Monday, February 17, 2014
Ron Casey Passes
Former state representative Ron Casey died over the weekend, after suffering a terrible fall. His Facebook has many posts from people sharing memories. See them here.
For example, Rep. Jeff Roorda, recalling their time together in the House: As I mourn the loss of our friend, Ron Casey, my thoughts turn to the time we served together in the Missouri House of Representatives. The Jefferson County Reps that got elected in 2004 and 2006 did something unprecedented. We passed up much bigger offices and took the smallest office suite in the building so that we could all be together. Ron was always the last one to leave our office suite. He would quietly work in his office answering constituent emails and sending letters to folks in his district that had reached an important milestone or suffered a tragic loss. On the nights that I worked late when the Capitol had emptied out, I liked to listen to music in my office. Sometimes when Ron's office door was pulled closed and I thought I was alone, I'd crank up the music. But, Ron was almost always behind that closed door and the first time he strolled in my office as the music was blaring, I was startled and a bit worried that he was coming in to tell me that I was disturbing him. As I reached to turn down the volume, he waved me off and said that if I turned the music down, he wouldn't be able to hear it in his office. Many nights after that, he would stick his head in my office late in the evening and say "who is that, I really like that one." He was a kind and gentle man…
Dolan to New Jersey
Jon Dolan, former state senator and executive director of Missouri Health Care Association, is headed to New Jersey.
He’s been hired as the new president and CEO of the Health Care Association of New Jersey (HCANJ). According to its website, it is the “largest trade association representing long term care providers in New Jersey.”
The press release notes that Dolan is a native of Pearl River, NY.
House Technical Today
The House will hold a technical session today, Presidents' Day.
Hearings of Interest - House
Monday
Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee, 4:30pm in Hearing Room 6
Rep. Stacey Newman’s HB 1522 “creates the offense of making a threat to the security of a building or a public school.”
Tuesday
Transportation Committee, 10am in Hearing Room 7
The war on texting continues… five bills to outlaw texting while driving. I assume the Books on Tape industry is behind this…
Workforce Development and Workplace Safety Committee, 10am in Hearing Room 5
Rep. Bill White’s HB 1144 “prohibits the Missouri Housing Development Commission from requiring a prevailing hourly wage to be paid to a contractor on a project for a housing tax credit if it is in a Governor-declared disaster area.”
Rep. Joe Don McGaugh’s HB 1609 expands the definition of employer in workers’ compensation.
Rep. Kurt Bahr’s HB 1642 tries to clarify the definition of independent contractor versus employee.
Rep. Elijah Haahr’s HB 1663 changes the death benefit depending on whether the employee or employer is at fault.
Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities Committee, Noon in Hearing Room 1
Rep. Brandon Ellington’s HB 1698 would tighten up the definition of “liquor store” in terms of where TANF benefits can be spent. Right now it’s “any retail establishment which sells exclusively or primarily” liquor. Ellington would define it as 85% of their sales.
Economic Development Committee, 5pm in Hearing Room 7
Tax credits… Film tax credits, wine and grape tax credits…
Wednesday
Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, 8am in Hearing Room 6
Rep. Eric Burlison’s HB 1614 would “add dyslexia to the special needs definition for purposes of Bryce’s Law.”
Rep. Bryan Spencer’s HB 1536 “requires a student score proficient or higher on a state assessment in order to receive a high school academic diploma.”
Health Care Policy Committee, Noon in Hearing Room 6
Rep. Kurt Bahr’s HJR 62 is a constitutional amendment for Health Care Freedom.
Hearings of Interest - Senate
Tuesday
Seniors, Families and Pensions Committee, 8am in SCR 1
Sen. Gina Walsh’s SB 712 “creates a right to unpaid leave for employees that are affected by domestic violence.”
Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee, 1pm in SCR 1
Sen. Ron Richard’s SB 718 “allows for volunteer labor on public works projects.”
Rules Committee, 1pm in Senate Lounge
Sen. Brad Lager’s SB 488 “bars members of the General Assembly from acting as paid political consultants and imposes a two year cooling off period before members may become lobbyists.”
Wednesday
Progress and Development Committee, 2pm in SCR 2
Sen. Jason Holsman’s SB 608 would make sure that one’s trash is part one’s “effects” and can’t be searched without a warrant.
New Committee
Catherine Hanaway started her campaign committee. The treasurer is James Thomas III, same as the Citizens for A Stronger Missouri PAC, and other Jeff Roe-related committees.
$5K+ Contributions
Friends of Tom Schweich - $5,100 from Thirty & 141 LP.
Friends of Lee’s Summit - $10,000 from Heavy Constructors / Industry Advancement Fund.
UTU-PAC - $7,500 from United Transportation Union PAC.
Missouri Senate Campaign Committee - $10,000 from Dempsey for Missouri.
Missourians For Koster - $25,000 from RightCHOICE Managed Care Inc.
Lobbyist Registrations
From the Gate Way Group website:
William A Gamble, Jorgen Schlemeier, and Sarah Topp added AEP Transmission Asset Strategy and Policy.
Tim Green added LINQ 3, and Arnold and Associates.
Patricia R. Jensen added The Parkway Powers Condominium Association Inc.
William B. Moore added Valley Speedway.
Trent Ford added W.E. Shoehigh LLC on behalf of Microsoft.
Birthdays
Happy birthdays to HRCC’s Jon Ratliff.