By State Representative Kevin Wilson

This week’s report is going to be an old-fashioned Paul Harvey rest of the story but in keeping with his style, first a report on the McDonald County Fair. Hot, then cool, and hot again would be a good description. Thursday was blistering hot but when a cool front came through it was actually pretty pleasant until Saturday when it turned hot again. As always there were lots of kids showing off their livestock (90 participants in the premium sale) and the crowds were not huge (due to the heat) but were steady for the entire event.

Two more issues came to the forefront of concerns for constituents to add to the list I have already started. First, and this is huge for a lot of folks, is the protection of our natural resources – primarily water. McDonald County is a beautiful place and folks want to make sure that future generations can enjoy a leisurely float down one of our many rivers. The other issue is the state-mandated M.A.P. testing for our kids. Those of you not in education may not readily identify with this problem but for educators and parents with kids in school this is a very important issue.

Thank you for everyone who stopped by my booth at either fair, wrote, emailed or called with your thoughts on next year’s priorities. Please continue to let me know what you think is important – your input is vital as our state moves forward. In addition to learning your priorities I also learned that McDonald County now has a Red Cross Chapter serving the county. It is associated with the Greater Ozarks Chapter out of Springfield and if you would like more information you can call Paul or Marian Scott at 775-2337. A big thanks to the Scotts for recognizing a need and stepping forward to fill that need. Now on to the rest of the story!

I was told by a friend of mine that my picture was on a “wall of shame” at a local state office because I had voted against the pay raise for state employees. This was puzzling to me since I had voted for the pay increase and could not understand how someone could state otherwise. Not wanting to let this situation persist I proceeded to march my little self down to the office to see for myself the content of the posting.

After talking with the local manager he showed me the posting and sure enough there I was with my picture and name highlighted in pink (I would have wished for another color but oh well). I was on the page that had pictures of all the Representatives that had voted against a flat pay increase for state workers. Well, I have to admit that the posting was factually correct but extremely misleading. Most people who looked at the posting, I’m sure, thought that I had voted against a pay increase for state employees when that is not the case. I voted to give state employees a 4% increase. There was an amendment that was offered on one of the budget bills that would have given a flat pay increase of $1300 instead of a % increase and I did vote against that amendment.

I thought that a % increase was more fair than a flat increase and would help more people so that is how I voted. Now, you can debate the merits of the two sides all day long but to post a flyer that states I voted against a flat pay increase without explaining what that means is misleading at best and deceptive at worst. And, by the way, State Representatives and Senators are not included in that pay increase – our pay remains the same ($31,351 per year).

So now you know the rest of the story. And, I would ask something of each one of you. If you ever have a question about where I stand on any issue or how I voted please don’t hesitate to contact me for clarification – that way you can always have the whole story and not just a part of it.

Sunday afternoon I had the privilege of presenting a House resolution in honor of the 140th Anniversary celebration of Second Baptist Church. Congratulations to the clergy and members who have so faithfully served the citizens of the Neosho area for all these many years and thank you for allowing me to play a small part in honoring and celebrating that service.

On a personal note, Ann, your legislative assistant in Jefferson City had some surgery last week. It was planned and everything was fine. She is resting at home and should only be out of the office for a couple of weeks. Please keep Ann in your thoughts and prayers and in the meantime if you call you will visit with a very nice lady by the name of Janet Hafner who will assist you.

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