Eric Schmitt

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This article is about the politician. For others, see Eric Schmitt (disambiguation).
Eric Schmitt
State Senator
Assumed office
January 7, 2009
Preceded by Michael R. Gibbons
Glendale, Missouri Alderman
In office
2005–2008
Personal details
Born (1975-06-20) June 20, 1975 (age 48)
Bridgeton, Missouri, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Jaime Schmitt; 3 children
Alma mater Truman State University
St. Louis University School of Law
Profession Lawyer
Religion Roman Catholic
Website Official Website
Campaign Website

Eric S. Schmitt (born June 20, 1975) is a Republican candidate for Missouri's State Treasurer. He is a member of the Missouri Senate, representing the 15th senate district since 2009. He previously served as an Alderman for Glendale, Missouri from 2005 to 2008. Schmitt is considered a rising star in the GOP and has an extensive legislative record including reforms for children with special needs, tax cuts and taking on the state's cities and villages using speed traps as a disproportionate part of their budgets.

Early life and education

Born in Bridgeton, Missouri, Schmitt is a lifelong resident of St. Louis County. He graduated from DeSmet Jesuit High School in 1993 and from Truman State University in 1997, where he earned a B.A. cum laude in political science. Schmitt's roots run deep in rural Missouri, with family in the Tipton and Pilot Grove areas in mid-Missouri.

At Truman, Schmitt was a member of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity, played football and baseball, and was a founding member of Truman’s Habitat for Humanity chapter. He received a scholarship to attend St. Louis University School of Law, where he earned his J.D. in 2000. Schmitt was an editor of the law review and published an article analyzing the Supreme Court decision in Clinton v. New York.[1]

Personal life and legal career

Schmitt was admitted to the Missouri bar in 2000. He is a partner at the firm Lathrop & Gage, LLP, in Clayton, Missouri, where he focuses on land use, real estate, business disputes, and administrative appeals. In his community, he has been an active member for the boards of DeSmet Jesuit High School, Nurses for Newborns Foundation, St. Louis Crisis Nursery, and a Parents as Teachers Program. He had previously been elected chairman of the Young Lawyer Section Council of the Missouri Bar, led a statewide Giving Tree effort to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and created a Special Needs Advocacy Task Force. He has also been involved with the TS (Tuberous Sclerosis) Alliance, the Gateway Chapter of the Autism Society of America, Habitat for Humanity, and local Chambers of Commerce.[2]

Political career

Schmitt served as an alderman for Glendale, Missouri, from 2005 to 2008. On November 4, 2008, Schmitt was elected to the Missouri Senate. When sworn in, Schmitt became one of the youngest member ever to serve in the state's upper chamber. He represents the 15th senatorial district, which includes all or parts of Affton, Shrewsbury, Grantwood Village, Webster Groves, Glendale, Warson Woods, Oakland, Crestwood, Kirkwood, Valley Park, Fenton, Twin Oaks, Manchester, and Ballwin.

Schmitt's priorities include economic development, increasing access to affordable and portable healthcare, promoting government transparency, and ensuring quality education for all Missouri students. In his first year in office, Schmitt successfully pushed legislation that established the MO HealthNet (Medicaid) Data Transparency Program, which created a web portal allowing all Missourians to see what providers charge for their services with just a click of a mouse. Schmitt also sponsored and passed a state constitutional amendment to make the St. Louis County Assessor an elected position so that voters have a more accountable and transparent property assessment process. The amendment was overwhelmingly approved by St. Louis County and Missouri voters in November 2010. Schmitt further advocated for government transparency by successfully pushing legislation to give taxpayers greater online access to more information about their property reassessments. He also sponsored a bill to require additional notice to the public before local governments can vote on tax increases, eminent domain, tax increment financing, or certain projects receiving public funding.

In 2009, the Missouri House of Representatives failed to pass a Senate-approved bill regarding autism insurance reform. In response, Schmitt helped to organize a series of statewide public awareness events and rallies, building a grassroots effort to push for reform.[3]

During the 2010 session, both chambers approved autism insurance reform with large bipartisan majorities. Beginning in 2011, Schmitt became a member of Senate Leadership when his colleagues elected him as Majority Caucus Secretary. He also assumed the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and Local Government. That year, he passed a bill phasing out Missouri's franchise tax, which was an outdated double taxation on business assets. When fully phased in, the elimination of the franchise tax will represent the largest tax relief measure in the state's history. He dedicated himself to defending fair and equitable funding for schools in his district.

Following the 2010 census, Schmitt's district was redrawn, although it is still centered around south central St. Louis County. On February 28, 2012, Schmitt filed for reelection in the 15th district. He will run unopposed in both the primary and general elections in 2012.[4]

In 2015, Schmitt sponsored legislation strengthening the state's "Mack's Creek Law," further reducing the cap on municipal revenue from speed traps throughout the state. In addition, Schmitt has worked to enact the federal ABLE Act, to provide 529 savings account opportunities to families with children with special needs, to cover their future costs and allow them to be more financially independent and self-sufficient.

Committee Membership[5]

Schmitt serves on the following legislative committees and statewide commissions:

  • Senate Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and Local Government (Chair)
  • Senate Committee on the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence (Vice Chair)
  • Senate Committee on Gubernatorial Appointments
  • Senate Committee on Health, Mental Health, Seniors and Families
  • Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (Chair)
  • Joint Committee on MO Health Net
  • Joint Committee on Missouri's Promise
  • Administrative Law Judge Review Committee
  • Missouri Tourism Commission
  • Quality Jobs Advisory Task Force

Legislative Awards and Other Honors

Schmitt has won numerous awards for his service, including:

  • 2011 St. Louis County Bar Association Outstanding Young Lawyer
  • 2010 St. Louis Business Journal 40 under 40 class
  • 2010, 2011, and 2012 St. Louis Business Journal Legislative Award
  • 2009, 2010, and 2011 St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association's Lewis and Clark Statesman Award
  • 2011 Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Spirit of Enterprise Award
  • 2011 Associated Industries of Missouri’s (AIM) Good for Business Award
  • 2010 Homebuilders Association of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri's Legislative Award
  • 2010 Judicial Conference of Missouri Award
  • 2010 Thompson Foundation for Autism's Appreciation Award
  • 2010 Missouri Association of County Development Services President’s Award

Electoral history

2008 Missouri State Senate - District 15[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Eric Schmitt 51,366 54.7
Democratic James Trout 42,469 45.3

References

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  5. ↑ http://www.senate.mo.gov/15info/members/mem15.htm
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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