Another Fair Season The sun is out, the temperatures are up and the smell of kettle corn is in the air, which can mean only
Author: General Admin
Sen. Mike Cierpiot’s Capitol Report for July 8, 2022
Cultural Exchanges We get many visitors to the State Capitol over the course of the year. There are often school groups wandering the halls, learning
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for July 8, 2022
Extending Agricultural Priorities For four and a half months at the start of the year, the Legislature spends countless hours crafting and debating legislation to
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of June 27, 2022
Week of June 27, 2022 Abortion Now Effectively Illegal in Missouri After Court Strikes Down Roe Abortion became illegal in Missouri in nearly all circumstances
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for June 29, 2022
Securing Our State Each legislative session, the General Assembly faces the challenge of addressing any number of important issues facing our state. While the issues
Sen. Cierpiot’s Priority Utility Bill Signed Into Law
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R–Lee’s Summit, applauds the governor for signing his priority utility legislation into law on June 29. Senate Bill
Statement from Sen. Mike Cierpiot Regarding the Overturning of Roe V. Wade
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R–Lee’s Summit, issued the following statement relating to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v.
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for June 24, 2022
Investing in Agriculture and Our Rural Communities Even though the 2022 legislative session came to a close in May, the work of the Legislature is
Sen. Steven Roberts Presents “Freedom Suits Memorial” Resolution
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Steven Roberts, D-St. Louis, took part in the historic “Freedom Suits Memorial” unveiling in St. Louis on Monday, where he
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of June 20, 2022
Week of June 20, 2022 Governor Signs Omnibus Higher Education Bill into Law On June 16, the governor signed into law an omnibus higher education
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for June 15, 2022
Protecting Our Farmland Farmland is a precious resource in our state, serving a wide range of functions. For starters, it’s the foundation of many family
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of June 13, 2022
Week of June 13, 2022 Governor Signs Bill Protecting Use of Certain COVID Treatments On June 7, the governor signed legislation into law to prohibit
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of June 6, 2022
Week of June 6, 2022 Coping with COVID-19 Virtual Event I will be hosting a virtual “Coping with COVID-19” event on Saturday, June 11 at
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for June 8, 2022
Honoring “Old Glory” It was 1777, and the war for independence had been raging for two years already. Countless men had fought and died in
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of May 30, 2022
Week of May 30, 2022 Supreme Court Hears Case on Collective Bargaining Rights The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments on May 24 in a case
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for May 25, 2022
Protecting the Integrity of Our Elections Elections are at the foundation of the way our government operates. Because of the essential role they play, it’s
Missouri General Assembly Passes Higher Education Bill
Jefferson City — The Missouri General Assembly passed Senate Bill 718, sponsored by Sen. Barbara Anne Washington, D-Kansas City, designating the third week of September
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington Secures Funding for Apiary Program
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Barbara Anne Washington, D-Kansas City, secured $250,000 in the Missouri state operating budget for the upcoming 2023 fiscal year for
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of May 16, 2022
Week of May 16, 2022 American Rescue Plan Act Website Launched On May 16, the governor announced the launch of a public website to help
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for May 18, 2022
Wrapping Up A Successful Session The 2022 legislative session has come to a close. While at times the session was stressful and outcomes were uncertain,
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of May 9, 2022
On the Floor The 2022 legislative session came to an early close in the Missouri Senate on May 12. Despite ending a day early, the
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of May 9, 2022
Week of May 9, 2022 A Success End to Session In the final week of the 2022 legislative session, several of my priority pieces of
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Urban Farms Tax Credit Passes Missouri General Assembly
JEFFERSON CITY — Legislation championed by State Sen. Barbara Anne Washington, D-Kansas City, creating a tax credit for urban farms won final passage from the
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of May 2, 2022
Week of May 2, 2022 Lawmakers Finalize State Operating Budget On May 6, lawmakers granted final approval to the appropriations bills comprising the state operating
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of May 2, 2022
On the Floor It was another week of late nights and long debates on the Senate floor. On May 3, the Senate moved forward with
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for May 5, 2022
Protecting Property Rights On May 5, the Senate passed an important piece of legislation to protect Missourians’ private property rights, as well as the value
Sen. Mike Cierpiot’s Capitol Report for May 5, 2022
Preserving the Integrity of Our Elections On May 3, the Missouri Senate moved forward with an important piece of legislation aimed at protecting the integrity
Sen. Steven Roberts Secures $5 Million for Refugee Resettlement in a Historic First
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Steven Roberts, D-St. Louis, has secured $5 million in grant funding to be used for Missouri’s refugee resettlement efforts. In
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of April 25, 2022
On the Floor It was another busy week in the Missouri Senate as we approach the final few weeks of the 2022 legislative session. For
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of April 25, 2022
