Week of Feb. 19, 2024

IP Reform Moves Forward

Greeting! I hope you enjoyed the holiday. It has been nice to hear the return of birdsong in the last week. 

This week Senate Joint Resolution 74 was third read and passed, and sent to the Missouri House. This initiative petition (IP) reform bill will protect our Missouri State Constitution. If passed by the General Assembly and approved by voters, it would require the majority of Missourians in a majority of the state’s congressional districts vote in favor all ballot measures that would change the constitution in order for it to be approved. This would be in addition to a simple majority of voters statewide. 

I had the pleasure to meet with Carolyn Crooker, Executive Director of Sedalia Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and my longtime friend.

It was a pleasure to visit with Dr. Mark Curtis who comes from my hometown of Warrensburg.

However, I am concerned with an amendment to the bill which stripped out language preventing non-citizens from voting in our elections. In Article 8, Section 2 of our Missouri State Constitution it says “All citizens” can vote but does not state ‘Only citizens’ can vote. This bill in its original form would have added this critical language to our State Constitution in order to protect it, but the added amendment removed it completely. For this reason, I voted against the amendment.

Ultimately, I am happy we have third read and passed this conservative priority, and hope to see it make swift progress in the House.

My Senate Bill 1207 was also heard in the Committee on Economic Development and Tax Policy. This bill would give a tax incentive to employers who hire people who meet the requirements established in the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit, like veterans or those with disabilities. I believe this will benefit both employers and employees across Missouri.

I was glad to meet with my constituent Mike Arway of Hamilton Bank in Lexington to talk about current legislation.

I will continue to keep you updated on the progress of my legislation as it moves through the Senate, as well as keeping you aware of the progress of my goals in the Senate.  

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at 573-751-4302. You may also email me at denny.hoskins@senate.mo.gov.