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February 17, 2012Capitol Reports, Feb. 17, 2012

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Headline: Missouri's Supreme Court throws out a major section of Missouri's ethics laws [Entered: 02/17/2012]

In a unanimous decision, the state's high court threw out a package of ethics laws passed by the Missouri General Assembly in 2010.

The measure imposes penalties on lobbyists for filing false information, gives the Missouri Ethics Commission power to launch its own investigations, requires electronic filing of more campaign finance reports and restricts the transfer of funds between political committees.

The provisions had been passed after stories of a federal grand jury investigation into former House Speaker Rod Jetton and campaign contributions. Supporters argued the heightened exposure of campaign contributions would balance the legislature's earlier action that removed the cap on campaign contributions.

But Missouri's Supreme Court held Tuesday [Feb. 14] that the legislature had violated a state constitutional provision that prohibits expanding a bill beyond its original topic.

The original bill covered only state contract bidding and procurements.

"The multiple provisions relating to campaign finance, ethics and keys to the capitol dome are not logically connected ... continued

February 10, 2012Capitol Reports, Feb. 10, 2012

Headline:  Discrimination lawsuit restrictions pass the House and Senate [Entered: 02/10/2012]

Both Missouri's House and Senate approved legislation that would limit discrimination lawsuits by workers against their employers.

Gov. Jay Nixon had vetoed a similar bill last year, and Democrats predicted this year's version would meet a similar fate if it clears the legislature.

"This bill will go down in flames once it gets down to the governor's desk," Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, said during the House debate.

Supporters argue the measure would bring state law into conformity with federal law by requiring that discrimination was a "motivating factor." The proposal also would impose a cap on monetary awards.

A filibuster that had been blocking a vote in the Senate ended when compromise language was drafted. Despite the agreement that ended the filibuster, Democrats voted against the proposal in both chambers.

The lawsuit restriction bill was one of the major issues cited by business organizations for their agenda at the start of the legislative session.

Either the House must pass the Senate bill or the Senate pass the House bill for the measure to move to the governor's desk.

continued

February 9, 2012Tax Debate at Capitol

The debate to replace the state's income tax with a sales tax was very interesting at MPA's Day at the Capitol.

You can access presentations from each side following the links below.

Anne Marie Moy

James R. Moody

February 8, 2012MPA Bills of Interest

Click here to read the lisitng of bills of interest. February 2012

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