Patrick Wroblewski For the 72nd

TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT/FAILURE TO APPEAR -

(SB 1087) - SUPPORT

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One of the biggest—if not the biggest—concerns I have heard from residents during my time on the Overland City Council, and since beginning my door-knocking campaign through St. Ann and Overland for my state representative run, is speeding.

People are blatantly ignoring speed limits, putting lives and property at risk.  In this section, I will outline some possible reasons why this has become such an issue, along with a bill moving to the House that I strongly support that will help address the problem.

 

In August 2024, Senate Bill 754 took effect. This law prohibits courts from issuing warrants of arrest for certain infractions. Instead, it requires a second notice and allows for a default judgment. Courts cannot issue a warrant simply for failing to appear or paying fines related to traffic infractions.

So what does that mean? Police can issue a ticket to someone "flying" down your street with a future court date. That individual can completely ignore the ticket—skip court and refuse to pay the fine—without a warrant being issued.

I always assumed that if I got a ticket and didn’t show up or pay, I’d face arrest the next time I was stopped or even have an officer show up at my house. That hasn’t been the case since August 2024.  Now, if I were this person, what would stop me from speeding and ignoring traffic laws designed to protect people and property? Nothing.

It only takes a matter of time before word spreads. Said individual got a ticket, threw it out the window, realized that he received zero repercussions, so he tells his friends. Now we have a growing number of individuals flying around town knowing that the current law prohibits them from being issued a warrant. The word spreads quickly, and we end up in our current situation.

Not to mention how demoralizing it must be for our officers, who are trying to protect us, to know that the tickets they issue can be ignored with little to no consequences.

The Overland City Council and our Police Department are very aware of this problem, and I know leadership in St. Ann is as well. I have explained SB 754 to my constituents countless times while emphasizing that meaningful change needs to happen at the state level. We have taken local measures to deter speeders in Overland—ramping up patrols in problem areas, purchasing radar trailers, and designating an officer whose sole purpose is to enforce traffic laws—but these steps don’t address the root cause. The root cause is the current state law. 

So what is being done at the state level right now?

There is some hope on the horizon...In late February 2026, the state Senate debated and perfected SB 1087. Under this bill, if a Missouri resident charged with a moving traffic violation fails to resolve the charges before trial, does not appear in court, or fails without good cause to pay fines, court costs, or comply with an approved installment plan, the court must notify the individual by mail that the Director of the Department of Revenue will suspend their driver's license if the charges are not resolved within 30 days. If the matter remains unresolved, the court will inform the Department of Revenue, which will then immediately suspend the driver’s license and notify the individual.

This doesn’t fully restore the old system, but it’s definitely a strong start. Getting pulled over for driving with a suspended license is a much more serious offense than speeding. I will be impatiently awaiting this law going into effect.

(Note: As of late February 2026, SB 1087 has passed the Senate 26-6 and has been sent to the House for first reading—it's progressing but not yet law, with a potential effective date of January 1, 2027 if it passes fully.)

I don’t see any issues with this passing in the House, as I know representatives have been hearing about the negative impacts of SB 754 in their districts.

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ELIMINATING THE STATE INCOME TAX-

(HJR 173/174) - TBD/Waiting on potential amendments
 

Jefferson City lawmakers are pushing for a constitutional amendment to phase out the state income tax.  HJR 173/174 aims to put this on the ballot for voters to decide.

 

I would bet on if I called all of my friends in Missouri and asked if they wanted to NEVER pay state income tax again, they all would all say YES.  I don’t want to pay a state income tax either!  In fact, I feel that this would greatly boost economic growth.

 

But, you have to ask yourself….. what’s the catch?  If I had been paying someone 4%+ of my income my ENTIRE LIFE and then they told me I didn’t have to anymore, I would wonder if they found some sunken pirate treasure.

 

Well, to my knowledge, Missouri has never had much pirate activity, so where will they make up for the massive lack of revenue?

