 7:00 p.m.
February
7 Joint Session – State of Transportation Address – 10:30 a.m.
March
15 SPRING BREAK BEGINS – Upon Adjournment
26 SPRING BREAK ENDS – Reconvene at 4:00 p.m.
April
1 Last Day for Introduction of Bills
9 EASTER BREAK
May
11 Appropriation Bills must be Truly Agreed and Finally Passed – 6:00 p.m.
18 SESSION ENDS – 6:00 p.m.
30 Adjournment per Constitution
September
12 Veto Session
| | | January 18, 2007
In addition to serving as the Majority Floor Leader and Chairman of the Ethics Committee, late last year I was appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Missouri Employee Retirement System(MOSERS).
The retirement system is one of the better managed state retirement systems in the country with a market value of $7.5 billion. Last year the fund earned 12%, about $240 million more than was actuarially assumed.
While several states borrowed against their pension systems to balance the budget during the last recession, the Governor and Missouri Legislature resisted that unwise financial decision. The system is sound and future legislatures have not been left with increased debt obligations.
Here is a reminder to look at the current poll question asking your opinion on changes to the initiative petition process for the Missouri Constitution. | | | Capitol Report – January 17, 2007
My thanks goes out to the hundreds of line workers who worked to restore power in St. Charles and surrounding counties. Many came from great distances. All worked long hours in cold, wet conditions to restore electricity. Working on power lines is extremely dangerous and I am reminded of the tragic death of a worker this past summer and it is a certainty that there have been too many others.
I have four words for Ameren Electric management, “Get your act together.” For the third time in less than one year, there were severe power outages experienced throughout the St. Louis region. Destructive storms wreaked havoc on electrical infrastructure bringing down trees, limbs, power lines, and poles. Those outages, measured by days not hours, created real hardships for many people. The storm that hit this past summer resulted in tree damage few have witnessed in our community and 500,000 homes went dark. A severe ice storm last month knocked out power to approximately 300,000 homes in Ameren’s service area – extremely bad luck for a company already burdened by a disaster at Taum Sauk and a bad summer. After the last two episodes, my only reasoning for the 150,000 homes that lost electricity this past weekend is poor long-range planning by our largest energy provider.
The State of Missouri granted Ameren Electric and other utilities a great privilege when it permitted those companies to operate as monopolies in their respective service areas. The benefits to the State include access to service by everyone in the area, an integrated distribution system, and less of an intrusion on rights of way and private property rights. In return, the companies have no competition and a reasonable return on their investment.
I am an advocate for affordable and reliable energy. Recent events have shown that our system of delivering electricity is not reliable. With great power comes great responsibility. Ameren and the others have the responsibility to develop long-term policies to ensure the security of the grid. They should be strong advocates for burying lines and replacing older infrastructure. While few enjoy their trees being trimmed or cut down, it should have been a much bigger part of policy and public awareness. At the very least, they should have been a harbinger of doom – warning states, local governments, and individuals that poorly placed seedlings and lack of pruning could lead to a crisis.
Destructive storms will continue to occur and there will be other power outages. Better planning and decision making will contribute to smaller outages and a faster recovery.
When MODOT asked for a tax increase a few years ago, it was overwhelmingly rejected. Citizens spoke loudly and clearly. They want confidence restored before granting any additional money for roads. Ameren is currently under consideration for a rate increase. The Public Service Commission should restore public confidence before granting any increase.
Please do not hesitate to contact me on any issues of concern to you. I appreciate and welcome your comments.
| | | January 16, 2007
On Friday evening, about 11:00pm, the Dempsey home went dark. At 4:05 pm today, after a pole was replaced a couple of houses down, I'm happy to say power was restored.
My gratitude goes out to the hundreds of line workers who continue to work from morning to late evening in cold conditions restoring service to the tens of thousands affected by the ice storms. Several hundred homes in St. Charles County are still without power at this time.
I will have more to say about the storms and Ameren's response in this week's Capitol Report. | | | January 11, 2007
This week I was named the Chairman of the House Committee on Ethics. The Ethics Committee may consider and report upon complaints referred to it relating to a member of the House involving the commission of a crime, misconduct, willful neglect of duty, corruption in office or other complaints relating to the ethical conduct of a member.
The Committee is authorized to sit and act at any time or place within the State of Missouri during the recess and adjournment periods of the House, administer oaths, and take testimony, either orally or by sworn statement.
Also this week, I had a good conversation with Rep. El-Amin (D-St. Louis) about working with me on one of my legislative priorities, requiring cell phone users to use a hands free device while talking on the phone and driving.
The bill has been drafted and will be filed shortly. I am currently seeking co-sponsors to the bill, and fellow Representative Joe Smith (R-St. Charles) has expressed interest.
| | | January 10, 2007
Today we heard the State of the Judiciary Address from the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court, Michael Wolff. In attendance today were the members of the House and Senate, as well as Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, State Auditor Susan Montee, State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, and the Judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri.
