Transportation Archives

Multiple tornado warnings have been issued across southwest Missouri (AUDIO)

May 21, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield has already issued multiple tornado warnings on Tuesday afternoon across the Ozarks. Tornado warnings have been issued for towns such as Mansfield, Hartville, Niangua and Marshfield.

The small towns of Plato and Competition are also under a tornado warning.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield has issued a tornado watch across the Ozarks, which is in effect until 7 p.m. (map courtesy of NWS Springfield Twitter page)

The NWS’ tornado watch goes until 7 this evening for 14 southwest Missouri counties, including the cities of Springfield, Branson and Ava.

Meantime, the National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis has issued a tornado watch for much of central, eastern and southeast Missouri until 10 this evening. Cities in the tornado watch area include St. Louis, Jefferson City, Columbia, Troy, Farmington and Poplar Bluff.

NWS Springfield meteorologist Cory Rothstein says West Plains is also in the watch area. He says the watch area there is primarily along, south and east of the I-44 corridor.

Rothstein says golf-ball sized hail and 70 mile-per-hour winds are possible, along with additional flooding.

Mr. Rothstein warns motorists and truck drivers about the additional flooding.

“The main concern also with this will be additional flooding of upwards of two inches on a localized basis, in addition to the two to five inches we saw yesterday with yesterday’s storms,” Rothstein says.

Rothstein says the ground is already saturated across the Ozarks, because of heavy May rainfall.

“So far to date we’ve actually gotten about six inches here in the Springfield area, which is about two-and-a-half inches above normal,” says Rothstein.

The NWS in Pleasant Hill says Kansas City has already received 7.46 inches of rain in May. NWS notes the normal rainfall amount for the entire month of May in Kansas City is about five inches, and today is only May 21.

The NWS in Pleasant Hill also warns that isolated tornadoes are possible today across a large section of Missouri, including Kansas City.

The state Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) traveler map says about 300 state roads are closed.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s interview with National Weather Service Springfield meteorologist Cory Rothstein, which was recorded on May 21, 2019:

Major disaster declaration approved for 13 Missouri counties

May 20, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Some Missouri communities, farmers and ranchers are breathing a sigh of relief. Governor Mike Parson says President Donald Trump has approved his major disaster declaration request in response to historic spring flooding this year. The governor’s April 24 request said $25 million in qualifying expenses had already been identified.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson is given an aerial tour of the flooding damage near northwest Missouri’s St. Joseph on March 15, 2019 (photo courtesy of the governor’s office)

The declaration makes federal assistance available for local governments and nonprofit agencies in 13 Missouri counties to recover from the storms and flooding. The aid can be used to repair damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure, along with emergency response costs associated with the weather events.

On March 21, Parson declared a state of emergency due to worsening conditions along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers as a result of excessive rainfall, releases from upstream reservoirs, and snow melt.

“This disaster declaration means millions of dollars in vitally important federal reimbursements will be available for communities that are hurting because of damaged and destroyed roads, bridges, and other vitally important infrastructure,” Parson said in a press release. “I appreciate President Trump making the federal assistance available and all those who are already working to help our Missouri communities recover.”

The counties in the President’s Public Assistance disaster declaration include Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Chariton, Holt, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Platte, Ray, and Ste. Genevieve.

U.S. Representative Sam Graves released a statement after the approval of the disaster declaration. Graves, a Republican from northern Missouri’s Tarkio, has a massive district that covers both the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.

“President Trump’s approval of public assistance is welcome news for Northwest Missouri counties impacted by the recent flooding and I’m grateful that we have gotten this disaster declaration. It will go a long way towards helping our communities as they rebuild damaged infrastructure and remove flood debris. I’m hopeful we’ll also hear soon on Missouri’s request for individual assistance so individuals devastated by this flooding can receive the help they need as well.”

The President’s declaration also makes available assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Program to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property due to natural hazards.

Parson said the state expects to request the Public Assistance disaster declaration to be expanded to include additional counties as joint teams can fully assess damage in other counties. The federal government is continuing to review Parson’s request for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance to individual residents in Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Holt, and Platte counties.

