Hard at Work, Delivering Results for Missourians This week in the Missouri Senate, as another winter storm plowed across the state, committees continued to conduct hearings, gather information and evaluate proposals. Lawmakers, committed to delivering results for Missourians, warmed up on the Senate floor by discussing several important bills, with the following being third read and passed: - Senate Concurrent Resolution 3, which modifies the statewide mission of Missouri Southern State University.
- Senate Bill 59, which expands tax deductions to cover survivor benefits for veterans and first responders, unreimbursed educator expenses and income for first responders.
- Senate Bill 163, which expands the income tax deduction for National Guard members to include compensation for state active duty and state emergency duty starting in 2026.
- Senate Bill 47, which amends Supreme Court Rule 52.08 relating to class actions.
- Senate Bill 67, which protects taxpayers from penalties if they are denied tax credits due to funding shortages.
Government Efficiency Update
The Senate Government Efficiency Committee, which I chair, met on Feb. 10 and questioned representatives from the State Tax Commission about rising assessments and reducing property taxes. The new Government Efficiency Portal, which launched on Feb. 7, has already received more than 2,000 suggestions from Missouri taxpayers! I am looking forward to hearing more. If you have an observation regarding how taxpayer money is being wasted, identify a duplication of effort within the government or have an idea or suggestion for something the Government Efficiency Committee should be looking into, please submit it here. Missourians deserve a government that works for them, not against them. The portal gives citizens a direct line to spotlight inefficiencies and help in our efforts to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely and state services run effectively. Protecting Students’ Privacy & Defending Parents’ Rights On Feb. 10, I presented my Senate Bill 223 in the Government Efficiency Committee. This bill ensures parents can opt their children out of sexually explicit or inappropriate school surveys. You may have heard about the Missouri high school that gained national attention after its students were surveyed about their sex lives, drug and alcohol use. Parents, who were not notified about the survey beforehand or given the opportunity to opt their children out of participating, were surprised and horrified to see responses to questions like, “What is the weirdest place you have hooked-up?” printed in the school’s yearbook. The student-run yearbook staff defended the book’s content, which supposedly was not reviewed by school officials before going to print. Under federal law and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), parents already have the right to opt their students out of such surveys or use of personal information. Unfortunately, sometimes the law is ignored, so I’m asking to put it into state statute. At some point, people have to take responsibility for their decisions and actions. Senate Bill 223 would create a private cause of action with a statutory fine when such laws are violated. Increasing Missourians’ Gun Rights I proudly support the Second Amendment and a person’s right to defend him or herself against criminal violence. I presented Senate Bill 147, my proposal to substantially expand Missourians’ gun rights, in the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee. This bill removes several firearm restrictions so Missourians can better protect themselves. It eliminates many of Missouri’s gun-free zones from statute and further protects Missourians if they must use guns in self-defense. 
Prioritizing Public Safety Missourians deserve to feel safe. The governor, who has prioritized public safety, launched the Safer Missouri Initiative aimed at reducing crime and making communities across the state safer. During his State of the State Address, he mentioned Senate Bill 52, which was combined with Senate Bill 44 and debated at length on the floor this week. This legislation improves public safety by requiring police to report the immigration status of criminals, increasing penalties for violent crimes and theft, cracking down on street takeovers, and putting the St. Louis police department under state control. 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 based on 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. | 