Opinion

Fellow Missourians, During this week at the Capitol, the Missouri House has been busy sending legislation to the Senate. Some of the issues I feel are important to our district are addressed in this report. There were two issues that came up that led to several hours of debate. The first issue was introduced in HB 1973 and HB 2140, both of these bills had amendments adopting rules addressing only students of the same sex could compete against same sex students. The second house bill that was heavily debated was HB 1692, which stated an employer mandating immunizations for employment, will be held liable for any damages resulting from the immunizations. Other issues discussed this week addressed Broadband, Elections, Public Safety issues, and agricultural economic opportunities.

As a member of the Missouri Senate, I’m expected to be in Jefferson City while the Legislature is in session. Occasionally, events conspire to make that impossible. I had one such occasion this week as I needed to be in Point Lookout, Missouri, to fulfil my duties as a member of the Board of Governors at the College of the Ozarks. I regret missing two days of my legislative duties, but I’m proud to serve my alma mater, otherwise known as “Hard Work U.” For those who aren’t familiar with the College of the Ozarks, it is a private Christian university, known nationwide for one unique distinction: students at the school work on-campus jobs rather than pay tuition.