It is wonderful to be back in Jefferson City to complete my final year in the Missouri Senate. As I mentioned in my last column, I will not be running for reelection. I made a promise to the people of the 33rd Senatorial District to complete a four-year term and I plan to come to work every day this session with the same passion and energy that I carried with me into the Senate for my first day in 2021.
While our U.S. Congress meets year round, it’s important to remember that the Missouri Legislature only meets from January to May each year. That means we only have five months to complete the business of the people. During that time, our one constitutional duty and most important task to accomplish each year is passing a balanced budget. My promise to you is to maintain a fiscally responsible budget that invests in rural Missouri, focusing funding on smart capital improvements in health care, infrastructure and education.
Over the next five months, I will be driving to Jefferson City each week and I see a good portion of our state. While Missouri is a beautiful state with a wide range of picturesque settings, I maintain that our area of the state, from Table Rock Lake to Echo Bluff State Park, is the prettiest part of the state. The Ozarks are my home and I couldn’t be more proud to be your senator.
