Putting a stop to those lowdown abortion coercers

(The following is my latest Daily Kos post.)

It is one of those sins against humanity that no one ever talks about.

Maybe it doesn’t happen in your neck of the woods, but in Missouri, evil men, some of them husbands or boyfriends, some just next-door neighbors if no one else is around, are setting their sights on helpless young women and convincing them to have abortions.

The Show-Me State has become a breeding ground for sickos who watch for pregnant women on the streets, approach them and say, “Hey, babe, you getting tired of carrying that baby?’

If you say you have never heard of this problem, you are not alone. But in Missouri so many people are coercing women into terminating their pregnancies that the House of Representatives felt the necessity to pass a bill to put an end to the barbaric practice. One of the co-sponsors of the bill, Marilyn Ruestman, a Joplin Republican, explained its importance in her weekly capitol report:

Many times, women are being forced or pressured to seek an abortion by their husband, boyfriend or parents. If someone is found guilty of this horrible act, he or she will face a class A felony with a maximum prison term of ten years. Anyone who knowingly performs an abortion on a coerced woman is guilty of a class C felony.

Additionally, mothers must be able to make informed decisions when seeking an abortion. Under this bill, the physician must provide the following information both orally and in writing:
· The physician’s name;
· The gestational age of the unborn child;
· The anatomical and physiological characteristics of the unborn child;
· Medically accurate information regarding the procedure, the risks involved, alternatives to abortion and follow-up care; and
· The state law regarding coercion.

One of the keys to reducing abortions is accurate and timely information. House Bill 1327 will make a difference. This legislation is vital to saving lives of the unborn and improving the lives of expectant mothers. This legislation could not get passed without the continuing support of voters who have sent a Republican majority to Jefferson City.

Unlike many of those who are regular visitors to this website, I have always been pro-life, but this bill is more of the election year claptrap that is always prevalent in both Jefferson City and Washington, D. C.

When election year rolls around, we are inundated with unnecessary measures designed to enable politicians to appeal to their base. Every two years, we are hit with an epidemic of horrible problems that we did not even know existed. This year, Missouri has had one resolution after another condemning the federal government for its healthcare bill and for anything else that can let the red portions of this state know that their elected officials are opposed to anything that smacks of big government or President Obama.

And, of course, our elected officials find a hard time resisting the siren call of anti-abortion legislation.
Term-limited Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O-Fallon, she of the “hunger can be a great motivator for children” mindset, offered her take on the bill:

“Abortion is a kind of domestic violence as well,” said Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O’Fallon. “Women don’t naturally want to kill their offspring. Women who are loved, cared for and supported don’t mind having their own child.”

The legislators provided a list of those who might coerce abortions, including rapists and those who have committed incest. Correct me if I am wrong, but aren’t there already laws on the books covering those crimes?
The bill passed the House on a 113-37 vote and is headed for the Senate.

With our state facing the same budgetary woes as every other state, wasting the taxpayers’ dollar on legislation that is not going to survive a court challenge is dereliction of duty.

But I suppose if we can clear the streets of those hordes of abortion-coercers, it will be worth it.

Tilley discusses anti-abortion bill, upcoming elections

in his weekly video. House Majority Leader Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, discusses the anti-abortion which was passed by the House this week and the upcoming elections:

Carthage Press advertising for associate editor

The Carthage Press is looking for an associate editor to replace Kevin McClintock, who has taken a job with the Joplin Globe. According to the ad:

Are you someone who understands the importance of community journalism? If so, we have a career for you.

Carthage Mo, Daily Newspaper is seeking an Associate Editor/Journalist who can step up in the absence of the Editor and lead a newsroom by example. We are looking for a team player that is professional, motivational and has organizational skills. This person will be responsible for daily editorial content for print and the web-site.

This candidate must have previous editorial experience, written communication skills and prefer a journalism or mass communication degree. Page layout and design a plus.

