August 5, 2014 Ballot Issues Review

...The Countdown is Underway!  ...Time to Consider the Issues!

This election cycle, the August ballot contains several Constitutional Amendments for Missouri voters to consider. 

Constitutional Amendment No. 1:  Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to ensure that the right of Missouri citizens to engage in agricultural production and ranching practices shall not be infringed?
The potential costs or savings to governmental entities are unknown, but likely limited unless the resolution leads to increased litigation costs and/or the loss of federal funding.

Constitutional Amendment No. 1 is commonly referred to as the Farming Rights Amendment and is widely supported in rural Missouri.  A YES vote would mean you are in favor of this amendment.

Constitutional Amendment No. 5:  Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to include a declaration that the right to keep and bear arms is a unalienable right and that the state government is obligated to uphold that right?
State and local governmental entities should have no direct costs or savings from this proposal.  However, the proposal's passage will likely lead to increased litigation and criminal justice related costs.  The total potential costs are unknown, but could be significant.

The amendment appears to be an iteration of the US Constitution Second Amendment.  A YES vote would mean you are in favor of this amendment.

Constitutional Amendment No.7:  Should the Missouri Constitution be changed to enact a temporary sales tax of 3/4 of one percent to be used solely to fund state and local highways, roads, bridges and transportation projects for ten years, with priority given to repairing unsafe roads and bridges?
This change is expected to produce $480 million annually to the state's Transportation Safety and Job Creation Fund and $54 million for local governments.  Increases in the gas tax will be prohibited.  This revenue shall only be used for transportation purposes and cannot be diverted for other uses.

Discussion of this amendment may be found in the Missouri Times, a political newspaper based out of Jefferson City.  The article of July 6 may also be found at http://themissouritimes.com.  The tax proposed is a 10 year tax.  A YES vote would mean you are in favor of this amendment.

Constitutional Amendment No. 8:  Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to create a "Veterans Lottery Ticket" and to use the revenue from the sale of these tickets for projects and services related to veterans?
The annual cost or savings to state and local governmental entities is unknown, but likely minimal,  If sales of a veterans lottery ticket game decreases existing lottery ticket sales, the profits of which fund education, there could be a small annual shift in funding from education to veterans' programs.

A YES vote would mean you are in favor of this amendment.

Constitutional Amendment No 9:  Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended so that the people shall be secure in their electronic communications and data from unreasonable searches and seizures as they are now likewise secure in their persons, homes, papers and effects?
State and local governmental entities expect no significant costs or savings.

This is similar to the legislative actions of 20 other states to protect the privacy of individuals.  This is legislative referred (SCS SJR No. 27) and was passed overwhelmingly.  A YES vote would mean you are in favor of this amendment.

Please take the time to consider these ballot issues! 

Please encourage everyone to get out to the polls on August 5th!

What Does Senator Roy Blunt Do In Washington?

...As Missouri's senior and highest ranking elected official, he plays an integral role in providing a voice for us-his constituents!

Among his many duties, perhaps, his committee work is the most valuable to his constituents' individual needs.  Roy Blunt serves on the following committees:

• Committee on Appropriations-Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related agencies.  Other Subcommittees are Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Environment , Department of State, Foreign Operation, Defense and Related Programs and Agencies.
• Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation-Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security.  Other Subcommittees include Aviation Operations, Communications, Technology and the Internet, Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export Promotion, Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance.
• Committee on Armed Services-Including the Subcommittees of Airland, Personnel, Readiness and Management Support.

Information about his most recent action is provided through this press release of June 19, 2014!
 

Senator Blunt Fights To Block EPA Takeover of Private, State Waters

Senator Blunt along with 29 colleagues introduced legislation to stop the EPA from taking over all private and state water in the US..."I'm proud to co-sponsor this bill with Senator John Barrasso, and I'll continue working with my colleagues to stop the Obama Administration from infringing on Missourians' private properties."

 

A more complete explanation of this legislation, other legislation he has introduced and the means to contact him to express support can be found at http://www.blunt.senate.gov .This is the address of his official Website!  Also, if you have not gotten acquainted with the many Field Representatives from Senator Blunt's Offices across the state, please take time to contact the office in your area and chat with the Representative nearest you!

 

 

 

 



About Cindy Graves!

Highlighting Our State Convention Guest!

