The Hard Decisions We Make -- Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal

The Hard Decisions We Make

Each legislative session is about setting priorities. We have to determine which programs and services are worthy of state funding and which ones are not an effective use of tax dollars. Because Missouri is a low-tax, low-service state, we have a very limited pool of money from which to fund the various programs and services that Missourians depend upon. It can be difficult, at times, to have to choose which worthy programs to fund, which ones to cap and which ones to completely eliminate. With just six weeks left in the 2013 legislative session, I am concerned some lawmakers have chosen the wrong priorities on which to spend precious state resources.

For example, Missouri has the highest outlay of Historic Preservation Tax Credits of any state in the country. In fact, if you added the amount of money the original 13 colonies spends on historical buildings, you’ll find Missouri tops that number. While I might agree that renovating old, abandoned buildings can spur economic development in certain sections of our urban cores, I would much rather use those dollars to help senior citizens and disabled renters stay in their homes and remain independent.  

This week the Senate voted to eliminate the “Circuit Breaker Tax Credit” for seniors and disabled renters. This has been a successful program since 1973, and senior citizens and disabled renters have come to rely on this small annual tax credit to make ends meet. For some, it is the only disposable income they receive all year. Senate Bill 350 diverts this money into a new fund called the Missouri Senior Services Protection Fund, which may fund worthwhile programs, but taking away the renter’s tax credit is not the way to accomplish that goal. While Gov. Nixon suggested cutting the Circuit Breaker Tax Credit for seniors, every member of the Minority Party voted against the measure and only two Majority Party members voted with the Minority Party.

Also recently, Gov. Nixon signed Senate Bills 20, 15 and 19 into law, which extend the sunsets on a number of benevolent tax credit programs. I support most of these programs, such as the Public Safety Officer Surviving Spouse tax credit, and the tax credit for donations to food pantries, as well as the Children in Crisis Tax Credit to help child advocacy centers, crisis care centers and similar entities. Most of these benevolent tax credit programs benefit citizens who are struggling to make ends meet, and that has been my No. 1 priority throughout my legislative service. 

As state lawmakers, we should be doing everything in our power to make life better for the people we serve, but we spend far too much time catering to the whims of big business and wealthy millionaires. The Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program has been a particularly huge windfall for developers in St. Louis and Kansas City, but has the program helped to reduce poverty in our cities? Some believe it does. And for the first time since I was elected nine years ago, I am hearing from a group of people that have financially benefitted from the Historic Preservation Tax Credit program. Just a little bit ironic. As I have toured my district, I am constantly reminded of the single moms with two or more children who are working two or three jobs just to pay the bills. And I just wonder how they benefit from rehabilitated properties miles away from the low-income and landlocked areas in which they live.

This year, the governor also signed a bill lawmakers sent to him that creates yet another tax credit to attract amateur sporting events to Missouri. Again, this may be a worthy goal, but which programs and services will we have to cut to pay for this new tax credit program? As I said, we have a very limited pool of money from which to fund the basic services Missourians depend upon. So if we are going to give some of that money to sports commissions or cities to lure sporting events to their communities, who gets thrown under the bus? The answer, as usual, is the poor. 

Perhaps the most glaring misplaced priority of the 2013 General Assembly is leadership’s obstinate refusal to expand Medicaid in Missouri under the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. By expanding coverage to Missourians who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, we could reduce the state’s uninsured population by one-fourth while providing coverage to nearly 300,000 Missourians who lack access to affordable health care coverage. A University of Missouri study found the expansion of Medicaid would create up to 24,000 new jobs in Missouri and that the expansion would basically pay for itself. The federal government would pay 100 percent of the costs of expansion for the first three years, and Missouri would never pay more than 10 percent of the cost of expanding Medicaid. At a time when our state is STILL having financial difficulty and having to choose which programs to fund and which to cut, Medicaid expansion under the ACA would bring an estimated $1.56 billion in federal dollars to our state. A growing number of states, several with GOP governors, are putting aside their philosophical objections to the federal government in general or with President Obama in particular and moving forward with Medicaid expansion. Yet, despite pressure from numerous chambers of commerce, hospital associations and many others, Majority Party leaders in Missouri refuse to help the thousands of Missouri citizens who cannot afford health care coverage. 

At the same time, Majority Party members are willing to increase sales taxes to fund transportation or to reduce the income tax burden on businesses. As you know, sales taxes are regressive and fall hardest on those at the lower end of the income scale. So once again, the poor get thrown under the bus while big business and millionaires reap the rewards. Talk about misplaced priorities!

Please understand that when there is vast underemployment and unemployment, state revenues decrease because a large portion of our budget is dependent on personal income taxes. When the state’s general revenue is then further reduced because of a redirection of funds to millionaires, state revenue is further burdened. That is why we must focus on long-term investments that make a difference for those most in need for the long hull. Temporary solutions are just that, temporary. 

