The Appropriations Committee began with House Concurrent Substitute House Bill 16 sponsored by Rep. Tom Flanigan (R-Carthage). The committee will continue to hold hearings on bills until the budget is delivered by the House.

I presented Senate Bill 352 to the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. Senate Bill 352 creates the Missouri Criminal Enterprise Act. This act permits the Missouri Attorney General to institute civil and criminal proceedings to combat criminal enterprises and racketeering. The passage of this act would allow Missouri to join the other 33 states that maintain and enforce similar laws.

On Thursday, March 5, I was a guest speaker for the University of Missouri’s Civic Leaders Internship Program (CLIP). I shared my experience as a Senator and examined my current legislation with the students. A majority of our discussion revolved around the budget, the role I play as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and how the budget functions within the Legislature. It was a great experience to see many young adults interested in state government.

Undergraduate students from all of the University of Missouri campuses displayed their research projects at the Missouri Capitol for the University of Missouri’s Undergraduate Research Day. Each student conducts a research project with a faculty mentor to make groundbreaking discoveries that positively affect Missourians lives. Each project involves science, medicine, education, industry, or government. Many of the undergraduates will have their research papers published in peer-reviewed journals before they graduate. Presenters from District 19 included: Christine Carson, Samantha Fullington, Casey Gibbons, Janae Judon, Adam Kidwell, Thomas Laughlin, Briana Lynch, Lindsey Mirielli, and Hilary Schmidt.

First Place Rock Bridge Girls SWimming and Diving team and coaches with Senator Schaefer.

The Ridgeway Elementary School Fourth graders with Senator Schaefer.

Senator Schaefer talking with the Ridgeway Elementary students in the Senate Chamber.

We were also very happy to host the Rock Bridge High School Girls Swimming and Diving Team in the Capitol this week. The Lady Bruins took First Place at the Missouri State High School Activities Association Girls Swimming and Diving Championship. The Lady Bruins attained this success with the leadership of coaches Laura Wacker, Zach Mertens, Emily Argotsinger, and Kelsey Arends. Members of the Championship team include Ashley Arneson, Althea Felton, Ellie Flanagan, Kate Forward, Alexis Hopkins, Bettie Logan, Olivia Nanneman, Lexi Peery, Kristi Seyer, Elinor Stanley, Kelley Tackett, Anna Willcoxon, Nicole Williams, Madison Wright, and Elli Zweifel – the daughter of State Treasurer Clint Zweifel.

My office had visitors – including my daughter, Lena – from the Ridgeway Elementary School. Over 80 fourth graders explored the Capitol, Senate chamber, and discussed how our state government works with me.

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...?
Yogi Berra, the former baseball player, coach, and manager, was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. After serving with the US Navy, the witty athlete played for the New York Yankees and New York Mets before managing and coaching both teams, as well as Houston Astros. He entertained audiences with amusing comments like “I just want to thank everyone who made this day necessary.” In 1972, Yogi Berra was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame and had his No. 8 retired from the New York Yankees.

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