Ruestman: Legislative Update

A brief update on my legislation:

House Bill 1350 – Property Tax Reform

I mentioned this bill in last week's report.  This changes the method that property value is assessed for tax purposes.  It is meant to save taxpayers from exorbitant future increases.  As of last week it had not been referred.  There has been no change to the status of this bill.  The Speaker has yet to assign it to a committee.

House Bill 1351 – Firefighters' Tax Credit

This bill offers a small tax credit to volunteer firefighters who maintain a certain level of training each year.  Nearly 70% of firefighters in Missouri serve in a volunteer capacity.  It is difficult to pass any tax cut or credit during this revenue crunch.  I believe now is the time to be helping Missouri families, especially those who sacrifice for the safety of us all.  HB 1351 was referred to the Committee on Public Safety last week.

House Bill 1864 - Farmers' Market Sales Tax Exemption

I am writing this report on Monday and tomorrow morning we will be hearing this bill in the Committee on Agri-Business.  We're very excited about exempting the many farmers' markets from having to collect state or local sales taxes.  This will benefit our farmers and local communities greatly.  It can also help seniors and low-income families who are struggling to buy groceries.

House Bill 1960 – School Construction Act

Today, the House Committee on Workplace Development and Workplace Safety heard HB 1960 regarding significant savings in school construction, remodeling and maintenance.  It allows school districts in non-charter counties to opt out of the unfunded prevailing wage mandate.  The savings to school districts and TAXPAYERS would be substantial.  On a typical project the cost-reduction is in the neighborhood of 15-25%.  This is money that stays in the taxpayers' pockets.

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.

Ruestman: Supporting Our Farmers

Session is still winding up and bills are beginning to get referred to committees.  In the next few weeks the House committees will be hearing many bills and preparing them to be debated on the Floor.  In these early days of session we are focusing on very pressing issues.  The House voted on one such issue on Wednesday.

At the end of last year, the governor's tax commission voted to raise property taxes on some of Missouri's farmers by nearly 29 percent.  The Commission has recommended a change in how crop land is valued, significantly increasing their value.  After such a recommendation the General Assembly has sixty days to disapprove.  The House and Senate overwhelmingly passed resolutions this week to stop this from going into effect.  The Republican Majorities in both chambers have once again voted to uphold their promise of no tax increases!

I have always been an advocate for our farmers.  Missouri's strong agriculture industry has been a reliable asset to the state and will continue to be far into the future.  It is wrong to ask our farmers to bear the burden of a budget shortfall by themselves, especially following one of the worst farm income years since 1945.  Let the message be clear that Missouri supports its farmers.

Farmers' Markets

In another effort to support our farmers and those who shop locally, my office filed House Bill 1864 this week.  This legislation exempts farm products sold at farmers' markets from state and local sales and use taxes.

According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture there were 131 farmers' markets statewide in 2007.  That number is still growing.  These markets are beneficial for everyone involved.  The producer is able to sell their products at retail prices and gain greater control over what products they grow.  Consumers see several benefits including social, economic and health.  Farmers' markets bring communities together and stimulate local economies and downtown districts.  Additionally, they offer access to fresh foods and promote healthy eating habits.  The positives of local markets are innumerable and we should do all we can to encourage their growth.

To learn more about farmers' markets and to find one near you, please visit this MU Extension website:  http://agebb.missouri.edu/fmktdir/mfma.htm.

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.