Volume 17, Edition 2   •  July 13, 2007

Governor Protects Sanctity of Human Life

In another powerful example of Governor Matt Blunt’s support for unborn human life, he has signed into law legislation that makes permanent the Alternatives to Abortion Program and takes action that will keep abortion providers like Planned Parenthood out of Missouri’s classrooms. The law also establishes the Missouri Alternatives to Abortion Public Awareness Program to provide services and counseling to pregnant women and assistance to women caring for their children or placing them up for adoption. The law bans abortion providers like Planned Parenthood from teaching in Missouri classrooms, to ensure students learn about sexual health and education from their teachers, parents and physicians, and not organizations that support or profit from abortions. The law also amends the definition of ambulatory surgical centers to include any entities operated for the purpose of performing or inducing any second or third trimester abortions, or at least five or more first trimester abortions per month.

Since taking office, the governor has worked to further the cause of life in Missouri. During his first year in office, the governor signed legislation that strengthened Missouri’s parental consent law; enacted important safety standards by requiring physicians who perform abortions to have hospital privileges within 30 miles of the abortion clinic; and ensured "next friends," those who have the authority to provide consent for abortions for minors, cannot be another minor or someone who would financially benefit from the abortion. Last year, the governor signed legislation authorizing an income tax credit for 50 percent of contributions to qualified pregnancy resource centers who provide assistance, support and an opportunity to choose life for women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. “All life is precious and needs to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect,” the governor said. “I will continue working with the Missouri General Assembly to pass strong pro-life legislation that respects the sanctity and dignity of all human life.”

New Website Provides Access to State Spending

Governor Blunt has consistently and successfully called for fiscal responsibility and transparency in how the state spends taxpayer dollars. This week, the governor signed an executive order launching the Missouri Accountability Portal (MAP), a free, Internet-based tool that provides easy-to-use data about state spending. The new site will help ensure that state government is accountable to its citizens. The Missouri Accountability Portal is one of the first comprehensive searchable databases of financial records based on real-time data in the nation. The portal, as its acronym MAP implies, provides citizens a map to how their tax dollars are being spent. The MAP site was established using existing state resources and is updated at the close of each business day to provide up-to-date access to information about how the state is spending your tax dollars, allowing citizens to demand fiscal discipline and responsibility. Users can search the MAP site by budget category, vendor or contract. Links to other public information maintained by the state are also available on the MAP site. In addition, state employees' salaries will be listed in a searchable database beginning January 1, 2008. The site can be found at www.mapyourtaxes.mo.gov. A link to the MAP site can also be found on the governor's web site at www.gov.mo.gov.

Training Funds to Boost Job Creation

The governor’s economic policies have led to the creation of almost 100,000 new jobs in Missouri, and this week he announced additional efforts to put even more Missourians back to work. The governor announced that the Missouri Department of Economic Development and its Division of Workforce Development have approved more than $1.2 million in state assistance to help companies offset costs associated with training and upgrading the skills of thousands of Missouri workers. Funds through the Customized Training Program will be used to facilitate skill training for 4,372 new and current employees at 40 Missouri companies. The funds are the first round of training grants to be released in the state's new fiscal year that began July 1. Companies will use the funds to pay for training programs customized to their potential industry and local needs. “We are continuing to enact pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives that have helped Missourians create nearly 100,000 new jobs since January 2005," the governor said. "The Customized Training Program is a pro-jobs approach to improving the education and skill levels of our workforce in Missouri. Missouri already has a strong, well-educated workforce, and this investment in the future will help enhance productivity and allow us to be more competitive in the global economy.” As part of his pro-growth policies, the governor has previously signed into law job-creating legislation including tax relief, lawsuit reform, workers compensation reform and the Quality Jobs Act.

Governor Signs Law Protecting Women Against Violence

Concerned about incidents of domestic violence in Missouri, Governor Blunt this week signed into law a bill what would provide greater protections for women who suffer domestic abuse or have been the victim of sex crimes. The law makes secret the identities of victims of sexual or domestic assault, stalking or forcible rape in otherwise public court records. The law increases the penalty for repeat offenses of first-degree domestic assault and prevents law enforcement from requiring someone who reports being the victim of a sexual offense to undergo a lie-detector test before starting a criminal investigation. Another key element of the law is the creation of a new program to provide victims of domestic violence and a few other crimes with an alternative address upon request. The law also spells out that health care providers cannot charge victims of sex crimes for a forensic exam to collect evidence and requires the state to cover all such exam costs, rather than first billing private insurance programs. Also contained in the law is a provision that allows a person who was a victim of child pornography to sue for damages years later, when he or she is an adult and realizes the harm caused. Governor Blunt’s protection of women stands in stark contrast to Jay Nixon’s thoughts on the issue.

