Jeff Grisamore Not

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Mo. Lawmaker Who Threatened To Resign Over Bills' Failure To Pass Changes His Mind | St. Louis Public Radio

Mo. Lawmaker Who Threatened To Resign Over Bills' Failure To Pass Changes His Mind | St. Louis Public Radio

He always has an excuse.

A Missouri lawmaker who threatened to resign unless one or both of his key bills survived the last day of the 2013 legislative session is staying put, even though both bills failed to make it out by Friday's deadline.

State Representative Jeff Grisamore (R, Lee's Summit) said his resignation threat was based on frustration with the Senate's inaction on the bills -- House Bill 717 would have provided funding for disabled children and House Bill 727 for disabled adults. Both bills died when the Missouri Senate chose not to advance them on the final day of session.

"We don't need to be waiting and allowing such important bills that impact our most vulnerable citizens in Missouri, folks with disabilities and at-risk women and children and families, be put off until the last minute," Grisamore said.

Grisamore changed his mind after talking with House Speaker Tim Jones (R, Eureka) and Majority Floor Leader John Diehl (R, Town and Country).

"They assured me that they'll do everything they can to help us next year insure that the omnibus disability bill passes," Grisamore said.

Grisamore's possible resignation, combined with fellow House Member Jason Smith's(R, Salem) possible election to Congress, could have resulted in Republicans losing their veto-proof majority in the Missouri House. But Grisamore said his decision to stay in office had nothing to do with preserving the GOP supermajority in that chamber.

Grisamore threatens resignation if omnibus isn't taken up by Senate - The Missouri Times

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — In an email to a few senators and House leadership this morning, Rep. Jeff Grisamore, R-Lee’s Summit, threatened to resign from the remaining year of his final House term.

Rep. Jeff Grisamore, R-Lee’s Summit

Grisamore’s email indicated that if House bills 717 and 727, or “at least SCS HCS HB 727” were not passed out of the Senate today and sent back to the House to be truly agreed, he would be resigning.

“If these bills — 717 & 727 — die in the Senate after the Disabilities Omnibus was vetoed last year, I see no reason to remain in office as I am unnecessarily being blocked from making a difference for our most vulnerable citizens, with my disabilities legislation being vetoed last year and unnecessarily being left to die in the Senate this year,” Grisamore said in the email.

HB717 is the omnibus package for children and family, and HB727 is the omnibus package for persons with disabilities. Grisamore is the chair of the Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities committee.

“My highest legislative priority is to advocate for Missouri’s neediest citizens-vulnerable seniors, at-risk women and children and especially individuals with physical, developmental and mental health disabilities,” Grisamore told The Missouri Times Friday.

The email came after the there was no action taken and the Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee meeting cancelled Friday morning on the two bills.

Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, the Chair for Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight — the committee the bills would have been heard from this morning — said he was one of the multiple senators to receive the email.

“He expressed that this issue was of the utmost importance to him personally and professionally,” Parson said. He added that as far as the threat to resign, he’d “let the email speak for itself.”

Grisamore said his passion to fight for individuals with disabilities is driven by the death of his daughter, Rebekah, who died 10 years ago at 18 days old because of complications from Prader-Willi Syndrome.

“To have passed [House Bill] 555 — the first Disabilities Omnibus in Missouri State History — in 2011 at 5:55 p.m. on the last day of session was a historic advancement for individuals with disabilities,” Grisamore said. “Last year’s veto in [House Bill] 1900 was disappointing. We have an opportunity to still get [House Bill] 727 across the finish line. The House is ready to truly agree and finally pass it as soon as the Senate sends it to us.”

If Grisamore resigns and Rep. Jason Smith were to be elected to Congress, the Republicans could lose their historic supermajority and would be unable to override the governor’s vetoes without vote from the Democratic caucus.

House of Representatives Will Let Clock Run Out On Session - OzarksFirst.com

House of Representatives Will Let Clock Run Out On Session - OzarksFirst.com

Rep. Jeff Grisamore's, R-Lee's Summit, final action was to declare the House adjourned. Somewhat significant is that Grisamore did not declare the House adjourned sine die, which is the declaration that closes House and Senate sessions so that no further action can take place.

"It is awfully disappointing," said House Minority Leader Rep.Mike Talboy, D-Kansas City, assessing the outcome of the session. "Especially when you look at the economic climate that we're in and the despair that we have with the unemployment rate."

