A Moment with Mike -- 2012 Session Ends

As the clock struck 6 p.m. and stacks of papers were tossed into the air, the 2012 legislative session came to a close.  It is hard to believe that is has been almost five months since we started this session, anticipating a poor economy, budget shortages and how we could make a positive difference for our state.  As I look back over the session, I believe that we accomplished some good things, including a balanced budget without increasing taxes.  Hundreds of bills were filed and many issues were debated.  There were some bills that were passed, soon to become law, that will make a difference in the lives of Missourians and I will discuss some of these in the coming weeks.  You will be receiving my end-of-session report soon that will highlight important changes in the law and where your tax dollars were spent in our $24 billion budget.
Government is at its best when it stays out of the way and refrains from imposing regulations that impair the ability of citizens and businesses to make a living.  We approved legislation last week that would require our state agencies to review the regulations they have in place on a regular basis and to remove the ones that are overly burdensome.  In essence, the bill improves legislative oversight and increases accountability of state bureaucracy.  It will require state agencies to review their regulations every five years to determine if they are outdated, duplicative or burdensome.  This legislation puts our state on a better path toward a streamlined government that cuts red tape and fosters an environment where businesses can grow and flourish.
Missouri residents who use cell phones will soon be able to benefit from the protections offered by our state’s No Call List.  The list, which is designed to prevent unwanted telemarketing calls, currently applies only to landlines.  It is a service that nearly 2 million Missourians utilize.  Unfortunately, cell phone users have not been able to benefit from this service.  Given the fact we’ve seen the use of landlines diminish as cell phones have become the primary form of communication; it only makes sense to expand the list to include cellular devices.   More importantly, we can protect all phone users, both landline and wireless, from these undesirable solicitations.  HB 1549 now awaits the governor’s signature before becoming law.
Another important piece of legislation now on its way to becoming law would protect employers who have a religious or moral objection to providing a health plan that offers coverage for abortion, contraception or sterilization.  The bill addresses a change made by the federal Affordable Care Act that currently forces religious-affiliated institutions such as hospitals or colleges to offer coverage for contraception.  The bill clearly states that neither employers nor health plan providers will be forced to cover services that contradict their religious or moral convictions.  It’s a straightforward, common sense change and one that we were forced to make in response to the overreaching hand of the federal government and the controversial health care plan it has pushed on our states.
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.