So far this session not so much has happened as in previous years. This is my sixth year, (with term limits I can serve two more), and this is clearly the least legislation we have done. I think that is great. The less this Majority does the better. This is the crew that destroyed health care, cut worker benefits for Workers Comp and threatens to do more of the same. Sort of like the old Mark Twain quote about no one is safe when the Legislature is in session. I sense a change coming to Jefferson City in the near future. We need eleven seats to regain the Majority and all 163 seats are up for election in November.

Two more weeks in the Legislative session. We adjourn May 16th at 6:00 P.M. not that I'm counting or anything.

Supreme Court decision in Indiana Voter ID case spurs action on Missouri voter ID again

House Joint Resolution 48 will rekindle voter ID debate

This week the Special Committee on Immigration unexpectedly voted do pass a Resolution that was heard back on February 2nd. That committee has been the place that all immigration legislation has been heard. So the bill that would require voters to prove they are citizens before they can vote was sent to that committee. But since that requires the Missouri Constitution to be changed the Resolution would send to the vote of the people the whole issue. This is commonly thought to favor the Republican Party and is an issue that the National Republican Party has pushed in a number of states around the country. Indiana was one of the states and the law there had been appealed to the Supreme Court.

On April 28th the United States Supreme Court rejected a claim that Indiana's voter ID law was unconstitutional. It was widely thought that the Court would strike down the Indiana law but instead by 6-3 the law was upheld. This new opportunity to impose the voter ID laws has set Republican parties around the country scrambling.

That brings us to Missouri and HJR 48. It had been heard back in February but never voted on because everyone though it was unconstitutional. But suddenly it has new life. So next week the voter ID debate begins again in Missouri.

House Judiciary Committee votes out "Omnibus" bill on party line vote the bill would eliminate judges around the State

Bill that normally carries routine court issues now has complete reorganization of the Court system

The House Judiciary Omnibus bill has been struggling. Last week the Chairman had the repeal of the minimum wage law in it. The Rules Committee rejected it and sent it back. Yes. I do serve on Rules what a coincidence. The Judiciary Committee where I also serve reworked the bill and made it worse. Still has some minimum wage in it but now it contains a reorganization of the Court system. Does such charming things as fire a number of judges around the state when they next come up for election. St Louis City will lose six judges under the bill. With only two weeks to go it is problematic whether the bill can make it through the process but what it certainly will do is spark some great debate.

Public hearing on Redistricting will be at Paseo Academy Monday Evening May 5th 6:00 P.M.

The Kansas City School Board districts have to be redrawn because of the Independence withdrawal from the District. Northeast will be the main district that will change because we were combined with the Independence area. There are two proposals now being considered. Follow the link below to see the proposals. There will be a public hearing on which plan to adopt Monday evening at Paseo Academy. Follow the link for details or see the Kansas City Election Board website.

Here is the link to the information

Kansas City Star Editorial response to House Bill 1970:

House Bill 1970 passes the Senate 33-0 this week to repeal consumer protections. Here is part of the KC Star Editorial:

"Veto bait: Missouri lawmakers protect 'chop shops' from lawsuits

Unscrupulous "chop shops" are talented at taking cars that have flood or collision damage and prettying them up for unsuspecting purchasers. These rebuilt wrecks often have hidden damage or lack safety equipment such as airbags. They can be dangerous if they are in a subsequent wreck.

So it's incomprehensible that Missouri lawmakers have sent to Gov. Matt Blunt a bill that protects the unscrupulous and puts the unsuspecting at risk.

Legislators voted to take away consumers' right to sue wholesalers who pass on rebuilt or flooded vehicles to retailers without disclosure. Those cars may end up in public hands at the retail level.

The bill sailed out of the Senate with no dissenting votes. Was there no one to represent the consumer in this fiasco? Members of the car industry who lobbied for the bill certainly got their money's worth this legislative session."

Here is the link to the rest of the story

When the bill was in the House I fought it like crazy but it passed the House by a vote of 113-37 on February 28th. It is amazing to me that it passed without a single Senator even questioning. it. The car dealers lobbying team for this included Andy Blunt the Governor's brother. They chose wisely it seems.

Here is link to the bill and its history

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. State Rep John Burnett