Columbia legislators reflect on 95th session

Columbia's legislators saw Ellis Fischel funding as a big victory.

By Will Guldin

Published June 2, 2009

The middle of May marked the end of Missouri's legislative session and the beginning of a period of reflection for many state lawmakers, who now look forward to the start of next year's session.

Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, who was the only representative from Columbia with prior state legislature experience, said securing funds for the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center was one of the biggest accomplishments for him and Columbia's fellow legislators.

Although the future of the new cancer center had been up in the air for some time, a measure was approved late in the session that appropriated more than $30 million for its construction.

Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, said these funds finally made good on a promise to all Missourians who use the center's resources.

"That project has been in limbo and the university hasn't been able to make final plans for its construction," Schaefer said. "And it was a promise to the people of Columbia, the people of Boone County and all the other people of Missouri that use the center's resources."

Schaefer said the return of the 19th district, which includes Boone County, to the Appropriations Committee at the start of the session made it easier to secure these and other funds for the area.

"By being on the Appropriations Committee in the Senate, I was able to better protect the funding for the university," Schaefer said.

Despite increased money for resources, such as Ellis Fischel, Rep. Stephen Webber, D-Columbia, said it was disappointing overall health care reform was something not accomplished during the session.

Gov. Jay Nixon had originally promised during his campaign to restore 34,000 people back onto health care at no additional cost to the state, but a compromise could not be reached on the legislation and it died before reaching the governor's desk.

Webber said he was hopeful the legislation would pass, but realized it wouldn't during the last two weeks of the session.

"When I heard Republicans say that they think providing health insurance for low income families was Medicaid I knew it wasn't going to happen," he said.

Schaefer said it was unfortunate the legislation didn't pass because insuring 34,000 adults would have created a ripple effect in the number of insured Missourians because adults with insurance would be more likely to insure their own children.

Webber, a freshman representative, said the new position was what he expected, but, using health care as an example, he said he was shocked by what he said was House Republicans' disdain for working Missourians.

Schaefer said this was due to the nature of the House, which allows representatives to be more partisan. He said with only two-year terms and more than 150 members, it is easier for House members to be more opinionated than senators. He said the longer terms of the Senate, coupled with its small size of 34 members, means that it is a more deliberative and bi-partisan body.

Rep. Mary Still, D-Columbia, said this bi-partisan nature of the Senate made it easier for Columbia's Representatives to work together with Schaefer, even though he is a Republican.

"I'm proud when it comes to Columbia and MU that the politics is minimized and our goal is progress for our area and Columbia," Still said.