The helmets could soon come off for many motorcyclists in Missouri

May 20, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Many motorcycle riders could soon cruise down Missouri’s roads without a helmet and not get in trouble with the law. On Friday – the last day of the regular session – Missouri lawmakers sent to Republican Governor Mike Parson a proposal that would let motorcyclists ride without a helmet if they are at least 18 years old and have health insurance.

Sen. Eric Burlison (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Sen. Eric Burlison, R-Springfield says he’s been working on the issue for several years.

“We hear about veterans – folks who have fought for their rights. Many of them enjoy riding motorcycles and this is an issue that we are able to give them a little bit of their freedom back,” Burlison says.

Opponents of a helmet repeal say it could lead to more deaths and major injuries and will drive up medical expenses for the parties involved and the state.

The bill would also require inspections for vehicles more than 10 years old or with more than 150,000 miles. Current law requires every other year inspections for vehicles more than five years old to renew a vehicle license.

Under the legislation, nearly 1.2 million Missouri vehicles would no longer be required to get safety inspections.

The provisions are included in Senate Bill 147, sponsored by Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville.

Haahr and Quade reflect on Missouri’s 2019 legislative session (AUDIO)

May 20, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The Missouri House Speaker describes the 2019 legislative session as the most successful policy session he’s seen in his seven years in the Legislature.

Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, delivers a rare House floor speech on May 17, 2019 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, tells Capitol reporters the Legislature passed 94 bills that are now on the governor’s desk.

“Obviously the Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act, what we believe to be the boldest most comprehensive pro-life legislation in the nation. We also passed three different major criminal justice reforms,” Haahr says.

The heartbeat abortion legislation received final approval from the House on Friday afternoon. The vote was 110-44. The bill from State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, would essentially ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected.

The criminal justice reform measures passed with bipartisan support, and were top priorities for both Speaker Haahr and Missouri’s Legislative Black Caucus. One of the bills eliminates mandatory minimum sentences for some nonviolent crimes.

Haahr is disappointed the Legislature didn’t pass prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) legislation. During a Friday evening Statehouse press conference, Speaker Haahr told Missourinet he expects PDMP to be filed again in 2020.

“Obviously, the prescription drug monitoring bill was not able to get across the finish line. We remain committed to it, and I believe (Scott City) Representative Holly Rehder remains committed to it as well,” says Haahr.

Missouri is the only state in the nation without a PDMP, which is an electronic database that collects data on controlled substance prescriptions within a state.

Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, briefs Capitol reporters on May 17, 2019 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

As for Representative Rehder, she tells Missourinet she intends to file PDMP again in January. Rehder says that year after year as lawmakers have failed to act, “thousands of our children have lost their lives.”

Speaker Haahr is also praising the Legislature’s passage of Fast Track, which allows Missourians to receive advanced training in high-demand areas. He’s also pleased with the General Assembly’s quick passage of legislation aimed at attracting a $1 billion expansion at the sprawling General Motors plant in Wentzville.

Haahr says the Legislature has approved a $29.7 billion state operating budget, which fully funds the k-12 school foundation formula. He also praises passage of the bridge bonding bill.

House Democrats were outnumbered this year 114-46, putting them in a superminority.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, delivered a floor speech just before session ended on Friday, saying her members feel ignored by House GOP leaders. Missourinet asked Quade about her comments during Friday evening’s press conference. She says no Democratic budget amendments were approved in committee or on the floor in 2019.

“This is the first time since the Republicans took control of the House (in 2003) that the minority leader didn’t have a single bill move. So few of our members got hearings it was laughable,” Quade says.

Quade says she’s proud of her caucus, adding that Democrats will “work tirelessly” to flip seats in 2020.

Quade says her caucus fought in 2019 to hold the state Department of Revenue (DOR) accountable, over this year’s surprise tax bills.

“House Democrats fought for taxpayers, demanding answers from the Department of Revenue and ultimately forcing the resignation of its director,” says Quade.

Former DOR Director Joel Walters resigned in March, after being criticized by lawmakers in both parties about a tax withholding issue.

House Special Committee on Government Oversight Chairman Robert Ross, R-Yukon, told Missourinet recently that the committee is working to draft a final report about DOR.

One key bill that did pass that had strong support from both Speaker Haahr and Leader Quade is Hailey’s Law, which would require Missouri’s Amber Alert System Oversight Committee to meet at least annually.

