LAWMAKER SEES SOME OF SAME ISSUES AHEAD

SIKESTON -- As he prepares to begin his 14th session in the Missouri House of Representatives next week, state Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn believes lawmakers will be pretty cautious this year since all House members will be facing voters.

"We will have a lot of the same issues before us this year that we have had in the past, and I feel like we are coming off an exceptionally good session in 1993," said Ziegenhorn. "I feel like this will be a pretty productive year, but you have to consider that this is an election year.

"After 14 years I have found that very little stirs in the election years. I still think we'll get some things done, but many people are afraid of their shadow. I hate it, but that's the way it is."

The Sikeston Democrat is optimistic that an apparent upswing in the economy will increase state revenues and take some of the pressure off the budget that has been a dominant factor of recent sessions.

"From what we are seeing down here, the economy is better, and I think people's attitudes are better. It just seems like people have a good attitude about buying things, interest rates are good, and I feel like people made some money last year," said Ziegenhorn. "Hopefully the state will show some good economic growth."

As chairman of the House Insurance Committee, Ziegenhorn will be involved in a variety of insurance issues, including workers' compensation. Each of the last two years the legislature has passed bills to try and cut the costs of workers' comp insurance, and this year some more modifications will likely be made.

"I think there will be some more changes in workers' comp, though not necessarily major changes," he said.

Another big issue could be whether to make changes in Senate Bill 380, known as the Outstanding Schools Act, which passed the last session amid much controversy and heavy arm twisting by the Carnahan administration.

Several legislators have expressed concern about flaws in the legislation and tax increases that are part of the new school foundation funding formula.

"After you have a big change like that, it is easy to see some improvements and alterations that need to be made. I'm sure some will be considered," said Ziegenhorn.

Ziegenhorn said it may be mid-April before the full impact of the tax changes are determined. SB-380 limits the amount of federal income taxes that can be deducted from the state tax returns, and that will also come the same time as federal tax law changes.

"Come April we could sure hear a lot of screaming about how bad it was," said Ziegenhorn. "I guess we'll find out then whether it hits only the people with high incomes."

Legislation to prevent crime will also be high on the agenda this year, and Ziegenhorn said he is receptive to tougher laws, particularly those to help prevent crimes against children.

Welfare reform is another big issue for the 1994 session. "It's certainly a big issue, but the problem is that we have to comply with what I call the federal blackmail. We have to do certain things to stay in compliance with them and obtain the money we get from the feds," said Ziegenhorn.

"I understand the federal government is getting more flexibility in its regulations. Hopefully that will be the case for us as we deal with the issue."

Besides the insurance committee, Ziegenhorn also serves on the accounts committee in the House, the appropriations committee for education and public safety, and the committee for miscellaneous bills and resolutions.

Once again this session Ziegenhorn said he will have a toll free number at his Jefferson City office for constituents to call with problems or input on legislation. The number is 1-800-347-6916.