Lawmakers Make Second Attempt on Autism Coverage

Three Republican lawmakers joined Gov. Jay Nixon Thursday in support of legislation that would force insurance companies to cover therapies for children with autism.

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 10 REPORT HERE

State Sen. Scott Rupp joined Sen. Eric Schmitt, who has an autistic son, and Rep. Jeff Grisamore in touting legislation that would provide coverage to a "reasonable limit of $72,000," and ban insurance companies from refusing or restricting coverage.

The lawmakers pledged to take up the issue within the first two months of the legislative session.

House Speaker Ron Richard, who held a conference call Wednesday, pledged to bring the legislation to the floor this session. Last year, some blamed the House for failing to push a similar bill through.

"Ron just didn't have the votes (last year)," said Richard spokeswoman Kristen Blanchard. "Publicly legislators were telling people they'd vote for it, but behind closed doors they were saying they couldn't. The Speaker wants everyone to be able to have their input on the bill," she added.

"We know that 1 in 100 kids are being diagnosed. And we know that 1 in 58 boys born today will be diagnosed," said Sen. Schmitt.

"As many of us know autism is one of 12 major neurological disorders and the only one of those twelve that's excluded from coverage by insurance carriers. We believe that is grossly discriminatory and a civil rights issue," said Rep. Jeff Grisamore (R-Lee’s Summit)

CORRECTION: In the Ky3 News @ 10 story, we inadvertently misidentified Rep. Jeff Grisamore. The Notebook regrets the error.

But Rep. Kevin Wilson tells The Notebook that there are still significant concerns about balancing the legislation so the mandate isn't an overwhelming burden on small businesses.

"It's not just me, other legislators and small businesses are concerned about rising premiums that a mandate could cause," Wilson said. "This is another mandated benefit and just like any other mandate, there is a certain amount of cost to require companies to provide that coverage. And the smaller the group, the larger the impact," he added.

Read the House bill HERE; The Senate bill is HERE

Rupp to Chair Redistricting Committee

Senator Scott Rupp will chair the Senate committee tasked with oversight of redistricting Congressional districts following the 2010 Census.

Sen. Charlie Shields tapped Sen. Brad Lager as vice-chair; Democratic Minority Leader Victor Callahan will also serve on the committee.

"Redistricting is a key component to fairness in our government, and serving as chair is a once in a lifetime opportunity to affect the political landscape in a fair and equitable manner for generations to come," said Sen. Rupp in a statement.

By law, the Census Bureau must share its redistricting data with states by March 2011. The legislature must draw and approve new districts during the 2011 legislative session.

ALSO: MORE SHIELDS PICKS

Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg will serve as chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia is the new vice-chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Sen. Jim Lembke, R-St. Louis, becomes the newest member of the standing committee that drafts the state’s annual budget.

Rupp Rips Nixon Higher Ed Deal

"Dog & Pony Show"

SLAMS DEAL AS 'UNWISE and PREMATURE"

Sen. Scott Rupp blasted Gov. Jay Nixon's plan to freeze tuition at colleges and universities as a "dog and pony show" that's already enshrined in state law.

"It does nothing but re-affirm the tuition cap the legislature passed two years ago," Sen. Rupp said in a statement Wednesday, referring to Senate Bill 389. "A bill he was opposed to becoming law at the time," he added.

"If we were to base next year’s tuition limits off the Consumer Price Index defined in state for the last 12 months, we would find that the CPI has been -.2 percent. Although we won’t know the final CPI for this year until January, based on this current CPI number for the last 12 months, higher education couldn’t raise tuition unless they remit 5 percent of their state appropriations," Rupp said.

"I am disappointed that the governor has negotiated an agreement prematurely that has the potential to tie the hands of the Legislature and keep them from doing what is in the best interest of the taxpayers. This is especially alarming when economic indicators suggest that the CPI will probably be negative if not flat for the next year. If that is the case, then publicly funded higher education institutions could not raise tuition anyway under state law - unless they pay back 5 percent of their appropriations to the state. I hope this unwise and premature side deal will not force massive cuts on the mentally challenged and children with developmental delays, as it gains nothing in return other than a reinforcement of state law that the Legislature passed two years ago," he added.

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Gov. Nixon's office did not immediately respond with a comment.

More on Nixon's proposed agreement HERE.

Senate Moves to Add Cell Phones to No-Call List

The Missouri Senate gave initial approval of a bill that would allow residents to add their cell phone and fax numbers to the state's No-Call List.
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Sen. Scott Rupp's legislation is also meant to protect No-Call members from automated phone calls during election cycles. Violators could face up to $5,000 fines if the bill becomes law.

