This week, the Senate family took a road trip to join more than 2,000 people at a Community Listening Session at Fort Leonard Wood. The session allowed for community members and elected officials to speak out against planned cuts in employment at Fort Leonard Wood. If the proposed cuts go through, it’s possible the base could lose about 5,400 military and civilian jobs by the end of the year. Not only would this hurt the families of those who will lose their jobs, but it could have a seriously detrimental impact on the community and the state.
Fort Leonard Wood began as a small training post 70 years ago, but it has now grown into a premiere Army Center of Excellence that trains 80 – 90,000 military and civilians each year. It is a great facility for the Army to develop leaders and warriors at a low operating cost.
Our military bases in Missouri not only provide jobs to thousands of our citizens, the industry alone in our state is worth more than $40 billion. Fort Leonard Wood is Missouri’s fifth largest employer, supporting 36,400 direct and indirect jobs. This year, Fort Leonard Wood’s military construction program will inject another $264 million into the local economy.
This is an economic growth engine we cannot afford to lose. As a Legislature, we are committed to fight to keep these jobs in our communities. We need to support these men and women who risk their lives for our country. This week we stood together as elected officials to show our support and urge the federal government to keep these positions and jobs in Missouri.
There has been a series of tragic events in the news that have caused me to take a moment and reflect. The sudden and tragic death of State Auditor Tom Schweich rattled the Capitol, and many of us. It is always sad to lose a colleague, friend and public servant, but when one has the impact and bright future like Tom Schweich did we mourn not only for the personal loss, but the professional impact as well.
The 33rd District and southern Missouri was then shocked by the news of a series of tragic events in Tyrone. While few of us will ever know the true anguish that the family and town are now experiencing, we must join together and pray for peace, calm and for adequate resources to help that area heal. My prayers are with you all.
I always appreciate hearing from you. If you have any questions about the topics discussed above, or any other issues, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
As always, I appreciate it when groups from around Missouri and from our community back home come to visit me at the Capitol. If you would like to arrange a time to come and visit me in Jefferson City, or if you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-1882. |
