(Missourinet) – The state Supreme Court is considering a case involving a court reform law governing municipalities in St. Louis County.

In the aftermath of the 2014 unrest in Ferguson, it became known that cities in the area were leaning heavily on court fines and fees to finance city services.  The state legislature responded with a law – Senate Bill 5 – capping the amount of fines and fees those municipalities could retain from minor traffic violations.  It lowered the percentage all communities can apply toward their annual general operating revenue from 30 percent to 20 percent, but further lowered the amount for cities in St. Louis County to 12.5 percent.

The cities sued in court, securing a decision the law was illegally targeting one area – St. Louis County – for special treatment.  Representing the state before the high court, attorney Andrew Hirth said the treatment is appropriate because St. Louis County has an unusually large number of jurisdictions.

“You’ve got a county which has lower levels of government, a whole lot of them, which means if you drive from one side of St. Louis County to the other, you’re subject to an awful lot of different jurisdictions” said Hirth.  “There’s a very good reason to say ‘Well, we’re going to give a little more of a skeptical eye, and rein that in a little bit more, when there are that many municipalities within close proximity to each other.  So I think that’s a rational basis for treating them differently.”

The cities want the justices to preserve the lower court’s ruling which frees them to charge fines as they see fit.  Representing the cities before the Supreme Court, attorney David Pittinsky defended the lower bench ruling.  He said the law unfairly singled out St. Louis County for its size and form of government.

“The statute said ‘A county with a charter form of government and at least 950,000 inhabitants’” said Pittinsky.  “So if another county in Missouri is not a charter form of government and doesn’t have 950,000 inhabitants, it can’t be in the class.”

Pittinski pointed out St. Louis County is far larger than any other in the state, further placing it in a special class.  He claimed census figures show the next largest county, Jackson at 660,000, would take 15 years to reach parity with St. Louis County.

The cities also want a requirement left in place by the lower bench reversed.  It requires them to have accredited police departments without providing a funding source.

Two organizations filed briefs in the case as friends of the court.  The American Civil Liberties Union argued the laws provisions that currently limit its application in St. Louis County are constitutional.  Better Together made a similar argument.

(Missourinet) – A U.S. House subcommittee is considering ways to modernize housing appraisal laws.

East central Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer says the last meaningful update to the appraisal system was in 1989.

“The finance mortgage system has changed and alternative valuation methods are more advanced than ever. Yet when it comes to the regulatory regimes surrounding appraisals, it seems we’re stuck in 1989,” says Luetkemeyer. “Personally, I’d like to see a more state-centric model of regulation. One that cuts some of the federal bureaucracy hovering above appraisers today.”

The Appraisal Institute wants a less complicated approach. It says regulations are overwhelming appraisers and proving to be counter-productive for the profession and for users of appraisal services. The institute suggested that Congress realign the system with those of the real estate and mortgage industries.

“Appraisals are one of the cornerstones of the home buying process. Issues that impact appraisers also impact nearly every American buying or selling a home, in rural and urban areas, in high and low-income neighborhoods,” says Luetkemeyer. “These issues affect lenders, homebuilders, real estate professionals and ultimately the health of the American economy.”

Luetkemeyer, of St. Elizabeth, says the regulations result in consumers suffering from increased turnaround time, delays in loans and higher costs for consumers. The Republican’s district covers 13 Missouri counties.

(Missourinet) – A mid-Missouri lawmaker plans to push for funding for a proposed Mizzou research center expansion.

State Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) tells Missourinet he’ll advocate for a proposed $8 million expansion at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR). The Columbia Chamber of Commerce is leading the effort to obtain state funding for the expansion.

“And I think it’s very important to not only the community, but all of the great research they do there and life-saving medications and all that. I think it’s something we really need to try and find the money to get that to them,” Basye says.

The Columbia Chamber says the expansion would add additional training classrooms and labs, and would increase the number of workers available to support MURR’s ability to rapidly supply radiopharmaceutical companies and vendors. MURR, which opened in 1966, has about 200 full and part-time scientists and staff.

The Chamber also says an expansion would help to train more skilled workers and make Columbia an international hub for imaging and cancer drug production.

Basye was one of seven Missouri lawmakers who toured the facility with MURR officials, Columbia leaders and reporters on Tuesday.