The bill, which is sponsored by State Rep. Curtis Trent, R-Springfield, is in response to the gruesome 2014 kidnapping, rape and killing of ten-year-old Hailey Owens in Springfield.

The murder happened in Quade’s district.

Click here to listen to the full press conferences from House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, and House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, which happened on May 17, 2019 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

What bills did the Missouri Legislature pass this year? See the list of top proposals.

May 17, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

The Missouri Legislature’s regular session has come to a close and so has the hustle and bustle over the past five months in Jefferson City. Lawmakers passed 102 pieces of legislation this session and the fate of the proposals lies in the hands of Republican Governor Mike Parson.

Missouri House does the annual toss of the papers to celebrate the end of the 2019 legislative session (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

Here is a list of the top measures passed this session:

House Bill 192 would reduce the number of offenders being locked up in local jails and state prisons. The proposal would scrap mandatory minimum sentences for some nonviolent crimes and require the Missouri parole board to evaluate those currently serving mandatory minimums to decide if they should be released. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Bruce DeGroot, R-Chesterfield, would block people from getting thrown back in jail for not paying for their previous jail bills.

Senate Bill 391 would ban Missouri counties from enforcing stricter local health regulations than the state for large animal feed lots. Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, sponsored the measure for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, otherwise known as CAFOs. The proposal would bar counties from limiting where CAFOs can be built and adopting tougher environmental regulations.

After shutting down Senate work for 26 hours this week, the Missouri Senate Conservative Caucus budged and let the chamber pass Senate Bill 68 – legislation largely inspired by General Motors. The compromise reached on the incentive package championed by fellow Republican Governor Mike Parson and Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, is meant to woo GM for a potential expansion in Wentzville. The plan would give $50 million in tax credits to automakers that invest at least $750 million in plant improvements. It would also provide tax credits earlier in a business expansion and financial aid for people seeking high demand jobs.

House Bill 126 would ban doctors from giving women abortions if they are eight weeks into their pregnancy. Physicians who violate the ban would face 5 to 15 years in prison. The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, would also prohibit physicians from providing an abortion if the baby would have Down syndrome and abortions sought because of the sex or race of the child. It does not have exemptions for victims of human trafficking, rape or incest. The measure would also require both parents to be told if a minor child wants an abortion.

On the final day of the session, the House passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, which is designed to pay for the repairs of 215 Missouri bridges. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, lets the Highways and Transportation Commission issue $301 million in bonds and pay the total amount back within seven years. The proposal would use about $50 million in general state revenue annually for seven years with an additional $35 million for a cost-share program for local infrastructure upgrades. The loan will amount to about $22.6 million in interest. Under the plan, the state would only be allowed to issue the bonds if Missouri gets a federal infrastructure grant.

Senate Bill 7 would shut down lawsuits with out-of-state defendants from filing court cases in St. Louis. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, would also add restrictions on plaintiffs who attempt to join together in the same court case.

Senate Bill 1 would expand some nonviolent offenses to a list of possible crimes that could be erased from a person’s criminal record. Sen. Kiki Curls, D-Kansas City, is the sponsor of the legislation that would add property damage, fraudulent use of a credit or debit card, and stealing to the list crimes that could be deleted.

House Bill 499 aims to keep struggling state license offices open. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Aaron Griesheimer, R-Washington, would boost fees by about $2.50 to $3, depending on the type of service. The fee increases would be for vehicle licenses, operators’ licenses and vehicle title transfers, which have not been raised since 1999. The 174 license offices employ about 1,700 Missourians.

Senate Bill 336 would fix a loophole in state law that allows in-home daycare providers to care for four children but watch an unlimited number of relatives. Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, has championed the legislation for 10 years. “Nathan’s Law” would limit the number of children to six with no more than three can be under the age of 2. Violators would face a misdemeanor and potential fines.

The Missouri Legislature has given its stamp of approval to a $29.7 billion state budget for the fiscal year beginning in July. The financial outline includes:

*$50 million in general revenue for a $301 million bond for bridge repairs and another $35 million for a cost-share program with local municipalities to fund road repairs.

*A 3% pay raise for state employees and another 1% salary boost for Department of Corrections workers

*$3.55 billion to fully fund the formula used to finance Missouri’s K-12 public schools – an increase of about $60 million from the current state budget year.

