Senate Budget Process Continues

This week, members of the General Assembly returned to Jefferson City after our annual spring recess just in time to see the dogwood and magnolia trees bloom around the state Capitol and Governor’s Mansion. There is still a lot of work to be done in the coming weeks and one of our top priorities is completing the state budget before the constitutional deadline of May 8.

Much of my time this week was spent in hearings held by the Senate Appropriations Committee, where members heard testimony from various state agencies and departments regarding the 13 appropriations bills which make up the state’s $26.1 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year 2016. Once the Senate approves its version of the budget, the two chambers will meet in a conference committee to iron out the differences.

As we returned this week, many of my colleagues and friends were saddened to hear about another tragic death involving someone who works in Missouri politics. My prayers and thoughts are with the families of those affected by these tragic losses, and I stand by my statements regarding the current discourse injected into Missouri politics.

This weekend many of us will celebrate Easter and commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I hope we will all be blessed with love, life and happiness and that your life will be touched by this sacred holiday. We should not only be thankful and rejoice in what we have, but also wish the same blessings to others. This weekend, greet your family and loved ones a happy Easter.