House Speaker Todd Richardson (R-Poplar Bluff) participated in that tour. Richardson also addressed Columbia Chamber members during a Tuesday luncheon at First State Community Bank. Missourinet asked Richardson about the funding request.

“It’s incredibly important that that reactor continue to operate. It’s something that I think is really a feather in the cap for the University, so we’re going to be ready to work with the University on how we continue to fund that. And we’ll have to see what the budget numbers look like, but it’s something I know we’re interested in partnering with them on,” Richardson says.

Incoming House Select Committee on Budget Chairman Scott Fitzpatrick (R-Shell Knob) tells Missourinet 2017 will likely be a difficult budget year, making the Chamber’s request and others like it unlikely next year.

In addition to Richardson and Basye, the five other lawmakers who toured MURR Tuesday were State Senator-Elect Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia), State Rep. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) and three newly-elected State Representatives: Martha Stevens (D-Columbia), Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) and Rusty Black (R-Chillicothe).

The MURR website has a detailed summary of the project’s history. It notes that in 1959, Missouri Governor James Blair signed an appropriations bill to fund the project, and that the amount was later supplemented by the Legislature during the tenure of Governor John Dalton. The MURR website says state allocations were $3.4 million.

The facility is one of 25 University research reactors in the nation.

(Missourinet) – In the aftermath of this month’s elections, the Missouri Sierra Club and Webster University are holding a panel Wednesday on environmental issues.

President elect Donald Trump has tapped one of the foremost climate change skeptics to dismantle President Obama’s environmental efforts.  Myron Ebell of the libertarian group Competitive Enterprise Institute will set the direction of federal agencies which address climate policy.

Among other things, he rejects research showing global warming to be man-made and real, and has called the Clean Power Plan “illegal”.  John Hickey with the Missouri Sierra Club says the panel discussion will focus on reacting to Trump’s moves.

“We will fight vigorously to make sure that the Environmental Protection Agency follows the law and does its duty under the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act to protect people in Missouri as well as in the country from air and water pollution” said Hickey.  “And if that means we’ve got to sue the EPA. We are more than ready to do that.”

Trump has repeatedly called the concept of man-made climate change a “hoax.” Ebell, who is not a scientist, has said “a lot of third-, fourth- and fifth-rate scientists have gotten a long ways” by embracing climate change.

Hickey says the panel discussion will also center on what he calls “bright spots” from the election, including voter approved renewal of a sales tax to fund soil conservation and state parks.

“We know from evidence like that, that Missourians support public lands.  They support clean water when that is set up as stand-alone issue.”

Hickey claims the tax, which passed by an 80 percent margin, was supported by all 114 counties in the state.  He says the Sierra Club will now try to get those voters involved in a campaign to support environmental policies Trump wants to eliminate.

Hickey further notes another positive result for environmentalists was the election of several sympathetic state lawmakers.

“Senator Scott Sifton in St. Louis County had a very strong reelection despite having hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent against him” said Hickey.  “You look at a Crystal Quade from Springfield.  Or you look at a Martha Stevens in Columbia.  Or you look at a Mark Ellebracht in Clay County.  You had a number of pro-environmental candidates who did win.”

The panel event takes place at noon Wednesday at Webster University in St. Louis, and will also be attended by 91st District State Representative Jeanne Kirkton.  Hickey will serve as moderator.  Also on the panel are Megan Price, the Student Government Vice President at Webster University, Don Corrigan, an editor at the Webster-Kirkwood Times and Amanda Rosen, Associate Professor of Politics & International Relations at Webster University.

(Missourinet) – About 500 Boeing jobs are headed to St. Louis County. The company announced Tuesday that the support jobs will be moving from its Huntington Beach, California
operation. The aircraft manufacturer has also announced that it’s closing its El Paso, Texas, and Newington, Virginia, sites.

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) issued the following statement about Boeing’s news.

“Boeing’s decision to move more than 500 jobs to Missouri makes perfect sense—because the St. Louis region, and frankly our entire state, offer one of the most dedicated, innovative workforces in the country, and play a critical role on our nation’s defense. These jobs will be a big win, for the company, for our economy, and for hundreds of Missourians, and I look forward to continuing to work with Boeing as it begins this exciting transition.”

St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger is also pleased with Boeing’s announcement.

