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Welcome to the new home of Lee's Summit Tribune. We are dedicated to providing you the most current and accurate news and events in Lee's Summit
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Be sure to vote Tuesday
Feb. 4, 2012
Gary L. Cross
Tuesday, citizens across Missouri will go to the polls to vote in the presidential primary election. And, while this year’s primary is nonbinding, it is still an opportunity for you to have a say in who should be the Republican presidential nominee.
As DeForest Soaries once said, “Voting is the foundational act that breathes life into the principle of the consent of the governed.” All power in government is derived from the citizens of this great land, and voting is the way you give that consent. This week, you will have your chance to raise your voice in choosing the direction of our country.
There has been a lot of news lately calling this years primary an exercise in futility. However, they are misguided. As someone who is active in Republican politics, I know that I will be paying close attention to the outcome of the primary before I attend the Republican caucuses on March 17. And your vote will be a factor in my decision on whom to support in the caucus.
Your vote is important and your voice in the process matters. Let the rest of America know who Missouri wants as the Republican presidential nominee. Please take the time to vote in the primary on Feb. 7.
HOUSE BEGINS WORK ON EMPLOYMENT LAW
This week we began discussion on the House floor on legislation that would address the disturbing trend of legal decisions we have seen in this state that have eroded the intent of Missouri’s employment law. With each court decision we have seen our state become more anti-business compared to the states around us – something that greatly impairs our ability to attract and retain businesses in Missouri. The bill we are considering now would reform the Missouri Human Rights Act regarding discrimination claims to more closely reflect federal Title VII protection. It’s similar to legislation we approved last year that was ultimately vetoed by the governor. We’re hopeful this year will see this important change make its way into law.
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.
MISSOURI’S NO CALL LIST, MODERNIZED
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.
Please contact Gary L. Cross with any suggestions that you may have for Missouri legislation. Also, if you should experience problems in contacting or resolving an issue with a Missouri state agency, please feel free to call his Capitol office at 573-751-1459 or email gary.cross@house.mo.gov.
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