Beginning With Heads Bowed
“Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust in the best way all our present difficulties.”
– Abraham Lincoln, U.S. president, 1861 inaugural address.
The 2020 session of the Missouri Legislature began on Jan. 8. The lieutenant governor gaveled the Missouri Senate to order shortly after noon and lawmakers began laying the foundation for the next few weeks. We received nearly 80 interim appointments from the governor – all of which will need to be reviewed – and the titles of more than 325 separate bills and resolutions were read into the record, the initial step in the legislative process. It was only the first day of the Second Regular Session of the 100th General Assembly, but already, as lawmakers, we have a long list of issues to consider.
To begin on the right foot, many of my colleagues, along with government officials and members of the public gathered together in prayer. The annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast sets the tone for the coming months as lawmakers humbly seek God’s guidance at the start of each legislative session. This year’s keynote speaker was former neurosurgeon and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson. We also heard from Missouri’s governor. Both men spoke of the importance of faith to guide our decisions and actions as legislators. A separate legislative prayer service, held on Wednesday morning at Jefferson City’s Concord Baptist Church, featured inspiring remarks from U.S. Army Chaplain Jose Rondon. During his tenure at Fort Leonard Wood, thousands have professed faith in Jesus Christ.
As this is the second-year of the current General Assembly, committee assignments are set and legislators are able to get down to business quickly. Hearings are already scheduled for this week as the Senate begins working through pre-filed bills. The Government Reform Committee, which I chair, will hear a tort reform proposal and two measures to combat the proliferation of illegal gaming machines around the state. The Judiciary Committee, on which I also serve, will hear two bills related to criminal sentencing. The governor will deliver his annual State of the State Address and lay out his priorities for the year. Next week, the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee will begin vetting the governor’s interim appointments.
Jan. 9 was National Law Enforcement Recognition Day. The brave men and women who serve and protect our communities don’t receive nearly enough thanks. It’s good to set aside a day to express our appreciation. In truth, we should thank them every day. Even though the “national” day has passed, please don’t pass up an opportunity to express your appreciation.
On a sad note, our community lost a dedicated public servant recently. Charles McCormick, a firefighter-paramedic with the West Peculiar Fire Protection District, died in the line of duty on Jan. 5. His funeral was held Jan. 11. I was humbled to attend and present a Senate resolution recognizing his ultimate sacrifice. The governor ordered U.S. and Missouri flags to fly at half-staff on government buildings in Cass County and at firehouses across the state. McCormick is survived by his wife and three young sons. We should keep them in our prayers.
This is my final year in the Missouri Senate, as I am ineligible to hold office after 2020 due to term limits. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve one more year and look forward to the months ahead. There’s much to be accomplished and many important questions to consider in the four and half months before the Legislature adjourns on May 15. I’ll keep you informed as the session progresses. In the meantime, I welcome your thoughts, suggestions and concerns.
Thank you for reading this legislative report. You can contact my office at (573) 751-2108 if you have any questions. Thank you and we welcome your prayers for the proper application of state government.
“Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the supreme being is the first, the most basic, expression of Americanism. Thus, the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God’s help, it will continue to be.”
– Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. president.