Once again, I will be serving on the Joint Committee on Legislative Research. We held our first hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 11 during which we conducted our Quarterly Business Meeting and elected Rep. Kevin Engler as Chairman and Sen. Bob Dixon as the Vice-Chairman. The committee will have their next hearing next Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 3:30 p.m.

The Department of Economic Development presented the tax credits for the Departments of Agriculture, Health & Senior Services, Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration, Natural Resources, Revenue, and Social Services to the Appropriations Committee. The committee also heard the recommended budget from the Departments of Higher Education, Labor & Industrial Relations, and Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration.

The Joint Committee on Government Accountability met on Wednesday, Feb. 11 to begin examining the events occurring from Aug. 9, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2014, in Ferguson, MO. The committee will be reviewing the expenditures and operations of the protective forces during the disarray in Ferguson. In order to properly assess the events, our objective is to gather and piece together information from all involved parties. To begin our examination, we heard from Ferguson Mayor James Knowles, James Paunovich with the City of Calverton Park, Pattonville Fire Department Matt LaVanchy and Greg Brown of the Eureka Fire Department. Their testimonies have built us a base to progress further into the examination.

Senate Bill 110 was reviewed by the Education Committee. Senate Bill 248 was assigned to the same committee for assessment. The Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee will  analyze Senate Bill 266, and the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety Committee will examine Senate Bill 267. Look for hearing updates on Legislation in future newsletters.

On Tuesday, Feb. 10, I filed Senate Concurrent Resolution 19. This Resolution assists Missouri file an application with the United State Congress to organize a convention of the states as set forth by Article V of the United States Constitution. The purpose of the convention is to organize potential amendments with the intention of placing limits on the federal government. Additional Legislation includes Senate Bill 441 and Senate Bill 442.

I had the pleasure of present the Boonslick Area Technical Center to the Senate body. The Center provides technical based, hands-on experience for students to acquire skills in their designated field.

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...?

Ronald Reagan would have celebrated his 104th birthday last Friday, Feb. 6, 2015.  Reagan has become a conservative icon and continues to inspire Republicans today.  To honor him, let’s remember what he said: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on.”