Session promotes jobs, protects citizens, cuts waste

By Jason Crowell

For the first time in almost 50 years, the Republican Party controlled both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly during the legislative session that ended recently. With the turn of power came innovative reforms and renewed attention to efficiency and accountability in state government.

Legislation promoting job creation, protecting Missouri's most vulnerable citizens and eliminating government waste passed the General Assembly this year.

Job creation, protection

Promoting job creation remained the top priority this session. Missouri leads the nation in job loss. In 2002, 77,700 jobs left the state. Missouri has fared far worse in job loss than bordering states, with Oklahoma being the closest (losing 19,700 jobs). To promote job creation, the General Assembly passed several reforms.

Legislation allowing Noranda Aluminum Inc. to purchase power at rates free of state regulation, Senate Bill 555 will keep the aluminum smelting plant in New Madrid, Mo., which will save 1,100 jobs in Southeast Missouri.

Another job retention bill, House Bill 680, will provide certain tax credits to a Ford Motor Co. plant in Hazelwood, Mo., saving thousands of jobs by keeping the auto-manufacturing factory in Missouri.

The job creation and health care protection act, Senate Bill 280, will help put an end to the filing of frivolous lawsuits and bring fairness to the civil litigation system. The provisions of SB 280 will hold down the cost of medical malpractice insurance for doctors so they can remain in practice without losing most of their overhead to skyrocketing insurance rates.

Senate Bill 69 will create the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, which will serve as a liaison between agencies and small businesses on issues concerning the impact of agency rules and regulations. This board will give small businesses an opportunity to have their voices heard instead of being overrun with burdensome regulations set forth by state government.

Protecting the vulnerable

It is the responsibility of the state to protect Missouri's most vulnerable citizens. Last year five children died while under the umbrella of the state's foster-care system. This year, the General Assembly passed legislation addressing the security needs of children.

House Bill 679 will reform the foster-care system from the time a call is placed to family reunification or permanent placement of the child. HB 679 opens up most court proceedings and records to the public, sets up a system to establish priorities for hotline calls so children get prompt attention, and creates the Office of Child Advocate for Children's Protection Services to represent children in state custody.

Legislation establishing a statewide Amber alert program, House Bill 185, is designed to aid law enforcement in the search of an abducted child. After a child is reported missing, information about the child and suspected abductor are broadcast over radio and television programs, turning every community member into the eyes and ears of local law enforcement.

Cutting government waste

By defeating three tax proposals within the last nine months, including a proposal earmarked for highway improvements, Missouri voters have expressed their lack of trust in the way state government conducts business. Not only should government learn to live within its means, it should be held accountable for its actions. Several legislative reforms passed to enhance government accountability, thereby cutting government waste.

Legislation promoting transportation accountability, House Bill 668, creates an inspector general to serve as executive director of the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight. The inspector general will report directly to the General Assembly and will be responsible for detecting and preventing fraud, waste and abuse in department programs and operations. The position will also conduct management and program evaluations to ensure efficiency in the Department of Transportation. HB 668 will also require the director of the Department of Transportation to deliver an annual State of Transportation address to the General Assembly.

Legislation requiring performance-based budgeting, Senate Bill 299, will ensure that government delivers high-quality services to taxpayers in the most cost-effective manner. Implementing performance-based budgeting helps put an end to wasteful spending and out-of-control growth by constantly evaluating the worth of state programs and services. SB 299 will also sunset all new state programs after six years of enactment. The General Assembly can choose not to reauthorize the program after its six-year trial period if the program is more of a waste than a benefit.

Jason Crowell of Cape Girardeau is the state representative for District 158.