2013 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW

United for Missouri’s Future Hosts a year in review Forum in Springfield Open to the Public

Springfield, Mo. – United for Missouri’s Future – a statewide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity – is hosting a legislative year end review Tuesday, June 18, from 7 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Library Center, 4653 South Campbell Ave, Springfield, Mo. Topics include: Department of Revenue scandal, tax cuts, and Medicaid Expansion. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

The 97th General Assembly, First Regular Session came to a close at 6:00pm, May 17, 2013. Mark Twain said, “No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.” That may have been the case when Mr. Twain was around but unfortunately our life, liberty and property aren’t necessarily any safer when the legislature is not is session these days.

It was a complete shock to the public and to legislators to learn that the Nixon administration was breaking a law the Governor himself signed prohibiting compliance with the federal REAL-ID act. The Nixon administration has been scanning, retaining and sharing our personal data with a third party contractor who has been convicted of bribery and has had other problems with similar systems in other states.

The issue of taxation was front-and-center this legislative session as Missouri ranks 48th in GDP growth which is a direct reflection of the desperate need to update our tax codes. House Bill (HB) 253 passed the legislature and is the first state income tax cut in almost 100 years. HB 253 is a modest tax decrease that will be yet another successful model in showing reducing income taxes bring in more, not less, revenue. Governor Nixon’s veto of HB253 will be discussed.

Medicaid Expansion was being pushed by Governor Nixon. The legislature rejected the Governor’s proposal. The battle continues as the Governor along with special interest groups are setting stage to position themselves for “free” money. The legislature did not buy into the false assertion of “free” money but supported reform of the current system, not Medicaid Expansion

Local legislators will be invited to attend the forum.