Reflecting on the Governor’s State of the State Address
Last week, the governor spoke to both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly in his annual State of the State address. He highlighted many areas in which our state succeeds, and several in which we can still improve.
In his speech, the governor mentioned efforts to strengthen our state’s foster care programs. This is an important task that’s above partisan politics. These children have already suffered enough tragedy and hardship. During last year’s legislative session, I supported a bill passed by the General Assembly creating a Foster Care Bill of Rights. Last month, Missouri joined an interstate compact making it easier for foster parents to adopt across state lines. These efforts give many of these children of God the opportunity to reach their true potential.
The governor also addressed our state’s history of heavy-handed business regulations. He’s right that miles of red tape make it nearly impossible for our farms, businesses and communities to prosper. Just a year ago, Missouri’s regulatory code amounted to more than 7 million words in total. That’s too much. Going forward, the Legislature should take — and is taking — steps to keep big government off the backs of honest, hard-working Missourians.
Some of these measures are already paying off. Today, Missouri unemployment is the lowest it’s been in nearly two decades, and we’re currently outpacing the nation in job growth. But we can always do more. If we succeed in creating a business-friendly climate, not only will we attract more jobs to our state, but we’ll create higher-paying ones, as well. Doing so will make the Show-Me State an even greater place to work and live than it is today.
As always, please feel free to call, email or write with your ideas or concerns. My Capitol office number is (573) 751-1415, my email is dan.hegeman@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 332, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.