A Moment with Mike for January 28th, 2009

We are only a few weeks into the 2009 legislative session but already it is clear we are on pace to have one of our most productive sessions in years. Traditionally, the first month of session moves at a slower pace as we wait for committee assignments and then for legislation to begin making its way through the committee process. That is not the case this year as the business-like approach taken by House leadership has rapidly accelerated the process so we are on pace to consider major policy initiatives sooner rather than later. The time we are saving now will pay off immensely in the months to come as we have more time to dedicate to our Family Recovery Plan and to issues that matter most to Missouri families. This session has already seen more than 300 bills filed covering issues ranging from job creation to healthcare coverage. Those bills are now making their way to the 50 House committees that will do their best to hone them into effective pieces of legislation before sending them to the full House for debate.

One of the bills that is moving rapidly through the process will come before the House in the next few days. This piece of legislation is simple in design but carries with it a very powerful message that we as elected officials will not accept the pay raise recommended by the Missouri Citizens’ Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials. The House has voted against the pay raise proposal each time it has come up and this year will be no different.

Since November 2006, Article 13 of the constitution requires both the House and Senate to act on the recommendations given by the Commission before February 1. It takes a 2/3 vote in both the House and Senate to override the recommendation. If it fails to be overridden in either chamber, it becomes law. In 2007 the House voted to disapprove the Commission’s recommendation with an overwhelming majority, however the raise passed due to a lack of action from the Senate.

Being a year when revenue is short and budget cuts in many departments look evident and also a year that many in our state are without jobs and struggling to make ends meet, I cannot justify a raise for elected officials and will once again vote no on the recommended raise. I believe that any other course of action would be inappropriate and that the General Assembly must stand together to reaffirm that we are here to serve your best interest and not our own.

This session is off to an impressive start and I am excited to see what we can accomplish in the coming months. Whether it’s through our work on the budget, the Family Recovery Plan, or other legislation that addresses issues faced by Missourians; we will do our best to make Missouri an even better place to call home.


If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 114B State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.