The author of a legislative committee report that suggests a link between abortions and illegal immigration says the comment has been blown out of proportion and is taking attention away from the real issues. The special committee report put together by chairman Ed Emery suggests Missouri would have 80-thousand more people who could be highly productive workers today if abortion had not been legalized 33 years ago. And it suggests employers would not be tempted to hire illegal immigrants if those 80-thousand had been born. Emery says the suggestion is just two lines in a 50-page report and should not be considered the dominating factor behind use of illgal immigrants in Missouri. He says the comment is based on testimony taken during hearings about labor shortages. He says he doesn’t really know if there is a shortage of workers but felt the issue should be mentioned in the report. He does not mention the possibility that birth control, even by people who are part of strong pro-life groups, has led to far more people NOT being born and thus not being in the workforce, either. He says there’s no way to quantify that assertion. Emery does not think the issue will make any difference in January. He says the strongly pro-life legislature will be able to quickly move on to the ten specific issues the committee recommends become laws next year.
Montee Wants to Review MOHELA Plan
The state’s Auditor-elect wants to jump into the middle of a political controversy and she tells the Missourinet she can be objective about the hot-button subject.Auditor-elect Susan Montee says Missouri’s quasi-governmental boards need better oversight, including MOHELA, the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority. Governor Blunt proposes MOHELA sell off $350 million in assets to finance capital improvement projects on college campuses throughout the state. Critics have questioned whether MOHELA can sell off that many assets and remain viable. Montee says that is one of the questions that needs to be answered. She says she doesn’t believe the information is readily available for lawmakers, who will be asked to review the proposal during the legislative session that begins in January. Montee insists she can step into the partisan debate and conduct an objective financial analysis of the proposal by reviewing the operation of MOHELA itself, which she says is separate from the controversial nature of whether it should sell assets to finance the governor’s plan. Montee is a Democrat. Blunt is a Republican. She insists she can review the proposal without a partisan agenda. Montee is critical of the $830,000 severance package approved for Michael Cummins, fired as MOHELA executive director after he opposed Governor Blunt’s proposal. Montee says the state auditor should more closely review quasi-governmental agencies, which not only includes MOHELA, but others, such as the Missouri Technology Corporation and the Missouri Development Finance Board.
McCaskill Casts Proxy Vote for Democratic Senate Leadership
Election Day saw ten freshmen sent to the U.S. Senate. Nine of them have been on Capitol Hill this week, learning the ins and outs and voting for leadership positions in their respective parties. Senator-elect Claire McCaskill isn’t in the Nation’s Capitol. Spokesman Adrianne Marsh says McCaskill was given a pass on orientation so she could vacation with her family after what Marsh calls a particularly hard campaign. Marsh adds McCaskill cleared her plans with Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid. McCaskill’s votes were made by proxy, as were her requests for committee assignments. McCaskill has asked for seats on two top committees: Government Reform and Armed Services. She should find out in the next week or so whether she is successful in her quest. Outgoing Senator Jim Talent currently holds a seat on the Armed Services Committee.
Summit Focuses on Safety Belt Legislation
Supporters of an effort to strengthen Missouri’s seatbelt legislation by making failure to wear seatbelts a primary – rather than a secondary offense – are hoping to put pressure on lawmakers during the upcoming session of the Legislature that starts in January. Dale Findlay, Executive Director of the Missouri Safety Council, was among a group of supporters who gathered in Columbia to plan strategy. Also attending were State Transportation Director Pete Rahn and representatives of the National Transportation Safety Board. Missouri currently has a secondary seatbelt law, meaning a ticket will only be given to a driver who commits another violation, such as going through a red light. A primary enforcement law would allow police to ticket people solely for not wearing safety belts.
Northwest RB Harlon Hill Finalist
One of the biggest reasons Northwest Missouri State was able to finish the regular season unbeaten was their stingy defense and potent running attack. The Bearcats finished 11-0 overall, 9-0 in the MIAA and received a No. 1 seed in the Southwest Region of the Division II playoffs.
Junior running back Xavier Omon was named a regional finalist for the 2006 Harlon Hill Trophy – the Division II version of the Heisman Trophy. Six players were nominated in the region. The top two players in voting from each region will advance to the national vote. The national winner will be given the Harlon Hill Award on Dec. 15. The awards is handed out in Florence, Ala the day before the Division II National Championship Game, which means if Omon wins he might not have to make a special trip.
Omon has already broken school records for career rushing yards (4,200), rushing touchdowns (49), and total touchdowns (53). His four touchdowns against Emporia State this season tied a Northwest single-game record.
Omon has been out the past two games with a rib injury but does expect to play in the Bearcats second round game Nov. 25. Northwest has a first round bye and will play the winner of fourth-seeded Midwestern State and fifth-seeded Missouri Western.
The other finalists from the Southwest Region are: quarterbacks Dalton Bell (West Texas A&M), Toby Korrodi (Central Missouri), Billy Malone (Abilene Christian), and running backs Germaine Race (Pittsburg State), and Danny Woodhead (Chadron State).
