The 2013 legislative session began this week on Wednesday, Jan. 9. For the next five months, lawmakers from all areas of Missouri will be debating important issues for Missourians. There are many pressing issues facing our state. Thankfully, the Missouri Legislature remains a place where both sides are willing to compromise to find the solution that best suits our state.

I will continue my efforts to bring job creation to Missouri through responsible economic development policy. We must continue to make our state more attractive to new and existing businesses. As part of this, the top priorities the Senate will be debating are tax relief for small businesses, various tax incentives to attract new economic activity to the state and investing in our state’s infrastructure, particularly our roads and highways, many of which are in desperate need of repair and rebuilding.

This year, I filed Senate Bill 15, which would extend the sunset on the Public Safety Officer Surviving Spouse tax credit and reauthorize the Children in Crisis, Food Pantry and Pregnancy Resource Center tax credits, among others.

I also filed legislation to help Joplin businesses rebuild. Senate Bill 74 will lower the tax burden during the redevelopment period after the tornado in 2011.  This legislation will help businesses build back faster so people in Joplin can get back to work.

I’m excited to start this new session.  I am honored to serve the 32nd District and will continue to keep you updated on legislation as the session progresses.