The Missouri State Senate is in full swing for the first term of the 97th General Assembly.  As Senate Leader, I will be focusing on many legislative priorities early in the session.  In my opening address, I spoke about B.I.G solutions needed in Missouri: Build Infrastructure, Invest in Education and Grow our Economy.  These solutions will promote a greater economic vitality and spur employment across the state. Missouri is blessed with many resources and with citizens who desire to succeed, but these challenging times demand action from our state leaders. (Audio and video of the opening address are available on my multimedia page by clicking here.)

Another area we will focus on this legislative session is Missouri’s Workers’ Compensation system.  At a hearing Tuesday, the Senate Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1, which would modify the law relating to the Second Injury Fund.  Missouri’s Second Injury Fund is woefully underfunded. The funds simply do not exist to help employees who were injured on the job meet daily needs. Missouri’s workers deserve better. It’s an issue we’ve been working on for years, and now we need a solution to the funding problem more than ever.

Last Wednesday the Senate Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee held public hearing on Senate Bill 10 and Senate Bill 25.  Both bills would help bring more bids to the state for amateur and professional sporting events.  Witnesses who testified for the legislation say Missouri is falling behind surrounding states in an area that has been very competitive in the past. These events create a huge economic boost in the communities that host them.

Also, this week, the Appropriations Committee began hearing testimony from state departments about funding needs for the next fiscal year. The state budget is one of the most important and difficult tasks of the legislative session.

Much remains to be done over the next several weeks on issues that impact the lives of thousands of Missourians. I appreciate your interest in state government, and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the 2013 legislative session using the contact information listed on my website at www.senate.mo.gov/dempsey.

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