STATE REPS HEAR CALL TO ACTION; GRIFFIN URGES STEPS ON LINGERING ISSUES

JEFFERSON CITY - Southeast Missouri members of the Missouri House of Representatives were generally complimentary of comments made by Speaker Bob Griffin in his opening-day address to the 163-member chamber Wednesday.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Blackmar is scheduled to deliver the annual State of the Judiciary address this morning.

Following his remarks, House members will approve rules for the new session before adjourning until Monday afternoon.

Griffin, in remarks made after his election to an unprecedented sixth term as speaker, called on the representatives to address the many lingering issues facing the state.

He outlined needs in areas such as education, social services, health care, and transportation. He declared that problems in these areas need to be studied and a decision made on whether additional funding is needed.

Griffin also announced plans to appoint eight task forces of House members to study problems and revenue needs in education, economic development, tourism, highways and transportation, agricultural support, health care, crime prevention and the environment.

"It was definitely a call to action type of speech," said Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau. "We certainly have reason to be alarmed if we don't begin dealing with many of these problems soon."

Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, said that "no one would disagree with what the Speaker said about needs." But the freshman lawmaker added that he was a little concerned about where revenue would come from to address those needs.

"It is easy to talk about new programs, but when we are facing a recession it might not be a good time to be talking about new programs."

Rep. Ollie Amick, D-Scott City, said that Griffin outlined a good proposal. But he noted, "My first question is where will the money come from?"

"I was very pleased with his comments," said Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett. "Often times, many issues get skirted because no one takes the time to identify the issues clearly and look for solutions. The speaker said we will address tough issues and formulate a plan, and that's what we're here for."

Both Thomason and Rep. Joe Driskill, D-Doniphan, said they think the task forces could lead to the drafting of legislation next year to give voters an opportunity to decide on a major tax increase.

"I think it is time for everybody to look seriously at the issue of increasing taxes," said Thomason. "The answer may be to modify our current system and not raise taxes, but we need to look at these problems."

Driskill said, "The jury is still out" on whether people of Southeast Missouri would support a tax increase to address the needs, but said the task forces could be useful.

"The speaker is looking for good research, good advice and good direction from these," said Driskill. "I think it is a good time to assess what public opinion is. We may want to tell people what the needs are and then see if they want to pay for it."

But Driskill and others expressed concern that a downturn in the national economy and layoffs in Missouri could lead to a bleak future for any type of revenue proposals in the next few years.

"The gist of his talk is that he wanted to see action - movement on issues," added Thomason. "That is something I agree with wholeheartedly."

Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn, D-Sikeston, said he was pleased that Griffin addressed the needs of the state and offered some possible solutions to address those needs.

"He's definitely got a plan in mind and knows the issues he wants to see us address," declared the sixth-term lawmaker. "It looks like education is his number one priority, which is also the number one priority for most of us here."

Griffin also called on lawmakers to consider capping the deduction paid for federal income taxes at $10,000, which he said would raise about $120 million that could be placed in the school foundation formula for public schools.

Kasten said she would have to study the proposal before deciding whether to support it, but said she was pleased with Griffin's interest in education. "He emphasized a definite interest in education and a statement of commitment to increase funding for education.

"Certainly the need for improving education has always been foremost in my thinking."

Thomason said that in general, he has no problem with the speaker's tax plan. "It is the only immediate solution I have heard of to address our needs for elementary and secondary education."

Ziegenhorn and Driskill said they would have to give Griffin's plan for raising funds for education a closer look, but acknowledged it had potential.

Most area representatives seemed receptive to the speaker's plan for appointing the task forces.

"I have great hope when you focus on problems facing you with a bipartisan effort, you can come out with clear answers," observed Kasten. "This is possibly a very good direction for us."

Kasten noted that in the past interim committees, appointed to study specific problems, have sparked positive results.

Amick said he also likes the task force idea. "I think the legislature has enough varied interests where those could be filled with people of expertise and concern," remarked Amick.

Ziegenhorn said he thinks having representatives involved in the task forces will help draw out views from constituents and enable the groups to gather a wide range of thoughts.

Richardson added, "The speaker is right that this is a good time to put partisan politics aside and to look at solutions to our problems."