Press "Enter" to skip to content

Speaker gives outlook on the final two days of session

 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, took a few moments on Wednesday to give his thoughts on what to expect during the final two days of the legislative session – casting a positive tone on the accomplishments of the House this year.

House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka
House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka

“I am very proud of the legislation we have been able to pass this year,” Jones said. “Major issues were addressed from protecting Missourians’s privacy, Second Amendment issues, a balanced budget, education reform [and] the bill to protect Missouri wholesalers. This transportation bill we still have some more work to do, but this has been a very successful session.”

When asked why he brought the transportation bill to the floor when he opposed the measure himself, he explained that he plans to treat this bill like he did the education bill earlier this session.

“I believe that if a majority of the caucus supports a bill then I make every effort to bring it to the floor,” he said. “With education I supported it, as did the majority of our caucus. The transportation bill was the same I just didn’t support it, but the majority of our caucus did so we brought it to the floor.”

With two days left in session, Jones speculated that one major bill was left to be completed.

“I’m not sure exactly what bills will end up passing, but I believe we will complete our work reforming the Second Injury Fund,” he said. “This is important work that has been neglected for years while the problem has worsened. People should keep in mind that the person who was in charge of managing this fund while the problem exploded was then Attorney General Jay Nixon. No, Chris Koster froze the fund because it was insolvent which was a prudent move, but we have finished the very difficult and challenging work of fixing this problem and not continue to kick the can down the road.”

When asked about the chances for passage of the New Markets Tax Credit bill that is the first “reformed” tax credit that has been up for renewal and has passed the Senate without being amended, he was noncommittal.

“I really don’t know right now, but those decisions will be made soon,” Jones said.

House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka
House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka

The bill would have to have the amendments added in committee removed, but could be one of the few economic development bills to pass the General Assembly this year.

On Tuesday, the House version of the electric ISRS legislation was placed on the House calendar. When asked if it was meant as a show of support or was the beginning of a move to pass the bill, he said, “It was just a symbolic show of support.”

“I believe that after the House passed gas ISRS last week, it shows support in the body for the concept, but no it will not be brought up in the House this session,” he said

Looking toward the prospects for coming to the floor next session, he said he wouldn’t bring the bill to the floor until the Senate has acted on it.

To contact Scott Faughn, email scott@themissouritimes.com, or via Twitter at @scottfaughn.