This past week has been busy handling the start of the Appropriations Committee, Gubernatorial Appointments, and the filing of legislation.

The Appropriations Committee had their first hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 20, for public testimony. We heard over 20 personal testimonies concerning the funding of different departments. The committee will take into consideration these personal testimonies when organizing the budget for Fiscal Year 2016. On Thursday, Jan. 22, the committee met to discuss the overview of the Fiscal Year 2016 Governor’s Recommendation presented by Linda Luebbering, Fiscal Year 2015 Supplemental Recommendations, and FY 2016 Statewide Issues. We will continue working hard to organize the budget for Fiscal Year 2016.

My most recent sponsor for a Gubernatorial Appointment was Craig Chval, who was appointed to the Public Defender Commission on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Craig Chval managed the High Tech and Computer Crime Unit in the Attorney General’s Office from 2003 to 2008. In 2011, he became the Associate General Counsel for Veteran’s United Home Loans in Columbia. In 2008 he founded his own private practice.

The governor issued his State of the State address in the House Chamber on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Representative John Diehl, R-Town and Country, gave the rebuttle.

On Thursday, Jan. 22, Chief Justice Mary Rhodes Russell addressed the General Assembly and guests with the State of the Judiciary. Accompanied by my fellow Legislators, I was allowed to escort the Chief Justice and Missouri Supreme Court Justices.

Senate Bill 109, which modifies provisions of law regarding claims against public higher education institutions covered by the State Legal Expense Fund, has been directed to the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee for review. Senate Bill 110, which modifies the appointment and employment authority of the University of Missouri Board of Curators, has been recommended to the Education Committee for revisions and discussions.

The Legislation I filed consisted of three different bills:

• Senate Bill 266 prohibits the municipalities from providing a service that is being provided by at least one private business within the boundaries of the municipality without a vote of the people;
• Senate Bill 267 increases the penalties and driver license suspension periods for those who fail to yield the right-of-way in certain instances; and
• Senate Bill 290 modifies provisions relating to the education of gifted children.

Thank you for your interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Cooper counties.  If you have any questions or concerns throughout this session, or plan on coming by the Capitol, please contact my office at (573) 751-3931.

Did you know...?

The first public university west of the Mississippi River and in the Louisiana Purchase territory was the University of Missouri, founded in 1839.