Next Novembers Political Races May Overshadow Legislation

by Ken Midkiff, Chapter Director 

There are two certainties about the upcoming session of the Missouri General Assembly: it will begin on January 5 and end on May 12. What happens in between those two dates is anyone’s guess. But several discussions with veteran legislators and legislative observers lead to the conclusion that few matters of major import will be seriously considered by the legislature. Why? Well, it is an election year, and politicians are reluctant to take stands on issues that will impact their re–election or election to a higher office. This is particularly the case if constituents’ views are uncertain or unknown on an issue — making it unlikely that any new or highly controversial matters will make it out of committees. And to add to this reluctance, the elections in November resonate up and down the electoral line.

Politics as Usual and Otherwise
Topping the marquee banner is the race for the US Senate seat currently held by John Ashcroft.  Ashcroft is seeking re–election, but running against him is the current, and quite popular, Governor of the State of Missouri, Mel Carnahan. Ashcroft has a dismal voting record in the scorebooks of conservation organizations, and also falls short in the areas of labor, education, and civil rights. Carnahan is usually viewed as moderate to progressive on most issues, but stands out as a strong supporter of education and women’s rights issues, especially pro–choice. Beltway insiders are calling this race up for grabs. Since the Governor is stepping down, that means that there will be a hotly contested gubernatorial race, with current US Representative Jim Talent having declared on the Republican side and current State Treasurer Jim Holden for the Democrats. Which means that several current state senators will be running for Talent’s seat instead of re–election for state senator, which in turn opens up those state senate seats which several more current state representatives will be looking to capture. Lieutenant Governor Roger Wilson has announced that he will not seek re–election. Immediately upon this becoming public, at least four House and Senate leaders announced they would be putting their hats in this ring. Those seats will then become open, and more jostling will result. State Senator Bill Clay has announced that he is running for the US House seat held by his father. While that outcome seems fairly certain, there will be a scramble by state house members for the vacated senate seat. And, of course, that will mean that those house seats will be up for grabs. The bottom line is that the “Domino Effect” is alive and well in electoral politics. As noted, several of those looking at higher offices hold leadership positions in the state House and Senate. Their actions will be scrutinized by the media and the interested public in the coming legislative session. The typical reaction of a closely watched politician is to hunker down — to take no action that could be subject to criticism. Hence, the prediction by “insiders” that not much will happen this coming session. 

But, there will be a legislative session
And some things MUST occur. A budget must be passed, for example. And the General Assembly must determine how the income from the tobacco lawsuits is to be spent (or not) and this will occupy an inordinate amount of time as each piece of this huge pie will be cut in strange and mysterious ways. While there is not much for environmental organizations to be concerned about in the tobacco settlement feud, budgetary matters will occupy some attention. We are always interested in a secure level of funding for the Department of Natural Resources, and this year there will be a move to readjust the fee structure for permits for wastewater discharges. Permit fees provide a large portion of moneys for the programs of the Division of Environmental Quality, and the structure of wastewater fees is in dire need of restructuring. Some categories of permit holders pay too much, others not nearly enough; so some balancing is needed. Overall, however, as the number of wastewater dischargers increases, and as new and different categories have greater impacts than seen previously, the budgetary ability of the Division of Environmental Quality has not kept apace. Consequently, the Ozark Chapter is joining with several industry and business groups to create equity and increase the total permit fee funding. Since the current fee structure expires at the end of 2000, the Legislature must take some action on this, even if it is only to renew the current fees — which is not a good choice. One issue on the back burner — Utility Restructuring — while the focus of a lot of study and talk, seems not to be quite “ripe” yet. A number of legislators are inclined to wait for the experiences of other states with “electric deregulation” before making any move. The results in those other states is definitely mixed, so the wait will apparently continue. After all, this is the “Show Me” state. When and if this issue starts to move, we will be ready to advance our positions. No doubt there will be attempts to dig up and resuscitate some old bad legislative bills. Rep. Wayne Crump’s failed measures of last year are not quite dead yet; one would require a 2/3’s vote by the citizens on any ballot measure on Missouri Conservation Commission matters (trapping of otters and other critters was the impetus for this) and another would require General Assembly approval before any federal natural resource agency could purchase lands from private landowners. But, again, these are very controversial measures, and votes on matters of controversy are bad for election and re–elections. Maybe it’ll be a quiet session. Or maybe I’m just hoping it will be… 

NOTE: To keep up with goings–on in Jefferson City, the bi–weekly GREEN REPORT is available free. Well…almost free: you will be asked to become an active citizen, calling or writing your state senator, representative, or other elected or appointed official. To subscribe — call (573)815–9250 or send e–mail to:tfolsom@mail.trib.net (That’s Terri Folsom, Chapter Administrative Assistant).