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| April Capitol Report | Contact: (573) 751- 3074 | ||
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| Important Legislation on the Senate Floor | |||
In the past month, Sen. LeVota has taken a stand against several major bills that would have a detrimental effect on the people of Missouri. Senate Bill 26 would cut income taxes while raising the state sales tax. The bill makes the tax system more regressive and is essentially a tax hike on working-class people. At the same time, it would leave the state short on funds that are desperately needed to provide services like education and healthcare. The fiscal note attached to the bill estimates a decline in state revenue from $477 million to as much as $670 million. Senator LeVota decried the bill as part of a race to the bottom among states. “We need to be the Show-Me State, not the Me-Too State,” Sen. LeVota argued before the Senate. “If this bill becomes law, it will be more expensive for working families in Missouri to purchase every day necessities.” Senator LeVota also opposed Senate Bill 29, legislation that limits the rights of public employees’ unions. The bill would create hurdles for unions to collect dues from their members. It would also obstruct political activity by unions. Speaking before the Senate, Sen. LeVota said that he stood behind the many union members in his district that contacted him about the bill and promised that he would not be swayed by out-of-state interest groups. “This legislation is unnecessary, and it’s not something that public employees actually want,” Sen. LeVota said. “I can only see it as an attack on unions.” |
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| LeVota Presents Medicaid Expansion Bill to Committee | |||
Starting in 2014, Missouri has the opportunity to provide healthcare to millions of low-income people while also strengthening the state's struggling rural hospitals under the Medicaid expansion provision of the Affordable Care Act. But first, it is up to the state Legislature to pass a bill raising eligibility for MO HealthNet. Senator LeVota has argued for higher Medicaid eligibility rates since 2005. This year, he is again at the forefront of the issue. His bill, Senate Bill 349, was heard before the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 13. Senator LeVota told the committee that the push for broader health coverage is a continuation of the efforts of Harry S. Truman and Lyndon B. Johnson to provide medical coverage for all Americans. “I see this as the most important issue that the General Assembly is facing this year,” Sen. LeVota said. “This could be the single largest job-creation program in the state of Missouri.” Senator LeVota’s testimony was followed by 30 supportive witnesses, from healthcare providers to business owners to people affected by health crises. Only one person testified against the measure. The bill was defeated on a party-line vote in committee, but Sen. LeVota remains committed to finding a solution for Missouri’s healthcare shortages. |
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| Sponsored Bills Move Forward | |||
Senator LeVota has introduced a measure, Senate Bill 386, which would merge the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners and the Jackson County Board of Election Commissioners into one board that would serve the entire county. This measure would eliminate confusion and bureaucracy for Jackson County voters. On March 25, he appeared before the Senate Committee on Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections to support the bill. Jackson County Chief Administrative Officer Fred Siems testified before the committee that the measure would save more than $1 million each year. “SB 386 reduces redundancies and increases accountability in our election process,” said Sen. LeVota. On April 2, one of Sen. LeVota's bills was perfected by the Senate. Senate Bill 258 is aimed at increasing local participation in Kansas City School Board elections by reducing the number of seats from nine to seven and by moving the school board election date to the day of general municipal elections. Now that the bill has been perfected, it will need a final vote to be passed out of the Senate and sent to the House. “In Jefferson City, we talk about money, we talk about teachers, we talk about state intervention, but we rarely talk about how to get the people living in the district more involved,” said Sen. LeVota. “The public is involved through the election, and my hope is that this bill will increase public participation in the process.” |
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| Town Hall Meeting at William Chrisman High School | |||
On March 28, Sen. LeVota spoke to approximately 30 constituents at William Chrisman High School in Independence. Independence Councilman at Large Chris Whiting joined Sen. LeVota at the public meeting. He discussed developments in the Senate like tax policy and labor legislation, and answered questions about his own sponsored bills. Town hall meetings are a great way to open communication between the people and their elected representatives. Senator LeVota’s next town hall meeting will take place at Van Horn High School in Independence on April 25 at 7:00 p.m.
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| LeVota Meets with Independence Chamber of Commerce | |||
On March 28, leaders from the Independence business community traveled to the Capitol to meet with state officials. These businesspeople represent the wide range of industries that thrive in Independence. Following a breakfast in the Capitol, Sen. LeVota was proud to introduce his guests on the Senate floor.
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| Senate Bowling Tournament Raises Money for Charity | |||
Senator Paul LeVota, Sen. Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, and the staff of their respective offices bowled 1159 in a two-game series as part of Senate charity bowling night on March 25. The bowling tournament raised $4400 for Relay for Life. |
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Senator Paul LeVota |
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