Swearing in - First Day of 2013 Session

In the House, the GOP has a 109-52 grip, with two vacancies (due to recent resignations). That gives Republicans enough votes to override a gubernatorial veto if they all stick together.  Senate Republicans alsohave enough members to override, dominating that chamber 24-10.

One House member, Kent Hampton (R- Malden) was sworn in Wednesday even though the election in the 150th districtis being contested in court.  The Democratic House Caucus issued an official letter protesting the decision to seat him and noted that his being seated is officially regarded as “pending litigation”.

The House reconvenes on Monday for official duties pertaining to the inauguration that day of the Governor and other statewide electeds. Committee hearings will begin on Tuesday, January 15th.

WORKING WITH THE WHITE HOUSE:  GUN VIOLENCE

I was honored to be part of a private conference call Wednesday directly with Vice President Joe Biden and a small group of mayors and elected officials.  We discussed policies (for almost an hour) which we recommend to prevent further gun-related tragedies.  Vice President Biden is heading the White House Initiative on Gun Violence and planning to issue a full report to President Obama on Tuesday, January 15th.

2013 LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES

I was officially appointed to the following committees for 2013:

House Appropriations – General Administration

Children & Families

Elections (hearing Noon, Tuesday, January 15th - HB110, Governor’s ability to appoint in case of vacancies in statewide offices)

Ethics

*********************

If you plan to be in the State Capitol or are visiting in Jefferson City through May, I hope you will stop by my office to say hello.  Let us know how we can help make your visit a memorable one.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and/or Facebook for up-to-date postings, sometimes during House floor or community debate:

Twitter:  StaceyNewman

Facebook:  Stacey Newman

As always, feel free to email or phone me anytime this year.  I would love to hear from you.

Stacey

I learned a great deal about the importance of voting in these two back-to-back primary campaigns.  Each vote really does matter.  As I continue to fight voter suppression efforts not just in Missouri but across the country, these 2012 primary elections highlighted the value of each and every vote.

Now the hard work begins as I prepare for my 3rd term in the state legislature.  I will carry the voices of all the constituents I talked with this summer and fall as I leave for the Capitol in January.  You spoke and were very clear.  Now it’s up to me to fight, on your behalf, the extreme agenda as outlined by Tea Party House Speaker Time Jones.

I assure you – I will do my darnedest.  I’m ready to continue representing the new 87th district. Thank you for trusting me to be your voice.

2012 ENVIRONMENTAL BILL – HB1251

• My opponent voted WRONG to allow the transport of radioactive waste on state highways without regulation.  The Sierra Club opposed this amendment to HB1251.
• I voted NO – as did progressive Reps. Jeanette Mott Oxford, Jeanne Kirkton, Tracy McCreery, Jill Schupp and 10 others.
• My opponent says:   “She attempts to justify her vote by saying the bill allowed unsafe transport of radioactive waste; but, the provision to which she refers was removed from the bill before it was adopted.”
• FACT CHECK:  THE PROVISION IS IN THE TRULY AGREED TO AND FINALLY PASSED BILL.  Modifies SEctio 260.392 of HB1251 affectingTransportation of Radioactive Waste www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills121/bilsum/truly/sHB1251T.htm
• “All this would do is remove some of the protections the public deserves when a hazardous material is shipped through the state,” said John Hickey, MO Chapter director of the Sierra Club, April 28, Kansas City Star. http://midwestdemocracy.com/articles/bill-to-ease-radioactive-rules-makes-some-in-missouri-worry/

2012 MISSOURI QUALITY JOBS ACT – HB1245

• My opponent voted WRONG to spend $10 million our state doesn’t have and can’t afford with the Quality Jobs Act.
• I voted NO – as did Reps. Jeanette Mott Oxford, Jeanne Kirkton, Tracy McCreery and 13 others.
• My opponent says: “We must do everything we reasonably can to create jobs for Missourians and get our economy going.”
• FACT CHECK:  The legislature cut funds for healthcare for the blind, Headstart and child care programs.  Missouri doesn’t have an extra $10 million.  Period. Because of lack of state funding, the Act died in the Senate.
• “The Post-Dispatch reported in 2009 that there was little hard evidence to support politician’s glowing statements about the program.” http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/missouri-auditor-finds-problems-with-quality-jobs-program

LEGISLATIVE REPUTATION UNDER ATTACK

• My opponent has widely distributed a quote from a political blog, MO Scout, disparaging my reputation in the state Capitol.
• FACT CHECK: The Missouri Scout is a private GOP mouthpiece with “daily updates every morning full of rumors, gossip…” www.moscout.com.

