Tax Free Food

I was thrilled to move one of my bills forward this week and present Senate Bill 1017 – a proposal to eliminate state sales taxes on groceries. Throughout this session, The minority caucus has repeatedly said that affordability is the key issue facing Missourians and that more money needs to stay in their pockets. This bill puts that principle into action.

Food is not a luxury. Groceries are more expensive than ever and prices continue to rise. Eliminating the sales tax on groceries would provide a tax break for everyone and help ensure families can afford the nourishment they need to live healthy lives. 

I am grateful for the strong support this bill received and was especially encouraged that there was no testimony in opposition during the hearing. I will continue to work to move this bill through the legislative process to provide real relief for everyday Missourians.  

Now, onto the drama and distractions.

This week, the Committee on Families, Seniors and Health heard two bills that I believe do little more than further marginalize Missourians and restrict access to health care.

The first bill, Senate Bill 861, would remove the expiration date for the ban on gender transition care for minors. That ban, set to expire in August 2027, was added as a compromise when the legislation passed in 2023. During this week’s hearing, overwhelming testimony showed the ban has caused real harm to those who need care. This is precisely why sunset provisions exist: to ensure laws that fail the people they impact are allowed to expire without consuming additional session time or political resources. 

The committee also heard Senate Bill 999, the so-called Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. This is one of those bills where the title suggests one thing, but the language tells a different story. Of course, I believe every child born should receive the care necessary to give them the best possible life. But after reviewing the actual text of the bill, I found several concerning provisions that appear to be yet another attempt to target women’s reproductive health care and further limit their options.

As a nurse, I was proud and excited to be appointed to this committee. I want nothing more than to see health care improve in Missouri. However, it is deeply frustrating to watch valuable hearing time spent on issues that are designed to inflame rather than solve actual problems Missourians are facing. Imagine what we could accomplish if we invested that same energy in expanding rural health care, strengthening access to providers, or addressing the real crises that are taking lives across our state. I would prefer we focus on improving access to affordable health care, not manufacturing problems that don’t actually exist.

Contact Me

I always appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at 573-751-6607. You may write me at Patty Lewis, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Rm 425, Jefferson City, MO 65101, send an email to Patty.Lewis@senate.mo.gov or visit www.senate.mo.gov/Lewis.