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
Category: Columns
Sen. Denny Hoskins’ Capitol Report for the Week of March 28, 2022
Moving Legislation, Defending the Map We’ve reached the point in the legislative session when bills have begun to clear one chamber and move to the
Sen. Karla Eslinger’s Legislative Column for April 1, 2022
Working Together While much of the news coming out of the Missouri Senate this week focused on the continuing struggle to pass a congressional redistricting
Sen. Justin Brown’s Legislative Column for April 1, 2022
Keeping Race Out of the Classroom There’s been a lot of discussion in recent months about what children are being exposed to in our public
Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder’s Legislative Column for April 1, 2022
Great News, Bad News I have some great things to report this week, and some not so great things. I am incredibly pleased my Senate
Sen. Bill White’s Capitol Report for March 31, 2022
Senator Bill White’s Capitol Report for March 31, 2022 Working Toward a Legislative Five by Five The military term, “five by five,” refers to transmitted
Sen. Sandy Crawford’s Capitol Report for the Week of March 28
This week, three of my bills were heard in committee. Senate Bill 1096 was heard in the Missouri Senate Insurance and Banking Committee. This measure
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. Sandy Crawford’s Capitol Report for March 28
Last week, Senate Bill 743 was passed by the Missouri Senate. The bill would authorize the cities of Clinton and Lincoln to propose a levy
“Highlights with Hegeman” for the Week of March 28: Combining Fairness and Reality
Missouri is now one step closer to having its new congressional districts finalized for the next decade. Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau goes
Sen. Angela Walton Mosley’s Legislative Column for the Week of March 21, 2022
This week, my fellow senators and I returned to the State Capitol after our legislative spring break. We have just under eight weeks of session
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. Karla Eslinger’s Legislative Column for March 28, 2022
Moving Bills Through Committee The Missouri Senate returned from its one-week mid-session recess with a renewed focus on moving legislation forward. We had a busy
Sen. Denny Hoskins’ Capitol Report for Week of March 21, 2022
Putting Maps Behind Us At mid-week, I was prepared to update you on a flurry of committee activity in the Missouri Senate. As the clock
Sen. Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for March 25, 2022
Senator Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for March 25, 2022 Living by our Motto Our state’s motto, Salus populi suprema lex esto, a Latin phrase which
Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer’s Legislative Column for March 25, 2022
Picking Up the Pace Coming back from the legislative spring recess, the Missouri Senate had one of its most productive weeks of the 2022 session.
Sen. Bill White’s Capitol Report for March 24, 2022
Senator Bill White’s Capitol Report for March 24, 2022 Returning to the Capitol I returned to the Capitol late Sunday afternoon to prepare for the
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
“Highlights with Hegeman” for the Week of March 21: Half of the Work Is Behind Us
The Legislature has completed the first half of the 2022 regular legislative session. Each session has its own set of challenges, and this year has
Sen. Karla Eslinger’s Legislative Column for March 17, 2022
Friends Old and New Every 10 years, following the U.S. Census, legislative district maps are redrawn to reflect shifting populations. A lot of attention has
A March through Missouri’s Milestones
A March through Missouri’s Milestones March is a rollercoaster of beautiful days interspersed with bitter cold weather, of wearing a heavy coat as you say
“Highlights with Hegeman” for the Week of March 14: Making Law, and Life, Easier
Among the things that amaze me in the Missouri Legislature is how we can come up with laws. Sometimes, it can take years to craft
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
Senator Tony Luetkemeyer’s Legislative Column for March 11, 2022
Moving Priorities Forward I began the 2022 legislative session with a number of priorities in mind. Among my top goals, I vowed to increase support
Sen. Karla Eslinger’s Legislative Column for March 11, 2022
Working Toward Perfection We’ve reached the halfway point in the 2022 legislative session. The last day to file additional bills was March 1, and next
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. Holly Thompson Rehder’s Legislative Column for March 11, 2022
It’s Time to Do the Work After enduring weeks of what I have charitably referred to as “shenanigans” in the Missouri Senate, I finally reached
Sen. Rick Brattin’s Capitol Report for the Week of March 7: Protecting Young Minds
The last few years have been trying times for everyone, particularly for children. They saw years of their education stolen from them. Some were cut
Sen. Lincoln Hough: One Life Can Touch So Many Others
The month of March is celebrated as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This annual observance offers a chance to learn more about the vital contributions
Sen. Bill White’s Capitol Report for March 10, 2022
Senator Bill White’s Capitol Report for March 10, 2022 Legislation Springs Forward With our legislative spring break scheduled next week, senators accelerated their efforts to
Sen. Sandy Crawford’s Capitol Report for the Week of March 7
This week, the Missouri Senate Insurance and Banking Committee heard my Senate Bill 1042, which seeks to enact provisions relating to electronic delivery of insurance
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. Denny Hoskins’ Capitol Report for Week of March 7, 2022
