The Missouri Senate approved a measure this week that would raise funding for much-needed infrastructure repairs throughout the state, including at public colleges and universities and government buildings.

Since 2008, appropriations to infrastructure projects were placed on the back-burner to deal with more immediate issues, like providing the most critical services to state citizens while handling rapidly falling revenue.  It’s time for us to start addressing the much-needed infrastructure projects around our state that have been put off for far too long.  We need funding to truly deal with the disrepair of numerous public buildings.

This week, the Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 39, which authorizes the issuance of bonds to pay for certain state and university projects. It’s unlikely we will ever see another time as perfect as this to issue bonds for state projects. Money has never been cheaper to borrow. Our state’s AAA bond rating ensures low interest rates. Contractors across the state—an industry hard hit in recent years— are willing to put forth fair and reasonable bids. We need to seize this opportunity while it’s available.

Here in our area, the bonds would pay for upgrades to flooring and HVAC at Mineral Area College and replacing the roofs on the General Services Building and Fire Academy Training Center. Funds will also go toward upgrading the boiler and renovating building 28 at the Farmington Correctional Center.

These projects not only help those institutions, they also encourage work in the construction trade in our area. I’m hopeful my colleagues in the House recognize the long-overdue need for infrastructure funding in our state and approve a measure that would benefit all areas of Missouri.

The Senate also considered a measure this week that repeals expired or obsolete committees. As we heard on the floor, there are numerous bodies that haven’t met in years, or address issues that are no longer timely in the state. During debate on the issue, however, we approved an amendment to re-establish the Joint Committee on MO HealthNet.

Right now, our Medicaid system, an $8 billion to $9 billion program, has almost no oversight. I believe it’s critical we have a legislative body, made up of members from both chambers, to review and provide accurate information on our Medicaid system. This was also one of the main recommendations that came out of hearings held by the Senate Interim Committee on Medicaid Transformation and Reform last year. I’m hopeful adding more oversight to the MO HealthNet can help the Legislature find ways to improve the program and ensure a solvent future.

Next Monday, April 14, the Legislature will host a Memorial Service for former senators who have passed away since May 1987. This is the first time in nearly 30 years an event of this nature has been held. The event serves to honor not only those men and women who served in the Senate, but also their family members who sacrificed much to make their relatives’ time in office possible.

To read more about each senator who will be remembered, visit the Senate Memorial page at www.senate.mo.gov and click on the Senate Memorial link. If you are a relative who would like to attend, please contact the Secretary of the Senate, Terry Spieler, at tspieler@senate.mo.gov, or call (573)-751-3766, for more information.

I was honored to welcome a number of visitors to the Capitol this week. Students from southeast Missouri travelled to Jefferson City this week for the Annual Sophomore Pilgrimage, which included Adam Womack, Nicholas Cassimatis, Lena McGill, Matthew Skaggs, Taylor Werner, Michaela Williams, and Michelle Young. It was wonderful to meet with so many students interested in government and public service.

I also met with Scott Shelton, Mindy Thomas, Tracy Wiecking and Dr. Ray Cummiskey from the Jefferson County Growth Association; Dr. James Smith and Dr. Stephen Forsythe with the Osteopathic Physicians Association; Gary Master and Ken Nill with the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association; military veterans Elmer Winingar, from Lesterville, and John Kramer and his wife Mary, from Bonne Terre; Mark Warren, Marcia Sheer and James Vaughn, employees of Ameren who live in our district; and Kristi and Dennis Herbst from Ozark Manor Assisted Living.

Thank you to everyone for stopping by. It’s always a pleasure to meet with constituents and organizations from back home and hear their thoughts and concerns on state government.

Sen. Romine’s Sponsored Legislation for 2014

Contact Me