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Capitol Report
Representative Rodney Schad's views for the week.
By: on 2010-03-05
Constituents have been writing letters, calling and flowing through the halls of the Capitol to express their outrage with the proposed federal takeover of our health care system. There have been rallies, town hall meetings and demonstrations to show the President and Congress just how serious our citizens are taking the federal health care bill.
Representative Tim Jones, R – Eureka, sponsored House Joint Resolution 48 to oppose government run healthcare, which passed through the House last week. Upon voter approval, this proposed constitutional amendment would allow individuals, employers and healthcare providers to opt out of participation in the health care legislation Congress may pass. The legislation prevents individuals and employers from being fined or penalized, allowing them to pay directly for lawful health care services. It also states that health care providers can accept payment for health care services from individuals or employers without being subject to these fines or penalties. Finally, it states that the purchase or sale of health care insurance in private health care systems cannot be prohibited by any law or rule passed down from the federal government.
Representative Jones' resolutions act as a shield from the federal government mandates, protecting Missouri citizens. It serves as an official message from the Missouri General Assembly.
Also passing out of the house last week was house committee substitute for HJR86 which is a constitutional amendment. Upon voter approval, in order to protect Missouri's agricultural economy, affirms the right of Missouri citizens to raise domestic animals in a humane manner without the state imposing an undue economic burden on their owners. No law criminalizing or regulating crops or the welfare of domesticated animals will be valid unless based upon generally accepted scientific principles and enacted by the General Assembly. The resolution will not prohibit or limit the right of a city or county to enact ordinances and will not invalidate a state law that makes it a crime to grow a crop that has been declared a controlled substance. It is a shame that we have to talk about these changes to our constitution but with the constant barrage of attacks on Missouri's agriculture industry, it becomes necessary to discuss these changes. We are on spring break this week and I am working on the farm. We will be back to work March 15th for a nine week marathon finish to this session.
For information on bill status, go to www.house.mo.gov. Please feel free to contact me with your comments at rodney.schad@house.mo.gov or at 573-751-2077 or write to Representative Rodney Schad, State Capitol, Room 410B, 201 West Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
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