A Costly Burden on Missouri Families and Businesses
This past week, the Missouri Senate passed SB 4, an omnibus utility bill. While this legislation addresses various utility policies—including gas, electricity, sewer, and water—two of its most concerning provisions will have a direct and costly impact on Missouri citizens: Construction Work In Progress (CWIP) and future test years. I stood in opposition to SB 4, recognizing the financial burden it will place on hard-working families and businesses across the state.
What is CWIP?
CWIP is a utility policy that allows utility companies to charge customers for the costs of new power plant construction before the plant is completed and operational. This means that ratepayers are forced to finance these projects in advance, bearing the financial risk that traditionally falls on the utility companies and their investors. Missouri voters prohibited CWIP in a statutory ballot initiative in the 1970s, rejecting the idea that consumers should pay for something they are not yet receiving. This piece of legislation would overturn the will of the people. This was reason enough for me to vote no on this bill.
future test years
SB 4 also included provisions for future test years, which is policy allowing rates to be determined by future expense projections vs. historical expenses which can easily be proven. Projecting expenses to justify rate increases isn't what the people deserve.
impacting real people & real businesses
I opposed SB 4 because it will drive up utility rates for Missouri families, both large and small businesses, and manufacturers. At a time when citizens are already grappling with rising costs, this bill forces them to shoulder even more financial strain.
There is great potential for economic damage caused by significant utility rate increases, particularly for the manufacturing sector where commercial rates are already high and the electricity usage is more than the average citizen can imagine. When utility costs rise, businesses have fewer resources to invest in growth, hiring, and wages. Many companies, especially in manufacturing, have been operating on thin margins due to the current state of our economy. I'm very concerned these increases in cost could lead to widespread job losses across Missouri.
Even if several jobs aren't lost, the increased overhead due to enormous rate increases will be passed on to the customers, giving the average citizen not only increased utility bills but increased prices on their purchases.
A Departure from trump policies
The policies within SB 4 are in direct contradiction to the pro-growth, pro-tax relief agenda championed by President Trump. Instead of cutting costs for citizens and reducing government intervention, this bill increases financial burdens, expands government oversight, and shifts financial risks from utility companies to Missouri consumers. This is precisely the kind of legislation that stifles economic opportunity rather than promoting it.
A July 17, 2024, article by Politico quotes President Trump as saying,
“We’re going to get energy prices reduced within the first year to less than half of what they are right now, and that’s going to bring down inflation.” - President Trump.
Every county in Missouri chose President Trump over his competitor. What in the world are we doing in the Missouri legislature by enacting policy that is the opposite of President Trump's agenda and raising costs for the people?
The videos below explain more about my thoughts on this bill.
As your Missouri State Senator, I am committed to introducing and supporting legislation that benefits the hardworking families of our state. I want to take a moment to share updates on several key bills I have filed this session, including SB 87, which has successfully passed through the Economic Development Committee, as well as SB 85, which will have a hearing on Wednesday.
SB 87: Providing Long-Term Property Tax Relief
One of my top priorities has been ensuring tax relief for Missouri homeowners. Under current law, residential real property is assessed at 19% of its true value in money. SB 87 gradually reduces this percentage by 0.25% every two years, ultimately lowering it to 17% by 2040. This measured approach allows homeowners to see consistent and predictable tax relief while maintaining local government funding stability. With SB 87 passing through the Economic Development Committee, I look forward to seeing it advance further in the legislative process.
SB 85: Preventing AI in Property Assessments
Technology continues to evolve, and with it comes new challenges. SB 85 ensures that property assessments remain fair and transparent by prohibiting county assessors from solely using tech such as artificial intelligence (AI) or computer based algorithms to determine property values if there is an increase in value of more than 4%. Homeowners deserve accurate and human-reviewed assessments rather than relying on computer-driven formulas that may lack accountability. A hearing for SB 85 is scheduled for Monday, and I encourage anyone with concerns about property assessments to stay informed on this important legislation.
Additional Legislation I Have Filed
Beyond SB 87 and SB 85, I have introduced several other bills that I believe will have a meaningful impact on our state. These are a few of them:
- SB 86: General Municipal Election Day Reform – This bill moves municipal elections from April to November, aligning them with general elections to increase voter turnout and engagement.
- SB 171: Personal Property Tax Reduction – This legislation mandates an annual reduction in personal property tax assessments until the percentage reaches 0.3% by 2036, providing much-needed tax relief.
- SB 509: AI in Elections – This act requires disclaimers on political ads created with AI, ensuring transparency in campaign materials and protecting voters from misleading content.
- SJR 34: Property Tax Cap – If approved by voters, this constitutional amendment would cap annual increases in residential property assessments, ensuring that property taxes do not skyrocket beyond reasonable limits.
