Jefferson City, Missouri - Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin, announced Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, will serve as Chairman of the Senate Small Business and Industry Committee during the 99th General Assembly.
“It is an honor to have been named Chairman of the Small Business and Industry Committee,” Sen. Libla said. “I look forward to working with committee members to ensure the passage of meaningful legislation. Remember, if there is a bill that you are passionate about, the best way to make a difference is by visiting your State Capitol and testifying at the committee hearing.”
The committee shall consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to the ownership and operation of small businesses. The committee shall also debate, study, and hear public testimony on legislation relating to labor management, fair employment standards, worker’s compensation and employment security within the state and shall examine legislation relating to industrial development.
Several key issues are expected to be brought before the committee, such as workforce and economic development, tort reform, and unemployment insurance. “I recognize the importance of these issues to every Missourian,” Sen. Libla said. “Missouri faces a number of economic challenges, with job creation and retention being at the top of the list. We need high-quality and high-paying jobs that empower workers to have a positive impact on the communities where they live, both economically and as leaders contributing to the overall quality of life.”
Senator Libla was re-elected to a second term in the Missouri Senate last November. He proudly serves the counties of Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Shannon and Stoddard. In addition to his new duties as chair of the Small Business and Industry Committee, Sen. Libla will serve as vice-chairman of the General Laws Committee.
To view a full list of Sen. Libla’s committee assignments and sponsored legislation, visit his official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/libla.
U.S. Rep Smith Authors Bill Defunding Sanctuary Cities
Smith bill would force sanctuary cities to comply with federal law by blocking federal transportation dollars
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) filed H.R.824, the No Transportation Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act, to block Federal Highway Trust fund dollars from being awarded to states and local governments if they fail to obey federal immigration laws and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requests.
Before Congressman Smith introduced the bill, he said, “Over 300 cities and counties employ policies to stonewall the federal government and prevent the Department of Homeland Security from effectively enforcing our immigration laws. We are a nation of law and order, and cities that actively work against the law of the land should face consequences. That’s why I introduced the No Transportation Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act to cut off the spigot of federal funds to cities and counties that fail to work with us to Make America Safe.”
As President Trump and Congress begin work on policies to enable new and robust investments into our nation’s roads, rails, tunnels, waterways and airports it is important that municipalities across the country know that unless they observe and follow U.S. immigration laws and policies, they will no longer be eligible for federal infrastructure investments in their communities. Smith’s goal is to codify the prohibition of taxpayer funds released to sanctuary cities in order to secure our borders and make local communities safer.
Smith noted after he filed the bill, “When cities fail to adhere with Federal law enforcement requests our citizens are put in danger. The American people spoke in November and support President Trump’s no-nonsense plan to enforce existing laws to protect our citizens. Because states, counties, and cities have failed to comply with Federal law, we have to use Congressional power of the purse to require these cities to abide by Federal immigration laws. If cities fail to comply with DHS requests, they shouldn’t receive Highway Trust Fund dollars or any highway grants, period.”
Note: Highway Trust Fund dollars have been successfully used three times in the past to encourage states to comply with Federal Standards. Most notably, Louisiana complied with the Federal requirement to lift their drinking age to 21 years-old after the Federal government pulled part of their Highway Trust Fund dollars for failure to comply.
Policy Development Caucus Chairman Jeff Messenger
Selects Rep. Tila Hubrecht to Serve on Subcommittee on Government Oversight
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Tila Hubrecht will play a vital role in ensuring accountability and transparency for federal funds coming into Missouri. Hubrecht was selected by Policy Development Caucus Chairman Jeff Messenger to serve as a member of the Subcommittee on Government Oversight – Mental Health and Social Services.
As part of her duties, Rep. Hubrecht will work with the other members of the subcommittee to closely examine and oversee the federal funds and how they are utilized by the Departments of Mental Health, and Health and Social Services. Messenger said he expects Hubrecht to play an important role in providing an additional level of oversight that taxpayers need and deserve.
“The Missouri House is committed to eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in government. Researching how federal funds come into our state and how they are expended is necessary to diminishing these problems. Rep. Hubrecht has the qualities, commitment and experience to successfully research, communicate and monitor what is happening with these monies,” said Messenger, R-Republic.