 

This got me thinking….. what states do not have a state income tax and how do they do it?

 

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming

 

Without deep diving into a state budget rabbit hole, I think of (and google) what revenue streams these states have that Missouri doesn’t…..

 

Alaska- Severance Tax (Oil)

Florida - High Tourism Taxes/Corporate Income Taxes

Nevada - Gaming Taxes/Commerce Taxes

New Hampshire - Taxes interest and dividends/High Tax on specific services

S. Dakota - High Sales Tax/Tax on services

Tennessee- High Sales Tax

Texas - Severance Tax (Oil/Gas)

Washington - Capital Gains Tax/Tax on services

Wyoming - Severance Tax (Oil/Gas/Coal)

 

Well, we have very limited oil/coal/gas production, we have already done away with the capital gains tax, and we already tax interest and dividends, so that leaves us with tourism and sales tax.  Unless Silver Dollar City has been pulling in some massive numbers I’m unaware of, our state unfortunately doesn’t compete with the likes of some others.

 

What’s left?  Hiking sales/use tax or potentially placing a tax on services.

 

Currently, in STL, KC, and some specialized districts, sales tax can reach over 10%.  Imagine if that jumped to 15%, or up to 20%!

If it was a slow hike, you may not feel the impact immediately, but it’s there and it will be growing.  No state income tax sounds fantastic and could entice folks to move to Missouri, but would it hurt us more than help us?  That potential 5-10% would definitely add up over the year.  How badly would that affect a family struggling to make ends meet?

 

Imagine a tax on services…….  Your babysitter is now required to charge you a tax.  A haircut jumps from $40 to $45.  You could pay a tax on your RENT.  It seams crazy, but it could be possible.

 

As I have always done on the Overland City Council is try to see the issue from every point of view.  Who is this going to help, who will be negatively impacted?  There is ALWAYS a give and take. What is best for the folks that have elected me to represent them?

 

This measure is looking to be on your ballot come November 3rd.  Please take the time to think it over and do some research.  As the facts develop, I will make sure to update.

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PROPERTY TAX REFORM-

(HB 2780) - TBD/Waiting for potential amendments

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Another big concern I have been hearing while out in the 72nd knocking doors is the seemingly constant spike in home owners yearly real estate taxes.  

 

Before I begin breaking down my interpretation of HB2384, I must state a few things.  St. Louis county assesses property value every two years.  Field inspectors at that time are sent out and often walk the property making their assessment on the exterior condition along with other surrounding variables.  They will leave a card (these are mailed as well) offering to do an internal inspection.  I have made a detailed explanation of this process (if you would like more info on that) on my social media page here.

 

I have personally appealed my property value many times, often with success.  If I feel that the appraised value is fair, I am more than happy to pay my fair share of taxes.  Nobody knows your property like you do.  I tell folks all of the time…. If you feel it is unfair, appeal it!

 

What is being done currently at the state level…….

 

 House bill 2780 

• aims to set separate tax rates for different types of property (residential, commercial, agricultural) and set appraisals at replacement costs rather than sale value.

 

Two things I must mention about that-  1) STLCO already taxes differently for the different property types mentioned above, this bill aims to make that statewide. 2) The most impactful change for property owners is taxing on replacement costs rather than sale value….. 

 

Let’s dive into that!  

 

Taxing based on replacement cost rather than sale value generally refers to assessment methods that property insurance companies use. Replacement cost measures the expense to rebuild or replace an asset at current prices.

 

So what does that mean?

 

This is my interpretation and understanding-

 

On your property is a 1200sqft house, a one car detached 300sqft garage on a 6500 sqft lot.  The property was built in the 1940s with exterior upgrades made in the early 2000s.  You paid $2000 in property taxes the year before.   Assessment time comes around and you receive that card in the mail.

