Missouri's Transportation Commission chair has proposed Missouri shoppers pay an additional one cent in their sales taxes for 10 years to fund state highway maintenance and construction.
Rudolph Farber, chair of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, called for more transportation funding Thursday, Jan. 24, during a conference of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.
The 10-year tax increase would generate an estimated $7.9 billion. Ten percent of that revenue would be used for local transportation needs in cities and counties.
Earlier the same day, Missouri Department of Transportation Director Kevin Keith told senators that interstate updates were vital for Missouri's economy.
"If we're going to win, it's not just tax policy, but it's growth of the economy," Keith said, while testifying on a bill in front of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
That bill, sponsored by Sen. John Lamping, R-St. Louis County, would increase the state's sales tax by one half percent and dedicate the new revenue for construction and maintenance of Interstate 70.
Showing posts with label John Lamping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Lamping. Show all posts
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Pre-filed bill revisits an increase in the cigarette tax
By Taylor Beck
(MDN News) -- Sen. John Lamping, R-Ladue, pre-filed a bill calling for an overhaul of certain state taxes.
Lamping's bill would increase the cigarette tax, lower the income rate to a flat 4 percent rate, and increase the state's sales and use tax.
Lamping said he expects the language of the bill to change greatly through the 2013 legislative session, and that the cigarette tax portion is not his main focus.
"The bill is about raising revenue, cutting taxes to a greater degree, and dedicating revenue to infrastructure. I just chose to put the cigarette tax bill inside this bill, and if it comes out of the bill it comes out of the bill, it's not a priority," Lamping said.
In the November election, voters shot down a proposal to raise Missouri's cigarette tax by 73 cents to 90 cents per pack. The defeat was the third time in a decade Missourians have rejected a cigarette tax increase.
Ron Leone, executive director of the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, led the opposition to the cigarette tax increase in November. He said this proposal is still too high.
Leone did add that there were certain provisions to this bill that were more agreeable than those in the failed Proposition B.
"While we want to be cautiously optimistic, at this point in time we're going to have to oppose due to the sheer size of it," Leone said.
(MDN News) -- Sen. John Lamping, R-Ladue, pre-filed a bill calling for an overhaul of certain state taxes.
Lamping's bill would increase the cigarette tax, lower the income rate to a flat 4 percent rate, and increase the state's sales and use tax.
Lamping said he expects the language of the bill to change greatly through the 2013 legislative session, and that the cigarette tax portion is not his main focus.
"The bill is about raising revenue, cutting taxes to a greater degree, and dedicating revenue to infrastructure. I just chose to put the cigarette tax bill inside this bill, and if it comes out of the bill it comes out of the bill, it's not a priority," Lamping said.
In the November election, voters shot down a proposal to raise Missouri's cigarette tax by 73 cents to 90 cents per pack. The defeat was the third time in a decade Missourians have rejected a cigarette tax increase.
Ron Leone, executive director of the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, led the opposition to the cigarette tax increase in November. He said this proposal is still too high.
Leone did add that there were certain provisions to this bill that were more agreeable than those in the failed Proposition B.
"While we want to be cautiously optimistic, at this point in time we're going to have to oppose due to the sheer size of it," Leone said.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Contraception Veto Overriden; Foes to Seek Lawsuit
(Missouri Digital News) -- Missouri employers and insurance companies now have a state legal claim to refuse to provide health insurance coverage for contraception.
Missouri lawmakers met Wednesday, Sept. 12, to override Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon's veto. They passed legislation to allow employers and insurers to refuse to provide health insurance coverage of contraception, abortion and sterilization if such procedures violate the employer's religious beliefs.
In an afternoon vote that lasted for several tense minutes, seven House Democrats broke with their party and with the governor to give Republicans the two-thirds majority they needed to overcome Nixon's action and make the measure part of state law in a 109-45 vote -- the bare minimum number required to approve the override motion.
The Republican-controlled Senate had also backed an override of the veto in a 26-6 vote earlier in the day. House Republicans broke into applause as the final vote was announced.
The bill was filed in response to a rule levied by the federal Department of Health and Human Services that requires employers and insurance companies to cover contraception at no additional cost to the employees.
Sponsoring Sen. John Lamping, along with several other conservatives, have argued for months that employers should not have to provide a benefit that contradicts their religious beliefs.
"This bill does not restrict access," said Lamping, R-St. Louis County. "This bill makes clear that you can't force someone who disagrees with you to pay for your services."
Nixon vetoed the bill on July 12 and reaffirmed his stance against the bill.
"It's a shame we are still debating access to birth control in 2012," he said after the veto session.
Wednesday's vote marks only the second time the Legislature has overridden Nixon. Lawmakers also successfully overcame his objections to pass redistricting maps last year, which were later challenged in the state's courts. The override is the 24th since Missouri became a state.
The contraception bill became law immediately after lawmakers voted to override Nixon's veto and has already drawn a legal challenge. The Greater Kansas City Coalition of Labor Union Women is seeking a preliminary injunction against the measure.
