JEFFERSON CITY — With the opening of the First Regular Session of the 97th General Assembly, my colleagues and I have been duly sworn-in and the work of the Missouri Senate and the legislature starts.

I look forward to the representing you as the senator from the 21st District. My previous time in the Senate will be an excellent springboard to carry on the work on behalf of the citizens of the 21st.

This week offered a glimpse into the work that my colleagues and I can anticipate. On Thursday, Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, announced committee chairs and appointments to the Senate’s standing committees. I was honored to be selected to continue as chairman of the Senate Education Committee, as well as to be selected to three other committees including Agriculture, Appropriations, and Financial and Governmental Organizations.

The Agriculture Committee is a new committee assignment, and it will be a rewarding challenge to bring my previous knowledge into play in this new role on that committee.

I have served on the Appropriations committee since taking office in the Senate four years ago, and take the responsibility of crafting our state’s budget very seriously. The most important job of the General Assembly is to produce a balanced budget for the state. Doing so with the best interests of our state’s citizens in mind results in serious debate. I will continue to advocate for a responsible, balanced budget without burdening Missourians with higher taxes.

The 21st District is home to many great teachers, administrators and students. I am honored to continue serving as chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Education. I look forward to quickly starting the committee’s work and being a strong voice for our schools.

I will continue my service as one of four legislators on the Missouri Veterans Commission, and I will continue to dedicate my time to working on veterans’ legislation and issues this session.

It was an honor to be elected to represent the 21st Senatorial District. However, there are still tough decisions that must be made to help our great schools, create jobs in our state, and make Missouri home to strong businesses.

Please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.