I always feel a twinge of homesickness when I do not fall asleep and awake in the wooded, peaceful hills of the 33rd District. However, as I loaded my truck and drove out of Rogersville, it was with a sense of duty and pride. I am honored each day to serve as your Missouri Senator, to represent you in the halls of the Capitol and to work hard to ensure the General Assembly hears about issues that you, my constituents, find most important.

Last year, we worked hard to reform parts of payday lending, spent countless hours drafting legislation, talking with my fellow lawmakers and more. My staff and I attended meetings, wrote letters, took phone calls and pleaded for Washington to pay attention to the travesty that is occurring with the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. This is an issue we will continue to fight for, and I encourage you to do the same.

The first day of session marked months of working tirelessly toward this year’s priorities and, making sure concerns and needs are addressed in variety of areas. Whether it is health care, education, school funding, ethics, or a resolution to a variety of issues that both citizens of this great state and lawmakers are passionate about there is much to be debated this year.  This session is sure to be a busy one, and one that I feel and hope will be fruitful and beneficial for all of us.

Next week my column will focus on general revenue funds spent across the state. In the following weeks I will discuss legislation I have filed. For more information on my sponsored or co-sponsored legislation, visit my webpage www.senate.mo.gov/cunningham.