SOMETHING'S JUST NOT RIGHT
Often when I'm out talking to Missourians across the state, we have conversations regarding things that just don't seem right, although we have a hard time putting our finger on exactly what's wrong. It feels like we are losing our freedoms and yet we can't exactly pinpoint the moment they were lost or how it happened.
I've got something for you to consider.
THIS BILL ISN'T TOO BAD
It happens often that bills are passed because they "aren't too bad." They may have a decent thing or two and maybe something great but usually they've got concessions in them as well. They are seen by legislators as a "net win" even though there are concerns or possible issues. Lawmakers love to say that no bill can be perfect and we just do the best we can.
But would you eat a brownie with a tiny bit of dog poop mixed in to the batter? Because, unless I was saving my kids, I really don't want ANY amount of dog poop in my food.
Now for my kids? I'll eat a pile of poop.
But otherwise, that's a big NO.
THE VIEW FROM ABOVE
If you look at one bill at a time, you may see a tiny bit of dog poop and choose to look the other way if you feel the benefit outweighs the poop. But if you look at the big picture and see that all these tiny turds amount to one big pile of crap, you realize that passing one turd is a huge problem!
The following is a list of Republican sponsored bills in the legislature NOW that are chipping away at your individual liberty. If you look at them individually, it probably doesn't feel like a real big deal. If you look at them collectively, I think you may feel differently.
the nutshell version
Here's the list. Click on the link to read a separate article with more details and action steps on each of these issues.
SB 117- Tort Reform & Sovereign Immunity. We are losing time in the statute of limitations on personal liability and they are giving sovereign immunity to every private contractor doing business with any public entity in the state. This elevates government related business and squashes Missourians. The law makers will tell you it's good because they need to reduce frivolous lawsuits and unclog the court system. They say it's good. I say it's 100% dog poop brownies.
Privacy Acts - There are more than one. These are elevating elected officials and protecting them at the expense of our first amendment right of free speech. The penalty is up to 5 years in prison & up to $10,000 in fines. Again...protecting and elevating government officials and squashing Missourians. Of course, they love it and think it's a great thing. And again I say there's a bunch of dog poop in the batter here.
Sunshine Law - Senator Andrew Koenig wants to make it harder for citizens to get transparent information from the government by revising our Sunshine Law. And again...elevating government and squashing Missourians. Even if this one stood alone, it's nothing but a huge pile of crap. Keeping Missourians in the dark and giving elected officials places to hide is nothing but a breeding ground for even more corruption.
See a pattern here??
If you want to know more, click on the link to get the details on each issue and the actions you can take to help. Yes, I know. It's a lot of work and it takes time. I think the ones who fought & died for this freedom would say that this is the least we could do.
TORT REFORM & SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY
SB 117 sponsored by Senator Tony Luetkemeyer does 3 things and they are all BAD.
- Reduces the statute of limitations on personal liability from 5 years to 2 years. This means that if someone causes you harm, you've got 2 years to file suit against them to recoup your losses. If you ask, the republicans will say we need these tort reform bills to avoid "frivolous lawsuits." However, reducing statute of limitations is also pushing citizens to file suits sooner and not giving them ample time to settle outside of court.
Maybe in some cases, two years is enough. However, in many cases it's not. What about if your kids are enduring surgeries, therapies or recovering from trauma? Two years isn't enough and you are left with no ability to financially recover from whatever harm has been done.
- Reduces the statute of limitations regarding uninsured and underinsured motorists insurance from 10 years to 2 years. Again - who is this benefiting? Not citizens. Have you ever had to deal with insurance companies regarding an underinsured motorist situation? If you start asking your friends, it won't take you long to find out that two years is definitely not enough.
- Sovereign Immunity. IMHO this is the worst part of the bill even though I already hate it. Senator Leutkemeyer wants to give sovereign immunity to every private contractor doing business with any public entity in the state. This would apply to state government, public schools, public colleges, MU healthcare, all municipal governments, fire districts, etc. Definition & examples below.
- "Sovereign Immunity" means there is NO liability. They are completely immune from any. liability issues except for two things: 1) car wrecks where a state vehicle is involved and the driver is at fault, and 2) state facilities are in disrepair and someone is hurt
- Road construction crews. Accidents due to lack of oversight on construction site? Sorry - they're not responsible. You may be dead or have dead family members, severely handicapped, car totaled, kids hurt...doesn't matter. It's on you and there's no recourse.
- Public school contracts. Think playground equipment, data management, computer hardware & software, athletic equipment, busses & transportation service.... something happen to your kiddo? Sorry. It's not their fault.
- MU Healthcare. No more malpractice of any type for any doctors contracted with that hospital. Did they. make a mistake with a knee surgery and you got a faulty joint replacement? Sorry. It's not their problem. You're on your own.
- Firefighters. Got a faulty oxygen tank and a firefighter is now injured for life? Can't help you. It's not their fault.
- And the is goes on and on and on and on. The list is so long it's mind-boggling!
In essence, this bill is creating two classes of people.
1) Citizens with nearly no rights to actually be compensated for personal harm being done, and
2) private businesses contracting with the state government who have COMPLETE immunity from any harm they might do.
Talk about class warfare!
Take Action
SB 117 has already passed through committee and is heading for the senate floor for debate and perfection. This means we have only one more chance to stop it before it leaves the Senate and goes to the House.
PLEASE call and email your own senator as well as all our more conservative or new senators who, I hope, will work together to stop the from going any further.
Senator Mike Moon. mike.moon@senate.mo.gov
Senator Bill Eigel. bill.eigel@senate.mo.gov
Senator Rick Brattin. rick.brattin@senate.mo.gov
Senator Jill Carter. jill.carter@senate.mo.gov
Senator Ben Brown. ben.brown@senate.mo.gov
Senator Denny Hoskins. denny.hoskins@senate.mo.gov
