Week of Mar. 4, 2024

Protecting Your God Given Rights

Greetings! I hope you have enjoyed the warmer weather this week, and, at the risk of jinxing us, it seems spring has arrived. This week I was happy to focus on committee hearings for a few of my bills and get the ball rolling so they can be moved to the Senate Chamber for perfection.

In addition, my Senate Bill 918 was heard by the Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children. This bill would prevent school districts from teaching subjects such as critical race theory or The 1619 Project by reducing their funding if schools choose to do so. I believe subject material that teaches that the color of your skin matters more than the values in your heart is inherently incorrect and should not be taught to our children. For this reason, I feel it is a priority this legislation move through the Senate as quickly as possible. 

Finally, I presented Senate Bill 998 to the Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety. This bill creates the “Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act,” which would prevent the federal government from confiscating firearms or ammunition from law-abiding citizens. This bill would secure the Second Amendment rights of Missourians and keep them safe from government overreach. 

The Committee on Economic Development and Tax Policy heard my Senate Bill 823. This bill lowers the tax rate for corporations in Missouri by a quarter of a percent. It then allows up to three more half-percent reductions as their tax burden increases. This will help incentivize companies to come to Missouri and stay here, creating jobs and economic prosperity. I think bolstering our economy is of the utmost importance, especially during these times of economic hardship.

My Senate Bill 724 was heard in the Local Government and Elections Committee. This bill creates the Office of Election Crimes and Security within the Secretary of State’s Office. It would also create direct lines of communication between the office and Missourians through a voter fraud hotline, as well as a reporting system meant to gather complaints to be investigated. This would help protect our elections and keep voter fraud from interfering with our state elections.

I will continue to keep you updated on the progress of my bills as they move through the Senate, as well as the other important issues being discussed. 

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.

It was wonderful to discuss legislative priorities with Missouri Restaurant Association members from the Greater Kansas City area.

It was a pleasure to meet with Recovery Lighthouse advocates.