Legislative Column for the Week of June 29, 2015

Independence Day

The signing of the Declaration of Independence by our founding fathers on July 4th, 1776, marked the beginning of the United States’ history as a sovereign nation. Across the country this weekend, Americans are celebrating the 239th anniversary of our Independence Day.

Each year at this time, I encourage my constituents and friends to read or re-read the Declaration of Independence. The text is easily found online or in a library. It is a good reminder of the principles on which this country was built. These principles are upheld and maintained by citizens like you and I engaging with our government by voting, speaking out on important issues, and even running for public office.

This holiday gives us all a chance to reflect on the foundation of our great nation. It is a time when we come together with our family and friends and celebrate the freedoms we cherish, and recognize those who fought for those rights. In honor of our nation’s birthday, I hope you all have the chance to barbeque with loved ones, watch fireworks, and remember to give thanks to a nation that provides us all the opportunity to follow our dreams and live in a country that is free.

I wish you and your family a safe holiday weekend.

Update on Governor’s Actions

The governor continues to take action on legislation passed by the General Assembly this year. According to the Missouri Constitution, he has until July 14th to either sign or veto every bill passed by the Legislature this year. If he does neither, the bill becomes law without his signature. Since the last report, he has signed several important bills into law, as well as issued vetoes.

Two bills that will help our military members and their families have been signed into law. Senate Bill 116, which I sponsored, is designed to give children, whose parents are members of the military, a more consistent education. The new law allows students to remain in a Missouri school district if one or both of their parents is stationed out of state, provided they live with another relative in the district. This will allow students to remain in the same school with the same teachers, creating a better, more consistent learning environment.

I also sponsored Senate Bill 105, which was combined with Senate Bill 34 and signed by the governor. This bill will expand voting access for military members overseas and allow them more access to vote in statewide and state Legislature elections.

The governor signed several bills that will make changes to the tax code. Senate Bill 336, which I sponsored, prohibits the Department of Revenue from holding employers responsible for any underreporting of tips by employees. This measure will protect Missouri job creators from unfair tax administration practices.

House Bill 111 exempts manufactured homes from state sales tax. The implementation of the law will help boost Missouri’s economy, as well as allow many Missourians to afford home ownership.

House Bill 384 contained several provisions that originated from the Senate Interim Committee on Tax Administration Practices, which I chaired last summer. These changes include adding a right to clear and consistent enforcement of tax laws by the Department of Revenue to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, creating the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate and commissioning a study on Missouri’s tax code to identify its strengths and weaknesses.

The governor vetoed House Bill 42, which intended to help unaccredited school districts in the state deal with student-transfers to accredited districts. Nixon stated in his veto letter that the bill did not adequately solve the student-transfer issue for Missouri schools.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions, and will try to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 573-751-1464, or e-mail at will.kraus@senate.mo.gov.