House Approves Bills in Special Session

The Missouri House this week approved a bill to repair or replace more than 800 Missouri bridges and a separate economic development package that includes an expansion of the governor’s successful Quality Jobs Act. The bills were approved overwhelmingly during the first week of a special legislative session called by Gov. Matt Blunt. The economic development bill passed 129-20 while the bridge bill was approved 135-14. The bridge bill will allow contractors to access the bonds needed for road construction projects while the economic development bill expands the highly successful Quality Jobs Act by increasing its capacity from $12 million to $40 million. The package would also increase the Enhanced Enterprise Zone capacity from $7 million to $14 million and create a state match for the federal New Markets tax credit which brings investment to economically distressed areas. “Missourians have created nearly 85,000 jobs since January 2005 and thousands of these new jobs relied upon the Quality Jobs Act that we created during my first year as governor. I applaud House members for taking swift action to approve an economic development bill with pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives including the expansion of the Quality Jobs Act,” the governor said in a statement. “I also commend the House for approving legislation that will make Missouri bridges safer and sounder. The recent tragedy in Minnesota illustrates the importance of our effort to repair or replace 800 Missouri bridges and the House took a big step today to help us continue improving our transportation infrastructure.” Both bills head next to the Senate, which is expected to take up the measures next week.

Public Input Sought on Judicial Nominees

As part of his ongoing assessment of three Supreme Court candidates, Governor Blunt is inviting Missourians to review panelists’ initial responses to an expansive 111 question review of their professional credentials and experience. As part of Governor Blunt’s thorough and careful review of the qualifications and experience of the three Supreme Court candidates, his office asked the three candidates to complete an expansive questionnaire. The questions and answers are available for anyone to review at http://gov.missouri.gov. The answers posted are as presented by the candidates to date. Not all the questions were answered by the panelists, but the governor’s office will make any additional information or answers provided by the candidates available. Some addendums or referenced materials noted in the candidates’ answers comprise more than 1,000 pages, which was not practical to post online. However, these documents are available through public resources or may be accessed through the governor’s office by request. The governor and his staff are thoroughly reviewing each candidate, their official background checks, public documents and available information related to the qualifications and experience of each candidate. Judges, local and state bar association members, community leaders and citizens also are weighing in as a part of the information gathering process. In addition, letters of reference and recommendations are being collected, confirmed and assembled. The Appellate Judicial Commission is made up of the presiding chief justice, three lawyers chosen by the Missouri Bar and three people appointed by governors. Governor Blunt has appointed only one of the three commissioners, and the others were appointed by former Democrat Governor Bob Holden. The governor has 60 days to appoint one of the three nominated candidates to the Supreme Court. “We are making every effort to be thorough and diligent in our review of the three candidates’ experience and qualifications and will continue sharing what we have learned with the people of Missouri,” the governor said. “As Missourians expect, my staff and I are continuing to collect and examine all available information about the candidates so that I can make an informed decision.”

Governor Speaks to VFW Convention

Governor Blunt honored our military veterans who represent the best our country has to offer and discussed his efforts to enact legislation to assist Missouri veterans and their families during the VFW National Convention this week. During his remarks, the governor highlighted how our veterans and current military heroes serve for our freedom and country rather than personal glory. Governor Blunt discussed that throughout the history of the world, there has never been any organization that has done as much for freedom as the Armed Forces of the United States of America. “Our veterans understand what it means to sacrifice for a high ideal, and for that they deserve the respect and gratitude of a grateful nation,” said the governor, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis who serves as a lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserves. “I have the greatest respect for those who have worn the uniforms of our Armed Forces. May God continue to bless our veterans and our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines currently stationed around the world.” The governor is a strong supporter for Missouri’s veterans. He signed legislation to enact additional protections for War on Terror Veterans to ensure that their jobs, wages and benefits were kept for them during the time they were called to serve our country. The legislation established a state fund to benefit War on Terror veterans who apply for unemployment assistance related to their time serving. To fund that program, the bill also established state penalties for employers who violated the law. The state budget signed by the governor this year increased money for Missouri’s veterans’ homes by $8.7 million. Earlier this year the governor signed legislation that established the Stolen Valor Act to put in law fit punishment for those who impersonate military heroes and that increases grants to fund Veterans Service Officers.

Missouri Students Hear from Governor

Governor Blunt’s success putting students first is having a significant impact on all levels of learning, and this week the governor celebrated Back to School with visits with students from pre-school to college who have benefited from his leadership. As Missouri students return to school, the governor is highlighting a few of the successful programs he has enacted for Missouri students and classrooms. Since taking office, Governor Blunt secured more than half a billion dollars in new funding for Missouri students and classrooms. In addition, this year the governor signed a landmark higher education bill that increases funding for higher education, provides tuition stabilization and dramatically increases needs-based scholarship funding from $27.5 million to $72.5 million. As part of the governor’s focus on Back to School, he visited and read to Missouri’s youngest students participating in the Parents As Teachers Program for which he has increased funding by $4 million. He also visited with elementary school students in a technology classroom that is part of the governor’s initiative to expand technology to 100 additional classrooms in 100 schools. Blunt talked with high school students taking part in an innovative math program and with higher education students benefiting from improved scholarship opportunities on campuses. “Ensuring our students have access to a world class education continues to be my highest priority,” Governor Blunt said. “Everywhere I go in Missouri I see the positive changes we are making to benefit all Missouri students, from our youngest to our most experienced. I am committed to Missouri’s schoolchildren and will continue to build on the world class programs we have introduced and provide even more state funding to support Missouri classrooms.”

Campus Safety Report Released by Governor

As students begin returning from summer break, Governor Blunt this week released the recommendations of his 29-member Campus Security Task Force to help improve the safety and security of students, educators and visitors of Missouri’s many higher education facilities. The governor formed the task force shortly after the tragedy on the Virginia Tech campus in April. Over the past three months the group has examined the safety and security at Missouri’s higher education institutions by drawing upon the knowledge and experience of its members and from other concerned individuals throughout the state. Through collection of data, vibrant debate and careful deliberation, task force members reached agreement on several key areas of improvement, including increased communication among local and university law enforcement; university and college faculty, staff and students; and state and federal partners who could assist in the event of an emergency. The report also recognizes mental health as a key function of any emergency operations plan and the need for more widespread education about the mental health needs of responders and victims. To access the full report of the Governor’s Campus Security Task Force, click here.

Governor, Dempsey Fight Sexual Predators

Governor Blunt is supporting a new initiative backed by Rep. Tom Dempsey that would require sex offenders to register their email addresses and electronic identities with law enforcement to keep our children safe from sexual predators. Rep. Dempsey’s proposal requires convicted sex offenders to submit their email addresses, instant messaging names, and any other electronic identifiers to the sex offender registry. The information would then be available to the public – including parents as well as Internet service providers, instant messaging companies, and social networking sites. Registered sex offenders will only be allowed to use email addresses or other Internet-based identifiers that they provide to the sex offender registry. Violations will be treated the same as violations of other sex offender registry requirements, with the severity of punishment relating to the severity of the sex offender’s underlying conviction. In addition, the proposed legislation will give prosecutors another tool to stop Internet predators. It will create the crime of Age Misrepresentation with Intent to Solicit a Minor. The penalty for preying on young victims will be a class D felony, punishable by up to four years in prison, with even stronger penalties for repeat offenders.

Senator Bond to Visit Moberly Next Week

Senator Kit Bond will speak on August 28 to a meeting of the Randolph Area Pachyderm Club in Moberly. The reception will begin at 6 p.m. at Nelly's Restaurant, followed by the buffet dinner at 7 p.m. The senator's address is scheduled to begin about 7:45 p.m. The senator will provide up-to-the-minute information about legislation passed and pending before Congress. The meeting is open to all interested citizens. Further information and reservations are available by contacting Ms. Mary Wolf at 660-269-8046 or marydwolf@sbcglobal.net.

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