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Issue: 1122 Date: 2/23/2012
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Area Lawmakers Prepared for Busy Legislative Session
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| The floor of the Missouri House of Representatives, Jefferson City |
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With new legislative districts still being challenged in the courts and elections later this year, representatives serving in Jefferson City spoke in Washington Friday about what they're working on for 2012.
State Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington, told people at a forum hosted by the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce that one of his priorities for this year is Senate Bill 694. The bill, which Nieves has sponsored, would prevent parking spaces near the state Capitol from being designated for any individual or entity that isn't an official or employee of the state.
The measure, Nieves said previously on the Senate floor, is designed to revoke parking currently used by members of the press and make that parking handicapped parking. "For 10 years I've talked about how our handicapped parking is done wrong," he said. Nieves said this year the state's budget will be tight, but said he is optimistic "about the things going on this year."
Potential Toll Road
State Rep. Bart Korman, R-High Hill, said he has put some of his other priorities aside this year because of the potential issue of building a toll road on Interstate 70. The roadway passes directly through the district Korman represents in Warren and Montgomery counties.
Korman said he wants to assure any potential toll road is done fairly. He said the prospect of a "China Hub" around Lambert Airport has been put on hold because of other priorities this year and because of the tensions between the House and Senate during the most recent special session. He said the House and Senate are instead focusing on issues "they think they can agree on first."
Workplace Laws
Rep. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, said he has been working in favor of a recently passed workplace discrimination bill. Democrats have challenged the bill, calling it a step backward for civil rights. Gov. Jay Nixon last week said he hadn't read the bill proposed this year, but vetoed a similar bill last year. Schatz said the bill could "go a long way to creating jobs." The bill would reduce employer liability costs, he said.
It would change the grounds for wrongful termination suits brought against employers in court, requiring workers to prove discrimination was the primary factor in their termination, and not just a contributing one. Schatz also said he is working to reform the state's second injury fund. Nieves said that fund was created to help veterans by providing a safety net for employers hiring vets who experienced an injury while in the Armed Forces. He said the fund has expanded and the money has become a slush fund for the state attorney general. He said the fund should "be reined back in."
Right to Work
Nieves said right-to-work legislation also is a priority for Republican lawmakers this year. He said the legislation needs to be renamed, however. "It would be more appropriate to refer to it as worker freedom," Nieves said.
He said the laws would mandate that people can't be forced to join a union and also say that unions can't be required to represent non-union employees. "The big issues in Missouri are bringing jobs, and the way to do it is to remove restrictions from employers," Nieves said.
He said half of major manufacturers looking to expand or relocate won't consider Missouri because it doesn't have "worker freedom" laws. "We'll continue working on the big issues while not forgetting about what some people consider the little issues," Nieves said.
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