Merry Christmas

With Christmas right around the corner, my mailbox is overflowing with Christmas cards. Along with holiday greetings, a few friends also send letters recapping major events from the past year. In the spirit of these Christmas letters, I thought I would also reflect on a few major events from 2022. It’s been an eventful year that brought dramatic changes in both my personal and professional life. The most significant event for me personally was the loss of my father, who passed away this year. This will be my first Christmas without him. I plan to hug my mom just a bit tighter and cherish every moment I can spend with her this holiday.

On a professional level, I also suffered loss. Due to the redistricting process, residents of four counties I currently serve will be reassigned to other Senatorial Districts. Beginning in January, I will no longer represent Caldwell, Carroll, Johnson and Livingston counties in the State Senate. It has been my great honor to serve these four counties and I will miss my regular interactions with all the good people who live and work in these areas. Hopefully, our relationships will continue on a more informal basis, and I will always be available to help any way I can.

The loss of Johnson County from my Senatorial District is especially heart-breaking. I live in Warrensburg, so in January I will find myself in the unusual position of not actually living in the district I represent. These things happen nearly every redistricting cycle, and state law allows it, but it was not the outcome I would have preferred. The good news is I will remain a steadfast champion for Johnson County.

With Johnson County being reassigned to the 31st Senatorial District, I will no longer have the privilege of representing Whiteman Air Force Base in the Missouri Legislature. Serving as a voice for the courageous men and women of the U.S. military at the State Capitol has been one of the proudest highlights of my legislative career. While I will continue to advocate for our Armed Forces at every opportunity, I will miss regular direct contact with the base. The loss is bittersweet, however. One of my highest priorities of 2022 was to ensure both of Missouri’s major military installations remained in the same congressional district. I ruffled quite a few feathers in the Missouri Senate resisting efforts to redraw our congressional map in a way that would have diluted our state’s influence on the U.S. Congress’ Armed Service Committee, but the fight was worth it.

Looking forward to 2023, I am excited to meet new constituents, as the 21st Senatorial District will now include Cooper County and a portion of Clay County. I’ve traveled around these areas quite a bit in recent months and have become much better acquainted with the communities and residents. I’ve also continued to stay in touch with residents of Ray, Lafayette, Saline and Howard counties, who will see no change in Senate representation. I have a number of legislative priorities for the 102nd General Assembly and will begin the upcoming session committed to addressing unfinished business as well as advancing several new initiatives. I’ll discuss each of these as developments occur during session.

As this is likely my last Capitol Report for 2022, allow me to again thank the residents of Caldwell, Carroll, Johnson and Livingston counties for all your support these past six years I have been your state senator.

I hope everyone has a merry Christmas, and I pray the New Year brings great things to you and yours.

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.