Just who is this lady with the big personality!  Cindy Graves, Director for Region 6, kept us entertained with her good humor and her to-the-point comments about getting out to the folks and staying active about what we Republican Women believe!  Although she can TALK, she also walks the talk!  She is a past president of the Florida Federation of Republican Women, currently a Republican state committeewoman of Duval County, played a leading role in the campaigns of Senator Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Governor Rick Scott!  Her strong support and voice of determination for Republicans has also led her to create a popular talk radio show! 

Cynthia Smith reached out to Cindy through her Facebook page and reports that Cindy says give her a call during the Cindy Graves Show from 11-1 CST at 904-222-8255.  Cynthia did just that and let her know that we ladies of Missouri are fans of hers!  Cindy may be reached at http://www.wbobradio.com or at Cindy's Facebook page. 

Let's give her a Show-me "Y'all just come on back anytime!" greeting!

 

...In Case You Missed It!

Catherine Hanaway's Op-ed on the Right to Farm amendment ran over the weekend in the Springfield News-Leader.

In her words:  Missouri is endowed with vast opportunities to create jobs through agriculture.  Missouri is the only state with the two largest navigable rivers in the United States flowing through its borders that can carry products to major ports for international transport.  Missouri is blessed with fertile farmland that produces $3.9 billion worth of soybeans and corn, while maintaining a $1.9 billion beef industry.  Missouri's poultry and pork industries are valued at $1.3 billion and $882 million.

Missouri's total agriculture sector is valued slightly above $9 billion, and Missouri is ranked No. 2 nationally for total number of farms!

Missouri's agricultural economy creates wide-ranging jobs far beyond the fields. Agriculture jobs range from technical education such as fabrication and implement repair to food and fuel processing to scientists working in the animal health corridor in the western half of the state and in plant science at our universities to start-up companies and to established global companies headquartered in Missouri.

The future growth and opportunity in Missouri jobs is vested at all levels of the agriculture sector.

In the short term, we must protect the agricultural sector from burdensome regulations and federal overreach by passing the Right to Farm amendment this August...In the long term, this is our opportunity to lead the nation...by becoming the No. 1 agribusiness state in the United States!

Let's go tell the world!

Catherine Hanaway is a former speaker of the Missouri House and Republican candidate for governor working for the success of Missourians.

Support the Farming Rights Amendment August 5th!

Missourians are being called upon to be sentinels...protectors...champions of our land, our waterways and the life that is supported through these resources. 

Keep Missouri Farming

 

 

Missouri agriculture is the foundation and stabilizing force of Missouri's economy, but in recent times it has been attacked!

 

Thoughtless and misguided outside groups such as HSUS, PETA, Sierra Club and Water-Keepers Alliance are advocating that legislators pass burdensome and expensive regulations.  If allowed to succeed, these groups would cause farmers to reduce production or totally end their businesses.  The prohibitions proposed by these groups would make farming and ranching less profitable, the food supply less safe and reduce the food supply, thereby, causing food costs to rise for the consumer.

 

Missourians respect the land and the resources recognizing that both must be nurtured to allow all life to flourish.

 

Missourians through the support of the Missouri Farming Rights Amendment will endorse the values that exemplify our conservative traditions of free markets, individual responsibility and need for a secure future.

 

I am assured this fall, Missouri voters will answer the call...become the sentinels, protectors, and champions of Missouri agriculture through the passage of the Missouri Farming Rights Amendment!

Sincerely,
Missouri Republican Women


 

 

 

Issues to Follow!

COMMON CORE:  Those opposed to the implementation of the Common Core standards in Missouri have gained statewide support with several bills addressing the issue in this current legislative session.

 

Briefly, the standards were imposed on the state via the 2009 Federal Stimulus Bill under the heading of Race to the Top, an Obama administration initiative in education.  At that time, little to no specific information was given regarding the direction this initiative would take.  Much like Obamacare, Common Core is regarded as an overreach, both oppressive and corrosive to those Missourians who support and are advocates of preserving high educational standards that are derived from traditional learning styles and development and are representative of local standards and norms.

 

Bills related to eliminating Common Core:  HB1490 (Kurt Bahr, SR#102), SB 514 (John Lamping, SS#24), SB 798 (Ed Emery, SS#31)

 

Additional Bills to track are SB 819 and HB 1873.  Both are related to student privacy issues.

 

Rep. Dean Dohrman SR#51 is sponsoring HJR 74 which is a proposal for a constitutional amendment that would require an election to select the members of the State Board of Education.

