If you are one of my constituents, you are undoubtedly aware of the proposed landfill location on the border of Jackson and Cass counties near the city of Raymore, Missouri. The wealthy family and the mega-rich investors backing them are attempting to place a massive trash heap amidst residential property and just a stone’s throw away from Summit Pointe Elementary School, a .14-mile distance.

This week, on the floor of the Missouri Senate, I attached language to a bill that would have prevented this landfill from ever happening in their proposed location. My solution to this problem was to allow the residents of Cass County to be heard and to give them the final say as to whether a trash dump could be placed in their backyard. This solution is very reasonable because the residents of Cass County will be affected the most and will be the ones who will suffer a disastrous impact on the value of their homes. These landfills also impair any possibility of future developments in their region. Well, as you might expect, it would appear to me the rich and powerful are not pleased when the little guy has a voice.

Opponents of the bill, and direct beneficiaries of the proposed landfill hired 17 of the highest-priced lobbyists in Jefferson City to keep you, the residents of my district, from having a voice in this decision. They spent an entire day spreading misinformation about the landfill process and claimed that I was trying to limit the property rights of these poor millionaires. Unfortunately, the deceitful arguments made by the army of lobbyists were effective, as several of my colleagues were moved by the false information they were given. These backroom conversations stirred up enough of a hornet’s nest that I could not keep the language on the bill that would kill the landfill.

This is bad news, but here is the good news. Over the past couple of days, I have been able to debunk the lies and misinformation regarding the landfill, and I am more confident than ever that we will get a bill passed and stop this landfill from ever happening.

The other side may have all of the money and fancy lobbyists, but our side has the truth, and my faith in God gives me confidence that the truth will win out in the end. As I stated before, I have been able to answer the questions of my colleagues, and I am confident that the next time we can bring this issue to the Senate floor, we will win.

I encourage everyone reading this to keep working. Keep making phone calls and writing emails. Keep making the case for why this landfill is harmful to this location. Do not be discouraged. We will win.

If you have any ideas, questions and concern, please feel free to contact me at the State Capitol: (573) 751-2108, rick.brattin@senate.mo.gov or by writing to Sen. Rick Brattin, Missouri State Capitol, Room 221, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

God bless and thank you for the opportunity to work for you in the Missouri Senate.