After a very busy week at the Capitol I have so much to
discuss that I’m just going to dive right in!

Committee Work
We had a very productive week in my committees as we heard and sent several
bills to the House floor.  In Economic
Development we discussed Angel Tax Credits and Acquisition Tax Credits.  Many of these credits are being used to
revitalize the North St. Louis area. This area has become devastated by
vandalism, poverty, and a lack of economy. 
A new development here could really help move St. Louis forward.  More development leads to more jobs, more
jobs will lead to less crime, and less crime leads to a healthy and happy
city.  I had the chance to visit with
Mayor Sly James of Kansas City as he came to the Capitol to testify before my
committee.  Mayor James is doing a lot of
great things in the Kansas City area.

In Veterans Issues we heard HB 309 which is legislation that
proposes the establishment of Military Veterans and Service Members Court.  This is something we are in desperate need
of.  These courts specialize in helping
rehabilitate charged Veterans by addressing issues related to combat, or
otherwise, that may have led to their actions. 
We must do everything we can to ensure we are taking care of our State’s
Veterans.  They have shown true sacrifice
and it is important that we, in return, work hard to help them successfully
transition back into society.

We heard HB 81 in my Emerging Issues in Agriculture
committee which would create an International Agriculture Exchange.  Essentially, this bill would establish the
Missouri International Agricultural Exchange website to allow Missouri
agricultural producers to market Missouri-produced goods to international
buyers.  What a great opportunity for
farmers working hard to bring their business into the age of technology. We
heard from Jason Norton, a young farmer and recent graduate of the University
of Missouri.  He expressed the need for
farmers to incorporate new technology into Agri-Business to ensure the success
of the business for future generations.

Voter ID
On Thursday, February 14 the House Third Read and Passed HCS HB 48 & 216
and HCS HJRs 5 & 12, sponsored by Rep. Tony Dugger (R-Hartsville) this
legislation requires a person to submit a specified form of photo
identification in order to vote in a public election. HCS HJRs 5 & 12,
creates a Voter ID ballot measure for approval of the people that would add
language identical to that in HCS HBs 48 & 216 to the Missouri
Constitution.

The goal of these bills is to protect the sanctity and
integrity of the election process, not to restrict anyone from voting.   Acceptable forms of identification under
these measures include: non-expired Missouri driver’s or non-driver’s license;
a document issued by the federal or state government that contains the
individual’s name, signature, photograph and expiration date; or a photo ID
issued by the National Guard, US Armed Forces or US Department of Veterans
Affairs. There are also provisions in the bills that would help Missourians who
might not have or be able to afford an ID to obtain a proper form of
identification at no cost to the voter or vote by provisional ballot. Thus,
allowing everyone to partake in the democratic process while safeguarding
against voter fraud.

Constituent Visits
Finally, thank you to all of those who stopped by and visited the Capitol this
week!  It was great to visit with the
Missouri Retired Teachers Association members from my district and listen to
the issues important to our retired educators. 
My friend Cheryl Ward stopped by and it was so great to see her!  We also had State FFA leaders Sonja Perry
from Bowling Green and Jaelyn Bergmann form Perry.  These girls are doing some incredible things
and will be great future leaders in Agriculture!  Jason Davis, the Ag. teacher from Bowling
Green School, stopped by and we also discussed issues important to our
educators.  Finally, it was great to
catch up with Mark Harvey (Clopton Superintendent) and Frank Berlin (Former
Bowling Green Superintendent).  Thank you
for all you do!

I am grateful every day for the support you all have
provided me before and during my time in office.  I look forward to serving you the best I can
for the next two years.  Please never
hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of assistance to you!