- SJR 35: Jackson County Assessor Elections – This amendment removes the exception that currently allows Jackson County to appoint, rather than elect, its assessor. This change ensures that all charter counties in Missouri have elected assessors, promoting accountability and public trust.
Stay Engaged and Informed
I encourage all Missourians to stay informed about these legislative efforts and others by visiting my official Senate webpage: Missouri Senate - Joe Nicola.
Here, you can find and track my entire list of bills, locate our contact information, request a resolution, and learn more about me.
My office is always open to constituents. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule a visit to the Capitol, please do not hesitate to reach out. Your input is invaluable as we work together to build a better Missouri.
Thank you for your support, and I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress.
Occasionally, I'll be sharing video explanations of positions or actions I have taken on certain bills, especially when they might be controversial or confusing.
There are two bills I'd like to share about today, SB 1 and SB 84. Last week, I stood on the floor and explained that I had an issue with SB 1 although I voted for the bill. This week, I voted no in committee and I also stood to speak on SB 84 due to my concerns. I hope these video explanations will help you understand my position and reasoning for the actions I took in both cases.
SB 1 - Relating to county officials
SB 84 - Tampering with an election official
I hope this information is valuable and helpful to you. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to my office.
Last week was a busy and productive week for me here in the Missouri State Senate. I participated in numerous meetings, committee hearings, and even had my first experience debating bills on the Senate floor. While there was a lot of sickness circulating in the Senate, including myself, we pushed through and accomplished the business of the people. Here’s an update on my activities from last week.
Committee Work
Committee hearings are a big part of our schedule each week including the Families, Seniors & Health Committee, the Local Government, Elections & Pensions Committee, the Veterans & Military Affairs Committee and the Progress & Development Committee. These committees play a critical role in shaping legislation that directly impacts the lives of Missourians, and I’m proud to have contributed to the work being done.
Families, Seniors & Health Committee
On February 3rd, our Families, Seniors & Health Committee heard public testimony on two important bills: one focused on food labeling and the other on telehealth. These bills aim to improve transparency for consumers and ensure that healthcare services continue to meet the needs of all Missourians.
Additionally, the committee voted on a bill that would prohibit marriage under the age of 18. This bill is crucial for protecting young people in Missouri. Although I support parents and families rights to make decisions, marriage among minors contributes to trafficking and abuse. Missouri laws currently do not adequately protect children who marry as they are not allowed to file for divorce or sign any other contracts until they are an adult at age 18. I supported this bill to protect children.
Local Government Committee
In the Local Government Committee, we had a busy week as well. We heard testimony on a bill related to voter registration and passed four other bills (SB 10, SB 22, SB 50 & SB 84) concerning local government and elections. These measures will help ensure that the voting process remains fair and transparent, while also empowering local governments to better serve their communities.
SB 10, sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Hough - Yes
Repealed the sunset dates on the authority for political subdivisions to construction manager-at-risk and design-build methods for certain construction projects.
SB 22 - Yes, sponsored by Sen. Rick Brattin
Changes provisions for ballot summaries in order to provide more clarity for voters and also to restrict courts from rewriting the summaries when they are struck down and instead returning them to be written by the legislature or Secretary of State.
SB 50 - Yes, sponsored by Sen. Rusty Black
Amended and expanded provisions for regional jails.
veterans & military affairs
In the Veterans committee last week, we heard testimony from the MAVO Chair and the President of Veterans Guardian. These are both organizations that work to assist veterans in accessing their benefits. It was a great learning experience. Even as a veteran myself, I was unaware of some of the things available to me. I'm thankful that our committee chair, Senator Mike Moon, has organized a couple of these very informative hearings. We also voted to pass SB 163, sponsored by Senator Adam Schnelting. This bill modifies income tax deductions for certain National Guard duties.
As always, I am committed to making sure the voices of Missourians are heard and that our democratic processes remain strong. It’s been an honor to participate in these discussions in the committee process.
My First Senate Floor Debates
Last week was also a significant milestone for me as I participated in my very first debates on the Senate floor. Debating bills is an important part of the legislative process, and I take this responsibility seriously. It was an opportunity for me to speak directly to my colleagues about the bills we’re working on and make my case on behalf of the people I represent.
For those of you who may not be familiar with the legislative process, when a bill comes up for debate that is called "perfecting" the bill. It is during this perfection process that amendments can be added or substitutes made. Once a bill has been debated or perfected and a perfection vote taken, the bill cannot be changed.
Generally, the perfection vote is a voice vote unless a roll call is requested and approved. During a voice vote, the senators say "Aye" or "No" to vote and the President calls the winning side.
My Voting Record
Throughout the week, I cast several votes, ranging from committee hearings to amendments, perfection votes, and third-read and pass (TRAP) votes on the floor. I’m committed to being as transparent as possible with my voting record, and I want to ensure that you, my constituents, understand the reasoning behind my decisions.
