The 2014 legislative session is now underway. While the Capitol is now busy with a flurry of activity in both chambers, there are dedicated staff members who are here year round, ready and able to help meet the needs of constituents in the 33rd Senatorial District.

Meet Your Staff

Doris Broeker began working for the Missouri Senate in 1997 with then Sen. Betty Sims. In her 17 years with the Senate, Doris has worked with a number of senators from varying districts. She estimates she has worked with constituents from most areas of the state. Doris has been with my staff since December 2012.  She came to the Senate following a career in various state agencies and has vast knowledge having worked as a legal secretary for five assistant attorneys general and Attorney General John Ashcroft. She has also worked in Vocational Rehabilitation and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In addition, she also served as an administrative assistant for the Director of Agriculture for more than four years and was a supervisor over the Public Service Section at the Department of Revenue for more than nine years. She has also worked in the private sector and says her past experience proves helpful daily.  Doris is married, and has two daughters and two grandchildren.

Joan Branson began working with this office in January 2013 and she tells me she most enjoys working with and meeting constituents. She retired as the assistant chief clerk for the House of Representatives in 2012 after having been in that role since 1995. Joan worked for the House of Representatives starting in 1974 serving as secretary for the House Majority Floor Leader; secretary for the Office House Speaker; support staff for the Office of the Assistant Chief Clerk and then assistant to the Chief Clerk before retiring with 38 years of service. Joan was born and raised in Jefferson City, has been married for 32 years, and has two children and one grandson.

These ladies are in the office, ready and willing to help answer any questions you may have, help you find resources and more. Please do not hesitate to reach out to them.

Legislative Priorities

My legislative priorities for the 2014 session include addressing Common Core standards, ethics reform and Medicaid reform, among others.

Common Core is an initiative that came to light over the last few years. It was developed to establish a set of national educational standards for students in kindergarten through 12th grade in English and mathematics. States may voluntarily adopt these standards in their educational systems; DESE adopted the Common Core State Standards in 2010, but they won’t be fully implemented until the 2014 school year. Many parents and guardians aren’t aware of these standards and don’t understand the pros and cons of the matter. I will continue to pursue legislation that will educate families about this standard and what it may mean for their children.

Last session one of the most talked about issues at the Capitol, and across the state, was Medicaid expansion, an element of the federal health care law that calls upon the states to expand Medicaid eligibility to cover more citizens' health care needs. Last session several bills were introduced and interim committees were formed. After several meetings that included public testimony, those committees have released reports and now legislative action must be taken. There are firm beliefs on what needs to happen from both sides of the aisle. We need to send a message that a uniform health care plan is not for Missouri; we need to craft our own solution to ensure quality health care for Missourians. Lawmakers in Missouri are and have been discussing issues pertaining to health care and keeping an open mind as to how to create a healthier Missouri.

Ethics reform is at the top of many legislators' priority lists for 2014. Proposed measures address many of the key issues that have given cause for the drafted legislation. Some of the proposed changes in the law include not allowing political committees to make donations to other political committees and would impose contribution limits for individuals and committees in support of candidates running for public office.