Senate Wraps Up Successful First Half of Session
The Missouri General Assembly is currently on its annual legislative spring break, which also marks the midpoint of session. With a number of significant achievements already behind us, this year’s spring break is a much-needed respite — giving me and my colleagues a chance to spend time with our families, visit folks in our communities and recharge our batteries for the home stretch of session.
While both chambers have already held extensive debates on a wide range of issues, our focus for the first half of session has primarily centered on passing legislation that will promote job creation and economic development in the Show-Me State.
The Senate has addressed regulatory reform passing legislation in response to a Supreme Court decision, which will exempt delivery charges (such as pizza deliveries) from sales and use taxes. This bill reinforces the current tax structure for these delivery based businesses, who were throw into a world of uncertainty after the court ruling.
The Senate has also passed several tort reform bills, which will level the playing field for businesses, protect those who have been victimized or damaged by those violating the law, and begin to bring balance back to our judicial system.
These are just a few of the bills the Senate has already sent to the House, with many more still working their way through the process. When lawmakers return to Jefferson City on Monday, only seven weeks will remain in the 2017 legislative session. From passing a fiscally responsible budget to ensuring our remaining priority measures reach the governor’s desk, much work is left to be finished before the final gavel falls on May 12th.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. My Capitol office number is (573) 751-1415, my email is dan.hegeman@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 332, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.