“…’but we didn’t know that the leopards would eat people,’ said the people who voted for the Leopards Eating People Party…”
Rep. Rick Brattin (r) [2018 file photo – Jerry Schmidt].
A bill, introduced on January 3, 2018:
HB 1909
Requires candidates in political subdivision and special district elections to declare a political party.
Sponsor: Brattin, Rick (055)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2018
LR Number: 4953H.01I
Last Action: 01/04/2018 – Read Second Time (H)
Bill String: HB 1909
Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
[….]
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE BRATTIN. 4953H.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To repeal section 115.124, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to elections.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 115.124, RSMo, is repealed and two new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 115.124 and 115.354, to read as follows:
[….]
115.354. In any declaration of candidacy for an office in a political subdivision or special district, a candidate shall declare an affiliation with a political party, as defined in section 115.013.
Hmmm. Does this mean there would no longer be “stealth’ ideologues running for office in population centers under 1000 people? Just asking.
Representative Rick Brattin (r) [2013 file photo].
A bill on higher education prefiled yesterday by Representative Rick Brattin (r):
HB 1474
Eliminates tenure for new employees at public institutions of higher education and specifies information that public institutions of higher education must make available to the public
Sponsor: Brattin, Rick (055)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2018
LR Number: 4356H.01I
Last Action: 12/05/2017 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1474
[….]
Some of the text:
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1474
99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE BRATTIN. 4356H.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk AN ACT
To repeal section 173.1004, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to public institutions of higher education.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 173.1004, RSMo, is repealed and two new sections enacted in lieu 2 thereof, to be known as sections 173.940 and 173.1004, to read as follows: 173.940. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no public institution of higher education in this state shall award tenure to any person who is hired by such institution for the first time on or after January 1, 2019. The provisions of this section shall not apply to employees hired prior to January 1, 2019.
[….]
Why, this seems rather punitive in nature.
It appears that any understanding of the concept of faculty tenure and the implications for faculty recruitment and shared governance escape the representative. He should, perhaps, bother to ask someone who does.
[….] Rep. Brattin is a 1999 graduate of Lee’s Summit High School.
[….]
Senator Roy Blunt (r) wasn’t too concerned about any Missourian’s privacy when he voted earlier this week to allow Internet companies to sell our browsing histories:
On the Joint Resolution: S.J. Res. 34; A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to “Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and Other Telecommunications Services”.
Question: On the Joint Resolution (S.J. Res. 34 )
Vote Number: 94
Vote Date: March 23, 2017, 12:25 PM
Required For Majority: 1/2
Vote Result: Joint Resolution Passed
Vote Counts:
YEAs 50
NAYs 48
Not Voting 2
[….] Blunt (R-MO), Yea
McCaskill (D-MO), Nay
[….]
Thanks for nothing, Roy.
Today the House Third Read and Passed HB 151, trying to fix the state’s REAL ID mess caused by a previous right wingnut controlled session of the General Assembly.
Rick Brattin (r) submitted an amendment which wasn’t considered:
….This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Show-Me Your Papers Act”…
Robert Ross (r) submitted an amendment which was defeated:
“115.016 Any elected official who votes or takes an action to support a measure seeking compliance with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 shall display, in a prominent location, in bold font with a text height not less than one-tenth of the article being circulated, at each and every election the member files for after the affirmative vote or action, the following description of his or her allegiance:
I WOULD RATHER KNEEL TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAN STAND STRONG PROTECTING MY CONSTITUENTS’ RIGHT TO PRIVACY”….
Joe Don McGaugh (r) submitted an amendment which wasn’t considered:
…Any elected official who votes or takes an action against a measure seeking compliance with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 shall display, in prominent location, in bold font with a text height not less than one-tenth of the article being posted, at each and every airport in the state, the elected official’s office and home phone number…
I bet they’d all love to get those phone calls starting in January 2018.
Republicans making noise about protecting our right to privacy? That’s a laugh.
Ashley Beard-Fosnow (D) is the Democratic Party candidate challenging incumbent Rick Brattin (r) in the 55th Legisltive District.
Grassroots campaigns aren’t so much about flooding the district with costly mailers and ads, but they are about speaking with and connecting with voters.
An unresponsive incumbent with a single large dollar donor can be vulnerable to a grassroots campaign. A challenger knocking on 9,000 doors (to date) in the district and attending one event after another has a good start toward unseating an incumbent.
Yesterday we attended a meet and greet event for Ashley Beard-Fosnow (D) held at the home of a supporter in Raymore.
Ashley Beard-Fosnow, the Democratic Party candidate in the 55th Legislative District – Raymore, Missouri – September 25, 2016.
Ms. Beard-Fosnow greeted everyone as they entered, spoke with small groups of individuals, briefly addressed those in attendance about her background and goals in her campaign, and then spent a considerable amount of time taking questions and listening.
