From Jan. 20- Kinder responds to State of State

Goodman:comments on bills for drug testing welfare recipients and strengthening sex shops regulations

In his latest Capitol Report, Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mount Vernon, talks about his bills to require certain welfare recipients to undergo drug testing and to strengthen regulations of sex shops.

A debate is gearing up in the Legislature over taxpayers’ rights. I have to say: It is about time. Illegal drug use among welfare recipients has been an issue that has received some attention in recent years, but I believe this is the year decisive action will be taken on the issue.

This year, I sponsored SB 615, a bill to allow drug testing of recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) if there is reasonable suspicion that a person is using drugs. If an individual does test positive for drugs, he or she would be ineligible for benefits under the program for one year. The person would also be referred to a substance abuse treatment program. Other members of the household would still continue to receive benefits through a third-party payee. Thus, innocent family members would not be penalized, but drug users would not be able to get their hands on the money.

Of course we want to curb illegal drug use in our state, but this bill is about much more than that. Taxpayers have a reasonable expectation that their hard-earned dollars are not going to support illegal behavior—including drug habits. Right now many of us feel as though the federal government is hijacking our tax dollars to recklessly spend them on bank bailouts, special interest projects and job creation bills that do not actually create sustainable jobs. Here in Missouri, we must take the steps we can to protect taxpayers’ rights. I believe one guarantee we can—and should—make to Missourians is that their money will not subsidize drug use by those on government programs.

Simple drug tests are required of applicants for many jobs across the state. Certainly the least we can do is require those who are receiving government assistance be held accountable just as they would if receiving a paycheck for employment. Drug testing would also separate the people who are abusing the system from those who really need help getting back on their feet.

Senate Bill 615 was heard this week in the Senate Health, Mental Health, Seniors and Families Committee. It must be voted out of committee to be debated on the Senate floor. I’ll keep you updated on the status of my bill and other similar legislation in the weeks to come.

On another note, a bill I sponsored would strengthen regulations for sexually oriented businesses in Missouri. It was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee this week. This issue is another priority of mine and I hope 2010 is the year that we are able to get legislation through the General Assembly cracking down on the harmful operation of smut shops across the state.

Senate Bill 617 would prohibit the establishment of a sexually oriented business within 1,000 feet of a pre-existing school, house of worship, state-licensed day care, public library, public park, residence, or other sexually oriented business. The bill would also regulate what can take place inside such establishments. Sexually oriented businesses would also be required to close their doors between midnight and 6 a.m., and the use, sale and consumption of alcohol on the premises would be prohibited.

The increasing prevalence of these smut shops in our beautiful state makes it increasingly difficult, as parents, to protect our children from the harmful effects they can have on our communities. They are also a magnet, drawing sexual predators into our communities.

Blunt among those receiving Sarah Palin contributions

Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt, a candidate for U. S. Senate, was one of a dozen candidates across the U. S. to receive contributions from former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's PAC, according to an article in the National Journal.

The magazine says the lion's share of Mrs. Palin's money, $47,777, went to buy copies of her book Going Rogue to give to donors. Meanwhile, the PAC donated approximately $43,000.

Scandal continues to grow around Missouri Southern's medical school partner

Perhaps it is not the proper sort of image to associate with a medical school, but they are dropping like flies at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, the proposed partner for Missouri Southern State University in developing a medical school in Joplin.

The firings began with the dismissal of longtime University President Karen Pletz, who worked with MSSU President Bruce Speck on the idea of a Joplin campus for KCUMB. The Kansas City Business Journal reports Steve Hale, KCUMB Internal audit/grant specialist has been fired. Including Ms. Pletz and Hale, six people have been fired as the result of the university's internal investigation, though no one is saying what it is being investigated.

No connection has been mentioned between the firings and the MSSU situation, but recent media reports have made it look very much like Ms. Pletz was keeping her board in the dark about numerous items, including the Joplin medical school.

