Addressing Priorities
During his State of the State Address in January, the governor set two priorities before the General Assembly: infrastructure funding and workforce development. The Senate took up both topics this week.
In response to the voters’ rejection of increasing the gas tax last November, the governor proposed issuing bonds to pay for repairs to 250 bridges throughout Missouri. On Tuesday, debate began on Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, which authorizes the governor’s plan. A number of senators favored a House of Representatives alternative which relied on general revenue funds. Those senators blocked SCR 14 with a filibuster that lasted until 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, when the measure was laid over.
The resolution was brought back up Thursday afternoon, when it was perfected and sent to the Fiscal Oversight Committee for review. In its current form, the measure calls for $301 million in bond funding, with repayment within seven years. The number of bridge projects has decreased to 215, with the remaining 35 projects to be funded out of state resources. All of the bridges in the original proposal, including four in Platte County, are still on track for repair or replacement.
This has been a contentious issue, but I believe we’ve reached a good compromise. The current plan addresses critical infrastructure needs without requiring a tax increase. It’s clear we need to do something about our transportation system. This seems like a fiscally sound way to do that.
SKILLED WORKERS FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW
The Senate also began work on a revamped jobs training program, another measure requested by the governor. One Start builds on the existing Missouri Works program to provide increased state funding to support training for Missouri businesses. The Senate perfected Senate Bill 184 this week.
Attracting new jobs to the state is important, but we shouldn’t overlook jobs that are already here. If businesses are going to succeed in the future, they need to train workers to continue to perform in an ever-changing workplace.
WHAT’S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE . . .
In November, the voters tightened restrictions on lobbyists’ gifts to lawmakers and created an entirely new process for determining legislative districts. I have serious reservations about the redistricting provisions of the Clean Missouri initiative, but I believe the ethics reforms are well-founded.
I was pleased, therefore, to hear House Bill 455 presented to the Senate Government Reform Committee. This measure says that municipal and county officials will be bound by the same limits on lobbyist gifts that apply to members of the Legislature.
Another measure to bring consistency to the rules governing elected officials advanced in the Senate this week. My Senate Joint Resolution 14, which applies term limits to all statewide elected office holders, was perfected and then referred to the Fiscal Oversight Committee.
Members of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the governor and state treasurer, are all limited to eight years in office. Currently, the lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state and state auditor can serve unlimited terms in office.
Voters have shown emphatically that they support term limits. My resolution, which requires a vote of the people before it can be adopted, brings parity to the terms of statewide officials. I think that’s just common sense and I believe voters will support not allowing career politicians.
Finally, it was my great pleasure to welcome a number of visitors to the State Capitol this week. Among those who came to Jefferson City were the mayor of St. Joseph and several other city officials who testified in support of House Bill 821, the companion legislation to my Senate Bill 424. Both measures authorize the creation of a Land Bank in St. Joseph to address urban blight in the city.
It is my great honor to represent the citizens of Platte and Buchanan counties in the Missouri Senate. Please contact my office at 573-751-2183, or visit www.senate.mo.gov/luetkemeyer.