The First Regular Session of the 98th General Assembly ended on Friday, May 15, 2015. What started out as a relatively calm return to the Capital City, ended in a flurry of turmoil and gridlock. However, many important pieces of public policy were passed and signed into law, and I am pleased to share with you some of the highlights from my perspective.
The General Assembly approved a $26.1 billion state operating budget for Fiscal Year 2016, with a funding increase of $84 million for K-12 education, and a $12 million increase for higher education. Lawmakers also put $28 million more towards the Victim of Crime Act. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I am pleased with the budget process this year. The state Fiscal Year 2016 begins July 1, 2015.
This year, lawmakers approved House Bills 17, 18, and 19, appropriations bills, which contain provisions for our state to move forward on some much needed maintenance and repair projects that has lapsed for over a decade. The maintenance and repair of these buildings will implement energy efficiencies, thereby, reducing the cost to operate these buildings and address safety concerns. The General Assembly appropriated $150 million for repairs of state-owned buildings, $160 million for Universities and Community College facilities, $40 million will go towards repairs to the deteriorating State Capitol building, and $10 million for upgrades to state parks which generate revenue from tourism.
Senate Bill 149, which I sponsored, will provide Missouri an economic boost and some high-tech jobs. The bill was signed into law by the governor, and offers sales and use tax exemptions to data storage centers looking to establish, expand or relocate to Missouri. Nationwide, the demand for such facilities is far greater than the current number of data storage centers that are in use. Our neighboring states, including, Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Iowa already offer these types of incentives to lure data storage companies to their areas. I’m pleased the General Assembly and the governor acted on this legislation before we get left behind in the new digital age.
Although the 2015 Legislative Session has ended, my office will remain open all year long to assist you with state related issues. My staff and I will be happy to help you in any way we can. As the interim begins, I will continue to send these Legislative Columns detailing the legislation that has passed this year, the governor’s actions on these bills, and how they will affect you and the state of Missouri. Thank you for allowing me to serve the citizens of the 28th Senatorial District and the state of Missouri. I always appreciate hearing from you. If you have any questions about the topics discussed above, or any other issues, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
‘Nothing is Politically Right Which is Morally Wrong’ |
