THE EGGLESTON REPORT – FREEDOM
On July 4th, we will once again celebrate our freedom as Americans on Independence Day. While it would be easy to allow news reports of inflation and immigration and war to make us feel negative about our country, the Fourth of July should be a reminder of how lucky we are to live in this time and this place – Missouri in the 21st century.
I would much rather live in America than in Europe where they have their own issues of political strife. Or in Venezuela or Russia where socialism has destroyed their economies and their hope for a good future. Or in China or North Korea where the communist government insures that freedom of any sort is virtually non-existent. Or in Ukraine where the people there are fighting and dying in their own war for freedom.
And I am proud to live in Missouri. Living here easily beats the congestion of New York, the mismanagement of California, or the corruption of Illinois. With our wide variety of communities and beautiful geography, there is truly something in our state for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.
And despite our current issues, which shall someday pass as all issues do, I would much rather live now than in the 1940s when we were embroiled in a world war that threatened our nation’s existence. Or in the colonial days when the state-of-the-art in food, medicine and hygiene produced an average life expectancy of only about 30-40 years and few people lived long enough to ever meet their grandchildren. Or in the time of the pilgrims when there were no stores, roads, or societal structure, and people hoped to not starve to death, freeze to death, or be eaten by a bear.
There is no doubt that today’s rampant inflation, border crisis, and high gas prices need to be brought under control. But as we celebrate this Independence Day, let us not lament the imperfections of our time, but instead take a moment to be thankful for the hard-fought advancements and victories of our ancestors – the soldiers, the farmers, the teachers, the entrepreneurs – that allow us the freedom to live in the greatest country on Earth, and in a pinnacle state in that country. Happy birthday America.
Until next time, health, happiness and prosperity to you and your family.
PICTURES FROM THE DISTRICT
Water balloon battle on a hot day in Savannah
FROM THE CAPITOL NEWS DESK
Election Integrity Legislation and Four Other Bills Signed Into Law
During the 2022 legislative session the Missouri General Assembly approved a bill designed to ensure safe, secure elections with timely, accurate results. This week, that legislation was signed into law, along with four other bills, by Gov. Mike Parson.
HB 1878 will require Missourians to present a photo ID when they go to vote, but will also allow people without a photo ID to cast a provisional ballot. In order for the provisional ballot to be counted, election officials would have to verify the voter’s signature based on voter records, or the voter would need to return later that day with a valid form of identification.
The bill also requires the use of hand-marked paper ballots rather than electronic voting machines, mandates the use of air-gapped election equipment that prevents the possibility of electronic manipulation, authorizes the Secretary of State to audit election results, and requires all election authorities or political subdivisions to have cyber-security reviews. The bill also allows no-excuse absentee voting up to two weeks prior to the date of an election, bans private donations to fund elections, and eliminates the Presidential Preference Primary and establishes Missouri as a caucus state.
In signing the bill, Gov. Parson said, “In 2020 and years prior, Missouri has conducted free, fair, and secure elections, but with changing technologies and new emerging threats, we want to ensure they remain that way. HB 1878 strengthens our election processes and gives Missourians confidence that their voices are being accurately and securely recorded at the ballot box.”
The bill’s sponsor added, “Our election system is a cornerstone of our Republic. Faith and confidence in the process is a solemn responsibility by voters themselves and those conducting elections. A photo ID requirement is but one common sense measure the vast majority of Missourians support.”
In addition to HB 1878, Gov. Parson signed:
- HB 1552, whichwill ensure all public school students are treated equitably and have access to the same services. The bill specifically works to secure fair funding for all students in public education in areas where public charter schools can currently function, which is limited to Kansas City and St. Louis. The bill addresses a funding glitch that has resulted in inadequate funding for the more than 25,000 young people who attend public charter schools. Under the bill, all public school students in St. Louis and Kansas City would be funded equitably based on their particular needs, regardless of what type of public school they attend. The state will pick up the cost of the increased funding for charter schools and funding for Kansas City and St. Louis public schools will be unchanged. The bill also includes additional accountability and transparency requirements for charter schools. Additionally, the bill amends the state’s Virtual School Program to give parents the final say on whether their children can enroll in Missouri’s virtual education program.
- SB 820, whichis meant to help Missourians in all parts of the state have access to reliable broadband internet. The bill modifies the Broadband Internet Grant Program to expand broadband internet access in unserved and underserved areas of the state to include improving the reliability of broadband in such areas. It specifies that grants awarded under the program will prioritize projects providing speeds of at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload that is scalable to higher speeds, or the minimum acceptable speed established by the Federal Communications Commission. Additionally, it requires the Department of Economic Development to implement a program to increase high-speed internet access in unserved and underserved areas. It also authorizes the state to seek the return of broadband funding from any provider that defaults or breaches agreements to deploy broadband and establishes the “Vertical Real Estate Act” to allow political subdivisions to erect towers and other broadband infrastructure and to join or participate in public-private partnerships to effectuate the construction of vertical real estate and towers. The bill also exempts solar energy systems that are purchased and installed by a solar energy company from sales tax, and prohibits deeds, covenants, or other binding agreements that limit or prohibit property owners from installing solar panels on their rooftops.
- SB 745protects the personal information of municipal utility customers from disclosure under the Sunshine Law; expands certain utilities’ ability to apply to the Public Service Commission for a one-time rate adjustment for rate variations caused by weather, conservation, or both outside of a general rate proceeding; creates a legislative task force to review proper taxation on solar energy systems; and establishes two discount rate options for new, large electric customers that project certain electric loads over 5- and 10-year periods.
- HB 1606increases transparency and reduces administrative burdens on various taxing districts; requires deeds to include the marital status of all grantors to prevent titling discrepancies and land title defects; and conveys several state properties.
Legislation to Ensure Proper Funding for Law Enforcement Signed into Law (SB 678)
One of the bills approved by the General Assembly during the 2022 legislative session would ensure the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) receives the funding it needs and deserves. The bill was signed into law recently by Gov. Mike Parson.
The bill is a response to efforts by the city to remove $42 million from a previously-agreed-upon budget for the department. The goal of the bill is to ensure the city is not able to artificially manipulate its general fund in order to cut the budget for the Kansas City Police Department.
Under current law, the City of Kansas City is required to provide at least 20 percent of its general revenue per fiscal year to the Kansas City Board of Police. SB 678 increases the required annual funding to the Board for the Kansas City Police Department to 25 percent of the City’s general revenue funds per fiscal year.
In signing the bill, Gov. Parson said, “In Missouri, we defend our law enforcement officers who answer the call each and every day to protect and serve Missourians. We don’t defund them.” He added, “With crime on the rise in cities across the country, we are signing SB 678 to ensure that the KCPD is receiving the necessary resources to support public safety and combat violent crime. We take pride in Missouri’s cities, but we refuse to stand idly by and allow criminals to run free. With the help of law enforcement, the business community, and local partners, we are putting shared solutions to work to combat crime in our state.”
The House handler of the bill said, “I will always work to support and promote law enforcement in our city. Safe streets translate to stronger communities, better schools, and a more promising business environment. However, it all starts with public safety and law enforcement.”
