Legislative News

The Missouri Senate spent the first part of this week finalizing its version of the state’s $26.8 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2015. The version approved by the upper chamber on Tuesday afternoon reflects the priorities of the Senate, namely supporting education in the state and protecting taxpayer dollars by adhering to fiscal responsibility and common-sense spending.

The operating plan endorsed this week provides a $115 million dollar increase to Missouri’s $3.1 billion in state support to public schools. One of our fundamental duties is to provide a quality education to the children of this state. The increase is a solid step in bolstering the funds of public schools. And, if the governor’s revenue projections turn out correct, the total increase could come to $278 million.

The budget also includes a $15 million increase in school transportation, especially important to more rural areas with students living in very large districts; a 5 percent total increase in general revenue for performance-based funding of Missouri’s colleges and universities; and an additional $189,800 in general revenue funding for newborn screening services, among countless other items.

The budget deadline is Friday, May 9. We’ll spend the next two weeks working with House members to iron out differences between the two spending plans. Then, the agreed to bills will have to be finally approved by both bodies before going to the governor.

We also approved a resolution this week that would put before a vote of the people a proposal that, if approved, would increase Missouri’s sales tax by three-fourths of one percent to generate revenue to repair our state’s roads, bridges, and local transportation projects.

Missouri’s roads are falling apart.  Also, our cities and counties have been battling funding for their roads and bridges.  House Joint Resolution 68 would direct 5 percent of the revenue go to cities and 5 percent to counties for their infrastructure.

Also approved by the Senate this week was House Bill 1439, similar to Senate Bill 613. Both bills would enact the Second Amendment Preservation Act to protect the constitutional right of Missourians to keep and bears arms.

In addition, we passed House Bill 2238, which allows patients with intractable epilepsy—individuals, including many children, who suffer from severe seizures that don’t respond to current forms of treatment—to take an oil extracted from hemp plants.

CBD oil, as it’s known, has shown to be incredibly effective in treating the systems of this form of epilepsy. Passage of this bill would change the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of families in Missouri who currently deal with a debilitating and heartbreaking disorder. I’m hopeful the legislation reaches the governor’s desk.

District News

The Missouri Department of Conservation is hosting a Kids’ Fishing Day at Roaring River State Park on Saturday, May 17, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Young anglers will have opportunities to learn about fishing, one of Missouri’s favorite pastimes, and catch a fish or two of their own.

At Kids’ Fishing Day, children age 15 and under will be able to pick up free trout tags at the hatchery office any time on the Friday before the event or all day on Saturday. A portion of the fishing area of the park will be reserved for youths age 15 and under. Volunteers will be on hand to help out. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Parents are welcome to help kids, but only one pole may be used between the helper and the child. Adults are not allowed to fish by themselves.

Free hotdogs, chips, and soda will be available 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Education is also part of Kids’ Fishing Day. Throughout the day, seminars will be held on fish cleaning, fish cooking, knife sharpening, knot tying, fly tying and fly casting, how to fish Roaring River, stream biology and other subjects. A hatchery tour will be held to show how trout are raised. A program on Missouri snakes will be given using live specimens. Activities such as critter stamp head bands will also be available.

If kids attend three classes they will be entered into a drawing for prizes. The drawing will be held at 5:00 p.m. Children must be present to win. Classes are also open to the whole family, but only children may enter the drawings.

For more information, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website at www.mdc.mo.gov.

The Missouri Credit Union Association (MCUA) has offered the following tips on how to use your annual tax refund to your advantage:

• Start an Emergency Fund
  
  A recent survey by MCUA showed that less than 30 percent of respondents reported having enough savings to last four months or more, and 42 percent reported having no savings at all.  If you fall into this category, take some or all of your tax refund and start an emergency savings account.
  
  
• Open an IRA
  
  Don’t rely solely on your 401(k) or Social Security for your income after retirement.  Use the money from your tax refund to start an individual retirement account.
  
  
• Pay Down Your Debts
  
  Whether you have a high interest credit card, school loan, car payments or another outstanding loan, it all accumulates interest.  Use your tax refund to pay down or pay off an existing loan.  This may also have a cumulative effect, allowing you to increase payments on other debts.
  
  
• Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
  
  An energy-efficient home means lower costs on bills.  Consider the purchase of solar panels, a new roof, a programmable thermostat, or LED light bulbs.  This will also add to the value of your home – and is something to consider if you want to sell your house in the near future.
  
  
• Start a Garden
  
  Buying organic fruits and vegetables from the grocery store is expensive and can easily break your budget.  Use your tax refund to start a garden in your backyard and eat healthier for less.
  
  
• Prepare Your Summer Vacation
  
  If you’re planning to get away this summer, use your tax refund to reserve the hotel room, pay for airfare or set aside funds for vacation activities.  Remember, the earlier you plan and budget for a trip, the more likely it is you won’t be paying for your vacation long after you return home.