Burlison's First Time

"WE WERE MERELY FRESHMEN"

#136th District Republican freshman Eric Burlison talks about speaking on the House floor for the first time this week about the adverse impact of a new federal consumer law.

Burlison spoke in favor of a House resolution that urges the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide a waiver for youth ATV's and motorcycles from new federal lead limits.

Said he's received lots of calls from ATV stores in Springfield, complaining about large inventory they can't sell. "These kids are not eating the engine block," said Burlison in an interview.

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Burlison also said he favors term-limits for state lawmakers, but added that the 8-year limit now makes it easier for freshmen to speak up sooner. "Freshman are more encouraged to speak."

"Now with term-limits, you've got to hit the ground running. You've got to come in here as an expert in some capacity and be able to contribute immediately," he said.

Burlison's speciality is health care. He's the vice-chair of the Special Standing committee on Health Insurance.

Burlison told The Notebook he would support "Any Willing Provider" idea with some changes to the existing legislation. "Transparency would be a necessary aspect of the bill," Burlison said. "For a patient, when they are making a decision about which provider to go to, I feel it's important to know a lot about the provider. Sometimes it's important to know if a doctor has made a mistake in the past, what their history is and how they perform. It's good to know what the costs are upfront."

This week, Speaker Ron Richard assigned HB 303 to committee. Proponents view the move as a significant first step towards getting their legislation passed.

Springfield NEA Backs Beatty in 136th

Springfield's chapter of the Missouri's National Education Association is backing Democrat Nick Beatty in the race for the 136th House district.

"Beatty understands the needs of teachers in Springfield," Springfield NEA President Ray Smith said in a statement provided to the KY3 Political Notebook. "He is committed to doing all he can to make sure Springfield's classrooms are a rewarding workplace where teachers facilitate quality education for our young people," Smith added.

According to a Beatty campaign release, of the 1700 Springfield public school teachers, 950 are members of the MNEA. Beatty is facing Republican Eric Burlison in the race to replace outgoing Rep. B.J. Marsh.

The 136th: Beatty vs. Burlison on Health Care

On Monday night, we aired this piece profiling the 136th State House race in Springfield between Democrat Nick Beatty and Republican Eric Burlison. Here, I'm posting their extended answers to my questions. These first two clips highlight the difference in their approaches on health care and specifically, the Medicaid cuts. (Beatty is in the clip above, Burlison is in the clip below.)

ON RESTORING THE MEDICAID CUTS:

Beatty: "It doesn't matter what it's going to cost."

Burlison believes those who hold a job should not not be granted health care by the government. "I think that people who are not able to work . . . it's the state's responsibility."

Can Beatty Turn The #136th Blue?

THE BATTLE FOR SPRINGFIELD'S OPEN HOUSE SEAT

WATCH THE KY3 News @ 10 REPORT HERE

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Missouri State University Professor Nick Beatty is trying to upend conventional wisdom in central and western Springfield by flipping a traditionally Republican House seat being vacated by B.J. Marsh. But Republican Eric Burlison is also working the district hard, and should have some natural demographic advantages.

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In 2006, B.J. Marsh was re-elected 56% to 44% over Democratic challenger James Owen . . . Can Beatty make-up 12 points in an open seat?

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Kellie Freeman Rohrbaugh, who's working for Beatty, tells The Notebook: "We're seeing the McNixican trend in this district, and those voters are more open to listening to Nick."

Marsh Endorses Burlison In 136th House Race

"He’ll continue the work I've started by restoring health care funding for those most vulnerable," writes Rep. B.J. Marsh, in an endorsement letter to his constituents

Outgoing Republican Rep. B.J. Marsh is endorsing Eric Burlison in the race to fill his open seat in Springfield's 136th House District.

Burlison is running against Democrat Nick Beatty to replace Marsh. The term-limited Marsh's endorsement is significant because of his history for political unpredictability.

"It's very important that we elect someone who shares our vision of better government in Jefferson City. I have known Eric Burlison for several years and will be supporting him to fill my seat," writes Marsh in a letter dated Oct. 1st.

In the letter, Marsh specifically points out that he is backing Burlison because "he'll continue the work I've started by restoring health care funding for those most vulnerable." He adds that he's not supporting him because he's a Republican, but rather because he's a good person.

Residents of the 136th district will receive a copy of Marsh’s endorsement, said campaign spokesperson Keith Miller. "We want everyone in the district to know that Marsh backs Eric 100 percent," Miller said.

Here's the rest of Marsh's letter:

Eric shares the same vision of fiscal responsibility, dedicated leadership, and ensuring that our top priorities are properly funded. He’ll fight for quality health care and better schools—without increasing our taxes.

As a Cox Health employee, Burlison understands the issue of health care better than anyone. Eric will also ensure that our schools receive their fair share of state funding.

As a graduate of Springfield Public Schools and Missouri State, he’ll support our schools in the Missouri House as much as I have. Eric has deep roots in the community and understands our needs.

Most important, Eric is someone who will listen to what you have to say. It's refreshing to have a public servant who understands that their job is to serve the people, and not the other way around.

I am not supporting him because he is a Republican. I am supporting him because he is a good person. I will not vote for someone because of a political party. I vote for Republicans and Democrats, and this year will be no exception.

The #136th: Beatty Outraises Burlison

The Democratic candidate running to replace Rep. B.J. Marsh in Springfield's #136th lesgislative district has significantly outraised the Republican during the first three months of the year.

Democrat Nick Beatty has reported raising $6,500 from January through March of this year, according to his first quarter campaign finance report filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Republican candidate Eric Burlison reported raising $1,035 during that same period. Still, Burlison holds a slight cash-on-hand advantage with $6,949, compared to Beatty's $5,869.

Still, a review of both of their reports shows Beatty with a wider donor base to kick off this election year.

Beatty's contributions include $350 from the #135th Democratic committee, and many contributions from Springfield lawyers, including Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave, The Morrissey Law Firm and Krebs Law Firm. Beatty spent $630 this quarter, including $61.27 at GoDaddy.com, the top internet registrar and web hosting company.

A review of Burlison's first quarter contributions shows most of his money coming from family. He reports $325 from Burlison Holdings, $125 from Courtney Burlison and $100 from Nick Burlison. Candidate Burlison also wrote himself a check of $325. Josh Metsker of Nixa gave Burlison $100. Burlison received $60 in contributions under $100. He spent $250 over the last three months, including $113 at FedEx Kinko's.

Both Burlison and Beatty are running unopposed for their party's nominations for the #136th district seat. With no incumbent, the #136th is widely considered to be the most competitive local legislative race in the Ozarks this year.

The #136th: Burlison Goes Door-To Door . . . Early

The Republican candidate for Rep. B.J. Marsh's open seat in 2008 is already pounding the pavement going door-to-door in his quest for the #136th legislative district seat.

Eric Burlison tells the KY3 Political Notebook most people are shocked to hear he is campaigning so soon. "Most people say to me, 'I haven't even thought about it,'" Burlison said.

Burlison said the top issue he is hearing about in the field is the economy. "We've got a good economy, the numbers look good, but people don't seem to be feeling it. When talking to people, they seem crunched. Older people think their money used to go further," he said.

Burlison expects to have an opponent in the #136th but said getting out early is part of his strategy. "I want to work hard, and I don't want anyone to say, he didn't try," he said.

Burlison is undecided on his pick in the 2008 race for president. He said he's surprised that a lot of local Democrats in his district seem to like Republican Mike Huckabee. "He seems to be getting a good amount of attention here locally," Burlison said.