JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, today issued the following statement relating to his removal from the Committee on Economic Development and Tax Policy both as a member and chair of the committee:

“After being the most senior member on the Committee on Economic Development and Tax Policy, I have been removed as the chair and as a member. According to the Senate president pro tem, if I understand him correctly, it was not due to any failing in my position. It was due to my use of strategies and motions that are within the rules of the Senate, but are not part of the usual process. These methods were not used with any nefarious intent, but simply to move along policy that, in my opinion, has sat entangled in the bureaucracy for far too long. I cannot help but feel this action is an attempt to silence me for the policies I have supported and those I have opposed, both in the committee and on the Senate Floor. I am proud of my record as an elected official and am severely disappointed to see what I believe is personal, vindictive retribution being handed down in the General Assembly’s upper chamber. We have learned to expect this strategy on the national stage and have seen it time and again in recent months, but I hoped it would not cloud our own state politics.

Despite these actions, I assure you I will continue to do the work you elected me to do, and I will continue to uphold the conservative values that I, and my constituents, hold dear.”

 As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at 573-751-4302. You may also email me at denny.hoskins@senate.mo.gov.

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