“Boeing executives tell us all the time that St. Louis County is a great place to do business. The County’s allocation of transportation funds to improve infrastructure to support the construction of 777X wing manufacturing is a direct example of how we support the company and its employees,” says Stenger. “Boeing leaders also appreciate St. Louis County’s skilled workforce. This addition of jobs is a testament to the skill and dedication of our workforce, collaboration with the County, and the quality of life area residents enjoy. Companies continue to recognize that St. Louis County is a great place to live and work.”

Boeing has more than 14,000 employees in the St. Louis area.

(Missourinet) – Even though Democrats are outnumbered nearly three-to-one in the state Senate, the chamber’s minority leader is hoping bipartisanship can prevail.

This sentiment comes after Republicans swept every statewide race in this month’s election, toppling four incumbent Democrats in the process.

Senator Gina Walsh of St. Louis County says she’ll try to find common ground with incoming Republican Governor Eric Greitens.

“I’m not going to throw the baby out with the bath water or think it’s all over” said Walsh.  “I don’t know our new governor elect.  Until I have an opportunity to work with him and see if we can work together, which I hope we can, I am not going to say ‘Oh we’re going to war and blah, blah, blah’, because we’re not.  That’s not what we’re sent here for.”

Walsh contends she has a good relationship with Republican majority leaders in both the Senate and House.  She says she wants to work together on some issues, but doesn’t know if it’ll be possible.

One of the big matters facing lawmakers in the next session is transportation.  Walsh says she wants to join Republicans in fixing Missouri’s roads.  She fiercely backed her party’s nominee for governor, Chris Koster, who was vocal about the need to address transportation issues.  Walsh says she’ll continue to work in the same direction when Greitens assumes the office.

“I’m not taking my ball and going home.  We all need to work together for the good of Missouri, so folks can get from one end of the state to the other in a safe manner.  Every day that’s happening less and less with our roads.”

Although he hasn’t said much publicly, Walsh thinks Greitens knows transportation is an issue in Missouri.  Before being defeated in the governor’s race, Koster had pegged the cost of repairing and updating roads at $500 million.  That figure has been echoed by state Transportation Department Director Patrick McKenna as well as Republican Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe of Jefferson City.

One of the most high profile matters going into the next legislative session will be labor laws.  Big money was spent on the issue in the governor’s race.  Democrat Koster received over $8.6 million from labor interests during the campaign, mostly from trade unions.

Walsh is preparing to lose a long battle on labor.  Numerous attempts by the Republican dominated legislature to pass right to work laws have been derailed by outgoing Governor Jay Nixon.  But with the office moving to Republican control, Walsh knows GOP lawmakers are now likely to get their way.

“They are what they are.  They’re anti-worker bills, and they’re not good for the state of Missouri.  But I’m not in charge.  I’m going to do what can do to stop them, but I’m not hopeful of the outcome.”  Right to work laws prevent unions from compelling workers to to pay dues as a condition of employment.

Walsh is a longtime strong supporter of unions.  Greitens has indicated making Missouri a right to work state will be a top priority.

(Missourinet) – Many Republicans in the state legislature hope that 2017 will be the year that right-to-work legislation passes in Missouri.

Democrats in the General Assembly will lose their ally in the fight when Governor Jay Nixon (D) leaves office in January.

Republican Governor-elect Eric Greitens advisor, Austin Chambers, says making Missouri a right-to-work state is key. Right-to-work laws would bar unions from requiring workers to pay dues as a condition for employment.

“It is certainly a priority and something that will be a part of the agenda,” says Chambers.

Republicans will continue to hold a supermajority in both chambers of the Missouri legislature in 2017. Some of the legislature’s top Republicans plan to meet soon with Greitens to visit about their priorities for 2017, including right-to-work.

State Representative Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston) plans to file a right-to-work bill for next year. Now that Republicans won’t have Nixon standing in their way with his veto pen, the House will only need 82 votes in favor of such a measure and the Senate will only need 18. All other years that Nixon has served as governor, the House had to have 109 votes and the Senate was required to have 23 in order to override a veto.

Senate minority leader Gina Walsh (D- Bellefontaine Neighbors) tells Missourinet that Democrats will argue against such legislation for as long as they can during debate.

(Missourinet) – The Missouri House speaker pro tem nominee says it’s very clear what direction voters want state government to go, following Tuesday’s elections.

In addition to electing Navy SEAL Eric Greitens (R) as governor, Missourians also elected GOP super-majorities in both the House and Senate. House Republicans have elected state Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) as House speaker pro tem.