He began his speech by bringing up the Dred Scott case as a low point of jurisprudence in the State of Missouri. The case before the court was that of Dred Scott v. Sanford. Dred Scott, a slave who had lived in the free state of Illinois and the free territory of Wisconsin before moving back to the slave state of Missouri, had appealed to the Supreme Court in hopes of being granted his freedom, which was denied.
Judge Wolff also announced a new plan to study the work load of Judges to determine the best use of resources and to look at the methodology being used by other states on how to best spend the public dollar.
The Missouri Bar Association would be responsible for putting together the plan for judge evaluation. The Bar would convene a commission of lawyers and non-lawyers to evaluate judges. The goal, as he sees it, would be to make those evaluation findings easily understandable and readily available to the public.
Lastly, he spoke in support of the recommendations of the Missouri Citizens’ Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials which included a pay increase for judges, adding that it had been over 7 years since the last Judicial pay raise.
Don't forget to check out the new poll on initiative petitions. | | | January 9, 2007
The narrow passage of Amendment 2 has spurred discussion around the State about the initiative petition process and the threshold to successfully change the Constitution.
Initiative and Referendum petitions are handled by the Office of Secretary of State, including the oversight of signature verification.
Before a petition can be circulated, groups must first have the form of the petition and a summary statement approved by the Secretary of State and Attorney General. A fiscal impact statement is added by the State Auditor.
For an initiative petition changing state law to be placed on the ballot, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to five percent of the total votes cast in the last gubernatorial election in six of Missouri's nine congressional districts.
For an initiative petition changing the state constitution to be placed on the ballot, signatures are needed from registered voters equal to eight percent of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election in six of the state's nine congressional districts.
For a referendum petition placing a bill that has just been passed by the Legislature on the ballot, signatures are needed from registered voters equal to five percent of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election in six of the state's nine congressional districts.
In 2002, 32 initiative petitions were approved for circulation and three were returned with signatures for approval. Two were ultimately certified for the November 2002 ballot. The elections division also oversees the collection of signatures for new political parties and the nomination of independent candidates for offices that file with the Secretary of State.
Missouri is one of 24 states that allows its citizens the opportunity to make changes in state laws and the Missouri Constitution through the petition process.
Several ideas are being discussed, including an increase in the number of valid signatures required on a petition, or increasing the majority (50.1%+) to a supermajority (60%+) for passage. Other ideas include passing the resolution for two consecutive years and/or prohibiting the use of paid signature gatherers.
This week’s poll question asks your opinion. | | | January 8, 2007
Congratulations to Ben Chambers from Duchesne High School for winning the district competition of the 73rd Annual American Legion High School Oratorical Contest. The competition began in Kansas City in 1934 and went national in 1938. The American Legion has awarded over $3 million in college scholarships since its inception. Mr. Chambers will move on to the next round of competition.
To enhance interest in Missouri, Lindenwood University has pledged a minimum of $5000 in student aid for the 75-100 district winners, and the amount of student aid can go higher based on prior academic success, leadership, and extracurricular activities. The district winners must compete in the next round of competition to be eligible. Seven of the fifteen area high schools participated in the competition.
| | | The 94th General Assembly convened yesterday at 12 noon and elected Representative Rod Jetton (R-Marble Hill) to his second term as Speaker of the House.
Among other things, Speaker Jetton noted the state’s General Revenue grew by 9.3% during the 2006 fiscal year without a tax increase, over $800 million new dollars are going to public schools over the next seven years and meth incidents have decreased by more than forty percent. He also cited pro-life legislation that has contributed to a drop in the number of abortions performed in the state.
For the upcoming legislative session, Speaker Jetton called on legislators to:
Eliminate Missouri’s tax on Social Security benefits;
Propose a legislative solution to the St. Louis public schools crisis;
Establish a scholarship program for all Missouri students wanting to attend college in Missouri;
Make English the official language for all state proceedings; and
“We’ve made a lot of progress over the past two years. Missouri is moving in the right direction,” said Speaker Jetton, “but on behalf of all Missourians, it’s time to continue moving ahead. And with these priorities, I believe we can and we will.”
| | | Today, we convene the 94th General Assembly. The day is largely ceremonial.
Secretary of State Robin Carnahan will strike the gavel to begin the session and will then introduce Supreme Court Justice Laura Denvir Stith to administer the oath of office to the new members of the House.
A Temporary Speaker of the House will be selected to conduct the election for Speaker of the House which is expected to be Rep. Rod Jetton.
The Speaker will give his remarks outlining his/her vision for the upcoming session and then conduct the election of the Speaker Pro Tem.
The Speaker Pro Tem is expected to be Carl Bearden. Upon his selectionas Speaker Pro Tem, he will give his remarks.
The evening will conclude tonight with the ceremonial walk down the grand staircase where each State Representative will be introduced.
We hope you can join us this evening.
Sincerely,
Tom Dempsey | |
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