The 2008 Missouri Legislative Session
by Brian L. Baker
Mark Twain once said, “Each of you, for himself, by himself and on his own responsibility, must speak. And it is a solemn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of pulpit, press, government, or the empty catchphrases of politicians. Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let man label you as they may. If you alone shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and by your country- hold up your head! You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
As I completed my final session in the Missouri House, let it be said that I stood by my convictions. I chose to base my actions, as best I could, on a course of right. To paraphrase President Lincoln I chose a path “with firmness in the right as God gave me to see right” I did my duty. While some will look at what we did not accomplish, I am a “glass half-full” NOT a “glass half-empty” kind of person. We did what could be done…we press onward!
During the course of the 2008 session, I have kept you updated on my key legislative priorities and how they have progressed through the process. While not every bill on my agenda secured final passage, there are a number of issues that did make it through the process before the final seconds of session ticked away. These are bills that will become laws that will have a positive impact you, your family, friends and co-workers.
PROPERTY TAX REFORM
One of the top priorities we had this session was to offer property tax relief to Missourians suffering from excessive increases. I have heard from so many in our area who are struggling to afford to stay in their homes because of increases in assessed value that in turn led to an overwhelming rise in their property tax bills. We worked hard to find a way to offer substantial relief to all Missouri homeowners who want nothing more than to be able to afford the tax bill associated with a home they may have paid off years ago. The legislation we agreed upon in the final days of session provides the kind of relief I believe will keep people in their homes and keep the property tax bills from inducing sticker shock in Missourians when they receive them.
Senate Bill 711 requires all taxing jurisdictions to roll back their tax rate to counter reassessment increases regardless of whether they are operating at or below their tax rate ceiling. Under current law, only taxing jurisdictions operating at their tax rate ceiling are required to roll back to protect taxpayers. This allows taxing jurisdictions operating below their ceiling to approve back door tax increases with no legal recourse. However, with our change we now protect taxpayers and ensure taxing entities will roll back their rates just as the law intends. In addition the bill increases tax credits for seniors and disabled Missourians struggling to afford to stay in their homes. Single homeowners making less than $30,000 and married couples making less than $34,000 will be eligible to receive up to $1,100 in tax credits under the bill we passed. This marks an increase in eligibility and an increase in the amount of credits allowed. With this we give Missourians the tax relief they need to stay in their homes and to enjoy the golden years of life without the fear of being taxed unfairly and excessively.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Another piece of priority legislation that we approved in the final days of session deals with a major issue faced by not only our state but every other in this nation as well – illegal immigration. Throughout this session, I have discussed that there are several components to illegal immigration reform in Missouri, including a need to empower our law enforcement, protect taxpayer benefits and remove the magnets that attract illegal immigrants to our state.
In our final hours of session, we were able to agree on a comprehensive and solid bill that addresses all of these issues and protects Missourians from the threat of illegal immigration.
Specifically, House Bill 1549 et al will require the Highway Patrol and other law enforcement to verify the immigration status of any person arrested, and inform federal authorities if a person is found to be here illegally. It will allow additional Missouri law enforcement officers to receive training to enforce federal immigration laws. In addition to empowering law enforcement, our legislation also makes it clear that illegal immigrants will not have access to our taxpayer benefits, such as MO HealthNet and food stamps. This will help add greater accountability to our public benefit programs, save the taxpayers money and send a strong message about Missouri’s priorities – a message that LEGAL immigrants are welcome but ILLEGAL immigrants need to follow the rules and we will not subsidize breaking the law by offering ILLEGAL immigrants tax-payer benefits.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Another top priority we have pursued during the past few years is spurring economic development. Our initiatives have helped offer quality jobs with health care for many Missourians, and have also made Missouri a top state to do business. This year, we have passed legislation to expand many of our successful programs and we have implemented efforts to continue to attract businesses to Missouri. We passed HB 2393, which offers an incentive package that could trigger an aircraft manufacturing company to invest $400 million into building a passenger jet assembly plant in Kansas City that would employ 2,100 people. Under the bill, Missouri would offer up to $240 million in tax credits over eight years, beginning in 2013, based on the number of employees hired at the plant. We also approved a wide-ranging economic development bill that includes an extension and expansion of the Missouri Quality Jobs Act and the Enhanced Enterprise Zone program.
EDUCATION
Our healthy economy is reflected in the $22.4 billion budget we approved for Fiscal Year 2009. The spending plan includes an increase of $136.7 million in direct state aid to public elementary and secondary schools. The budget also includes a $43 million increase for Missouri’s colleges and universities. In addition, the budget authorizes a $334.4 million increase for the state’s MO HealthNet program and an increase of $155.4 million for the Missouri Department of Transportation’s construction program. Not only are we providing record funding to many of our vital programs without a single tax increase, but again we are putting money away for the future. Our budget includes $150 million for the emergency reserve fund. I am pleased we have been able to create a responsible budget that provides for current programs while also ensuring we will have a safety net in case of future emergencies.
While these were several of our major accomplishments, they are by no means the only ones we addressed during this productive session. We also passed legislation dealing with agriculture, education, veterans, autism health care, scrap metal theft, mortgage fraud and a range of issues that affect Missouri families across the state.
Protecting Missourians from Mortgage Fraud - House Bill 2188 lets those looking to take advantage of homebuyers know that Missouri will not tolerate mortgage fraud. The legislation places local prosecutors on the same footing as federal investigators who were the only ones that were able to prosecute offenders and were extremely inefficient. It also creates civil and criminal penalties for residential mortgage fraud.
Cracking Down on Meth Production - Senate Bill 724 strengthens the monitoring procedures for over-the-counter drugs that make meth. The bill requires pharmacies to upgrade to an electronic, rather than a written log, which records when a pseudoephedrine product is purchased and who is the purchaser.
Offering Opportunities to our Military Heroes - Senate Bill 830 creates the "Missouri Returning Heroes' Education Act" to assist veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with affording the cost of higher education by limiting tuition public universities can charge. It also creates a tuition grant for survivors of veterans who are disabled or killed in combat and seeks to improve educational opportunities for the sons and daughters of military personnel by removing barriers placed on them caused by frequent moves.
Alternative Teacher Certification - Senate Bill 1066 creates an alternative route for career changing professionals to become certified to teach in secondary schools. The program is designed to offer working professionals an opportunity to bring their real-world experience to the classroom and help address a shortage of qualified teachers.
Autism Spectrum Disorders - Senate Bill 768 is part of Missouri’s efforts to enhance autism healthcare services and empower families to improve the quality of life for Missourians living with autism. The legislation creates the Missouri Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to develop a comprehensive, coordinated system of healthcare, education and services for people living with ASD.
This session we say goodbye to 21 House members who are term-limited out of office, as well as several others who are leaving the legislature for other reasons. I am thankful for the hard work of the many members on both sides of the political spectrum. I look forward to continuing to help keep taxes low, economic development high, and create legislation that positively affects your life and all of your fellow Missourians.
My final session in the Missouri House is now over…but I do not leave office until the end of the year. Marybeth, my legislative aid, and I will continue to provide constituent services and aid throughout the year. Please, do not hesitate to call us if you have a concern, need assistance, or simply want to share your thoughts. God bless you all!
