another great bill (sarcsm) goes to committee in Mo House

[David Unnerstall]

I would like to read some "pro" comments on this. I want to know WHY this bill is thought necessary and WHO thinks it necessary.

[Jeff Tief]

Any word on how their meeting went on HB955?

[SpoonDog]

HB 955 repeals the state's water pollution regulations. It provides no pollution protections to headwater streams, intermittent streams, or streams deemed non-navigable by the state. The bill states that the only Missouri citizens with a right to a stream's flow and purity are riparian landowners. Those riparian landowners are also given the right to pollute their adjacent streams, provided they've made a "reasonable" attempt to comply with state and federal pollution regulations. The bill transfers public property (stream courses below the high water mark) into private hands, and articulates no right for the public to access our waterways above the low-water mark.

The "pros" of this bill only exist if you're an adjacent riparian landowner. I'm honestly kinda surprised a guy with a B.S. in Cartography and a shooting range could put something like this together. Given the bill's emphasis on private landowner rights, water pollution, and nuisance law, my guess is Representative Ross is paving the way for the poultry and swine industry- at the expense of the tourism dollars many of his constituents have built businesses on.

[Brian Sloss]

Update on hb 955. Just talked to the lobbyist for the Missouri Canoe and Floaters Association and got a bad feeling from her. She said all but one committee member were pretty hostile to the overwhelming lack of support for the bill (by the public) and that there is a good chance it will move out of committee. Though it may well be something that Nixon would veto, they can always attach it to another bill that the Gov needs to get passed and force his hand, if in fact he is opposed to hb 955.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Wait a minute.

The Reps are pissed at the constituents because they, the very people that elected them to do what we want, are not supportive of this?

Is that correct?

[Flysmallie]

Wait a minute.

The Reps are pissed at the constituents because they, the very people that elected them to do what we want, are not supportive of this?

Is that correct?

Never be surprised by the ignorance of a politician. They have no regard for you or what you enjoy. All they care to do is pad their pockets and keep getting elected.

I spoke to a Sate Rep on Saturday in person and asked what they thought. Of course they had no idea what I was talking about but said they would look into it but I knew I was just getting the brush off. We've known each other long enough for me to figure that out.

[Brian Sloss]

She said the bills author kept saying it wouldn't change anything and is not changing any laws and that begs the question of why do it if it does not change anything? Of course it does contradict the Eldor v Delcour case which is what is used today. It tries to cripple regs on pollution as well by changing the power over to the land owners. She seemed to think the other committee members were just taking his word for everything, though the language in the bill says differently.

[Smallieguy87]

Wait a minute.

The Reps are pissed at the constituents because they, the very people that elected them to do what we want, are not supportive of this?

Is that correct?

yeah they're upset because some people are paying close attention to what is going on and not wanting to play along with their private agenda.

[Smallieguy87]

She said the bills author kept saying it wouldn't change anything and is not changing any laws and that begs the question of why do it if it does not change anything? Of course it does contradict the Eldor v Delcour case which is what is used today. It tries to cripple regs on pollution as well by changing the power over to the land owners. She seemed to think the other committee members were just taking his word for everything, though the language in the bill says differently.

from what i can understand of the bill....it changes a lot of things! Is he that ignorant or just hoping everyone else is?

[Chief Grey Bear]

This may very well make it all the way to Jay's desk.

Since he is a huge proponent of the MDC, he may just very well play hardball no matter what they attach to the bill.

I'm pretty sure he is not amused one bit with what is going on.

And the sad part is, even if these were to pass, these jerks will not be voted out. People will not hold this against them. Not enough of them anyway.