Last week, I voted to be a voice for those that cannot yet speak. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which I cosponsored and has passed the House of Representatives, is one of the most significant pieces of pro-life legislation to ever come before the House. This bill defends life and provides protection for babies that have already reached five months in the womb. At this stage, babies can feel pain and are developed enough that in many cases they can go on to live outside the womb with proper medical care.
This bill reflects the compassionate and caring feelings of the American people to protect the life of the unborn. In poll after poll, folks across the country agree with us here southeast and southern Missouri that it is our obligation to protect babies from painful late-term abortions. In a CNN poll last year, 58 percent of respondents opposed abortions with “few” or “no” exceptions. A CBS News poll found 59 percent of respondents thought abortions should have stricter limits or not be permitted at all. A Quinnipiac poll found that 60 percent of adults, including 59 percent of women, support restrictions on abortion after 20 weeks. Our message of protection for every precious life resonates far beyond just our community.
The fight to protect life at all stages is a fight I am passionately leading in Washington. I will continue to be a voice for the children that deserve our protection and continue to share our message of compassion, because life is truly a gift from God.
151st District, Missouri - Representative Hubrecht sent a survey to constituents of the 151st District to determine the standing of the district on various issues facing Missourians. A total of 678 surveys were returned to the office. Listed below are the questions on the survey and the percentages of Yes, No, No Opinion.
1. Does Missouri’s current $26.2 billion in revenues adequately provide for the various needs of state government?
a. 320 or 47.2% Yes
b. 127 or 18.7% No
c. 65 or 9.5% No Opinion
d. 163 or 24% No Response
2. Should tax credit programs like these be reined in because they reduce tax revenues available to state government spending priorities like education, public safety and the disabled?
a. 258 or 38% Yes
b. 215 or 31.7% No
c. 48 or 7% No Opinion
d. 155 or 22.8% No Response
3. Should MO tax laws be changed to apply the same sales tax rates and requirements to all purchases, for both MO-based retailers and purchases made over the internet?
a. 254 or 37% Yes
b. 245 or 36.1% No
c. 28 or 4.1% No Opinion
d. 151 or 22.2% No Response
4. Should MO enact public-private partnerships that would lease certain MO roads and bridges to private entities to maintain in exchange for the ability of those entities to charge tolls?
a. 105 or 15.4% Yes
b. 388 or 57.2% No
c. 31 or 4.5% No Opinion
d. 150 or 22.1% No Response
5. Should the legislature put before the voters a proposition that would temporarily increase the current 17-cent per gallon road tax by a modest amount so that additional revenues could be bonded to generate additional revenue for road and bridge construction?
a. 228 or 33.6% Yes
b. 288 or 42.4% No
c. 10 or 1.4% No Opinion
d. 151 or 22.2% No Response
6. Does Missouri’s current system for attracting and retaining quality educators work effectively?
a. 208 or 30.6% Yes
b. 233 or 34.3% No
c. 82 or 12% No Opinion
d. 154 or 22.7% No Response
7. Should MO’s education department stay out of curriculum development and performance reviews because these are issues best handled by the local school districts?
a. 412 or 60.7% Yes
b. 82 or 12% No
c. 33% or 4.8% No Opinion
d. 151 or 22.2% No Response
8. Should the state allow parents the option of transferring their children to a “virtual school” that meets the state education standards for children that are more likely to effectively learn through “online education”?
a. 265 or 39% Yes
b. 196 or 28.9% No
c. 64 or 9.4% No Opinion
d. 152 or 22.4% No Response
9. Should MO accept additional federal funds for Medicaid expansion if the state can receive the authority to overhaul the existing Medicaid system into a less cumbersome and more effective health care delivery system?
a. 279 or 41.1% Yes
b. 204 or 30% No
c. 38 or 5.6% No Opinion
d. 156 or 23% No Response
10. Should MO’s term limit system by less restrictive by allowing the same 16 years total, without regard to the chamber in which the member serves?
a. 119 or 17.5% Yes
b. 393 or 57.9% No
c. 15 or 2.2% No Opinion
d. 151 or 22.2% No Response
11. Should MO adopt more restrictive regulations on abortion service providers to further reduce the number of abortions occurring in the state?
a. 386 or 56.9% Yes
b. 112 or 16.5% No
c. 31 or 4.5% No Opinion
d. 149 or 21.9% No Response
12. Should MO law be changed to eliminate the requirement for citizens to obtain a concealed weapons permit before lawfully carrying a concealed weapon?
a. 177 or 26.1% Yes
b. 344 or 50.7% No
c. 8 or 1.1% No Opinion
d. 149 or 21.9% No Response
13. Should MO law be changed to abolish use of the death penalty?
a. 48 or 7% Yes
b. 449 or 66.2% No
c. 27 or 3.9% No Opinion
d. 154 or 22.7% No Response
14. Should MO law be changed to allow for the decriminalization for marijuana only for medicinal use?
a. 221 or 32.6% Yes
b. 276 or 40.7% No
c. 23 or 3.3% No Opinion
d. 158 or 23.3% No Response
A side note about the questions in the survey:
All representatives are given a list of 20 questions to choose to use on a district survey. A representative may choose to write his or her own questions but these are more difficult to obtain the tabulated responses. This year, Representative Hubrecht chose to use the “stock” questions choosing 12 that she felt were most pressing to be included on a survey.