GateHouse Media chairman cites across-the-board growth

The small daily newspapers of GateHouse Media saw "across-the-board" growth in the fourth quarter, Fortress Investment Group Chairman and GateHouse CEO Wesley Edens said Jan. 29 during a speech at Columbia Business School's 16th annual Private Equity and Venture Capital Conference in New York. The information was included in a filing today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Fortress Investment owns 39.9 percent of Gatehouse Media. GateHouse Media owns more than 300 newspapers in the U. S., including The Carthage Press, Neosho Daily News, and the Pittsburg Morning Sun.

Emery, Scott, Hohulin endorse Hartzler for Fourth District Congressional seat

Some familiar names for folks in the Lamar area are among those listed as endorsing former Rep. Vicky Hartzler in her race for the GOP nomination for the Fourth District Congresional seat currently held by Democrat Ike Skelton.

The list includes current state representative Ed Emery, R-Lamar, and his predecessor, Bubs Hohulin, R-Lamar, as well as the current state senator who represents Lamar and Barton County, Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City, and his predecessor, Morris Westfall, R-Halfway.

Also included is nationally known conservative Phyllis Schlafly of St. Louis. The complete news release is printed below:

Hartzler for Congress today announced recent endorsements for Vicky Hartzler and 2009 year-end fundraising results.
“People are increasingly energized and determined to claim our district for conservative ideas and values and Missouri common sense,” Hartzler said. “We are seeing strong attendance at our town hall meetings and campaign rallies across the district. I feel a Missouri Miracle coming for November.
“We are very encouraged to have received the financial support of over 225 individuals in the fourth quarter of last year. A full 74% of our donors wrote checks for less than $250, and I am humbled and deeply honored to see such an outpouring of grassroots enthusiasm.”
State Senator Delbert Scott (R-Lowry City) serves as campaign treasurer. Sen. Scott said: “Vicky connects with people in a very special way. She began with many friends and boosters throughout the district, and makes new friends by the day. She is a great listener, an inspirational speaker, and someone whose cheerfulness and enthusiasm are very contagious.
“Vicky has seemingly endless energy and the Missouri work ethic that did so much to make America great. Our November opponent is a long-serving Democrat who has been voting with Nancy Pelosi almost 100% of the time. Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District voters realize their congressman has drastically changed.”
Hartzler is a former classroom teacher in Belton and Lebanon, a state representative from 1995-2001, and a wife and mother who helps run the family’s small business and diversified farming operation near Harrisonville. She is a lifetime member of the Missouri Farm Bureau.
Hartzler is the only candidate in either party with a legislative record of drawing the line against job-killing tax increases. As state representative for three terms in Cass and Johnson counties, she was elected with landslide numbers by Republicans, conservative Democrats, and independents. She is committed to job creation through empowerment of small businesses and free enterprise. She stands for the solid family values of the American heartland.
Financial activity October-November 2009: Year-End Cash on Hand, $254,916.47; Total Receipts $78,160.64; expenditures $33,937.10.
Leadership endorsements of Vicky Hartzler for U.S. Representative:
Eagle Forum, Phyllis Schlafly
Former State Representative Brian Baker
Former Missouri State Representative Charlie Ballard
Former Missouri State Representative Matt Boatright
Missouri State Representative Wayne Cooper
Missouri State Representative Ed Emery
Former Missouri State Representative Catherine Enz
Missouri State Representative Barney Fisher
Former Missouri State Representative Carl Hendrickson
Former Missouri State Representative Bubs Hohulin
Former Missouri State Representative Roy Holand
Former Missouri State Representative Bob Jackson
Former Missouri State Representative Jerry King
Missouri State Representative Scott Largent
Former Missouri State Representative Bill Linton
Former Missouri State Representative Beth Long
Former Missouri State Senator Emery Melton
Former Missouri State Representative Ronnie Miller
Missouri State Representative Chris Molendorp
Missouri State Senator Chuck Purgason
Missouri State Senator Delbert Scott
Former Missouri State Senator Morris Westfall
Former Missouri State Representative Dale Whitesid

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Veterans organization honors Nodler

Sen. Gary Nodler received the Legislator of the Year award today from the Missouri Association of Veterans Organizations. The news release is printed below:

.Senator Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, was presented with the Missouri Association of Veterans Organizations Legislator of the Year Award for his dedication to representing Missouri veterans' best interests. He accepted the award on Monday, February 1st, in Jefferson City.

