Legislative Session Begins

From the desk of Senator David Pearce

The Missouri Senate began its new session high noon on January 4. Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, addressed the Senate, outlining many topics the Senate would be focusing on this session. My colleagues and I listened to the Senate leader’s speech as he outlined the work that lies ahead for the 2012 legislative session.

It is no surprise that the state’s budget will occupy a large percentage of discussion in the Senate. The budget is typically the bulk of dialogue in committee meetings and floor debate as the Senate and the House work together to pass a budget that best serves the state. It is a daunting challenge, to be sure, but it is the legislature’s responsibility to Missouri to make the difficult decisions a balanced budget will require.
Another goal for the Senate this session will be to put Missourians back to work. Unemployment numbers may have stabilized, but that doesn’t mean the workforce is where it should be. Right now, 8.5 percent of Missourians, approximately 260,000 people, are unemployed. By working toward reorganizing our state’s economic barriers, we will be able to provide citizens with opportunity giving our state the potential it needs to compete nationwide and globally.

The budget will also have an impact on education in our state. As we have known for years, when it comes to funding, education at times seems the area from which cuts are made. However, my colleagues and I feel that a student’s potential should be maximized and a world-class education should be provided. Education funding and resources will most certainly continue to be a priority. The Senate fought diligently to maintain level funding for the current budget, as well as restore monies for Missouri’s two- and four-year higher education and scholarships.

I currently serve as chairman of the Senate Education Committee and serve as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Both of these are vital roles to the state and to the 31st Senatorial District. Current legislation will be assigned to these committees and our meetings will begin to discuss matters in earnest. The Appropriations committee is charged with legislation pertaining to budget and distribution of monies, while the Education committee’s responsibilities deal with K-12, as well as higher education. If you wish to follow the legislative action on education-related legislation, or any other 2012 bills, please visitwww.senate.mo.gov, look under the “Legislation” tab, and click on “List of 2012 Bills” or “Topical Index” for a list by category. Too keep up with legislation I sponsor or handle, visit my website atwww.senate.mo.gov/pearce. I look forward to the upcoming legislative session as we continue to discuss issues that impact our state.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.

Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.