This is a full-time position with vacation and health benefits including vision and dental. Please e-mail resume to gfelix@carthagepress.com

Goodman touts oral medication for cancer bill

In his latest report, Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mount Vernon, a candidate for Seventh District Congress, explains legislation that would establish insurance parity for oral cancer medication:

Everyone knows someone who has battled cancer. It is one of the most common afflictions of our time, and you would be hard-pressed to find a family that has not been affected by it. In 2009, roughly 30,000 Missourians were diagnosed with cancer. It knows no race, ethnicity or socio-economic class. This universal problem affects real people, which is why it is especially important that those suffering from cancer are able to access new and effective treatment options through their health insurance.

Advances in treatment have made oral medication treatment plans a preferable alternative for many types of cancer. In fact, oral chemotherapies are now the most common cancer treatment for breast cancer and other women’s cancers, and can have fewer side effects. For fifteen to twenty percent of new cancer patients, oral chemotherapy will be the only effective form of treatment, often because there is simply no intravenous equivalent. Perhaps most importantly, oral chemotherapy improves the quality of life for cancer patients by lessening the side effects of treatment and avoiding the need for transportation between appointments – an especially important consideration in rural areas where patients often travel long distances to receive IV chemotherapy. Unfortunately, some insurance plans do not cover oral drugs as they do intravenous drugs, eliminating the choice of treatment for people fighting the disease. This has led to legislative action on the part of some states and the federal government to establish insurance parity for cancer treatment.

This week the Missouri Senate is advancing Senate Bill 786, a common-sense, cost-saving bill that requires health benefit plans to cover orally administered anti-cancer medications, just as they would provide intravenously administered anti-cancer medications. This bill establishes a much-needed consumer protection that allows cancer patients to have more choices for effective treatment.

In terms of pure cost-effectiveness, oral medication treatment plans are the obvious choice. They are typically less expensive, because dispensing an oral medication requires less professional training than dispensing an intravenous medication. Also, because the product itself is not as costly and outcomes are often the same, it only makes sense to establish insurance parity for oral and intravenous anti-cancer drugs. Insurance companies should not be able to use a loophole to continue avoiding covering oral medication treatment plans.

This week, I spoke to a large crowd at an American Cancer Society event in the capitol. It was encouraging to see so many people united for such an important purpose. While we work for a cure, we should continue taking practical steps like making multiple treatment options as accessible as possible. Senate Bill 786—which needs one more “yes” vote from the Senate before moving to the House—is another step in the right direction.

Star launches unfair attack against "educated" legislator

I hated to see the hatchet job the Kansas City Star did on Rep. Don Wells, R-Cabool.

How dare the Star be disturbed that Speaker of the House Ron Richard, R-Joplin, put legislation proposed by Rep. Mary Still, D-Columbia, that would put restrictions on the payday loan industry, into Wells' committee, and then claim that the hearing Wells held this week for the bill was biased?

After all, just because Richard referred to Ms. Still's legislation as upchuck and just because he kept payday loan bills off the House floor in 2009 does not mean that Richard is biased in any way.

Nor is it Wells' fault that he is personally involved in the payday loan industry or that the only witnesses at the hearing were representatives of payday loan companies and their lobbyists. He probably could not find anyone who thinks payday loans are a bad idea.

Wells' integrity is beyond reproach, as is his dedication to continuing his education. I wrote about the latter in the Feb. 14, 2009, Turner Report:

After all, this is a man who went back late in life to get his bachelor's degree in political science from Cambridge University, according to his page on the Missouri House of Representatives website.

I have been unable to find a Cambridge University in the United States, but there is a Cambridge State University, which has no affiliation with any of the reputable accrediting groups, and which has quite a reputation as a purported diploma mill.

The following information on Cambridge State University is featured on the Better Business Bureau page:

The company provided this office with a booklet about Cambridge State University which tells about this company's programs. This was postmarked from Santa Anna, CA. On page 3 of this booklet it states CSU is a member of the World Association of Universities and Colleges with accreditation pending. At this time we have no information on World Association of Universities.

855 Pierremont is a shopping center. The first three numbers of the dept. number for Cambridge University is 128, which is Mail Boxes, ETC. which means the last three numbers 189 is a box number where mail is received and picked up or forwarded.

