Our regular contribution From Missouri State Representative David Sater

Special session, when will it end? It could last until November 15^th, 2011, but it should not. As I mentioned in a previous report, it is costing you around $25 thousand dollars a day for us to be in session.

Two weeks ago, the Senate and House passed two pieces of legislation. The Missouri Science and Reinvestment Act encourages investments in science and technology companies in Missouri. We repealed a provision of a new law that prohibits teachers from using sites such as Facebook to privately message students. The Legislature and the Governor thought this was a good idea, at the time, but freedom of speech was a concern. Our mission in this law was to keep our school children safe from teachers that acted badly. The Governor will sign both of these bills.

Last week we met for a few days to discuss an economic bill. We were in caucus last Wednesday to see if there was enough support for the bill. I try and keep in good contact with my senator, Jack Goodman, and three other senators in Southwest Missouri. They told me before caucus that our bill in the House was dead on arrival and they would not endorse it. In caucus, I mentioned that since the bill we were discussing would probably not go anywhere, it sure took away from some good crappie fishing. It got a laugh, but the point was made. House leadership is still insistent we pass the bill and send it to the Senate.

The key pieces of this bill are incentives to attract new businesses and jobs in Missouri. I still believe that government should not be in the business of creating jobs, the private sector does a much better job. Anyway, this bill would offer tax incentives to attract amateur sporting events in Missouri and encourage the creation of data storage centers. The bill would also create the Missouri Export Act, which creates incentives for exporting Missouri products – such as pork products. The bill would provide funding for job training and create a fund to both retain companies that are considering leaving Missouri and attract businesses that are looking for a new location. An amendment added to the bill on the House floor would reduce Missouri`s corporate income tax from 6.25 percent to 5.5 percent. The tax would be offset by savings generated by reforms to existing tax credit programs. We decreased the Historical Preservation Tax Credit by $28 million per year, decreased the RemediationTax Credit per year (Brownfield Redevelopment Program) by $17.5 million, and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit by $32 million dollars. We also kept a no sunset condition, which means it continues without reauthorization, on the Historical and Low Income Tax Credits. We took off the sunset, which is usually 4 or 5 years, on the Food Pantry and Pregnancy Resource Tax Credits. In the bill, there was also a provision that the Legislature would review any tax credit program by September 1^st of the calendar year prior to the sunset of the program to analyze the effectiveness of the program and to see if the money we are giving these programs is worthwhile.

I was able to get one amendment through on the House floor. There is a new tax credit program for the Development Disability Care Providers which was in this legislation. I noticed that it did not have a cap on the amount to be given out. I added an amendment to cap the tax credits $5 million dollars per year. According to my conversations with leadership, this was an omission and they welcomed the amendment.

As mentioned, probably all of this could of waited another three months for the regular session that starts the first of January. But this was the Governor’s call and by law we have to attend.

The Governor will be in Springfield at Missouri State University on October 14 for a ceremony that celebrates the start of a UMKC-Missouri State Pharmacy Program at Missouri State. They will be able to graduate 25 to 30 students from Missouri State with a degree in Pharmacy. This will help southwest Missouri in the shortage of pharmacists. I have been invited to attend because I placed the money in the budget for the program this year. I attempted it in 2010 and it did not stay, but this year there was enough support to keep it in the budget.

Hopefully this will give you an explanation of the legislative process. If you have any questions, call me at my home in Cassville (417/847-4661) or my Capitol office (573/751-1480). Thanks for letting me serve you.

xxx

Best Regards,

David Sater

68th District

866/485-0759

Tags: 68 District, Capital Straighttalk, David Sater, Missouri, Politicians, Politics, State Representative, states, Technorati

Once again we are privileged to offer you the regular communication from District 68 State Representative David Sater of Southwest Missouri

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Missouri State Representative David Sater has been a regular feature both here and at our sister site of Techography for a number of years.

Sadly soon that will end.

Representative Sater has reached his term limit and will be moving on to other, we hope, bigger and brighter things. A pharmacist, and native of nearby Cassville, MO he has brought a degree of honesty and integrity to the very dirty business of politics. We regret to see him go.

