Legislative Actions and Information for the Week of April 16, 2018
| As the 2018 legislation session winds down, legislation continues to move through the process in the Missouri Senate. This week, the Missouri Senate returned to work on several pieces of legislation and sent two bills to the governor’s desk. Additionally, the Senate Appropriation Committee wrapped up its work on the state’s operating budget, and the General Assembly moves closer to finalizing next year’s budget.
On The Floor This week, the Missouri Senate observed a moment of silence for the passing of Eric Vickers, who passed away last Friday. Eric Vickers was an activist and served the people of the state of Missouri. He fought against racial discrimination and the oppression of others wherever it occurred. He served as Sen. Nasheed’s former chief of staff, but more importantly, he was her long-time friend and mentor. Senator Nasheed is saddened by his passing, but knows that his legacy will live on as long as people continue to stand up against injustice in the world. She appreciates the Missouri Senate taking the time to honor a man who gave so much in the pursuit of serving others. Bills and Committees Several of Sen. Nasheed’s priorities continued to move through the legislative process this week, either as stand-alone bills or as amendments to other bills. Senate Bill 652 – This legislation allows deputies with the Office of the Sheriff of the City of St. Louis to be Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified. This bill was approved by the Missouri Senate and sent to the Missouri House. Senate Bill 652 is scheduled for a hearing on April 24 before the House’s Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee. Senate Bill 792 – This bill allows those who were forced into sex trafficking and prostitution against their will to apply to have those charges expunged from their records. Senator Nasheed’s SB 792 was amended onto Senate Bill 793, which raises the age of adulthood from 17 to 18 with regard to criminal offenses. This bill was approved by the House Judiciary Committee on April 10. Senate Bill 925 – This legislative proposal addresses property tax issues surrounding urban and community gardens. It has been combined with Senate Bill 627, which was recently approved by the House’s Agriculture Policy committee. The legislation now heads to the House Rules- Legislative Oversight Committee for further examination. Appropriations The Senate Appropriations Committee has completed its work on the state’s $28 billion operating budget. As the committee worked to ensure the state’s bottom line was balanced, Sen. Nasheed was able to provide funding for a number of her priorities that benefit the St. Louis area. This includes the following funding: · Harris-Stowe State University Graduate Program by $250,000; · Harris-Stowe State University Core Funding by an additional $2 million; · Mission STL to $350,000; · Apprenticeship Programs to $300,000; · Midtown in St. Louis to $200,000. Now that the Senate Appropriations Committee has completed its work, the bills will be sent to the full Senate for further consideration and approval. The amounts mentioned above are how the budget currently stands, but as others in the Missouri Senate debate the budget, there is the possibility that these amounts could change. Any differences between the Senate’s budget and the House’s budget will be worked out in a conference committee. Other News Missouri House Passes Massive Tax Cut Plan The Missouri House of Representatives voted 91-61 to send a tax cut plan to the Missouri Senate. House Bill 2540 lowers the top state income tax rates from 6.25 percent for corporations and 5.9 percent for individuals to 5 percent for both. An initial estimate of the plan believed it would cost Missouri $800 million in general revenue. However, the version of the bill passed by the Missouri House, through a series of offsets and increases, is estimated to cost the state $237 million in general revenue. All of these losses would occur before the state receives a modest general revenue increase once the proposal is fully implemented. Attorney General Suggests Governor may have Committed Felony In a press conference on April 17, Missouri’s attorney general announced his office has uncovered evidence that suggests the governor committed a felony by taking a donor list from a charity he founded and used the list for campaign purposes. Citing Missouri law, the attorney general said the felony would likely fall under the category of computer tampering. The attorney general has turned over the evidence to the St. Louis circuit attorney, who has jurisdiction in the case since the alleged crime happened in St. Louis. Vacancy Filled on Missouri Ethics Commission On April 13, the governor announced nominees to fill two of the three vacancies on the Missouri Ethics Commission, which oversees compliance with ethics and election laws in the state. On April 19, the Missouri Senate gave advice and consent to one nominee to serve on the commission. |