Cambridge University has no physical presence at 855 Pierrmont Shopping Center.

On August 18, 1998, Caddo District Judge John Mosely of Shreveport, issued a temporary restraining order against CSU and it's owner and president, Allan Park,citing unfair and deceptive trade practices. A hearing was held October 26, 1998. The state presented arguments for a permanent injunction. A permanent injunction against Cambridge University was granted October 26, 1998.

Court orders were issued in Louisiana keeping Cambridge State University from operating in that state.

I don't know how long it took Rep. Wells to obtain his degree, but perhaps he had the same kind of expedited education touted in Cambridge State University brochures that was noted in a complaint with the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection, which led to a permanent injunction against the "university":

"You may earn a legal,government-approved college degree in a short time without quitting you (sic) job or attending classes!"

"But they, and you who are already involved in earning a living and raising a family and trying to better your position, can earn a legal Bachelor's Degree--a real degree--in as little as 90 days! And you may earn an advanced degree (Masters or Doctorate) that same way, with added work and Study."

The brochure also featured this information:

A man had been responsible for trimming street trees for a large mid-western city for more than 20 years. He had proved himself a competent and reliable department head. But a new city personnel policy decreed that all department heads must have Bachelor's degrees within two years or lose their jobs. He knows his work. He manages his department efficiently, and communicates well both up and down the line of responsibility. He's taken a couple of computer application courses in his local
community college, plus a statistics course. The city has sent him to a couple of seminars and an industry convention. He's always looking ahead for the next thing he will have to learn to do his job well."

"Here's the good news. He could earn his Bachelor's degree in just a few weeks without taking time off work or driving through the city to evening classes. he can learn, and be testes (sic) and receive his Bachelor's degree from Cambridge State University, all
through correspondence and home study. Then, if he has his eye on a higher position, he can earn a Master's degree, then a Doctorate, all from Cambridge State University. All this without interrupting his career or spending tens-of-thousands of dollars."

Don't be casting stones at Rep. Wells. it takes real cojones to be testes.

***
Wells' Cambridge University educational background is still featured on his House webpage, a testament to the proposition that just about anybody can get elected to public office in Missouri.

Inspiration revealed for MSSU President Speck's new media policy

Speck's iron fist clamps down on that pesky First Amendment

Never let it be said that I will not admit it when I make a mistake.

For months, I have accepted the conventional wisdom that Missouri Southern State University President Bruce Speck is an enemy of the university's international mission and that he is doing everything he can to dismantle it.

As it turns out nothing could be further from the truth. Speck is demonstrating his appreciation of international customs in a most public way these days. Unfortunately, the aspects of foreign culture that MSSU's rich tenor voice has chosen to emphasize are taken from the bowels of Communist China and are more suited to the Stalin era in the Soviet Union.

After some minor pretense at getting along with everyone following the faculty's no confidence vote, Bully Boy Bruce is back in the saddle again, and his latest target is the First Amendment.

In the latest edition of the campus newspaper, The Chart, reporter Brennan Stebbins reveals that a new Speck edict forbids media from interviewing anyone without going through the university's public relations office:

Nearly two years after issuing a policy on media involvement with Missouri Southern officials, University President Bruce Speck has finally decided to enforce it.

Under the policy, which Speck originally issued in June 2008 to the all-campus community, any representatives from media organizations, including The Chart, must be referred to University Relations and Marketing when contacting campus employees and students.

"We certainly have no interest in impeding the flow of information to the media, but we do need to follow these interactions so we can be aware of the various stories being produced that impact the University and its reputation and do our part to provide appropriate campus security," Speck wrote in the memo announcing the policy.

Though Rod Surber of the p. r. office says the policy is not as sweeping as it sounds and that students can be interviewed without restrictions, it is obvious the policy is designed to give Speck the ability to crack down on anyone who dares take issue with his policies.

The revised approach to the media may have been telegraphed by new MSSU Board of Governors member Lynn Ewing of Nevada during his inaugural board meeting. Ewing's first statements at a board meeting were a lengthy diatribe against The Chart.

