<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578078365211.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer looks on as Gov. Mike Parson addresses a news conference in St. Joseph." />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer looks on as Gov. Mike Parson addresses a news conference in St. Joseph.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA state senator who represents St. Joseph in the legislature
says lawmakers will tackle a number of issues in the upcoming legislative
session.“One is going to be dealing with crime issues,” Sen. Tony
Luetkemeyer tells reporters. “It’s something that has plagued St. Joe. It has
plagued a lot of different areas in the state, the increase in violent crime,
the increase in property-related crimes; car-jackings, theft is up in St. Joe.
I know that’s been an issue that has been a major local focus.”Luetkemeyer, who is from Parkville, will push a package of
anti-crime measures when the legislature reconvenes in Jefferson City next
week.“So, that’s going to be a big personal priority,” Luetkemeyer
says. “The governor has been talking about that a fair amount as well, and so I
guess that’s probably going to be a big priority for the General Assembly as a
whole.”One proposal would prevent probation from being given to many
repeat offenders, another would make armed criminal action a more serious
offense.Another issue, according to Luetkemeyer, will be property tax
reform.Luetkemeyer says homeowners have been alarmed by the increases
contained in their new property tax assessments they received in the mail.“You saw record increases in property tax assessments around
the state this year,” according to Luetkemeyer. “People were not given adequate
notice to be able to appeal those tax increases and so I have a series of bills
to address that issue, to make sure that taxpayers are having notice when their
tax assessments go up dramatically.”Luetkemeyer proposes legislation which would limit increases
in property assessments and would require a physical inspection of any property
which would see an assessment increase higher than 5%.Luetkemeyer also is sponsoring legislation which would
legalize sports book betting in Missouri, arguing that it is going on in the
state now without the protection of regulations or the benefit of generating
revenue for the state.A United States Supreme Court ruling in 2018 paved the way for
states to allow sports betting. Several states have enacted sports book betting,
both online and at casinos, with many others considering like legislation.

Lawmaker sees several issues vying for attention in upcoming session