JEFFERSON CITY — At the midpoint of each legislative session, the lawmakers in the General Assembly take a week to head to their respective districts, visit with constituents and reflect on the session and what is yet to come. This break is beneficial for recharging the batteries and plugging back into their districts since the majority of time legislators are in session, they are in Jefferson City during the weekdays. There are 18 weeks of session and 10 weeks have already passed.

This session, I have filed 11 bills in the Senate. One of my top priorities remains education. So far, Senate Bill 492 and Senate Bill 493 have been approved in the Senate and sent to the House for similar consideration. SB 492 would require development of a performance-based funding model for Missouri’s higher education institutions, a practice already in place in at least 30 other states.

SB 493 is an important bill, which includes a number of my colleagues’ school transfer legislation rolled into one bill. School transfer and district accreditation have been an issue for the past nine months. With SB 493 moving to the House for consideration, we are close to finding a solution for state and local school districts to best serve those who have been truly affected, the students.

Another important topic I have addressed this session is Senate Concurrent Resolution 21. This legislation shows the 21st Senatorial District’s support of the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft fleet and its continued housing at the Whiteman Air Force Base. This fleet, as the several others housed across our country, has played an indispensable role in our nation’s arsenal. When our ground forces need quick, reliable cover, the A-10 is what they need. I’m certain that my colleagues in the General Assembly will see the importance of this aircraft to both our military and to the 21st District’s economy. Locally, more than 1,100 personnel are associated with the A-10 and have an annual payroll of $40 million.

In addition to those bills, Senate Bill 769 is also moving through the legislative process. This measure would require health benefit plans to provide coverage for both the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders. With its unanimous passage out of a committee, now it waits to be taken up for full debate on the Senate floor. I have filed similar legislation in previous years, and I am hopeful that my fellow lawmakers will pass it this year. The topic of eating disorders is important to me, and I have worked with eating disorder advocates in order to provide thoughtful legislation to assist those in need.

According to the Missouri Constitution, the last day to file bills in the House or the Senate is the last working day prior to March 1. This year, that was Feb. 27. Now, the legislature will continue to hold committee hearings and debate bills. Of the more than 540 bills and resolutions filed in the Senate, six bills from both the House and Senate have already been sent to the governor’s desk. Five Senate bills still await his signature. After the legislative break, lawmakers will return to the Capitol, ready to approve our state’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget. A fiscally responsible budget is due to the governor one week prior to the last day of session, making this year’s budget deadline May 9.

As always, 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.