The labor union's lawyer, Edward Keenan, said he's prepared to take the law all the way to the state Supreme Court and said that it violates the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution. Keenan said he expects to be in a courtroom within the next few weeks.
Missouri lawmakers met Wednesday, Sept. 12, to override Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon's veto. They passed legislation to allow employers and insurers to refuse to provide health insurance coverage of contraception, abortion and sterilization if such procedures violate the employer's religious beliefs.
In an afternoon vote that lasted for several tense minutes, seven House Democrats broke with their party and with the governor to give Republicans the two-thirds majority they needed to overcome Nixon's action and make the measure part of state law in a 109-45 vote -- the bare minimum number required to approve the override motion.
The Republican-controlled Senate had also backed an override of the veto in a 26-6 vote earlier in the day. House Republicans broke into applause as the final vote was announced.
The bill was filed in response to a rule levied by the federal Department of Health and Human Services that requires employers and insurance companies to cover contraception at no additional cost to the employees.
Sponsoring Sen. John Lamping, along with several other conservatives, have argued for months that employers should not have to provide a benefit that contradicts their religious beliefs.
"This bill does not restrict access," said Lamping, R-St. Louis County. "This bill makes clear that you can't force someone who disagrees with you to pay for your services."
Nixon vetoed the bill on July 12 and reaffirmed his stance against the bill.
"It's a shame we are still debating access to birth control in 2012," he said after the veto session.
Wednesday's vote marks only the second time the Legislature has overridden Nixon. Lawmakers also successfully overcame his objections to pass redistricting maps last year, which were later challenged in the state's courts. The override is the 24th since Missouri became a state.
The contraception bill became law immediately after lawmakers voted to override Nixon's veto and has already drawn a legal challenge. The Greater Kansas City Coalition of Labor Union Women is seeking a preliminary injunction against the measure.
The labor union's lawyer, Edward Keenan, said he's prepared to take the law all the way to the state Supreme Court and said that it violates the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution. Keenan said he expects to be in a courtroom within the next few weeks.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Senate Votes to Override Governor’s Veto of Religious Freedom Act
(Missouri Digital News) -- The Missouri Senate voted 26-6 Wednesday to protect the
religious freedom of all Missourians by overriding the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 749.
Sponsor Sen. John Lamping, R-Ladue, said the bill was filed in direct response
to President Obama’s mandate under the federal Affordable Health Care Act that
forces employers to offer health care services even if those services are
against their religious beliefs or moral convictions.
“This is not an issue about access,” said Lamping.
“All employees still have access to these services. This is an issue
about who pays for them.”
Under current law, employers are not required to offer
health care coverage for employees.
A number of employers have announced their intent to
discontinue health insurance coverage for their employees as a result of the
federal government’s mandate.
“The stories we are hearing of businesses that are
considering dropping their insurance coverage rather than violating their
beliefs are alarming,” said Senate Majority Floor Leader Tom Dempsey, R- St.
Charles. “This veto override was extremely important, because it gives
employers the option to continue to provide health care benefits without being
forced to pay for something that goes against their religious beliefs or moral
convictions.”
SB 749 passed the General Assembly during the regular
legislative session, only later to be vetoed by the governor. In order to
override the veto in the Senate, 23 votes were needed. The House also
took up and overrode the governor’s veto, so the bill becomes law effective
immediately.
Senate
Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, added, “Religious freedom is the cornerstone
of America. It is important we protect
Missourians from the federal government infringing on our First Amendment
rights. By overriding this veto, we are keeping government out of our
businesses and from telling religious organizations they must violate their beliefs
to fulfill this mandate.”
Friday, March 11, 2011
Missouri Senate passes bill easing Proposition B restrictions on dog breeders
The Missouri Senate removed a year's worth of efforts to restrict Missouri dog
breeders by passing a bill that dilutes most Proposition B restrictions.
The bill, passed with a vote of 20-14, removes the measure's limitation on 50 dogs
in breeding facilities and also dissolves requirements for bigger cage sizes.
Missourians voted 52 percent in favor of Proposition B in November general election.
Since then, some lawmakers have argued voters were unaware that the measures passed
in Prop. B were harming good breeders and a legitimate industry in the state.
Humane Society spokeswoman Barb Schmitz said this isn't true.
"The issue was thoroughly debated for a year," Schmitz said. "Voters knew what they
were doing. And if lawmakers are really intent on overturning the will of the
people, then I find that extremely disappointing."
Sen. John Lamping, R-St. Louis County, warned there is a problem with easing the
restrictions Missourians voted to pass with Proposition B.
"There's a risk to legislating this way, by proposition," he said. "I think I'm
quite confident that my district read the bill, did their best to understand the
bill and voted their will. I think this is a very dangerous way to legislate."
Sen. Maria Chappell-Nadal, D-St. Louis County, voted against changing the law, but
she acknowledged supporters' arguments about voter confusion in November.
"Proposition B does not deal with pounds, yet it is messaged to our constituents
that Proposition B is saving puppies," she said.
The bill now will be sent to the House for debate. If it passes, it will be sent to
the governor to sign into law.
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