Greetings Friends of the 151^st District!

Things are starting to pick up here in Jefferson City.  Bills are moving through committee, and we are able to vote on them on the house floor.  

Five weeks into the 2025 legislative session, the Missouri House of Representatives has passed its first set of bills, focusing on key reforms to improve business conditions, protect individual freedoms, and enhance public services across the state. I am excited to share that I have voted for HBs 737 & 486, 594 & 508, 595 & 343, and 75.  

Among the legislation passed, HB 737 & 486 ensures foster children retain their rightful benefits and introduces important child welfare reforms. HB 594 & 508 seeks to eliminate the state income tax on capital gains, aiming to boost economic growth. HB 595 & 343 limits local government regulations on landlords, preserving property rights. Meanwhile, HB 75, the 'Missouri Religious Freedom Protection Act,' reinforces protections for religious gatherings, preventing undue government interference. With these measures now heading to the Senate, lawmakers continue to push forward on critical issues affecting Missourians statewide.

House Passes Legislation to Address Child Welfare Issues

The Missouri House has passed out its first bill this session, making good on the promise of Speaker Jon Patterson, who said on the first day of the legislative session that legislation dealing with our state’s child welfare system would be the first bill passed out of the House and sent to the Senate.

HB 737 & 486 addresses several key issues related to children in the custody of the Children’s Division. The bill introduces changes to how benefits are managed for children in state custody, emphasizes consideration of religious faith in placement decisions, and clarifies circumstances under which children may engage in independent activities. 

Currently, an estimated 1,200 young people in Missouri’s foster care system are eligible for benefits from the Social Security or Veterans Administrations, or railroad retirement benefits, often because they are the survivors of deceased parents or because they have disabilities. The state Children’s Division takes those benefits to cover the costs of caring for those children. Social Security benefits, alone, can be around $900 or more each month.

Several lawmakers expressed shock that this practice exists, calling it a misuse of funds meant to support foster children. Bipartisan support for the bill was strong, with lawmakers and advocates condemning the current practice of seizing benefits as harmful to vulnerable children. This bill would end Missouri’s practice of seizing those benefits from foster children to offset state care costs, ensuring these funds are used for the children’s unmet needs or future independence. 

The bill includes two other provisions:

One would specify that the offense of abuse or neglect of a child does not include letting a child do things like going to school or nearby locations on foot or by bicycle; play outside; or stay at home for a reasonable amount of time without supervision.  Any such “independent activities” must be deemed appropriate for the child’s age, maturity, and physical and mental abilities. 

The other would require the Children’s Division to attempt to place a child in its care with a person, agency, or institution governed by persons of the same religious faith as that of at least one of the child’s parents.  Missouri Courts must already do so.  The bill would require that the Division follow the same procedure.

After passing with a vote of 149-1 in the House, the bill now heads to the Missouri Senate for further consideration. Advocates hope that the passage of this legislation will bring Missouri in line with other states that have already ended the practice of seizing foster children’s benefits.

House Signs Off on Proposal to Eliminate the State Income Tax

The Missouri House advanced HB 594 & 508 this week, a bill that would grant a full income tax deduction for federal capital gains starting in 2025. Under the proposal, taxpayers could deduct 100% of capital gains reported on their federal tax returns for state income tax purposes.

Republican legislators have highlighted cutting taxes as a top priority for the 2025 legislative session and are committed to ensuring Missourians keep more of their income. Supporters argue the measure will boost economic growth, create more high-paying jobs for residents, attract more businesses, and make Missouri more competitive with neighboring states by encouraging reinvestment and productivity. They also claim it benefits a broad range of Missourians, including retirees.

However, opponents warn that eliminating capital gains taxes would create a budget shortfall with no mechanism to replace lost revenue, potentially harming funding for essential public services.

With a House vote of 100-48, the bill now moves to the Missouri Senate for further consideration.

House Passes Bill Protecting Religious Gatherings from Government Restrictions

HB 75, known as the "Missouri Religious Freedom Protection Act," passed out of the Missouri House this week. The bill ensures that religious groups and places of worship can hold services or meetings without government interference. It prohibits public officials from issuing orders that would limit or ban such gatherings, with exceptions only in cases of imminent danger, such as natural disasters or hazardous material incidents. The bill also clarifies that religious groups using places of worship to plan or commit violence are not protected, and places of worship must still comply with building and fire codes.

Supporters of the bill argue that religious freedoms were unjustly restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic when some states allowed other businesses, like casinos, to remain open while limiting church gatherings. They believe the bill adds an essential layer of protection for religious practitioners, particularly for mental health reasons linked to regular church attendance.

Opponents contend that the bill could go too far by limiting the ability of public officials to protect their communities during emergencies. They also claim that the bill’s language could unintentionally restrict the practice of religion, the very thing it aims to protect.

