SCOTT CITY CHAMBER HEARS LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

SCOTT CITY -- Members of the Scott City Chamber of Commerce gathered over lunch Tuesday to quiz a representative of U.S. senators Kit Bond's and John Ashcroft's office.

Tom Schulte, district office director for both Missouri senators, gave chamber members an overview of some of the topics Bond and Ashcroft have been addressing in the 105th Congress.

Schulte said Ashcroft has submitted three of the top 10 items on the Republican agenda in the Senate. He has introduced a bill for the Family-Friendly Workplace Act that would give employees the opportunity to adjust their work schedules to balance the demands of work and home. Schulte said federal employees have had this benefit for years.

Another bill Ashcroft is backing is the Product Liability Reform Act of 1997 which would overhaul "an unfair and inefficient liability system." The third bill is directed at treating serious juvenile offenders the same as adults, Schulte said.

Bond is backing legislation that would allow self-employed business people to deduct 100 percent of their health insurance deductions from their income tax. Bond has said that full deductibility could increase health care for the millions of uninsured children in the country and make health insurance more affordable.

Bond has also introduced a bill that would attempt to stimulate economic growth in disadvantaged communities, Schulte said.

"This would target communities based on true need," he said. "It would be a positive step in addressing welfare reform."

Bond's HUBZone Act would provide government contracting preferences and set-asides to small businesses located in economically distressed areas. It would provide those same benefits to companies that hire out of economically depressed areas.

Besides national legislation, Schulte said the senators are looking at local issues such as getting Missouri more highway money.

Schulte said the percentage of federal funds in the construction of Missouri roads has risen from 78 percent of the cost to more than 80 percent. He said the senators are working toward making that 100 percent.

He said Southeast Missouri has the natural resources to become a second "Silicon Valley." Developing the means to move those products out to market is the next step. He said with interstates 55 and 60, the Mississippi River and the railroad lines, Southeast Missouri is truly inter-mobile.

Francis Siebert, Scott City's attorney, asked Schulte how the balanced budget amendment would affect Missouri's National Guard units.

Schulte said the guard is a high priority for Bond, who sees it as one of the most economical forms of defense. Schulte said Missouri's guard units have not been scheduled for revenue reductions.