FROM THE CAPITOL
In the Missouri House this past week, we’ve been working on several issues, including public safety bills, K-12 school legislation, and again, on a big budget bill. I’m going to concentrate in this shorter report on the budget bill that I strongly support.
House Budget Chair Cody Smith has filed HB 3021 in our House Budget Committee. This is a one billion dollar tax credit bill for this year!! This bill would give up to a $1,000 tax credit (check back) to all Missouri couples having a tax liability and filing a joint return. Individuals filing separately would receive up to a $500 tax credit (check back). The total credits refunded would be limited to the one billion dollar appropriation. Rather than spend all of the eleven billion dollar federal bail-out money on more government programs, this legislation will give one billion of that amount back to the people.
I think Cody has a great idea, and I would personally support an even bigger tax credit to Missourians. Inflation is raging in this country affecting prices on everything from fuel to food to housing. This bill will give financial relief back to people who need it right now.
We will be having a hearing on this bill today in Budget, and I hope it will be voted out of committee later this week. Hopefully, we will have a hearing on the House Floor early next week, and very promptly, vote it out of the House.
Another highlight of the week was the visit of the Lady Zizzer State Class 5 State Championship basketball team to the Capitol. It was great to be able to introduce the ladies and coaches on the House floor and to arrange a beyond the scenes tour of the Capitol. In addition Coach Scott Womack received special recognition as Class 5 Coach of the Year.
The ladies also had a special tour of the Governor’s Mansion sponsored by First Lady Teresa Parson. Governor Mike Parson is planning on visiting our area again soon and has plans to personally visit the state champions at the West Plains High School. They are a fantastic group of young adults, and I expect to see another state championship team next year.
And finally, I also had a special visit from Josh Burgess, a Sophomore Student Ambassador, from West Plains. He and his father, Allen, toured the Capitol and received recognition on the House Floor. Josh also received a House Resolution documenting his many achievements. Josh was selected for this special honor from a list of many candidates by the GFWC-Women’s Library Club of West Plains.
It is my honor to be your representative and to speak for your common sense values. If you would like to schedule a specific time to meet locally or at the Capitol, please call my office at 573-751-1455, or email my office at david.evans@house.mo.gov. Please watch the House website for updates on bills and resolutions, and remember, you can offer your testimony and your opinion on-line through that same site.
