Love note from Jeff City

Greetings, My Fellow Missourians

On my way back to the Capitol on Monday, I made time to attend the funeral service in Clinton for fallen Police Officer Christopher Ryan Morton. He was killed in the line of duty, the second police office in Clinton to give their “all” in less than a year.  It was a very somber service, but it was also very moving to see his fellow law enforcement members come from all over Missouri to honor and pay tribute to him.

Legislation this week:

Repealing Prevailing Wage Law (HBs 1729, 1621 & 1436) – The House approved a bill meant to make public construction projects more affordable for taxpayers. The bill would repeal Missouri’s prevailing wage law to help reduce the cost of construction and maintenance projects for municipalities and school districts, such as the construction or repair of bridges, school buildings, and fire stations;  Prevailing Wage has caused communities and school districts to pay too much for needed construction or maintenance, or to forego the projects entirely.  The repeal would allow public works projects to be awarded to the most qualified, competitive bidder.  It would allow the state, counties, municipalities, schools and other government agencies to be better stewards of taxpayer dollars.   It was second read in the Senate today and has been referred to the Senate General Laws Committee.

Helping First-Time Home Buyers (HB 1796) – House members gave approval to a bill that would make it easier for Missourians to save money to buy their first home. The bill would establish the First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account Act and authorize a tax deduction for contributions to a savings account dedicated to buying a first home. It would authorize an individual income tax deduction for 50 percent of the contributions to the account and have an annual contribution deduction limit of $1,600 per taxpayer. The bill specifies the maximum contribution limit for all tax years would be $20,000 and the maximum total amount in the savings account would be $30,000.

Third read and passed through the House today, HB 1503 would establish a fund for providing state-guaranteed small business loans to veterans.  After World War II, 49 percent of returning veterans started their own businesses because a federal loan guarantee was available. Currently, only 6 percent of returning veterans start their own business. The bill would provide veterans with an opportunity to start their own business and contribute to the state’s economy.

Parental Notification Bill (HB 1383) – House members also voted to require the notification of both parents when a minor in Missouri seeks to have an abortion. The legislation would require that a parent or guardian giving consent for a minor to have an abortion notify any other custodial parent or guardian in writing before the minor gives her consent.  Missouri law now requires that a minor seeking an abortion and only one parent or guardian of that minor give written consent before the procedure can be performed.  It has been second read in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Seniors, Families and Children.

Approved by the House and now moving through the Senate, HB 1614 would prohibit political subdivisions from adopting or enforcing ordinances or regulations relating to seeds or fertilizers.  This bill would ensure that all residents of Missouri have the same ability to use fertilizers on their crops and fields. Political subdivisions are already prohibited from adopting ordinances, rules, or regulations relating to pesticides. This legislation would also do the same for fertilizers.