The Policy Development Caucus was formed by House Speaker Todd Richardson last year to develop and fine tune the policy goals of the Missouri House Republican Caucus. Messenger, who was selected by his colleagues to serve as chairman, said it’s also important for the caucus to closely monitor the use of federal funds in order ensure they are utilized properly and efficiently.
“I want to thank Chairman Messenger for appointing me to the subcommittee and for giving me an opportunity to help protect the interests of Missouri taxpayers,” said Hubrecht, R-Dexter.
Dexter, Missouri - Young Republicans of Stoddard County, formerly TARS, met at a local restaurant on Sunday, January 29th making plans for the upcoming 2017 political year. Several were in attendance, but it is hoped to have a few more interested.
"Our goal is to increase young people being involved in politics on the local, state, and national level," stated 151st State Representative Tila Hubrecht. "Our meetings will be held throughout the county so everyone has an opportunity to come and participate. This is not just a Dexter group, but for anyone in Stoddard County to join."
"We will be utilizing our Facebook page and creating Event Pages for people to keep informed," continued Hubrecht. "There will not be an age limit. We really just want young people to get involved, high school - college - as young as you feel to come out and join!"
Many ideas were tossed around the tables as well as having a local Conference in Stoddard County, possibly as early as March with dinner and guest speakers.
The next Young Republicans Club meeting will be held on Sunday, February 26th at 3:00 p.m. at Burger King in Dexter. There is an Event Page created so please mark yourself as attending by clicking HERE.
Find them on Facebook by clicking HERE.
Just the Beginning
January 27, 2017
It is not every day that a Missourian gets to sit on the steps of the United States Capitol and witness firsthand a Presidential swearing in ceremony. Now, just over a week since the inauguration of our 45th President, Donald J Trump - we have seen his Presidency take more actions in seven days to improve the lives of south central and southeast Missourians than in the entire eight years of the Obama Presidency. As President Trump stated in his Inaugural speech “The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action.”
In early December, I outlined for then President – Elect Trump numerous different rules, regulations, agency guidance and memorandums which he could overturn on day one to have a drastic impact on the lives of Missourians. I wrote about rules promulgated as a result of President’s Obama’s failed government takeover of healthcare, regulations which would increase the cost of energy for Missourians, new rules impeding on a farmer’s ability to farm their land freely, recent federal agency memorandums incentivizing millions of illegal immigrants to enter our country, and guidance from agencies infringing on our second amendment rights.
I was pleased to see that on day one, President Trump followed through on many of these same actions items and wasted no time getting to work for the American people. During his first hours at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, President Trump signed an executive order to start the process of unwinding former President Obama’s disastrous health care law. It was the first step towards creating a health care system that provides Americans with the quality health care they deserve, drives down price with competition, and allows folks to see the doctor of their choice free of government interference or mandates. During those first hours President Trump also put a hiring freeze and a regulatory freeze on the very federal agencies that have run amuck with thousands of unelected bureaucrats under the Obama Administration.
On Monday, President Trump took action to defend the life of the unborn by restoring President Reagan’s Mexico City Policy which ensures that American taxpayers are not forced to foot the bill for abortions anywhere in the world. On his second day in office, President Trump put an end to agency bureaucracy and red tape which was delaying the advancement of the Keystone and Dakota Access pipeline projects which will help grow our economy, lower the costs of energy and create thousands of jobs in the process. On Wednesday President Trump signed an executive action to start the process of building a wall along our southern border and ordering those sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants to honor and up hold U.S. law or lose any federal funding.
Gone are the days of having a President in power who promises things on the campaign trail, but never actually delivers on those promises. In the first seven days of his Presidency, Donald Trump has proven that he is a man of his word. The rapid pace we have seen in the first couple of days of Donald Trump’s Presidency isn’t going to slow down anytime soon. This week I met with President Trump in Philadelphia, the birthplace of our great nation, to develop a strategy on how we will work together to build on the tremendous actions he has taken this week to improve the lives of all Americans and return the power back to the people. Our end goal, our end result, is ultimately what President Trump said in his Inauguration speech -“Together, we will make America strong again, we will make America wealthy again, we will make America proud again, we will make America safe again, and yes together, we will make America great again.”
