Fiscal Year 2014 State Budget & Other Legislative Actions

*I was not in session Wednesday and Thursdays of this week due to a family situation which has had a good outcome. Below are a few items to report that are sure to be of interest and importance to you.

*A few Fiscal Year 2014 major budget items:

I was thrilled to hear that the $500,000 that the House appropriated in additional funds for Meals On Wheels and Senior Centers has been retained by the Senate also. Initially the Senate did not approve the extra 2014 funds. The budget contains the largest level of funding for K-12 education in the history of the state including a $66m increase in funding for the Foundation Formula.

$2.4m increase for Bright Flight scholarships.

$1m increase for Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program.

$2m for Teaching programs in Urban Areas (Teach for America).

$8.9m for developmentally disabled provider rate restructuring in Department of Mental Health.

The first provider rate increases in years for nursing homes, mental health services and home and community-based services.

These are a few of the most important detailed budget changes, so in a couple of weeks I will give additional budget information as it is made available to me by the Budget Appropriations Department.

*Senate Bill 125 received an 82-76 defeat Wednesday which came as no surprise given the 39-amendment-offer scenario. The bill was intended to bring a type of reform to education evaluation standards. I can't say how I would have voted since I was not there to hear all of the amendment provisions.

*House Bill 253 the "Broad-Based Tax Relief Act of 2013" contains tax amnesty provisions and it's Senate Substitute establishes a streamlined online purchases sales tax passed on Thursday.

*Senate Bill 350 was Truly Agreed and Finally Passed (TAFP) yesterday. It is referred to as the Senior Services Protection Fund, and yet it repeals the Circuit Breaker, a tax credit for elderly and disabled qualifying renters. This bill repeals those tax credits to create a new fund for low-income seniors and the disabled; therefore initially it sounds very appealing. Non-profits and other entities serving those in need --such as Catholic Charities, Missouri Centers for Independent Living (MOCIL) and SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence (SADI) - opposed the bill. Even though I'm not a big fan of tax credits I do believe a few are important for those most in need among us, and the Circuit Breaker was one such credit. It's too bad another solution was not found to find the money for First Step, the blind pension and the Federally Qualified Health Centers who will now benefit from the passage of this bill.

Representative Jeff Grisamore who works very diligently on behalf of the disabled and vulnerable in our communities, had this to say in support of this bill:

The current Circuit Breaker property tax credit that is redirected for renters only benefits a portion of the elderly and disabled. The current outlay is $57m, but that is all [General Revenue]GR. When we free up [that money] and pull down federal [monies], that creates $170m or more for targeted, laser-focused funding and services for our most needy Missourians-especially vulnerable seniors, at-risk women and children and individuals with physical, developmental and mental health disabilities.

*Congratulations to the awardees of last night Jackson Chamber of Commerce 2013 Educators of the Year awards. These awards demonstrate why Jackson schools --both public and private- are exceptional. We all should feel very fortunate to have such quality teachers.