Stacey Newman: This is how I voted

In her latest report, Rep. Stacey Newman, D-St. Louis, gives a rundown no how she voted on a number of issues during the last legislative session.

Recently you received my 2012 End of Session Report in the mail.  I feel it’s important that you also know how I voted on several bills of interest; some of which passed and some that did not. 

 HB1251 – “SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT”

  I voted YES on this bill in February.  However I voted NO on the last day of session when the Senate substitute included a very dangerous radioactive waste transport provision.  I am greatly concerned about the environmental effects of this --as were my colleagues below.

 OTHER ST. LOUIS REPS VOTING NO:  JEANNE KIRKTON, TRACY MCCREERY, JEANETTE MOTT OXFORD, SHARON PACE, JILL SCHUPP, SYLVESTER TAYLOR

 *PASSED

 HB1245 – TAX CREDITS & “MISSOURI QUALITY JOBS ACT”

  I voted NO on this on the House floor because of the prohibitive costs to the taxpayers.  With the enormous budget cuts this year to higher education funding and health care for the blind, the bill contained no mechanism to pay for it.  My colleagues below joined with me.

OTHER ST. LOUIS REPS VOTING NO:  JEANNE KIRKTON, TRACY MCCREERY, JEANETTE MOTT OXFORD

 *BILL DIED IN THE SENATE

 HB1323 -- CHILD CARE & SAM’S PRATT LAW

  I enthusiastically voted YES on this in my Children & Families Committee and again on the House floor.  This much-needed bill protects children in unlicensed day centers and involved a huge bi-partisan effort.

  *PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND BECAME LAW

 SB806 – TEACHER TENURE

  I would have voted NO.  This bill, sponsored by Sen. Jane Cunningham, would have made it tougher for public school teachers to attain tenure. As a former teacher and representing five school districts – Brentwood, Clayton, Ladue, Maplewood-Richmond Heights and Webster Groves.  I am in full support of teachers and public education.

 *BILL DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE SENATE FLOOR

 SJR51 – JUDICIAL SELECTION PROCESS

 I voted NO.  This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, would modify the composition of the Appellate Judicial Commission and the selection process for judges to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals.  The existing system has been a proven model throughout the country.

  *ON THE BALLOT AUGUST 7, 2012

 SB749 – LETTING EMPLOYERS DECIDE ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL

 I voted NO.  This would give Missouri employers the power to determine if their employees should have access to contraception, including birth control pills, under the company’s employee health insurance plan.

  *BILL VETOED BY GOVERNOR