Image courtesy KSDK.com
Last Thursday, all hell broke loose in the Missouri House Chamber when Representative Jeff Roorda (D-Barnhart) and Representative Tim Jones (R-Eureka) had a heated exchange while discussing the budget. During the spat, Rep. Tim Jones adamantly accused Rep. Roorda of being a liar.
So what stoked the fire? Rep. Roorda was upset that he had been accused of “taking a walk” on tough votes and Rep. Jones became enflamed that Rep. Roorda had started calling tax credits “corporate welfare.” Roorda explained that he had missed key votes on Wednesday, March 24th because he was attending a funeral.
This might be a legitimate explanation for Rep. Roorda’s absence if not for the fact that he has missed out on multiple key roll-call votes this session. A quick look back at his record of roll-call votes shows that he has been known to be magically absent from the chamber when a tough vote is on the line. Even after this latest debacle, Roorda was mysteriously absent for a vote on an abortion bill yesterday. What is your excuse this time, Jeff?
In case you were wondering about how Roorda votes on the so-called “corporate welfare” bills, he votes in favor of just about all of them.
Missed Votes?
A – HCS HB 1327 (03/30/2010): 3rd reading of a bill to impose further restrictions before an abortion can be performed and to require a doctor report to the local prosecutor when a minor seeks an abortion.
A – HCS HJR 87 (03/24/2010): 3rd reading of a constitutional amendment to restrict the growth of state appropriations.
A – HCS HB 1692 (03/24/2010): 3rd reading of a bill that includes a provision to expand the “Castle Doctrine” right to kill to include unlawful entering private and rented property.
A – HCS HB 1327 (03/22/2010): Perfection of a bill to impose additional requirements on abortions and require abortions on minors be reported to local prosecutors.
A – HCS HJR 48 (03/16/2010): 3rd reading of a state constitutional amendment to establish a state constitutional right to refuse to have health care insurance. Seeks to block any government fine for not having insurance.
A – HJR 48 (03/03/2010): Perfection of a constitutional amendment to establish a state constitutional right to refuse to have health care insurance. Seeks to block any government fine for not having insurance.
A – HCS HB 1311 (02/18/2010): 3rd reading of a bill to require insurance policies cover therapy and treatment for autism and related ailments.
A – HCS HB 1675 (02/18/2010): 3rd reading of a bill to provide tax credits for a manufacturing plant expansion that adds jobs and exports some of its products.
Corporate Welfare?
Y – HA 1 HCS HB 1684 (03/23/2010): An amendment to an economic development bill that provides tax breaks to business to expand a program providing tax credits for business expansion projects.
Y – HCS HB 2393 (04/15/2008): Perfection of a bill to authorize the administration to award up to $880 million in tax credits for a Canadian firm to locate an aircraft manufacturing plant in Kansas City.
Y – HCS HB 2393 (04/21/2008): 3rd reading of a bill to authorize the administration to award up to $880 million in tax credits for a Canadian firm to locate an aircraft manufacturing plant in Kansas City.
Y – SS HCS HB 2393 (05/07/2008): Final vote on the measure to provide up to $240 million in tax credits for a Canadian firm to locate an aircraft manufacturing plant in Kansas City.
0 responses so far ↓
1 2ndone // Apr 1, 2010 at 11:49 am
Yep – that sounds like Roorda! Some pretty childish behavior is going on all over the country, and I, for one would like to fire some of my EMPLOYEES – as they do NOT represent my beliefs or behavior! So, DON’T forget that we have an ELECTION this year and there are two candidates running against him – PAUL WIELAND (Republican) & RICHARD BLOWERS (Constitution).
As an Independent, I would appriciate it if the Democratic Party would PLEASE start putting GOOD & NEW candidates on the ballot. I am tired of NAME recognition (Carnahan, McKenna) candidates. NAME doesn’t indicate that the next generation is on the same track! We are living in a country where the two parties do not stand for or even follow their party platforms any more.
I would like a choice.
2 Frank Maggio // Apr 5, 2012 at 5:20 pm
I can tell you with firsthand experience, Jeff Roorda skipped many of these votes due to legitimate constituent/ personal issues. Abortion? Pro life. Firearms? NRA score is a B+. Clearly this clown got his way in 2010 and look at all that got done during special session. Enough said.
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