On April 2, the Missouri Department of Revenue, as requested by the subpoena issued on March 29, delivered 16 boxes of information to my office and has 34 more boxes in their possession for our review. The Missouri Senate is currently in the process of going through the 16 boxes and has asked the department for additional information. 

That same day, the Missouri Alliance for Children Youth and Family had its Child Advocacy Day in the Capitol. National Day of Prayer held its Show Me Your Glory Prayer event. I also was able to spend time with Leadership Columbia and discussed current issues occurring in the legislature. I greatly appreciated the snacks and cookies the City of Joplin delivered to my office in the afternoon! I want to thank these groups for visiting my office and expressing their missions and concerns. 

On Wednesday (4-3), I continued to see many groups stop by my office. The University of Missouri had its Extension Day, and I was able to meet with a group from the MU Research Reactor. Missouri State Autism stopped by my office Wednesday afternoon to present its legislative concerns. The Beer Wholesalers Association was also in the Capitol and hosted its annual Cooking with Beer event later that evening. The interests of Missourians are my first priority, and I appreciate the time these citizens spend in my office!

On Thursday (4-4), Senate Joint Resolution 14 was third read and passed. This constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, would reaffirm Missourians’ right to bear arms and require the State of Missouri to protect that right from infringement.

The current status of my proposed legislation for this session is as follows:

• Senate Bill 226, which would modify the standards for determining when a person is in need of mental health detention and evaluation, is on the formal calendar for perfection.
• House Bill 55, which I am handling in the Senate, creates a tax amnesty program. The measure is on the formal calendar of House Bills for final approval in the Senate.
• Senate Bill 13, an act that would change solid waste language, is on the informal calendar for perfection.
• Senate Bill 82, which deals with a possible lieutenant governor vacancy, is on the informal calendar for perfection.
• Senate Bill 466, which would require all donation receptacles to have the name and contact information of the receptacle owner, was heard in General Laws Committee on Wednesday (4-3).
• Senate Bill 467, which would require the General Assembly to consider youth smoking statistics when appropriating money from the Life Sciences Research Fund, was also heard in the General Laws Committee on Wednesday (4-3).
• Senate Bill 462, which authorizes clerks of circuit courts to collect a surcharge of up to $10 when processing garnishments, was heard in Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on April 3.  
• Senate Bill 468, which would allow local hospitals to abolish the current property taxes authorized to fund hospital operations and establish a sales tax for such operations instead, was heard in the Ways and Means Committee on Thursday (4-4).

Did you know...?

Kansas City is known for its barbeque cuisine, which began in 1908 when Henry Perry, the "Father of Kansas City BBQ," started selling his smoked meats in an alley stand in the Garment District. As his tasty food gained popularity, he moved up until he was running his full-time operation out of an old railroad car near the famous corner of 18th & Vine.

Thank you for your continued interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Cooper counties. If you have any questions or concerns throughout this session, please contact my office.