MO Statehouse

Missouri lawmakers began pre-filing bills today for next year’s legislative session, which begins January 4th.

One bill was influenced by the deadly Joplin tornado.  If passed, it would allow Missouri residents to deduct up to $5,000 from their state income taxes for building storm shelters on their properties.  It’s sponsored by State Representative Terry Swinger (D, Caruthersville).

A state House member from Chesterfield is the first Republican to officially enter the Missouri treasurer's race.

Rep. Cole McNary said Thursday that he will seek to challenge Democratic Treasurer Clint Zweifel in the 2012 elections.

McNary cast himself as a fiscal conservative while announcing his candidacy. But he told The Associated Press that he has no particular complaints over the way Zweifel has run the office.

Zweifel had more than $720,000 in his campaign account at the end of September. McNary had a little over $28,000.