Last year, the Senate established an interim committee to examine Medicaid in Missouri and find ways to improve what is an overwhelmed and underfinanced health care program. Every year we spend more and more as a state to provide Medicaid coverage to Missourians, yet the quality and efficiency of those services have not improved. The current Medicaid program is simply broken. Changes must be made.

Over the interim, the committee heard testimony from dozens of individuals on ways we can improve Medicaid. On Thursday, I filed legislation—based on many of the ideas brought up in the committee—that contains innovative solutions to our Medicaid system’s numerous problems. The bill would provide more high-quality and cost-effective health care to Missourians, while keeping those services fiscally responsible and accountable to taxpayers.

I’m also working again this year on revitalizing Missouri’s lead industry, an incredibly important part of our local and state economy. I’ve filed Senate Concurrent Resolution 19, which would extend the dissolution date of the Missouri Lead Industry Employment, Economic Development and Environmental Remediation Task Force.

This panel has worked hard over the last six months to find ways to breathe new life into an industry that could greatly grow the economy of our state, while protecting citizens. Technology has dramatically changed the way lead is mined and smelted. It can now be done with almost no risk to the public. It’s time we move past the history of lead mining in this state and embrace its future.

One of the committee’s main goals is bringing primary lead smelting back to not only our district, but the United States. There are currently none operating at this time anywhere in our nation. This is an incredible opportunity for our state to again be the main, perhaps only, provider of primary lead smelting in the country. I’m optimistic we can revitalize the lead industry in our state and create the jobs in our region that citizens need.

In addition, I’ve filed a measure that would create a tax credit for companies that donate to innovation campuses, an exciting new program established last year that allows local school districts, higher education institutions and certain businesses to work together to create accelerated degree programs in high-tech fields. This allows high school students to earn valuable experience in the kind of jobs employers need.

By offering this tax credit, we can bring the business community into the education conversation. These companies know exactly what kind of trained work force they require. Instead of students studying toward a degree in a field they hope will have positions open, these businesses can steer them toward the training they’ll need to land the jobs of tomorrow.

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