On Wednesday afternoon, members of the Missouri Senate and Missouri House gathered together in the upper chamber to commence the First Regular Session of the 97th General Assembly. It’s amazing that so many individuals from all walks of life gather together in one room with one common goal — to make a positive difference in the lives of Missourians. You will hear 12 new names throughout this session, as newly elected lawmakers begin their terms as state senators. I pray for a productive legislative session, and I will do my part to endorse small-government initiatives that put the power back into the hands of the people.

To help keep up with all the legislative happenings throughout session, you can visit the Missouri Senate website (www.senate.mo.gov) to view an abundance of resources to keep you informed. Under the “Legislation” tab at the top of the page, you can view a complete list of Senate bills, an index of measures that categorizes bills by specific topics, and a list of the Senate’s legislative actions categorized by date. Another helpful resource is the “Session Information” tab, which lists major dates for the 2013 session and information about how a bill becomes a law. If you look at the right-hand side of the page, you can find links to live debate in the Senate and House when in session, a schedule of hearings that is continuously updated throughout session, and a list of Senate and House journals. In addition, the Missouri General Assembly website (www.moga.mo.gov) provides links to the websites of various state officials (including the governor and secretary of state), as well as a list of Missouri statutes and the Missouri Constitution.

Throughout the first several weeks of session, numerous bills will be introduced in the Missouri Senate; measures can continue to be introduced until Feb. 28. When it comes time for the Legislature to give its final approval on a bill and send it to the governor’s desk, I hope officials remember that change for the sake of change is not always the best route. We wouldn’t do justice to Missourians by making government more complicated. With regards to economic development, a quality bill is one that endorses limited regulation, allowing employers to grow their businesses in our state and create jobs. My constituents tell me on a daily basis that the best service the government can provide to their businesses is to stand clear and let them thrive, and I will do everything in my power to make sure their voices are heard in the upper chamber.

Thanks for reading this legislative column, and please don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office if you have any questions about the 2013 legislative session. Thank you and God bless.