Preserving the World Around Us
A walk around downtown Jefferson City will take you past numerous buildings and sites that have played an important role in our state’s history. Nearly every building throughout the downtown area has a story to tell. We are fortunate to have these historic sites, many of which are still in use today for tourism or for government business. However, with these historic buildings comes the responsibility to maintain them.
In order to help our city’s historic buildings and landmarks, I have proposed Senate Bill 255. This legislation, which was heard by the Senate’s Economic Development Committee, creates the Capitol Complex Tax Credit Act and allows individuals to make donations to help restore and repair these historic buildings and landmarks. Qualified donors will be eligible for a tax credit of up to 50 percent of their donation. These funds would go toward projects intended to restore and renovate the State Capitol, the Missouri Supreme Court building, the Old Federal Courthouse, the Highway building and the Governor’s Mansion.
This legislation has been introduced in the past, and I believe it provides a path forward to restoring these historic places and ensuring they stand the test of time. By implementing this program, we can empower concerned citizens and provide critical funding to these sites without having to go through the arduous appropriations process each year. I believe we have a responsibility to maintain these sites, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation.
Outside of my legislative responsibilities, I had the honor this week to award Lowell Mohler with the Peter Myers Distinguished Service award from the Missouri Agribusiness Association. Named after a former Missouri House member and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, this award goes to a Missourian who has dedicated a considerable amount of their life to promoting our state’s No. 1 industry – agriculture.
Lowell Mohler has been an influential voice in agriculture for many years. He served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Missouri Farm Bureau and helped to double its membership from 43,000 to 85,000 members. He served as the director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture from 2000 to 2003, before serving a six-year term on the Missouri Conservation Commission. Mr. Mohler has been a tireless advocate for agriculture in our state and a strong supporter of preserving the natural world about us. It was an honor to be able to recognize such an outstanding and deserving individual.
Please feel free to contact my office at (573) 751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.