Missouri Senate

Tax credit overhaul a no-go this session

Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:09:13 +0000

Missouri senators have given up their attempt to pass an overhaul of the some of the state's tax credit programs for businesses and developers.

Supporters of the bill set it aside Friday after Republican Sen. Brad Lager, of Savannah, spoke against it for an hour in a filibuster that could have otherwise continued until the session's mandatory end at 6 p.m. The legislation would have created tax incentives for international air cargo exports, computer data centers and investors in startup technology companies.

Mo. lawmakers pass changes to workers' comp claims

Person: Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:55:42 +0000

Missouri lawmakers have given final approval to legislation replenishing an insolvent state fund for disabled workers and changing the way people get compensation for job-related illnesses.

The bill sent to the governor Thursday marks a compromise among some business groups and attorneys who represent injured workers.

Group of Republicans block 1-cent transportation sales tax in Mo. Senate

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:29:47 +0000

A group of Republicans in the Missouri Senate has blocked a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a one-cent sales tax to help fund the state’s transportation needs.

The tax would require voter approval and would expire after 10 years unless voters renew it.

Final version of workers' comp/second injury fund fix passes Mo. Senate, heads to House

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:29:46 +0000

Early this morning, the Missouri Senate passed legislation that would fix the state's ailing Second Injury Fund.

The fund is designed to help disabled workers who suffer a second work-related injury. It began running out of money after lawmakers eight years ago capped the surcharge businesses have to pay into it.

Mo. Senate leader says criminal code revision, $1.2 B bond issue dead this session

Associated Press — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:30:11 +0000

The top lawmaker in the Missouri Senate says there will be no vote this year on a revision of the state's criminal laws or a $1.2 billion bonding program. Both measures already passed the House. But Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey says they are too complex to bring up with just a few days remaining before Friday's mandatory adjournment for the 2013 session.

Prevailing wage exemption for maintenance projects likely dead following Mo. Senate filibuster

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:43:33 +0000

It appears that Democrats in the Missouri Senate have successfully stopped legislation that would have redefined what constitutes a maintenance project and exempted those being done on public property from the state's prevailing wage requirement.

House Bill 409 would define "maintenance" as being routine and recurring work that does not exceed $75,000. Democrats spent most of Monday night blocking the bill. When it became apparent that an agreement w

Mo. bill lets foster care kids re-enter system

Associated Press — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:25:58 +0000

Children leaving Missouri's foster care system after their 18th birthday would be able to return to state custody under a bill sent to Gov. Jay Nixon.

Mo. Senate panel backs funding for First Steps

Associated Press — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:54:01 +0000

A Missouri Senate panel had endorsed a new funding source for a program that serves developmentally disabled children.

Mo. House passes $1.2 billion bonding initiative

Person: Associated Press — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:06:45 +0000

The Missouri House has passed a $1.2 billion bonding initiative that would finance construction and repairs at public buildings across the state.

The House's 136-23 vote sends the measure to the Senate. But with only one week remaining in the legislative session, the proposed constitutional amendment appears unlikely to win final approval. If it did, the measure would go before voters in 2014.

Supporters cite a backlog of building needs at state facilities and note that low interest rates make this a good time to borrow money.

Mo. Senate passes income tax cut to counter Kan.

Associated Press — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:40:15 +0000

The Missouri Senate has passed legislation phasing in a potential $700 million income tax cut for businesses and individuals.

The legislation approved 24-9 Wednesday by the Republican-led Senate is intended to counteract a large income tax cut that took effect this year in Kansas. The bill now goes to the House.

It would gradually cut the individual income tax by one-half of a percentage point and the corporate income tax by three percentage points over a decade. But each incremental cut would take effect only if annual revenues rise by at least $100 million.