Thankfully, the intrepid young staff at The Chart refuses to bow down to Speck's intimidation attempt. From an editorial in the latest edition:

This is not a business, but an institution of higher learning, and a state-funded one at that. And now, tax dollars are going to support an administration that continues to pile up the sand bags and sit in the dark, doing its best to keep the outside world at bay.

Actions by the administration and the University's Board of Governors have indicated that they don't care for an active and inquisitive student press. We hope the new policy is not intended to restrict access - or worse - impose a chilling effect on free speech.

This paper will continue to ask questions and ask for documents. That is its job.

And if we suspect a violation of our First Amendment rights, we will report on it. And we will call the Student Press Law Center.

Speck has now come to a moment of truth. Will he realize or admit this mistake and lift the policy? Or will he continue slipping into the shadows and stripping this University of its integrity?

Of course, all will be well when Dwight Douglas' holy grail, the medical school (Southern's version of Atlantis) opens.

(Photo: Bruce Speck promises to get along better with faculty.)

Public hearing set for water rate increase request

A public hearing on Missouri-American Water Company's request to dramatically increase rates for Joplin customers will be held next Wednesday at Missouri Southern State University. The following news release was issued:

The Missouri Public Service Commission will hold a local public hearing in Joplin, Missouri on April 7, 2010, to receive customer comment on a water rate case filed by the Missouri-American Water Company. Customers who have had any service related issues may also bring those to the attention of the Commission during the local public hearing. The Joplin local public hearing schedule appears below.

Missouri Southern State University
Corley Auditorium, 3950 Newman Road

A question and answer session will be conducted at the local public hearing from 6:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. The local public hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will go until all of those present have had an opportunity to be heard.

This local public hearing will be held in facility that meets the accessibility standards required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any person who needs additional accommodations to participate in this hearing should call the Public Service Commission’s hotline at 1-800-392-4211 (voice) or Relay Missouri at 711 before the hearing.

Consumers wishing to comment on the rate proposal may also: Mail a written comment to the Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102; Electronically submit a comment to the PSC through the Internet by accessing the PSC’s Electronic Filing and Information System at http://m1e.net/c?37658006-sqTdkHLYUOtIA%405185878-SGbORSOfbRMag (please reference the water case-WR-2010-0131); or Contact the Office of the Public Counsel, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102, telephone 573-751-4857 or toll-free 866-922-2959, opcservice@ded.mo.gov . Comments are viewable by the public. Do not include any information in a public comment that you do not wish to be made public.

On October 30, 2009, the Missouri-American Water Company filed rate requests with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking to increase annual water operating revenues by approximately $48.5 million and annual sewer operating revenues by approximately $143,600.

The impact of the proposed increase on the average residential water customer in the Joplin District, according to the company’s filing, appears below.

Joplin (5,500 gallons) -- Current Rate: $32.58 per month; Proposed Rate: $38.41 per month

Missouri-American Water Company serves approximately 584,000 water customers and approximately 1,100 sewer customers in Missouri.

Nodler: Federal regulations harm small business job growth

In his latest column, Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, a candidate for Seventh District Congress, continues to blame the federal government for all ills:

Small business growth is a key aspect of economic prosperity. Economists estimate that over the past 25 years, two-thirds of new jobs originated among small businesses. There is a lot of talk on federal and state levels about ways to better the economic climate and support our small businesses, but there is one big problem that has not yet been addressed: the unavailability of credit. Federal regulations put in place are forcing banks into a situation where regulations not only make it close to impossible to make loans, but actually create an environment that discourages issuing credit.

Small business owners throughout the country are facing the same situation. They go to their community bank for a line of credit. They are good customers, who have never been late with a payment, and have an established small business. These customers are being turned down because federal regulators are discouraging banks from making loans. It puts our small business owners in a bind because they are unable to expand or hire new employees without having cash on hand.

