Even though the legislative session has wrapped up, the interim has been anything but slow. In fact, it’s been one of the busiest times of the year as I’ve been working to meet with constituents, connect with community leaders, and host events across the district.
Earlier in the summer, we hosted another Senior Property Tax Forum where we worked to educate our seniors about how to take advantage of the property tax credit. The tax credit has helped thousands of our seniors across the state and it's a privilege to be able to help make sure our seniors in Jackson County are taken care of.
The 4th of July parade in Sugar Creek is always a great event & this year was no exception. Team Nicola had so much fun celebrating our freedom. Being with the people in our community is the best part of my work as your senator.
In early August, I had the privilege of hosting our Veterans Expo, which brought together resources, organizations, and individuals dedicated to serving the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. It was inspiring to see veterans, families, and supporters come together, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped make that event possible.
Just this past weekend, we also held a grassroots workshop at the Capitol where we discussed the importance of citizen involvement in government and brought speakers from the Secretary of State's office as well as the State Tax Commission and a county assessor. It was encouraging to see so many people eager to learn, get engaged, and use their voices effectively.
Alongside community events, I’ve been serving on three interim special committees. Two of these committees are focused on taxes and property tax, an issue that affects every homeowner and family in Missouri. I take this responsibility seriously and am committed to working toward solutions that protect taxpayers and ensure fairness in our system. I’ve also been serving on a committee led by my colleague Senator Mike Moon that is examining the issue of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in our state institutions. These conversations are important as we evaluate policies and make sure they align with Missouri values.
In addition, I continue to serve on the Drug Abuse & Addiction Taskforce. The fentanyl crisis and the broader issue of substance abuse continue to devastate families in our state. This work is deeply personal to many, and I am committed to doing everything possible to support prevention, recovery, and stronger policies to address this epidemic.
I want you to know that whether I’m in Jefferson City or here in the district, my priority is serving you. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to meet with me, share your concerns, or attend an event. I look forward to continuing these conversations and working together to strengthen our communities and our state.
We've enjoyed meeting with citizens across Missouri the last few weeks on Sunday evenings! These meetings have become a great place to have conversations about issues that are important to you & to update attendees with current information. We love hearing from you and working toward solutions we know you care about so deeply.
We are deeply committed to continuing our efforts to connect with Missourians. However, due to a scheduling conflict, we are changing our Sunday night Zooms to the 1st & 3rd Monday nights, beginning August 4th.
There will be NO ZOOM tomorrow, July 27th. Our next meeting will take place at 8:00pm Monday, August 4th.
You must register to attend. Space is limited, so please register now to reserve your spot. Upon your registration, you'll receive an email with the details, including the Zoom link.
Hope you can join us! We're looking forward to seeing you!
WE CANNOT COMPROMISE!
If there’s one principle I believe we must never compromise on, it’s this: property rights are key to liberty.
Our nation was built on the unshakable truth that the right to own property is foundational to a free society. John Adams, one of our founding fathers, put it plainly: “Property must be secured, or liberty cannot exist.” He understood—and I agree—that without the right to own and control property, all other rights are weakened.
But property rights aren’t just a political issue—they’re a spiritual one, too. From the very beginning, God gave mankind the earth as a gift and a responsibility. In Genesis, God told Adam and Eve to dwell in and care for the Garden of Eden—a defined place with boundaries. This wasn’t a mistake; it was the original model for human freedom and stewardship. Property is a gift from God, and our ability to own, protect, and care for it is one of the freedoms He gave us.
Sadly, that freedom is under serious attack right here in Missouri. Property taxes are skyrocketing in many of our counties—especially in Jackson County, where people are already losing their homes. And it’s not just homeowners at risk. If something isn’t done soon, we’re going to see small businesses—family-run, local institutions that have served our communities for decades—start shutting their doors because they simply can’t afford the tax burden.
This is a crisis. But it’s not one we have to accept.
I believe that if the people of Missouri rise up, educate themselves, and make their voices heard, we can change the course we’re on. We must demand real solutions, lasting reform, and a return to the values that made this nation great.
Spread the Message
To help spread the message, I’m excited to announce that we’ve launched a brand new t-shirt—and it carries a simple but powerful message:
“Property Rights Are Key to Liberty”
Yes, that’s a quote from me—but it’s a message every conservative patriot in Missouri needs to wear, live, and share.
