Rep. Dean Dohrman, a Republican, represents Johnson, Pettis, and Saline counties (District 51). He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2012. In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Dohrman is an online professor. Rep. Dohrman is a member of Warrensburg and Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce, and Sedalia Lions Club. He attends Wesley United Methodist Church. A graduate of LaMonte High, Rep. Dohrman earned his PhD from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2004. Born in Warrensburg, Rep. Dohrman currently lives in LaMonte.

Capitol Report Dec. 14, 2017

Posted Thursday, December 14, 2017, at 4:25 PM

As you may know from the news, the St. Louis Veterans Home has been under investigation following a series of complaints made by family members of veterans residing in the veterans home. Ultimately, an independent investigation revealed serious issues across a variety of areas. As a result, the governor launched full investigations into each of Missouri's other veterans homes, replaced all five of the previous administration's appointees to the Missouri Veterans Commission, called on Larry Kay to be replaced as the Executive Director of the Missouri Veterans Commission, and for Rolando Carter, the administrator of the home, to be fired. This topic is discussed in more detail below.

Now, for some good news. The Missouri Department of Revenue has decided to reopen its tax assistance office located in the Harry S Truman State Office Building at 301 West High Street, Room 330, in Jefferson City. This office is open to the public from 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday and is staffed with tax experts who are available to provide assistance with business tax registration, income tax compliance, corporate income tax questions, lien/garnishment resolution, and electronic filing for online filing and payments, among other services. This is a great free resource to those that may need assistance during the tax filing season! (For more info, visit: http://dor.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/3605234a-79c4-4942-bf75-0b2104bc07ec)

St. Louis Veterans Home

The St. Louis Veterans Home has been under an independent investigation, ordered by Governor Greitens, following a series of complaints made by family members of veterans residing in the Veterans Home. Specifically, in July 2017, the governor's office received reports of mistreatment and inadequate care at the St. Louis Veterans Home. The Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) oversees and runs these homes. The governor told the MVC that he expected answers—an immediate investigation and response. The MVC reported that they were unable to find evidence confirming the allegations.

The governor then instructed the Department of Public Safety to follow up, looking for any criminal misconduct. At the conclusion of their work, the Department of Public Safety advised the governor to call in the US Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct another full and complete investigation. The governor then requested an investigation from the VA. They published a 57-page report that examined the quality of the home against 158 different standards. The VA said that, for all 158 standards, the St. Louis Veterans Home met all quality thresholds.

However, not dissuaded by the results and among continued complaints, the governor decided to order an independent investigation of the St. Louis Veterans Home commissioned by Missouri's Department of Public Safety and conducted by Harmony Healthcare International. Ultimately, the independent investigation revealed serious issues across a variety of areas. As a result, the governor launched full investigations into each of Missouri's other veterans homes, replaced all five of the previous administration's appointees to the Missouri Veterans Commission, called on Larry Kay to be replaced as the Executive Director of the Missouri Veterans Commission, and for Rolando Carter, the administrator of the home, to be fired.

“Big government failed these veterans. The Missouri Veterans Commission and VA told us that there was nothing wrong with these homes. Based on what the families told us, however, we were still concerned. So we launched an independent investigation. It found failures at the St. Louis Veterans Home that the VA and Missouri Veterans Commission missed or ignored,” said Governor Greitens.

The governor added: “We hold leaders responsible. Missouri's veterans—our neighbors, friends, parents, and grandparents-- were being hurt. When people are being hurt, and bureaucrats fail to act, fail to listen, and offer only excuses, we're going to find out, and they are going to be fired.”

Missouri Department of Revenue Tax Assistance Office Reopens

The Missouri Department of Revenue has reopened its Jefferson City Tax Assistance Office. Located in the Harry S. Truman State Office Building at 301 West High Street, Room 330, the office is open to the public from 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tax experts are available to provide assistance with business tax registration, income tax compliance, corporate income tax questions, lien/garnishment resolution, and electronic filing for online filing and payments, among other services. The Jefferson City Tax Assistance Office was one of seven such offices that were closed in 2014.

“A principle focus of the leadership of the Department of Revenue over the last year has been to dramatically enhance our level of customer service from where it has been in the past,” said Joel Walters, director of the Missouri Department of Revenue. “Reopening the Tax Assistance Office is part of a larger, renewed commitment to serving our customers better. We understand and appreciate what a void closure of this office left, as well as the tremendous value bringing back face-to-face expert assistance provides.”

(For more info, visit: http://dor.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/3605234a-79c4-4942-bf75-0b2104bc07ec)

A Special Thank You

I would like to use a little space this week for a personal note: As many of you know, my mother, Opal Dohrman, passed away early Sunday morning at 90 years of age. I wanted to convey my thanks to everyone for your kind words and consideration during this time of loss. I am very fortunate to live in a community with such good and caring people!

It is an honor to serve the 51st District in the Missouri House of Representatives. Each week I will issue a capitol report to keep you informed of activities in Jefferson City. Any concerns or issues you might have are of great interest to me. I look forward to your input and thoughts, so please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions, concerns, or ideas to improve our state government and the quality of life for all Missourians. My telephone number is 573-751-2204 or you may contact me by email at dean.dohrman@house.mo.gov. Thank you for working with me to make Missouri a great place to live.