Child Abuse Prevention Funding Announced By Governor

Governor Blunt’s continuing commitment to protecting Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens was on display this week when he announced that the Children's Trust Fund Board of Directors had approved and awarded more than $1.5 million in grants this year to 58 community-based child abuse prevention organizations. Located throughout Missouri, the organizations and agencies will provide programs that strengthen families to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect. Some of the funded prevention programs focus on home visitation and school-based sexual abuse prevention education. Several engage in mentoring programs that help pregnant and parenting teens by providing education, resources and support. Others provide parenting classes and introduce infant massage kits to new parents to encourage and develop positive bonding, and some programs provide safe cribs for infants. This funding continues to address grandparent and fatherhood initiatives, the Strengthening Families model, crisis nurseries, professional development training, and support of other underserved populations. CTF also invests in programs that support families of medically fragile babies and other special needs children who are at-risk of abuse. Four specific grants will help communities develop an integrated system of delivering health, family support and social services to children and families. “Our children are our future, and these important grants are making important investments to strengthen Missouri families and prevent child abuse and neglect,” the governor said. “This funding will provide education and services that nurture families and will provide resources and guidance to help families live without abuse and neglect.” For a complete list of CTF prevention projects funded, please visit www.ctf4kids.org or call 573-751-5147.

Lt. Gov. Kinder Launches State-of-the-Art Website

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder has launched a new state-of-the-art campaign website that will allow him to connect to hard-working Missourians and spread his message of proven, effective leadership. The website is located at http://teamkinder.com. The site allows Missourians to view Internet-only videos, connect with the Lieutenant Governor through social networking sites, read and comment on the blog which will be authored by the Lieutenant Governor, campaign staff, and supporters. The site also allows Missourians to donate to the campaign and stay in touch with the campaign team via e-mail and text messaging on cell phones.

Nixon, Democrats Shaken by GOP’s Anti-Abortion Ad

Jay Nixon was shaken and running for cover after his pro-abortion positions were exposed by The Associated Press in response to a Missouri Republican Party radio commercial contrasting Governor Blunt’s pro-life policies with Nixon’s pro-abortion stand. The AP story forces Nixon, through a campaign spokesman, to admit that he supports “reproductive rights,” which is Democrat-speak for abortion. But when asked to elaborate on Nixon’s position on abortion, the spokesman inexplicably “declined to elaborate.” Nixon also made the outrageous claim that his pro-abortion policies were supported by “mainstream” Missourians, a claim that was both insulting and factually incorrect. Meanwhile, Nixon refuses to elaborate on his support for partial birth abortion, refusing to elaborate on his views about Planned Parenthood's attempt to overturn a new state law to keep abortion providers out of Missouri schools and refusing to elaborate on his views about Missouri Right to Life and other pro-life organizations. Nixon’s blatant unwillingness to clearly and honestly tell Missourians that he supports abortion on demand, a position he has consistently taken, makes clear that he will do or say anything to try to get elected governor. Missourians should expect a candidate for governor to articulate coherent positions on important issues rather than trying to mislead voters and hide from the important questions Missourians want answered. The fact that Nixon is ashamed of his pro-abortion stance is no excuse for refusing to tell Missourians that he stands with radical groups like Planned Parenthood and NARAL and not with the average, pro-life Missourian.

Barnes Supports Needle Exchange Programs

A federal budget bill approved by Democrats in which taxpayer dollars would be used to pay for a needle-exchange program in Washington, D.C., is exactly the kind of radical proposal supported by Kay Barnes, who publicly backed a similar idea during a 1999 mayoral forum. The approval of funding by the U.S. House in an appropriations bill came just before the Fourth of July break, despite an amendment supported by U.S. Rep. Sam Graves to ban any funding for needle-exchange programs. The amendment was offered by U.S. Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., who said such programs “merely subsidize heroin use.” The vast majority of Missouri’s Sixth District residents would be against such blatant condoning of illegal drug use, and that is why Congressman Sam Graves voted to ban any funding of needle-exchange. Sadly, Barnes is in favor of needle-exchange programs. In a March 1999 mayoral forum, candidates were asked their views on needle-exchange programs and Barnes responded that she was supportive of needle-exchange programs used to prevent drug addicts from using dirty needles. This is yet another issue where Barnes’ radical position does not reflect the values of northwest Missouri.

Springfield News-Leader Praises Fiscal Responsibility

The Springfield News-Leader took notice recently of Governor Blunt’s commitment to ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. In an editorial discussing the governor’s decision to veto a bloated economic development bill, the newspaper praised the move because it had put fiscal responsibility ahead of partisan politics. The newspapers also encouraged lawmakers to work with the governor in the future to pare down the bill which, at its heart, was designed to expand economic development and promote job creation. “The governor has proven with this veto that he will stand up to a legislative body controlled by his own party if it doesn't practice the sort of fiscal discipline that has come to characterize his administration,” the editorial said. Read the entire editorial here.

