State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) has announced she’s running to try to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) in November. Senator Coleman joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that her priorities include securing the border, illegal immigration, protecting life and protecting women’s sports. Senator Coleman represents eastern Missouri’s Jefferson County, which until recently was considered a Democratic county with a large number of labor union voters. It’s now Republican. Coleman tells listeners that Jefferson County has always been pro-life and pro-gun and still has a large segment of labor union members. But she says many of those union members have been voting Republican, which has helped turn the county red. We also asked Senator Coleman about Missouri’s 2024 legislative session and Governor Mike Parson’s (R) State of the State address next Wednesday. Republicans have supermajorities in both chambers. Senator Coleman tells listeners that the state has been on a spending spree, adding that she’s like to hear the governor call for reining in state spending during next week’s address. She’s not optimistic on that:
(LISTEN): “Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn discusses agriculture and legislative dress codes on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
Missouri’s Joint Committee on Agriculture will hold a Thursday hearing in Jefferson City on the economic impact of Missouri agriculture. They’ll also take testimony on environmental stewardship. “Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”, telling listeners that agriculture is and will always be the state’s top industry. Mr. Faughn says for every dollar the state invests in agriculture, it gets three to four dollars back. He also discussed legislative dress codes, and told listeners that former Missouri House Speaker Rob Vescovo (R-Arnold) didn’t like then-State Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) when they served together in the House. Coleman has since been elected to the Missouri Senate:
(AUDIO): State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) pushing elimination of Missouri sales tax on food
The Missouri House recently approved a more than $1-billion tax cut. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) says the tax cut approved by the GOP-controlled House is primarily aimed at cutting corporate taxes. She’s more focused on eliminating the state sales tax on food and cutting personal property taxes. Her bill to eliminate the state sales tax on food has been approved by the Senate Economic Development and Tax Policy Committee. Current Missouri law taxes retail sales of food at one percent. Senator Coleman’s bill exempts the retail sales of food from state sales taxes. The Arnold Republican tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” she is optimistic about the bill’s passage in the 2023 session’s final six weeks:
(AUDIO): State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) discusses education legislation and food costs on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold) says parents know better than school administrators which schools work best for their children. She has filed Senate Bill 81, which essentially authorizes parents to choose the school that their children attend … public, private or parochial. The Arnold Republican tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that she believes her bill could hit the Senate floor next week. Senator Coleman also tells listeners she’s optimistic about her bill to exempt retail sales on food from state and local sales taxes:
(AUDIO) “Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn discusses special session on 939 the Eagle
Top Missouri House and Senate Republicans say today’s meeting with Governor Mike Parson in Jefferson City about the upcoming special session was extremely productive. They’re trying to negotiate a package involving a tax cut and farm tax credit extensions that can receive strong support in both chambers. “Missouri Times” publisher Scott Faughn joined us live in-studio today on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” Scott suggests the governor and Speaker Rob Vescovo (R-Arnold) have had differing viewpoints on the tax cut’s amount: