Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
By the time this is read, the groundhog will have seen his shadow, but remember his correct percentage is only 39%. The Superbowl will have been played and the winner crowned and judging of the best commercials associated with it and the half time show still being evaluated.
THIS WEEK IN THE HOUSE:
Conscience Protection for Medical Workers (HB 1430)
The House Health Care Policy Committee heard testimony this week on a piece of legislation intended to protect health care workers who refuse to participate in procedures that violate their religious, moral or ethical beliefs. With the bill, physicians, nurses and medical researchers could refuse to participate in procedures and research that involve abortion, contraception and stem-cell research. It is legislation I support because it serves as a shield that would protect medical workers from being fired, suspended or demoted for refusing to participate in procedures they find to be objectionable. It’s also important to note that the bill would not allow health care workers to withhold emergency medical treatment needed to save the life of a patient.
House Committee Considers Bright Flight Expansion (HB 1308)
Also this week, the House Higher Education Committee listened to discussion on a bill that would make college more affordable for some of our state’s best students and hopefully entice them to stay in Missouri rather than attend college in another state. The bill would improve the level of financial assistance received by our highest performing students by adding a forgivable loan program to our existing Bright Flight scholarship. The loan amount would be up to $5,000 per academic year and would be forgiven on a year-for-year basis after graduation if the graduate stays and works in Missouri.
The goal with this idea is to keep our best and brightest here in Missouri both for school and for the workforce. Right now our Bright Flight scholarships award only $2,500 to students who score in the top 3 percent of the ACT or SAT. While that was a significant amount years ago when this program was put in place, it is now just a small percentage of total tuitions costs and a minimal enticement for kids to stay in state for school. By bolstering the amount our best and brightest can receive we hope they will be more inclined to say no to out-of-state institutions and receive their education right here in Missouri.
Propane Price Investigation
It’s during this time of the year when the bitter cold persists and we do our best to stay warm that many Missourians dread receiving their utility bill. This is especially true for the many people who heat their homes with propane. In the span of a week propane prices tripled to in excess of more than $5 per gallon. This dramatic and sudden rise in pricing has caused both House and Senate members to call for an immediate investigation to determine if the gas industry is engaging in price gouging.
Already our Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has announced that he is launching an investigation. His office is coordinating with nine other Midwestern states to get to the root of this problem. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation has issued emergency declarations to allow more propane to be shipped to our state. The hope is that the additional propane will help drive down some of these exceedingly high prices.
For anyone who uses propane this has been an extremely tough time. Please know that your state legislature will continue to stay involved in this issue until we reach a resolution that protects Missourians and helps them to afford the price of providing heat for their home or for their livestock.
As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629. You can also email me at kent.hampton@house.mo.gov . I look forward to hearing from you.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Jefferson City, Missouri - Gov. Jay Nixon has set Aug. 5, 2014, as the date for special elections to fill vacant House seats in the 67th District, the 120th District and the 151st District.
The seat in the 67th District, located in St. Louis County, became vacant after state Rep. Steve Webb resigned. The seat in the 120th District, which encompasses portions of Crawford and Phelps counties, became vacant when state Rep. Jason Smith resigned after being elected to represent Missouri’s 8th Congressional District.
The seat in the 151st District, which includes Stoddard County and a portion of Scott County, became vacant when state Rep. Dennis Fowler resigned to accept the Governor’s nomination to the Board of Probation and Parole.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
To put that into perspective, there are roughly 56 million people living in the states of New York and California combined. To raise awareness for the Pro-Life cause, thousands of grassroots advocates from across the country are in Washington this week for the Annual March for Life.
For the last 41 years the March for Life has been a rallying cry for all of those who believe life begins at conception and that all life has value. I admire the courage of their conviction and I appreciate the voice they are giving to the unborn. Every representative, every physician and every American needs to be reminded that at the center of our Pro-Life struggle is the protection of all human life.
