This week the Missouri Senate put in some long hours on a variety of issues.  Working into the night a compromise was reached, and the bill addressing the problems of the Second Injury Fund was passed.  The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration by its members.

 A bill I introduced was heard in committee on Tuesday.  It would change the way prevailing wages on public projects are calculated.  Too many times we have seen construction projects in rural areas either be greatly reduced or delayed due to prevailing wage laws driving up the cost  thirty percent or more.  My bill would bring wages more in line with what is normally paid in the area.  It would also only affect third class counties.   

Another issue that will affect county budgets is a bill that came through our Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee Thursday morning.  This legislation would assist county jails in their efforts to collect expenses from inmates.  It would garnish not only tax refunds but also lottery winnings.  It would also place holds on the purchase of hunting and fishing permits until the debt is paid.

Our office family experienced a loss last week when my Policy Director, Alex Eaton’s grandfather, Darace Eaton, passed away.  Darace lived in the Warsaw area where Alex’s parents, Randy and Marsha Eaton still reside.  Over the years Darace owned a variety of businesses in Warsaw including John Deere and Ford dealerships.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Alex and his family.

We had a lot of visitors from the district stop by the office this week.  I don’t think I will be able to name everyone but we are always grateful to see familiar faces from home.  The Missouri Retired Teachers had their lobby day, and several counties were represented by a large group of former educators.  Technical and Career Center students from Lebanon and Bolivar along with their teachers came up to visit.  The Bolivar Leadership Class spent one day in the Capitol and was kind enough to bring lunch for me and my staff.  Dental hygiene students and their professors from State Fair Community College stopped by.  Also visiting were Larry Wilson and Rich Jeager from Sedalia; Rebecca Hamilton, Chris Heard, and Laina Starnes from Lebanon; Jeff Voris from Halfway; David Diamond and  Koda Smithey from Stockton; Mariah Altic from Pleasant Hope; and Lynn Coffey from Bolivar.

If you would like to be added to the email list to receive our Capitol Reports, you can email me at mparson@senate.mo.gov or call the office at 1-800-752-8256.  We will be glad to hear from you.