**The No Response answers were reviewed by Representative Hubrecht and her staff, these unanswered responses were not all on the same survey. Many surveys answered only specific questions leaving the remaining questions unanswered resulting in the No Response category.
8th Congressional District - Missouri - Ronald Reagan once said his fondest hope for young people is that they would love their country for her selflessness and idealism. As the school year comes to a close, I have reflected on all of the great schools I have had the pleasure of visiting while in Congress. From Rolla to Caruthersville, Sikeston to Gainesville, and Festus to Doniphan, I’ve been bringing Congress to the classroom. When I speak with students, my message is simple: You can make an impact no matter your age.
Young people don’t have to wait until they are older to get involved in the political process. Since taking office, I have talked with bright students at more than 50 schools across the district and they have great ideas on how to move America forward. I encourage them to follow what is happening in Jefferson City and in Washington, D.C. to see how legislation affects their lives. They can make their voices heard now by contacting their elected officials through traditional methods like phone calls and letters, but also through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Even now students can have an immediate impact in their communities. Young people can volunteer with civic organizations, get involved in their churches or create their own opportunities to serve. I am so proud of the students I have met around the area that are taking action. They are volunteering at food pantries, coaching teams for kids with disabilities, improving hiking trails and so much more.
As one of the youngest members of the House of Representatives, I want today’s students to know that they are tomorrow’s leaders. With hard work and perseverance these bright young people can accomplish anything.
If any of you follow the news of Jefferson City, you can guess what kind of week this week has been. Very different than what I expected for the last week of session and very out of the ordinary. We have been able to, even with all the unusual events of this session, accomplish quite a bit of good for Missouri.
I will post at the end of this report a tentative schedule for the remainder of this month. If you would like to schedule a meeting with me in district or would like to have me speak to a group, please feel free to call my office (573/751-1494) or you may text my cell (573/820-6052).
Beginning next week, I will begin composing a few posts on lessons that I have learned during this first term of session as well as updating you on the work that I am doing the interim.
Until next week,
Tila
Capitol News:
Statement Regarding Speaker Diehl's Resignation:
Following revelations that he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a Capitol intern, Rep. John Diehl Jr. (R-Town and County) announced today that he would resign his position as Speaker of the House and as the State Representative for the 89th district.
Diehl’s decision to step down reflects his commitment to the Republican Caucus, saying, “I’m not going to further jeopardize what we have accomplished this year and what can be accomplished in the future.” Diehl went on to say [his actions were] “wrong and [he] is truly sorry… as a leader, I am responsible for my actions and I am willing to face the consequences."
The Republican Caucus and I fully support John Diehl’s decision to leave office immediately to focus on repairing his relationship with his wife and children; and to allow the Missouri House to return to its critical legislative obligations.
New Speaker Elected:
Representative Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, was elected to be the new Speaker of the House today. I am very proud for Speaker Richardson and I am confident that he will lead the House in a manner that will be worthy of the task given to us by the people of Missouri. Speaker Richardson was elected with bipartisan support in the House being the only nomination for Speaker. His first day at the helm, we passed 31 pieces of legislation to the Governor and worked until 6pm which is when we are constitutionally required to close business.
Jefferson City, Missouri - The Freshman Republican Caucus today presented a resolution and made a donation to their class charity, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.). Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Furthermore, C.O.P.S. provides training to law enforcement agencies on survivor victimization issues and educates the public of the need to support the law enforcement profession and its survivors.
"In times of turmoil there is an opportunity for organizations to make a real difference in people’s lives. One of these organizations that have gone above and beyond to make a difference is Concerns of Police Survivors," said Hubrecht, R-Dexter. “The Freshman Republican Class is honored to stand behind this compassionate organization and thank them for the powerful impact they are having on the families of our nation’s slain law enforcement officers.”
The Freshman Republican Class donated $5,600 to Concerns of Police Survivors. Every member of the Republican Freshman made a contribution towards the class’ charity. There to accept the donation was Mr. Steven Taylor, a member of the C.O.P.S. board of directors.