The shirts are available for pre-order right now on our new online store. Orders will close on July 15th, and shirts will be shipped or ready for pickup by the end of July. They’re a great conversation starter, a way to show your support, and an easy way to educate your friends and neighbors about what’s happening in our state.
We are in a battle for our homes, our businesses, and our future. Let’s stand together—loud, proud, and unafraid—to protect what is ours.
👉 Pre-order your shirt today: www.senatorjoenicola.com/store
Let’s spread the message before it’s too late!
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
One of the most important parts of my job as your State Senator is staying connected with the people I represent. Listening to your concerns, learning from your experiences, and working together to solve problems is what public service is all about. That’s why my team and I are making it a priority to provide several opportunities over the next few months to meet in person, share information, and offer support on the issues that matter most to you.
This Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m., I’ll be hosting a Senior Tax Freeze Forum at the Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity. I’ll be sharing a brief legislative update, followed by an educational session focused on property taxes and the programs available in Missouri to help our senior citizens get some much-needed relief. We’ll talk about the Senior Property Tax "Freeze" program as well as the Circuit Breaker Tax Credit—two important tools that can help ease the burden for eligible homeowners. If you or someone you know is 62 or older and owns a home, I highly encourage you to join us. This event is all about making these programs easier to understand and helping people get the assistance they’ve earned.
But that’s not all—we’ve got more events on the calendar!
On August 2nd, we’re proud to host our first Missouri Veterans Expo, which will bring together a wide variety of resources for our veterans and their families.
Later in August, I’ll be hosting a grassroots educational workshop designed to help Missourians learn how to get more involved in the legislative process. Whether you're brand new to civic engagement or you’ve been paying attention for years, this workshop will give you practical tools for making your voice heard in Jefferson City.
These events—and many more to come—are listed here on the Events Page. I truly hope you’ll take a moment to check them out and make plans to join us.
At the end of the day, I work for you. My mission is to represent your values, defend your freedoms, and help solve real problems in our communities. But I can’t do that effectively without hearing from you. These events are just one way we’re trying to create more space for honest conversations and meaningful relationships. I look forward to seeing you soon!
Yesterday, the Missouri General Assembly convened for a special legislative session called by Governor Kehoe. The main topic? A proposal to spend nearly $1 billion in public funds to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri.
Let me be clear: I love our teams. I want them to stay in Kansas City. But I believe Missouri families should come first.
A Cap on Property Tax Increases
That’s why I filed a bill that would cap the increase in property tax liability on primary residential real estate to 5% per assessment cycle.
I filed this bill because I’ve heard from too many Missourians who are being crushed by skyrocketing property tax bills. Working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and single parents are being hit hard—and many are afraid they won’t be able to keep their homes.
Owning a home is part of the American Dream. It’s also the primary way Missourians build wealth and stability for their families. If we don’t act now, we risk making homeownership unattainable for thousands of people across our state.
Working Together for a Solution
Throughout this process, I’ve worked closely with Governor Kehoe, Senate leadership, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a solution we can all support. Property taxes affect every district and every corner of Missouri—urban and rural alike. While I know this bill is only the first step toward fixing the broader property tax issue, I’m encouraged by the collaboration and momentum we’re seeing. I’m hopeful we’ll make this step official very soon.
Priorities Matter
Kansas is making a strong play to lure our teams across the border. Their governor just signed legislation to finance as much as 70% of new stadium costs through public revenue sources.
But here in Missouri, before we rush to throw taxpayer dollars at billionaire-owned teams, we need to ask:
What are we doing to help the people who are already here, working hard, paying taxes, and trying to keep their homes?
I’m not saying we shouldn’t talk about stadiums. But we must talk about tax relief first. We have a responsibility to the people we represent, not just to professional sports franchises.
I'm Fighting For You
As this special session moves forward, I’ll continue to fight for real, lasting property tax relief. I’ll continue to push for policies that make homeownership affordable, predictable, and protected.
This is about putting people over politics—and priorities over pressure.
Thank you for standing with me. If you support this effort, I encourage you to reach out and let your voice be heard.
