Session Preview

Throwing Senate Tradition
Out The Window

Removing Benefits, Not Beneficial
For Missouri's Children

Earlier this month on May 5, the Legislature overrode the governor’s veto on Senate Bill 24, also known as the “Strengthening Missouri Families Act.” This legislation modifies laws relating to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Last month the General Assembly passed SB 24, which I voted against, and sent it to the governor for his signature.

This legislation enforces stricter work requirements, decreases lifetime eligibility limits on these state funded benefits from 60 months to 45 months, and enforces strict sanctions, which effects the entire family, for recipients not meeting work requirements. These new requirements and sanctions cause devastating effects on not only the recipients of TANF, but to Missouri’s children as well.

I was disappointed to see the Legislature override a measure that will have such detrimental effects on so many Missourians. Once enacted on January 1, 2016, an estimated 9,465 recipients of TANF will be cut from the program, 6,310 of which are children. This measure hurts both the neediest parents and children in Missouri and I cannot support legislation that would produce full-family sanctions to harm the poorest families in our state. It is wrong to remove a imperative life-line from some many in need.

After the governor vetoed House Bill 150 earlier this month, legislation that modifies the duration of unemployment compensation, the House overrode the governor’s veto on May 12. Although the Senate did not address this legislation during regular session, it could still be taken up during the veto session in September in an effort to complete the override of the governor’s veto.

House Bill 150 would reduce the maximum amount of time one could receive unemployment benefits from the current 20 weeks to 13 weeks, which would be one of the shortest durations in the nation. This measure would also reduce benefits for Missourians who receive severance pay upon losing their job.

The national standard for unemployment compensation is 26 weeks. With Missouri already one of seven states well below the standard it is unfair to further punish those who have become unemployed, many times due to circumstances outside of their control.

Unemployment benefits are intended to serve as a bridge for those who have lost their jobs and are actively pursuing future employment. For many Missouri families these benefits could mean putting food on the table or keeping utilities on in their homes, as well as providing many other safety nets for Missourians experiencing difficult times.

If the Senate overrides the governor’s veto in September, it will result in hurting Missourians during a tough and vulnerable time. It is distressing to me that the well-being of employers takes precedence over the lives of the residents of our state. It will never be right to take from those who are suffering, which is essentially what this legislation would do. I hope my colleagues will see the devastating effect this legislation would have on Missouri families and chose not to override the measure.

Numerous hours of debate was devoted to House Bill 10 and House Bill 11 in the final months of session. These budget bills created much controversy over the Senate-proposed, lump summing of separate spending plans for the Departments of Social Services, Mental Health and Health and Senior Services. This was intended to shift focus onto the unchecked and unsustainable growth of programs within these departments in an attempt to identify areas of savings. I argued that the $140 million proposed cuts to our state’s crucial programs was not the answer.

I was pleased to see $100 million restored to the budget for these departments in the conference committee, lump sums removed and the line items reinstated. However, even a $40 million cut to these departments is unsatisfactory and could drastically affect the lives of Missourians in a distressing way.

The number of foster children, seniors, and Missourians with disabilities and mental illnesses are consecutively increasing. These departments cannot afford a cut in funding, and any cuts would result in a detrimental loss of federal matching funds they currently receive. I am disappointed the Governor did not recognize the negative impact thousands of Missourians who rely on these departments and their services will experience with even a $40 million cut.

I extend my full support in making these departments more efficient by exercising fiscal restraint, and reinvesting funds in other programs. There is just no room currently in these budgets for cuts due to their growing demand. Slowing the growth of social welfare programs by removing crucial funds allocated for these programs is not an effective effort in identifying savings.

The Department of Social Services has seen a rapid increase in the number of children entering the system due to neglect and abuse, as well as Missouri footing a large portion of the bill for caseloads exceeding 893,000 in Medicaid recipients. The cuts in funding to these services will most impact the 90 percent of children, elderly, and blind and disabled Missourians on welfare. It is our responsibility to ensure these important programs are fully funded and protect the best interests of all Missourians. We cannot take funds that protect the health and safety of Missourians, period.

I was happy to see important legislation that will enact a comprehensive review of Missouri’s Tax Code was passed through both chambers in a bipartisan manner this session and was signed by the governor. Senator Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, and I sponsored House Bill 384 in order to create a study commission and provide Missourians with a more adequate and comprehensive tax code.

In addition to creating the Tax Study Commission, the Senate Substitute for House Bill 384 will also replace the current Office of Taxpayer Ombudsman within the Department of Revenue with an independent Office of Taxpayer Advocate in order to assist and defend taxpayers; amend state laws to reflect clarity of the rights of Missourians to the consistent application of state tax laws, rather than arbitrary or inconsistent action by the Department of Revenue; and provide eligible taxpayers with a one-time limited period between Sept. 1, 2015, and Nov. 30, 2015, to pay delinquent taxes without the assessment or payment of all penalties, additions to tax and interest, which occurred on or prior to Dec. 31, 2014.

It has been four decades since Missouri’s tax code has been reviewed, and the Legislature recognizes that Missouri cannot build economic strength when our state is being financed by an outdated tax system. The Study Commission established under HB 384, will be responsible for conducting a detailed, multi-year assessment of Missouri’s tax system. It will be tasked with examining not only the tax code, but also identifying its strengths and weaknesses and providing recommendations to the executive and legislative branches on improvements to the code.

Our state is severely lacking funding for vital programs and systems throughout the state. We need a tax code that reinforces sound fiscal policy in order to fulfill our priorities. Missourians deserve a tax code that is stronger, more efficient and generates continual economic growth, and we in the Capitol recognize this. That is why we passed this measure, for the financial future of our state and those that reside in it.

As you can see, there is much work to be done by your elected officials in the upcoming year. It is an honor to serve as your state senator. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments at www.senate.mo.gov/levota or by contacting my Capitol office at (573) 751-3074.

Senator Paul LeVota
State Capitol Building, Rm. 421
(573) 751-3074
Paul.LeVota@senate.mo.gov