The Rest of the Story If you read news reports this past week, you might have the impression that I and a few of my
Sen. Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for March 10, 2022
Senator Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for March 10, 2022 Springing Bills Forward The days already seemed a little longer this week as legislators attempted to
“Highlights with Hegeman” for the Week of March 7: Supporting Our Allies
The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine is the loudest headline on television, radio, newspapers and social media throughout the world. It may be easy to
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. Karla Eslinger’s Legislative Column for March 3, 2022
Last Day to File Bills We reached a milestone in the 2022 legislative session this week. March 1 was the last day senators could file
Sen. Sandy Crawford’s Capitol Report for the Week of Feb. 28
The governor has signed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 supplemental budget bill, House Bill 3014, which provides the state sufficient funding to operate for the
Sen. Denny Hoskins’ Capitol Report for Week of Feb. 28, 2022
Taking Time for Constituents We just concluded another busy week at the Missouri State Capitol. In fact, this was the first week in recent memory
Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder’s Legislative Column for March 3, 2022
Standing with Parents It’s hard to imagine anything good coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, but if there’s one positive, it may be that a
Sen. Bill White’s Capitol Report for March 3, 2022
Senator Bill White’s Capitol Report for March 3, 2022 Approaching the Half-Way Mark The first half of the 2022 legislative session will conclude March 4,
Sen. Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for March 3, 2022
Senator Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for March 3, 2022 Reaching the Half-Way Point If I compared the legislative session to a NASCAR race, the flagman
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
“Highlights with Hegeman” for the Week of Feb. 28: Finishing What We Started
Over the past several weeks, a lot has been said about the supplemental budget for Missouri’s current fiscal year. The fiscal year for state government
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. Tony Luetkemeyer’s Legislative Column for Feb. 25, 2022
First Bill of 2022 Passes The first bill passed during the 2022 session was signed by the governor. This week, the Senate approved House Bill
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. Karla Eslinger’s Legislative Column for Feb. 25, 2022
Supplemental Budget Approved This past week, the first bill to cross the legislative finish line during the 2022 session reached the governor’s desk. House Bill
Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder’s Legislative Column for Feb. 25, 2022
Breaking the Logjam The past week in the Missouri Senate has brought significant accomplishment and incredible frustration. First, the good news. We finally broke through
Sen. Rick Brattin’s Capitol Report for the Week of Feb. 21: We Must Protect Our Elections – Now
The 2020 election was one of those watershed moments in American political history. It certainly has had consequences for the American people. Those consequences range
Sen. Sandy Crawford’s Capitol Report for the Week of Feb. 21
More legislation is making its way through the process. This week, my Senate Bill 741 was heard by the Missouri Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight
Sen. Denny Hoskins’ Capitol Report for Week of Feb. 21, 2022
Holding the Line The Senate has now perfected the first bill of the 2022 session, a renewal of the workforce incentive program, passed a resolution
Sen. Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for Feb. 24, 2022
Hurry Up…and Wait! Following weeks of stalled floor discussions, cancelled hearings and weather-induced closings, nearly all of the chairs of standing Senate committees hurried to
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. Bill White’s Capitol Report for Feb. 24, 2022
Making Up for Lost Time The past few weeks have been marred by inclement weather and stalled discussions on the floor of the upper chamber,
Sen. Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for Feb. 24, 2022
Two Steps Forward The old adage, “Two steps forward, one step back,” perfectly describes the past couple of weeks in the Missouri Senate. Tasked with
“Highlights with Hegeman” for the Week of Feb. 21: Giving Missourians the Tools They Need
Among the Legislature’s priorities this year is something that has already proven to be valuable. Fortunately, it comes at a time when our state is
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. Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for Feb. 18, 2022
Drawing New Congressional Districts The Missouri Senate has reached an impasse on the proposed maps outlined in House Bill 2117, and its companion, Senate Bill
Sen. Karla Eslinger’s Legislative Column for Feb. 18, 2022
Getting Back to Workforce Development The Senate returned to some level of normalcy this week as we refocused our efforts on moving legislation forward. The
Sen. Sandy Crawford’s Capitol Report for the Week of Feb. 14
This week, two of my proposals were heard in committee. Senate Bill 655, which was heard in the Missouri Senate Health and Pensions Committee, allows
Sen. Karla Eslinger’s Legislative Column for Feb. 15, 2022
The Redistricting Blues If someone had told me a week ago that I would be in Jefferson City listening to Senate floor debate on a
“Highlights with Hegeman” for the Week of Feb. 14: Celebrating Great Northwest Day
It is always a thrill to reach the end of January and see so many of our wonderful friends and neighbors come to Jefferson City
