LEGISLATURE HAS IMPORTANT ISSUES TO DEBATE, DECIDE

The 1995 session of the Missouri General Assembly, which already has several days under its belt, runs through May 13. After the fireworks that dominated the opening days in the House of Representatives, many have predicted a chaotic session in which little of substance will be accomplished. It can be hoped that this prediction will prove unfounded, as many important issues are on the line.

Juvenile crime: First and foremost is the issue of juvenile crime. As with other states, Missouri has experienced an explosion in juvenile crime over the last few years. Sadly, though, our state's juvenile code dates from the 1950s and reflects the tamer issues that were prevalent then in this area of the law. Missourians know the juvenile code needs to be updated and look forward to action that follows through on the commitments of Gov. Carnahan and legislative leaders. This reform must not be put off any longer.

Workers' compensation: Every bit as important to a vital Missouri business climate for job creation is a thorough reform of workers' compensation. While this may not be the sexiest of issues, it is a $1 billion item for Missouri business. Years of double-digit increases in workers' comp premiums have signalled that the system is broken. Senate Bill 32, a bipartisan workers' comp reform measure, has been introduced. Among other defects, a nationally respected workers' comp rating firm says that Missouri has the most litigious system in the nation. This must change. It also is time to consider enacting fee schedules for medical providers.

SB 32 will receive an early hearing, this coming week or next, in the Senate Labor committee. Only swift action on this measure will send the right message that Missouri government has heard -- and acted on -- the message from business leaders.

Tax limitation: There is wide, bipartisan agreement that last fall's overwhelming vote against Amendment 7, the so-called Hancock II amendment, didn't lay this issue to rest. On the contrary, overwhelming support exists for an effective tax-limitation measure which, avoiding the retroactive issues that torpedoed Amendment 7, mandates voter approval of major tax issues. If legislators fail to act on this or approve a weak version that is nothing more than window dressing, there will be only more discontent among a suspicious voting public.

In this regard, it is important to note the proposal made by Gov. Carnahan and leaders of the Missouri Farm Bureau. Initial perusal of it reveals a glaring lack of any effective enforcement mechanism. If it doesn't include an effective enforcement clause, it will be subject to this legitimate objection: It is just another Jefferson City shell game. The public won't tolerate this.

Beyond the issue of a public vote on major tax increases is the issue of tax cuts. In no fewer than 30 other states various forms of tax cuts are being debated. As tax-cut fever spreads, Missouri will increasingly be placed at a competitive disadvantage. Repealing Gov. Carnahan's huge 1993 tax increase would be a good place to start.

If, upon adjournment, the legislature has passed measures that honestly and forthrightly deal with these issues, it can rightly claim to have been a positive and productive session.