We will also miss his regular dispatches, and we hope to share his with you until the last.

With no further adieu, Missouri State Representative of District 68, David Sater.

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Tags: Capitol Straight Talk, Cassville, David Sater, Missouri, Missouri House of Representatives, Politiciaans, Politics, Southwest Missouri, State Representative, Technorati

Our regular feature from Missouri House of Representatives own David Sater!

Happy holidays from the Capitol in Jefferson City. If this is any consolation, it is colder up here than in Barry County. The Governor has erected a large lighted Christmas tree on the front lawn of the Mansion and there are lighted wreaths on the Capitol Building. One of the things of interest to me are the ice junks moving down the Missouri River and I always wonder how far they have traveled. You just don’t see that along Flat Creek.

December for most of the elected representatives is a time of pre-filing legislation and getting the committees organized. For the last five years I was appointed Chairman of the Appropriations Committee for Mental Health, Health, and Social Services. It is this committee that starts the ball rolling for how much each program will receive in funding. Last year it totaled 9.5 billion for all three departments, and the total state budget was over 23 billion dollars. I enjoyed the challenge of this chairmanship, but have decided to step down and accept the Chairmanship of Healthcare Policy Committee. I will still serve on the Budget Committee, but will get to work on health issues instead of crunching budget numbers.

We have 57 new representatives coming in this year and there will be several on my new committee. So there will be a time of orientation for these new members as they get their feet wet. Also, the new chairman of my old appropriations committee is Tom Flanigan (Carthage) and I have a feeling I will be seeing a lot of him in the coming months. He has already been down to see me in Cassville. You get good results from government when elected officials work together for the common good and not their own good. I have seen it go both ways from Republicans and Democrats.

Half of the bills that I pre-filed for the 2011 session are the same as last year, but there are a few new ones:

1. Regarding Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, I have placed a cap that while receiving state assistance, if the family has more children, the state would not be responsible for financially including these new children for assistance:
2. County Disability Boards (SB40 Boards) would need to publicly have a reserve fund policy. There are some boards in the state that are hoarding taxpayer monies:
3. Keeps government from requiring pharmacies to stock certain medications, such as the morning after pill. Some states have tried to pass legislation and this bill would prohibit government intrusion into the free market area: and
4. Keeps non-prescription drugs while written as a prescription by a physician to remain tax free.

There are bills filed by other legislators to overturn Prop B, the puppy mill initiative. Although I was totally against the provisions in Prop B, this was an initiative passed by the citizens of Missouri. The money supporting the initiative mostly came from out of state and the advertising was misleading in favor of the proposition. I do have a problem with legislators trying to overturn a citizen’s initiative. I would be more in favor of another citizen’s initiative to overturn it, rather than it being done in the Legislature.

The proposed legislation by our Governor to place all Pseudoephedrine products as prescription only is something I will fight against. Presently we have a signature log book that a purchaser has to sign to obtain these products. This is not working very well because law enforcement does not have the staff available to check these in a timely manner. The state received a grant this year from the pharmaceutical industry to fund a “real time” electronic signature log to be placed in all pharmacies. These will be operational in all pharmacies by the first of the year. These devices would lock a person out from purchasing more than was allowed by dosage and would keep people from going to multiple pharmacies because all pharmacies would be on line together. By placing these products on a prescription only basis, it will become a financial hardship for our citizens who need these products. There will be a doctors office visit which cost money, the prescription will be more than the non-prescription product. I would just like to give the electronic signature log a chance to work as it has been successfully in other states in reducing Methamphetamine production.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Tags: 68th District, David Sater, House of Representatives, Local, Missouri, Politcs, Southwest Missouri, State Politics, State Representative, Technorati

Welcome to our regular contribution by the State of Missouri Representative for the 68th District, David Sater

DAVID SATER – Serving the 68th District
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I am in Jefferson City writing this report just after election day. We caucus after every election for the purpose of electing new leadership and welcoming new members to the House of Representatives. And are we welcoming new members. Wow!! The State House went from 89 Republicans to 106 which is an historic pickup of seats. There are 163 seats in the House and to have 106 of these is quite a majority. There are many smiles on people’s faces, but there is also a lot of sadness on the minority side. To be frank, I saw a few Democrats lose that were very good to work with, they tried to do what was honestly best for their constituents, but in the end there was too much of a national “less government movement” in the air. The Republicans picked up seats in a few urban areas that never vote Republican and a few Democrats that have enjoyed large margins of victory in the past, barely squeaked by. But, another election will occur in two years and things never stay the same.

