Budget week is very, very trying from the Minority side of the aisle. We spent the entire week debating the 13 budget bills and attempting to amend the State spending plan for next year. Not surprisingly no amendments of any consequence passed. A few were very close and a few that were of marginal impact passed. But, for the most part the budget passed without restoring the health care cuts. As I was leaving Jeff City Thursday afternoon at 5 P.M. the Presidential Delegate caucuses were at 7P.M. in downtown KC and I was late. Needless to say after 4 days of being voted down with a grand finale of the speaker mocking us rudely on the final votes I was in quite a mood. A friend called me on my cell and asked me about a bill that was being voted on next week. Then he asked me "what kind of guy is the chairman of the committee where the bill is being voted on?" Perhaps you can imagine what I said. Wow. Didn't realize I could be so blunt about a fellow Rep. It may just be that I should turn my cell phone off for the drive home each week. Ah well, next year is looking better by the day so I should focus on that.
| Speaker publicly belittles Democrats after week long Budget debate - "unsportsmanlike conduct" not called | | $22.4 Billion Dollar Budget passed out of the House and sent to Senate this week Much of the debate centered around education issues. One issue was led by Sara Lampe (D-Springfield) she proposed shifting 13.6 Million from scholarships that are now going to families who make $125,00 to $225,000 and transferring it to state universities and colleges. It failed 77-76. One successful issue was led by Margaret Donnely (D-St Louis). It would restore $2.2 Million dollars of Medicaid cuts for physical therapy. Surprisingly the issue passed 79-73. After the amendment passed though, Paul LeVota asked the Budget Chairman if he would fight to keep the money in when the Senate comes back with their version. He did not commit to keeping the money in during the final conference so it looks to me like the Majority voted for it full well knowing that it would never become effective. That vote gives some of the Republicans in marginal districts something to talk about at election time. They can now claim they voted to "partially" restore the cuts but that darned old Senate took it away. "Unsportsmanlike conduct" is the only way to describe the final votes on the budget. The Speaker in the chair took the voice votes on all 13 bills after a week of debate. There was spirited shouting on both sides and certainly some of the votes were extremely close. But the Speaker had no problem. After posturing and posing and belittling the efforts of the Minority, in fact at one point ridiculing us publicly and asking if we wanted to "try it again" with more energy he would call the vote for the Majority. On a few he would posture as if he were truly considering it then, grin, make a smart remark, and call the vote again for the Majority. If it were a sporting event, refereed by impartial officials, flags would have flown on almost every vote. Had I know we were going to be insulted repeatedly during the voices votes I would have requested roll call votes. Certainly I will in the future when he is presiding. |
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| Ingrid Burnett in hunt for Kansas City School Board President | | Saturday morning I rose early to join the running club I belong to for a good long run. I was fixing coffee before dawn and looked down at the Kansas City Star and staring back up at me was a picture of my wife Ingrid. The story that she is seeking the office of President in a couple of weeks was there for all to see. The nine member School Board will elect 4 new members on April 8th and then choose new leadership. She and another board member are talking with their colleagues about becoming the new President. Here is the story from the Kansas City Star. I will keep you posted on this. The vote will likely take place at the first meeting after the election. |
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| Major Court critic impeachment attempt fizzles | Rep Jim Lembke (R-St Louis) dealt major setback in impeachment effort
Lembke has been one of the loudest and most outspoken critics of lawyers and the Judiciary in the past few years in the House. And in that atmosphere to be one of the louder critics of judges requires some lung strength. He had recently requested impeachment proceedings be started against a Laclede County Judge because of what he felt were mistakes in a divorce case. Speaker rod Jetton denied the request to begin impeachment proceedings. Remains to be seen what his next move will be on that case.
Lembke's Resolutions attacking judges and the Missouri Court Plan to choose judges remain alive and well and lurking in the wings awaiting further action any day now. |
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| April 8th City election features Payday Loans, Bus tax and Smoking ban along with School Board election |
| Because of a new state law that says in uncontested races no one appears on the ballot only one School Board race will be on the ballot in Historic Northeast. The at-large race is between incumbent Dr. Bill Eddy and Airick West. But the City ballot offers more interest. Kansas City proposes to impose an annual fee on payday loan lenders of $1,000 per year to pay for the regulatory enforcement of the city. Seems like a reasonable fee on an industry that can well afford it but I suspect they will fight it. Also the renewal of the tax that pays for bus transportation is up. A more controversial measure would ban smoking in bars and restaurants except casinos. There is organized opposition to that issue so it will be interesting to watch the debate during the next week. |
| "Car Free" Weekend Program on Cliff Drive to be unveiled this week |
| Will Royster and other neighborhood leaders have been working with Parks and Rec to develop a plan to use Cliff Drive on weekends for bicycling and running and permit cars only during the week. The program has attracted a lot of buzz in the community already and is being formally presented to the Park Board this coming week. Bicycling and running groups have already voiced interest in using Cliff Drive if this plan is approved. I met with bicycling leaders this week in the capital to discuss this and other cycling issues. I believe we can get support for this project from elected officials in the area. After the presentation to the Park Board I will do an article on the plan itself and the details on the proposal. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. State Rep John Burnett |
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