State of the State Address and the Governor’s Priorities
On Wednesday, Jan. 15, the governor gave his annual State of the State Address. During the address, he laid out his agenda and priorities for the 2020 legislative session. The governor discussed several topics, ranging from the economy and our state’s infrastructure to education and public safety.
Our state’s economy certainly saw a boost in the last year, with nearly $5 billion in private investments being brought to the state and with it, 40,000 new jobs. The past year saw the relocation of two USDA divisions in Kansas City, creating over 500 new jobs. Currently, Missouri ranks seventh in the nation for small business growth, and there are several companies looking to invest in smaller cities in our state. All of these exciting developments allow our state’s economy to continue to grow, which benefits all Missourians.
Last year, we passed a balanced budget that left $100 million on the bottom line. This illustrates the governor’s and my own commitment to spending your tax dollars responsibly and cutting wasteful spending. During last year’s session, we invested $50 million in a local transportation cost-share program to help provide assistance to projects in our local communities. We also allocated $300 million in bonds to replace over 250 critically deficient bridges in our state. When we discussed this legislation on the floor, I held a filibuster to modify interest payments on the bonding proposal resulting in millions of dollars in savings to taxpayers. The bridges in our state needed repair, but I was committed to ensuring that the legislation would not needlessly spend your tax dollars.
The Foundation Formula for our K-12 schools was once again fully funded in last year’s budget, and the governor is committed to once again fully funding the formula in our state’s budget for 2021. Our state’s public schools largely rely on these funds, so it is of the utmost important that this formula is fully funded every year. I will never waver in my fight for our children’s future.
The governor also discussed public safety and ways to reduce crime. In his proposed budget, the governor allocated $1 million dollars to eliminate the backlog of thousands of untested rape kits in the state. I have filed Senate Bill 569 to help eliminate this backlog and provide survivors of sexual violence the ability to track and obtain reports on the status of their kit. It is unconscionable to me that these kits were not tested and these victims have not received the justice they deserve. I look forward to continuing this fight and getting this legislation across the finish line this session.
One of the governor’s other spending priorities is placing additional troopers in St. Louis for special operations periods and providing training and resources to assist local law enforcement in fighting violent crime. I have filed Senate Bill 889 to allow the Missouri attorney general to have concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit attorney of St. Louis for the offenses of first and second degree murder and vehicle hijacking. This provision also creates the offense of vehicle hijacking, which will be considered a class B felony. I am hopeful this legislation alleviates some of the caseload currently handled by the circuit attorney and allows the attorney general to prosecute these violent crimes occurring in the St. Louis area. It is important that justice is delivered, especially for these crimes. Vehicle hijacking and first and second degree murder are not victimless crimes, and it is my hope that by allowing the attorney general to prosecute these offenses, we will see fewer of these crimes in our region.
Sincerely,
