Perspective: Session priorities include port authority bill

The legislative session is back in full force. A lot of the formalities have already happened. We were inspired by the Governor's Prayer Breakfast as well as his prayer service at Concord Church, meetings at the Governor's Mansion, caucus meetings, State of the State Address given by Gov. Mike Parson and State of the Judiciary given to us by the Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice George Draper III. I had the honor of being part of the team to introduce Gov. Parson for his State of the State Address before the House and Senate.

Last session involved a lot of learning and reacting to what was thrown at us or what was handed our direction. This session will involve taking on a proactive role. I am on the Judiciary Committee, Economic Development Committee, Committee on Aging, Committee on Government Oversight and Caucus Communication Committee. These committees will have a number of bills brought before them every week. I read the bills before the committee hearing and do my own research on them. I then talk to the bill sponsors and various interested parties, including listening to input by lobbyists and my constituents. This allows me to have input from many differing points of view and enables me to make the most intelligent decision possible on my committee votes.

In addition, I have six bills I intend on getting passed. The port authority bill is one you have read a lot about, and I have talked a lot about it. It has made it through committee and will be headed to the floor shortly.

This bill, and the port authority as a whole, is part of a larger plan to make all waterways in the State of Missouri part of a network that reaches to the East and West coasts as well as international trade through the port authority in New Orleans. This bill simply allows Missouri to convey a tract of ground to the Heartland Port Authority of Central Missouri, which is controlled by Cole County, Callaway County and Jefferson City, to develop a port and to become part of a much larger port network. This bill is a step toward the future where we are able to transport commodities in the most efficient and economical way, taking wear and tear off of our roads, and reducing the price of goods in the state, as well as making exporting goods out of the state more practical. It will further spur economic development in the state, especially within Cole and Callaway counties. This will also enable us to develop many types of factories and after-market products in Missouri and ship them internationally.

The remaining five bills deal with legal matters as they relate to operations of state agencies, operation of our judicial system and election of school board members. It is important that we as legislators take care of the needs of our constituents as well as the high profile issues.

The bills I have introduced are:

HB 1330 - Authorizes the conveyance of certain state property to create the Heartland Port Authority.

HB 1331 - Creates the Change of Venue for Capital Cases Fund to reimburse a county that receives a capital case from another county for costs associated with the sequestering of jurors.

HB 1332 - Modifies the offense of tampering with electronic monitoring equipment so that people wearing ankle monitors cannot simply let the battery die.

HB 1542 - Modifies provisions relating to workers' compensation law.

HB 2029 - Allows school districts to divide into subdistricts if the school district chooses.

HB 2223 - Changes the laws regarding the dissolution of limited liability companies.

This will allow you to look at these bills and see how they will affect us in Cole County.

As I have mentioned before, there are some challenges that need to be addressed every year.

Infrastructure

I don't know how much clearer it can be to everyone that we need to do something for our roads and bridges and not to continue letting them deteriorate and pass the debt down to our children. It is time to put a system into existence where we can adequately fund our roads, especially since the way we use our roads is changing; we now have much more gas-efficient vehicles and electric cars, meaning the way we fund our roads, the gas tax, will continue to diminish. Infrastructure is not only needed for convenience, but is needed for efficient workforce development, as no business would want to do business or be located in a place with poor infrastructure. Poor roads cost each of us dearly for additional repair, loss of time and damage to vehicles, etc.

Workforce Development

If we create a strong and properly educated work force, this will attract businesses to the state of Missouri and will enable existing businesses to expand. To create such a work force, we need to develop the proper and needed educational programs, including college education, technical education and job skill training. By addressing these issues, we create a strong work force that will attract businesses and a stable economic environment allowing individuals to have jobs, see a future, have economic stability to support their families and put pride back in the work force.

However, work force development does not only affect people's ability to secure well paying and fulfilling jobs. Work force development also aids in efforts to curb crime, help people to get out of government assistance programs, lower drop out levels in high schools, and aid in the stabilization of families by giving people a sense of hope for their future and pride in their profession.

Another issue that will be coming to the forefront is sales tax on internet sales. I will address that as the issue develops.

As always, please call with your comments and concerns. Your input helps me to do my job better.

State Rep. Rudy Veit, R-Jefferson City, represents Missouri's 59th District, and shares his perspective on statehouse issues twice a month.