The conversation included education and schools, infrastructure needs – not “kicking the can” of pressing road and bridge maintenance down the road, and economic development.
Events like these, with substantive interaction with a candidate, is one of many ways that candidate can engage others to speak on their behalf to their friends and neighbors in the district.
That’s a much more Democratic way to reach voters than a single $50,000.00 check from a wealthy individual who doesn’t live in the district.
This is what happens when credible and hard working Democratic Party candidates run for office.
Ashley Beard-Fosnow, the Democratic Party candidate in the 55th Legislative District [2015 file photo].
That could be an interesting conversation – “He fears me more than he likes you.”
Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for incumbent Rick Brattin’s (r) campaign in the 55th Legislative District:
C101084 08/27/2016 FRIENDS OF RICK BRATTIN David Humphreys PO Box 4050 Joplin MO 64803 Tamko Building Products Executive 8/27/2016 $50,000.00
[emphasis added]
Doesn’t live in the district, can’t vote for the candidate.
Again, why would a very wealthy republican from Joplin care enough to drop $50,000.00 on the race in a “safe” legislative district in west central Missouri. Unless, of course, someone was worried about having enough votes for “right to get paid less” in the future.
That’s a hell of a lot of money from one person for a legislative district race. Does the incumbent republican really need the help?:
C101084: Friends Of Rick Brattin
Committee Type: Candidate
Party Affiliation: Republican
Raymore Mo 64083
Established Date: 03/04/2010
[….]
Information Reported On: 2016 – 8 Day Before Primary Election-8/2/2016
Beginning Money on Hand $6,299.48
Monetary Receipts + $750.00
Monetary Expenditures – $358.79
Contributions Made – $0.00
Other Disbursements – $0.00
Subtotal $391.21
Ending Money On Hand $6,690.69
[emphasis added]
That inspires confidence. Not. Yep, someone needed some serious propping up.
The same report for Ashley Beard-Fosnow (D):
C151120: Beard-Fosnow For House Of Representatives
Committee Type: Candidate
Party Affiliation: Democrat
905 Eve Orchid Drive Greenwood Mo 64034
Established Date: 06/22/2015
[….]
Information Reported On: 2016 – 8 Day Before Primary Election-8/2/2016
Beginning Money on Hand $32,178.08
Monetary Receipts + $1,734.00
Monetary Expenditures – $2,485.32
Contributions Made – $0.00
Other Disbursements – $0.00
Subtotal ($751.32)
Ending Money On Hand $31,426.76
[emphasis added]
Representative Rick Brattin (R) on the House floor [2013 file photo].
That’s House Amendment 4 to House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 663. You got that? The open season part is that the Missouri House voted this afternoon to approve a “stand your ground” law in Missouri. On the same day George Zimmerman put the gun he used to kill Trayvon Martin up for auction.
The handler for the amendment on the House floor was Representative Rick Brattin (r).
Representative Rick Brattin (r) – May 12, 2016.
Go figure.
Representative Gina Mitten (D) engaged Representative Brattin (r) in debate:
Representative Gina Mitten (D) – May 12, 2016.
Representative Mitten ran circles around him. One could say that she engaged in a battle of wits with an unarmed man, but that would be too painfully ironic.
The amendment passed by voice vote. The bill was third read and passed 107-43.
Apparently the sponsor of HB 1743 withdrew the bill today which he had previously prefiled for the 2016 legislative session. We were gonna call Representative Rick Brattin’s (r) legislation “the punish intercollegiate athletes for speaking out about things we don’t want to hear bill”:
HB 1743
Provides that any college athlete on scholarship who refuses to play for a reason unrelated to health shall have his or her scholarship revoked
Sponsor: Brattin, Rick (055)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2016
LR Number: 4679H.01I Last Action: 12/16/2015 – Withdrawn (H)
Bill String: HB 1743[….]
Representative Rick Brattin (R) has some difficulty with the concept of intercollegiate athletes in Missouri exercising the First Amendment. People are noticing.
Via Twitter:
Subtle.
Sean Nicholson @ssnich
I am surprised @RickBrattin filed a stupid bill. #moleg 5:31 PM – 14 Dec 2015
That’s one word for it.
Representative Rick Brattin (R) on the House floor [2013 file photo].
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE BRATTIN.
4679H.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 173, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to collegiate athletes, with a penalty provision.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 173, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be 2 known as section 173.1650, to read as follows: 173.1650. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any college athlete who calls, incites, supports, or participates in any strike or concerted refusal to play a scheduled game shall have his or her scholarship revoked.
2. Any member of a coaching staff who encourages or enables a college athlete to engage in behavior prohibited under subsection 1 of this section shall be fined by his or her institution of employment.
3. The department of higher education shall promulgate all necessary rules and regulations for the administration of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable, and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2016, shall be invalid and void.