Week of April 25, 2022 Senate Passes Budget to Set Up Final Negotiations with House On April 26, the Senate approved its version of the
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for April 28, 2022
Missouri Senate Passes Budget After a marathon voting session, the Missouri Senate passed its version of the state operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of April 18, 2022
Week of April 18, 2022 Senate Committee Advances FY 2023 State Operating Budget With just over two weeks until the constitutional budget deadline, the Senate
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of April 18, 2022
On the Floor Despite the shortened week due to the Easter Monday holiday, the Missouri Senate managed to work through a number of bills at
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for April 21, 2022
Budgeting Time for the Budget Over this past week, the Senate’s Appropriations committee has been working through the state’s proposed operating budget for the upcoming
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of April 11, 2022
Week of April 11, 2022 Sickle Cell Awareness Week Advances to House On April 14, the Missouri Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 35. This legislation,
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of April 11, 2022
History Made On April 7, history was made with the confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman to sit on the
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for April 14, 2022
Helping Our State Workers As the General Assembly enters the final four weeks of the 2022 legislative session, I have several pieces of good news
Sen. Mike Cierpiot’s Capitol Report for April 14, 2022
Protecting Children Online I believe one of the main priorities of the Legislature is ensuring our state has a bright future ahead of it, and
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of April 4, 2022
Week of April 4, 2022 Priority Legislation Moving Forward After a successful week on the Senate floor, I’m pleased to report that several pieces of
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of April 4, 2022
On the Floor It was a relatively quiet and productive week in the Missouri Senate this past week, with the body passing numerous bills and
Sen. Mike Cierpiot’s Capitol Report for April 7, 2022
Making Progress It’s hard to believe, but the 2022 legislative session is more than halfway over. Lawmakers have managed to make some progress on several
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for April 7, 2022
Plowing Ahead with Priorities There’s an old Irish proverb that says “You will never plow a field if you only ever turn it over in
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of March 28, 2022
Honoring Pioneers Over the past weekend, I attended several events celebrating Women’s History Month, starting with my own Pioneering Black Women’s Day event. Pioneering Black
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for March 31, 2022
Moving Through the Legislative Process It was another busy week in the Missouri State Capitol, as lawmakers continue to shepherd priority bills through the legislative
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of March 21, 2022
Week of March 21, 2022 Senate Passes Congressional Redistricting Bill Following months of debate, the Senate voted on March 24 in favor of a plan
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of March 21, 2022
On the Floor On March 21, the Missouri Senate started the second half of the legislative session on a productive note, sending several pieces of
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for March 24, 2022
Starting the Second Half of Session The Missouri General Assembly was back in full swing, as we enter the second half of this year’s legislative
Sen. Greg Razer Takes Part in Governor’s International Trade Mission
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, traveled with the governor to the United Kingdom and Ireland for an international trade mission from
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of March 7, 2022
On the Floor On March 8, the Senate began discussing Senate Bill 775, The legislation modifies provisions relating to sexual offenses and makes several changes
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of March 7, 2022
Week of March 7, 2022 Starts and Stalls in Missouri Senate On March 8, the Senate granted preliminary approval to a proposed constitutional amendment, Senate
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for March 10, 2022
Getting Ready to Celebrate 250 Years of Freedom Nearly two and a half centuries ago, a group of men gathered together and signed their names
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of Feb. 28, 2022
Week of Feb. 28, 2022 Senate Ends Busy Week on Abrupt Note A number of bills have begun to make their way to the Senate
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of Feb. 28, 2022
On the Floor This week, the Senate debated Senate Bill 678 and Senate Joint Resolution 38, which modify the funding requirements for the Kansas City
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington Encourages Female High School Seniors to Apply for Women Legislators Scholarship
JEFFERSON CITY — The women legislators of the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate have established a one-time scholarship opportunity for young ladies
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for March 3, 2022
Making Progress The Legislature reached a milestone on Feb. 24 by passing its first bill of the 2022 legislative session. House Bill 3014 is a
Sen. Steven Roberts Files Refugee Bill in Wake of Ongoing Crises in Ukraine and Afghanistan
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Steven Roberts, D-St. Louis, has filed legislation to assist refugees following the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine this past week,
Sen. Greg Razer Presents Texting Ban Legislation to Senate Committee
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, presented legislation that would prohibit drivers from using cellphones while operating a vehicle on Missouri roads,
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of Feb. 21, 2022
Week of Feb. 21, 2022 Senate Moving Forward After several weeks of stalled activity on the Senate floor due to filibustering, legislation has once again
Sen. Dave Schatz’s Legislative Column for Feb. 25, 2022
Passing a Supplemental Budget The first bill passed by the General Assembly during the 2022 legislative session has now been signed into law. On Feb.
