SB 1408.  The Missouri legislature raised the top legal speed limit from 70 to 75 mph on rural sections of interstate highways I-70, I-44, I-29 and I-35.  Governor Kehoe signed the bill with an effective date of August 28.   Arkansas, Kansas and Nebraska along with 18 other states have already adopted 75 mph speed limits on rural Interstate Highways.   Vehicles are much safer today than when the 70 mph speed limit first went into effect in Missouri in 1957, so this seems like a reasonable change.

However, MoDot says - ‘not so fast, we get to determine where we will allow the new speed limits if they are safe’.

This sets the stage for a showdown:  Who actually makes laws?   Bureaucrats or legislators?

There is a federal parallel as Congress has allowed the executive branch and bureaucrats via rule making to erode away its power because they did not protect their constitutional turf as the branch of government that creates laws.

Missouri legislators assure me this will be a hot issue in 2027.

SB 913. Extends several Missouri tax-credit programs through 2033, including credits involving wood-energy products, meat-processing facilities, ethanol, biodiesel, urban farms and agriculture.  SB913 creates a new railroad-infrastructure tax credit beginning in 2027.  Tax credits are used to promote favored industries.   Missouri has a long history of passing tax credits - and they need to stop.  They are against the basic principles of a free market economy.

SB 1576. Creates the Missouri Ireland Trade Commission to promote trade, investment and other relationships between Missouri and Ireland.  Seriously?   Why are your tax dollars being used to promote international trade? Sounds like a taxpayer paid vacation for some Eco-Devo bureaucrats and legislators.

HB 1908. Allows a Missouri court to finalize a divorce or legal separation even when one spouse is pregnant. This reverses an archaic law where the state was meddling in areas they have no business.

HB 1740.  “Bentley’s Law” – would require courts to order child support when someone is convicted of a DWI crash that kills a child’s parent. The offender would make payments to the surviving spouse or guardian responsible for raising the victim’s child or children. The legislation also requires at least five years in prison for most DWI convictions linked to a death and 10 years without probation and parole for repeat offenders.  This does beg the question: How is the offender going to pay child support while locked up in prison?    

The past two years had a strong trend of new “Lock em up” legislation.  Sometimes that is appropriate.  What is missing is a stronger effort to help those who are ready to change their lives for the better, to get rehab and be ready to re-enter society.

Are you better off with 76 new laws?   

Most Missouri citizens are not, but a select few individuals and businesses will benefit.