January 22, 2024 - Capitol Report
I hope you are staying warm in this cold weather. In the legislature, we have had to cancel committee hearings and session days because of the cold. Here is a map of warming centers in the region.
Tax Season is upon us, and the legislature passed SB 190 last year, which exempt social security retirement income from state income tax. You can learn more about this from the Department of Revenue's website.
Last week was quiet, with only one session day. Things will begin in earnest this week. There is a Rules committee meeting on Monday, which means we will likely start hearing bills on the floor this week. The committee on Monday will hear HB 1989, which is about Open Enrollment in public schools. Rules committees generally do not take public testimony, but you can share your views with your legislators before we vote on the floor.
State of the State
Governor Parson will give his State of the State address this week, during which he will outline his legislative priorities. Traditionally, the Governor also releases his budget recommendations after the State of the State address.
You can view the livestream of the State of the State address at 3:00 PM Central Time on Wednesday, January 24. The archive version will be available afterward.
Brentwood Pointe Transportation Development District
The State Auditor recently released a report on the Brentwood Pointe Transportation Development District, which is located within House District 83. The Brentwood Pointe Transportation Development District was organized in May 2001 for the purpose of improving the extensions of Hanley Industrial Drive and Eager Road. The project was substantially completed as of December 31, 2021
Based on the audit, the cash balance of the Brentwood Pointe TDD as of December 31, 2022, was $364,283. After the district's final costs and professional fees are paid, the remaining balance will be transferred to the Hanley Road Corridor TDD in accordance with the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement. The audit of the Brentwood Pointe Transportation Development District indicates the financial condition of the district is such that it may be abolished.
Response to Secretary Ashcroft
It has become public that my office forwarded to the Missouri Secretary of State's Office a complaint received against an individual for foreign interference in elections under 18 USC 951. I share the complaint here with the express permission of the complainant.
The day after I forwarded the complaint, the Secretary's office forwarded a complaint form and responded that:
Election complaints that our office investigates center around violations of Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 for Federal Elections as well as all violations of Missouri’s Election Laws. Specific election offenses are outlined in Missouri Revised Statutes 115.631 thru 115.637. The Secretary’s Elections Integrity Unit will evaluate each complaint received and all complaints will receive a written response.
Because the complaint I had forwarded did not involve a violation of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 or a violation of election laws as outlined in 115.631 through 115.637 RSMo, I did not return the complaint form and believed that was the end of the matter.
However, Secretary Ashcroft recently stated in an interview that "I feel a duty to investigate any claim like that [referencing election manipulation and foreign interference in our elections]. That's what I do for the people." He stated that the complaint I had forwarded, including allegations that an individual made baseless accusations that I had threatened the individual his family, "turned into being really just being antisemitism."
I find it offensive that a statewide elected official would use his office to publicly mischaracterize a complaint made by a private citizen. I have asked the Secretary of State's office for their policy on the confidentiality of complaints and for their policy regarding complaints of foreign interference with Missouri elections. I will let you know when I receive their response.
Bills
I have filed the following bills this year:
HB 1839 - Renames Confederate Memorial State Historic Site
HB 1840 - Creates an Office of Inspector General within the Department of Social Services
HB 1841 - Allows the Department of Labor and the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute wage theft
HB 1842 - Replaces old statutory references to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act
HB 1843 - Adds tobacco products and vapor products to the "drug-free schools act"
HB 1844 - establishes protections for immigrants who are in rental housing
HB 1845 - Requires a Certificate of Value be filed when real property is transferred
HB 1846 - Abolishes the Death Penalty
HB 1994 - Establishes the Missouri Bureau of Investigation under the Office of Attorney General
Administrative Rules
One often-overlooked part of state government is Administrative Rules, which lay out the nuts and bolts of how the government follows the rules.
The January 16, 2024 Missouri Register proposes rule changes for the following Departments:
Conservation Commission (83)
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Division of Learning Services (85)
Office of Childhood (89)
Missouri Department of Transportation
Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (89)
Motor Carrier and Railroad Safety (91)
Department of Commerce and Insurance
Missouri Real Estate Commission (92)
I asked the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition about the proposed rule changes related to voting in the January 3 Missouri Register. They were not aware of them at the time I contacted them; they stated that they would get back with me.
Administrative rules govern much of the day-to-day workings of the state government. The legislature writes the laws - the basic framework. The administrative departments write the rules about how these laws are implemented.
Just like with the legislature, there is the opportunity for testimony on these rules. Usually, there is not a public hearing, but anyone can submit written testimony.
The Secretary of State’s Website has the Administrative Rules, as well as a listing of Emergency Rules and the Missouri Register, which contains proposed changes.
You can also sign up to be informed of administrative changes for specific issues.