The Association report

from the Capitol

April 18, 2002

Association legislation and issues continue to advance in a legislative session that's been characterized by contentious debates and budget delays that threaten the constitutional deadline of May 10.

On Wednesday (Apr. 17) the Senate Pensions and General Laws Committee held a public hearing on HB 1455. This is legislation expanding the options of the "Back DROP" retirement program.  Larry Thompson, Association legislative specialist, testified for the bill at the senate hearing.  HB 1455, which passed the house about two weeks ago, is considered a possible vehicle for other Association-related bills which have been delayed by limited movement of bills on the

house and senate debate calendars.

Also on Wednesday at a House Transportation Committee hearing, the Association successfully defended MoDOT jobs with an amendment to a transportation funding bill.  SB 970 contained a provision which would have moved right-of-way maintenance jobs from MoDOT employees to private contractors. Association president Steve Cox and others were at the committee hearing and succeeded in getting the troublesome language removed from the bill. SB 970 would extend the 6-cents a gallon gas tax that was passed by the legislature in 1992. A final vote on the bill, a committee substitute, was delayed until next week.

The "out-sourcing" or "privatization" provision that appeared in SB 970, shifting work from MoDOT employees to private contractors points to a need for a more specific policy on the practice.  Discussions are underway recommending a special interim committee to study the cost effectiveness and safety issues associated with out-sourcing work that has traditionally been done by state employees.

In other business this week, the senate gave preliminary approval to SB 915 which would raise the per-gallon gas tax and add a sales tax to increase transportation funding. One of the top priorities of this session has been a transportation funding package. However this issue and others have been delayed by on-going wrangling over the state budget and political posturing related to legislative term limits. The current legislative session ends at 6:00 p.m. on May 17.

From Harry Hill, Lobbyist

Missouri Highway and Transportation Employees' Association