LeVota Capitol Report

May Capitol Report

Contact: (573) 751- 3074

2013 Legislative Session Complete

Improvements to the Kansas City School District

Massive Tax Cut Legislation Passed

House Joint Resolution 11 Passes Legislature

Employment Discrimination

Visitors to the Capitol

School Groups at the Capitol

Local Events

2013 Legislative Session Complete

Click above to view Sen. LeVota's video news release, during which he discusses some of the recent actions in the Missouri Senate.

The final week of the 2013 legislative session saw another fight over anti-labor union legislation, a heated debate over liquor franchise laws, and approval of a proposed constitutional amendment to protect farming and ranching in Missouri.

Another anti-labor bill that would have allowed government contractors to do construction projects without paying the prevailing wage was blocked this session. Prevailing wage is the hourly wage, benefits and overtime paid to the majority of workers, laborers, and mechanics within a particular area.

At issue is a 2011 Missouri Supreme Court ruling that expanded the definition of “construction” regarding prevailing wage laws, meaning more projects would be subject to the prevailing wage. House Bill 409 would have defined “maintenance” as routine, recurring work that cannot exceed $75,000. Maintenance work is not subject to prevailing wage laws. Opponents feared the bill would allow contractors on public projects to bid projects at less than $75,000 in order to avoid paying prevailing wage rates to workers.

“This bill would hurt workers and contractors,” Sen. LeVota said. “Contractors like prevailing wage laws because skilled workers do high quality work and keep costs down, which save taxpayers money.”

In the meantime, senators fixed a problem created eight years ago when the General Assembly capped the surcharge Missouri businesses pay into the Second Injury Fund (SIF). The fund helps disabled workers who suffer a second injury on the job. The SIF has been unable to pay out claims due to the cap adopted eight years ago, and lawmakers have struggled with a solution for the past few sessions. Senate Bill 1 temporarily increases the business surcharge to allow the SIF to pay its obligations. It also moves most occupational disease claims back into the state’s workers’ compensation system. The House approved the Senate version and sent the measure to the governor.

The First Regular Session of the 97th Missouri General Assembly officially concluded at 6 p.m. on May 17.

Improvements to the Kansas City School District

A bill sponsored by Sen. LeVota to reduce the Kansas City Public Schools Board of Directors from nine to seven members was approved. The board would have two members elected at-large instead of the current three. The remaining five members would be elected from sub-districts. Also, Senate Bill 258 changes the school board election to the municipal election date.

“One way to help our district is to increase citizen engagement in the process. I am proud that this important piece of legislation for our future will become law,’ said Sen. LeVota.

Massive Tax Cut Legislation Passed

Shown above, Sen. LeVota speaks against House Bill 253 on the Senate floor.

On May 8, the Missouri Senate took up and passed House Bill 253, a measure that would cut income taxes for corporations. The bill is projected to cost Missouri nearly $1 billion per year. Senator LeVota argued against the bill on the Senate floor.

"We aren't going to be able to fund things like schools, roads and everything else,” said Sen. LeVota. “We should be the ‘Show-Me State,’ not the ‘Me-Too State.’ There's a race to the bottom against Kansas, and I am afraid we may just win."

House Joint Resolution 11 Passes Legislature

Shown above, Sen. LeVota's pug, Gilly, who is a rescue dog.

Missouri voters will be asked to amend the state constitution on November 2014 to enshrine a “right to farm” act in the constitution. House Joint Resolution 11 and 7 affirms the right of farmers and ranchers to engage in agricultural production and ranching practices.

Senator LeVota said he fears a replay of the 2010 election fight over Proposition B, which regulates dog breeders in the state. Voters approved the measure but lawmakers weakened the regulations on dog breeders the following year.

”I’m concerned this will become puppy mill part two,” said Sen. LeVota. “I had an amendment to carve out dogs, because dogs are not livestock— they’re pets.”

On May 14, LeVota took to the Senate floor to argue against provisions in House Joint Resolution 11 and 7, which would classify dogs and cats as livestock.

“In Missouri we think dogs are different,” Sen. LeVota argued. “We don’t want to treat our pets the way we treat cows or pigs.”

The senator is an advocate for responsible pet ownership. This spring, the LeVota family rescued a pug named Gilly.

