This week marks the beginning of a new era in Missouri politics. On Monday, five new state-wide office holders were sworn in and began their work to make a better Missouri. This caps off 15 years of conservatives working hard and genuinely listening to and trying to understand the people of our state. In 2001, Republicans retook control of the Missouri Senate and then the House of Representatives the next year. Through the ensuing decade and a half, most of the statewide offices remained under Democrat control with stints in the governor’s office by Matt Blunt for four years and Peter Kinder for three terms in the lieutenant governor’s office. That is, until November. Conservatives swept the ticket winning the governor and lieutenant governor’s offices, attorney generalship, secretary of state’s office, and treasurer’s office. Perhaps most important among these, at least from where I sit in the legislature, is that we will have a governor and General Assembly from the same party for the first time in nearly a decade.
Last week, new and returning members of the Missouri Senate and House were administered the same oath of office and began their work on public policy that could very well determine the course of this state for many years to come. It was truly an honor to stand in the Senate Chamber and say the words that guide my political philosophy and the way I evaluate and vote on legislation, “I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the state of Missouri.” These words have meaning and if every office holder across this great nation took those words to heart and let it govern their decisions, we wouldn’t have half the problems this country has.
A new governor and a new legislature working together means long sought after policy changes like Right-to-Work, Paycheck Protection, and Tort Reform are now a real possibility. Whereas the previous governor continually vetoed and stood in the way of these bills, our incoming governor has pledged a pro-growth and pro-prosperity agenda and I am excited to be part of it and other common goals like pro-life legislation, health care reform, and ethics reforms. I am confident that we can work together to make Missouri a better place to live, work, and raise our families.
Again, I am honored to chair the Senate Seniors, Families, and Children Committee. When I first considered running for office, my goals, among others, were to work on behalf of Missouri families and seniors, protect life, and make our state’s social safety net more efficient, cost-effective and responsible. During my first two years chairing this committee, we’ve made major strides on these issues. We passed the 72-hour waiting period for abortion, comprehensive welfare reform that rewards work, and other important and needed reforms to state programs. I will also continue to serve on the Appropriations Committee where the state budget is crafted. Here my focus will be to root out waste, fraud, and abuse and to leave as much money as possible with the taxpayers, where it belongs. We are going to push government to live within it means by balancing our budget every year while still investing in our children’s education and focusing on budget items that bring more money to our state like tourism. I will also serve as vice-chair of the Local Government and Elections Committee, and on the Health & Pensions and Fiscal Oversight Committees.
I am genuinely optimistic about where we are going as a state and a country. America didn’t become the greatest country on earth by bowing down to political correctness or demeaning our law enforcement or depending on government to answer every problem. America became who it is because of hard work, ingenuity, and faith. These values continue to point the way forward if only we remember them and maintain our commitment to them. It would be really easy to surrender our future to the convenient and false promises of government programs and politicians. The reality is, we the people, hold the keys to the future. Let’s take that responsibility seriously and get to work.
As always, I welcome your ideas, questions and concerns about Missouri government. You may contact me at the State Capitol as follows: (573) 751-1480, david.sater@senate.mo.gov or by writing to Sen. David Sater, Missouri State Capitol, Room 416, Jefferson City, MO 65101.