[emphasis in original]
“…Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any college athlete who calls, incites, supports, or participates in any strike or concerted refusal to play a scheduled game shall have his or her scholarship revoked…”
So, wearing an armband in solidarity would be a punishable offense? Just asking.
“…Any member of a coaching staff who encourages or enables a college athlete to engage in behavior prohibited under subsection 1 of this section shall be fined by his or her institution of employment…”
Oh, really?
We’re not at all surprised by Representative Brattin’s (r) legislative priorities. Not at all.
“May [insert your preferred deity or higher power] bless and keep the Missouri House and their legislation – far away from us.”
Representative Rick Brattin (r) [2013 file photo].
This past week there has been flurry of really interesting prefiled bills from the republican majority in the House for the 2016 legislative session. A sampling of some of the winners:
HB 1794
Establishes the “All Lives Matter Act”, which changes the laws regarding the finding that life begins at conception
Sponsor: Moon, Mike (157)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2016
LR Number: 5277H.02I
Last Action: 12/11/2015 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1794
[….]
Representative Mike Moon (r) is worried about a lot of things lately.
Tenther drivel, from Representative Tim Remole (r):
HB 1791
Specifies that any federal regulation or rule promulgated as a result of an executive order issued by the President of the United States must be declared invalid in Missouri and of no effect
Sponsor: Remole, Tim (006)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2016
LR Number: 5091H.02I
Last Action: 12/11/2015 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1791
[….]
Right.
A pair of bills on guns from Representative Robert Cornejo (r):
HB 1765
Exempts firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition up to $1500 from attachment and execution
Sponsor: Cornejo, Robert (064)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2016
LR Number: 5163H.01I
Last Action: 12/11/2015 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1765
[….]
And:
HB 1764
Requires a church or other place of worship to provide explicit notice that concealed firearms are not allowed on the property
Sponsor: Cornejo, Robert (064)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2016
LR Number: 4845H.01I
Last Action: 12/11/2015 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1764
[….]
Does this mean if leave your attached gun on the collection plate you can take a $1,500.00 charitable deduction? Just asking.
Protecting the next generation from the outside world – Representative Kurt Bahr (r):
HB 1755
Specifies that parental liberty to direct the upbringing, education, and care of his or her children is a fundamental right not subject to infringement without demonstrating a compelling governmental interest
Sponsor: Bahr, Kurt (102)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2016
LR Number: 4258H.01I
Last Action: 12/11/2015 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1755
[….]
Does the acquisition of critical thinking skills constitute a compelling government interest? Just asking.
Until the full text of Representative Shane Roden’s (r) bill becomes available we won’t be able to tell if he’s an “originalist” or not:
HB 1750
Specifies that the Pledge of Allegiance must be recited at least once per school day in schools supported by public funds
Sponsor: Roden, Shane (111)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2016
LR Number: 5230H.01I
Last Action: 12/11/2015 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1750
[….]
Now, what on earth could have precipitated Representative Rick Brattin’s (r) punitive bill?:
HB 1743
Provides that any college athlete on scholarship who refuses to play for a reason unrelated to health shall have his or her scholarship revoked
Sponsor: Brattin, Rick (055)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2016
LR Number: 4679H.01I
Last Action: 12/11/2015 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1743
[….]
Is that on any given Sunday or Saturday or Friday or just major religious holidays? Just asking.
And, what legislative session could go forward without an abortion restriction bill with an attention getting title? Apparently Representative Tila Hubrecht (r) won the republican caucus bill naming lottery:
HB 1714
Establishes the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act
Sponsor: Hubrecht, Tila (151)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2016
LR Number: 5269H.01I
Last Action: 12/10/2015 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 1714
[….]
And, finally, a tiny bit of wishful thinking from Representative Caleb Rowden (r):
HB 1698
Establishes the Meet in Missouri Act to attract national conventions to Missouri
Sponsor: Rowden, Caleb (044)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2016
LR Number: 4582H.01I
Last Action: 12/09/2015 – Prefiled (H)
Bill String: HB 169[….]
Anyone think they’ll make a play to host Planned Parenthood’s next national meeting?
Folks, that’s your right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly in action. Protect us all.
This afternoon in Peculiar, Missouri Ashley Beard-Fosnow (D) formally announced her candidacy in 2016 for the seat in the 55th Legislative District.
Ashley Beard-Fosnow (D) announcing her House candidacy in Peculiar, Missouri – November 8, 2015.
From her campaign web site:
…I am running for state representative to offer you a better choice. As a wife, mom, and community volunteer, I will work outside the usual political nonsense and scandals we see in Jefferson City. Instead, I will focus on the issues that matter: education, transportation, protecting local control, and ethics reforms. I will use my professional skill set to evaluate programs to ensure efficiency and accountability. I will be involved in our local community and advocate on your behalf…
The seat is currently held by Rick Brattin (r). Yes, that Rick Brattin.