*$108 million to fund K-12 public school bus transportation costs – a $5 million increase from the current fiscal year.

*Core funding increased for all of Missouri’s public universities by $1 million with some, including Missouri State University, receiving as much as a $10 million boost. State Technical College received a $500,000 core increase and $500,000 for deferred maintenance.

*Prevents undocumented immigrants from receiving in-state college tuition

*$5 million for alternatives to jail program for pre-trail electronic ankle bracelets

*$5 million for rural broadband grants

*$8 million in flood recovery aid

*1.5% rate increases to Medicaid providers

House Speaker Pro Tem Wiemann outlines priorities for Missouri session’s final two days (AUDIO)

May 16, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Legislation that would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected is the top priority for Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-O’Fallon, during the 2019 session’s final two days.

Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann addresses House colleagues about GM on May 13, 2019 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Transportation funding and redistricting are the other two main priorities for Wiemann. Mandatory adjournment for the Legislature is Friday evening at 6, under the state Constitution.

Republicans control the House 114-46 and they control the Senate 24-10.

Pro Tem Wiemann hopes the Senate passes the heartbeat bill, which also requires abortion providers to increase the minimum amount of required medical malpractice insurance from $500,000 to $1 million per occurrence.

“I’m hopeful that they (Missouri Senate leaders) will finally bring it to a vote and we will move on and be a state that has one of the strongest pro-life bills in the country,” Wiemann says.

Anti-abortion state senators who are part of the Senate Conservative Caucus say there is an impasse in the Missouri Senate.

GOP Governor Mike Parson held a Statehouse press briefing on Wednesday where he called for a Senate vote, telling reporters that “the unborn deserve an up or down vote.”

State Sens. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, and Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City, have been among those filibustering the abortion bill.

“I mean this is a horrible piece of legislation. I mean, you’re talking about allowing for men and women to be forced to have a child even if it’s rape or incest. And then physicians going to jail, with a felony D charge,” Nasheed tells Senate colleagues.

The House approved the legislation in late February.

Meantime, transportation and infrastructure funding is another top priority for Wiemann, in the final two days.

While lawmakers have included funding for Governor Parson’s bridge bonding plan in the budget, Wiemann notes the General Assembly must also pass the underlying bill.

“I think we have a good compromise that we put together in the House and the Senate and I’m hopeful that they (Senate leaders) will bring that bill up as well,” says Wiemann.

Wiemann tells Missourinet the bill before the Senate contains a combination of transportation bonding and funding, adding that bonding is necessary for some matching funds from the federal government.

While the Legislature has included about $350 million in bonding money in the recently-approved budget, Pro Tem Wiemann says lawmakers must approve the statutes to enact that.

“Part of the puzzle has been done but we need to finish the puzzle by passing this legislation to enable it, the funding,” Wiemann says.

He also supports what he describes as redistricting reform, which he says has “less of a chance of passing” but hopes it’s approved by the Senate.

This involves Amendment One, which was approved by Missourians in November.

Under Amendment One, a state demographer would draw state legislative districts. Wiemann says modifications need to be made to that provision. Democrats who support Amendment One oppose changes, saying 62 percent of Missouri voters approved the measure in November.

As for other legislation, Wiemann says time is the biggest factor now, saying that good bills could potentially “die on the vine.”

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full interview with Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-O’Fallon, which was recorded on May 15, 2019 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

Rone: Missouri Bootheel farmland has been underwater for more than 100 days (AUDIO)

May 15, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

A state lawmaker who chairs the Missouri House Agriculture Policy Committee says flooding in southeast Missouri’s Bootheel has hurt towns like Caruthersville, Hayti and New Madrid.

State Rep. Don Rone, R-Portageville, speaks on the Missouri House floor on May 14, 2019 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

State Rep. Don Rone, R-Portageville, says the flooding and rains have caused about $150,000 in damage to Caruthersville’s sewer system.

“Because the seep water gets into their sewers and it’s created a lot of problems, especially at Caruthersville,” Rone says.

Caruthersville, which is a town of about 6,000 residents, is bordered on the north and the east by the Mississippi River.

In addition to his legislative duties at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, Rone also serves on the St. Francis Levee District in Caruthersville.

