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Budget | Health Care | Education | Stem Cell Research
Eminent Domain | Protecting Our Families | Economy
Budget
Without raising taxes, we ended this past year with higher revenue growth than we had expected: over $500 million. Programs that had received cuts in recent years received modest gains. However, the state is still not adequately funding the services that we need to keep Missouri moving forward.
Federal programs continue to be cut back and in some cases not funded at all. This leaves us with the problem of Missouri taking up the slack to cover essential services and programs throughout the state.
As the co-ranking Democrat of the Budget Committee, I am committed to making sure that money is being used as wisely and effectively as possible.
Health Care
Last year, the Governor and Republican controlled legislature claimed we had to eliminate health insurance coverage through Medicaid for 100,000 elderly and disabled individuals and children and severely cut back services for another 300,000 people. Because of higher revenue growth we have enough money to restore health care coverage for all those who lost it - without raising taxes! Even efforts to allow health care benefits for about 3,000 of the working disabled failed despite repeated promises. I opposed the health care cuts and will continue to work to make sure that health care is accessible through Medicaid for those who have no other choices.
Because of the cuts, individuals have been severely hurt. For example, individuals with brain injuries cannot get the therapy they need and feeding tubes are considered an "optional" service.
I supported legislation allowing small businesses to form groups for more affordable health insurance.
In our public health clinics, basic health care services such as mammograms, pap smears and family planning have been eliminated for 30,000 women. Money must be found to bring these services back to an acceptable level.
Education
Public education is the number one responsibility of state government. I have vigorously opposed efforts to divert tax dollars to private schools.
I support the expansion of early childhood programs, such as Parents As Teachers and 4 year-old preschool programs.
Most of the school districts within my legislative district receive very little state money for education. I have opposed efforts to cut the money they do receive, such as for gifted education, transportation and voluntary desegregation.
Although we increased the state share of funding for elementary and secondary education, the schools are still being required to wait for seven years, until 2013, to receive all of the money promised in the new state aid formula that we passed last year. The state of Missouri must keep its promises and properly fund its commitments.
After years of flat or declining expenditures, our colleges and university got only a 2 percent increase this year. The rising cost of tuition at our colleges and universities is creating a crisis for families. One of my priorities is making higher education affordable.
Stem Cell Research
There have been repeated attempts to pass legislation that would define cloning in such a way that it would make it a crime to perform promising stem cell research. I vigorously oppose such limits on life-saving medical research.
On the ballot in November is Amendment 2, which will ensure that stem cell research is protected under the Missouri Constitution, while at the same time prohibiting the cloning of a human being.
Because of a disagreement over how to proceed with stem cell research, $38 million that was to have been set aside for life sciences research was not included in this year's budget.
Eminent Domain
I supported legislation which changed the law regarding eminent domain. The major changes were:
Eminent domain could not be used "solely" for economic development.
Requiring increased payments to homeowners and businesses forced to move due to eminent domain.
Courts are now allowed to review if eminent domain has been abused.
Protecting Our Families
I sponsored legislation that would offer parents a way to check on the safety and quality of day care facilities for children.
I am committed to providing alternatives to nursing homes - particularly in-home care.
I supported the Assisted Living Bill, which prevents older adults being unnecessarily moved to nursing homes.
I have also sponsored legislation to crack down on individuals who commit investment fraud against older adults and the disabled.
I supported legislation to toughen penalties against sex offenders.
Economy
With the strong public-private partnerships in the life sciences and biotech research industry, particularly at Missouri universities and colleges, we have the means to build new jobs and attract companies. In order to have a strong economy, Missouri must invest state money in new areas of growth while defending existing jobs from leaving the state.
I have supported legislation that offers state incentives for renewable energy and hybrid cars.
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