WILLIAMS SEES NEW ISSUES COMING FROM PAST

DEXTER -- Marilyn Williams was looking through a newspaper that was more than 20 years old recently and discovered that the same issues members of the Missouri legislature were concerned with then are being talked about now.

Although problems may change slightly, issues like education, welfare, help for small businesses, tight budgets and crime linger.

"I think we're dealing with the same issues that have been around for years and years," observed Williams, a Democrat from Dudley who represents the 159th District in the Missouri House.

"Last year, we got a lot done as far as starting work on major problems, but we will have to continue working on them. From my short experience up here with election years, it seems those sessions have not been the most productive. But I am hoping since we made headway last year with major pieces of legislation we can improve on those without delays and wasting our time."

Williams, who won her seat in a special election in February 1991, said she felt the legislature worked better with the executive branch last year with new Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan in office.

One big issue Williams expects lawmakers to address again is Senate Bill 380, an education reform bill. She believes some of the problems with the massive bill will be corrected this year.

Workers' compensation bills have been passed in the last two sessions, but Williams, who is involved with several small businesses, believes there is still work to do to keep premiums from burdening small businesses.

"The bill we passed last year didn't go near as far as it should to help small business, but it was better than the one we passed the year before," observed Williams. "I don't see us doing anything major on it this year, but if we keep making small strides, hopefully in a couple of years it can be more tolerable."

Tight finances will draw the attention of all legislators as they monitor the impact of the budget on programs they are concerned about and projects that affect their districts, Williams says.

"All of us worry about the appropriations cuts, whatever our special interests might be," said Williams. "One area I worry about is the mental health budget, which keeps getting cut."

In particular, the representative wants to be sure there is relief for families providing in-home services.

Another ongoing issue that will draw a great deal of attention in the 1994 session is crime. Increased crime has hit hard everywhere, making it a priority issue.

"Hopefully we can deal with that in our state, and on a nationwide basis," said Williams. "It's everywhere. It seemed like it always happened to someone else and we feel sorry for them, but it is in our backyard. I think there will be a special focus on crimes against children."

Williams said she has been receiving a lot of calls from organizations about the tax on bingo proceeds and plans to work with colleagues toward resolving that issue.

Among the legislation the second-term lawmaker anticipates handling this year are bills to change some of the restrictions on special education programs in schools to cut some of the red tape and expenses for school districts.

"Overall, I think this could turn out to be a pretty good session," Williams summed up.

Williams will continue as vice chairman of two committees in 1994: the committee for elementary and secondary education and the agri-business committee. She will also serve on committees for: banks and financial institutions; governmental organization; and fees and salaries.

The 159th District includes most of Stoddard County and a part of Scott County that includes Morley, Oran and Chaffee.