Friends,

Last Tuesday the Senate heard both paycheck deception bills, the bills changing the prevailing wage, and Right-to-work. Myself, DVP Mark Woolbright and MSCFF President Tony Kelly were at the committee hearing prepared to testify against the Paycheck bills that affect they way our Locals collect dues from our members. After consulting Mark Bruns (former State Rep and Jefferson City FF) who now represents the MO FOP, we decided on a new strategy and we did not testify last Tuesday. The MO FOP and the MSCFF are working together to defeat the Paycheck Bills.

We believe that the committee will let the Paycheck bills out and from there we will look to our good friend in Senate Majority Floor Leader Tom Dempsey to make sure we are protected. I have spoken with many of our Republican allies in the Senate and they have assured me that the Paycheck Bill is not their priority this year and they will help us. The target this session seems to be Prevailing wage.  

The Governor gave his State of the State speech. It looks like he will propose a budget without raising taxes and that means additional cuts to state employees, medicaid and Public State Universities. The MSCFF will work to keep the Funding level for the MO LODD benefit in place. Each year the legislature has kept that level at 1E, which means open ended. 

You will all see my Bill Status report later today. Stay warm and enjoy your weekend.

Mark Habbas

Legislative Director
Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters
314.393.9757
habbas2665@yahoo.com