My only request of you – as my friends, neighbors and supporters – is that you look at the issue of tax policy in its totality. Please consider the fact that I have to weigh the needs of the poor with the needs of the rich. At times, I’ve been close to tears as I have heard some of the things the Majority Party says about people who come from areas like yours and mine. But I continue to stand tall, and I am relentless when it comes time for me to talk about the plight of the poor. Speaking and fighting on your behalf gives me purpose, and as always, it is an honor to serve you.

Senate Bill 124, a measure that would create reasonable gun safety regulations, will receive a public hearing on Tuesday, April 9, in the Senate General Laws Committee. The bill, if passed, would create a crime for failing to prevent illegal firearm possession, create the offense of negligent storage of a firearm, and require a parent or guardian enrolling a child in school to notify the school district or the governing body of a private or charter school that the parent or guardian owns a firearm.

I've talked at length this session about the importance of this bill and the many issues relating to firearms our country faces. I would like to publicly extend an invitation to any witness who is interested in testifying regarding the matter. Please contact my office as soon as possible, and we can make arrangements for your visit to Jefferson City. The Senate General Laws Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. in Senate Committee Room 1, located on the first floor of the Capitol.

Lawmakers recently returned from mid-session recess. I thought this would be a good time to look back on the first half of session. This video recaps some of my legislative highlights on the Senate floor, in committee and in press conferences during the last few months. I am hopeful the second half of session will be just as exciting as the first. Thank you for watching.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbGmxp-1qnY&list=HL1364497675

Please join me on Saturday, April 20, 2013, for my "Earth Day Forum" featuring lawmakers, environmentalists, and officials from the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The event is free and open to the public, and I would encourage you to do or learn something about protecting our precious Earth, even if you cannot attend my event.

My goal is to continue the conversation within our communities and throughout the world about how important it is for us to be good stewards of our environment. I hope to see you there and please mark your calendars. The event will be held at Clayton High School in the Stuber Gym. If you have any questions regarding the event, please feel free to contact my Capitol office.

 Community News -

Celebrating the Launch of Lifelong Learning at UMSL (Friday, April 5)

https://pcscatalog.umsl.edu/modules/shop/index.html?action=section&OfferingID=343&SectionID=244

Missouri Department of Conservation to Host Discover Nature Wetlands Fun Day(Saturday, April 6)  http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/kids-can-discover-nature-wetlands-annual-family-fun-day

Hispanic Leaders Group of Greater St. Louis Meeting - "Challenges of Policing an Increasingly Diverse Community" (Wednesday, April 10, 2013) http://stlhlg.org/

"Storytime with the Senator" at University City Public Library (pdf)
(Saturday, April 13, at 10:30 a.m.)  http://www.senate.mo.gov/media/13info/Chappelle-Nadal/columns/images/2013%20Storytime%20with%20the%20Senator.pdf

Sen. Chappelle-Nadal's 2013 Online Legislative Survey  http://www.senate.mo.gov/D14Q13/ZipValidator.aspx

Maria In The News 

http://universitycity.patch.com/articles/prop-u-passes-incumbents-remain...

Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal 2013 Mid-Session Review Newsletter (Florissant Patch)  http://florissant.patch.com/blog_posts/senator-maria-chappelle-nadal-201...

Some special guests from the Missouri AIDS Task Force visited my office last week.
The coalition advocates for Missourians affected by HIV/AIDS by fighting to reduce stigma, increasing access to care, and supporting education/prevention through
public policy and research.

Citizens Comments - 

 "Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal, I received my nice birthday card. Thanks!" – Louis

"Thank you for the experience and the opportunity to job shadow you. I learned a lot about you and your job. I can see that you hold an important position, and your job is very important to the maintenance of Missouri. Thank you for all you have taught me." – Lamisha

"Senator, you are AMAZING! In this era when politicians routinely demonize those who disagree with them, I applaud your respectful, informative reply.  My wife and I will be voting for you on April 2, and I look forward to meeting you before the next election." – Richard & Nathanne

"FYI, I heard WONDERFUL things about your gun control presentation! Go get-em!" – Jeffrey

 Weekend Review - 

March 29 - April 1, 2013

Last weekend was pretty low key. I spent a lot of time walking, exercising and spending time with neighbors. Walking is a great way to relax and is beneficial for the body and the mind. More importantly, I did not fall victim to any April Fool's pranks or jokes, nor did I try to fool any of my friends.

Deuce of the Week - 

 Special guests Marc Lopata, Beverly Fowler and John Chasnoff
visited the Capitol on Wednesday, April 4, 2013.