In and Out of the District
In September, lawmakers returned to Jefferson City for the annual veto session, as required when the governor rejects legislation passed by the General Assembly. This year, six bills were vetoed. None of these measures attracted the necessary two-thirds majority to override a governor’s veto, so the session was brief and uneventful.
Although the veto session lasted just one day, lawmakers spent an entire week at the Capitol in an extraordinary session called by the governor. By an overwhelming majority, the Legislature clarified Missouri law to allow credits for the sale of multiple vehicles when calculating the sales tax on a subsequent vehicle purchase. The governor called the extra session after the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that Missourians could only deduct the sale of one vehicle for each vehicle purchased.
While legislators were in Jefferson City, the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee met to review nearly three dozen pending nominations to various boards and commissions. As a member of this committee, I was honored to visit with Col. Levon Cumpton, the new adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. Cumpton will oversee all National Guard units in the state, including the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Air Base in St. Joseph. Congratulations also go to Bruce Kerr of Platte City. The full Senate confirmed the retired Missouri State Highway Patrolman’s appointment to the Platte County Election Board.
I was also honored to join other pro-business legislative leaders at a recognition ceremony hosted by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. I was proud to be named one of the Chamber’s Business Champions for 2019. It’s a pleasure to fight for the small businesses in our community and across the state. As a legislator, boosting Missouri’s economy and creating more good-paying jobs will always be one of my top priorities.
DISTRICT ACTIVITY
September brought more meetings with constituents and community organizations throughout the 34th Senatorial District. On Sept. 5, I shared the stage with fellow lawmakers as we updated local leaders on activities at the state and national level as part of the Platte County Legislative Affairs Breakfast. Moderated by the League of Women Voters, this event provided a great opportunity to address important issues and hear the thoughts of members of the community.
During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 4, formally naming the Kansas City Chiefs as the official NFL team of Missouri. It was my pleasure to gather with legislative colleagues and Chiefs owner Clark Hunt to witness the governor sign the resolution on the field of Arrowhead Stadium. All of Missouri is proud of our Chiefs.
On Saturday, Sept. 7, I delivered the keynote address to the men and women of Missouri’s 139th Airlift Wing during the Missouri Air National Guard unit’s annual Stars and Stripes Gala. It was an honor to thank the unit for its service, both overseas in conflict zones and at home aiding victims of natural disasters, such as the devastating floods we experienced along the Missouri River in 2019.
I also had the pleasure of joining the staff and supporters of Parkville Women’s Clinic as they held their annual gala. The Parkville Women’s Clinic provides free pregnancy testing, counseling and other services confidentially and completely free of charge. I’m so proud to have such a wonderful organization in our community that provides love and support to families and stands up for life.
ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE FUTURE
As a member of the blue ribbon panel studying the possibility of bringing a space-age “hyperloop” transport system to Missouri, I’m excited to see our work enter the next phase. The panel’s report will be presented to the speaker of the House of Representatives in the coming weeks.
As improbable as it sounds, there is at least some possibility that Missouri could one day be home to an enclosed tunnel, stretching from St. Louis to Kansas City, that would send commuters hurling across the entire width of the state in as little as 30 minutes. The magnetic levitation technology is currently being developed at a test track in the Nevada desert and Kansas City engineering firm Black and Veatch has completed a feasibility study that gives tentative endorsement to a hyperloop route along the Interstate 70 right of way.
The developer, Virgin Hyperloop One, will send requests for proposals to every state in the nation in October. Missouri is way ahead of most other states, due to the studies already completed here, as well as our relatively flat route along the interstate. Some of you may have seen the hyperloop test pod when it was on display at the American Royal barbecue in September. The pod now moves to St. Louis, where it will be presented to attendees at a highway and transportation conference.
It is my great honor to represent the citizens of Platte and Buchanan counties in the Missouri Senate. Please contact my office at 573-751-2183, or visit www.senate.mo.gov/luetkemeyer.