General Column – Week of January 12, 2009
Inauguration Marks Second Week of Session
Senators Attend Educational Seminars on Key Issues
Jefferson City — The Capitol was bustling with activity this week as it hosted the inauguration of statewide officials. Senators convened in a joint session with the House of Representatives to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer, which was held on the steps of the Capitol at noon on Monday, January 12.
During festivities held Monday evening, senators had an opportunity to mingle with their colleagues, the public and other state officials. Lawmakers were introduced during the Grand March, which was held inside the Capitol prior to the Inaugural Ball.
Also this week, senators attended three in a series of eight seminars, organized by Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph), and designed to educate lawmakers on the key issues the Legislature will be facing this year. Each seminar features experts in the field who are on hand to present information and answer questions. The first seminar was held Tuesday, January 13, and focused on Missouri’s current and future energy policy, paying particular attention to alternative and renewable energy efforts. Representatives from Missouri utility companies and energy producers attended the meeting.
Lawmakers also took part in two seminars on Wednesday, January 14, the first of which touched on how Missouri can remain viable in the life sciences industry. The second focused on health insurance affordability, and how the state can insure more individuals while keeping insurance costs low for Missourians. Five more seminars are scheduled for next week.
Also on Wednesday, the Missouri Senate honored the “Unsung Heroes” featured in the 2009 Missouri Senate calendar during a special presentation. Several of the heroes and their families attended, making the trip to Jefferson City from various parts of the state. The heroes were recognized on the Senate floor and presented with Senate resolutions by their respective senators.
This week, two standing Senate Committees were filled by Sen. Shields. Sitting on the Senate Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee—which considers any issues that may arise relating to the governing rules of the Senate—is Chairman Sen. Kevin Engler (R-Farmington), Vice-Chairman Sen. Gary Nodler (R-Joplin), Sen. Norma Champion (R-Springfield), Sen. Shields, Sen. Joan Bray (D-St. Louis) and Sen. Timothy Green (D-St. Louis).
Appointed to the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee—which considers the nomination of constituents for appointment by the governor to state boards and commissions—is Chairman Sen. Shields, Vice-Chairman Sen. Engler, Sen. Champion, Sen. Dan Clemens (R-Marshfield), Sen. Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau), Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale), Sen. Victor Callahan (D-Independence), Sen. Ryan McKenna (D-Crystal City) and Sen. Robin Wright-Jones (D-St. Louis).
Legislation continues to be introduced on the floor, and in the coming weeks will be assigned to the various Senate committees as their members are appointed.
The Missouri Senate will reconvene at 4 p.m. Tuesday, January 20. No session will be held on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The First Regular Session of the 95th Missouri General Assembly will run through Friday, May 15, 2009.
The Missouri Senate General Column is written on a weekly basis. To follow these and other issues facing the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. Visitors can track legislation as it passes through the General Assembly, learn more about their Senate district, or listen to streaming audio of legislative debate as it happens. For more legislative news, please visit Senate Communications online. There you will find various audio and video programs, such as:
- Missouri Legislative Update, or MLU. A video program produced monthly that provides an overview of the news in the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives. The program features news interviews with lawmakers and stories on issues concerning Missouri.
- Capital Dialogue. Missourinet's Bob Priddy hosts this monthly half-hour roundtable program bringing legislators together from the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives from different political parties to discuss their positions on legislation.
- This Week in the Missouri Senate. A weekly five-minute audio program that wraps up the week’s news in the Missouri Senate. Programs are posted online every Friday in .mp3 format. Listeners have the option of subscribing to the program via podcast.
- Senate Minute. A condensed, one-minute audio report of current Senate news. Programs are posted Monday through Thursday in .mp3 format and available through podcast.
- Daily Audio / Video Clips. Throughout the year, Senate Communications posts audio and video highlights from Senate committee hearings, floor debate, press conferences and other legislative events.
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