Greetings Friends of the 155th District!
This past week in Jefferson City has truly been remarkable! I have spent a lot of time on floor, in committee hearings, and visiting with leadership to address some pressing issues for our residents back home. On Wednesday, Jan 22nd, I had the honor of participating in my first public committee hearing for Emerging Issues and Education, where we delved into some key bills that will have a lasting impact on our communities across the state. I look forward to sharing more details about these important discussions below!
Our office was further energized by the presence of our talented intern, Ms. Ellie Gibbs, a dedicated political science major and pre-law student from Mizzou. If you reach out to our office and Ellie answers, you’ll receive exceptional support as she skillfully helps navigate your concerns.
Since taking office, I have been deeply committed to championing the needs of our constituents. Our team has achieved and will continue to realize significant successes in addressing a wide array of issues brought to us by our community. While we may not have the power to resolve every challenge, we pride ourselves on our ability to connect you with the right resources and individuals who can help.
I encourage you to contact our office for any issues you may face—no problem is too small, and we are here to assist you every step of the way!
A Productive Start to the 2025 Legislative Session as Committee Work Gets Underway
This week, the Missouri House officially began its legislative work for the 2025 session, with several House committees hosting public hearings on a variety of topics and legislative proposals. These hearings provided an opportunity for lawmakers, stakeholders, and the public to engage in discussions about the issues shaping Missouri’s future.
Protecting Our Children
The House Committee on Children and Families this week heard legislation that has been highlighted as a top priority this session. Speaking to members on the opening day of the legislative session, the Speaker of the House called for legislation dealing with our state’s child welfare system to be the first bill passed out of the House and sent to the Senate.
HB 737, heard by the committee on Wednesday, addresses several key issues related to children in the custody of the Children’s Division. The bill introduces changes to how benefits are managed for children in state custody, emphasizes consideration of religious faith in placement decisions, and clarifies circumstances under which children may engage in independent activities. The bill would end Missouri’s practice of seizing Social Security, Railroad Retirement, and Veterans Administration benefits from foster children to offset state care costs, ensuring these funds are used for the children’s unmet needs or future independence. Several lawmakers expressed shock that this practice exists, calling it a misuse of funds meant to support foster children. Bipartisan support for the bill was strong, with lawmakers and advocates condemning the current practice of seizing benefits as harmful to vulnerable children.
The bill builds on efforts from the previous legislative session, where similar legislation nearly passed but was derailed due to political gridlock in the Senate. Advocates hope the measure will bring Missouri in line with other states which have already ended the practice of seizing foster children’s benefits.
Focusing on Education
The Elementary and Secondary Education Committee heard testimony on two important education bills. HB 477 focuses on improving the parental consent process for individualized education programs (IEPs) in public schools. The bill would require schools to obtain written parental consent for initial placements, changes, or other revisions to a student’s IEP. Another bill, HB 371, aims to introduce the concept of “grade-level equivalence” into school accountability measures, ensuring that data on students’ academic progress is more accessible and transparent for parents and educators.
Taking on Property Rights and Missouri Taxes
The Commerce Committee considered several measures that would impact private property owners and landlords. HB 343 and HB 595 both address regulations on landlords, including restrictions on ordinances that could require landlords to lease property to tenants based on certain income sources or limit the use of income-qualifying methods, as well as requirements from federal Section 8 housing voucher program placing burdens like inspections and backdoor rent-control measures on landlords. The committee also reviewed two bills related to tax policy: HB 508 and HB 594, which propose a full income tax deduction for federal capital gains beginning in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Special Committee on Tax Reform took up three proposals that would reshape the state’s tax system. HB 425 outlines a phased elimination of Missouri’s corporate income tax over several years. HB 798 proposes a flat income tax rate of 4.7% starting in 2026 while increasing the standard deduction and removing tax deduction triggers. HJR 35 seeks voter approval for a constitutional amendment limiting the General Assembly’s appropriation authority, creating a “Tax Reform Fund,” and setting mechanisms to gradually eliminate personal and corporate income taxes.
Religious Freedoms and Rights
The Missouri House Emerging Issues Committee recently reviewed two significant pieces of legislation, HB 75 and HB 742, both reflecting broader debates on religious freedom and the role of state departments in promoting diversity-related initiatives.
HB 75 would establish the “Missouri Religious Freedom Protection Act.” This bill aims to ensure that religious groups and places of worship can hold services or meetings without interference from government orders. It prohibits public officials from issuing directives that limit or ban such gatherings, while still allowing exceptions in cases of imminent danger, including natural disasters or hazardous materials incidents. The legislation also makes clear that religious groups using places of worship to plan or commit acts of violence are not protected.
HB 742 would prohibit state departments from using public resources to support intradepartmental programs, staffing, or initiatives related to DEI concepts that the legislation identifies as promoting preferential treatment, divisive ideologies, or limitations on freedom of thought and speech. Furthermore, the bill prevents state departments from mandating private sector employers to implement DEI programs as a condition of receiving state contracts.
Missouri Governor to Give State of the State Address
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe is gearing up for his first State of the State address, scheduled to take place in the Missouri House Chamber on Tuesday, January 28th. Set to address members of the Missouri House and Senate, as well as his cabinet, Governor Kehoe will deliver his speech at 3 p.m. Following the address, he will unveil his budget recommendations for the fiscal year, marking the commencement of the legislature’s work on an operating budget.
For those wishing to watch, the governor’s speech will be live-streamed on Governor Kehoe’s Facebook page, the State of Missouri’s Facebook page, and mo.gov/live. An overflow area to view the live stream will be in House Hearing Room 3 in the State Capitol.
As part of the proceedings, House Minority Floor Leader Ashley Aune is slated to provide the Democratic response following Governor Kehoe’s address.
Women Legislators of Missouri Caucus Offers Scholarships for Graduating Seniors
The Women Legislators of Missouri Caucus is excited to announce its annual scholarship program, offering 16 scholarships of $1,000 each to graduating high school seniors across Missouri. This initiative aims to support young women pursuing their academic dreams by providing financial assistance for college.
Through this program, the caucus seeks to help young women overcome financial barriers to higher education and achieve their academic and career goals. All eligible young women in Missouri are encouraged to apply, with the hope of inspiring the next generation of leaders to make a difference and excel in college and beyond.
The scholarships are awarded based on leadership, academics, and community service. Applicants must complete an application form, submit a 500-word essay, and provide a brief biography. The application form is available online at http://bit.ly/molegwomen.
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Recipients will be honored at a special reception at the Missouri State Capitol in April, with the exact date to be announced.
For more information, please contact Rep. Sherri Gallick’s office at 573-751-1344 or at Sherri.Gallick@House.Mo.Gov or Rep. Pattie Mansur’s office at 573-751-2437 Pattie.Mansur@House.Mo.Gov.
If you ever have, any questions or concerns feel free to call me at 573-751-2042 or email me at Matthew.Overcast@house.mo.gov. Our office is always here for you.