We cannot live in a society where some human life is valued and other life is not. I stand united with the March for Life delegation and Pro-Life advocates across the country in a belief that all life is precious. All life has value and the casual taking of life is morally wrong. Across our great nation, millions of Americans are coming together today to demand that the federal government stop assisting in this great assault on innocent life.
The federal government should not spend one single dime on Planned Parenthood or any associated groups. Taxpayer dollars should never be used to take the life of the unborn. As work continues to overturn Roe v. Wade, we must also lay the foundation for a society that does not accept abortion as a form of birth control. Pro-Life advocates have taken up this cause, but work still remains. Open hearts and open minds can heal our nation and change abortions into adoptions.
We must join together to pray for the protection of the unborn. The intersection of prayer and action can produce amazing results. I know we can accomplish our goals, and innocent human life can be saved.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Mobile Offices are opportunities for Missourians to discuss their questions or concerns with the federal government one-on-one with members of Senator Blunt’s staff.
Senator Blunt’s Jefferson City office also extends one-on-one service to all Missourians who have an issue with a federal agency or need additional assistance.
To reach the Senator’s Office of Constituent Services, please call at (573) 634-2488 or send a letter at 308 E. High Street, Suite 202, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101.
What: Senator Blunt's Staff Hosts Mobile Office
When: Monday, January 27th, 2014 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm CT
Where: Bootheel Regional Planning Commission
105 E. North Main
Dexter, MO
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Martin Luther King Jr. - A Powerful Orator
On January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. is born in Atlanta, Georgia, the son of a Baptist minister. King received a doctorate degree in theology and in 1955 helped organized the first major protest of the African-American civil rights movement: the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott. Influenced by Mohandas Gandhi, he advocated civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance to segregation in the South. The peaceful protests he led throughout the American South were often met with violence, but King and his followers persisted, and the movement gained momentum.
A powerful orator, King appealed to Christian and American ideals and won growing support from the federal government and Northern whites. In 1963, Bayard Rustin and A. Philip Randolph led the massive March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom; the event's grand finale was King's famous "I Have a Dream" address. Two hundred and fifty thousand people gathered outside the Lincoln Memorial to hear the stirring speech. In 1964, the civil rights movement achieved two of its greatest successes: the ratification of the 24th Amendment, which abolished the poll tax, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited racial discrimination in employment and education and outlawed racial segregation in public facilities. Later that year, King became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. In the late 1960s, King openly criticized U.S. involvement in Vietnam and turned his efforts to winning economic rights for poor Americans. He was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968.
As with the classic western “High Noon”, the second session of the 97th general assembly reconvened at noon on Wednesday, January the 8th. After the initial rituals of beginning another session, the Speaker laid out priorities for this year. They included education, energy, economic development and reducing taxes. No doubt some of the same issues that surfaced last session will return and could enter into the fray as priorities this year. Many pre-filed bills were filed the beginning of December in anticipation of allowing committees to start meeting and moving bills forward to the floor for floor debate. To back up for a moment in my mind, this session as with so many others started with “a prayer service” for Missouri government leaders, hosted by Missouri Baptist Convention’s, Christian Life Commission, The Pathway, and hosted at Concord Baptist Church. After the breakfast the service was held with Mrs. Gail McWilliams as the guest speaker, and presenting “the charge to the general assembly”. Her testimony was very uplifting as well as inspiring. Afterwards different pastors prayed for different branches of you state government. The next morning January 9th, started with the annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast. A choir from Columbia’s Hickman High School sang two inspiring hymns, and then Hal Donaldson, cofounder of Convoy of Hope inc. was the guest speaker. He informed us how this group of meeting needs across the US was formed, and encouraged us to remember others in times of need or those that are less fortunate. In closing your state government has begun efforts attempting to work for the betterment for the state of Missouri and its citizens. I would encourage you to pray for your government and its leaders.
As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629. You can also email me at kent.hampton@house.mo.gov . I look forward to hearing from you.
