At the Capitol, we’re busy into the first two months of session. I think session is going very well this year, and we should (at least in the House) accomplish many of our top priorities. One thing that is frustrating about Jefferson City politics is the propensity of the other party to sometimes call us out as being racist and immoral.
In good conscience, I have to respond to a recent allegation regarding a friend of mine, Jon Patterson. Jon’s office is next to mine, and much more importantly, he is our elected House Floor Leader. Just like a judge in a courtroom, it’s Jon’s job to rein in floor debate when it gets out of hand or goes off the rails. He did that recently and is now being accused by the other party of being racist.
First, it’s untrue, Jon just did his job in stopping a debate that was getting out of hand. Second, it’s a very odd allegation about our floor leader in that Jon is also a person of color. Jon is a young Asian American, a Kansas City surgeon, a big Chief’s fan, and he is one of the nicest, fairest persons that I’ve ever had the honor of meeting. I just ask that you take some things, if not most things, that come out of Jefferson City with a grain of salt. I am very proud that Jon is our floor leader. He is in it for the right reasons and that is to help all Missourians build a better place to live.
Looking past all the hot air moving around the state capitol, we have been working on several important bills. I’ll mention just a few of the ones I’ve sponsored and that have been moving along through the vetting (or public hearing) process.
One of my most publicized bills is HB 662. This bill, when passed into law, will eliminate all Missouri state income tax on social security benefits. Missouri is only 1 of 11 remaining states in the country that still tax social security benefits as state income. Unlike many other states, Missouri’s economy is still strong, and we have over a 5 billion dollar tax surplus (largely from federal COVID budget handouts). It’s time to take another hard look at reducing taxes (and giving money back) rather than forever increasing more and more state spending.
I introduced this bill last year and built it up. This year, two other representatives have filed the same or very similar bills, and our Missouri Speaker of the House has now made eliminating the Missouri social security tax a House priority. I have high hopes and will keep you advised.
I am also working on a couple of bills that, if passed, will make it easier, quicker, and cheaper for families to obtain guardianship of minor children. Sadly, it is necessary from time to time for other family members to step up and help raise the kids when the parents are either unable or unwilling to care for their own kids. In addition, these same bills will also help families file for adult guardianship when a severely disabled minor is transitioning into adulthood. These don’t sound like big bills, but if passed, we could help a lot of families. As your state representative, helping families will always be one of my top goals.
Also, as Judiciary Chair, I will continue to make it the committee priority to fight crime and to support our public safety officers. I’m working in committee on a bill combining several law enforcement priorities (including bail bond reform). I’’ll continue to talk to patrol officers, sheriffs, police officers, first responders, and prosecutors in coming up with the best bill possible and will keep you advised as this bill progresses.
Again, thank you for the ongoing honor of serving as your representative and speaking for your commonsense values. If you would like to schedule a specific time to meet locally or at the Capitol, please call Becky at my office at 573-751-1455, or email my office at david.evans@house.mo.gov.
