Friday, July 27, 2007

House Dems Want OT Fix in Special Session

If Gov. Matt Blunt calls a special legislative session, House Democrats say it should include fixing a flaw in the state law that governs overtime rules for police and firefighters.

Proponents of the minimum wage hike inadvertently repealed a provision of state law allows police and firefighters to work more than the typical 40-hour work week.

House Democratic leadership also want the session to include closing a legal loophole in campaign finance laws regarding the funneling of money to candidates through political party committees.

“Legislative action to stimulate Missouri’s lackluster economy, which lost 6,600 jobs last month, is important,” said House Minority Leader Jeff Harris, D-Columbia. “However, relieving the financial strain the overtime flaw is causing police and fire departments is even more worthy of immediate action. If a special session is held on economic development, there is no reason not to include the overtime fix.”

Incoming House Minority Leader Paul LeVota said the recent Supreme Court ruling on campaign fundraising made action to close a fundraising loophole even more important.

“The campaign money Laundromat must be permanently shut down,” said Assistant House Minority Leader Paul LeVota, D-Independence. “Now is the time to act to make Missouri’s campaign contribution limits meaningful and provide true transparency in the 2008 election cycle.”

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