“The statewide candidates that we had laid out a very clear message to the voters that contrasted with the Democratic Party, and I think the voters chose very clearly that they liked and agreed with that Republican message,” Haahr says.

Haahr will replace state Rep. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg) as speaker pro tem. Hoskins has been elected to the Missouri Senate.

Republicans will control the House in January 117-46. Haahr is hopeful right-to-work will pass in 2017, with a Republican governor who supports such legislation and strong GOP majorities in both chambers.

“I voted for right-to-work every year it’s been up. I think it’s been a priority of the House every year it’s been up,” says Haahr. “I think we’ve got more of an opportunity this year obviously with a Republican governor than we’ve ever had in the past. I’m very excited to see that happen.”

Right-to-work says that a person cannot be required to join or refrain from joining a labor organization, as a condition of employment. Democrats and labor organizations oppose right-to-work, saying it will lower wages for Missourians.

Haahr tells Missourinet southwest Missouri is well-represented on the House GOP leadership team, noting state Rep. Kevin Austin (R-Springfield) is assistant majority floor leader and that state Rep. Jeff Messenger (R-Republic) is the policy development chair. Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard (R) is also from Joplin in southwest Missouri.

“Obviously, I think southwest Missouri has a bigger seat now, and I think that’s reflective of the large Republican presence down there,” Haahr says.

The 2017 legislative session begins on January 4. The full House will formally vote on a speaker pro tem after session begins.

(Missourinet) – Governor Jay Nixon (D) says Missouri exports are on pace to reach an all-time high this year.

Newly released figures show that through September 2016, Missouri exports reached almost $10.6 billion. That exceeds the previous January to September total of $9.9 billion in 2014, when Missouri’s annual exports reached an all-time high of just under $14.2 billion. That was an increase of 49% from 2009, when exports were $9.5 billion.

“In an increasingly competitive global marketplace, Missouri businesses – large and small – and our skilled workforce are proving they can grow exports and reach even more consumers around the world,” says Nixon. “To continue growing Missouri jobs and strengthening our economy, we need to keep expanding our international trade efforts and reaching new customers.”

Meanwhile, Nixon will lead a trade delegation to United Arab Emirates from Nov. 18 to Nov. 22. In the UAE, the governor will meet with high-ranking government officials to try and expand Missouri exports to the Middle Eastern nation.

The UAE was Missouri’s 22nd largest trading partner in 2015, receiving more than $76 million in Missouri goods and commodities. The largest categories of Missouri products exported to the UAE were fabricated metal products, transportation equipment, electrical equipment and appliances, machinery, computer and electronic products.

Joining Gov. Nixon on the trip will be First Lady Georganne Nixon; Mike Downing, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The Missouri delegation also will include Al Purcell, chairman of the Hawthorn Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting economic growth in Missouri; Marie Carmichael, chairwoman of the Missouri Development Finance Board; David Adkins, President and CEO of the Council of State Governments; and representatives of St. Louis University. Several Missouri businesses will also be represented, including Burns and McDonnell, of Kansas City; Holtec Gas Systems, of Chesterfield; Kit Bond Strategies, of Clayton; Premier Proteins, of Kearney; and Scienco/FAST, of Sunset Hills.

Travel costs for the governor and Mrs. Nixon will be covered by the Hawthorn Foundation. State taxpayer funds will not be used.

(Missourinet) – Democratic caucuses in the state House and Senate have elected women to serve as the minority floor leaders and assistant leaders. It’s unknown if this is the first time a party caucus in both chambers of the Missouri legislature have ever had both posts held concurrently by women.

In the House, Rep. Gail McCann Beatty (D-Kansas City) has been elected as the minority floor leader and Rep. Gina Mitten (D-St. Louis) will be the assistant leader.

“I am very honored and appreciative of the support that I have received from my colleagues,” says McCann Beatty. “House Democrats can be proud that despite the tough election year nationwide, we stopped the majority from picking up a single state legislative seat for the first time in eight years. I am confident that we as a Caucus can come together and continue to work towards moving the state of Missouri forward in a positive way.”

In the state Senate, Sen. Gina Walsh (D- Bellefontaine Neighbors) has been chosen as the minority leader and Sen. Kiki Curls (D-Kansas City) will serve as assistant minority leader.