JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU'VE SEEN IT ALL....
So far it's been about stopping eligible voters from voting.
Last week I wasn't sure of the theme in the Capitol but it grew more and more unusual each day.
Last Monday I was subject to legislation filed by Rep. Mike Leara (R-Sunset Hills) which would send me to prison just for filing for my universal firearm background check bill - yes, you read that correctly (see more below). All activities in the Capitol were suspended Wednesday afternoon and Thursday as legislators/staff were sent home because of the impending snow storm.
Good thing.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES COMMITTEE
We heard testimony on three bills in an unprecedented committee hearing Tuesday that lasted for 4 1/2 hours following session (a committee hearing normally scheduled for 2 hours). The length of the hearing was out of the ordinary and so were the bills:
1) House Bill 402 - sponsored by Rep. Lindell Shumake (R- Hannibal)
FAMILY INTERVENTION ORDERS
This would establish family intervention orders for the treatment of persons who abuse chemical substances. The main witness providing testimony was David Usher of the Center for Marriage Policies who wrote the bill based on his own research. He provided many statistics (but no sources) that included 3/4 of domestic violence cases involve substance abuse and that the highest rate of divorce involves couples who unequally abuse substances.
When asked by the committee if his overall goal was encouraging drug abuse treatment or preservation of marriage, his answers were unclear.
Also testifying were Samantha Caraway, a Miss Missouri contestant who presented her pageant platform; Kerry Messer with Missouri Family Network/Americans United for Life and a mother whose daughter is in an abusive marriage.
2) House Bill 513 - sponsored by Rep. Kurt Bahr (R - O'Fallon)
PROTECTION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
Rep. Bahr (vice-chair of this committee) presented this in 2012 as a Parental Rights Amendment to the U. S. Constitution. The bill specifies that the liberty of a parent to direct the upbringing , education and care of his/her child as a fundamental right to which the state would be prohibited from infringing upon and would apply to all laws. Rep. Bahr testified that a state statute is badly needed since the U. S. Supreme Court has restricted parental rights.
A mother testified that she is concerned what might occur if this is not law.
3) House Bill 343 - sponsored by Rep. Casey Guernsey (R-Bethany)
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BENEFITS
Rep. Guernsey testified he drafted this on behalf of several constituents who believed there was fraud with the federal temporary assistance for needy families program (TANF). He had no statistics or data but insisted this reform would save taxpayers funds.
The fiscal review of HB343 included a loss of over $6 billion in federal funds to Missouri and the requirement of 34 new fulltime positions which must be state funded.
Rep. Guernsey testified that citizens on this regulated program were somehow taking advantage of the government.
REP. LEARA WANTS TO SEND ME TO PRISON
He filed HB633 last Monday which reads:
"Any member of the general assembly who proposes a piece of legislation that further restricts the right of an individual to bear arms, as set forth under the second amendment of the Constitution of the united States, shall be guilty of a class D felony."
Because last month I introduced HB187, Universal Background Checks for Firearms (closing the gun show and internet loophole for unlicensed dealers), I would be subject to indictment.
Rep. Leara stated publicly this week, "“I filed HB 633 as a matter of principle and as a statement in defense of the Second Amendment rights of all Missourians". He said, “ I want it to be clear that the Missouri House will stand in defense of the people’s Constitutional right to keep and bear arms.”
Seriously.
Instead of common sense legislative solutions to prevent further gun violence tragedies, such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Rep. Leara wants to "make statements" and headlines.
2 comments:
With each newsletter I read, I gain more and more respect for Rep Newman.
Closing the gun show loophole isn't the answer -- but it is a very good start. Why doesn't Rep Leara just say,"Anyone who wants to keep guns out of the hands deranged or mentally challenged people should be considered communists." Where have we heard that before?
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