This week in the Missouri Senate was shorter than usual thanks to the winter weather that blanketed the state over the weekend. To ensure safety of senators and staff traveling from across the state, the Senate did not convene until Tuesday afternoon. Despite the shortened week, there were still plenty of issues up for debate.
 
Wednesday morning, senators debated Senate Bill 509, legislation relating to taxes in Missouri. The bill proposed a reduction in the personal income tax rate by ¼ percent if certain conditions are met, including a full funding of elementary and secondary education needs as determined by the state adequacy target. The bill also states that the top rate of personal income tax would be further reduced if lawmakers were to pass legislation to cap the level of historic preservation and low-income housing tax credits to levels specified in the bill. If both scenarios were to occur, the personal income reduction could not be reduced below 5.6 percent. The legislation also allows for an individual income tax deduction for business income, which would be capped at $100,000 a year. After several hours of debate, the bill was laid over for consideration at a later time.

Wednesday afternoon, senators returned to the Senate floor, this time to debate Senate Bill 530, which would allow for the termination of parental rights in situations when the parent is unfit to be a party to the parent-child relationship because of a consistent pattern of abuse. This legislation is one I’ve mentioned in previous columns, as it was originally presented for testimony to the Senate Seniors, Families & Pensions Committee. Circumstances in which a parent’s rights can be terminated include instances when a birth mother has tested positive for alcohol or drug use while the child is in utero or within eight hours after the child’s birth. A parent’s rights could also be terminated if, within a three-year period immediately prior to termination, the parent has pled guilty or been convicted of certain crimes involving the possession, manufacture, distribution, etc., of certain drugs. In both cases, rights cannot be terminated unless the mother has previously failed to complete treatment services ordered by the Children’s Division or is the biological mother of another child who was previously adjudicated an abused or neglected minor. The legislation is designed to move children out of unsafe environments as early as possible to provide them with a safe and stable home environment. After more than an hour of debate, the bill was given first-round approval in the Senate. On Thursday morning, it was third read and finally passed, thereby sending it to the House for similar consideration.

The remainder of Wednesday evening was spent debating Senate Bill 589, relating to tort reform, and Senate Bill 519, relating to abortions in Missouri. Senate Bill 519 would amend the current waiting period for those desiring to have an abortion from 24 hours to 72 hours. After much debate and a filibuster, Senate Bill 519 was laid over for consideration at a later date.

Aside from our legislative work this week, I had an opportunity to meet with numerous constituents from the 24th District who traveled to the Capitol to advocate on behalf of various issues. Those constituents included representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association, the Recorder’s Association, the March of Dimes, the Missouri Pharmacy Association, the Collector’s Association, and the St. Louis County Library.

My staff also had the great pleasure of meeting with Kay Min, a resident of Chesterfield and junior at the University of Missouri-Columbia where she is majoring in biological engineering. Kay traveled to the Capitol for the undergraduate research day where students have an opportunity to display information about their research projects in the Capitol Rotunda. Kay’s project focused on the study of anthrax, specifically an investigation of the composition and structure of the spore. The goal of the research is to understand the infection mechanism of the spore in an attempt to one day potentially develop a more effective vaccine to prevent anthrax among animals and humans. Kay is truly an exceptional student and I wish her all the best in her career as she intends to pursue a dual MD/PhD degree in medicine and research.

This week also brought several special visitors to the St. Louis area and the 24th District. The World Affairs Council welcomed nine individuals from French speaking countries to St. Louis to help understand and study local government affairs.  Two of the visitors participated in a home visit with a constituent from the 24th District.  They are pictured here in the column holding resolutions from my office and the Missouri Senate to recognize their significant achievements thus far. 

The first visitor, Mr. Beral Mbaikoubou, serves as a deputy in the National Assembly of Chad. Prior to that position, he served as a university professor of philosophy.  The second visitor was Mr. Segepoh Thomas.  Mr. Thomas is a member of Parliament from the Southern Province of Sierra Leone. He is also a private attorney.  Though I did not have the opportunity to meet either of these gentleman, their backgrounds are quite impressive, and I am certain they enjoyed visiting St. Louis and learning about our government structure.

I always enjoy the opportunity to share exciting news from the capitol and the district with you. It is a great privilege to serve you in the legislature. Best wishes for a wonderful weekend.

Very Sincerely,

Senator John Lamping

24th Senatorial District