JEFFERSON CITY — Yesterday (1-9), State Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, was sworn in to the Missouri Senate to represent the 21st Senatorial District. Senator Pearce serves the constituents of Caldwell, Carroll, Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Livingston, Ray and Saline counties.

“I am honored to serve as the voice of nearly 177,000 constituents in the 21st District,” Sen. Pearce said. “Hard-working Missourians are looking to the General Assembly for meaningful legislation in order to provide for families, education, and local businesses.”

In his first term in the Missouri Senate, Sen. Pearce served as chair of the Senate Education Committee, mirroring his education priorities. To prepare for the First Regular Session of the 97th General Assembly, Sen. Pearce has prefiled three bills.

Senate Bill 7 will remove the current two-year waiting period from when a school district is classified as unaccredited to when that district’s corporate organization lapses, allowing the State Board of Education to immediately determine and appoint an alternate governing board for the school district, if necessary.

Senate Bill 8 will streamline previously passed higher education legislation by removing obsolete language and references.

Senate Bill 9 will allow University of Missouri extension councils to form districts in order to maximize funding and better serve local communities.

“Missouri’s students and their education is imperative to the future of our state,” Sen. Pearce said. “By prefiling these measures, I hope to ensure debate on the Senate floor to benefit today’s students, as well as preparing for the students of tomorrow in the Show-Me State.”

To learn more about these bills or other legislation filed by Sen. Pearce during the 2013 legislative session, please visit his website at www.senate.mo.gov/pearce.