I do believe that House Republicans have done the right thing with the state budget, in trimming programs, greater fiscal accountability for the state departments, and keeping some excess funds for downturns. We were trying to trim state government even before the recession and by being more frugal and not funding every program that is offered, this was appreciated by the people of Missouri. In 2005, my first year, we cut Medicaid eligibility by 100,000 people, because of not enough state revenues to support the program. The Democrats cried “foul”, and we got a lot of heat over this issue. Governor Nixon pledged to restore the previous Medicaid eligibility, but he did not have the money to do so, or he would have. If this had been done school funding would be slashed to balance the budget. As I said nothing stays the same and another election will happen in two years.

I am in the process of organizing my priorities for the next last two years in office. I have around 10 or 11 bills this year to file the first of December. I am also considering stepping down from a Chairmanship that I have held for the last five years. It is the appropriations chair of Health, Mental Health, and Social Services. I will still serve on the Budget Committee and should still have some input on this area. I hope to be chosen chairman of a healthcare policy committee so I can continue to work on issues of healthcare rather than crunching numbers in appropriations. There will be bills presented before this committee relating to healthcare issues, and I believe that will be enjoyable.

Thank you again for letting me represent you here in Jefferson City. I cannot do everything for everyone, but I do try my best for each of you, no matter your political persuasion.

Tags: 68th, David Sater, District, Jefferson City, Missouri, Politicians, Politics, Southwest Missouri, State Representative, Technorati

DAVID SATER – Serving the 68^th District

____________________________________________________________________________________

It is Veto Session at the Capitol and we have been in the process of deciding whether to override the Governor’s veto of HB 1903. This bill was passed overwhelmingly this past session by both Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate. The state has been receiving monies from the Federal Government in the form of federal budget stabilization funds, stimulus funds, and what is called an enhanced FMAP monies. We will receive an extra 300 million dollars this year from the enhanced FMAP fund. HB 1903 creates an extension fund that accepts monies from the above. This way, since the House appropriates monies, it would also be in charge of appropriating these funds as we see fit. It would keep the monies received from being controlled by one person, the Governor. This is not a political issue in the House, but an issue between the House and the Governor’s office.  Unfortunately, we did not get enough votes to override this bill.

Recently I received some good news from the Missouri Department of Economic Development which has approved training assistance for Arning Canopy Systems, Inc. through the Missouri Customized Training Program. The amount of $12,500 has been approved to reimburse this Cassville company for retraining 25 workers. Jack Henry in Monett also received $30,000 for retraining 60 workers, Miracle Recreation Equipment Company received $15,000 for 14 workers and Window Technology, Inc. received $1,500 for 28 workers.

Here are some interesting facts from the Department of Conservation. There is a total of 506,170 acres in Barry County. The department owns 4,151 acres in the county, and they paid property tax of $2,427.77 in 2009.  In the past, the  department has actively sought land acquisition since they have the 1/8 of 1 cent sales tax proceeds coming in each year. But since sales tax proceeds are down everywhere, they are just trying to keep their operations solvent. One of the things the department does that I appreciate is their association with volunteer fire departments. Our area departments are eligible for matching grants from the Department of Conservation and provide technical assistance.

The Missouri Retired Teachers Association had a reception for legislators here in Jefferson City last Tuesday evening. I attended and saw Ruby Vincent and got to visit with her. She is a strong advocate for the association and always keeps me informed of issues affecting retired teachers. I appreciate her volunteerism and dedication.

