| This week I was quoted as calling House Joint Resolution 41 "right wing extremist demagoguery." I am constrained by House Rules that require formality and civility so I am limited in how I can express opinions. But I think that says it pretty well. The resolution will put to a vote of the people in the November election the proposition that Courts jurisdiction should be limited so "courts cannot raise taxes." Never mind that that has never happened in history and courts are supposed to be a separate branch of government the Republicans believe that attacking judges and courts is a politically advantageous tactic. They believe that an attack on the judges will increase turnout among the more conservative voters. So the mere fact that the resolution makes absolutely no sense in a constitutional sense if irrelevant to them. Fortunately the idea is so crazy they couldn't get the 82 votes needed to pass it this week. So the issue is on hold till we return from spring break. Here is the way Missourinet reported it: Emotions remained raw during House floor debate, two days after majority Republicans had shut out Democrats during preliminary debate, when members can move to amend legislation. Democratic Representative John Burnett of Kansas City still smoldered over Republican leadership's refusal to recognize Democrats during the amendment process. "This issue has not had full and fair debate on this floor," Burnett told colleagues. And they were right I was smoldering. I can take about anything except not being permitted to have a fair voice in the debate. Several of the Republicans ran and hid rather that be forced to vote on such an extremist issue. As the AP reported: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A proposed constitutional amendment barring judges from ordering tax increases gets derailed in the House when too many Republicans leave early for their annual spring break. Eleven of the 91 Republicans were gone, and it takes 82 votes to approve legislation. So Republican House leaders decided not to vote Thursday. Democrats call the measure a power grab against the judiciary. House member John Burnett, of Kansas City, called it a "right-wing extremist issue" and "demagoguery in its worst form." Sponsoring House member Jane Cunningham, a Republican from Chesterfield, says court-ordered taxes are a "cancer" spreading among states. She says the constitutional amendment is needed to inoculate Missouri.
Can't wait till we go back to finish this debate. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. State Rep John Burnett | 
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