With a vote of 106-38 in the House, the bill now heads to the Missouri Senate for further debate.

House Passes Bill Limiting Local Regulations on Landlords

The Missouri House passed HB 595 & 343 this week, a bill restricting local governments from imposing certain regulations on landlords. The legislation prohibits cities and counties from requiring landlords to accept Section 8 housing vouchers, limiting how they screen tenants, capping security deposits, or mandating a tenant’s right of first refusal on a rental property. However, it does allow voluntary agreements between local governments and landlords to regulate rent for subsidized housing.

Supporters argue the bill protects landlords’ rights and prevents measures like Kansas City's ordinance, which forces landlords to accept housing vouchers. They claim it maintains the status quo, supports small landlords, and expands rental opportunities.

Opponents counter that the bill undermines efforts to address affordable housing challenges by making it harder for voucher holders and low-income families to secure housing. They point to Kansas City’s $1 million risk and mitigation fund designed to offset potential losses for landlords participating in the voucher program.

The bill now heads to the Missouri Senate for further consideration.

If any of you want details on legislation we pass, please email me a request to Steve.Jordan@house.mo.gov. If you ever have, any questions or concerns feel free to call me at 573-751-1494. 

Greetings Friends of the 151^st District!

First, I want to start off by thanking you for electing me to take on this very important role for the 151^st  District.  As your State Representative, I promise to do everything in my power to help accommodate the district and the citizens that live in the 151 district.  If you need any state support, please reach out to my office.  No issue is too small for us to handle.  If I can not handle it, then I will direct you to someone who can help you with your issue.  Our office does receive quite a few federal calls and I would love to help you with those issues but we do not have contacts on the federal level.  What I can do, is provide you with a phone number to your Congressman or Senator if you need that number.  

The First day of session was amazing.  I was lucky to get to have my family by my side as I was being sworn in.  This is a day that I will never forget.  I remember when I was first approached to run for state representative of the 151^st district. I remember speaking to my wife about this opportunity and she has been my support from that first day.  We did not know what we were getting ourselves into, but I am so glad we jumped into this position.  If you see me out an about in the district, be sure to stop me and say hi!

A Look Back at 2024 and a Look Ahead to 2025

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s hard to believe the year has passed in what seems like the blink of an eye. As we enter this new year, this time offers an opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months and the triumphs and tribulations that came along with them. It also prompts us to look ahead to this year and all the promise and potential the future holds.

Every year has its challenges, and 2024 was no exception. Yet time and again, Missourians rose to the occasion. Missouri’s economy continues to demonstrate resilience, with steady growth and strong revenue projections that support the state budget. The state maintained its AAA credit rating, paid down debts, and kept more than $1 billion in reserves for future needs. Unemployment stabilized at 3.7%, and employment rose by 2.4%, placing Missouri among the nation’s leaders in job growth.

Legislatively, 2024 was marked by significant achievements, particularly for young Missourians. The General Assembly approved a $51.7 billion budget—a $1.3 billion decrease from the previous fiscal year—that prioritized critical infrastructure projects, including improvements to some of our major roadways. The budget also addressed rural road enhancements, broadband expansion, border security, education, and support programs for veterans and first responders. K-12 education was fully funded, career and technical education saw new investments, and state employees, along with higher education faculty, received pay raises.

Education reform was another key focus. Lawmakers passed a major bill expanding tax-credit programs for private school tuition and charter school initiatives. Efforts to raise teacher pay underscored a commitment to providing every child in Missouri access to quality education and to supporting the educators who make it possible.

Missouri also advanced measures to protect life, including legislation barring Medicaid reimbursements for abortion clinics. Renewing the Federal Reimbursement Allowance ensured critical funding for hospitals, pharmacies, nursing homes, and ambulance services essential to the Medicaid program. Additional legislation promoted public safety, safeguarded property rights, and bolstered rural economic development and job growth.

As Missouri turns the page to 2025, the legislature is set to return to work on January 8. The House and Senate will begin their work with a focus on a number of important issues during the 2025 session including the state operating budget, protections for the unborn, reducing tax burdens, election integrity, school accountability, government transparency, and protections against overly burdensome mandates.

2024 was a year that saw both highs and lows, but once again affirmed the strong spirit and perseverance of Missourians. As the legislature returns to work in 2025, lawmakers will once again look to provide commonsense solutions that will continue to make Missouri an ideal place to live, work, and raise a family.

103rd General Assembly Officially Underway

New and returning lawmakers made their way to the Missouri Capitol this week to begin their service in the Missouri House of Representatives. On Wednesday, January 8, all 163 members of the House gathered in the House Chamber to take the oath of office and officially begin the First Session of the 103rd General Assembly.