It seems I go for a few weeks and do not receive many E-mails or phone calls from constituents. But the last two weeks, I have received an above average amount of calls. I will always do what I can to help and am always glad to serve your needs.

xxx

Tags: 68th District, Barry County, David Sater, Jefferson City, Missouri, Politics, Representative, Technorati

Received from David Sater of the 68th District of Missouri

As full disclosure I must note that I support David Sater. I have found him to be honest, straight forward, and one of the few politicians in the region who has been willing to open communication with bloggers such as myself.

DAVID SATER – Serving the 68th District

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As you may of read in the newspapers, the Governor called a Special Session several weeks ago. Unless you were on a committee that heard these bills, you did not have to be there until the bill was on the floor for a vote. The rules are that only the bills the Governor has requested can be discussed and voted on during a Special Session. No other subject matter can be open.

Bill number one pertained to the state employee pensions and I had no problem voting yes for this bill. All that was in it was that people hired after January 1st, 2011 can participate in the retirement program by contributing 4% of their salary into the pension program. Almost every business entity that I know has similar provisions of employee participation. This will save the state around 10-12 million dollars per year in the future.

The other legislation was on tax incentives for the Ford plant in Claycomo, Missouri and was not favorable to me. The state was going to use the money saved in the pension bill to pay for the tax incentives per year to keep the Ford plant in Missouri. The legislation called for 10 years of these incentives at 15 million per year. Number one, the figures did not add up and I am afraid we will have to take a few million dollars from other programs already financially drained. Second, we have healthcare programs that we are not fully funded and people are going without medical treatment. I am talking about the Medicaid population, especially the elderly and disabled. If we were going to do anything with the money from the pension program, let’s spend it to keep people out of nursing homes and emergency rooms. These are life and death programs. Budgeting is a matter of priority of importance. Thirdly, there are many businesses in Missouri that could use tax incentives to stay open. Picking and choosing one concern over another is never fair. I would be more in favor of using this money for all businesses in our state and use it in an even and fair manner. So, I voted against this bill but it passed anyway. I am only one vote in 163. I thought about speaking against it on the floor, but most people had already made up their minds and it was going to pass anyway.

In the Senate, a Senator has a right to filibuster, which is a stalling tactic to take up time, so that a vote on a bill does not happen. Senator Chuck Purgason spoke for over 10 hours hoping to defeat this bill. Senator Jack Goodman helped with this, but in the end the Senate voted to pass the bill and send it to the House, where it was passed.

Our next session will be in September which is the Veto Session. We will probably just meet and come home, which will be a waste of time and money.

The State of Missouri’s fiscal year ended on June 30th by setting a record. However, it is a record that we would not strive to every meet or exceed again. State net general revenue ended at a minus 9.1% ($6,774,323,630), the largest decline that anyone can remember in state history. What makes matters worse, the previous record was minus 6.9% set last year. The challenges for next year’s budget are substantial. This year’s budget contains 860 million dollars of one time Federal Budget Stabilization Funds (Federal Stimulus Money) which will not be available next year. That amount will have to be cut from the core budget next year of find a replacement source of income. I do not know of one.

I hope everyone is having a good summer. It looks like the heat of this summer is making up for the cool last summer. Stay safe and look out for your elderly neighbors who may not have a cooling system.

Tags: 68th District, Capitol, David Sater, Missouri, Politician, Politics, Southwest Missouri, Technorati

Via David Sater

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 2, 2010 — You can help plant a tree in a Missouri state park without even lifting a shovel. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is participating in the Odwalla Plant a Tree Program that allows people across the nation to vote for the state park system where they want trees planted.

Odwalla has committed $200,000 to the campaign and each vote will be equal to $1 that can be used for trees. The number of votes a state receives will determine the number of dollars it earns to purchase and plant trees in state parks. Voting began May 25 and will continue through Aug. 15 or until the $200,000 is allotted.

“State parks are one of our greatest natural resources and we can use these trees to enhance not only the parks themselves but the experience of our visitors,” said Bill Bryan, director of the department’s Division of State Parks. Native trees will be used for landscaping and restoration needs throughout the state park system.

To vote for Missouri state parks, go to mostateparks.com and click on the link to vote and receive more information about the Odwalla Plant a Tree program.

For information on Missouri state parks, go to mostateparks.com.

