Blunt pursues longtime GOP goals

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- After two years of a Republican-led Missouri Legislature sparring with a Democratic governor over conflicting public policy goals, GOP lawmakers on Wednesday finally got a legislative agenda to their liking from new Gov. Matt Blunt.

Having campaigned on the standard Republican message of downsizing state government and pursuing business-friendly policies to bolster the economy, Blunt packed few surprises into his first State of the State address. That didn't matter to Republican lawmakers, however, who enthusiastically approved as Blunt vowed to deliver on the party's long-sought initiatives.

Two proposals Blunt put high on his agenda are overhauling Missouri's civil litigation and workers' compensation system. Former governor Bob Holden, a Democrat, twice vetoed bills tackling the former, and the latter stalled in the face of stiff minority party opposition.

On the civil litigation issue, Blunt called for legislation that would impose a hard cap on damages for pain and suffering, limit financial liability for defendants found only partially at fault and end the practice of "venue shopping," in which plaintiffs seek to file suit in jurisdictions where juries have a reputation for delivering high-dollar verdicts. Leading Republicans are to unveil their bill on the subject Monday.

A workers' compensation reform bill is already moving quickly in the Senate. The measure would make it more difficult for some injured workers to make claims if off-the-job factors contribute to an injury. In his speech, Blunt said high workers' compensation costs are driving employers out of Missouri.

"Missouri cannot effectively compete with other states for good, family-supporting jobs unless we address this problem this year," Blunt said.

In providing the official Democratic response, Attorney General Jay Nixon said the bill would bar employees who suffer repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, from making claims.

"To deny that these are work-related injuries is just flat wrong," Nixon said.

One part of Blunt's agenda that garnered strong bipartisan support is his call for a crackdown on methamphetamine production. He supports legislation that would require common cold medicines that contain key ingredients used to make methamphetamine be sold only through pharmacies. Purchasers would be required to show identification and sign a log so law enforcement could track those who buy large quantities of such products.

Those medications, such as Sudafed, currently are readily available at convenience stores and supermarkets. The Oklahoma law on which the idea is modeled is credited with greatly reducing methamphetamine production in that state by cutting off producers' access to needed raw materials.

Two Southeast Missouri lawmakers -- state Reps. Scott Lipke, R-Cape Girardeau, and Wes Wagner, R-DeSoto -- will lead the effort in the House of Representatives.

"I hope the meth bill is one of the first bills out of the House," said Wagner, who predicts little opposition.

Blunt also received high bipartisan marks from rural lawmakers for his pledge to spur economic growth in the agricultural sector by providing additional state funding for the production of biodiesel and ethanol.

Another area of agreement concerns Blunt's plan to allocate $875,000 to combat underage smoking. Missouri has long been criticized by health-care professionals for doing little to address the problem.

During 12 years under Democratic governors who support the pro-choice side of abortion, that contentious issue received little proactive attention from the executive branch. Republican lawmakers, joined by many conservative Democrats who are pro-life, rose to their feet to applaud as Blunt stated his firm belief in "the sanctity of life and in protecting unborn children." Blunt asked the legislature to prohibit the transportation of a minor across state lines for the purpose of receiving abortion services without parental consent.

Not mentioned in his speech was whether his administration is committed to promoting life sciences research. That issue has the potential to split the Republican Party in much the same way abortion has divided Missouri Democrats. While some Republicans see certain types of research, such as the use of stem cells to cure degenerative diseases, as akin to destroying life, others tout the potential economic and health benefits for the state.

Nixon chided Blunt for sidestepping the issue.

"Matt Blunt should make it clear that he supports Missouri's research universities and institutions by embracing the ethical research they are currently undertaking," Nixon said. "He should make it clear that our medical care and our economy will not be dictated by those who would make this essential research a crime."

mpowers@semissourian.com

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