“Rescue dogs are just as good as any other dogs,” said Sen. LeVota.

You can see adoptable pets in the Independence area by visiting www.greatplainsspca.org.

Employment Discrimination

One of the final measures considered by the Senate before adjourning for the year was an employment discrimination bill that adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of enumerated categories.

Recent polls show 80 percent of Missourians support adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Missouri’s employment discrimination laws. House Bill 320 passed the Senate on a 19-11 vote, though there was not enough time left in the session for the House to consider the amended version.

Visitors to the Capitol

New Member of the Kansas City Police Commission

Senator LeVota was proud to sponsor Mike Rader, of Kansas City, for his appointment to the Kansas City Board of Commissioners.

Dr. Bridget McCandless Serves as Physician of the Day

Senator LeVota welcomed Dr. Bridget McCandless, Medical Director of the Shared Care Free Clinic of Jackson County to Jefferson City. Dr. McCandless visited the Capitol to serve as the Physician of the Day in the Senate.

Jackson County Drug Court

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On May 14, visitors representing the Jackson County Drug Court arrived in Jefferson City to meet with Kansas City-area legislators. The Drug Court is an alternative to traditional prosecution for non-violent drug offenders. Participants receive counseling and employment training, and graduate without a conviction on their records. The Jackson County Drug Court was one of the earliest programs of its kind in the nation, and has enrolled more than 1,200 people, 96 percent of which have remained conviction-free since graduating.

Coach Dick Vermeil

On April 24, Sen. LeVota introduced former Kansas City Chiefs' Coach Dick Vermeil on the floor of the Senate chamber. Mr. Vermeil led the team between 2001 and 2005. The Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium is located in the 11th Senatorial District.

Missouri Budget Project

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Senator LeVota presented a Senate Certificate of Recognition to Amy Blouin and Jay Hardenbrook of the Missouri Budget Project. The Budget Project is a nonprofit policy analysis group that advocates for Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens. They have been an important ally in the push for Medicaid expansion.

“Medicaid expansion is my top legislative priority because it will help our people and our economy more than any other proposal that’s come out of the Senate right now. We couldn’t get it done this session, but that does not mean we are going to stop pushing this issue next year.”

School Groups Visit the Capitol

Sycamore Hills Elementary School

Senator LeVota and Rep. Noel Torpey visit with fourth graders from Sycamore Hills Elementary School.

Luff Elementary School

Senator LeVota and Rep. Noel Torpey visit with fourth graders from Luff Elementary School.

Proctor Elementary School

Senator LeVota and Rep. Ira Anders visit with fourth graders from Proctor Elementary School.

William Southern Elementary School

Sen. LeVota and Rep. Noel Torpey visit with fourth graders from William Southern Elementary School.

Local Events

Teacher's Credit Union

On Friday, April 26, Sen. LeVota spoke before the Northland Teacher’s Credit Union in Gladstone. The senator is a proud advocate for credit unions.

“As a state lawmaker, one of the aspects of credit unions that appeals to me is that they are democratic institutions,” he told the group. “Credit unions are for all people, especially those who traditionally have been underserved.”

Honoring Harry S. Truman

The Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Foundation held its annual awards luncheon on Friday, May 3. This year, the foundation honored President Bill Clinton with the Truman Good Neighbor Award in recognition of his humanitarian efforts. The former president traveled to Kansas City to accept his award and deliver a speech. The foundation also presented awards to U.S. Army Sergeant Logan Black, who was accompanied by his retired bomb-sniffing dog, Diego.

Senator LeVota was unable to attend the ceremony due to his responsibilities in Jefferson City, but he was proud to issue a Senate resolution commending each of the honorees.

A Special Thanks

Senator LeVota is supported by an outstanding staff to assist the people of the 11th Senatorial District. A special thanks goes to to Executive Assistant Cathe Bauer, Legislative Intern Olivia Sandbothe of Truman State University, and Chief of Staff Ron Barry. Additional thanks to Legislative Intern Nathan Ellermeier of University Missouri and Law Intern Quentin Templeton of UMKC Law School, not shown above.

Senator Paul LeVota
State Capitol Building, Rm. 421
(573) 751-3074
Paul.LeVota@senate.mo.gov