A Jam-packed Week in Senate Committees  The fourth week of the 103rd General Assembly was jam-packed with activity, including Senate committee hearings. On Jan. 29, I was honored to present my “Lemonade Stand Freedom Act,” Senate Bill 145, to the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee. This bill exempts small businesses earning less than $10,000 annually from needing to obtain a business license. I introduced this legislation after a children’s entrepreneur market in our district was shut down because kids were selling food without temporary business licenses and permits from the health department. Kids shouldn’t have to deal with redtape and regulations to run lemonade stands, and government regulations shouldn’t discourage grassroots entrepreneurs from pursuing ideas. Senate Bill 145 helps remove these barriers.
Senate committee hearings are open to the public, and I encourage you to participate. To see the hearing schedule, visit senate.mo.gov and click on “Hearings.” The Senate Government Efficiency Committee, which met for the first time on Jan. 27, plans to launch a government accountability portal, giving Missourians the opportunity to report government inefficiencies and submit ideas for how to improve in those areas. This meeting was all about cutting waste, boosting transparency and holding our state agencies accountable. As chair of the Missouri Senate’s Government Efficiency Committee, I am championing an effort to create a Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT). The LOFT will have the authority to investigate state departments and agencies and help eliminate fraud, waste and abuse. We’re taking bold steps to eliminate inefficiencies and ensure Missouri taxpayers get the most out of every dollar. 
The Governor’s State of the State Address On Tuesday, Senate members joined House colleagues in their chamber to hear the governor’s annual State of the State address. The governor laid out his budget requests for Fiscal Year 2026 and named his legislative priorities, starting with strengthening public safety. I am committed to supporting law enforcement officers and addressing the public safety challenges facing our state. The governor announced his plans to cut regulations and reduce taxes so Missouri families can keep more of their own money. He also emphasized growing Missouri’s economy and supporting all forms of quality education that best suit the needs of children. He touched on expanding school choice and urged the General Assembly to pass voluntary open enrollment in public schools. The governor is standing up for students, families and teachers who want a quality education that promotes critical thinking and real learning. Lastly, the governor emphasized Missouri’s commitment to a culture of life. The governor called for supporting better and safer alternatives to abortion in Missouri. He asked lawmakers to increase state funding for Pregnancy Resource Centers by 50 percent. Missouri has so much more to offer women than abortion. Now, let’s get to work on these priorities, deliver real results to Missourians and move our state forward! Women Legislators of Missouri Scholarship This year, the Women Legislators of Missouri are offering eight $1,000 scholarships – one from each Missouri U.S. Congressional District - to female, high school seniors in Missouri. Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of leadership, academics and community service. Candidates must complete an application and submit a 500-word essay answering the question, “If you were a state legislator, what would you hope to accomplish and why?” A link to the downloadable scholarship is located at the MyScholarship Central website, and the submission deadline is March 12, 2025. It is a privilege and honor to represent you in Jefferson City. Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-1492. For more information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate webpage at senate.mo.gov/Coleman. | 