Tags: David Sater, Missouri, Missouri State Park, Parks, Technorati, Trees

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Yesterday we had a very moving ceremony in the House chamber.  We welcomed a group of World War II heroes who had recently flown to Washington, DC.  The group had participated in an Honor Flight that visited the memorials that honored their courage and sacrifice of more than 60 years ago.

We are losing our WWII veterans at an alarming rate – 20 a day in Missouri; 1,000 a day nationwide.  The time is running out to offer this tribute to our Missouri heroes.  WWII veterans from all over the state can participate and information can be provided for the nearest Missouri hub to the veteran.  This is a one day trip and there is NO cost to the veteran.  All expenses are all picked up by donations.

I do not know all of the details so if a friend or member of your family wishes to participate here’s the website for more information:  http://www.centralmissourihonorflight.com/veteran_application; or call Barb Brueggerman, President, 573/301-5657 or write to: Central Missouri Honor Flight, 5550 Hwy. 63 S., Columbia, MO 65201.  This office can also send you an application.

Best Regards,

David Sater

68th District

866/485-0759

PS:  This is a very worthwhile program and if you’d like to donate your time or money the group would be more than happy to talk to you.

COMMITTEES

Chairman – Appropriations, Health, Mental Health & Social Services

Health Care Policy Committee, Special Committee for Health Insurance,

Budget Committee, Financial Institutions Committee, &

Joint Committee on MO Health Net

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Tags: America, Army, BloodSpite, David Sater, MilBlogs, Military, Missouri, Places, Registered Evil, Southwest Missouri, Technorati

From David Sater

Serving the 68th District of Missouri

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From David Sater

 JEFFERSON CITY, MO., APRIL 21, 2010 -- The Missouri State
Park Ranger Program is helping to keep your children safe through a
child identification program offered to elementary schools, Head Start
facilities and day-care facilities around the state.   

            "Children are our greatest resource and we want to do
whatever we can to keep them safe. These child identification programs
are one way to do that," said Bill Bryan, director of the state park
system for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The State Park
Ranger Program promotes safety and provides law enforcement for Missouri
state parks and historic sites.

            Each program will include a child identification kit for
each student. The kit includes an area for basic information about the
child, including a description. Each child will be fingerprinted and
that fingerprint will be included in the kit. The kit also includes a
place for a photo of the child, which can be updated by the parent as
the child ages. The kits are given to the children to take home. If the
child becomes lost or is taken, parents or guardians can provide this
valuable information to law enforcement to aid in the search.   

            The dates and places for the child identification programs
are listed below: 

*        April 22 -- Bright Beginnings Pre-School, Lebanon, 10 a.m. 

*        April 23 -- Bright Beginnings Pre-School, Lebanon, 10 a.m. and 2
p.m.

*        April 26 -- Greenfield Head Start, Greenfield, 10:30 a.m. 

*        May 4 -- El Dorado Springs Head Start, El Dorado Springs, 9:30
a.m.

*        May 5 -- Bull Frogs & Little Fishes Day-Care Center, Lebanon,
9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

*        May 6 -- Bull Frogs & Little Fishes Day-Care Center, Lebanon,
9:30 a.m.

*        May 6 -- Cassville Primary School, Cassville, 4 p.m.

*        May 7 -- Kirbyville Elementary School, Kirbyville, 8:40 a.m.  

            The program is part of the overall outreach effort provided
the Ranger Program to promote safety awareness in schools, in state
parks and historic sites, and other venues such as the Missouri State
Fair. The kits are provided by the Ranger Program free of charge and
approximately 2,500 children identification kits are distributed each
year during outreach programs. 

        For more information about the State Park Ranger Program or
state parks and historic sites, call the Department of Natural Resources
toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications
Device for the Deaf) or visit mostateparks.com.

