Ruestman: Summary of Special Session

Many of you may have heard that the governor has called a special session.  According to our state constitution, the governor has the power to call the legislature back into session when there is an immediate or pressing need to be handled.  This year, our governor has decided that there are two issues of just such importance.

House Bill 1 of the extraordinary session makes several changes to the Missouri State Employees' Retirement System (MOSERS).  The changes include:

• Allowing the state auditor to audit any retirement system established by the state or other political subdivision;
• For new state employees after January 1, 2011, retirement eligibility will be age 67 with 10 years of service; or, at least 55 years of age with the sum of their age and service equaling 90 (it is currently "80 and out"); and,
• New state employees must contribute at least 4% of their pay into the system.

The second bill, House Bill 2, known as the "Manufacturing Jobs Act" provides incentives for qualified manufacturing companies.  To be eligible for the tax credit a business must manufacture goods at a facility in Missouri.  Additionally, the following stipulations must be met:

• The company must, "make a capital investment of at least $75,000 per retained job at the facility for the manufacture of a new product within two years…";
• The company must manufacture a new product or currently be making capital improvements to a facility to manufacture a new product;
• The company must continue to make these goods for the period in which it receives the benefits of the program.

I am currently deciding the merits of these bills and listening to concerns brought forth from both sides of these issues.  I always appreciate the input I receive from my constituents.

If you have problems, questions or wish to express concern over an issue, please do not hesitate to contact me or my Legislator Assistant, Jonathan, at my Capitol office either by phone 573-751-9801 or by e-mail at Marilyn{dot}Ruestman{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.