Rupp: Legislative Recap of the First Regular Session of the 96th General Assembly

Op. note: House Bill 213 is misidentified as House Bill 161. HB161 pertains to a polity's ability to levy certain hotel taxes.

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The First Regular Session of the 96^th General Assembly finished on a hectic, yet productive note at 6 p.m. last Friday, May 13. In total, the Legislature passed 46 Senate bills and 101 House bills. I’m really proud of the work that my colleagues and I were able to accomplish throughout the last five months, and I’m glad that numerous measures are now awaiting the governor’s signature.

Two of my top priorities throughout session were passing our state’s operating budget, and congressional redistricting. All 13 budget bills were passed by the Legislature, creating an operating budget of $23.2 billion. HB 193 was passed as well, which consolidated Missouri’s nine congressional districts into eight, based on the 2010 Census results. I serve as chair of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting, and vice-chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and kept very busy with these two matters of importance. However, the hard work has definitely paid off, and now Missourians have congressional districts that fairly represent them, and a dependable state operating budget.

Some other top priority measures passed in the Missouri Legislature, including:

• Measures that, upon voter approval, would require citizens to produce photo identification to vote (SB 3 and SJR 2).
• SB 19, which has been signed by the governor, will gradually phase out the corporate franchise tax over five years.
• SB 54, which will protect our children from sexual predators in schools.
• Measures that will prevent late-term abortions and protect viable fetuses of 20 weeks or more (SB 65 and HB 161).
• HB 73, which would require certain applicants for and recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program benefits to be tested for illegal drug use.
• HB 294, which would lower the age requirement for a concealed carry permit from 23 to 21 years of age.
• HB 412, which would continue the Missouri Rx program, which helps pay the prescription drug costs of low-income seniors and disabled citizens covered by Medicare.

In addition to these beneficial measures passed by the Legislature, Missourians are already hearing good news on the job front. According to the Missouri Department of Economic Development, for the first time in two years, our state’s unemployment rate fell below 9 percent, to 8.9 percent. I know this percentage drop may not seem like much, but it represents thousands of Missourians who have found jobs. Last April, citizens were able to obtain 2,500 jobs in our state, with significant growth seen in the construction, manufacturing, and retail industries. I know many Missourians are still dealing with financial hardship, but the future is looking promising for our great state.

For now, I will be home with my family in Wentzville, but I will remain busy drafting legislation for the next legislative session, and I will be working with my constituents in District 2 to make our community an even better place to live. I encourage you to visit my website at www.senate.mo.gov/rupp to keep up with district and Senate news. As always, please feel free to e-mail me or call my office toll-free at (866) 271-2844 if I can be of any assistance.