Most of the new state laws that the Missouri General Assembly passed during the 2010 legislative session will take effect on Aug. 28. The new laws include tougher penalties for repeat drunken drivers, outlawing a synthetic marijuana substance commonly known as K2, and requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for the treatment and diagnosis of children with autism.
Another new law gives the Missouri Ethics Commission the authority to initiate investigations into alleged illegalities by public officials or candidates for office. Under the previous law, the commission could only act after receiving a complaint. That same law also makes laundering campaign funds to obscure the original source of the money a crime and increasing funding disclosure requirements for political campaigns.
One high-profile new law that could be on hold, at least temporarily, would impose strict new regulations on sexually oriented businesses, such as strip clubs and adult bookstores. The industry has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law and has asked a judge for an injunction barring enforcement while the case is pending. The judge was scheduled to hear the request on Aug. 26.
Executions In Missouri Set To Resume On Oct. 20
After being on hold for more than a year, the Missouri Supreme Court on Aug. 19 took a step toward allowing the state to resume carrying out the death penalty, setting an Oct. 20 execution date for Roderick Nunley, who was convicted in 1994 for his role in the 1989 murder of 15-year-old Ann Harrison of Raytown.
Court challenges to Missouri’s method of administering lethal injections essentially put a stop to executions in the state for nearly three and a half years, from October 2005 until May 2009. Those challenges were resolved and Missouri executed Dennis Skillicorn on May 20, 2009, for the 1994 murder of Excelsior Springs businessman Richard Drummond.
Two more Missouri inmates were scheduled to be executed later that summer, but the 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals issued a stay in order to review Missouri’s lethal injection procedures, and executions in the state have again been on hold ever since. Although that case remains pending, other federal courts have rejected the arguments being made in the Missouri case.
Approval of Funds Received from the Dept. of Economic Development
The Missouri Job Development Fund, through the Missouri Customized Training Program, has been approved by the Dept. of Economic Development.
The Missouri Customized Training Program offers funding assistance to eligible Missouri Employers for the training and retraining of new and existing employees.
The following have received funds – Ardent Outdoors, Inc., ConAgra Foods, Economy Products, and Poet Biorefining.
Agri Systems of Macon were also awarded funds for enhanced enterprise zone tax credits.
I encourage your calls, emails, letters, and any form of communication with your concerns. You may contact me at the following address, Representative Tom Shively, District 8, State Capitol, 201 W. Capitol Ave., Room 105F, Jefferson City, MO 65102, by phone at 573-751-4065, or by email Tom.Shively@house.mo.gov.
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Most of the new state laws that the Missouri General Assembly passed during the 2010 legislative session will take effect on Aug. 28. The new laws include tougher penalties for repeat drunken drivers, outlawing a synthetic marijuana substance commonly known as K2, and requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for the treatment and diagnosis of children with autism.
Another new law gives the Missouri Ethics Commission the authority to initiate investigations into alleged illegalities by public officials or candidates for office. Under the previous law, the commission could only act after receiving a complaint. That same law also makes laundering campaign funds to obscure the original source of the money a crime and increasing funding disclosure requirements for political campaigns.
One high-profile new law that could be on hold, at least temporarily, would impose strict new regulations on sexually oriented businesses, such as strip clubs and adult bookstores. The industry has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law and has asked a judge for an injunction barring enforcement while the case is pending. The judge was scheduled to hear the request on Aug. 26.
Executions In Missouri Set To Resume On Oct. 20
After being on hold for more than a year, the Missouri Supreme Court on Aug. 19 took a step toward allowing the state to resume carrying out the death penalty, setting an Oct. 20 execution date for Roderick Nunley, who was convicted in 1994 for his role in the 1989 murder of 15-year-old Ann Harrison of Raytown.
Court challenges to Missouri’s method of administering lethal injections essentially put a stop to executions in the state for nearly three and a half years, from October 2005 until May 2009. Those challenges were resolved and Missouri executed Dennis Skillicorn on May 20, 2009, for the 1994 murder of Excelsior Springs businessman Richard Drummond.
Two more Missouri inmates were scheduled to be executed later that summer, but the 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals issued a stay in order to review Missouri’s lethal injection procedures, and executions in the state have again been on hold ever since. Although that case remains pending, other federal courts have rejected the arguments being made in the Missouri case.
Approval of Funds Received from the Dept. of Economic Development
The Missouri Job Development Fund, through the Missouri Customized Training Program, has been approved by the Dept. of Economic Development.
The Missouri Customized Training Program offers funding assistance to eligible Missouri Employers for the training and retraining of new and existing employees.
The following have received funds – Ardent Outdoors, Inc., ConAgra Foods, Economy Products, and Poet Biorefining.
Agri Systems of Macon were also awarded funds for enhanced enterprise zone tax credits.
I encourage your calls, emails, letters, and any form of communication with your concerns. You may contact me at the following address, Representative Tom Shively, District 8, State Capitol, 201 W. Capitol Ave., Room 105F, Jefferson City, MO 65102, by phone at 573-751-4065, or by email Tom.Shively@house.mo.gov.
