Capitol Report

Many of you have contacted me with concern over the Supreme Court's decision in June that I consider an assault on property rights of individuals. The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution was designed to protect our right to own property. It was specific in stating that property could only be taken by the federal, state, and local government if the land was going to put to "public use" and the person who owned the land was given just compensation. The court, in its decision extended public use to include favoring one private interest over another if the results would "benefit" a significant population. This basically means that government officials can use the eminent domain laws to take our property and turn it over to a developer or other private interests. This is not what our founding fathers had in mind.

Fortunately, states may pass laws that will make it harder to take private property. Governor Matt Blunt has created a task force to strengthen Missouri's eminent domain laws and protect property owners. Recommendations for that task force are due in December. When the Missouri General Assembly meets in January 2006, I will work hard to ensure that Missourians won't lose their homes, farms, and businesses to government officials and developers. It is just wrong.

Gasoline prices seem to have stabilized around $2 a gallon. I have done some research on what could be done to help make energy more affordable. One thing we are doing is promoting ethanol. Ethanol is a cleaner burning fuel and will lower that cost of a gallon of gas. We just need to help our farmers find ways to produce more and then make it beneficial for the gas distributors to blend and sell it. We have fully extended the ethanol fund and have plans to support incentives that will increase production next year. A new bi diesel plant was scheduled for ground breaking Oct. 24 in Mexico, MO. if we can increase the use of ethanol and bio diesel, we can help spur Missouri's economy and help lower the price of gasoline. A new ethanol plant to be built in the Cape Girardeau/Scott City area was announced Nov. 7 at the Cape Airport. This is good news for our farmers in Southeast Missouri and Surrounding areas.

Extreme weather condition this summer have resulted in a widespread hay shortage, and the Missouri departments of Transportation and Agriculture are working to help Missouri farmers cope with the situation.

At the agriculture department's request, MoDot is waiving the fee for blanket permits to haul wide loads of hay. The fee will be waived through Dec. 31 on loads up to 12 feet, 4 inches wide that are of legal height length and weight.

In addition to this savings of up to $50, the waiver will allow hay movements to take place over holidays and at night, a practice normally not allowed. At night, or when visibility is less than 500 feet, drivers are required to use a reflective, oversized load sign and clearance lights instead of flags at the edges of their loads.

"This year's drought has devastated our agriculture industry, and we commend MoDot for helping alleviate the financial struggles that our farmers and producers are facing," said Fred Ferrell, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. "Waiving the hay hauling permit fees is great news. This will allow farmers across the state to save money, helping them to bring their industry back."

Because many highways are under repair and might have narrow lanes, drivers are expected to review their route for work zone restrictions before beginning their trip.

They must adhere to all other permit requirements, such as proper signing and lighting, and they must stop at weigh stations.

Farmers should call MoDot's Motor Carrier Services Office at 1-800-877-8499 to report the year, make and license plate number of their power unit and provide their business name and address. Motor Carrier Services will then issue the permits by fax. For more information, call me at (573) 624-7561 (in district office) or (573) 751-1494 (Jefferson City Office).