Praise for law enforcement, as well as new jobs and infrastructure plans

The line-of-duty shootings of a deputy and state trooper near Van Buren were sobering reminders of the sacrifice that law enforcement officers make for us every day. I join the rest of our community in giving thanks that both survived and are expected to recover. As Southeast Missourians, we respect and appreciate our police officers while other parts of the country often vilify them for doing their jobs. In the General Assembly, I will support any measures to ensure our heroic public servants have the tools necessary to perform their duties.

I was ecstatic to learn that Briggs and Stratton plans to add hundreds of new jobs to their plant in Poplar Bluff. I would like to recognize the state and local economic development officials who worked hard to bring these jobs to our community.

This good news came on the heels of another positive development for the area economy. On Aug. 6, a ballot measure was overwhelmingly approved to upgrade Highway 67 between Poplar Bluff and the Arkansas state line. We saw the tremendous impact of adding lanes to the highway north of Poplar Bluff – increased economic development and a 26% reduction in traffic crashes in the three counties affected. Undoubtedly, the next project will also save countless lives and increase investment in the region. I applaud the voters for ensuring we will continue our progress.

In a few weeks legislators will return to Jefferson City for the constitutionally-mandated veto session, and this week they learned they will have additional work in the form of a special session called by Gov. Mike Parson. The governor said the special session, which will begin Sept. 9 and run concurrently with veto session, will focus on a tax issue involving vehicle trade-ins.

Specifically, the special session will give lawmakers an opportunity to fix a state statute to allow the sales proceeds of more than one vehicle, trailer, boat, or outboard motor to be used as a credit against the sales tax owed on the purchase of another. The fix is necessary because a recent ruling by the Missouri Supreme Court clarified that the sales proceeds of only one vehicle may be used as a credit against the sales tax owed on the purchase of a new vehicle.

The governor has asked lawmakers to amend the state law to allow for the sale of multiple vehicles to be used as a credit. The fix would be in line with the Department of Revenue’s prior practice and what consumers have come to expect.

House members have continued to look closely at the declining enrollment numbers for the state’s Medicaid system. This week House Speaker Elijah Haahr met with MO HealthNet Director Todd Richardson to receive an update regarding the drop in the number of children enrolled in Medicaid.

As a result of the meeting, Speaker Haahr learned that the decrease in caseloads is not a surprise to the department, especially now that the new renewal computer system has had a full year to complete the Annual Review Process. The department anticipated a drop in enrollment in part because of changes in 2016 to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), when the Medicaid caseload was at its high-water mark. These changes combined with an improved economy have lowered the Medicaid caseload similar to numbers before the ACA took effect in 2014. The Speaker learned this change is consistent with other state assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which have fallen below its 2014 level.

_____

Contact Rep. Billington at hardy.billington@house.mo.gov or by calling 573-751-4039.