Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, sponsors the appointment of Karen Anderson to the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board.

Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, sponsors the appointment of Gene Forrester to the Missouri Electronic Prior Authorization Committee.

This week I met with various agencies from around Missouri to discuss matters relating to the budget.

Beginning next Monday, Feb. 3, public testimony over the budget will begin in the Senate. I will continue to provide further details as we move through this process.

I was honored to sponsor the gubernatorial appointment of two District 19 residents during the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

Gene Forrester was appointed to the Missouri Electronic Prior Authorization Committee, and Karen Anderson was appointed to the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board.

On Thursday Jan. 30, Senate Bill 696, which increases the penalties and driver’s license suspension periods for those who fail to yield the right-of-way in certain instances, was second read and referred to the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Senate Bill 697, which allows the Department of Revenue to disclose the annual number of cigarettes sales by the tobacco manufacturer, was second read and referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Senate Joint Resolution 36, which modifies constitutional provisions regarding the right to keep and bear arms, was second read and referred to the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

Did you know...?

On Feb. 5, 1911, lightning struck the dome of the Missouri State Capitol, igniting a blaze that destroyed the building. As a result, the State Capitol Commission Board was established to coordinate and supervise the construction of a new capitol, the third capitol located in Jefferson City and the sixth in the state. The new Capitol was constructed between 1913 and 1917 at a cost of roughly $4.21 million.