Community banks’ hands are tied because they face tighter regulations from the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Reserve, and Missouri Division of Finance. Examiners are downgrading the ratings of performing loans because the value of the collateral (often commercial real estate) has dipped or because the banks happen to be located in an “economically distressed” area. Regardless of how well a bank in the community might know their customers, they are unable to loan to creditworthy borrowers because federal regulations are actually impeding their ability to do business.

Federal examiners should be more careful in light of the financial crisis, but creating an environment where small businesses can’t get access to credit is not the way to stimulate recovery. An overly restrictive credit environment actually provides banks with an incentive not to issue loans. Banks are able to maintain a better rating if they have less risk in their portfolio, and the result is that they don’t make loans they would otherwise approve.

The Senate recently approved my Senate Concurrent Resolution 33 to discourage the federal government from continuing to harshly regulate our community banks and to instead give community banks the right tools to start lending again. With House approval, the legislation could be adopted and Missouri’s support for better access to credit would be clear to Congress. Expanding job growth in this state is my top priority, and SCR 33 would do just that by supporting our community banks and small businesses.

Newest 7th District candidate Hunter comes with plenty of baggage

The blogosphere has been lighting up with speculation about the last minute entry of former 127th District State Representative Steve Hunter, R-Joplin, into the Seventh District Congressional race.

The Billy Long is Wrong blog suggests Hunter's candidacy is a master stroke by Long strategist Jeff Roe to put someone in the race who is more ethically challenged than Long to draw away some of the attention. (Though so far the ethics complaints against Long seem rather minor in nature.) The blog features the following passage:

Billy Long now faces three ethics complaints. How does one take the focus off their candidate who faces a potential battle with the Federal Election Commission? You convince another candidate without a chance to run for the same office, a candidate with both local and federal corruption issues himself to take the focus of Long's own problems. This could very well be the plan with the late addition of Steve Hunter, the latest Republican running for Missouri 7.

The blogger Bungalow Bill looks upon Hunter as a stalking horse to draw votes away from Sen. Gary Nodler in his home Joplin area:

So what is the strategy? Hunter knows the last man on the ballot is worth three points minimum, or is there another strategy in this race. Could he have entered to take votes away from Gary Nodler in Joplin (Jasper/Newton) to help another candidate in the race? It does set up some possibilities. So is he a serious candidate or not

?

Most of the writing about Hunter's problems have centered around the legal battles his wife, former Jasper County Public Administrator Rita Hunter, is facing, but as longtime Turner Report readers know, Hunter's ethical problems have been a longstanding issue.

Hunter was a magnet for lobbyists from his first day in Jefferson City until his tenure was ended by term limits. In the Nov. 8, 2008 Turner Report, I noted that the Hunters were treated to a Tina Turner concert by Ameristar Casino lobbyists Gamble & Schlemeier,Oct. 8, 2008, when he had only two months left in the legislature. It was the last of thousands in freebies from the casino industry.

From the Sept. 25, 2004, Turner Report:

One of the important duties of every state legislator is taking fact-finding missions to see first-hand some of the problems that face his constituents.

Apparently, 127th District State Representative Steve Hunter takes that obligation seriously. Though the nature of his fact-finding missions was not spelled out in documents filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission, Hunter accepted travel expenses from lobbyist Sarah Topp on three occasions this year. He accepted travel expenses from lobbyist William Gamble one other time.

Though Ms. Topp and Gamble represent a number of clients, including the Missouri Sheriffs Association, the Ethics Commission records indicate the travel money to Hunter came courtesy of the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Kansas City. Ms. Topp and Gamble also represent all of the interests of Ameristar Casinos, a Las Vegas-based company which only recently moved its operations into this state.

On Jan. 22, Hunter accepted $91.32 in travel expenses, according to Ethics Commission records. He also accepted $91.32 in travel expenses, indicating he most likely went to the same place, as well as $125 for meals, food, and beverage from Ms. Topp on Feb. 20, $138 in travel expenses from her on March 8, and $455 for meals, food and beverage on March 20.
Hunter accepted an additional $250 in travel expenses from Gamble on Aug. 28, according to the Ethics Commission records. Legislators are allowed to amend the records if they pay the lobbyists back, though the original expenditure remains. The Ethics Commission records show that none of Ameristar Casinos' gifts to Hunter have been paid back.

