For Immediate Release:
Jan. 8, 2014
Senators' Shared Priorities Top the List
for the 2014 Legislative Session

JEFFERSON CITY — As the cold, arctic air moves out of the Midwest, focus now turns to the first day of the Second Regular Session of the 97th General Assembly.  Lawmakers in the Senate are eager to begin their work in Jefferson City, and agree tackling Missouri’s school transfer law and revising the state’s criminal code are some of the top priorities for the 2014 legislative session. 

Numerous bills relating to the transfer of students from unaccredited to accredited school districts have already been introduced, including Senate Bill 493, sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairman Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, and Senate Bill 516, sponsored by Sen. Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, who also serves on the committee.

Senate Minority Floor Leader Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, introduced legislation today designed to address Missouri’s aging criminal code.  Senate Bill 491 is a bipartisan measure co-sponsored by Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, who also chairs the Senate Judiciary and Civil & Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

Another shared goal for the 2014 legislative session is campaign finance and ethics reform.  Two measures sponsored by Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-St. Charles, relating to campaign finance (Senate Bill 486 and Senate Bill 487) would provide more oversight when it comes to contributing dollars to political candidates; however one of his measures would leave the decision up to the voters.  Senate Bill 536, sponsored Sen. Scott Sifton, D-St. Louis, would institute a lobbyist gift ban for the members of the General Assembly and their candidate committees.

While lawmakers agree on some issues, caucuses in the upper chamber have also set their priorities for the new session.

Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, indicates tax and tax credit reform as high priority issues for the 2014 legislative session.  Other measures filed include legislation relating to Second Amendment rights.  The Legislature will also focus on the Fiscal Year 2015 state budget, especially in the areas of education funding. 

Legislation has already been introduced in the Senate designed to phase in an income tax deduction for business income (Senate Bill 496) and reduce the top rate of tax on personal income tax over a certain timeframe (Senate Bill 497).  Both measures are sponsored by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale.  Another measure relating to income taxes filed this session is Senate Bill 509, sponsored by Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit.  Numerous measures have also been filed that would create, reauthorize, raise or eliminate some of Missouri’s tax credit programs. 

The “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” sponsored by Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington, would prohibit federal laws from restricting or prohibiting the manufacture, ownership and use of firearms and their accessories within the state, while also promoting responsible gun ownership. Several senators have already signed on to co-sponsor Senate Bill 613.

Lawmakers in the Minority Caucus would like to see the Legislature focus its attention on expanding Medicaid for thousands of Missourians.  Senator Paul LeVota, D-Independence, introduced legislation (Senate Bill 661) that would provide for the expansion of MO HealthNet services beginning the first of next year.  Overall economic development and passing a jobs bill that will benefit citizens throughout the state are also priorities named by the Minority Caucus.

To see a complete list of bills filed for the 2014 regular legislative session, visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on the “List of 2014 Senate Bills” under the “Legislation” tab.