Filling Vacancies
Vacancies are too common on Missouri’s numerous boards and commissions, many of which are regulatory. I have received feedback from constituents that these vacancies sometimes interfere with businesses doing their work

Currently, if a person’s term is up and a replacement hasn’t been named by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate, the common practice is that the person stays on until the replacement arrives. I have introduced Senate Bill 88 to ensure appointed officers hold office no longer than their term limits specifies. This would force the governor to move more quickly on finding, screening and nominating board members.

It is my goal to keep our state moving along to benefit Missourians. It’s time to make state government work better.

Ensuring Fair Pay
This session, I filed Senate Bill 144, which would require the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to create guidelines for gender pay equality relating to state and local government and private businesses. This bill would provide explanations for what fair pay is, why inequality happens, its benefits and how to achieve it.

There is no excuse and no room for inequality among genders in this day and age. If we do not address this issue now, it will only further erode opportunity. We must work together in order to ensure that male and female employees receive equal pay for equal work.

Assisting Dual Credit Students

The education of our children here in Missouri, once again, remains one of my top priorities. I filed Senate Bill 71, which would allow A+ Program to reimburse a portion of the student’s fees for dual credit courses.

In order to receive the reimbursement, students must attend a designated A+ public school for one year, have made efforts to obtain available federal aid and earn a minimal grade point average, which the department will determine. The department will also retain the authority to establish other criteria in order to become eligible for the reimbursement.

Paying for higher education is expensive enough for a college student. High school students taking the initiative toward investing in their future education should have that opportunity without a financial burden. Offering an affordable option to advanced education will motivate students to further their education. Children in Missouri deserve the opportunity to receive the best education available, in order to provide them with the advantages they need as they enter into a competitive world and workforce.

Shown above, Sen. LeVota with Sen. Pearce on the senate floor.

Expanding Healthcare to Missourians
Once again, I will propose the expansion of Medicaid eligibility requirements, under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA).  For the third consecutive year, I filed Senate Bill 90 in an effort to retain our federal tax money, and help improve the health and lives of all Missourians. This legislation would provide Missouri access to billions of dollars in federal funds, assist in providing another 300,000 Missourians with affordable health care, and save the lives of at least 700 people a year.

If Medicaid expansion had passed last year, Missouri would have been able to free up $94 million of general revenue. With a severely underfunded education program and a failing transportation infrastructure, that money would have drastically benefited Missouri’s needs. In addition the savings we would receive, paired with the federal money coming in over the next 10 years, Missouri would not have to spend any of our general revenue towards Medicaid expansion.

Providing access to affordable health care remains one of the most important public policy issues Missouri faces today. Citizens of Missouri have asked that we provide them with affordable health care, and as the voice of the people, we have an obligation to deliver what is not only asked, but desperately needed. With a new General Assembly, I am hopeful we will have a more open discussion of the ways Medicaid expansion can benefit our state and its citizens.

Raising Missouri's Minimum Wage
Fifteen percent of Missourians fall below the poverty level. Increasing Missouri’s minimum wage is a simple fix that can create a life altering change in the lives of thousands of working families in Missouri. This increase would improve our economy by generating more customers for businesses and create an overall financially healthy Missouri.

Most Missourians realize that it is difficult to work full-time and support a family on less than $15,000 a year.  It is time we make a future that creates a better life for all Missourians.

For the second year, I have filed legislation that would raise the minimum wage. Senate Bill 193 would increase Missouri’s minimum wage from $7.65 to $10.00. In addition, it would also specify that the cost of living adjustment applies annually regardless of whether the statutory or federal minimum is used. I will diligently continue to offer legislation to increase Missouri’s minimum wage in an effort to improve the lives of hard-working families throughout the state.

Reinstating Campaign Finance Limits

Missouri’s campaign finance limits were eliminated by the Missouri General Assembly May 16, 2008. Since this legislation was passed, accountability of elected officials has deteriorated, and public involvement has drastically declined.

The absence of campaign limits continues to be the root-issue for the neglect of Missouri’s true needs, such as education reform, crime reduction and health care accessibility. The repeal of these limits has led to a financial “free-for-all” in the past four election cycles. We now have a state government that seems removed from ordinary citizens and the needs of its people. Missourians from all sides of the political spectrum feel that their own government is more interested in marginal issues instead of focusing on improving our state.

I have again filed legislation this year, Senate Bill 96, in conjunction with Senate Bill 97, in an effort to impose campaign contribution limits and reform ethics within Missouri’s government. Our state government will never focus on the true needs of its citizens while there are no limits to campaign contributions. I believed that in 2008, and I am more convinced of this fact today.

Every week, I do a podcast with Independence City Councilman Chris Whiting called “Dialogue with Missouri Sen. Paul LeVota.” The idea came from the late Congressman Jerry Litton. He held the same strong passion for staying involved with constituents that I have and talk about issues they are facing. Staying connected with the constituents I serve is of the upmost importance to me. I encourage all Missourians to listen to my podcast and contact me with any concerns you may have. If you would like to listen to my podcasts and find out what I am working on now, click here.

As you can see, there is much work to be done by your elected officials in the upcoming year. It is an honor to serve as your state senator. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments at www.senate.mo.gov/levota or by contacting my Capitol office at (573) 751-3074.

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