Read Senate Bill 65

"These annoying, unwanted calls and text messages are costing Missourians money because they are having to pay for these calls and text messages they don’t want on their cell phones, as well as having to pay for the paper, ink and other costs of receiving a fax," Sen. Rupp said. "Missourians should no longer have to foot the cost for these unsolicited ads."

Any political committee making calls must register with the Missouri Ethics Commission, while non-committees or businesses making calls on a candidate's behalf must register with both the commission and Secretary of State, according to the legislation.

The bill still needs a second vote before heading to the House.

You Can Finally Call Her Director

Linda Martinez's nomination to become the Director of Economic Development was confirmed by the State Senate just before 11 a.m. today by a voice vote.

The vote came after an impassioned floor speech by Sen. Scott Rupp, who opposed Martinez's nomination and compared Governor Jay Nixon to the impeached Rod Blagojevich. "You might think you can intimidate me because you're the governor, but you are wrong," Rupp said. Rupp felt Nixon's team had threatened political repercussions if he didn't end his filibuster -- a delay that was sparked by concerns about illegal immigration.

There was no roll call vote.

By listening to the voice vote, it appeared that several Senators voted against Martinez.

Just before Sen. Robin Wright-Jones renewed her motion to confirm, Sen. Matt Bartle said "there are none of" Nixon's nominees that he plans to vote against right now. But Bartle also praised Rupp for bringing the concerns to light.

Without Reassurances, Rupp Will Continue To Delay Martinez

Sen. Scott Rupp, (pictured right), says he'll continue to delay the nomination of Economic Development nominee Linda Martinez until the Nixon administration gives him sufficient reassurances that she'll enforce state illegal immigration laws.

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Rupp lead a filibuster of Martinez last week because of concerns about how she'll handle tax credits for businesses found to be hiring illegal immigrants.

"If you're thinking is that a law is not constitutional, and I don't have to follow that. I'd like to see you put your John Hancock here on paper," Rupp said, referring to Martinez's role in arguing against the ability of a St. Louis area community to craft their own illegal immigration law.

Rupp has asked the Governor's Chief of Staff to sign a document pledging that Martinez will follow the law. "He basically said there's no way we're doing that," Rupp explained.

*Senate debate on Martinez is likely to resume Tuesday.*

When asked if he'll continue to filibuster, Rupp replied, "I wouldn't see why I wouldn't continue my talks on the floor. If Ms. Martinez can't give us the proper reassurances, there will be several others that won't be able to agree to this."

"It's not like we're delaying something else," Rupp said, noting there is only one bill scheduled for debate Tuesday. "It's not like she can't work. She's the acting director. We've just delayed her formal confirmation until she can give us these reassurances."

Still Stalled

Linda Martinez's nomination to head the Department of Economic Development remains at a standstill until next week.

Sen. Scott Rupp, who raised concerns about Martinez's immigration comments yesterday, again stalled her nomination Thursday.

UPDATED 9:15 FRI: Sen. Gary Nodler called to say he did not participate in Thursday's filibuster as previously reported here, and does not oppose the Martinez nomination. The Notebook regrets the error.

Rupp met with Martinez early Thursday, but a Capitol source says a later meeting between Rupp and Nixon Chief of Staff John Watson became heated. The source says Rupp wanted assurances from Nixon's administration about the enforcement of illegal immigration laws, but that Watson replied, "We're not signing anything." Tony Messenger has it from the horse's mouth here. Sen. Rupp was not immediately available for comment.

ALSO: Lou Dobbs' show is calling conservatives, becoming increasingly interested in covering Martinez's confirmation process.

UPDATED @ 4:35: Sen. Chuck Purgason (R-Caulfield) told The Notebook he doesn't have problems with Martinez and will vote to confirm her. He said his role in Thursday's proceedings was to playfully chide Sen. Rupp.

"I was tired of all of Nixon's department heads coming and asking me what I needed. She (Martinez) had come by my office five times that day to try to catch up with me, so I was just chiding him," Purgason explained, referring to Rupp's complaints that Martinez had not come to see him personally. "It was a joke."

"I may not agree with her on policy, but that's what a Governor gets for winning an election," Purgason said. "He gets to have his team around him. I think Senator Cunningham still has some questions, but I think it'll eventually go through. It would surprise me if she weren't confirmed by next week."

UPDATED @ 9:52: Sen. Frank Barnitz said he has met with Martinez about the illegal immigration and job tax credit issues and is satisfied with her answers. "To ask about her relations with her clients is a little much," Barnitz said. "To ask the Governor to sign some letter, he's not going to do that."