From the Dome to Home: Senator Coleman's Capitol Report for Feb. 21, 2025

Friday, February 21, 2025

For Immediate Release: Feb. 21, 2025

Contact Jaret Scharnhorst: 573-751-1492  

 

                     Capitol Building, Room 331-A

                     Jefferson City, MO 65101

   

Continuing the Fight For a Pro-Life Missouri

On Valentine’s Day, a Jackson County judge ruled that licensing requirements preventing clinics from offering abortions in Missouri were discriminatory. I believe this lack of licensing requirements puts the health and safety of women at risk. In response to this ruling, I spoke at the Coalition Life press conference in St. Louis on Feb. 17 and vowed to keep fighting to protect women and the innocent lives of the unborn in our state. The Senate’s majority caucus held a press conference this week as well, and we pledged to introduce a new ballot measure to create a better law on the issue. In my opinion, changes must be made in order to ensure the safety of women and protect the unborn.   

Defending Young Entrepreneurs

Kids shouldn’t need business licenses to operate lemonade stands. I am pleased to report that Senate Bill 145, my Lemonade Stand Freedom Act, was passed in the Senate this week and now heads to the Missouri House of Representatives for further consideration. Senate Bill 145 would make business licenses unnecessary for young entrepreneurs under the age of 18. 

I also want to highlight these bills that were passed by the Senate this week and sent to the Missouri House of Representatives for their consideration:

  • Senate Bill 49 & 118, which allows schools to employ or accept chaplains as volunteers.
  • Senate Bill 105, which will help prevent the spread of invasive plant species in the state.
  • Senate Bill 60, which expands first-degree child endangerment to include the unlawful manufacture or possession of fentanyl.

Eliminating DEI Initiatives

This week, I backed the governor as he signed an executive order banning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies in state government. Saying that Missouri’s state agencies must operate under a framework that ensures fairness, equal opportunity and merit-based decision-making, the governor issued his executive order on Feb. 18 directing all Missouri state agencies to eliminate DEI initiatives. This order does not apply to any requirements in federal or state statute that uphold the rights and freedoms of Missouri citizens. State agencies will continue to enforce all laws that prohibit discrimination and ensure fairness for all citizens. I stand with the governor because I believe in fairness, equal opportunity and merit. 

More Government Efficiency Legislation Filed

This week, I filed several bills aimed at finding ways to save the state money and get rid of unproductive properties, boards and commissions:

  • Senate Bill 720 requires the Missouri Office of Administration to present an annual report on state-owned properties that have gone unused for three or more years. The bill also authorizes the governor to convey those properties, helping reduce waste and save money.
  • Senate Bill 722 addresses more than $6.6 million in state funds that have been sitting unused for five or more years — some for nearly a decade — by requiring the state treasurer to submit an annual report to the General Assembly detailing these “abandoned” funds, which are then swept into the state’s general revenue fund.
  • Senate Bill 723 requires the Missouri Office of Administration to report available tax credits that have gone unused for five or more years to the General Assembly and repeals any such credit in Missouri’s tax law that meets this criterion.
  • Senate Bill 729 repeals boards and commissions that have not met or taken action in three or more years and creates a yearly reporting mechanism. At least a dozen such entities have already been identified.

Preventing Judges From Imposing the Death Penalty When the Jury Deadlocks

For years, I have carried legislation that would prevent Missouri judges from imposing the death penalty in capital trials with hung juries. I was very proud to present my Senate Bill 225 to the Senate General Laws Committee on Feb. 18. Right now, Missouri and Indiana are the only two states that allow judges to impose the death penalty when there is a deadlocked jury. I do not want to abolish the death penalty. I believe when applied consistently, it can be the appropriate penalty for those who commit the most heinous crimes. However, I do not believe one person should be able to sentence a defendant to death when a group of the accused’s peers cannot reach a unanimous verdict.

Eliminating Missouri’s Individual Income Tax

On Feb. 19, I presented Senate Bill 146, my proposal to eliminate Missouri’s individual income tax, in the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee. Nine other states levy no income tax, and, based on the data I have seen, they are all outperforming us. Missouri’s system is clearly not working. It is time to eliminate the individual income tax, move our state forward and allow Missouri citizens to keep more of their hard-earned money.

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.