Film St. Louis

Legislative Update, Jan. 2013

By Mary Anne McCollum, Vice-President, and Chair – Legislative Committee

The 97th General Assembly convened Wednesday, January 9, 2013, with the swearing in of House and Senate members. Tim Jones (R-Eureka) was elected Speaker of the House and Tom Dempsey (R-St. Charles) was elected Senate President pro tempore. Both Houses have veto proof majorities.

Committee chairs and members have been announced, and several committees have already begun holding organizational meetings. Senator Kurt Schaefer, a member of the MO Film Commission, will continue to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee.  Another Film Commission member, State Representative Denny Hoskins (R-54), will chair the House Appropriations – Revenue, Transportation and Economic Development Committee.

Statewide officials were sworn into office Monday, January 14. Governor Jay Nixon is scheduled to deliver his State of the State/Budget address January 28 @ 7 p.m. If any money is recommended for the film office, it will be under the proposed tourism budget in the Department of Economic Development.

Beginning January 1, MOMMA retained the services of Jeff Brooks with the firm of Gamble and Schlemeier, to represent our interests before members of the General Assembly. Stay tuned – in the coming weeks we will be providing updates from our lobbyist and asking for your help as legislators begin the process of hearing bills.