With three weeks left to go in the 2014 legislative session, I would like to take this opportunity to discuss an issue that I have focused much of my attention on in recent months. 

The Senate held a Memorial Service on April 14, 2014, in tribute to the memory of distinguished former members who have passed. VIDEO: Click here or on the picture above to watch Sen. Lamping present Senate Bill 513 to members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

This year, I prefiled Senate Bill 513, a measure that would create a per child tax cut for middle class families. Under this legislation, single filers with adjusted gross income less than $46,100, and married couples filing combined with adjusted gross income less than $92,200, would be eligible to receive the credit. The amount of the credit would be $400 per qualifying child.

The credit would be non-transferable, non-refundable, and only available to Missouri residents.  Based on previous income tax data, approximately 700,460 taxpayers would qualify for the credit.  I believe this credit would have a huge positive impact on Missouri families. Currently, a married couple with two children, making $50,000, pays around $2,800 in Missouri taxes. If this idea were to become law, that couple would receive an $800 tax cut, which is equal to 28.5 percent of their state tax liability.

Senate Bill 513 received a hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee at the end of January.  I am proud to say that the bill received bi-partisan support and was voted out of the committee unanimously. This week, I was able to amend the language of the child tax cut onto another bill, again with unanimous support. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues on this very important piece of legislation.  As mentioned during my speech on the Senate floor, I believe that the middle class has been completely overlooked in legislation we pass here in Jefferson City despite the fact that their local tax liability has continuously increased in recent years.

Several other significant pieces of legislation made progress this week.  Senate Bill 493, the bill that addresses the student transfer issue, was voted out of the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee on Wednesday.  The bill now heads to the House Rules Committee before being debated on the House floor.

The House version of the Common Core bill, House Bill 1490, was voted out of the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. HB 1490 contains similar provisions as the bills Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, and I sponsored in the Senate, and I look forward to the bill coming up on the Senate floor soon.

Last week, the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard House Joint Resolution 68. This legislation proposes a constitutional amendment that would, upon voter approval, impose a 1% increase in the state sales and use tax to be used for the funding of state and local highways, roads, and bridges. HJR 68 was reported to the Senate floor this week, meaning it is now on the Senate calendar for debate.

Senators will return to the Capitol earlier than usual on Monday to begin debating the budget.  I look forward to sending you updates regarding the same next week.

Best wishes for a wonderful weekend.  

Senator John Lamping

24th Senatorial District