The legislative session officially ended in May, however, my job serving as your State Representative is far from over. In looking back over the last few months since the session began in January, the last five months have just flown by. I continue to learn more and more about our community needs and look forward to meeting with constituents back home.

Legislation

From my perspective, I believe we had a highly successful session. The two key measures we passed are extending provisions of the Big Government Get Off My Back Act (HB 45) and a fiscally responsible budget. The House's primary responsibility is to adopt the budget and we were even able to get that done a day before the deadline. From the beginning of the session, House Speaker Steven Tilley emphasized that creating good-paying jobs with health benefits was the top priority for the House. The House sent the Senate several versions of job-creating bills during the course of the session and HB 45, which I sponsored, passed in April and became law August 28. This developed into a good pro-jobs bill for the state and a great bill for the 121st District.
In addition, I am very proud to report that I was successful in passing two
bills out of the House in my second term as your State Representative.  They
both passed on the last day of the session and will have a positive impact
on the 121st District.

Small Business Job Creation Bill - House Bill 45

The idea for this bill came from me meeting with several local small businesses in the 121st District and across the State. This law is aimed at helping our Main Street businesses - those small businesses with less than 50 employees.

This bill changes the laws regarding the Big Government Get Off My Back Act which provides tax relief and hiring incentives to small businesses. In its main provisions, the bill:

(1) Authorizes, for tax years 2011 through 2014, an income tax deduction for a small business for each full-time job created with an annual salary of at least the county average wage as determined by the Department of Economic Development. To be a full-time job, the employee must work at least an average of 35 hours per week for a 52-week period. The business will be allowed a deduction of $10,000 for each new full-time job created or $20,000 for each full-time job if the business offers health insurance and pays at least 50% of the premiums.

(2) Specifies that any federal mandate compelling the state to enact, enforce, or administer a federal regulatory program on small businesses must be subject to authorization through appropriation or statutory enactment;

(3) Extends from four years to five years the restriction on an increase of any state-imposed user fee and the requirement that any state agency proposing a rule must certify that it does not have an adverse impact on small businesses; that it is necessary to protect the life, health, or safety of the public; or that any small business is exempt from the rule;

(4) Revises the definition of "small business" to include businesses with fewer than 50 employees;

Drivers License Renewal for Military Personnel - House Bill 204

The idea for this bill came from a constituent whose drivers license expired while he was stationed overseas. While our men and women are serving our country overseas, I believe the last thing they need to be worrying about is renewing their Missouri drivers license.

The bills main provisions include:

Any person discharged from the armed forces of the United States will have six months from the date of discharge or within 90 days after re-establishment of residence within the state, whichever is sooner, to renew an expired driver's license without examination. A Missouri resident on active military duty or any dependent, 21 years of age or older, residing outside Missouri or the United States may renew his or her driver's license by mail.

Prior Legislation

In addition to the bills above, I have also been successful in adding amendments to several bills while serving you since 2008. One amendment I offered that passed the House was to eliminate taxpayer funded government lobbyists and put the funds to the At Home Meals program for senior citizens. These seven lobbyists make $50,000 to $83,000 a year and during the economic downturn, I thought it was more important to provide meals for our senior citizens.

Another amendment I offered in Budget Committee was to provide funding to
expand the dining area, solarium, chapel and conference/training room at the
Warrensburg Veterans Home.  The Veterans Home recently received an award as one of the best in the nation and these improvements will help continue that
fine tradition.

Constituent Services

As session has ended, I have returned to Johnson County to meet with constituents and local businesses. My office in Jefferson City is still open and staffed with limited hours by my Legislative Assistant, Tad Mayfield. If you send an email or call me, please keep in mind that I'm trying to reply to those messages as quickly as I can. I value your opinions and look forward to discussing your issues and concerns. It is a privilege to serve as your state representative.

It is a privilege to serve as your state representative.

 
Respectfully,

 
Denny Hoskins
State Representative
District 121
Denny's House Website