Another hectic week of session has passed, and it was chock-full of committee hearings, gubernatorial appointments and office visits with constituents. Another of my priority bills, Senate Bill 592, was voted “do pass” by the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee on Jan. 29. It establishes the Missouri Water and Sewer Infrastructure Act and hopefully will continue to progress quickly through the legislative process.
On Jan. 28, the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee heard Senate Bill 656 in a room filled with decorated Korean War Veterans and Korean-Americans. The bill designates and makes official the Missouri Korean War Veterans Memorial in Kansas City. A sense of urgency pushes this bill forward because many Korean War veterans pass away daily.
Over the weekend, I attended and represented Missouri at the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Opioid Policy Fellows Kickoff Meeting in Austin, Texas. The year-long program encourages emerging leaders to collaborate with other legislators who have knowledge regarding the opioid crisis, to network with researchers and experts in the field and to develop an action plan to implement in their states.
One of the most gratifying aspects of being a senator is meeting with constituents and listening to their concerns, and this week offered plenty of opportunities.
The Missouri Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (MARF) filled the halls of the Capitol on Jan. 28 for their annual advocacy day. Patrick Nicholson, Skills Unlimited in Joplin; Drew Elrod, director of Express Your Vision in Neosho; and Larry Elrod, president of New Vision in Neosho spoke about the needs of people with disabilities and the best practices for autonomy.
I had the pleasure of speaking with the Newton County Treasurer, Gina Rodriquez, and Newton County Clerk, Patty Krueger, who were visiting the Capitol to advocate for various legislation.
Beautiful orchestral and choral music filled the first floor rotunda on Jan. 29 to celebrate School Choice Day. Multiple school bands lined the perimeter and took turns performing in front of a crowd of parents, grandparents and school choice advocates. College Heights Christian School’s choir and Ms. Breana Clark, music and drama teacher, took a photo with Sen. White after their performance.
Dr. Benjamin O’Connor, the director of Barton, Dade and Jasper Special Education Cooperative in Webb City, met with me to discuss the Cooperative’s current initiatives and legislative priorities.
