SCHWAB READIES FOR START OF SESSION WEDNESDAY

JACKSON - During his five years in the Missouri House of Representatives, David Schwab says he has noticed that most problems in legislation occur near the end of the session when compromises are made as the two houses try to agree on a final bill.

"My experience in the legislature is that we do a good job the first part of the session. We thoroughly go through the bills and get a lot of the bad things worked out in committees and then get some good amendments added on the floor," said Schwab.

"But while good bills come out of one chamber or the other, we tend to get bottled up at the end and compromises and deals that are made lead us to come up with legislation that is not good for everybody."

One example of that, noted Schwab, is Senate Bill 380, an education reform bill passed last year to enact a new school foundation formula and increase funding for elementary and secondary education.

"Looking at SB-380, which many point to as a success, there just wasn't enough input allowed to get a good bill," said Schwab, who complained the bill was flawed by too much late session maneuvering.

As a result, there are some problems in the bill that have to be corrected this year. One such loophole allows school districts to claim additional state money by financing buildings through a lease-purchase program. If schools took advantage of the loophole, the state funding available in the foundation formula would be up to $200 million short.

Schwab said legislators are expected to take quick action to deal with that problem.

Workers compensation is another issue where Schwab believes more work is needed in 1994. Bills have been passed the last two years, but Schwab complains that interest groups like the trial lawyers were able to alter the final bill so it will not reduce costs of workers comp premiums considerably.

"I just don't see much from last year that would keep rates low enough to keep small businesses from laying off people," said Schwab. "We need to get a better definition of accident and get lawyers out of this process to reduce litigation. Workers comp is there to help workers who are injured on the job and we need to get back to that purpose."

He added, "The trial lawyers really gutted the bill last year. Right now people are facing being laid off due to increased costs of workers compensation insurance. The cost of false claims, litigation and related issues are driving the cost out of control for employers.

"One of the groups that benefits the most from the present system are trial lawyers. They are a wealthy and powerful lobbying group that have doled out lots of money to the House leadership to oppose meaningful reforms. I will support legislation that provides needed reforms, regardless of special interest group opposition."

The Jackson Republican will be starting his sixth year in the legislature this week. He represents the 157th District which includes Jackson, the outcounty area, Ward 17 in the city of Cape, and a small part of Bollinger County that includes the Sedgewickville area.

Schwab has serious reservations about efforts planned this year for health care and welfare reform. He fears the reforms will be nothing more than new tax-supported programs.

"Every time we hear of reform in Jefferson City, it ends up costing the taxpayers money," said Schwab. "This year the talk is of welfare reform. I will oppose reform that doesn't encourage recipients to get off the public dole and into the work force. Most people want to work and should be given the opportunity. However, we should not be required to continually support people that are not wiling to work. Welfare reform should not be more handouts or new taxes that cost our state jobs."

Schwab said the ideal welfare reform plan will provide training and support for individuals who want to join the work force and also promote economic development and new jobs in the state.

A member of the transportation committee, Schwab anticipates funding for mass transit in St. Louis to be a big issue during the 1994 session. Schwab strongly opposes any type of statewide tax to fund urban mass transit.

Said Schwab: "They have already received a large subsidy from the federal government to build the system. There is no reason that Southeast Missourians should subsidize the operation cost of St. Louis' mass transit system. These funds should come from fees or taxes from the communities it serves."

The third-term legislator pointed out that the federal money St. Louis received to construct its light rail system was from federal gas tax money paid by people all over the state. He believes there is no reason to burden outstate people further with things like statewide sales taxes, which were discussed in previous years, to cover operating costs. Schwab also opposes a plan to remove the sales tax exemption on gasoline as a way of funding the transit program.

"If they get it built for nothing and then can't afford to operate it, something is wrong," Schwab declared.

Schwab will have the same committee assignments this year that he had in the last session. Besides the panel on transportation, he serves on the appropriations committee for general administration; the committee for agri-business; higher education; and professional registration.

Overall in the upcoming session that begins Wednesday, Schwab believes legislators will proceed with caution.

"I think everyone will be more cautious this year since it is an election year," said Schwab. "There will be a lot of caution."