Republicans plan a cut on medicaid for disabled and elderly

[Lilli]

This is from my state representitave who is pro medical cannabis
From: "John Burnett" <johnbkc@sound.net>
Sender To: " 'Friends'" < ibnkc@sound.net>
CC:
Subject: What a week in Jeff City - State Rep John Burnett
Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 16:40:11 -0500

What a week it was in Jefferson City.

Finally the Republican leadership in the House permitted some discussion of the budget. Normally it would have gone over to the Senate weeks ago. We were not permitted input on the budget and the discussion was very limited. From Tuesday morning until Wednesday evening about 8 P.M. we worked 29 of 35 hours. We went until 2:45 a.m. Wednesday morning, adjourned, and went back at 9a.m. Then went through until Wednesday evening about 8:00 p.m. The debate started lively and quickly became very intense. I kicked it off when we were debating the elementary education bill. The republicans played a cute trick. At the very last minute they changed the education appropriation bill and put 100 million dollars back in it. Unfortunately, that still left it $600 million short of full funding and $49 million short of the 2003 level. They thought everyone would be thrilled that after nearly starving education to death, they were finally easing up on the cuts. As fate would have it, the debate took place on Election Day. When I pointed out that 114 school districts around the state had ballot issues to raise local taxes, the majority floor leader Jason Crowell began shouting me down. He howled into the microphone, and he actually made flatulent noises over the mike. It was incredibly childish. Many people, some who have been around the House for decades, told me afterward that they have never seen such disrespect during a debate. Newspapers and radio talk shows around the state reported the childish display. I guess if you see that you are losing a debate on the merits, it is tempting to just shout down the opposition.


The dirty little secret of how the 100 million was put back into education is that it will come from cuts to Medicaid benefits for seniors, children and disabled people. The budget is now in the hands of the Senate. I will be vigorously advocating that they restore the cuts to medicaid.


Friday morning I was up early and on a radio talk show which was scheduled to be about medical malpractice. I am a sponsor of House Bill 1428 which would make changes in lawsuit procedures about medical malpractice and provide insurance regulation. The Senate worked on medical malpractice issues all week and are now sending a bill back to us in the House. Turned out that at least half the show we talked of nothing except this week's debate and the education budget that is proposed.

John Burnett



Missouri State Representative - District 40 Democrat (Historic Northeast/Downtown/River Market areas of Kansas City)

Jefferson City Office State Capitol 201 West Capitol Ave Jefferson City MO 65101 573-751-3310 toll free 1-866-271-5970

Home - 3418 Gladstone Blvd, Kansas City MO 64123 816-231-4709



personal website: http://www.johnburnett2004.com
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