Of course Grisamore didn't adjourn sine die. He couldn't collect more of the tax payers money if no further action took place. He has no other income (at least that is what he CLAIMS, but we all know different).

Following Kinder's Lead, House GOP Dramatically Overstate Expected Costs of Medicaid Expansion

http://www.firedupmissouri.com/content/following-kinders-lead-house-gop-dramatically-overstate-expected-costs-medicaid-expansion

Following Kinder's Lead, House GOP Dramatically Overstate Expected Costs of Medicaid Expansion

Like Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, House Republican leaders are going out of their way to ignore the facts and overstate the projected costs of expanded Medicaid edibility as outlined in the House- and Senate-passed health care reform bills. Today, eight GOP leaders, including Speaker Ron Richard, Floor Leader Steven Tilley and Speaker Pro Tem Bryan Pratt wrote Gov. Jay Nixon and Attorney General Chris Koster to express their disdain for the federal proposals.

Republicans opposing health care reform en masse isn't news -- but the refusal by Missouri GOP leaders to talk about the proposed legislation should be. From a story posted today on the Star's Prime Buzz blog:

Republicans contend that could cost the state an additional $450 million a year, based on estimates released by the state Department of Social Services several months ago. Figures reflecting new iterations of the bills haven't been released, they said.

This is false, and you don't have to take my word for it. As printed in the News-Leader last week:

Kinder's claim that the Medicaid expansion could cost Missouri taxpayers "as high as $450 million per year" is much higher than what Nixon's Department of Social Services claims the House or Senate bills would cost Missouri.

DSS officials estimate the House version of Medicaid expansion would cost the state of Missouri $188 million more each year, while the Senate bill would cost state taxpayers an extra $91 million each year.

The Republican leaders don't appear to be contesting the accuracy of the updated estimates from the Department of Social Services -- they're just pretending they don't exist.

Here's an excerpt from an October story in The Beacon:

Nodler and Icet's letter said that the Department of Social Services estimated that the plan would add around 200,000 people to Missouri's program at a cost to state of between $392 million and $454 million.

Scott Rowson, a spokesman for the Department of Social Services, said the more recently passed Senate Finance Committee version of the bill would cost the state around $91 million.

Rowson said the cost could change depending on how the provision is crafted in the final version of the bill.

No one pretends that expanding health care coverage to more low-income Missourians will be free. But the Lieutenant Governor -- and now House GOP leaders -- are choosing to use outdated estimates from the Department of Social Services they know (or should know) are false.

Kansas City State Rep. Talboy Calls Lee's Summit Grisamore Cowardly For Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Program Cuts!!!

http://www.tonyskansascity.com/2010/02/kansas-city-state-rep-talboy-calls-lees.html

Monday, February 22, 2010

Kansas City State Rep. Talboy Calls Lee's Summit Grisamore Cowardly For Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Program Cuts!!!

In an afternoon press release Kansas City's Downtown Rep. Mike Talboy makes a good point about GOP double speak when it comes to the interests of families and children. Check it:

Grisamore Votes To Cut Millions from Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Programs Cuts result in a 50% reduction to existing funds for services

Jefferson City, MO— In a 6-5-1 vote Rep. Jeff Grisamore voted “present” allowing the passage of millions in cuts to domestic violence and sexual abuse programs. The amendment, which came before the appropriations committee on health, mental health and social services, called for a 50% reduction to state funding of Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse programs.

“Missouri families are tired of politicians that say one thing while in district and do another in Jefferson City. Jeff Grisamore, through a simple “no” vote could have blocked $2.3 million from being taken away from women and children who are victims of some of the most heinous acts imaginable. Instead, after party pressure, he took the cowardly and reprehensible approach by voting “present”, allowing the cuts to pass and that is shameful,” said House Democratic Leader-elect, Representative Mike Talboy (D-Kansas City).

The cuts would take over $2.3 million from Domestic violence programs, which is over 50% of the budget. Even worse they would take over $1.6 million away from Children’s Division Field Staff which could lead to a loss of accreditation. The vote also zeroed out the line item for Women and Minority Health Programs and cut over $9.5 million from FQHC. In addition, the state Child Care Assistance program, which Grisamore says he supports and wishes to expand, had the line item of $13.6 million dollars completely cut. The zeroing out of those funds means Missouri loses out on $38 million of federal assistance to the program as well. All together the cuts would result in over $51 million taken away from these services.

