• Legislators listen more closely to constituents - if you are in their district, tell them
• Legislators are interested in personal stories about how the proposed legislation will affect you and your pocketbook - look at the summaries and talking points and think about how the bill will affect you and talk about that in your phone call, testimony or email
• Look at the whole list of Calls to Action and pick the most important to you - we will be responding for months to come - don't get overwhelmed in the first few weeks
  

Initiative Petition

Bill #: SB 152

LWVMO OPPOSES this bill

Short Description: This bill creates restrictions and mandates compliance regarding contributions of foreign nationals to Missouri Statewide ballot measures.

Status of the Bill: Placed on the Senate Formal Perfection calendar for Monday, March 10.

Talking points: 

• This makes ballot measure campaigns more expensive (and more susceptible to the influence of money) by increasing compliance costs

• There is language about foreign nationals "indirectly" influencing a campaign. That term seems vague and subject to abuse

• There is no evidence of foreign contributions having a material impact on Missouri ballot measures. This bill  is unnecessary

Link to the summary of the bill: SB 152

Call to action: Contact your Senator using the legislator look-up HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill.

LWV Position: The League believes responsible government should be responsive to the will of the people. (LWVUS Impact on Issues, 2024 - 2026, p.11)

Reproductive Rights

Bill #: HB 1246

LWVMO OPPOSES this bill

Short Description: Prohibits the use of fetal organs or tissue from abortions for medical scientific, research, experimental, therapeutic purposes or any other use

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing, March 11 at 12PM in the House Health and Mental Health Committee

Talking points:  

• Fetal tissue and stem cell research holds promise and can lead to breakthroughs for treating various conditions by utilizing the regenerative potential of these cells, including regenerative medicine, drug testing, and understanding developmental processes, potentially leading to cures for diseases like Parkinson's, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries

• Outlawing the use of fetal tissue for scientific, medical, or therapeutic research could inhibit scientific and medical discovery

Link to the summary of the bill: HB 1246

Call to action:

Submit Testimony HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill.

LWV Position: 

US health care policy goals should include the

equitable distribution of services, efficient and economical delivery of care, advancement of medical research and technology… (LWVUS Impact on Issues p 157)

           Taxes

Bill #: SB 101 (SCS/SBs 101 & 64)

LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill

Short Description: Would increase the Circuit Breaker credit for low income senior citizens and disabled persons and expand income eligibility

Status of the Bill: Placed on the Senate Formal Perfection Calendar for Monday, March 10.

Talking points: 

•  The circuit breaker law was designed to help low income disabled persons and senior citizens to continue to live in their homes or to make rents more affordable to them

• The circuit breaker law income limits and credit amounts have not been adjusted since 2008, and since then, incomes as well as property tax and rental fees have increased substantially, resulting in many low income senior and disabled persons no longer qualifying for this support

• Increasing income eligibility and the credit will help to again achieve the purposes for which this law was originally enacted - providing support for the increased housing expenses incurred by low income disabled persons and senior citizens

Link to the summary of the bill: SB 101

Call to action: Contact your Senator using the legislator look-up HERE and tell them you SUPPORT this bill.

LWV Position: The League supports retention of tax relief measures for qualifying seniors and disabled persons (circuit breakers/homestead provisions).  Basic income should be shielded from property tax overload. The criteria for such a plan include relief based on income, relief to renters as well as homeowners, no erosion of the local property tax base, and use of income tax credits or rebates as reimbursement for property taxes paid by low-income taxpayers.  (LWVMO Guide to State Action, 2023-2025, p. 30)

Bill #: HCS HBS 594 & 508 (sent to Senate)

LWVMO OPPOSES this bill

Short Description: Would allow for deduction of all capital gains for Missouri income tax reporting.  

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a Hearing on Monday, March 10 at 3:30 P.M.

in the Senate Fiscal Oversight Committee.

Talking points: 

• This Capital Gains income tax deduction which could cost the state over $300 million and benefit primarily high income people

Link to the summary of the bill: HCS HBS 594 508

Call to action: Only in person testimony is allowed for Senate hearings. Contact members of the Senate Fiscal Oversight Committee HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill.

LWV Position: The  League of Women Voters supports tax measures that broaden the base and improve the equity of the income tax while working to incorporate progressivity into the tax system. (LWVUS Impact on Issues,  p.155)

Bill #: SB 370

LWVMO OPPOSES this bill

Short Description: This act phases out the corporate income tax.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for Hearing on Wednesday, March 12 at 10 A.M. in the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee.

Talking points: 

• This phases out the corporate income tax which would have a substantial effect on general revenue

Link to the summary of the bill: SB 370

Call to action: Only in person testimony is allowed for Senate hearings. Contact members of the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee HERE and tell them you OPPOSE this bill.

LWV Position: The  League of Women Voters supports tax measures that broaden the base and improve the equity of the income tax while working to incorporate progressivity into the tax system. (LWVUS Impact on Issues,  p.155)

To volunteer, join a committee, register for a special event, or view the Member Roster, please log in to your member account on our League website lwvkc.org: 

• Click on "Member Login" in the upper right corner of the website lwvkc.org.  The "Login" page will appear.
• Enter your User Name and Password.  If you are on a device you own, check the box "Remember me on this computer" so it will remember your User Name and Password for next time.  Click the "Login" button.
• Or, if you forgot your Username or Password, click the "Forgot my Username / Password" button on the "Login" page. The "Forgot Username/Password" box will appear.
• Enter your email address and first name and click the "OK" button.Your Username and a temporary Password will be emailed to you.Be sure to use the email address you provided to the League!