Bust of Stan "The Man" Musial in the Hall of Famous Missourians at the State Capitol.

Members of the General Assembly gather in the House Chamber to hear the State of the Judiciary presented
by the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court.

Click on images above for a full resolution photograph.

This week marks the third week of the 2013 legislative session.  It’s hard to believe that we are almost through one full month.

The Legislature reconvened on Tuesday afternoon given Monday’s observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  I hope you were all able to celebrate the holiday and pay tribute to the great strides Dr. King made for this country. 

Tuesday afternoon, I, along with Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, had the opportunity to honor a great St. Louisan and a great man, Stan Musial.  We each filed bills (SB 192) that would name the new bridge spanning the Mississippi River in St. Louis the "Stan Musial Memorial Bridge."  While I typically do not carry legislation of the sort, I believe Stan Musial was the type of individual we should all aspire to be. I believe he epitomizes so much of what is St. Louis and the Midwest.  He is a very humble, modest man who was full of dignity and grace – that is the kind of person and personality for whom we should create monuments.  Given the impact he had on the St. Louis community, I feel he is very deserving of this honor. 

Also on Tuesday, the Seniors, Families and Pensions Committee met to hear Senate Bill 49, legislation I am sponsoring that would prohibit the ethnic background or membership in a minority group from being the sole factor used to consider a child a “special needs” child for purposes of determining whether a family may receive the Special Needs Adoption Tax Credit.  The bill also ensures that the Special Needs Adoption Tax Credit program is extended for another six years.

Members of the Seniors, Families and Pensions Committee also voted on all three of my bills heard last week, including:  Senate Bill 33, relating to accommodations for service dogs; Senate Bill 47, relating to subsidized guardianship; and Senate Bill 48, relating to the consideration of race or ethnicity when placing adoptive children.  Each bill passed with the full support of all members serving on the committee.

Wednesday was a full day that started with two committee hearings – Transportation and Infrastructure and Gubernatorial Appointments.  Thereafter, senators visited the House Chamber to hear the 40th State of the Judiciary Address presented by the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court.  Chief Justice Richard B. Teitelman shared information about ways the judiciary is helping people gain access to their courts.  I applaud the work that he and his colleagues are doing across Missouri.  

Wednesday afternoon, the Senate Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government met to hear several bills.  Following the committee meeting, I had an opportunity to meet with constituents from the St. Louis area, something that is always a pleasure of mine.

Thursday morning, I presented Senate Bill 31 to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.  The presentation was in conjunction with bills introduced by other senators, all aimed at reviewing and revising the tax structure in Missouri.  The debate was a very lively one.  I look forward to further discussions in the Ways and Means Committee next week.

I also look forward to next week being a very productive one.  I am hopeful that we will get to start debating bills on the floor for the first time this session. I also look for a great deal to be done in committees. I will be sure to update you on all the Senate's progress in next week's report.

Best wishes for a great weekend.