Representative Rone says a majority of farmland between the levee in Caruthersville and the Mississippi River has been underwater for more than 100 days. Rone tells Missourinet that rain has been hurting most Bootheel farmers.

“Cotton planting time is a certain time, and if you don’t get it in, you don’t get it in,” says Rone. “I mean, you don’t usually like to go past June 1.”

Rone says cotton farmers will probably have to replant, adding that farmers behind the levee will be late getting a crop in. He also notes there have been no levee breaks.

Chairman Rone also says there’s been “a little bit of trouble getting rice in”, because of the rain.

“And usually, rice goes on gumbo ground or white clay ground, which historically stays wet longer and we’ve had a little bit of a problem getting the rice crop in,” Rone says.

The Missouri Rice Council notes rice production in the Show-Me State is completely located in southeast Missouri, with Dunklin, Pemiscot and Butler counties having the largest acreages.

Rone also says potatoes are in and peanuts are going in.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full five-minute interview with State Rep. Don Rone, R-Portageville, which was recorded at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on May 9, 2019:

Missouri House approves second GM Wentzville bill; overnight Senate filibuster continues

May 14, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The Missouri House voted Monday afternoon in Jefferson City to approve a second piece of legislation aimed at attracting a $1 billion expansion at the General Motors plant in Wentzville, and one also aimed at ending a Senate filibuster.

State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, speaks on the Missouri House floor on May 13, 2019 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

The House voted 114-31 to approve legislation from State Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, which does not include the Fast Track provision. Fast Track is a top priority of Governor Mike Parson (R), which allows Missourians to receive advanced training in high-demand areas.

“We did discuss including a provision in here which would ultimately not allow the tax credits to go into effect if the company fails to retain 90 percent of the amount of employees employed on the date of the execution,” Schroer says.

Removing Fast Track is aimed at attracting support from State Sens. Bob Onder, R-Lake St. Louis, and Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring. Neither senator want Fast Track attached to the GM bill.

Schroer, who also voted for the first bill on Thursday, tells House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-O’Fallon, the second bill is aimed at giving the Senate another option.

“You know it’s something that I think, not only your (the Wiemann legislative) district, my district, but I think everybody in the state will benefit if not only GM invests $1 billion, but we have programs out there such as the underlying bill,” says Schroer.

The underlying bill Representative Schroer refers to is sponsored by State Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau. It would also allow the state Department of Economic Development (DED) to require a qualified business to repay benefits if the business fails to maintain the new or retained jobs, within five years of receiving approval of benefits.

Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann addresses House colleagues about GM on May 13, 2019 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Schroer and Pro Tem Wiemann’s revised GM version includes $50 million in tax credits for General Motors.

Schroer says the bill is an incentive package for anyone willing to invest in Missouri.

“Have them come talk to the Department of Economic Development, and I can guarantee you that they’re going to try to work something out. If you’re willing to invest $1 billion in our state, we’ll try to see what we can do to compete against these other states to ensure that’s here in the Show-Me,” Schroer says.

Meantime, a filibuster continues on this Tuesday morning in the Missouri Senate, after the House approved the second version, one that supporters hoped would prevent a filibuster.

Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, says GM supports the original version that was approved Thursday evening by the House by a 92-51 vote.

That version included a package that would give $5 million per year in tax credits over ten years to automakers that invest at least $750 million in plant upgrades, and would provide tax credits earlier in a business expansion. That version also includes Fast Track.

Pro Tem Schatz has refused to accept the second version, telling KMIZ Television in a Capitol hallway that “the Senate is not taking options at this point. We’re just not. No, we’re not taking options. We have the governor’s priorities (first version) and we’re not taking options at this point.”

DED Director Rob Dixon tweeted this weekend that he met with GM on April 25, and that the company asked for workforce and infrastructure support, and asked DED to advance the full legislative package, including Fast Track and what’s known as “Deal Closing.”

Dixon’s weekend tweets also note that no decision has been made by GM, and that Missouri can secure the long-term viability of the plant with the full legislation. Dixon also says the governor’s proposal benefits industries in all corners of Missouri.

Both House versions are aimed at landing the $1 billion expansion in Wentzville, one of Missouri’s fastest-growing cities.

The GM plant in Wentzville has about 4,600 employees.

