Opinions
At the Capitol, we are now wrapping up the spring session. It’s been a very busy time. Unfortunately, we often don’t get serious about debating the strengths and weaknesses of legislation until the last few weeks of session. Sometimes at this time of year, we debate omnibus bills with many,...
As I prepare this report, the Missouri General Assembly will soon vote on a Fiscal Year 2022 operating budget that totals more than $34 billion. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ve truly appreciated the opportunity to participate in the budget process and dig into the numbers...
At the Capitol, the Missouri House and Senate just passed the final agreed upon version of the state’s balanced budget. Our Governor, Mike Parson, will next review the budget and has the authority to line-item veto certain budget items as well as defer appropriation of other line-items until...
Funding for Medicaid expansion in the state budget was dealt a final blow by the Senate late Wednesday night.
That funding had previously failed to gain support in the House. The next step is likely to be decided by the courts.
Gov. Mike Parson initially included $1.9 billion in the budget —...
On Wednesday, Joe Biden gave a speech in the House chamber laying out his vision for America. The America Joe Biden described is not one I recognize, and if Joe Biden’s vision comes true, the values that have defined America will be forever lost. His address this past week stands in stark...
On a recent afternoon in mid-April, hundreds of Missourians rallied at the Missouri State Capitol to urge the legislature to protect their property rights. The rally was sparked by an egregious abuse of eminent domain in northern Missouri.
Several years ago, a group of investors announced plans...
In 1937, after a series of rulings undercutting his New Deal legislation, President Franklin Roosevelt proposed expanding the Supreme Court to as many as 15 justices. His attempt to use brute political force to seize control of the Supreme Court was – and still is – widely criticized. Justice...
It was a busy week in the Missouri Senate. With less than three weeks remaining in the session, each day was focused on tackling complex issues, while still trying to move as many bills forward as possible. There was also the matter of the state budget, which must be approved by 6 p.m. on Friday...
At the Missouri Capital we are now wrapping up the spring session in Jefferson City, but you should expect at least one summer special session, then a fall veto session, and likely, a special session sometime later.
Over 2,200 new proposed bills were filed this spring session between the...
Dear Editor;
I have never taken time to write and offer comments on subjects within the community or region that I see in the newspaper, so this is a first for me.
Interestingly enough I write, not to comment on an event or topic, but to raise to light a subject that is very important to me...