CAPE COUNTY LEGISLATORS DISCUSS ISSUES AT CHAMBER'S COFFEE

Cape County's three members of the Missouri General Assembly Friday chided efforts to pass laws increasing governmental bureaucracy and promised to work for new workers' compensation reform before the session adjourns.

Speaking at the First Friday Coffee of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, and Reps. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, and David Schwab, R-Jackson, brought members up to date on issues being considered in the session that runs until May 13.

All three expressed concern about a health care reform bill being pushed by the governor and legislative leaders. Kinder said that many of the concerns being addressed in the bill could be done without the new bureaucracy it creates.

Said Kinder, "We need to do this without a total redesign of the model. We need insurance reform and we need portability of coverage. What we don't want to do is re-design the whole model."

The three legislators also complained that the governor and Democratic leaders were acting like workers' compensation problems had been addressed last year.

But Schwab maintained, "I probably get more concerns expressed to me about workers' comp than any other issue. We have not really addressed the problems with it."

Added Kinder, "The workers' compensation crisis is unabated in the state ... I think we continue to have a crisis." The senator complained that a reform bill approved by the Senate Labor Committee 10-0 weeks ago had still not been taken up for debate on the Senate floor.

He promised to work toward getting debate on the bill and urged Chamber members to write letters expressing support for the legislation.

Kinder also explained the merits of SB-809 which he is sponsoring, to eliminate some of the excessive control the Department of Natural Resources has.

"The EPA and DNR are each becoming governments within governments," complained Kinder. Under his bill, which had a hearing this week, before a new DNR regulation can be imposed a cost/benefit analysis on the regulation must be conducted.

"One senator after another, from both parties, just shook their heads and said they don't believe we aren't doing this already," said Kinder. He anticipates the bill may be voted out of committee next week, but with the session this far along, to have a chance of passing the measure may need to be attached to another bill.

Kasten pointed out there are a lot of tough issues facing lawmakers again this year with no easy answers. "For every complex problem, there is a simple answer, and it is wrong," said Kasten.

Schwab said he believes eventually many state legislators start ignoring wishes of the people.

"I think it's the doorways," suggested Schwab. "After a while you think you know more than the people do."

One example of a bad bill this past week he cited was one to impose statewide building codes, even for farm buildings. Schwab said the measure would require 275 state employees to supervise. The bill was defeated, but was resurrected three days later when the sponsor promised to eliminate some restrictions in the bill.

"It amazes me how some of these bills can keep coming back after they are supposedly dead," remarked Schwab.

Other legislation being proposed that Schwab believes is inappropriate provides regulations and boards to oversee groups like lawn irrigators and chimney sweeps. Another bill would require everyone riding a bicycle to wear helmets.

Kasten explained the budget process and noted that the state's $11.8 billion budget is nearing the final stages. She also expressed optimism that funding for the new business building at Southeast Missouri State would be secured this year.

Currently, funding for the project is included in a $250 million bond issue that would require voter approval if it passes the legislature.

Kasten also pledged to continue her efforts for welfare reform and the need to place more responsibility on families to get off welfare.

"It has been said that people on welfare, the first year they appreciate it, the second year they expect it, and by the third year they demand it," observed Kasten. "We have got to change some attitudes."

Schwab expressed concern about ongoing efforts in the legislature by city lawmakers to get additional state funding for mass transit. He promised to keep opposing such efforts and noted that already the bulk of the transit funds comes from federal gas taxes distributed to the state. He suggested that users and the local governments needed to pay a larger share of the costs.