Last week was the conclusion of the 2014 legislative session.  As your state senator, I wanted to provide a review of the session overall, which began in January.

Investment in Early Childhood Education

Senator LeVota speaking with fellow Jackson County college Sen. Shalonn "Kiki" Curls on the Senate floor.

The General Assembly approved legislation that grants future state funding for public school districts to provide early childhood education to children in poverty.  I believe this is the best way to improve education for our kids.  Research shows that providing a high-quality education for children before they turn 5 yields significant long-term benefits.  I strongly supported this measure because high-quality early childhood education represents one of the best investments our state can make.

Deferred Maintenance Projects

Legislation was passed that authorizes the state Board of Public Buildings to issue $220.5 million in bonds for deferred maintenance projects across the state.   These projects are in great need of repairs, including several projects at University of Missouri-Kansas City and Metropolitan Community College, to benefit the people of the 11th Senatorial District.

Transportation Sales Tax

The General Assembly placed on a statewide ballot a constitutional amendment raising the sales tax by three-quarters of a cent per dollar for transportation.  Although I do see the sales tax as a regressive measure that will hit poor people more than wealthy people, I voted for the measure because more money is needed for Missouri’s crumbling roads.  State transportation officials say the road budget will soon shrink considerably without a new revenue source.  I am concerned that without any additional funding, the crumbling infrastructure would negatively affect business and job growth in our state.

Elementary and Secondary Education Standards Accountability

Legislation was passed to require the state to evaluate and adopt new standards and assessments to track student performance.  This measure allows for common measurements, yet increases the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education accountability to students and parents while implementing any standard.

Higher Education Standards Accountability

Passed legislation requires public universities to establish five performance criteria, used to determine the amount of extra money an institution would receive when the state can increase college funding.  I support this measure to help ensure lower cost for higher education in Missouri.

Legalization of Hemp Oil

The General Assembly legalized a cannabis oil extract for individuals with severe epilepsy who have not responded to three other treatments.  This small measure will give hope to kids who suffer from this difficult disease.

Payday Loans Reform

Legislation was passed to require payday lenders to offer extended payment plans to borrowers, lower the cap on interest and fees, and impose license fees on Internet lenders operating in Missouri.  The measure also drops the total amount of accumulated interest and fees on payday loans from 75 to 35 percent. Although I don’t see this legislation solving all the problems for borrowers, I believe the measure will protect consumers from getting into a debt trap.

Coverage for Dental Care

The budget passed by the General Assembly appropriates $48 million in federal and state funds to reinstate dental care for about 300,000 low-income adults on Medicaid.  This coverage will help many Missouri families receive the proper dental care to improve their health.

Oral Cancer Treatment Costs

The General Assembly passed legislation that limits patients' out-of-pocket costs for oral anti-cancer drugs to $75 per month after they meet their deductible.  This will provide cancer patients with more affordable access to oral chemotherapy treatments.  This is a great step forward for patients in Missouri.  I believe that every person battling cancer should have access to affordable and effective treatment.

Increase to the Minimum Wage

Senator Paul LeVota presenting a resolution to SFC Jim Neighbors of Truman's Battery located in Independence, Mo., for his service to our country.

Unfortunately, little progress was made on this issue.  Increasing Missouri's minimum wage is a simple change that state government can make to raise the incomes of millions of working families in Missouri.  For businesses, it would mean more customers.  This makes sense to do at this time since corporations’ profits and CEOs’ pay have never been higher.  This is why I filed legislation to increase the minimum wage in Missouri.  A Senate committee did advanced legislation that could raise Missouri’s minimum wage to $10 an hour, but the measure stopped there.  I will continue to fight for a higher minimum wage as your state senator.

Medicaid Expansion

Another important issue that died this year from lack of legislative action was a proposal to expand Missouri’s Medicaid eligibility threshold under the federal Affordable Care Act, which would allow the state to leverage billions of dollars in federal funds while extending health care coverage to another 300,000 Missourians.  Once again, I have filed legislation, Senate Bill 661, to get back our federal tax money to increase access to affordable health care.

Unfortunately, not enough progress was made on this issue even though a House committee passed legislation that would increase Medicaid eligibility to individuals at 100 percent of the poverty level.  Access to affordable health care is one of the most important public policy issues that we face in Missouri.  No other issue involves such deep moral and economic consequences for our state. Delivery of health care services is far too important in terms of lives, jobs, and the overall economic well-being of the state for us to be complicit in the lack of seriousness in crafting meaningful health care policy. Despite this disappointing session, I will continue to work for an effective solution for Missouri.

Reinstate Campaign Contribution Limits

Once again, the General Assembly refused to reinstate established campaign contribution limits to increase ethics in the Capitol.  I sponsored Senate Bill 627 to reinstate the amount an individual can donate to a political candidate.  Current Missouri law allows politicians to accept both unlimited campaign contributions. While I believe we should not prohibit any politician from collecting six-figure donations,  I hope we can reinstate real ethic reform next legislative session.

Enhance A+ Program

Based on feedback from our local school superintendent, I sponsored Senate Bill 848 requiring the Department of Higher Education to establish a reimbursement procedure through the A+ Program for a student's portion of fees for dual-enrollment courses.  This measure would help motivated students earn advanced education in a more affordable way.  The measure passed the Senate, but the session ended before it could pass the House.  I will continue to push this idea to help Missouri students.

Fix to the Education Transfer Issue

Senator LeVota offers cake at the Capitol to celebrate the 130th birthday of Harry Truman on May 8, 2014.

The General Assembly passed SCS SBs 493, 485, 495, 516, 534, 545, 595, 616 & 624 in an effort to clarify an existing state law that allows students in unaccredited public school districts to transfer to a nearby accredited district of their choice.  Many students in unaccredited districts have already transferred to other schools, which highlights the need for the General Assembly to address the issue to stop these current and anticipated problems.

The bill I filed, Senate Bill 624, is part of this legislation.  I proposed a simple solution to address the student transfer issue in a way that helps both the accredited and unaccredited school districts.  It is unfair to overwhelm accredited districts with transferring students. On the other hand, it is also unfair to turn students away if the district has room to accommodate them.

Unfortunately, the final legislation contains language allowing students to leave failing public schools for private, non-sectarian ones.  I do not support the private school language or any attempt to harm public school funding.  Despite my objections, it is my hope that this legislation positively impacts students in Missouri.

Massive Tax Cut Issue

One proposal that was passed over the governor’s veto is creation of a massive ‘Kansas-like’ tax cut that will mostly benefit corporations and wealthy individuals.  Senate Bill 509  provides a massive tax cut for corporations reducing revenues by approximately $650 million.  I still believe that we should be the ‘Show-Me State,’ not the ‘Me-Too State.’  Tax reform is a crucial part of our economic development policy, but we need to be able to pay for the things the state government has to do.  This law puts our responsibility to provide adequate funding for education, transportation, mental health, and all other priorities in jeopardy.

Restricting Women’s Access to Health Care

A bill requiring women to wait 72 hours to have an abortion after their initial consultation with a doctor passed this session.  Senate Bill 519 would triple the mandatory wait.  It is one of more than 20 bills that have been filed to restrict women’s access to health care.

I believe this measure is a pointless and cynical bill that we are only seeing because it is an election year.  It shows that the majority in the General Assembly is more interested in politics then improving the lives of Missourians.