 

As the process sits currently, you can make an appointment and invite the assessor to enter your home to view the condition.  If your bathroom(s) and kitchen are original or outdated they may lower the value of your house.  NOW, say that you have just completely remodeled your kitchen and bathrooms, they will take note of that and potentially INCREASE the value of your home causing your property taxes to spike.

 

I feel that this is punishment for wanting to improve your home and overall neighborhood.

 

The same as exterior upgrades.  Instead of raising your value/taxes because you have new siding and its the most updated house on the block, you will just be assessed on the square footage of the home.

 

With the potential change to assessing on replacement cost, it is my understanding that the interior inspection/assessing process could eventually be eliminated.

 

You will not be taxed on how updated and nice your kitchen and bath is, but just on the fact that they are a kitchen and bath.  

 

I am a HUGE supporter of this change.

 

The House has passed this legislation and it now moves to the Senate for consideration.

 

NOW, there are some concerning measures within this bill that I am following very closely.

 

• Lowering the Levy Floor: The bill lowers the minimum operating levy tax rate required for school districts to qualify for full state Foundation Formula funding from 2.75 to 2.20 per 100 assessed value.  This could lower property taxes, but hurt our school districts.

• Hancock Amendment Changes: The proposal modifies how property tax rollbacks are calculated to include new construction, limiting school districts' ability to capture revenue from local growth.

• Revenue Loss Concerns: School districts have warned that this legislation could result in significant annual revenue reductions, affecting school budgets, staffing, and programs.

 

I will be watching closely on how the Senate handles the highly potential losses for our school districts.  

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RIGHT TO WORK-

(SB 1035) - OPPOSE

 

 

First off, what is right to work?

Right to work prohibit unions from requiring all employees in a bargaining unit to pay dues or fees as a condition of employment. Right to work laws allow workers in unionized workplaces to receive the benefits of a union contract without paying for representation, aiming to weaken union funding and influence. Missouri IS NOT a right to work state.  In 2018 a right to work law was rejected by Missouri voters.

 

This current senate bill is aimed to allow COUNTIES within Missouri to adopt right-to-work policies, not the entirety of the state.

 

How would this affect the unions?

 

Unions are legally required to represent all workers in a bargaining unit, regardless of whether those workers pay dues. RTW laws allow non-members to opt out of paying fees, creating a financial burden as unions must still provide services (contract negotiation, grievance handling) for non-paying individuals, reducing funds for organizing and operations. 

With less funding and a smaller dues-paying base, unions have less leverage to negotiate strong contracts, leading to weaker wage growth and fewer benefits for all workers, union and non-union alike, in RTW states. 
These laws decrease union membership rates because workers aren't required to join or pay fees, making it harder for unions to form and sustain themselves in workplaces, weakening their overall presence. 

By weakening unions, RTW laws shift power to employers, reducing workers' collective voice and ability to advocate for better working conditions, potentially leading to more workplace discrimination and fewer protections. 

Basically, RTW laws undermine unions' financial stability and collective power, making it harder for them to achieve their goals for workers.

Just the term “right to work” is misleading. These laws don't secure jobs or protect the right to employment—they exist to make it harder for workers to build and maintain unions, reducing their leverage to negotiate collectively for fairer pay, benefits, and workplace standards.

 

In my time in the CWA (Communication Workers of America - Local 6350), I was proud to pay my union dues.  I knew that I was going to be represented if a negative situation presented itself.  When time came for contract negotiations, I knew I did my part in helping the union fight for better wages, coverages, and workplace safety.  I cannot even imagine a Missouri, let alone an America without unions coming together to demand fair treatment.  Labor unions provided my family the ability to offer a stable and prosperous living through hard fair work.  I will always support the unions, as they have supported myself and my family.

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ELIMINATING VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTIONS-

(HB 1838) - OPPOSE

 

HB 1838 is advancing with preliminary approval to eliminate the state’s vehicle safety inspection program, which currently impacts over 1.8 million vehicles. If passed, the legislation would end the requirement for most personal vehicle safety inspections on January 1, 2027. 

