Legislative Report for the Week of July 17, 2006
By State Representative Kevin Wilson

It has been a very busy last few days for folks in Southwest Missouri. Governor Blunt has been in this area 3 times during the last week to sign legislation on many of the issues I talked about in my last report. I will just briefly go over those bills.

On Tuesday he was in Joplin to sign legislation allowing tax credits for contributions to Pregnancy Resource Centers. As one of the ladies at Life Choices, the site of the bill signing, said to me – this bill will save the lives of unborn children by providing more resources to give mothers alternatives to abortions.

Thursday the Governor was at a farm in Jasper County to sign the Eminent Domain reform bill. I had the chance to see my good friend Rep. Steve Hobbs who has put so much of himself into this issue over the last four years. As I said in my statement at the event – this was the number priority among the constituents of the 130th so I was glad to see the Governor make it his priority and push the legislation to its conclusion.

Then, on Friday, I attended a press conference where the Governor signed into law the bill I mentioned last week allowing small businesses to form associations that can provide health insurance to their employees at better rates than they could afford on their own. This is a great bill for small business and for the many employees of those companies.

To have the Governor spend so much time in the Southwest corner of the state recognizes the impact we are having in the Capitol on state policy. It has been a very rewarding experience to serve in the legislature and know that the voice of rural Missouri is finally being heard just as loudly as that of suburban and urban Missouri. Thank you for all your help in providing me the feedback I need to push forward the agenda that has now put Missouri on the right road to a bright future.

The week was also busy for me in other ways as I had the opportunity to visit with senior citizens, civic groups and community leaders in a variety of settings. Although we all know that we have problems that need to be addressed, I am encouraged by the positive attitudes of the folks that I talk to on a daily basis – even in the face of severe challenges facing our country.

It probably won’t come as any surprise but a hot topic in many of my conversations is the issue of illegal immigration. On Thursday, I attended a meeting of the Special Committee on Illegal Immigration that was commissioned by the Speaker of the Missouri House and is being chaired by Rep. Ed Emery (Lamar). The meeting was held at MSSU and is one of many being held around the state. Several people testified and I was able to stay and observe most of the meeting. I will tell you that most of what I heard centered around issues that are going to have to be addressed at the federal level. But, it is still our job as state legislators to see what can be done at the state level so I will be interested in hearing the result of the interim committee after they have had all their hearings.

Speaking of hearings, you may have read or heard in the media that the Governor might call a special session to address Medicaid fraud. I served on the Special Committee on Health Care Facilities that was convened during this last legislative session. Medicaid fraud was one of the bills that we heard and passed out of committee but did not make it out of the House. I just received notice that we are going to meet over the next month around the state to see if we can come up with a bill that can be discussed during a special session that could be held during the time frame of our regular scheduled veto session. I guess my life just got a little busier but it is for a good reason – fighting Medicaid fraud – so it is definitely worth it.

This weekend is the McDonald County fair so brave the heat and come on out to the fairgrounds near McDonald County High School and stop by for a visit. And, don’t forget that if you need assistance on state issues, Ann and I are always on the job, even when the legislature is not in session. Mail: State Capitol/201 W. Capitol Ave./Jefferson City, MO 65101
E-mail: ‘kevin.wilson@house.mo.gov’
Phone: (573) 751-9781
Fax: (573) 522-9287