According to documents provided by Governor Parson’s office, the upgrades to the plant would not immediately create new jobs but would ensure that production remains in Wentzville long-term. The documents also say GM has 178 suppliers across Missouri, with the broader impact of the plant supporting more than 12,200 jobs statewide.

The plant produces vehicles such as the GMC Canyon and the Chevrolet Colorado.

The 2019 legislative session ends on May 17.

What to watch for in this final week of the Missouri Legislature’s session

May 13, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Get ready for what could be long hours and plenty of drama during this last week of the Missouri Legislature’s regular session. The GOP supermajority chambers are hoping to wrap up final passage of several priorities that not all members agree with, including some of the same party. Two small but mighty groups – the Senate Conservative Caucus and Senate Democrats – will likely determine how bumpy the road to the finish line will be and how much wheeling and dealing will go on this week when several controversial bills potentially resurface.

Missouri House (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

The next five days are also key for Gov. Mike Parson, R, who is experiencing his first legislative session as the state’s chief executive officer. He has repeatedly pushed for lawmakers to focus on workforce development issues and infrastructure funding.

The Missouri Senate is expected to consider this week a $50 million incentives package for a potential $1 billion expansion General Motors expansion at the plant in eastern Missouri’s Wentzville. The plan was formed about one week ago by Parson and other House and Senate allies. The Senate Conservative Caucus is expected to have plenty to say about Senate Bill 68, sponsored by Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield.

The package would give $5 million per year in tax credits over 10 years to carmakers that invest at least $750 million in plant upgrades and would provide tax credits earlier in a business expansion. It would also provide financial aid for people seeking high demand fields and workforce training improvements for major expansions.

Missouri Senate dais

The House passed the measure during the late night hours last Thursday before adjourning for the week. It wasn’t a slam dunk in that chamber. Representatives voted 92-51 in favor of the plan, with a few Republicans from the St. Louis region voting against the measure. The House had to call in absent members to get enough votes and 17 members did not even cast vote.

Other legislation that could reemerge is one that would block a possible high-voltage power line project from using eminent domain to take private land in eight northern Missouri counties. Those counties are Buchanan, Clinton, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Randolph, Monroe and Ralls.

Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Frankford, is sponsoring House Bill 1062 in response to Clean Line Energy’s Grain Belt Express line project. The proposal is not one that is separated along party lines because of the impacts it could have on agriculture – Missouri’s number one industry.

According to the Missouri Public Utility Alliance, 39 Missouri cities that have signed up to take power from the line at a $12.8 million annual savings.

The State Public Service Commission rejected the project twice before a state Supreme Court ruling last year allowed commissioners to reconsider the plan again. In March, the Commission unanimously approved the project.

Hansen, like many lawmakers in this final week, are searching for other progressing bills to attach their measures to.

Another controversial measure that could come up for Senate debate is one that would ask voters to overturn a voter-approved ballot issue to change the legislative redistricting process. The resolution intends to toss out the portion letting the state auditor evaluate a nonpartisan demographer and requiring the demographer to draw legislative districts.

House Joint Resolution 48 is sponsored by Rep. Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres. It would also ban all lobbyist gifts to lawmakers, instead of the current $5 maximum limit.

The Missouri Senate’s top two Republican leaders have pledged to pass this session the proposal known as “Clean Missouri”. Senate Leader Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, and Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, strongly support getting the plan on the November 2020 ballot.

Comprehensive anti-abortion bills could also come up for debate in the upper chamber. House Bill 126 would, among other things, make abortions illegal if a fetal heartbeat is found, which could come as early as eight weeks. Among other things, Senate Bill 279 would criminalize doctors who perform abortions unless for medical emergencies, prohibit doctors from providing an abortion if the baby could have Down Syndrome or if the procedure is sought solely because of the sex or race of the child.

According to the Missouri Constitution, the Legislature must adjourn the session by 6 p.m. on Friday.

To see a list of the bills that have so far been passed by the General Assembly, click here.

Missouri House hits the gas on incentives plan for GM expansion

May 10, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

In roughly 3.5 hours, the Missouri House passed Thursday night a proposed incentives package geared toward landing a possible $1 billion expansion at GM’s plant in Wentzville. The chamber voted 92-51 in favor of the plan, with a few Republicans from the St. Louis region voting against the measure.

