While some news reports indicate that the economy is moving forward again, I’m not ready to believe it. Times remain tough for many families and the middle class increasingly lives paycheck to paycheck.
To help, last year the General Assembly passed a modest state income tax cut, the first in more than 90 years, that was later vetoed by the governor.

Knowing there are thousands of people within our district who could be helped by such gradual tax cuts, I found it reasonable to support a modest tax cut package this year. Senate Bill 509 phases in a reduction of individual income taxes by one-half percent over a period of five years beginning in 2017. Nearly every Missouri family will be able to take advantage of the tax cuts. The measure is billed as, and truly is, a people’s tax cut. One provision alone helps low-income Missourians by increasing the personal income tax exemption amount by $500 for those making less than $20,000 each year.

SB 509 was also written with small business in mind. The bill phases in a 25 percent income tax deduction for small businesses, of which more than 6,100 small businesses in Platte and Buchanan counties alone will be able to take advantage of in future years. Ninety percent of employers in Missouri fall into the small business category. This legislation will help our businesses better compete against neighboring states, while continuing to foster a “jobs friendly” business climate.

The Legislature expected another veto from the governor, which happened early last month. His concerns did not take into account the triggers that exist in the bill to protect state services and education.  For example, the tax cut is delayed each year that state revenues do not grow by $150 million. However, lawmakers understood this legislation will benefit Missourians across the board and overrode the governor’s veto on May 6. State income taxes will go down, beginning in 2017.

Missourians also need relief in the arena of health care access and cost. Senate Bill 754 is one of several health care bills that passed this year that I believe will truly help families and save lives.  In it are three provisions worth highlighting: the Show-Me ECHO Program, the Assistant Physician Program, and the extension of the MoRx Program.

The Show-Me ECHO Program is also known as the Show-Me Extension for Community Health Care Outcomes (ECHO) Program that originated in New Mexico to combat Hepatitis B. In our state, it will be a collaboration between the University of Missouri and Department of Health and Senior Services. This program will use current telehealth technology to share knowledge of best practices for the treatment of chronic, common, and complex diseases from a team of medical experts to local providers who will then be able to quickly deliver the treatment to patients. ECHO reduces the need for long trips to see specialists and it gives primary care providers access to specialists they wouldn’t have in underserved areas.

The first-in-the-nation Assistant Physician Program will also help bring care to underserved areas across the state by allowing medical school graduates (who are not matched to their desired placement location) to obtain a temporary assistant physician license in order to practice medicine.  These young physicians will work in a collaborative arrangement with a supervising doctor and are limited to providing primary care services. The aim of this legislation, which I helped usher through the Senate, is to increase access to quality health care.

The Mo Rx Program has existed for several years now and helps cover the cost for prescription medications. The program serves Missouri patients who are enrolled in Medicare Part D and will continue to serve those who need assistance into 2017.

Another piece of legislation that awaits the governor's signature is House Bill 1685 that is nicknamed the “Compassionate Care” bill. Working with Rep. Jim Neely, R-Cameron, we proposed legislation allowing drug manufacturers to offer terminally ill patients their medication or product if it has passed an FDA Phase I clinical trial. Designed to offer dying patients one more option as they struggle to fight illnesses such as cancer, this legislation can give hope to those families who likely have no other treatment options available to them.

If you have any questions about this or other legislation, you can visit the Missouri Senate website (www.senate.mo.gov), where you can also keep track of important dates and review hearing schedules for Senate and House committees. If I can be of assistance or can answer any questions, please feel free to contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-2183.