Tags: Child, David Sater, identification, Missouri, programs, Registered Evil, Southwest Missouri, Technorati

From David Sater

Saters Capitol Straight Talk is a regular publication for David Sater, State Representative for my district, the 68th of Missouri, which is more or less the Southwest Portion. It is reprinted here with permission, and as a reflection of things going on for others located in South West Missouri

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Tags: Capitol Straight Talk, David Sater, Registered Evil, Southwest Missouri, Technorati

From David Sater

Helping Customers Find the Information they need in Seconds 

Jefferson City, Mo-The Missouri Labor Department launched its completed
top-to-bottom redesigned web site, www.labor.mo.gov. Technology moves
ever-forward, and the Department is determined to take advantage of new
innovations for all Missourians.

"This web site allows us to showcase the important programs we
administer, as well as provide valuable information to Missourians who
are either injured on the job or looking for a job," says Department
Director Larry Rebman. 

The new web site has several new features designed to make information
and services more user-friendly. These include new interactive graphs,
streamlined and clarified informational pages about the rights and
responsibilities of workers and businesses, and a more user-friendly
Internet unemployment claims process. In addition, the Department has
collaborated with other state, federal, and community agencies to post
information about free public services to persons in need, especially
the unemployed.

Visit www.labor.mo.gov and peruse the new and improved web site. We are
proud of our dedicated staff and their commitment to serve the state of
Missouri on labor-related issues. We now have a web site of which we can
be proud.

Tags: David Sater, Department of Labor, Missouri, Registered Evil, Southwest Missouri, Technorati

From David Sater:

JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Public Service Commission will hold a local public
hearing in Reeds Spring on February 10, 2010, to receive customer comment in a water rate case
filed by Aqua-RU, Inc. d/b/a Aqua Missouri, Inc. Customers who have had any service related issues
may also bring those to the attention of the Commission during the local public hearing.
The Reeds Spring local public hearing will be held in Reeds Spring High School,
Tri-Lakes TCRC, ITV Room, 20277 State Highway 413. The PSC staff question and
answer session begins at 5:30 p.m. The local public hearing will be held from 6:00 p.m.
until 9:00 p.m. or until all of those who wish to testify have done so, whichever is
sooner.
This local public hearing will be held in a building that meets accessibility standards required
by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any person who needs additional accommodations to
participate in this hearing should call the Public Service Commission’s hotline at 1-800-392-4211
(voice) or Relay Missouri at 711 prior to the hearing.
Customers wishing to make written comments or secure additional information may contact
the Office of the Public Counsel, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102, telephone (866)
922-2959 or (573) 751-4857. Comments may also be registered by using the PSC’s Internet Filing
System at http://www.efis.psc.mo.gov/mpsc/Comments.html .
On July 15, 2009, Aqua Missouri, Inc. filed rate requests with the Missouri Public Service
Commission seeking to change the water and sewer rates of its customers in Cole, Callaway, Pettis,
Greene, Benton, Taney, Christian, Morgan, Stone and Barry counties.
Under the small company rate case process, the PSC staff audits the books and records of the
company. After the audit, the PSC staff and Aqua Missouri, Inc. met to discuss the audit. Based
upon those discussions, the PSC staff and Aqua Missouri, Inc. reached an agreement in the water and
sewer rate cases filed.
The current monthly bill for a residential customer using 4,000 gallons of water in the LTA,
Riverside Estates, Spring Valley and Ozark Mountain service areas and the proposed monthly bill for
that same residential customer under an agreement reached between the company and the PSC staff
appears below.
Service Area Monthly Bill at Monthly Bill at Company & PSC Staff
Current Rates                                           Agreed Upon Rates*
LTA                                                       $32.50                                                       $40.20
Riverside Estates                             $21.20                                                      $28.86
Spring Valley                                    $45.31                                                        $53.66
Ozark Mountain                               $33.77                                                       $45.03
*This is an agreement between Aqua Missouri, Inc. and the PSC staff. The five member
Commission decides all cases before it. The Commission has not decided this case.
Aqua Missouri, Inc. serves approximately 97 water customers in its LTA service area,
approximately 281 water customers in its Riverside Estates service area, approximately 106 water
customers in its Spring Valley service area and approximately 390 water customers in its Ozark
Mountain service area.
-

If you don’t want this rate increase fellow Missourians, then get involved, immediately.

Tags: Aqua Missouri, David Sater, Jefferson City, Missouri, Politics, Rate, Southwest Missouri, Technorati