| Day says recovery plan for those who really need it is working to help Missouri families |
By: Rep. David Day
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Posted: Saturday, January 10, 2009 4:10 pm
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(Jan. 2, 2009) - The 2009 legislative session is just a few days away and there are many changes ahead for Missouri state government. The biggest change will be when Jay Nixon is sworn in as our next governor on Jan. 12th. I wish the new governor well as he takes office. We in the Missouri House want to work to ensure that Missouri remains a great place to work and live and I know that is his goal also.
We are now at a point when the federal government has spent us into a recession and Congress has found new ways to waste our few remaining tax dollars. Federal bailouts have been handed out like Santa Claus hands out candy canes at a mall. After all of that, Americans have spoken up and told Washington D.C. to stop giving away their money to poorly run and failing private businesses, but like the Energizer Bunny, they just keep on going and giving.
Well, if Congress won’t do what most Missourians feel is the right thing, then it’s up to those of us in the Missouri House of Representatives to stand up for families.
That’s why I will be supporting an initiative this session that we are calling the Family Recovery Plan. If anyone deserves and needs a little help during these tough economic times, it’s the Missouri taxpayer and the families they support.
We are still working on the details of the plan and we have many meetings ahead of us about the issues, but I wanted to share some of the key areas The Family Recovery Plan will attack.
PROPERTY TAX REFORM
Property taxes are an important element in funding schools and local governments. Many Missouri counties fairly assess properties and treat taxpayers fairly, but many counties do not. When actions and policies used by elected officials hurt the very people they were elected to serve, the time has come for the Missouri House to step in and stand up for the taxpayer. We need to make reassessments fair, recognize fair market values as they happen and always remember that the government should first serve the people. People deserve to be treated equally and fairly.
HEALTHCARE
America has the finest medical care in the world. People from all over the world come to our country when they need the best health care available. The issues facing families that need healthcare insurance coverage are real and must be addressed. Employers and small business owners who spend huge amounts of money to see that their employees have health insurance are affected and oftentimes are forced out of business due to this burden. Providers, employers and the uninsured all need to be heard. This is probably one of the most important and challenging issues that we face, not just in Missouri but across our nation.
ENERGY
High gas prices have had a devastating effect on the family budget. Record high diesel fuel prices have driven the operating costs for Missouri farmers sky-high. As we are all part of the global economy and are dependent on foreign oil, there are still many ways that our state can conserve and grow energy. We need to get off the fence, stop the double talk and begin to take real action in fixing our energy problems. Missouri has dozens of rivers and streams that could support hydroelectric power generation and the future of this clean energy source should be explored. Nuclear energy has a long, safe and successful history in Missouri, and should be another piece in our energy puzzle.
Wind power, solar and other renewable sources of energy must now be in any future discussions regarding Missouri’s energy needs.
JOBS
A good job is the best cure for any ailing economy. Jobs are a sign of business growth ... jobs give families stability and…jobs give a person pride and make us all better citizens.
As I said, we are still having many meetings and working on the details of these areas of the Family Recovery Plan. If you have any suggestions about these areas or others, please send them to me at david.day@house.mo.gov. These are serious issues and they deserve serious work being done on them, I assure you we are doing just that.
Lastly, if you have not done so already I hope that you will go to www.StateRepDay.com and click on the link to fill out my 2009 Legislative Survey. This is the same survey I always do but in an effort to save taxpayer dollars, it is online this year. Should you need a printed copy of the survey, simply call my office at (573) 751-1446 and we will be happy to send you one.
It is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House and I hope that you will feel free to contact me at anytime. The office number is (573) 751-1446, my e-mail is david.day@house.mo.gov and our mailing address is 201 W. Capitol Ave., Room 234, Jefferson City, MO 65101 |
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