Untitled Document

Missouri Senate
97th General Assembly

Senator
Bob Dixon

Serving the People of the
30th Senatorial District

Contact Me

E-Mail:
Via website at
www.senate.mo.gov/Dixon

Toll-Free
Constituent LinE:
866-291-5077

Mail:
Senator Bob Dixon
Missouri Senate
State Capitol, Room 332
201 W. Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Telephone:
573-751-2583

Fax:
573-526-1305

Schedule A Meeting:

End-of-Session Review: Part I

Jobs

Measuring Success

Every session is accompanied by updates, briefings, grades, report cards, etc. There is a natural tendency to determine whether the session was a "success" or a "failure." Of course, where one person sees a wildly successful session, another sees a dismal failure. In championship games, one team wins, one loses, and other teams don't even make it to the game. Dozens of quality bills may pass, but what if one priority bill fails?

Personally, I worked hard to deliver as many of my top priorities to the governor's desk as possible. Having completed one priority - benevolent tax credits renewal (SBs 20, 15 and 19) - early in the year, I devoted the remainder of session to working on other bills I had sponsored. By the end, the General Assembly had sent 14 bills to the governor's desk containing provisions I sponsored to promote jobs, justice, and good government. No matter how it's measured, this session proved to a productive one for a number of priorities important to our area and the people of the 30th District. Below is a link to a chart summarizing some of my legislative work from this session. This Dialogue will focus on the first category, and I will go into more detail on the others in following Dialogues.

2013 Session Chart (PDF)

The Legislative Process Continues

"Are we there yet?"

It's a familiar question on a family vacation, but it's also appropriate for the final phases of the legislative process. The "last" day of the legislative session (May 17 this year) tends to garner the lion's share of the attention, because it is the last day for the General Assembly to consider bills. However, the General Assembly didn't officially adjourn until Thursday, May 30. Those two extra weeks were devoted to the last steps necessary to send bills to the governor's desk: the preparation of official, final copies of the bills for signing in open session by the Speaker of the House and the Senate President pro tem. This was just one of a series of often-overlooked deadlines set out in the constitution.

If the preparation and filing of bills (December-April) is the first phase of the legislative process, and the legislative session (January-May) is the second phase, then we've entered the third phase (May-July). The focus has shifted from the House and Senate chambers to the second floor and the governor's office. According to the constitution, the governor has 45 days from the end of session (May 30) to act on any bill sent to him by the General Assembly. By July 14, he must sign or veto these bills, or allow them to become law without his signature. Then, unless a bill includes a different effective date, it becomes law on August 28. Also, before the next fiscal year begins on July 1, the governor must reject or sign the 13 appropriations bills that make up the state operating budget. Finally, on the "first Wednesday following the second Monday in September" (this year falling on September 11), the General Assembly will reconvene to consider only those bills vetoed by the governor. For the moment, the rush of activity in mid-May is replaced with a waiting game.

Jobs

This session, I filed several bills to streamline government and help position Missouri as an excellent place to start, expand or relocate a business. SB 323 consolidated four existing business development programs into a single, streamlined initiative, called Missouri Works, which provides flexibility, simplicity of use, and broad applicability, as well as ensuring accountability and budget certainty. Missouri Works passed as a part of HB 184. Unpredictable regulatory policies negatively impact the cost of doing business and discourage entrepreneurs or businesses from investing or expanding. SB 416, which passed in HB 28, reduces unnecessary barriers and cuts red tape with a streamlined permitting process for the state Department of Natural Resources.

The cornerstone of job creation and economic development is a skilled workforce and quality education. Recognizing this fact, I have worked in the Senate over the last three years to hold the line on current education funding, despite the limited options we face, advocate for sensible tax credit reform, and oppose siphoning money from public education to fund the expansion of other programs. The final version of HB 2 (Elementary and Secondary Education) totals $5.5 billion, including over $3 billion for the state's Foundation Formula. For the most part, HB 3 (Higher Education) reflected the Senate position, with $25 million in increased funding for public colleges and universities. The new funds will be distributed based on a performance funding model. This means an additional $2.4 million in funding for MSU, which has met 100 percent of the performance targets considered. HB 3 also included $1.3 million (added in the Senate) to fund an Occupational Therapy program at Missouri State University to meet growing needs in the health care field. Finally, our region will also benefit from $10 million in funding for UM-Columbia School of Medicine, part of which will be used to create a Springfield clinic campus, in partnership with Cox and Mercy hospitals.

Governor's Actions on Legislation

In addition to reviewing the legislation on which I worked during session, I will continue to provide a running list in this and other Dialogues of the actions taken by the governor on bills passed by the General Assembly. Click here or scroll down to see the list of bills already signed or vetoed at this time.

Keep Me Informed

I appreciate your support and involvement in your state government. It has always been an honor to serve you in Jefferson City and cast your vote on the Senate floor. Even though the legislative session has ended, my work as your senator continues throughout the year. My office is open and my staff is ready to help you with any issues, so feel free to contact us. Call (573) 751-2583 or visit my website at www.senate.mo.gov/dixon. An e-mail, phone call or letter letting me know what you think about legislation or the governor's actions on legislation is always welcome.

Sincerely,

Signature

Governor's Action on Legislation

SB 205 - Allows for higher education or armed services visits for children in foster care or in the Division of Youth Services and raises the age limit for foster care re-entry

June 13, 2013 - Signed by Governor

SB 208 - Raises the age limit for when a youth may reenter into foster care

June 13, 2013 - Signed by Governor

HB 133 - Changes the laws regarding the accreditation requirements for reinsurance companies and specifies when an insurance company can take credit or reduce liability due to reinsurance