The day began at noon in the House with outgoing Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft calling the chamber to order as he temporarily presided over the proceedings. Ashcroft delivered a short address, reminding members of the great honor they have received in being chosen to represent and serve the people of Missouri, and of their profound duty to create greater opportunities for the next generation.

“Remember that the people of your district are counting on you,” Ashcroft told the body. “You are their representative. You are the person they know they can call, that they can reach out. They know that they have a voice because of you…You don’t serve for yourself. No good elected official serves for themselves. You were elected because the people of your jurisdiction wanted you.”

After Ashcroft’s address, members were administered the oath of office by the Honorable Mary Russell, Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri. House members then elected State Representative Ann Kelley to serve as the temporary Speaker to oversee House proceedings. With Kelley presiding, the members of the House selected State Representative Jon Patterson to serve as Speaker of the House for the next two years. 

House members also elected State Representative Chad Perkins to serve as Speaker Pro Tem of the House, and electing Joseph Engler to serve as the Chief Clerk of the House before wrapping up session with a reading of the United States Bill of Rights and adopting various resolutions that will allow the body to function during the 103rd General Assembly.

Members now await their committee assignments so they can begin work on the legislation that will be considered during the 2025 session. The next order of business for the House is to discuss and adopt the official House Rules that will govern the proceedings of the House.

If any of you want details on legislation we pass, please email me a request to Steve.Jordan@house.mo.gov. If you ever have, any questions or concerns feel free to call me at 573-751-1494. 

Congressman Smith Capitol Report
One big, beautiful bill
January 10, 2025

When President Donald Trump officially takes office on January 20, Republicans will be ready to hit the ground running to put in place the policies needed to make America great again. In fact, we can deliver on critical pieces of President Trump’s agenda very quickly by packaging tax reform, border security, and energy policy into “one big, beautiful bill”, as President Trump has referred to it.

As Chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, I’ve been working very closely with President Trump on a tax bill that will deliver relief to American workers, families, farmers, and small businesses. 

On December 31, 2025, the 2017 Trump tax cuts – one of the biggest achievements of President Trump’s first term – will expire. If Congress fails to extend them, every American at every income level will get hit with higher taxes. Uncle Sam will take more money out of workers’ paychecks. Families will be forced to sell off farms that have been passed down through generations because the Death Tax exemption will be slashed in half. And small businesses will have to lay off workers or shut their doors for good because their taxes will double. Main street businesses will end up paying a top tax rate of 43.4% – 20 points higher than what businesses pay in Communist China. In addition to stopping these massive tax increases, we also need to add the new policies President Trump has called for, like eliminating taxes on tips and giving tax relief to Social Security recipients.

Time is of the essence. For four long years, working-class families have struggled to get by thanks to President Joe Biden’s failed economic agenda. Extending the Trump tax cuts as soon as possible will provide the certainty small businesses need to plan for the future, deliver much-needed relief to working-class families, and create the strongest economy the world has ever seen. Right now, main street businesses, manufacturers, and family farmers are making decisions based on what sort of tax and economic environment they think might be coming. With massive tax increases looming over the horizon, they need certainty so they can invest, grow, and hire today.

More American energy means more American jobs. That’s why it’s vital to include pro-growth energy policies in this big, beautiful bill. It means more drilling, better infrastructure, and getting rid of burdensome regulations. By unleashing American energy, we’ll lower utility bills for families who are struggling to put food on their tables and clothes on their backs. Lower gas prices will make it more affordable for Missouri farmers and ranchers to transport their agriculture products. And by spending less to keep the lights on and run machinery, small businesses that make things like floor tiles, car parts, and aluminum cans will have more resources to hire additional workers or upgrade their equipment. The pro-growth tax and energy policy in this big, beautiful bill will provide the foundation we need to make America’s economy the envy of the world.

The American people are sick and tired of paying the price for the Left’s open-border agenda, which is allowing terrorists, gang members, and drugs to pour over our southern border. By including President Trump’s tough immigration policies in this big, beautiful bill, we can quickly bring an end to the worst border crisis in decades. We cannot waste any time putting in place the policies we need to make our communities safe and border secure again – just like it was under the first Trump administration.

Passing one big, beautiful bill is the best way to ensure as much as possible of President Trump’s agenda is enacted. In one fell swoop, we can secure the border, unleash American energy, and deliver tax relief to workers, families, farmers, and small businesses. These are the policies the American people are demanding. Now it’s up to Congress to deliver.

Pictured is Representative-Elect Steve Jordan, who is filing his first bill as the State Representative for the 151^st District. 

Representative- Elect Jordan has filed House Bill 78 which is about Air Conservation. 

There has been a lot of calls about chem trails in the southeast area and Representative-Elect Jordan has heard your concerns and wants to help the constituents.

This is House Bill No. 78 of the 103rd General Assembly.