2015 Legislative Session Begins

“…to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”   -   The Declaration of Independence

This week began the 98th General Assembly - the 2015 legislative session. The President Pro Tem of the Missouri Senate, Sen. Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, identified three of his priorities: agriculture legislation, education reforms, and judiciary reforms. Only judiciary reforms were new to this legislative session; the other two were priorities last year but were blocked by the governor’s veto pen.

Legislation for the 2015 Session can be filed through Feb. 26, and all legislation that I have sponsored or co-sponsored can be found on the Senate Website: www.senate.mo.gov/15info/bts_web/sponsoredby.aspx?SessionType=R&legislatorid=406.

Most of the bills listed have been filed in prior years and are not new to either proponents or opponents. Your comments, suggestions or questions on any of these issues are welcome and encouraged.

In the case of almost any legislative initiative, I will have constituents on both sides. Such is the nature and necessity of government. If we all agreed all the time, there would be little need for civil government. We have elections because we don’t all agree all the time. Elections can provide direction. The absence of direction is the worst possible scenario. I contend that the purpose of campaigning for public office is to effectively communicate direction – the direction that the candidate is likely to lead if elected. The actual vote is the public’s empowerment of the people to choose the majority’s preferred direction.

The November 2014 general election represented a clear proclamation from citizens across the country that the people have taken notice of the direction of Washington D.C., and they do not like it. The dissatisfaction affected federal, state, and even local elections; I could give examples just from my Senate District. The unpopularity of Obamacare had a profound impact, but I argue that even more offensive to the public is the arrogance that policy reflects regardless of the political party. Besides Obamacare, another example is the proliferation of executive orders in violation of clear constitutional jurisdictions. If there is a silver-lining, it is that Americans and Missourians are reawakening to our personal responsibility to keep a watchful eye on government.

As we enter the 2015 legislative session, it is important to me that my legislative agenda is consistent with the fundamentals of good government as I see them and commit myself to them whether in campaigns, forums or conversations. The oath of office that every Missouri officeholder must take is simple – we promise that we will support the Constitutions of the U.S. and of Missouri and that we won’t take bribes. I am sure it disappoints some citizens when we seem to be favoring interest groups ahead of our oath.

My goal in the new session is to be ever more attentive to identify proposals that seem inconsistent with my oath of office. I hope I will have the courage to oppose even my friends when our collective action, no matter how well intentioned, puts any other interest ahead of protecting individual liberty and economic freedom. That is what our Constitution(s) are devised to preserve. Next week I hope to examine further - “the consent of the governed.” I welcome your prayers and petitions.