Volume 11, Issue 1 January 28, 2005
Change, it is a coming!
Change seems to be the theme for the 2005 legislative session. For the first time since 1922 Republicans have control of the Governor’s Office the House and the Senate. This was the first time a Governor has made the State of the State Address during prime time, and the first time the Democrats have had an official response. Republican leadership has also made major changes in the House rules, how business will be conducted by members.
Governor Blunt identified more efficient government and making Missouri business friendly as top priorities for his administration in his address. He vowed to “knock down barriers for business.” The Governor announced plans to cut an additional 1,000 state employees, and to cut all department budgets by an additional 20%. We expect to see additional cuts in staff to the Department of Natural Resources, DNR.
It was encouraging to hear the Democrats mention the environment in their response to the Governors State of the State. Attorney General Jay Nixon responded that under Democratic
leadership, businesses in Missouri’s have grown and created good jobs. However; Nixon explained “It concerns me that the Governor seems to want more breaks for businesses and fewer protections for Missouri’s workers and the environment. I believe we can protect our streams and forests, and create good jobs.”
Speaker Rod Jetton passed new House rules that will make drastic changes in the way bills are debated and amended. The control of floor debate and amendments will all be determined by an extremely powerful new Rules Committee. The Committee chaired by Shannon Cooper has five Republicans and three Democrats. The establishment of this committee could make it more difficult to alter anti-environmental legislation.
Another important change; former Senator Doyle Childers has been selected to fill the top position at DNR. Childers, from SW Missouri, has served in the legislature for 22 years. Although Childers did not have a strong environmental voting record, we have seen him progress in his understanding of how critical clean water is to the tourism industry. He is fair, straight forward and should be accessible to the environmental community. We are cautiously optimistic that we will have a good working relationship with Director Childers.
So what does all of this change mean for the Missouri’s environment? Governor Blunt is saying he wants businesses to get permits faster. That is hard to do when they keep cutting DNR staff and budget. Perhaps allowing business to conduct self-audits and be immune from fines and penalties will be part of a “more business friendly climate.” The “Dirty Secrets Bill,” Audit Privilege HB 130, has already been introduced by Walt Bivins, formerly with Dow Chemical Company. This is the same old ugly bill that would allow businesses to close their records to the public and give them immunity from fines and penalties as long as they self-report.
The Sierra Club is responding to the all of the changes by determining the most effective way to hold the line on environmental protections. The reality is we must launch a more proactive campaign on issues like the Dirty Secrets Bill. We have already contacted our members in Rep. Bivins area to begin phone calls to get him to pull the bill. I plan to travel to his district and speak with Civic and Church groups, anyone that will listen, about how damaging this bill is. We realize now more than ever that our influence is through our members. We will continue our critical work of tracking legislation and testifying but we must take our message to the people and expand beyond our members. I need your help. If you know of any organization that would be open to a Sierra Club presentation please call our office with the information. 1-800-628-5333