Ann Kelley's Capitol Connection

What’s Going on in the Capitol

An Update on Missouri General Revenue Collections

The net general revenue collections in the state for September of this year decreased by 4.2 percent compared to the same month in 2022, dropping from $1.26 billion to $1.21 billion. For the fiscal year 2024 up to September, net general revenue collections decreased by 2.9 percent compared to the same period in 2022, falling from $3.24 billion to $3.14 billion.

When looking at the breakdown of tax types:

· Individual income tax collections declined by 8.8 percent for the year, going from $2.18 billion to $1.99 billion. They also decreased by 6.3 percent for the month.

· Sales and use tax collections increased by 15.4 percent for the year, rising from $768.0 million to $886.2 million. This marked an 11.1 percent increase for the month.

· Corporate income and corporate franchise tax collections dropped by 8.9 percent for the year, decreasing from $259.7 million to $236.7 million.

· Refunds increased by 14.9 percent for the year, going from $166.3 million to $191.0 million, showing a substantial 28.8 percent increase for the month.

Expanding Broadband: How to Take Advantage of Federal Programs

The Missouri Office of Broadband Development within the Department of Economic Development has thrown its support behind the Missouri ACP Act Now initiative, led by the national nonprofit EducationSuperHighway (ESH). The primary goal of this initiative is to raise awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal program designed to assist eligible households in covering the costs of high-speed internet.

The ACP could be a significant resource for Missouri households, especially as the state continues to expand broadband access. The ACP, funded at $14.2 billion through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), provides monthly discounts of up to $30 (or up to $75 for households on qualifying Tribal lands) and a one-time $100 discount toward a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Despite more than 1 million eligible Missourians, only 33 percent have enrolled in the program.

EducationSuperHighway's efforts in promoting the Affordable Connectivity Program were recognized as a valuable contribution to connecting all residents of Missouri. The Missouri ACP Act Now initiative brings together a diverse coalition of partner cities, counties, community-based organizations, and trusted institutions in collaboration with ESH to address the broadband affordability gap. These partners will gain access to resources such as email marketing templates, social media campaigns, and a pre-enrollment tool available at GetACP.org/Missouri. These tools will help community leaders promote the ACP and assist eligible families in the enrollment process, particularly in under-resourced communities where awareness, trust, and enrollment barriers may be more pronounced.

State of Missouri Hosts 5th Annual Show Me Excellence Summit

Missouri hosted its fifth annual Show Me Excellence Summit, which is organized by Operational Excellence Leaders and volunteers. The summit focused on improving teamwork to deliver better services to the state's citizens. It brought together over 1,700 participants from various state departments, private-sector partners, and continuous improvement experts. Keynote speakers discussed attributes for success and strategies for fostering a positive organizational culture. The summit is part of Show Me Excellence Month, dedicated to enhancing government services. Governor Mike Parson emphasized the importance of this program in serving Missouri citizens effectively. The event featured breakout sessions and skill-building workshops led by state government experts, aiming to enhance professional development and efficiency. The summit concluded with a fireside chat on reflection and applying newly acquired skills. For more information, visit the website at http://showmeexcellence.mo.gov/.

Taking Care of YOU

Resolutions: My office offers Courtesy Resolutions for birthdays, deceased loved ones, Eagle Scouts, Girl Scouts, Glory Awards, Marriage, Retirement, Sports, Wedding Anniversary’s, and Veterans. To request one, please call my office at (573) 751-2165.

Flags: Are you in need of a new flag? I offer new Missouri State and United States flags upon request. If you need a flag for a special circumstance, we can even fly it over the capitol for you. These flags are available for any non-profit organizations and groups.

Scheduling a Capitol Trip: If your school is traveling to Jefferson City, contact my capitol office to set up tours times for the Capitol, Supreme Court, and Missouri State Penitentiary. These tours fill up fast in a first come first serve basis. Please give us a months’ notice in order to ensure you get tours of everything.

I am always in your service,

State Representative

Ann Kelley

Proudly Serving District 127