 

Source:  Missouri Coalition Against Common Core at www.moagainstcommoncore.com

 

For those interested in tracking these bills and others, please use the Senate and House Websites at http://www.senate.mo.gov and http://www.house.mo.gov .  These sites will facilitate contacting individual elected officials, provide education regarding state government and allow you to track bills as they move through the legislative process. Please add these sites to your Favs!

 

RIGHT TO FARM:  The Missouri Constitutional amendment to be on the November ballot sponsored by Senator Mike Parson. 

He will be involved in statewide forums presenting the issue.  Two events are scheduled for March.  March 6th at Lebanon High School at 6:00 pm and March 13th at Buffalo Prairie Grove School at 6:30 pm. 

To arrange an event regarding this issue, he may be contacted at the Missouri Senate Website.

 

 

Mark Your Calendars!

What:  Lincoln Days 2014 sponsored by the Missouri Association of Republicans.
When:  February 21-23.
Where:  University Plaza, 333 John Q. Hammons Parkway, Springfield, MO 65806.

The MoFRW not to miss event! 

The MoFRW Luncheon Saturday the 22nd from Noon to 2 in the Kansas/Oklahoma Room! 

 

 

What:  MoFRW Legislative Day.

When:  March 11.

Where:  The Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.

The MoFRW not to miss event!

Ceremony honoring the Breckenridge Scholars for 2014!

 

Coming soon:  Fourth District ABC Campaign School in Lebanon on March 15!  Fourth District Spring Meeting in Lincoln on April 5!

 

Fourth District Republican Women are cordially encouraged to participate!

 

From Senator Mike Parson's Legislative Column

Governor Jay Nixon gave his State of the State Address this week.  In this annual speech the governor presents his version of the state budget.  In recent years the Governor, House of Representatives and Senate all crafted their respective budgets from the same estimated revenue numbers. This year Governor Nixon is basing his budget on higher levels of revenue than the House and Senate anticipate receiving.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I believe we should develop a budget based on cautionary numbers.  The Committee began meetings this week (January 20, 2014) and will continue doing so through much of the Legislative Session.  Because the State of Missouri requires a balanced budget, the budget takes time to develop and will be designed with careful considerations.  The final version of the budget must be agreed to by the House, Senate and Governor Nixon.

The Right to Farm constitutional amendment will be on the ballot this November. The intent of the amendment is to protect "... the right of farmers to operate their farms in a safe and responsible manner without fear of being regulated out of business by outside interests."  Already, opposition from those who would like to end production agriculture in our state is beginning to form. 

Commentary:  The economy of the Fourth Congressional District in Missouri is based largely on agriculture.  Senator Parson is calling on affected citizens to take an early active role in educating and presenting the need for the Right to Farm amendment to voters both rural and urban. He encourages you to contact him to arrange opportunities for presenting "...the case for the need of the Right to Farm amendment!"  He may be contacted at mparson@senate.mo.gov.

Celebrating the Organization

Women having an active role in government was gained with the enactment of the 19th Amendment August 26, 1920.  Before and after this date women have spoken positively and forcefully for the traditional values of America.

The National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) is a grassroots political organization with thousands of members across the nation and in several US territories making it one of the largest and most influential women's political organizations in the country.

 

Founded in 1938, the Federated Women work to promote the principles, objectives and policies of the Republican Party; elect Republican candidates; inform the public through political education and activity and increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government.

 

The Missouri Federation of Republican Women (MoFRW) predates the national organization!  The MoFRW was established in 1930 through the efforts of Grace S. Burlingham and others. As charter members of the national organization, the Missouri delegation joined with ten other states in 1938 to found the NFRW.

 

The earliest Republican Women's club in Missouri was the 20th Century Republican Women's Club of Kansas City organized in 1920.  Missouri Republican women will soon celebrate 100 years of active engagement with the Party and as citizens promoting good governance!

Fourth District Republican Women Welcome You!

Cloud...cookies...tweet...terms describing our age of electronic media! But, not a one to describe a launch, a start-up, a beginning for the Fourth District Blog.  In our own words, we present!

TRUMPET and HERALD:  A forum for engaging communication!

 

With the passage of time, we will introduce members and the public to these categories of interest- Civic Matters, Conservative Thought, Legislative Briefs, Elected Officials and Fourth District Republican Women.  The ever important Events Calendar will be a must view for our readership across the district.  Humor!  Find it here at The Light Side. 

 

Please add our address http://fourthdistrictrwmo.blogspot.com to your Favorites, or even better, enter your email address and follow the cues to subscribe to the TRUMPET and HERALD to be delivered directly to you.