Reps. Tony Lovasco, R-O’Fallon, Justin Hill, R-Lake St. Louis, and Phil Christofanelli, R-St.Peters, voted against the bill. All of them represent St. Charles County and have districts near the plant.

Missouri House (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

The General Motors factory, which opened in 1983, has about 4,600 workers. The average annual salary of employees at the plant is about $81,000.

According to documents provided by the Governor’s Office, the upgrades to the factory would not immediately create new jobs but would ensure that production remains in Wentzville long term. The documents also say GM has 178 suppliers throughout Missouri with the broader economic impact of the current site supporting more than 12,200 jobs statewide.

The district of Rep. Tony Lovasco, R-O’Fallon, is adjacent to the plant. He called the entire GM process “incredibly frustrating”.

State Rep. Dean Plocher (right) on the Missouri House floor in January 2017 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

“We are not only expected to vote on something last minute with little input, but in a lot of cases with little knowledge of what was even being negotiated. This was dropped very late. So that bothers me on principle,” Lovasco said. “We have lots of big employers in this state. Why would any of them not come to us next session and ask us for a package? This is big companies that have lobbyists coming to us with the threat of destroying a bunch of jobs if they don’t get freebies from us.”

Rep. Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, said the bill would encourage Missouri’s economic growth.

“The Ford plant closed. The Chrysler plant is closed,” he said. “This is an opportunity to increase a company’s presence in a community that has grown exponentially in the last 19 years.”

Wentzville is one of Missouri’s fastest-growing cities. Its current population is about 40,000. The city’s website says the city’s population skyrocketed from 6,896 in 2000 to 29,070 in the 2010 census.

An amendment from House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, would have tied incentives given to the promise of maintaining 100% of the current workforce. Rep. Rachel Proudie, D-Ferguson, supported Quade’s amendment.

Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

“We’ve done a lot of quid pro quo in this body,” Proudie said. “I don’t trust anybody to give away $50 million. I want $50 million of Missouri’s money to stay in Missouri.”

Debate grew tense at times between bill sponsor, Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, and fellow Republican Justin Hill of Lake St. Louis. Hill agreed with Quade’s approach.

“Do you like this amendment seeing that it’s pretty conservative,” asked Hill.

“No, it’s very poorly-worded and I’m amazed that you would read this and think that this is conservative. It’s unrealistic,” says Schroer.

“Is it not conservative to put accountability measures on this so that they (GM) have to give us jobs for this $50 million handout,” asked Hill.

“There are accountability measures in here,” said Schroer. “The agency must promulgate rules on retention. We want the retention of jobs.”

“What’s wrong with putting it in statute,” asked Hill. “It’s our job to make sure our people’s money doesn’t get wasted.”

Schroer called it a poison pill amendment and said the state is not writing a $50 million check.

“Keep in mind this is not only about GM, this is about the hard-working people of Missouri – not only keeping their jobs but bringing more jobs here, making sure that we don’t have to ship off our citizens to California or waste other opportunities because we have to ship people off to other states that have good workforce development programs on these new technologies like Amazon has in St. Peters,” he said.

Quade’s amendment was ultimately voted down.

Another amendment from Rep. Dirk Deaton, R-Noel, would have banned legal permanent residents from acquiring benefits from the program. He said the state should be too restrictive.

Rep. David Wood, R-Versailles, pointed out Missouri’s two military bases with large numbers of soldiers serving overseas who could return with spouses from outside of the U.S.

“They’re just as American as you and I when they chose to marry that spouse and move to this country,” said Wood. “Our system precludes them from becoming a U.S. citizen immediately. So why are we punishing them for the three, five years, or whatever it takes to get that U.S. citizenship from a program that could benefit them or benefit the state?”

“Perhaps we should work together to change the immigration law,” asked Deaton.

“I don’t think we have the ability to change immigration law,” said Wood.

“I agree with you on that,” said Deaton.

Likely in an effort to contain his anger, Rep. Kip Kendrick, D-Columbia, kept his testimony short. With a raised voiced, he called Deaton’s proposed provision mean-spirited and a “garbage amendment”.

Deaton later withdrew the amendment.

The measure heads to the Missouri Senate for consideration. The Legislature’s regular session ends next Friday.