On January 8 members of the General Assembly returned to Jefferson City to begin the new legislative session. This year, my priorities remain the same:  growing our economy and creating jobs; advancing justice; and promoting good government.  Last year was an extremely productive one for our area, with the quick renewal of the Champion for Children Tax Credit, an additional judge for Greene County, the passage of Missouri Works, and other legislative successes.  This year, I intend to build on this foundation of success and continue to work at the state level to meet our local needs.

My focus in 2014 will center on making certain that the people of Greene County have the necessary tools at the local level to address ongoing challenges in several areas: strengthening our justice system, promoting continued economic growth, advancing educational opportunities, and protecting children and families. 

The first few weeks of the 2014 session have followed a familiar pattern, including the governor's State of the State address and the State of the Judiciary address from the chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court.  (Click here to listen to some of my initial thoughts about the State of the State address).  At the same time, the machinery of the legislative process has been churning away.  Over 350 Senate bills and joint resolutions have been introduced, with 239 already referred to committees for review. The Judiciary Committee continues to receive the lion's share of bills referred-36 bills-with more expected in the coming weeks. February 27 will be the last day to introduce bills in the Senate for the current session.

Senate Debates First Bill of 2014

Last Thursday, senators gave first-round approval to the first bill debated on the Senate floor, the Executive Branch Accountability Act (Senate Bill 507).  In December, I pre-filed this legislation, as well as a proposed constitutional amendment (Senate Joint Resolution 30), to increase accountability and clarity in the gubernatorial appointment process.  SB 507 and SJR 30 would ensure timely appointments to fill vacancies on boards and commissions, curtail "temporary" appointments without Senate confirmation, and allow voters to fill vacancies in elected offices at the earliest opportunity. 

Exactly one year ago, I also presented the first bill to reach the Senate floor -- SB 20, which renewed several benevolent tax credits, including the Champion for Children tax credit. I look forward to similarly swift action this year on SB 507 and SJR 30.   

(Click on these links for video or audio from the floor debate.  Additional video and audio clips will be included on my Multimedia page.  Complete floor debate audio is also available here.  SB 507 was debated on January 28-30.) 

Acting Directors and Other Gubernatorial Appointments

The governor has the constitutional duty to make certain appointments to public offices, subject to Senate confirmation. This includes executive department directors and members of administrative boards and commissions. As recently as last December, six of the 10 executive department directors appointed directly by the governor were "acting" directors, serving without the "advice and consent" of the Senate. Since SJR 30 and SB 507 were pre-filed, director nominees for four departments have been submitted to the Senate as required by the state constitution. However, at the same time, a majority of the positions on half or more of the state's administrative boards and commissions remain vacant or filled by members whose terms have expired.  A recent report from the Missouri State Auditor on the Division of Professional Registration underscored this troubling situation. To view the report, click here.

Vacant Legislative Seats

The governor also bears a constitutional duty to call special elections to fill vacant legislative seats.  Current law requires that this action be taken "without delay".  However, in addition to the backlog of administrative appointments, three House seats and one Senate seat had not been filled when this year began, at least one after a lengthy vacancy.  Last Friday, the governor set August 5 as the date for special elections in the three vacant House districts.  Although this provides citizens in those districts with greater certainty, they will remain without representation in the General Assembly through the current session.

Promoting a Well-Functioning, Effective Constitutional Partnership

This legislation is offered as a matter of constitutional structure and effective government, not personalities.  It has been a problem for some time, and not one isolated to any single administration.  However, we are now further behind than ever before, and we must act.  Prompted by these concerns and the need to restore balance in the appointment process and fill these many vacancies, I filed SJR 30 and SB 507. At the same time, knowing we must continually re-evaluate the number of boards and commissions in state government, I have also filed Senate Bill 575, which repeals a number of expired or obsolete committees.  Last week, the Senate Committee on Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight conducted a hearing on SB 575, and I look forward to presenting it before the full Senate.

Please Consider Public Service

We have a constitutional partnership where the Senate should advise the governor on appointments, as well as providing our consent for nominees.  My office is actively seeking applicants to forward to the governor's staff, and I would encourage everyone in the 30th District to consider public service on a state board or commission. 

My office is actively seeking applicants to forward to the governor's staff, and I would encourage everyone in the 30th District to consider public service on a state board or commission. We have a constitutional partnership where the Senate should advise the governor, as well as providing our consent for nominees. I believe that includes recommending qualified individuals to the governor for appointment. To view a list of current vacancies and expired terms, click here.  A complete list of state boards or commissions is available here, and the online application portal may be found here. 

As always, I hope to hear from you about legislation or issues.  Please feel free to call my office or e-mail me at bob.dixon@senate.mo.gov with your thoughts.  Once again, let me express my gratitude for the chance to serve you in Jefferson City.  Thank you. 

Sincerely,