The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recently released the statewide Annual Performance Reports (APRs) for the 2021-22 school year. APRs demonstrate the progress local education agencies and their individual buildings are making toward meeting the Standards and Indicators in the sixth version of the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP 6).

MSIP is the state’s system for reviewing and accrediting/classifying local education agencies. It outlines expectations for school practices and student outcomes, with the goal of each student graduating ready for success in college, career, and life.

Key changes in MSIP 6 include:

· Differentiating the performance of public schools and local education agencies along a continuum

· Providing accessible and actionable information about schools and local education agencies

· Empowering local boards of education to improve and innovate by adding a Continuous Improvement component

· Emphasizing the importance of academic performance by holding public schools equally accountable for status and growth

· Focusing on the preparation and well-being of each student at all levels

APR data can be viewed in two ways — a more visual representation of the data or the standard tabular/spreadsheet version. View the APR section on the MSIP 6 webpage located at https://dese.mo.gov/quality-schools/mo-school-improvement-program.

Missouri Joins 46 State Coalition Asking Court to Order TikTok to Comply with Investigation

Missouri recently joined 45 other states and the District of Columbia to ask a state court to order social media company TikTok, Inc. to fully comply with an ongoing investigation into whether the company violated consumer protection laws. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said the state joined the coalition in an effort to enforce the laws as written and protect children.

As part of the multistate investigation, the state attorney general seeks to review internal TikTok communications to determine whether the company engaged in deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable conduct that harmed the mental health of TikTok users, particularly children and teens.

As Missourians scramble to file their taxes by the April 18 deadline, the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) is encouraging income tax filers to review important individual income tax changes effective for the 2022 tax year. Before filing, filers may refer to the DOR’s website for details on changes to the Missouri standard deduction, the new deductions and credits available and more. Missourians can visit https://dor.mo.gov/taxation/individual/tax-types/income/year-changes/ for more information.

At the same time filers focus on their 2022 returns, DOR is urging Missourians to plan ahead for the next year as well. Thanks to legislation approved by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Parson last year, Missourians will pay at a lower tax rate in 2023.

Senate Bills 3 & 5 made several changes to income tax laws in the state of Missouri, including:

Reducing the top individual income tax rate from 5.2 to 4.95%;

Eliminating the bottom income tax bracket, allowing Missourians to earn their first $1,000 tax free;

Allowing an additional 0.15% top income tax rate reduction to 4.8% when net general revenues increase by $175 million;

Eliminating income taxes for individuals making less than $13,000 a year and couples making less than $26,000; and

Allowing three additional 0.1% top income tax rate reductions in future years when net general revenue increases by $200 million, adjusted for inflation.

Missouri’s revenue department strongly encourages employees earning wages in Missouri to review their federal and state withholdings annually and whenever a major life change has occurred to determine if their employer is withholding their preferred amount from their paycheck. Missouri wage earners may review their Employee’s Withholding Certificate (Form MO W-4) by completing a “Paycheck Checkup” using the DOR’s withholding calculator, which can be accessed by visiting https://mytax.mo.gov/.

Employees interested in updating their MO W-4 can request the form from their employer or print one from the DOR website. Employees can then simply submit their updated form to their employer. Following up to confirm the updates are in effect is always a good idea, as is reviewing the form at least once a year thereafter.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Missouri health officials and advocates are working with Gov. Mike Parson to raise awareness of colorectal cancer. Parson proclaimed March 2023 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Missouri.

Colorectal cancer refers to cancer that begins in either the colon or rectum. In Missouri, colorectal cancer has the second highest incidence and mortality rate among cancers for men and women combined. Around 90% of new colorectal cancer cases occur in people who are 50 or older. However, according to the American Cancer Society, the rate of younger Americans being diagnosed with these cancers has been increasing in recent years.

“Prevention is key. We can protect ourselves from developing colorectal cancer through regular screening and prevention measures,” said Dr. Heidi Miller, Chief Medical Officer with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. “It is now recommended to start screening at age 45 (or earlier if high personal risk or family history) via colonoscopies or stool cards. Screening tests can help prevent cancer altogether or detect cancer early, allowing for better outcomes with early treatment.”

Routine screening is the most effective way to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. As many as 1 in 3 eligible Americans are not up-to-date on their screenings. Individuals are encouraged to talk with their healthcare provider to determine the screening test that is most appropriate for them.

Other ways to reduce one’s risk of colorectal cancer, and many other chronic diseases, include maintaining a healthy diet with lots of vegetables, limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding tobacco and increasing physical activity.

More information can be found at Health.Mo.Gov/Cancer.

Visiting the Capitol

If you are planning a trip to your Missouri State Capitol and would like assistance with a tour please contact my office at 573-751-2264 or email me at bennie.cook@house.mo.gov