Video- Tim Jones praises right-to-work legislation at Lincoln Days

Video- Peter Kinder blames unions for Missouri's problems

Former GOP legislator's testimony: Right-to-work is not the way to go

A Progress Missouri video

Video- Business owners testify against right-to-work legislation

House Committee hears testimony on right-to-work legislation

Video- St. Louis Mayor- I am against right-to-work laws

Stacey Newman previews 2014 legislative session

In her latest report, Rep. Stacey Newman, D-St. Louis, previews the 2014 legislative session.

Speaker Tim Jones addressed the House Wednesday morning revealing his legislative priorities for 2014: 

• Renewed efforts for broad based tax cuts (vetoed by the governor last year)
• "Right to Work" legislation that would prohibit unions from collecting fees as a condition of employment (also known as attacks on workers via ALEC)
• Medical malpractice reform, which he referred to as "the true healthcare crisis in Missouri"
• Education reform
• Protecting Missouri values
• Sounding like a stump speech for his projected 2016 Attorney General race, Jones was very clear what bills he wants on the floor this session.  What was blaringly missing was ANY reference to:  expanding Medicaid/healthcare access for Missourians, addressing the crippling school transfer issue gripping St. Louis and Kansas City school districts OR any legislative attempt to increase jobs in the state.

 What does he mean by "protecting Missouri values"?  

 Jones is looking for co-sponsors for his Conscience bill which he intends to file shortly (see HB457 from 2013) = "anyone or any medical entity providing medical services may refuse services or treatment based on their conscience or principles".   He has pushed this same legislation since 2012.  Missouri values???

 What does he mean by "education reform"?  

 Jones' major education push last year, HB631 dealing with teacher tenure, was soundly defeated in several attempts. We anticipate he will push similiar bills after retaliation of his own caucus members who voted against him last year. Education reform???

 BILLS READY TO ROCK AND ROLL WHICH I'M MONITORING:

• SB519 (Sen. David Sater) - increasing the waiting period for an abortion from 24 hours to 72 hours
• HB11 (Rep. Ron Hicks) - requiring an ultrasound to be viewed prior to a waiting period of 24 hours for an abortion
• HB1132 (Rep. Kevin Engler) - increasing tax credits for pregnancy resource centers to $2.5 million (these centers have no medical oversight) 
• SB511 (Sen. Will Kraus) HB107 (Rep. Tony Duggar) SJR31 (Sen. Will Kraus) HJR47 (Rep. Stanley Cox) - requiring a state issued photo ID in order to vote - INCLUDES A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH WOULD GO STRAIGHT FROM THE LEGISLATURE ONTO THE NOV BALLOT
• SJR36 (Sen. Kurt Schaefer) - constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to bear arms
• HB1164 (Rep. Chrissy Sommers) - Firearms Freedom Act
• SB613 (Sen. Brian Nieves) - Second Amendment Preservation Act

If you have any interest in testifying on any bill this session, please let my office know. We'd be happy to keep you informed - which may involve last minute notice on public hearings (what we typically receive).

Stay tuned.  I guarantee you there will be plenty of fireworks this session inside the Dome. One of these days we just might get around to "responsible governing" on issues Missourians really care about.

Video- Complete right-to-work for less money, benefits rally

This is the complete video of the right-to-work rally in Jefferson City Monday. Listen as speaker such Peter Kinder, Tim Jones, and Ed Emery explain why we should sacrifice workers' wages and benefits, so their contributors can make more money.

Video- Kinder at rally: The moral case for right-to-work

Video- Tim Jones at rally: Missourians want right-to-work

Video- Ed Emery on Right To Work- Unions are oppressing the people

Only in the world of Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, could driving down wages and losing benefits be considered battling oppression, but that is exactly what Emery is pushing in this Progress Missouri video taken today at a right-to-work rally in Jefferson City.

Video- Kinder to Missouri Torch: Right-to-work gaining momentum in Missouri, across the nation

In this inaugural airing of Duane Lester's conservative talk show The Missouri Torch, recorded this morning from the Capitol Rotunda, Lester offers his views and interviews Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and Speaker of the House Tim Jones.

In the Kinder interview, which takes place about halfway through the video, the lieutenant governor continues his recent push for right-to-work laws in Missouri, saying, "It's gaining momentum, not just in our state, but across the nation."

The Jones interview is near the end of the video. Jones and Lester explain why Obamacare won't work and what they think will. Jones says the reason we have a health insurance problem and not a car insurance problem is because there is more competition.

2013 in Review: Tim Jones: "Very personal" constituent turned me into a birther

(From February 2013)

It was a "constituent of mine," who led Missouri Speaker of the House Tim Jones, R-Eureka, to join Orly Taitz' crackpot birther lawsuit trying to have Barack Obama removed as president of the United States because he was not an American citizen.

But not just any constituent, Jones told St. Louis Fox 2's Charles Jaco on the Jaco Report Sunday.

"It was a very personal constituent of mine," Jones said.

Jones never named that personal constituent, leaving the viewer to wonder just what kind of "personal constituent" could convince a state legislator to attach his name and alleged reputation to a frivolous lawsuit.

Perhaps it was some mentor who paved the way for Jones' meteoric rise to the top of the Missouri House of Representatives.

Or could it have been a childhood friend whose dying wish was to see Tim Jones proudly wearing the mantle of birther?

It could have been as simple as a buddy telling Jones over a couple of beers, "Look, if I can sign up one more birther, I have a chance to win an AR-15."