 

In my time on the Overland City Council, there have been pushes to eliminate our residential housing inspections.  I feel the same way about this legislation as I did when the occupancy inspection issues arose.  

 

These types of inspections help to protect the safety of the public/residents. I have personally seen the problems found during occupancy inspections and there is no doubt in my mind that our inspection process has saved lives.  I can only imagine the issues automotive mechanics find when performing the current state mandated inspections.  A vehicle is a moving object and can cause more harm than a stationary home. There is also no doubt in my mind that eliminating safety inspections for vehicles would cost lives. Doing so would surely be a threat to public safety, not to mention overall risk escalation causing a rise in insurance costs and loss of overall productivity caused by traffic jams due to stalled vehicles that are not fit to be on the road to begin with.

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CITY-COUNTY MERGER / BETTER TOGETHER-

(NO CURRENT LEGISLATION FILED) - OPPOSE/Not Applicable 

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There is no current active legislation pertaining to a STL city/county merger, but I do feel that it is important to know about this issue incase it gains some momentum in the future.  

 

Previous efforts in 2019 proposed that STL city and county merge creating a single “Metro City of St. Louis”. There would be one mayor, and a 33 member council representing the entirety of the city and county.  Talks of this merger have popped up again in 2024 and in the spring of 2025.  Both times, failing to gain momentum.

 

The claims made are that the merger would streamline regional governance, improve economic competitiveness, combine tax bases to reverse decline.

 

This merger would eliminate 88 local municipalities (Overland, St. Ann, St. John, etc), merge tax bases (benefiting the city with its extremely high tax burden), and reduce crime statistics (deluding the stats in the city with the much much lower stats in the county).  These are just a few talking points without taking a deep dive.

 

My thoughts-  Having your councilman/alderman/mayor close by as a neighbor in our current 88 local municipalities is priceless.  They experience everything that you do, and can act on it.  They run over the same pot holes and shake their head at the same knucklehead that runs that stop sign.  Those 33 districts could put your representative miles and miles away leaving them less involved in the daily life of their constituents. Everyday life would be much less localized.  Pulling a building permit?  Now you’re waiting in a massive line, god only knows where.  If you think paying your property or real estate taxes at a county building now is a daunting experience, imagine the nightmare of going to “City Hall of Metro St. Louis”.  I just got goose bumps (not the good kind) typing that out.   

 

There is something great to be said about having our 88 separate municipalities.  They know the people, the housing stock, the roads, and the way things work in their local city.  As a councilman in Overland, you can txt/call/email me and I will get back to you immediately.  Think that would happen in the “Metro City of St. Louis”?  Highly doubtful.

 

I could go on and on about this issue, but as for now, you can rest assured it is NOT on the horizon.  If that changes, I am willing to be on the front line fighting against it.  

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ANIMAL ADVOCACY -

(SB 1304, HB 2822, HB 1714) - SUPPORT 

 

These bills in summary strengthen the penalties for animal abuse to felony levels, establish a state animal abuser registry, hold owners criminally liable for failing to control animals particularly in cases involving death or injury, and offer training to animal control officers to identify abuse toward children/elderly/disabled individuals where animal cruelty is suspected.  

 

I too often hear concerns about how Saint Louis County animal control (where most municipalities turn to) is under funded and under staffed.  The state is able to step in and provide grants to help with these issues.  I would be in massive favor of state provided grants to benefit the lives of our companions throughout Missouri.  I will support any legislation that would ramp up shutting down high-profile, repeat violator kennels, further limiting breeders that cannot provide a high quality of life, and strengthening veterinary care requirements. 

 

You can ask any one of my friends, my dog is my best friend.  He has saved my life in more ways than one.  Whenever I hear a sad story involving any animal, I always imagine my buddy in that situation and it breaks my heart.  I will always advocate for the well being and proper treatment of our furry friends.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​