“Despite what he says when a camera or reporter is around, Jeff Grisamore simply turns his back on women and children in this state when they are in their most vulnerable or traumatic times,” added Talboy.

“The bottom line is, as a Lee’s Summit resident and father, I know our community places children first. Jeff Grisamore can no longer come back to Lee’s Summit telling voters he cares about kids. If he did he would have chosen them over his party leaders and fought for the $51 million,” said House Democratic Campaign Committee Director Chris Moreno.

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During The Great Recession it's interesting to see the priorities of local politicos . . . Also, some name calling is kinda cool too.

Jeff Grisamore States That District Won't Meet With Me Without His OK

As for a committee on autism and special needs in R-7, I have spoken to the Superintendent and Board, which relates to why he spoke to you. If that committee is formed, you will have one voice, although I would like to see D on it too, along with others, such as J. That will be up to R-7. Given your antagonism toward me and them, you are most fortunate you are being considered to be on such a committee. I would encourage you to consider changing your approach for the sake of LSASG's credibility and influence with R-7 and beyond. Your current approach is only isolating and alienating yourself from me and others who are doing much to help children with autism and their families.

This is in response to my email where I asked the Superintendent if Jeff Grisamore was setting up these meetings and if the district will only work through him.

"Rep grisamore is getting ahead of himself. There have been no follow up discussions about any ideas that may have been mentioned in some setting. Honestly, I do not recall discussing this committee but I may have forgotten. It happens. My invitation to discuss the issues is for you only at this time. You and I can discuss together where all of this goes from there. I hope this clarifies my intention. I do not go into this knowing where we will end up but do feel our dialogue has the potential to make us a better district and help you better understand our challenges. I am really looking forward to our meetings."

Budget Bill Passes/Talboy States That Grisamore Doesn't Care About Children

Budget bill passes after heated debate in House
Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 3:43 PM
By Brent Martin
A bill to shore up the current state budget has passed the legislature, but not before Democrats harshly criticize Republicans for rejecting a proposal made by fellow Democrat Governor Nixon.

The House put the final touches on SCS HCS HB14 with a 91-to-67 vote and sent it to Nixon. The supplemental budget bill was held up in the Senate for a time. The Missouri Department of Transportation contended a provision calling for accountability of how the state spent federal economic stimulus funds could interfere with highway and bridge contracts. The Senate fixed the problem and returned the bill to the House.

Majority Republicans rejected a proposal by Nixon which the governor claims would provide health care coverage to an additional 20,000 children.

"Covering kids should be the one thing that this state does, the fundamental, one thing that this state does with its health care dollars," said Rep. Mike Talboy, a Democrat from Kansas City during House floor debate.

Talboy launched into a harsh exchange with Republican Rep. Jeff Grisamore of Lee's Summit, contending that Republicans in general and Grisamore in particular didn't care about children.
"You don't want to cover kids," Talboy asserted, often talking over Grisamore during their House floor debate.

Grisamore defended the Republican stance. He claimed that the governor's proposal wouldn't add any children to the state health insurance program, but would only eliminate or lower the premiums parents have to pay for children to be on it.

That explanation didn't satisfy Talboy. Grisamore said the current program offers health care to families making up to $73,000/year. He asked Talboy if we wanted that threshold raised.

"I think I made my point pretty clear on that, I would cover every kid regardless." Talboy responded

Grisamore pressed him, asking if the state should extend health care coverage to children even if their parents earn a six figure salary. Talboy answered, "Yes."

The supplemental budget bill totals $133 million. It supplements the current state budget, plugging in holes where revenue fell short. The Nixon Administration requested $939,000 be added to the bill. Administration officials said that would allow Missouri to draw down $5 million in federal funding which could be used to expand health care coverage for children.

The State Family Support Division says legislation approved in 2005 extended health care to 41,000 children, 16,000 of whom lost health care when their parents failed to pay the premiums. Currently, a Missouri family making between 150 to 185% of the federal poverty level must pay $66/month to receive SCHIP coverage. The monthly premium rises to $109 for families earning between 186 and 225% of poverty and to $165 for families earning between 226 and 300% of poverty. The Nixon Administration proposes dropping the premium requirement.