Dugger Report 3.15.12

It is hard to believe that the Second Regular Session of the 96th General Assembly is already halfway done.  Since reconvening in January, the Missouri House has diligently worked to make Missouri a better place to work, live, and raise a family.  We have centered our legislative work around four guiding principles: protecting Missouri taxpayers, creating Missouri jobs, defending Missouri values, and enhancing Missouri’s education system.

Already, we have passed numerous key pieces of legislation out of the Missouri House and sent them to the Senate for consideration.  These legislative proposals range from a resolution that limits the size and scope of government in Missouri to a bill that would require voters to provide photo identification prior to voting.  In total, nearly seventy bills have already been voted out of the House, and are awaiting action in the Senate.  Nonetheless, much work still remains to be completed.

In the weeks ahead, we will tackle the complex process of balancing the state’s budget.  Earlier this year, the Governor released a proposed budget plan.  Unfortunately, the Governor’s plan suggested cutting substantial funding to several key areas, including education.  Fortunately, the Governor’s proposal is just that, a mere suggestion. The State Legislature has the responsibility of actually creating a functioning budget.

Just this week, 15 bills which represent Missouri’s budget were considered and passed out of committee.  The next step will be the House floor where the bills will be debated and amended before being sent to the Senate.  The process will be complicated, especially due to the limited amount of funding the state will have to actually spend this fiscal year.

Thus far this session I have introduced 12 pieces of legislation.  Most of these bills deal with cleaning up the elections process in Missouri.  Already, five have been voted out of the House and sent to the Senate. Between the heated debate centering around the State’s budget mixed with numerous committee hearings on the Senate side of the building I am sure the final weeks of session will be a blur of legislative activities.

There is still time to fill out my legislative survey. This survey includes many of the key issues we are addressing during the current legislative session in Jefferson City and I would greatly appreciate your input on these important issues.

Simply click on the following link, SURVEY, enter your name and address, and fill out the survey. Thank you in advance for your time and input.

For more information about the bills mentioned above or about any others that have been introduced please visit the House of Representatives website, www. house.mo.gov. As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House of Representatives.