A Moment with Mike for January 19th, 2011

The House got off to a quick start this week with multiple bills heard in committees and resolutions debated and passed on the House Floor. The first resolution debated was HR 39, which calls on the Attorney General to file an independent lawsuit or join 20 state attorneys general in their lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal health care reform legislation. The resolution passed by an overwhelming majority.

The House also adopted HR 38, which is the Rules of the House of Representatives for the 96^th General Assembly. Some of the key rule changes include reducing paper use by distributing amendments on the House floor electronically, giving additional power to the minority party to appoint members to standing committees of the House, and placing a ban on smoking in the East Gallery of the House Chamber. This resolution passed in an unprecedented, bipartisan, unanimous vote. This gives me hope that in the next few months, the House can come together and work effectively to move Missouri forward.

It is clear that Missouri needs to be more focused on creating jobs first and foremost in order to aid our ailing economy. One of the first bills heard in committee last week was HB 45 which focuses on small business relief. This bill would extend the prohibition on new taxes and fees on small businesses for five years. Additionally, for every new job these small businesses create, this bill would allow them to receive tax incentives. A small business may hesitate to expand or employ more people because the various taxes and fees associated with employment are overwhelming to them. This tax incentive should relieve some of this pressure and reward businesses who invest in new employees. According to the US Census Bureau, there are in excess of 100,000 small businesses in Missouri that employ less than twenty people. If this bill could encourage even a small fraction of these businesses to hire one or more new employees, there is a great potential for job growth statewide.

House Bill 73, a bill that has quickly gained a lot of support, was heard in committee last week. This bill seeks to safeguard Missouri tax dollars by preventing individuals who abuse illegal drugs from receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, welfare checks. In the data we have from 2010, we averaged around 85,000 individuals on TANF every month. None of these individuals are presently tested for illegal drugs as a condition of receiving their money. We are committed to making sure that the money this state collects from the taxpayers is spent wisely, not on illicit drugs.

For the next four months I will attempt to keep you informed on issues, bills and the budget process as they occur.

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 401B State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101