As we grew up, we watched our parents or guardians make tough decisions. As children, many times, we do not realize that as our parents make decisions they also are teaching us. As we become teenagers and then adults we later realize that these lessons helped shape who we are. Those lessons helped define our morals and ethics.

As a small business owner operating in a small, rural area where I grew up, and nearly all of my friends and family lived, there were times where I was faced with ethical and moral dilemmas more than my friends who were not business owners. I was a business owner and boss. I had a job to do and I worked diligently to ensure I was being fair and holding true to the ethics and morals my family worked so hard to instill in me.  And when I have strayed, I am grateful I have a loving God that forgives me.

As a public official and the Senator for the 33rd District some of my actions are monitored by the Missouri Ethics Commission, as are political campaigns, lobbyist’s gifts and more. The Ethics Commission job is to assist and educate the citizens of Missouri, public officials, lobbyists, and those participating in public elections. We create transparency and accountability and consistently enforce campaign finance, conflict of interest, and lobbying laws. If a lobbyist buys you a cup of coffee, they must report it or run the risk of being penalized.    The commission has only six members but has a large task.

You can read more about the Missouri Ethics Commission at their website: http://www.mec.mo.gov/EthicsWeb/Default.aspx.

Recent reports have questioned gifts lawmakers have accepted or how they have been reported.  I am proud to say that I have never taken a gift from a lobbyist without reimbursing them. Just as it was important for me to treat my employees, vendors and competitors ethically when I was at home in Marshfield. I have held true to those beliefs and I do not feel it is right or fair of me to accept gifts from organizations who are simply seeking my support.

It is you, my constituents, who elected me to represent you, and I am here to work for and support you and I intend to continue.

As always, I appreciate it when groups from around Missouri and from our community back home come to visit me at the Capitol, however during interim I may be in district. If you would like to arrange a time to come and visit me in Jefferson City, or if you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-1882.