Dear Friends:

In an effort to keep you informed about the activities at your state Capitol and how those activities might impact your lives, I am offering a regular electronic newsletter. I will send you information about bills making their way through the legislative process, especially bills that directly impact the lives of Kansas Citians. I welcome your feedback and encourage you to contact my office with any questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you.

First Senate Bills of 2013 Delivered to Governor

The Missouri Senate put in some long hours this week as my colleagues and I wrapped up our work on a few of the majority's legislative priorities before we adjourned for our annual spring recess.

One of the bills I filed this legislative session was passed out of the Senate this week. Senate Bill 224 increases the maximum salaries that may be paid to the chief of police and officers of the Kansas City Police Department. My legislation also allows actions taken by the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners, such as suspending, removing or demoting the chief of police, subject to review by any court.

Democratic senators stood united in their opposition to legislation which increased taxes on low- and middle-income Missouri families, while cutting taxes for wealthy Missourians and corporations. Senate Bill 26 increases the state sales tax while decreasing income taxes and business taxes.

The Minority Floor Leader of the Missouri Senate, Sen. Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, says the combination of increasing sales taxes while cutting income and business taxes is poor policy. During floor debate, she tells those in the Senate chamber that this legislation is going to make it more expensive for working families in Missouri to purchase everyday necessities if this bill becomes law. Missouri is a low-tax, low-service state. However, this bill would shift the tax burden from corporations and wealthy Missourians to those who can least afford a tax increase.

Another one of my colleagues, Sen. Paul LeVota, a Democrat also from Kansas City, said it was ridiculous to vote on a more than 300-page bill that was debated on and passed within one day when lawmakers are uncertain of the fiscal impact it will have on our state. He asked his colleagues to delay a vote on this bill until members of the Legislature know how it is going to impact the programs and services that Missourians depend on. The fiscal note attached to SB 26 estimates a decline in state revenue from $477 million to as much as $670 million. The measure was given final approval on a 23-11 vote, with one Republican joining all 10 Senate Democrats in opposing the tax increase on working families.

The General Assembly this week continued its assault on public employee labor unions by approving the so-called "paycheck protection" bill, Senate Bill 29, on a 24-10 party-line vote. The bill requires public employee labor unions to get annual written consent from employees in order to allow union dues and fees to be deducted from the employee's paycheck. However, unions representing first responders, such as police and firefighters, are exempted from the new requirements. The bill sponsor was unable to explain why some labor unions were carved out of the bill when questioned during debate.

One of my colleagues, Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, says she has a tough time understanding why the Republican majority is spending so much time trying to restrict the activities of labor unions. Currently the union population is 8 percent. However, legislators are spending a lot of time in the Senate this year working to address this small percentage of the state's population. Sen. Walsh goes on to say the other 92 percent of Missourians must think we're crazy.

We also approved a constitutional proposal this week that would raise more than $8 billion over 10 years for transportation infrastructure projects in the Show-Me State. Senate Joint Resolution 16 would increase the Missouri sales and use tax by 1 percent for 10 years upon voter approval of this constitutional amendment. The proposal is sponsored by Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, who is a former member of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, and co-sponsored by Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City. If passed, the measure would be resubmitted to voters every 10 years until it is defeated.

During debate, the bill's co-sponsor told members in the chamber that Missouri has the lowest fuel tax of the eight surrounding states outside of Oklahoma, and more bridges and miles of roadways than several of our neighboring states combined. Sen. McKenna goes on to share his passion about improving Missouri's roads and bridges, an issue that has been addressed in the General Assembly for years, referencing two highways in his district that are notorious for the number of serious accidents that occur each year.

Five percent of the estimated $8 billion generated by this constitutional amendment would be distributed to Missouri counties, while another 5 percent would be distributed to Missouri cities, with the remaining 90 percent allocated for statewide transportation infrastructure by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. The Legislature, counties and cities would be prohibited from increasing or decreasing the motor fuel tax while the sales and use tax increase is in effect.

Finally, senators approved legislation this week that allows tenured teachers in the St. Louis City School District to be removed based on incompetency. Senate Bill 125, sponsored by Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, changes the prohibition on new teachers being hired while available teachers have been placed on leave of absence due to a reduction in forces because of insufficient funds or a decrease in student enrollment. Instead, new teachers cannot be appointed when there are properly qualified teachers on unrequested leave of absence. Under the bill, a leave of absence because of a reduction in force will not impair the tenure of a teacher and will continue up to three years, unless extended by the school board.

The Missouri General Assembly has adjourned for its annual spring recess and will return to the Capitol on March 25. Senators will begin work on the $25 billion state budget when they return to Jefferson City. Work on the budget must be completed by Friday, May 10. The legislative session concludes at 6:00 p.m. on May 17.

Status of Sen. Curls' Sponsored Legislation

The following are measures I have filed this session (notes last legislative action):

• Senate Bill 151 - Changes the notice requirement to a tenant in a foreclosure action from 10 to 90 days (assigned to the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee)
• Senate Bill 152 - Allows judges to suspend the imposition of an adult criminal sentence for juvenile offenders (assigned to the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee)
• Senate Bill 153 - Requires a non-custodial parent to pay child support until the child reaches 22 instead of 21 years of age (assigned to the Senate Seniors, Families and Pensions Committee)
• Senate Bill 223 - Modifies provisions of the Public School Retirement System of Kansas City (hearing conducted in the Senate Seniors, Families and Pensions Committee)
• Senate Bill 224 - Increases the maximum salaries that may be paid to the members of the Kansas City Police Department and provides that actions taken against the police chief are subject to review (passed by the Senate and delivered to the House)
• Senate Bill 225 - Modifies laws regarding educational parental support for higher education (assigned to the Senate Judicial and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee)
• Senate Bill 262 - Prohibits heath carriers from denying coverage for a health care service on the basis that the service was provided through telemedicine if the same service would be covered when delivered in person (voted out of the Senate Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee and sent to the full Senate for possible debate)
• Senate Bill 263 - Creates the crimes of assault of an employee of a mass transit system while in the scope of his or her duties in the first, second and their degree (assigned to the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee)
• Senate Bill 346 - Modifies the eligibility requirements for food stamp assistance (hearing conducted in the Senate Governmental Accountability & Fiscal Oversight Committee)
• Senate Bill 388 - Regulates certain contracts for the sale of residential real estate (assigned to the Senate Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee)
• Senate Bill 389 - Provides a process for the Parole Board to review the case histories of offenders serving more than 15 years in prison and recommend clemency or allow release on parole (assigned to the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee)
• Senate Bill 422 - Relating to the designation of highways (assigned to the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
• Senate Joint Resolution 11 - Increases the amount of time for repaying the Budget Reserve Fund when monies from this fund are appropriated due to a disaster or the governor's reduction of the state's expenditures (assigned to Senate Ways and Means Committee)
• Senate Joint Resolution 20 - Authorizes the creation of Show-Me Small Business Districts (assigned to the Senate Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee)

To read more about my legislative actions in the Missouri Senate, visit my Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/curls and click on the various informative links, which include my news releases, under my Media tab.