House Wraps Up Legislative Session
By Chris Dinkins
Greetings Friends of the 144th!
There has been a lot said in the papers and throughout the community these past couple of weeks regarding the Reynolds County Ambulance. I have received phone calls and emails and I have been working to address every concern. I have offered to help the commission and board in any way I can to assist them. Currently my office has provided resources to the commission and board and attended meetings to assist in making sure the ambulance district is successful in its goals. I am confident that the direction and decisions the board and commission are making will be what is best for the county. The board and commission is working through a bad situation using the best option available to ensure Reynolds County can move forward with quality service. We don’t just want an ambulance service, we want advanced quality care when we need it and I believe that is what we will see in the future, not just a quick ride to the nearest hospital. I appreciate all the board and commission has done and continue to do. It is my hope that the community will support the board as they make these difficult decisions. Remember board meetings are always open to the public. Get involved in your community and make a difference!
It was an honor to have the Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe visit Iron County this week. The Lt. Governor was here to tour the Shepherd Mountain Bike Park. He and his wife Claudia, were definitely impressed with all the city of Ironton has done to make this a regional attraction. We look forward to using him as a resource to help secure funding for phase 2! The Lt. Governor has been touring state parks and was staying at Johnson Shut Ins. Friday morning he hosted a flapjack breakfast for campers.
Legislature Prepares for Special Session
The Missouri House and Senate are set to return in September for the annual Veto Session, but we are also likely to return for a special session to provide tax relief for Missourians. Gov. Mike Parson has announced he plans to call for a special session to implement a tax cut and a restructuring of the state’s income tax brackets.
Parson previously vetoed a $500 million one-time economic recovery tax credit that was approved by the General Assembly during the 2022 legislative session. In vetoing the bill, the governor said he prefers a permanent tax cut and that he will call a special session so the legislature can approve one.
I would also prefer a permanent cut to help Missourians facing higher prices and inflation. However, I am not sure we can get the upper chamber to support that. The Governor’s office and the budget chairman are currently collaborating with the Senate to find a good starting point.
The tax code needs simplified. The state’s brackets are outdated and should be revised, if not eliminated, and doing so would help all income earners. While the state is enjoying increased revenues and never-before-seen surpluses, Missourians are dealing with high inflation, high gas prices, and other factors that are causing many to struggle. This is the right time for the legislature to do something to help.
Both the chairman of the House Budget Committee and the governor agree that Missouri’s healthy economy and revenue growth will allow the state to afford a tax cut.
The governor has said he is also planning to have the legislature consider six-year extensions to tax credits under the Missouri Agriculture and Small Business Development Authority. He vetoed a bill that would have extended them by two years.
Department of Revenue to Automatically Renew Permanent Disabled Placards for Eligible Individuals
The Missouri Department of Revenue recently announced it will automatically renew and mail Permanent Disabled Placards for eligible individuals. To be eligible, a person must already have a Permanent Disabled Placard on file with the Department and their placard must be up for renewal in 2022. All first-time recipients of a placard must still apply in-person at a Missouri license office.
On July 22 the department began mailing the 2026 Disabled Person Placards to approximately 96,000 individuals with a 2022 Disabled Person Placard on file with the Department. The 2026 placard replaces the 2022 placard and can be used immediately. The Department stresses, however, that the current 2022 placard is still valid through Sept. 30, 2022.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you might have. As your Representative, I am here to assist you however I can. I can be reached by email at Chris.Dinkins@house.mo.gov or by phone at 573-751-2112. Please do not contact me via social media. These messages are easy to overlook and may not be responded to in a timely manner.