Hunter was the only legislator to receive gifts from Ms. Topp in February and the only representative (there were three senators) who received gifts in March, records indicate.

The $1,150.64 Hunter received from the gambling interest is more money than any other area legislator has received from all lobbyists' gifts combined.

Hunter's lobbyist-financed casino trips were just the tip of the iceberg. It was not long before Hunter was not only accepting gifts from lobbyists, but to all intents and purposes became one, while still serving as a legislator.

From the Feb. 1, 2009 Turner Report:

Though he has not officially registered with the Missouri Ethics Commission, The Turner Report has heard that former 127th District State Representative Steve Hunter, R-Joplin, is going to join the growing list of those making the leap from legislator to lobbyist.

it should not be much of a leap for Hunter, who worked for lobbying organization Associated Industries of Missouri during much of his tenure in the House.

You may recall that Hunter broke ties with AIM in June, blaming the media for creating the impression that he could actually be swayed in his vote just because he was being paid by a lobbying group. I wrote this in the June 15, 2007 Turner Report:

After four years of double dealing as a state representative and an employee of a lobbying group, Rep. Steve Hunter, R-Joplin, has done the right thing and severed his ties with Associated Industries of Missouri.

Unfortunately the problem, according to Hunter, has never been with his conflict-ridden extra source of income, but with the media who have questioned his integrity, according to this passage, which a reader sent me from the Kansas City Star's pay-for-view Prime Time Buzz:

"I got tired of reading about it in the damn newspaper," Hunter said when asked why he resigned his post, effective May 1. "I’d been accused by the labor unions and the state chamber (of commerce) of having a conflict."

Hunter, a Joplin Republican who heads a House committee that examines worker's compensation issues, took the job in 2003. Associated Industries of Missouri, which describes itself as a "pro-business lobbying team," was closely involved in passage of legislation tightening worker's compensation laws in 2005.


Contrary to Hunter's opinion, his second job, definitely was a conflict of interest, as has been noted numerous times over the past few years in The Turner Report. To recount, consider this passage from the July 15, 2005, post:

Hunter has done a 360-degree turnaround in the type of bills he has sponsored since his first term in the House.
During his first three years as a representative, Hunter did not sponsor any business legislation. Then three weeks after the end of the 2003 General Assembly, he found a new job as a membership recruiter for Associated Industries of Missouri, a powerful pro-business lobbying organization. And that is not just my term for it. As Susan Redden's Globe article noted, AIM spells out exactly what it does on its website. It represents the "interests of Missouri employers before the General Assembly, state agencies, the courts, and the public."
Financial disclosure forms filed by Hunter with the Missouri Ethics Commission indicate that he was employed by Associated Industries of Missouri in 2003 and 2004 and received at least $1,000 from it in both years. Unfortunately, all officeholders are required to state on these forms is if they received $1,000, they do not have to be specific.
It would be safe to speculate that if Steve Hunter was not the chairman of the House Workforce Development and Workplace Safety Committee he would not have been the first person AIM would have thought about hiring. That committee, of course, deals with the workers compensation legislation that AIM and Missouri businesses have been pushing and finally succeeded in passing.
Perhaps Hunter wrote every word of that bill himself. He is certainly an intelligent man. But it would not be a stretch of the imagination to believe that AIM staff could have been very helpful in constructing the pro-business legislation.
Hunter sponsored that bill as a representative for this area, then put on his other hat after the end of the legislative session and spoke at eight "Lunch and Learn" presentations put on by Associated Industries across the state, speaking as an AIM employee to explain what he had done for the organization as a legislator.
Hunter sponsored three other bills designed to cripple labor unions in the state, which did not get anywhere.


And the same anti-union bills were sponsored by Hunter during the 2006 and 2007 legislative sessions.

And there is more to the Steve Hunter story, but I will save that for another time.