Below, you’ll find a detailed spreadsheet that outlines each vote I've taken. I encourage you to take a look at the document so you can see exactly how I voted and why. My staff will be updating the votes regularly so please check back and reach out if you have any questions. Every bill has its own story and often times that story cannot be told in a simple listing or chart.
Looking Ahead
While the first week of February has been a busy one, there’s much more work to be done. I remain dedicated to advancing the priorities of my district and working with my colleagues to pass legislation that will have a positive impact on Missouri families. I will continue to be a strong voice for my constituents and to push for policies that promote fairness, transparency, and the well-being of all Missourians.
I Welcome Your Feedback
As always, I value your input. I encourage you to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have regarding my work in the Senate. Transparency and open communication are very important to me, and I am always here to listen to what matters most to you.
Please take a moment to review the detailed voting record in the attached spreadsheet, and feel free to contact my office if you’d like to discuss any of the bills or issues I’m working on.
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It’s hard to believe how quickly the time has flown since I arrived in the Capitol. The last week and a half has been a whirlwind of activity, and I’ve been working hard to settle into my routine here in Jefferson City. Every day brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and make a real impact on the lives of Missourians.
One of the highlights of the last couple of weeks has been being assigned to and attending hearings on a variety of important topics. From veterans' affairs to local government operations, I’ve been learning about the issues that matter to our citizens and communities. The work can be complex, but it’s incredibly rewarding to dive into these subjects and understand more how policy decisions will affect the people of Missouri.
committed to transparency
I’m also proud to share that I’ve cast my first three votes in committee on bills related to veterans, county officials, and financial statements filed by the county.These votes reflect my commitment to supporting our veterans, ensuring transparency in county governance, and safeguarding the financial integrity of our local governments. Every vote is not one that effects big headlines or is something that is earth shattering. Some are more involved and more interesting that others, but all are important and it's my desire to be as transparent as possible with my constituents in Jackson County as well as all the citizens of Missouri.
It is not lost on me that my vote as a Jackson County senator does, indeed, affect every person who lives and works in Missouri. My passion for this office is fueled by my heart to protect the rights of all people and to make this process transparent, accessible and understandable. In that spirit, I've committed to share my votes here in order to make them easy to find for those who are interested. I will highlight those I feel most important and will keep a spreadsheet file updated with my complete voting record.
votes i took this week
Local Government, Elections & Pensions Committee
SB 1 sponsored by Senator Crawford - No
I voted no on this bill due to concerns I have selling tax delinquent properties online vs in person only at the yearly county tax sale. In Jackson County, we have a serious property tax problem and I'm concerned about our citizens losing their homes due to outrageous, unfair tax bills then having them purchased by corporations such as hedge funds or large investors who would take advantage of these circumstances. Large corporations buying up residential property and turning it into rentals is not in line with supporting our citizens' ability to become home owners, gain wealth and be prosperous. When large areas of property become rental property, we generally see a decline in those areas. My desire is to see our tax sales benefit local citizens first and to keep those properties as residential properties vs rentals as much as possible.
The bill sponsor has said she would work on the language and I'm hopeful this language is amended. I'd love to be able to support the bill on the floor as it does also pertain to salaries of county officials.
SB 2 sponsored by Senator Crawford - Yes
This bill pertains to counties publishing financial statements.
Veterans and Military Affairs Committee
SB 59 sponsored by Senator Carter - Yes
This bill allows the family of veterans to claim income tax deductions for survivor's benefits.
connecting with kansas city charter schools
Last Friday, I had the privilege of visiting two charter schools in Kansas City—Brookside Charter and Academy Lafayette. I can’t express enough how impressed I was by the students, teachers, and staff at both schools. These are bright, hardworking kids who are receiving an outstanding education, and it’s clear that the dedication of their teachers and communities plays a huge role in their success.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to learn more about charter school policy, how these schools are structured, and how they are funded. This is a critical area of education policy that we will continue to address in the coming months, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to see firsthand how these schools operate. I left with a better understanding of how we can support Missouri students and teachers to ensure that every Missouri child has access to a quality education.
I want to thank Brookside Charter and Academy Lafayette for allowing me to tour their campuses and engage with students and staff. The learning experience was invaluable, and I’m excited to carry this knowledge with me as we work toward improving educational opportunities for all Missouri families.
As we move forward, I’ll continue to focus on my commitment to service, learning, and representing the people of our great state. It’s an honor to serve in the Missouri Senate, and I look forward to what lies ahead as we work together to make Missouri stronger, safer, and more prosperous for all.
Thank you for your support, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns.
Onward and upward,
Senator Joe Nicola
Senator Joe Nicola
