JEFFERSON CITY, MO - Missouri Senators this week passed a measure sponsored by Sen. Cauthorn expanding the power and benefit of Missouri's Agricultural Product Utilization Contributor Tax Credit. Senate Bill 84 allows operators of "new generation" agribusiness cooperatives and processing facilities to take advantage of the special agriculture development tax credit program on a quarterly, rather than annual basis.

"The incentive tax credit program has an overall cap of $6 million, and that comes back many times over through expanded agribusiness and the through the powerful boost agribusiness gives to Missouri's economy," Cauthorn said. "What I'm doing with this legislation is matching the credit cycle with that of the estimated tax payment schedule to help maximize cash flow."

After crafting a bill last week covering a major portion of the current year's budget deficit, Cauthorn and his Senate colleagues this week also passed a measure restricting the filing of lawsuits by municipalities and the state against firearm dealers and manufacturers.

Senate Bill 13 maintains that the design, marketing, manufacture or sale of firearms or ammunition is not an unreasonably dangerous activity, thus there is no reason to file suit to stop the activity. Cauthorn noted that the act, designed to streamline "tort" or civil liability court actions, does allow for legal actions relating to firearms/ammunition breach of contract or warranty issues.

The Senate's Pensions and General Laws Committee heard testimony on a measure Cauthorn is advancing that would allow for the issuance of permits to carry concealed weapons. Senate Bill 83 stipulates that permit applicants must be at least 21, submit to a background check, show proof of firearm training and pay an initial fee of up to $100. Permit renewals, required annually, would cost up to $50. Permit fees would go into revolving funds administered by county or city sheriffs for training and equipment purchases. Permits would not allow carrying concealed weapons into certain places such as schools, churches and public buildings.

"I believe now more than ever that we need to afford responsible citizens the right to protect themselves and their loved ones," Cauthorn said. "After the 911 attack and with a possible conflict with Iraq, I believe the entire state is ready to enact sensible measures that boost personal protection. This particular measure has a fail-safe checks-and-balances system and falls well within the rights afforded to every citizen in this great country of ours by the United States Constitution."

Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee members this week heard testimony on a measure creating the Missouri Sunset Act. Committee chairman Cauthorn explained that Senate Bill 544 would have each new state program enacted sunset, or end, after not more than six years. At that point, a program could then be re-authorized for a period of up to 12 additional years.

"I think we'd all be pleasantly surprised with the swift progress we'd make paring down state government with the power of this legislation on the books," Cauthorn said. "There is no program in government that does not need to be reviewed to ensure that it is being efficient with tax money and producing the results that the citizens demand."

Cauthorn and his Senate peers had until the end of this week to introduce legislation. By week's end, the senate secretary had tallied up 699 bills, thought to be, in modern history, a record number.

Senator Cauthorn represents the Missouri's 18th Senatorial District. He can be reached in his capital office at (573) 751-6858.