Dear Friends:

In an effort to keep you informed about the activities at your State Capitol and how those activities may impact your lives, I am offering a regular electronic newsletter. This column includes information about bills making their way through the legislative process, including legislation that directly affects the citizens of Kansas City. I welcome your feedback and encourage you to contact my office with any questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you.

Legislation I filed in the Senate last week is designed to expand our state's beneficial Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Initiative. Senate Bill 941 would award grants to Missouri's two- and four-year colleges and universities and school districts that have entered into an agreement to offer information technology certification through technical course work.

This certification would be available to students who are enrolled in public high schools that are working in collaboration with a public two- or four-year higher education institution that is focusing on preparing, attracting, training, and retaining skilled and educated citizens in these STEM fields. The program would include instruction on skills and competencies that are essential for our state to compete in the competitive global market.

According to the Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition, on average, recent STEM college graduates earn 18 percent more than their counterparts in non-STEM fields. In the life sciences industry alone, 2,100 firms employ 183,000 Missourians. And STEM-based industries accounted for three-quarters of Missouri's $10.6 billion in products and services exported in 2005.

Our state's higher education institutions, in conjunction with our school districts, play a large role in promoting careers in the STEM field. My legislation goes one step further in molding a workforce that is prepared and skilled in science, technology, engineering and math.

Missouri's 529 College Savings Plan, most commonly known as MOST, is an easy and useful way for families in the Kansas City area to save for two- and four-year colleges and universities, postsecondary trade and vocational schools, and postgraduate programs.

It is important to share vital programs, such as MOST, with my constituents, who can immediately begin saving for future higher-education expenses and open the doors of opportunity for their family members. You can start saving today for a better future by making a low minimum investment, reaping tax benefits, and taking advantage of how easy the program is to use.

• MOST allows adults to open an account with as little as $25 and make contributions of $25 or more ($15 or more if using payroll direct deposit).
• There are no federal or Missouri state income taxes on investment earnings or on withdrawals used for qualified higher-education expenses. Account holders who live in Missouri can deduct their contributions (up to $8,000 or $16,000 if married filing jointly) from their state income tax.*
• Individuals can open a MOST 529 account in about 10 minutes by visit missouricollegesavings.com. This online account also allows users to view statements, make contributions and obtain performance information any time.

For more information on how you can take advantage of this state program, please visit www.missourimost.org, call 888-414-MOST, or email most529@missourimost.org. You may also write to: MOST - Missouri's 529 College Savings Plan, P.O. Box 219212, Kansas City, MO 64121-9212.

*Earnings on nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10 percent federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements. Contributions to the plan in a tax year are deductible from Missouri state income tax up to certain limits but may be subject to recapture in subsequent years if you make a nonqualified withdrawal.

The 2014 Kansas City Artists Coalition's Undergraduate College Student Exhibition promises to feature some of the area's most prominent work from talented artists from both sides of the state line. The KCAC recently announced the rundown for this year's event designed to encourage undergraduate students to showcase their pieces in a gallery show in Kansas City and compete for the Leigh Rosenberg Earnest Memorial Fund Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to up to four of the most outstanding participants, as judged by this year's juror, Tommy Frank, the current Studio Manager at Red Star Studios in Kansas City.

Calendar:

• March 12 - Entry submissions due (www.CallForEntry.org)
• March 21 - Notification of artists begins
• April 4-5 - Artwork due (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)
• April 11 - Exhibition is open to the public,
  Opening Reception (5-8 p.m.)
• April 25 - Exhibition ends
• April 26 - Pick up works (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)

The 2014 Kansas City Artists Coalition's Undergraduate College Student Exhibition will take place at the Mallin and Jacqueline B. Charno Galleries, located at 201 Wyandotte, Kansas City, Mo., 64105.

The deadlines for this event are fast approaching. For more information about the KCAC Undergraduate College Student Exhibition, please contact information@kansascityartistscoalition.org.