This year is an election year. All 163 state representatives and one-half of the 34 state senators are up for election. Due to redistricting, many readers will find at election time that they now reside within a new legislative district and/or have an unfamiliar name seeking their vote. The current House and Senate members will continue their representation during this year, but all will be running in new districts. Some legislators will be forced into a primary battle with a member of their own party because redistricting has placed two of the same party within the revised district. Others may choose to move to another district to seek election and others are deciding to retire from politics.

In addition to electing local and statewide candidates this year, we shall also be choosing a president to lead us the next four years. Missouri’s presidential primary is Tuesday, February 7th. There is little doubt that the Democratic Party nominee will be President Obama. The Democratic congressional conventions are scheduled for Thursday, April 26th and the state Democratic convention is scheduled for Saturday, June 9th. At these conventions delegates will be elected to attend the national convention to be held in Charlotte, North Caroline during the first week in September

The Republican Party potential nominee is yet to emerge, although political pundits now believe that it will be former Governor Mitt Romney. The Missouri Republican Party delegate selection process will begin on March 17th. At the local ward and township caucuses on this date, delegates will be selected to attend the congressional convention on Saturday, April 21st and the state convention on Saturday, June 2nd. Republicans will hold their national convention in Tampa, Florida during the week of August 27th.

Each of us has the opportunity to be a delegate to the national convention of our choice. And, this is possible for those who favor a third party. The delegate selection process is open to all. We have the right to attend the selection process of the party of choice and to support those whom we wish to attend the national convention. The “party faithful” typically are selected but that is because they are the ones who bother to attend and vote at the caucuses and conventions. But, if you care about who will be representing you in the White House next year, you may wish to become involved in the selection process.

This being an election year, it is not anticipated that a great deal of significance will be accomplished in the General Assembly. Many legislators will be preparing for campaigns and waiting to see what the mood of the voters is before supporting legislation, especially that which is controversial. Votes taken in the chamber may prove harmful later when campaigning for re- election. However, one piece of legislation that may be enacted is “judicial reform.” There is anger upon legislators with the redistricting of legislative boundaries by judges that could create a backlash. As mentioned above, some legislators have been redistricted out of their current district, while others may be facing a primary challenge from a member of their own party and a few forced into early retirement. So, the effort to have judges in the St. Louis Area and on the state supreme court elected by the people rather than through the “nonpartisan court plan” may have momentum this session.

The most significant issue facing the legislature this session is the necessity to either cut $500 million from the General Revenue Fund or to raise taxes to offset this shortfall in anticipated revenue. Due to the present make-up of the General Assembly and because this is an election year, it is not expected that proposals to raise taxes will receive much consideration.

As I mentioned in last month’s column, I anticipate that we shall see familiar bills that failed to pass last year. There will be another effort to allow the City of St. Louis to control its police department (SB 461), to extend the “no texting while driving” provision to all drivers (SB 567 and HB 1083), to require photo identification when voting (SB 442) and to replace the current income tax with a sales tax (SJR 34). But, with respect to the City of St. Louis controlling the police department, there is an indication that the mayor is frustrated with past inaction by the legislature and will attempt to change the status quo through the ballot initiative process and a vote of the people.

Other pending bills of interest to readers include the reauthorization of the Homestead Preservation Tax Credit (HB 1200) and a change in the tax credit referred to as the “circuit breaker” (HB 1218). As readers will recall, the Homestead Preservation Act Tax Credits had expired and had not been reauthorized. These credits assist seniors with higher incomes. HB 1200 would reauthorize this credit until February 31, 2016. HB 1218, if enacted, would increase from $14,300 to $16,000 the minimum base used to calculate the circuit breaker credit.

The Senior’s Retirement Protection Act (HB 1159) excludes up to $125,000 in home value from execution or attachment for those 62 of age or better. A one-time tax deduction for the cost of constructing a storm shelter up to $5,000 would be permitted through the passage of HB 1035. SB 610 would prohibit political subdivision from using automated red light photo systems. And, SB 612 would allow the full deductibility of federal income tax liabilities for state income tax purposes. Currently, those filing an individual return may only deduct a maximum of $5,000 of the federal tax liabilities and those filing a joint return only $10,000.

If you have questions regarding the selection of delegate process or bills pending before the General Assembly, do not hesitate to contact me. As always, I may be reached via electronic mail at carl@hendricksons.org or by telephone at 314-892-6451. The current session of the legislature terminates in mid-May.