Shields Introduces Lobbyist Contribution Ban During Session

Senate Leader Charlie Shields introduced legislation Tuesday that would bar lobbyists from contributing to any incumbent legislator or the Governor during the legislative session that runs between January and May.

Tuesday is the first day lawmakers can file legislation for the 2010 session.

Shields' three-pronged legislation would also create the position of an independent investigator within the Ethics Commission to investigate violations and file complaints and increase financial disclosure among staffers. He said the ethics reform package is in direct response to the resignation of three elected officials this year.

"Ethics violations are unacceptable, especially because of the damage they cause to the public’s trust in our democratic process," Sen. Shields said. “I believe we should continue to build on reforms we passed in 2007 by bringing even more transparency and accountability to the process in every way we can," he said in a statement.

The most far-reaching and potentially controversial measure is the contribution ban on lobbyists during the session. The ban would cover contributions to "any incumbent legislator’s candidate committee, incumbent governor's candidate committee, any continuing committee, or any campaign committee during the regular session of the General Assembly that runs from January to May."

In addition, the ban would apply to "any incumbent governor's candidate committee or and any continuing or campaign committee when legislation from the regular session awaits gubernatorial action." Incumbents seeking office in a special election would be exempted. In the legislation, a lobbyist is defined as "someone who is employed to influence legislation on a regular basis."

"We should work to avoid even the appearance of conflicts of interest and you can’t do that if you continue to allow campaign contributions while the Legislature is in session," Sen. Shields said.

The only exemption in the bill would be for those incumbents seeking office in a special election. According to the legislation, a lobbyist is defined as someone who is employed to influence legislation on a regular basis.

Another provision would require all employees and staff of the General Assembly to file yearly financial interest statements disclosing supplemental income received totaling $5,000 or more. Shields said the disclosure must include the source of the income and the general nature of the business conducted.

The Senate bill will be assigned a number by the end of the day and full text of the legislation will be available here in the coming weeks.

Shields Tells Rahn To Butt Out Of Helmet Debate

Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn overstepped his bounds in calling for Governor Jay Nixon to veto legislation that would repeal the state's motorcycle helmet law.

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"The last time I checked, laws are written by the people’s elected representatives to the state House and Senate, and the governor then has the power to approve or veto the laws they pass that represent the will of the people," Sen. Shields said, in a stern statement released Friday. "I am alarmed that an appointed bureaucrat would use taxpayer money to pay for polling and then hold a press conference while on the clock to oppose a specific piece of legislation."

Yesterday, Rahn called on Governor Nixon to veto a repeal the legislation, which he said "makes no sense," and would lead to more motorcycle deaths.

Senate Bill 202 would exempt anyone over the age of 21 from wearing a helmet while driving or riding a motorcycle, except when on an interstate.

Shields said Rahn should stick to his number one priority: Missouri's transportation infrastructure.

"I appreciate that Pete has taken us from a sub-par state to one that is now recognized for smoother, better roads," Shields said. "That is why I encourage him to refocus his efforts on continuing to build and improve Missouri's roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure, because this is the second instance this year where he has veered off-track by misusing taxpayer dollars in an effort to lobby elected officials," Shields added.

Shields is referring to media reports that Rahn had MODOT employees lobbying for stricter seatbelt laws earlier this legislative session.

Nixon has not said whether he will sign or veto the bill.

Shields Appoints Special Committee To Handle Stimulus

Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields has appointed a special legislative committee to help secure and oversee money from a potential federal stimulus package.

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Sen. Scott Rupp will chair the Senate Select Committee on Oversight of the Federal Stimulus Plan. Their first meeting will be Wednesday at 2 p.m.

The committee has invited Governor Jay Nixon, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder and all members of the Congressional delegation to speak before the committee to share "information and strategies" for securing an anticipated $1 trillion dollars. "We want to make sure Missourians get their federal tax dollars invested back into programs and jobs that can improve our daily lives, rather than going to pay for our neighboring states," Shields said. "By acting quickly and overseeing the securing of federal funding, we can better work through our challenges to sustain economic prosperity and a high quality of life for Missourians for years to come," he said.

Ozarks members of the committee include Sen. Chuck Purgason, who will focus on agriculture funds and Sen. Jack Goodman, who will focus on justice funds.

Shields Names Senate Chairs

SHIELDS TAPS DEM LEADER TO CHAIR CMT.

State Senate Leader Charlie Shields appointed chairs to 18 Senate committees Wednesday, including Democratic Minority Leader Victor Callahan. Sen. Callahan of Independence will chair the Progress & Development Committee.

"I believe we – Republicans and Democrats – must work together to address the emerging issues that affect our everyday lives," Shields said. "That is why I named a committee to be chaired by the Democrat leader. By working across party lines, the committees and, more importantly, the chairmen and chairwomen I have named, will be able to successfully advance quality legislation that will benefit the people of Missouri," he added.

OZARKS CHAIRS INCLUDE:

Sen. Dan Clemens: Agriculture, Food Production, Outdoor Resources Cmt.

Sen. Gary Nodler: Appropriations Cmt.

Sen. Delbert Scott: Financial & Governmental Organizations and Elections Cmt.

Sen. Jack Goodman: General Laws Cmt.

Sen. Chuck Purgason: Governmental Accountability & Fiscal Oversight Cmt.

Sen. Norma Champion: Health, Mental Health, Seniors & Families Cmt.

Clemens also announced he was broadening the name of the Agriculture Committee to "better emphasize what agriculture means to the state." "By emphasizing what this industry means to Missouri—even through something as simple as a committee name change—we can clarify our vision for agriculture’s place in Missouri’s future," said Clemens in a statement.

VIDEO: Opening Day Report

'09 SESSION UNDERWAY

BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON JOBS PLAN, BUT HEALTH CARE COULD AGAIN BE CONTENTIOUS

WATCH THE KY3 NEWS @ 5 REPORT HERE

PLUS: AP NEWSALERT: NIXON CANS 150 WORKERS

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Gov.-elect Jay Nixon issued pink slips to about 150 state employees Wednesday, ending their jobs the moment he takes office next week.

The termination letters were sent primarily to employees in Cabinet-level, senior staff or policy-making positions, said Nixon spokesman Oren Shur.

In December, Nixon's gubernatorial transition team sent letters to about 600 employees whose jobs were not covered by the state merit system. Those letters asked employees to either justify their jobs or lose them.

Employees were directed to submit their resumes and cover letters through an Internet site. The Web site also asked them to describe their current job duties, their qualifications and "the importance of your current position to the mission of your agency."

Shur said Wednesday that Nixon's transition team reviewed all the applications of employees wanting to keep their jobs before sending out the termination letters.

"Gov.-elect Nixon is building a team of highly qualified public servants who share his priorities to help bring about the change Missourians voted for last November," Shur said in an e-mailed statement. "So beginning next Monday, some of the state employees who serve at the pleasure of the outgoing governor will be replaced. Other positions will be consolidated or eliminated altogether in order to make government more efficient during these difficult economic times."

Among those who had reapplied for her job before being fired Wednesday was Connie Patterson, the spokeswoman for the Department of Natural Resources.

As attorney general, Nixon clashed frequently with outgoing DNR Director Doyle Childers and some of his top staff. But Patterson had served in various public information roles in the department for about 17 years under multiple governors, both Democratic and Republican.

Patterson said about 20 department employees received Nixon's termination letters.

"I certainly understand this is the authority of the governor to do this," Patterson said, but "I will miss the department and the work we do."

Nixon said in an interview Tuesday that he also intends to rescind scores of appointments made by Blunt that would otherwise be awaiting Senate confirmation. Some people may get re-nominated by Nixon but many others will not.

"I would expect that a new day will be noticeable," Nixon said.

95th General Assembly Convenes At Noon

***OPENING DAY***

The 1st Session of Missouri's 95th General Assembly will convene today at noon.

Watch the KY3 News @ 10 PREVIEW HERE

392 bills and resolutions have already been filed in the House & Senate.
Last year, not counting appropriation bills, Governor Matt Blunt signed a total of 119 bills.

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Presumed Senate Leader Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph will deliver the opening day address in the Upper Chamber after being sworn in at noon.

The session is open to the public and Shields is urging constituents to arrive early. Seating is on a first-come-first-served basis on the 3rd floor Senate chamber.

Immediately following the session, Shields will hold a media availability with Majority Floor Leader Kevin Engler of Farmington and Appropriations Chairman Gary Nodler of Joplin in the Bingham Gallery.

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Incoming Speaker Ron Richard will preside over the House's opening session, which also begins at noon. Richard is slated to speak to the chamber around 12:30 p.m.

Richard will hold a media availability upon adjournment in the House Lounge around 1:30 p.m.

***CHECK MY CONTINUOUS TWITTER UPDATES HERE***

Stay tuned for full reports live from Jefferson City on KY3 News @ 5, 6 & 10

Lawmakers Consider Shuffling Casino Money

WATCH THE KY3 News @ 10 REPORT HERE

The voter-approved law to put money from casinos into the state's school funding formula is irking some lawmakers because some districts won't benefit.

Now, two months after voters approved the casino ballot initiative, lawmakers are suggesting that the money be diverted to raise teacher salaries, boost special education and gifted programs and even help cash-strapped universities.

Nixa State Representative Jay Wasson (who gets extra brownie points for being a politico available on the New Year's Day holiday): "If there were some flexibility there, this is going to be a very tough budget crunch year." BUT . . . "If it's written that way as I suspect it is, that's where it'll have to go. I don't think we'll have any choice on that."

REPORTS A.P. MAESTRO LIEB:

"Lawmakers can ignore the spending directives approved by voters and appropriate money as they choose, or they can change the law itself with a majority vote in the House and Senate and the governor's signature." "The language addressing the formula was, for lack of a better description, not ideally written," said incoming Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, who was a supporter of the ballot measure. "There probably are going to have to be some changes."

The new legislative session begins next Wednesday.