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of Feb. 21, 2022
On the Floor The Senate began the week by observing President’s Day this week. I took the time to reflect on some our nation’s greatest
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for Feb. 24, 2022
“Not of Words but of Deeds” “I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds…” These are
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of Feb. 14, 2022
Week of Feb. 14, 2022 Senate Panel Restores Governor’s Pay Plan to Spending Bill On Feb. 16, the Senate Appropriations Committee restored funding for a
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of Feb. 14, 2022
On the Floor It’s still slow-goings in the Missouri Senate, as filibustering continues to take up time on the Senate floor. Despite the filibustering, however,
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of Feb. 7, 2022
Week of Feb. 7, 2022 Redistricting Debate Stalls In Missouri Senate The Missouri Senate spent much of the past week working to address the issue
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of Feb. 7, 2022
On the Floor As the General Assembly unthaws after last week’s snow storm, legislative action in the Missouri Senate has been frozen on a single
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of Jan. 31, 2022
On the Floor The threat of a major winter storm across the state led the General Assembly to meet for a shortened week. Many Senate
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of Jan. 24, 2022
On the Floor Congressional redistricting has begun to take center stage on the floor of the Missouri Senate. For those unfamiliar with this process, congressional
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of Jan. 24, 2022
Week of Jan. 24, 2022 The Missouri Senate Prepares for Redistricting Debate As the Missouri Senate prepared to debate the once-in-a-decade issue of congressional redistricting,
Sen’s. Jill Schupp and Steven Roberts Co-Sponsor “Truth in Medicine Act”
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Steven Roberts, D-St. Louis, is co-sponsoring legislation carried by Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, aimed at providing more transparency in
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for Jan. 27, 2022
Moving Priorities Forward We’ve come to the end of the first month of the 2022 legislative session, and a number of priorities are moving through
Sen. Karla May to Host Virtual Meeting Jan. 27
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of Jan. 17, 2022
Week of Jan. 17, 2022 State of the State Address On Jan. 19, lawmakers from both the Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate had
Sen. Mike Cierpiot’s Capitol Report for Jan. 21, 2022
The State of the Show-Me State On Jan. 19, lawmakers from both the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate gathered together to hear
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for Jan. 20, 2022
Building a Stronger, Safer Missouri On Jan. 19, lawmakers from both legislative chambers gathered together to hear the governor deliver his State of the State
Sen. Greg Razer Files Legislation to Convey Land for KC Current Soccer Stadium
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, has filed legislation to convey a piece of excess property currently owned by the Missouri Department
Sen. Steven Roberts To Host COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic and Food Drive
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Steven Roberts, D-St. Louis, announces he will host a COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and food drive on Sunday, Jan. 23, from
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of Jan. 10, 2022
On the Floor This week, the Senate met for its first full week of the 2022 legislative session. Bills continue to be introduced and referred
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of Jan. 10, 2022
Week of Jan. 10, 2022 House Committee Advances Congressional Redistricting Bill On Jan. 12, the House Special Committee on Redistricting approved a plan to redraw
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for Jan. 12, 2022
Hitting the Ground Running On Jan. 10, the Missouri General Assembly began its first full week of legislative activity of the 2022 legislative session, and
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of Jan. 3, 2022
On the Floor On Wednesday, Jan. 5, the 2022 legislative session began at the State Capitol in Jefferson City. Usually, the first day of session
Sen. Mike Cierpiot’s Capitol Report for Jan. 7, 2022
The 2022 Legislative Session Begins On Jan. 5, Lawmakers returned to the State Capitol in Jefferson City for the start of the 2022 legislative session.
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of Jan. 3, 2022
Week of Jan. 3, 2022 2022 Legislative Session Kicks-Off The Second Regular Session of the 101st General Assembly began on Jan. 5. The usual four-and-half-month
Sen. Greg Razer Proposes Bill to Cut Down on Distracted Driving
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, has introduced legislation that would prohibit drivers from using cellphones while operating a vehicle on Missouri
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for Jan. 6, 2022
The Start of the 2022 Legislative Session The State Capitol is once again alive with the rush of legislative activity, as the Second Regular Session
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of Dec. 27, 2021
Week of Dec. 27, 2021 State Minimum Wage Set to Increase Beginning Jan. 1 The standard statewide minimum wage for most Missouri workers will increase
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for Dec. 28, 2021
Looking Back on 2021 It may seem hard to believe but another year has come to a close. For some, I’m sure that’s a blessing,
Sen. Steven Roberts to Host Online Fountain Park – Lewis Place Development Meeting
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Steven Roberts, D-St. Louis, will be hosting a Zoom meeting with developer Kevin Baker and community members to discuss the
Sen. Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for the Week of Dec. 13, 2021
Week of Dec. 13, 2021 The ACT score requirement for Missouri’s Bright Flight scholarship will be increasing to 32 for students graduating from high school
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for Dec. 14, 2021
A Time For Hope and Generosity Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. It provides an opportunity for family and friends to come
Sen. Steven Roberts Fights for Seniors Overburdened by Rising Property Taxes
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Steven Roberts, D-St. Louis, has pre-filed two pieces of legislation aimed at freezing property tax rates for Missouri’s seniors. “In
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter’s Legislative Column for Dec. 1, 2021
Pre-Filing Priorities As many of us begin preparing for the holidays, the Missouri General Assembly is already looking ahead to next year. On Dec. 1,