“This FACT CHECK full supports Stacey’s admirable voting record in spite of unjustified attacks by her opponent. These 11th hour distractions appear to be a desperate attempt to disparage Stacey’s outstanding record.  Her credibility remains fully intact.  Her excellent reputation speaks for itself in our community and in Jefferson City.  The choice is clear for me.  I am voting Monday, Sept. 24th for Rep. Stacey Newman’s re-election.”

James R. Dowd

Attorney and Counselor at Law

Clayton, Missouri

From the St. Louis Post – Dispatch by Virginia Young (August 8th, 2012): JEFFERSON CITY • Rep. Stacey Newman of Richmond Heights emerged with the tiniest of victories tonight in her race against a fellow House Democrat.

Final, unofficial tallies from St. Louis County showed Newman edging Rep. Susan Carlson of University City by one vote in the 87th District.

Newman had 1,823 votes to 1,822 votes for Carlson. The district includes parts of Clayton, Ladue, Richmond Heights, University City and Brentwood.

Newman and Carlson, who shared many views, were pitted against each other because of redistricting.

Newman said before the final vote tally was known tonight that her campaign had stressed her leadership role as head of the House Progressive Caucus.

She said the caucus had been dormant until she revived it. Given the GOP’s huge majority in the House, the group plays an important role, she said.

“You have to go that extra mile to defend the values we care about,” Newman said.

Additional media :

One Vote Separates Jewish candidates in MO House Race. One Vote Decides Missouri House Election

HB1251 – “SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT”(unofficial title)

I voted YES on this bill in February.  However I voted NO on the last day of session when the Senate substitute included a very dangerous radioactive waste transport provision.  I am greatly concerned about the environmental effects –as were my colleagues below.

OTHER ST. LOUIS REPS VOTING NO:  JEANNE KIRKTON,TRACY MCCREERY, JEANETTE MOTT OXFORD SHARON PACE, JILL SCHUPP, SYLVESTER TAYLOR

*PASSED

HB1245 – TAX CREDITS & “MISSOURI QUALITY JOBS ACT”(unofficial title)

I voted NO on this on the House floor because of the prohibitive costs to the taxpayers.  With the enormous budget cuts this year to higher education funding and health care for the blind, the bill contained no mechanism to pay for it. My colleagues below joined with me.

OTHER ST. LOUIS REPS VOTING NO:  JEANNE KIRKTON,TRACY MCCREERY, JEANETTE MOTT OXFORD

*BILL DIED IN THE SENATE

HB1323 — CHILD CARE & SAM’S PRATT LAW

I ethusiastically voted YES on this in my Children & Families Committee and again on the House floor.  This much-needed bill protects children in unlicensed day centers and involved a huge bi-partisan effort.

*PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND BECAME LAW

SB806 – TEACHER TENURE

I would have voted NO.  This bill, sponsored by Sen. Jane Cunningham, would have made it tougher for public school teachers to attain tenure.

As a former teacher and representing five school districts – Brentwood, Clayton, Ladue, Maplewood-Richmond Heights and Webster Groves, I am in full support of teachers and public education.

*BILL DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE SENATE FLOOR

SJR51 – JUDICIAL SELECTION PROCESS

I voted NO.  This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, would modify the composition of the Appellate Judicial Commission and the selection process for judges to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals.  The existing system has been a proven model throughout the country.

*ON THE BALLOT AUGUST 7, 2012

SB749 – LETTING EMPLOYERS DECIDE ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL

I voted NO.  This would give Missouri employers the power to determine if their employees should have access to contraception, including birth control pills, under the company’s employee health insurance plan.

*BILL VETOED BY GOVERNOR

———————————————————-

As always, feel free to email or phone me anytime with your questions or concerns. I would love to hear from you.

Stacey

…”What this really goes back to is the availability of weapons,” said Missouri State Representative Stacey Newman, a Democrat of St. Louis County. She said last night’s tragedy should restart dialogue about gun legislation in Missouri.

“These lax regulations basically flood the market with weapons, and you know, the more guns out there, the more we’re going to see tragedies like today.”  Read more here.