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. Angela Walton Mosley’s Legislative Column for the Week of Feb. 7, 2022
The Debate on Congressional Redistricting Continues Over the past couple of weeks, the Missouri Senate has largely been focused on the task of redrawing the
Sen. Denny Hoskins’ Capitol Report for the Week of Feb. 7, 2022
Fighting for Representation Regular readers of my Capitol Report may have noticed we didn’t send out a column last week. The storm that dumped eight
Sen. Rick Brattin’s Capitol Report for the Week of Feb. 7: It’s Time to End Abortion
Just a few weeks ago marked perhaps the most shameful anniversary our country passes every year – the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It’s hard
Sen. Bill White’s Capitol Report for Feb. 11, 2022
Senator Bill White’s Capitol Report for Feb. 11, 2022 One of the most important tasks before the General Assembly this session is to draw our
Sen. Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for Feb. 7, 2022
As we begin the sixth week of the 2022 legislative session, I wanted to share a few of my legislative priorities for this year. I
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
“Highlights with Hegeman” for the Week of Feb. 7: A “Thank You” to Snow Plow Drivers
I would like to thank each and every one of the great people who go out when the rest of us either do not want
Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder’s Legislative Column for Feb. 4, 2022
An Avalanche of Opposition It was a short but remarkable week at the Capitol. The Senate adjourned early due to our incoming snowstorm. Cutting this
Sen. Sandy Crawford’s Capitol Report for the Week of Jan. 31
This was a shorter week than normal at the Capitol, but we still saw several visitors in our office. I always appreciate when people make
“Highlights with Hegeman” for the Week of Jan. 31: Making Necessary Improvements
For nearly two years, our state has received billions of dollars’ worth of funding from the federal government. Some of this money has been used
Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer’s Legislative Column for Jan. 28, 2022
Protecting Our Streets and Homeowners This week, I focused on moving my legislative priorities forward. I presented my bills to committees this week. In Monday’s
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. Holly Thompson Rehder’s Legislative Column for Jan. 28, 2022
Looking Past Redistricting This was supposed to be redistricting week in the Missouri Senate, but things didn’t turn out quite as planned. Last week, the
Sen. Bill White’s Capitol Report for Jan. 28, 2022
Senator Bill White’s Capitol Report for Jan. 28, 2022 Closing the Opening Month We closed the last full week of the opening month of session
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. Karla Eslinger’s Legislative Column for Jan. 28, 2022
A Busy Capitol Week It was an eventful week in the Missouri Senate, with committees taking testimony on proposed legislation, spirited discussions about congressional redistricting
Sen. Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for Jan. 27, 2022
Senator Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for Jan. 27, 2022 Drawing New Congressional Districts One of the most important tasks before the General Assembly this session
Sen. Denny Hoskins’ Capitol Report for Week of Jan. 24, 2022
Drawing Battle Lines All eyes at the Capitol this week were on the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting, the group of senators charged with vetting
Sen. Sandy Crawford’s Capitol Report for the Week of Jan. 24
This week, I was able to have one of my bills heard in committee. Senate Bill 743 would authorize the cities of Clinton and Lincoln
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. Andrew Koenig’s 2022 Legislative Priorities
Earlier this month, lawmakers returned to Jefferson City to begin the Second Regular Session of the 101st General Assembly. Since the start of the legislative
“Highlights with Hegeman” for the Week of Jan. 24: Big Plans for Northwest Missouri
On Jan. 19, the governor called lawmakers together so he could present his ideas for the 2022 legislative session, which include his vision for the
Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer’s Legislative Column for Jan. 21, 2022
Investing in Infrastructure The governor delivered his State of the State address to the General Assembly this week. His speech provides a preview of the
Sen. Karla May’s “May Report” for the Week of Jan. 17, 2022
On the Floor This week, on Jan. 19, members of both the Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri Senate came together to hear the governor
Sen. Karla Eslinger’s Legislative Column for Jan. 21, 2022
Investing in Infrastructure One of the most anticipated events of the legislative session is the governor’s State of the State address. This week, the General
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. Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for Jan. 21, 2022
Senator Elaine Gannon’s Capitol Report for Jan. 21, 2022 Celebrating the Dream Americans launched the workweek honoring the vision, leadership and courage of civil rights
Sen. Justin Brown’s Legislative Column for Jan. 20, 2022
The State of the State The governor delivered his annual State of the State address to the Legislature this week. Traditionally, governors use this speech
Sen. Sandy Crawford’s Capitol Report for the Week of Jan. 17
We had a busy and productive week in the Missouri Senate. The Local Government and Elections Committee, which I chair, held an informational meeting concerning
Sen. Rick Brattin’s Capitol Report for the Week of Jan. 17
Work Is the Solution For the last year and really, since COVID started, the labor market has changed. Forced-shutdowns and manufactured fear caused a lot