Senator Nodler, a veteran served in the United States Army and Missouri National Guard as a member of the 203rd Engineers Battalion in Pierce City and Joplin. He is a member of Robert S. Thurman American Legion Post 13 in Joplin.

"I am both honored and deeply humbled by this award. I've had the unique opportunity to work for veterans since 1973 when Congressman Gene Taylor asked me to learn as much as I could about veterans programs and benefits and to be of service when veterans needed the Congressman's assistance. For 35 years I have been able to work at the state and federal level of government for veterans. I have worked with many people who have the veterans' best interest at heart to recognize and remember the service and sacrifice those men and women have given to our nation and the world. I will continue to work and to stand by our commitments to veterans to provide the benefits of education, job training, health care services, pensions and final internment when requested." states Senator Nodler.

"I am accepting this award for those who dedicate their time as Post Commanders for VFW and American Legion, the DAV, and all of the other organizations now representing those who have served our nation and who currently stand at duty stations around the world," Nodler continues.

"I'm grateful for the work of the medical staffs at the Veterans Outpatient Clinic in Branson and the Gene Taylor Clinic in Mt. Vernon; for the outstanding dedication of the Veterans Service Officers who work daily throughout the state to assist veterans. In Southwest Missouri, David Schad, John McLean, Janeene Pierce, Bob Wilson, Clayton Cooper and Mike Hopper as veterans' service officers represent the Veterans Commissions dedication to serving veterans.

I appreciate Chuck Wooten who worked tirelessly with many others to get the Missouri Veterans Cemetery located in Springfield where Director Steve Maples and his staff are providing a final resting place for our fellow veterans and comfort to their family and friends. It is a beautiful, peaceful place," concludes the Senator.

Bipartisan bill would make Missouri bars and restaurants smoke-free

The following news release was just issued:

State Reps. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, and Walt Bivins, R-St. Louis County, have filed legislation to create uniform statewide smoke-free standards in bars and restaurants. The bill is HB 1766.

Schupp worked with representatives of the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society to craft the bill prior to the 2010 legislative session to help bring uniformity and certainty to laws regulating smoking in the state.

“While other states have taken the lead on improving indoor air quality, Missouri has been among the last holdouts,” Schupp said. “The time has come for uniformity statewide to create a healthy environment in all public places and replace the existing patchwork of local restrictions.”

Because of the lack of a statewide law on smoking in bars and restaurant, restrictions vary widely in Missouri. While some cities and counties allow smoking in bars and restaurants, a growing number of local governments in recent years have imposed some type of restrictions. The patchwork of local ordinances, however, has resulted in uneven enforcement and uncertainty as to where smoking is allowed and where it isn’t from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Hannity starts on KZRG today

For those looking for the conservative version of Nirvana, Sean Hannity's talk show moves to KZRG from 2 to 5 p.m. beginning today.

This will give KZRG six hours, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.

It also continues the station's successful effort to move every major talker from 1450 to 1310 (and 102.9 FM).

No Child Left Behind deadline to be eliminated

The most laughable part of the No Child Left Behind, the requirement that all schools have 100 percent of students achieving proficiency by 2014, is going to be eliminated, according to an article in today's New York Times:

The secretary of education, Arne Duncan, foreshadowed the elimination of the 2014 deadline in a September speech, referring to it as a “utopian goal,” and administration officials have since made clear that they want the deadline eliminated. In recent meetings with representatives of education groups, Department of Education officials have said they also want to eliminate the school ratings system built on making “adequate yearly progress” on student test scores.

“They were very clear with us that they would change the metric, dropping adequate yearly progress and basing a new system on another picture of performance based on judging schools in a more nuanced way,” said Bruce Hunter, director of public policy for the American Association of School Administrators, who attended one of the meetings.

The current system issues the equivalent of a pass-fail report card for every school each year, an evaluation that administration officials say fails to differentiate among chaotic schools in chronic failure, schools that are helping low-scoring students improve and high-performing suburban schools that nonetheless appear to be neglecting some low-scoring students.

Instead, under the administration’s proposals, a new accountability system would divide schools into more categories, offering recognition to those that are succeeding and providing large new amounts of money to help improve or close failing schools.