Last Thursday, I was honored to introduce Ted Groshong on the Senate floor as Physician of the Day. He is the Senior Associate Dean for the Alumni Affairs at the University Of Missouri School Of Medicine.
Later that day, SB 244 was first read in the Senate. If passed, this bill will modify provisions relating to the registering and issuance of death certificates.

On Monday (2-4), SB 122, which modifies provisions relating to Missouri’s open records law, commonly known as the Sunshine Law, was approved by the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. It now heads to the Senate floor for possible debate.

Shown above, Sen. Schaefer with Alana Barragan-Scott during the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 6.

On Monday (2-4,) the Appropriation Committee began hearing testimony from various state agencies concerning their budgets.  Budget hearings are scheduled throughout February.   I greatly appreciate the time these departments spent organizing and presenting their testimony.  The commitment of these departments and their members to helping their fellow Missourians is indispensable and does not go unnoticed.

On Wednesday (2-6), SB 193, which establishes the Advisory Council on the Education of Gifted and Talented Children and requires the State Board of Education to designate a staff person in charge of gifted and talented education, was heard in the Education Committee.

Thanks to all who traveled to the Capitol this week. On Wednesday, the Council of the Arts representatives from Boone and Cooper counties had their annual day at the Capitol and discussed with me the benefit of the Arts Council to the state of Missouri. They presented my office with copies of the Boone and Cooper county Missouri Arts Awards. The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association was also in Jefferson City on Wednesday for its legislative day and discussed the association’s 2013 legislative priorities.

Wednesday was State Historical Society of Missouri Day at the Capitol.  Two Columbia students participated in the event. Casey Hulshof is the daughter of Kenny and Renee Hulshof, and Elizabeth Meyer is the daughter of Dan and Marianne Meyer. Both Casey and Elizabeth attend Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish School in Columbia.

Congratulations to the Columbia Hickman High School Boys Basketball Team who are ranked first in the state in their section.

Congratulations to Daniel Boone Regional Library and Centralia Public Library; both received Summer Library Program Grants from Missouri Secretary of State’s office.

Did You Know?
Monday is Founder’s Day, Mizzou’s 174th Birthday!

Thank you for your interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Cooper counties.  If you have any questions or concerns throughout this session or plan on coming by the office, please contact my office at (573) 751-3931.