On the first day of the 2009 legislative session, I challenged senators to move our state from a short-sighted and reactionary organization to one with a long-term vision and strategic plan. I made this challenge because I believe we must first decide where we want our state to be in ten years, and then determine how best to get there.
The members of the Missouri Senate accepted that challenge by voting to create three new committees to develop strategic plans for improving job creation, bringing more people into health coverage, and educating our citizenry. These panels known as the "2020 committees" are charged with defining where Missouri should be in the areas of job creation, healthcare, and education in the year 2020.
The caveat is that I named only senators serving in their first term to the committees, as they have a more vested interest in their success long-term.
The Missouri Senate Job Creation 2020 Committee is chaired by Sen. Tom Dempsey, and includes members Sen. Brad Lager, Sen. Jim Lembke, Sen. Ryan McKenna, Sen. Scott Rupp, Sen. Eric Schmitt, and Sen. Robin Wright-Jones.
The Missouri Senate Healthy Missourians 2020 Committee is chaired by Sen. Eric Schmitt, and includes members Sen. Frank Barnitz, Sen. Tom Dempsey, Sen. Jolie Justus, and Sen. Brad Lager.
The Missouri Educated Citizenry 2020 Committee is chaired by Sen. David Pearce, and includes members Sen. Jane Cunningham, Sen. Kurt Schaefer, Sen. Wes Shoemyer, Sen. Jeff Smith, and Sen. Robin Wright-Jones.
We begin our long-term vision focused on these three areas because these are areas where our state lacks in comparison to the nation. Missouri ranks 33rd in median family income. In health status, Missouri ranks 38th in the nation and in the number of 25-34 year olds with a degree past high school we rank 30th.
I believe we can reverse the tide and be a top ten state in these areas. Please join us in creating our state's long-term vision for a high quality of life for Missourians for years to come. If you have solutions or ideas for improving Missouri's future in these areas, please do not hesitate to contact the appropriate committee chairman's office to participate.
Sincerely,
Charlie Shields
Senate President Pro Tem
