The Power of Perseverance
How ‘bout those Chiefs?
That’s a phrase we heard a lot of in the State Capitol following the Kansas City Chiefs’ historic Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 2, 2020. It’s been 50 years since the last time the Chiefs brought home the championship, and it was amazing to see such a long dry spell finally come to an end. What was even more amazing was how the Chiefs did it. Coming back from a double digit deficit to win the game in the last few minutes was truly impressive. Missourians got their faith tested during the game, with all its ups and downs, but there’s something to be said for the power of perseverance and never giving up. After all, the game isn’t over until it’s over. The Chiefs certainly proved that one right. I know many of us here at the Capitol couldn’t be more proud of our team. They put in a lot of hard work this season, and I look forward to seeing what happens next year. Go Chiefs!
In other news, I am preparing to present Senate Bill 585 to the Senate’s Local Government and Elections Committee in the near future. This bill conveys state property located in Cole County to the Heartland Port Authority of Central Missouri. Since it was created in 2018, the Heartland Port Authority has been hard at work trying to make a port right here in Jefferson City a reality. This would be the fourth Missouri port along the Missouri River, joining other ports in Boonville, Kansas City and St. Joseph. Senate Bill 585 hopes to help jumpstart this important project.
It’s no secret the port project is a priority for our community. It means jobs, revenue and growth. Over the coming weeks and months of the legislative session, I will be moving forward with SB 585 and that begins by presenting it to committee. I introduced similar legislation last year, but unfortunately it didn’t make it all the way through the legislative process. In my years in the Legislature, I found it often takes time to get a bill through the process, sometimes even years. But like the Chiefs, I hope this is the year for this legislation. With a little bit of faith, perseverance and hard work, I’m confident we can get SB 585 to the governor’s desk and make the port a reality.
Please feel free to contact my office at (573) 751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.