
Capital Report: Aug. 2, 2018
In less than a week, Missourians will be able to exercise one of their most important rights by heading to the polls to vote in the August 7 primary. Voters from all over the state will participate in the elections process to help determine who will represent them in the halls of government. By casting their votes, they will able to make their voices heard on candidates and issues that will help determine the path the state takes heading into the future.
While the state generally sees strong voter turnout for the November general election, voters typically participate at a much lower rate during the August primary. In fact, Missouri typically sees voter turnout in the 20 to 25 percent range for primary elections. As a matter of comparison, the August 2016 primary saw 24.8 percent of voters participate in the process while the November general saw voter turnout greater than 66 percent of the state’s registered voters.
The primary turnout means, in effect, that three out of every four voters choose to disenfranchise themselves by not participating in the process. When considering that some primaries in 2016 were decided by as few as 50 votes, it reinforces the fact that every vote counts!
Individuals interested in checking their polling location, and what issues or candidates will be on the ballot, can visit http://www.GoVoteMissouri.com and click on the “Where Do I Vote?” link, or contact their local election official. Any questions about elections can be directed to 800-669-8683. For information on Missouri’s photo voter ID law that went into effect last year, Missourians can visit http://www.ShowIt2Vote.com.
There will be one statewide referendum on the ballot on August 7, Right to Work. I have ran into quite a bit of confusion about this issue, so I will make a quick summary to start this report.
Right to Work
During the 2016 legislative session, the General Assembly passed and the governor a bill making Missouri the 27th Right to Work state. However, signatures were gathered to send the measure to what is known as a referendum veto. Just as the governor can strike down a bill, so can the voters. Therefore, it is important for you to make it to the polls and document your position on this issue.
Here is a quick rundown of the bill: it does not outlaw unions in any way. However, it does remove the requirement to join a union to hold a job if that employer is unionized.
A YES VOTE means that WORKERS MAY HOLD A JOB WITHOUT BEING FORCED TO BE A UNION MEMBER AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.
A NO VOTE means that CLOSED SHOPS MAY CONTINUE TO REQUIRE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES BE UNION MEMBERS.
This is the essence of the legislation.
Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
As summer starts to wind down, families will now turn their attention to sending their kids back to school. School starting up again soon means parents will need to buy new school supplies and clothes to get their children ready for the classroom. To help with this process, Missouri has a three-day back-to-school tax holiday that exempts everything from school supplies to computers from sales tax.
Approved by the legislature in 2003, the three-day period allows parents to buy school-related items such as clothing, school supplies and computers without having to pay the state sales tax of 4.225 percent. In some cases, local municipalities have also chosen to honor the holiday, which means parents in these areas will be able to forego local sales tax as well.
For a complete list of the cities and counties that have chosen not to participate, please use the following link:
http://dor.mo.gov/business/sales/taxholiday/school/
This is a great way for Missourians to stretch their dollars by making the cost of going back to school a little more affordable. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of the holiday that begins Friday, Aug. 3 at 12:01 a.m. and runs through Sunday, Aug. 5. It’s important to note that the school supply tax exemption has a limit of $50 per purchase, while the clothing exemption has a $100 limit and the personal computer tax exemption has a limit of $1,500. For more information, please visit: http://dor.mo.gov/business/sales/taxholiday/school/consumers.php.
Also, as promised I will continue to summarize Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed (TAFP) bills from this legislative session. This week I will wrap up House bills and move to Senate bills next week.
2018 Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed Bills
HB 2330 (Signed by Governor: 06/01/18) -- Designates a portion of State Highway 30 in St. Louis County as the "Officer Blake Snyder Memorial Highway"
This bill designates a portion of State Highway 30 in St. Louis County as the "Blake Snyder Memorial Highway." The costs of signs designating the highway shall be paid by private donations.
HB 2347 (Signed by Governor: 06/01/18) – Designates a portion of Interstate 44 in Greene County as the "Captain Aaron J Eidem Memorial Highway".
This bill designates highway names and requires the designations to be paid with private funds. In its main provisions, the bill: (1) Designates the portion of State Highway 45 Spur from State Highway 45 continuing north to State Highway 92 in Platte County as the "Deputy Edward Culver Memorial Highway;" (2) Designates the portion of State Highway 30 from State Highway 21 continuing east to State Highway P in St. Louis County as the "Officer Blake Snyder Memorial Highway;" (3) Designates the portion of Interstate 44, among others.
HB 2540 (Signed by Governor: 07/12/18) – Changes the laws regarding state revenues
Currently, the law provides for a reduction in the top rate of income tax over a period of years from 6% to 5.5%, with each cut becoming effective if net general revenue collections meet a certain trigger. In addition to such reductions, beginning in the calendar year 2019, this bill provides that the top rate of tax shall be reduced by 0.4%. The bill also creates a definition for "net general revenue collected," which includes all revenue deposited into the General Revenue Fund, less refunds and revenues originally deposited into the General Revenue Fund but designated by law for a specific distribution or transfer to another state fund.
HB 2562 (Vetoed by Governor: 07/13/18) – Establishes treatment courts
This bill establishes treatment court divisions, which include, but are not limited to Adult Treatment Court, Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Court, Family Treatment Court, Juvenile Treatment Court, and Veterans Treatment Court. Previously, a treatment court division was called a drug court.
HCR 63 (Signed by Governor: 07/13/18) – Designates March 18th of each year as DeMolay Day
HCR 70 (Signed by Governor: 07/05/18) – Declares youth violence as a public health epidemic and declares June 7th as
"Christopher Harris Day" in Missouri
Declares youth violence as a public health epidemic and declares June 7th as "Christopher Harris Day" in Missouri. Among other provisions, the legislation calls on the General Assembly to support the establishment of statewide trauma education. It cites multiple experts, organizations, and government agencies that study the issue and offer recommendations.
HJR 59 – Proposes a constitutional amendment to reduce the amount of time a person is required to be a member of an organization in order to participate in the management of a bingo game
Upon voter approval, this Constitutional amendment would require any person participating in the management of any bingo game conducted by a service organization to be a member of the organization for at least six months. The current requirement is that the person be a member for two years. It also removes a restriction on advertising for bingo games.
Travel Missouri This Summer: Independence
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.
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