Opinions
Greetings from the capitol. The weather is finally warming up here and the House is getting a lot of good things done for the people of Missouri. This week we passed the biggest tax cut in the history of Missouri. We were one of the few states that taxed Social Security Benefits but we have given...
The majority party in the Missouri Senate began the 2023 legislative session determined to tackle tough issues. Few topics have received more attention this year than the contentious issues involving transgender youth. This week, the Senate advanced two bills addressing these concerns. One bill...
1 Chronicles 29:28 - And he died in a good old age, full of days, in wealth, and glory: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead. (Brenton's 1851 Greek Septuagint)
This week's text tells us that when King David died, he was very old, blessed abundantly with wealth and glory, besides having a...
The Missouri House of Representatives gave initial approval to historic tax relief legislation that includes a tax cut plan sponsored by state Rep. Travis Smith. Smith’s HB 660 was combined with HB 816 to provide $1 billion in tax relief for Missouri families, retirees, and businesses. The...
The Ozarks may seem far removed from most topics covered by national news, until something like a bank failure becomes the headline. As a community bank president, I am aware there are conversations around dinner tables and in coffee shops about what this means for families, the economy, and the...
Nehemiah 8:10 - Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
One of my favorite Bible stories occurs in 2 Chronicles 20 where a vast army from Ammon, Moab, and...
At the Capitol, we’ve been getting a lot of visitors this year, and meeting with guests is one of my favorite parts of the job. I’ve been talking with folks from back home who are advocating for their occupations and other interests, including: farming; banking; and health care (both short and...
We’ve reached the halfway mark in the 2023 legislative session. On March 8, the Missouri Senate adjourned to begin its annual “spring break.” Although we call it a break, this mid-session week off is anything but. I’ll spend the week making my way around the 33rd District, meeting with...
Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me; he has sent me to preach glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind; 2 to declare the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of...
Mr. Townsend, I wanted to thank you for your recent "Letter to the Editor," and I wanted to take an opportunity to try to address some of your concerns. Because you have focused on several items in your penned letter, I will attempt to respond to each of them. As it pertains to your lack of...