by Roy C. Hengerson - Jan-Feb-2001
Ozark Chapter Legislative Chair
On November 11, 2000 about 40 Missouri citizens from around the state gathered in Columbia to review the recent election results, review proposals for environmental legislation, and plan strategies for passing good bills and stopping bad ones. The Ozark Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment sponsored the workshop.
The November 7th election left the Democrats in control of the State House of Representatives by the same margin they held the last two years, 86 to 77. The situation in the State Senate is uncertain. The Democrats had held a slim 18 to 16 margin. However, State Rep. Bill Foster beat incumbent Senator Jerry Howard (D) in the 25th Senate District. And three Senators with two years remaining in their four-year terms were elected to higher office. They have resigned their Senate seats leaving three vacancies that will be filled by special elections to be held in late January. Senator Joe Maxwell (D) was elected Missouri Lieutenant Governor. Senator Bill (Lacy) Clay (D) was elected to Congress, filling his retiring father's 1st District Congressional seat. Senator Sam Graves (R) was elected to Congress in the 6th District.
Thus, the Republicans hold a temporary 16 to 15 margin of control. They have selected as their leader Senator Peter Kinder from Cape Girardeau. Kinder is one of the most anti-environmental state legislators in the Senate. How the Senate will organize itself in the interim is unclear. There has been some talk of a power-sharing arrangement until the special elections determine the balance of power for the next two years. This confusion could delay the beginning of meaningful work on legislation in 2001. If the Senate winds up with a 17 - 17 split, the Democrats will retain effective control since Lieutenant Governor Maxwell is also President of the Senate and can vote to break ties. Legal challenges to whatever happens are also a possibility.
Although the situation in the House is clearer than the Senate, circumstances there will challenge environmental leaders and activists. The Democrats met a few days after the elections and selected Rep. Jim Kreider (D-142) from Nixa as Speaker of the House. He is not as supportive of environmental issues as was his predecessor, Steve Gaw. Several key committee chairmanships will also be changing from the last Session.
Against this backdrop, the Missouri environmental community discussed what issues were high priority for legislative action, learned more about the workings of the state legislature, and brainstormed ideas for effective citizen action. Of particular note, a panel of three mid Missouri legislators discussed their views of how environmental and related issues will play out in 2001 and beyond. Senator Ken Jacob noted the confused situation in the Senate and urged environmental groups to get more involved in future elections.
Representative Vicki Riback Wilson noted that most rural areas of Missouri are voting more conservative and electing more Republicans, who in general are not as supportive of environmental issues as Democrats. She suggested we do more public education and outreach in rural areas on environmental matters. Representative Tim Harlan noted that big business has many friends in the legislature, and they often oppose good environmental bills. Term limits will have a major impact in 2002, as an estimated 75 to 80 legislators will not be able to run for the positions they now hold. This may already affect how legislation moves through the process in 2001 and 2002.
It is clear we will have to develop effective public education campaigns on any issues that we wish to see favorable legislative action. After a review of current environmental issues, four were selected as ready to be considered by the state legislature:
· better controls on concentrated animal feeding operations or animal factories;
· adequate controls on large chip mills;
· reform of the tax increment financing law;
· possibly several energy issues, such as renewable energy tax credits and net metering.
A significant plus for our efforts in achieving progress on the environment at the state level is that the Sierra Club-endorsed candidate for Missouri Governor, Bob Holden, won a very tight race. The Governor is often in a critical position to influence the state legislature since he has the power to veto bills. Former Governor Mel Carnahan used this power effectively to protect the environment and we expect Bob Holden to similarly use his office for the benefit of Missouri's citizens and environment.
2001 will be a challenging year on the national and state level for Missourians wanting to advance environmental issues. Your involvement is critical to our success. We will continue to publish the "Green Report" to keep you updated on state legislative issues. If you have not received this publication in the past, but would like to receive it, contact me at the address below or contact the chapter office in Columbia, MO.
Throughout the year we will be covering state issues in the Ozark Sierran, but often there is a need for a quicker turn around of information and response that the Green Report provides. Therefore, it is important to rely on sources like the Green Report and your local Sierra Club group.
I urge you to become involved in state legislative matters. The better our network of active citizens throughout the state, the better our chances to pass good environmental bills and stop bad bills. For more information contact: Roy C. Hengerson, 2201 Weathered Rock Rd., Jefferson City, MO. 65101, 573-635-8066, roy.hengerson@sierraclub.org