MissouriPulse.com Post of the Week

Planned Parenthood Could Put Nixon On The Spot

Planned Parenthood is considering litigation following Gov. Blunt’s signing of HB 1055, which pro-abortion advocates claim could shut down two of the three remaining abortion clinics in Missouri.

If Planned Parenthood sues, Attorney General Jay Nixon, who supports abortion rights, will be faced with the same challenge he has bungled in the past. Will he fulfill his duties and vigorously defend the pro-life measure over his own objections and those of his base, or will he once again shirk his responsibilities by either blowing the case or outsourcing his duties as he has done before?

Our money is on Nixon defending the measure for purely political reasons. He actually tipped his hand a couple months ago following the U.S. Supreme Court’s partial-birth abortion ruling. Following that ruling, Nixon, who walked away from defending a partial-birth ban in 1999, made overtures that he would do his part to expedite the implementation of the Court’s ruling. Ah, yes, come see the softer side of pro-choice Jay.

Such blatant wind-chiming and political inoculation is not unexpected from Nixon, which is why it won’t be surprising if he attempts to defend the new law should Planned Parenthood sue. Much like Sen. McCaskill last year, Nixon has caught on to the necessity of running two campaigns—a campaign of blatant deception outside the city limits of St. Louis and Kansas City and a true blue liberal campaign in both cities.

Nixon's history of bungling the defense of pro-life measures makes his inoculation strategy essential. In 2003, the News-Leader offered a decent chronology of that which Nixon seeks to inoculate himself against. From “Abortion Foes Keep An Eye On Nixon”, News-Leader, 10/12/2003:

Nixon's abortion-rights credentials bothered anti-abortion lawmakers so much in 1997, they petitioned a federal judge to let them hire an outside attorney for their legal fight over family planning grants Planned Parenthood was receiving. Under pressure, Nixon eventually hired one himself, and in 1999 he also turned over the legal defense of a late-term abortion ban the General Assembly had enacted.

"The legislature is not comfortable with me on this issue because I'm pro-choice," Nixon said at the time.

Lawmakers had been trying for years to use restrictive budget language to block state grants from going to Planned Parenthood affiliates that also provided abortion services.

The case eventually went before the state Supreme Court twice, where justices avoided ruling on the merits of the restrictions. Instead, the court ruled last year that it was a conflict of interest for Nixon's staff to defend the Planned Parenthood contracts while an outside lawyer Nixon hired, Jordan Cherrick of St. Louis, represented lawmakers trying to block the contracts.

Nixon responded to the ruling by dropping the legal defense of the funding restriction and firing Cherrick, who had become a champion of anti-abortionists for his tough litigating.

Nixon defended his actions by saying, "I make this decision with the confidence that the legislature had their day in court."

"Legislating by appropriation is just not the way this one is going to happen," he said.

By then, the late-term abortion ban had been hopelessly entangled in litigation, where it remains today.

The halftime score: Planned Parenthood, 2. General Assembly, 0.

The Cornerstone - Leadership Institute Grassroots Activist & Communication Workshop

The Leadership Institute will be in St. Louis on August 2 at the Airport Marriott for a Grassroots Activist Workshop, and again on August 3 for a Grassroots Communication Workshop. The Leadership Institute's mission is to identify, recruit, train, and place conservatives in politics, government and the media. The workshops will focus on a variety of topics including: coalition development, volunteer recruitment and organization, message development, communication skills and event fundraising. The Missouri Republican Party encourages our interested grassroots leaders, volunteers and candidates to sign up for this important training program. Register online at www.gopwing.com.

Thoughts and Prayers

The Missouri Republican Party encourages Republicans across the state to keep these individuals in your thoughts and prayers:

Paul Busiek, husband of Mavis Busiek. Paul’s health concerns continue.

Major Daniel Ellinger, U.S. Army, son of 6th District State Committeewoman Carol Ellinger, who is beginning his second tour of Iraq.

Brian Grace, Director of Public Affairs at the Department of Economic Development, who has cancer.

Harold Hamann, father of 15th District State Committeewoman Peggy Adams, who was recently hospitalized.

Mike Keathley, Commissioner of Administration, who has cancer.
Teresa Kelley, Pettis County Committeewoman, who was seriously injured in an automobile accident.

Evelyn Kinker, mother of 21st District State Committeewoman Linda Leabo, who has heart problems.

Rosemary Kochner, 13th District State Committeewoman, who has continued health concerns.

State Rep. Scott Lipke, 157th House District, whose unborn daughter has been diagnosed with a heart condition.

Mary Mallien, 14th District State Committeewoman, who was recently hospitalized.

Bob Schwartz, 3rd District State Committeeman, who recently had surgery.

Dawn Sprick, daughter of 21st District State Committeeman Gary Harris, who has cancer.
Sign up for the GOP Voice • Join the MRP • Get Involved
{{ openrate() }}Click here to unsubscribe or change preferences