Missouri

Missouri Republicans
by Sherrina Bellani

           The best way to explain the state of Missouri is by quoting from the preamble to its 1945 Constitution, “We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, do establish this Constitution for the better government of the State.” This constitution further developed a very appropriate state motto: Salus Populi Suprema Les Esto (The Welfare of the People Shall Be the Supreme Law).
           The state’s population increased by over 30,000 people in one year to an estimated total of 5,438,559 on July 1, 1998. Much of the growth was due to migration gains. Over 10,000 more people moved into the state than moved out of it. Natural growth (births minus deaths) was about 20,000 persons. Missouri has gained 322,000 persons, a growth rate of 6.3 percent since 1990.
           Missouri women hold an important role in the states financial growth. Labor Force Data from the 1990 Census of Population and Housing reported that 1,102,173 women aged 16 and over were employed in Missouri, working in such capacities as cooperate managers. These women have also obtained professional specialty occupations including public administrator, official, executive, engineer, and health assessment and treatment teachers.
           Missouri’s social policies include a lot of legislatures that grant aid and assistance to both rural and urban citizens. These legislatures have had positive reinforcement from both parties of the Missouri House of Representatives. Although the House majority is Democratic, these issues, as well as many others, are equally supported by both fractions of the government.
           For example, in July of 1999, Governor Mel Carhahan (Democratic), along with the assistance and aid of state Republican leaders, signed two pieces of legislation aimed at preserving urban communities, Housing Preservation Program, and promoting the development of small businesses, New Enterprise Creation Act.
           The Housing Preservation Program utilizes tax credits to encourage the rehabilitation of older homes and the construction of new homes in the states core cities and town. The goal of the program is to encourage the preservation and redevelopment of communities in Missouri’s urban centers and older suburbs.
           The second piece of legislation, the New Enterprise Creation Act, allocates tax credits to establish a $20 million fund that will be used to finance early-stage businesses in Missouri. The program is geared toward assisting the establishment of innovative, high tech companies that previously had no financing source.
           Rural Economic Assistance Program, or REAP, provides seed capitol for foster sustainable community and economic development programs in rural areas. It’s aim is to “prime the pump” to help communities achieve resources necessary to establish long term community and economic development efforts.
           Missouri, Republican powered, anti-abortion laws have recently been the direct targets of Planned Parenthood. In a direct attack on the 1973 Supreme Court ruling, Roe v. Wade, the state of Missouri has outlawed virtually all abortion procedures. This law is so broad and so vague it bans virtually all abortion procedures. Unlike similar bans passed by other state legislatures, the Missouri law goes far beyond just banning abortion. For example, this law, criminalizes women who undergo an abortion procedure, carrying a sentence of up to life in prison
           The Missouri General Assembly voted in September 1999, to override Governor Carnahan's veto of the so-called "Infant's Protection Act. " Panned Parenthood Federation of America's lawyers, acting on behalf of Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, has been seeking an injunction to stop the ban from going into effect. The decision of the Missouri General Assembly was supported by the Missouri State GOP, one such supporter, Rep. Carl Vogel, R-Jefferson City, said “ Things have changed drastically over the past five years," at an anti-abortion rally. "The time has come to receive fair and open debate."
           Missouri voters will soon have more decisions to make at the election booth. New legislation is being put forth by the Missouri state Republican caucus in the House that will allow voters to elect future state Board of Education members. Currently, board members are appointed by the governor and are confirmed by the Senate; however, the Board of Education appointments are a part of the Missouri State Constitution. House Republican Leader Delbert Scott's says he believes teacher's organizations would be supportive of this legislation. “Since the appointment of Board of Education Members is a part of the Missouri Constitution, voters must approve any changes. If the new policy is passed by the legislature, Missouri teachers would have the opportunity to make their opinion known.”
           The "Missouri Families- Mutual Responsibility Plan," a statewide welfare demonstration, project that emphasizes work, parental responsibility and self-sufficiency was passed by the Department of Health and Human Services in 1995 and was supported by state Republicans. Missouri is the 26th state to receive approval to implement a welfare reform demonstration under the Clinton administration. Under Missouri's demonstration all aid to families with dependent children recipients must, unless exempted, sign and fulfill a self-sufficiency agreement that establishes a plan for work and a two-year time limit on benefits. The agreement allows an additional two years if necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.
           Republicans gave Democratic leader, Governor Carnahan, a standing ovation when he called for tax relief in January. That ovation has turned into a chorus of boos since the Democrats have failed to pass a meaningful tax cut.
           On foreign affairs, state GOP leaders such as Gutknecht, and Ramstad have helped to approve the bill to commit the United States to a nationwide defense against ballistic missiles. The Ballistic Missile testing program is the Pentagon’s plan to have a total of 19 tests of the new national missile defense system. The experiment is the first time in which a ground based interceptor will be launched from the Kwajalein Missile Range in the Marshall Islands to determine if the exo-atmospheric kill vehicle (EKV) can hit a missile warhead launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The target missile will carry a beacon that will guide the rocket booster until it gets within range of the EKV.