Having decisively won a bid for re-election to the Missouri State Senate last November, Senator John Cauthorn, R-Mexico, earned chairmanship of the Senate's newly formed Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee. Cauthorn also secured the vice-chairmanships of the Agriculture, Conservation, Parks and Tourism Committee and the Small Business, Insurance and Industrial Relations Committee.

"I appreciate the confidence and backing of my Senate colleagues in earning these posts," Cauthorn said. "It's a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead, and lead is what I intend to do."

Chairing the Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee, Cauthorn will guide the bi-partisan Senate panel as it evaluates, develops and refines legislation designed to promote sound fiscal and managerial responsibility in all facets of state government. Cauthorn is enthusiastic about the ground-floor opportunity to advance the committee's mission.

"With budget deficit estimates tagging the $1 billion-dollar-mark, the formation of this committee couldn't be more timely," Cauthorn said. "We expect Missouri taxpayers to oversee their household finances responsibly, and I know they expect state government to do the same."

As vice-chair of the Agriculture, Conservation, Parks and Tourism Committee during last year's legislative session, Cauthorn proved instrumental in advancing a sweeping farm bill that placed a strong emphasis on promoting new-generation production and processing ventures. As vice-chair again this year, Cauthorn looks to continue his work on behalf of Missouri farmers and ag producers.

"The 2002 Omnibus Agriculture Act was really the General Assembly's acknowledgement of technology's growing presence in agribusiness," Cauthorn said. "This is just the kind of work we want to build on. Missouri's farmers and ag producers helped lead the state in 1821 and in 1921; and they will continue to lead in 2021 and beyond."

Cauthorn noted that agriculture is but one of several responsibilities for this particular committee.

"There's a reason tourism falls under the responsibility of this committee," Cauthorn said. "Tourism is Missouri's second largest industry and is an area that deserves serious attention. As for conservation and parks, we here today are merely stewards of the land for tomorrow's leaders. What we do or don't do now will greatly affect the kind of environment that our children and grandchildren inherit."

Promoting clear channels of communication is a priority for Cauthorn in his role as vice-chair of the Small Business, Insurance and Industrial Relations Committee.

"Small business, insurance, industrial relations an economy based on capitalism needs all three of these elements to succeed," Cauthorn said. "We have a great foundation supporting these now, and we're going to work to make that base of support even stronger."

Cauthorn's committee responsibilities also include membership on the Senate's Ways and Means Committee and Transportation Committee.

"Anyone driving any stretch of Missouri roadway knows how critical it is we come up with a way to turn our transportation network around," Cauthorn said. "It's a matter of safety, it's a matter of economic development and it's a matter that needs fixing now."

Cauthorn takes on his new committee assignments this week, just days after the start of the year's legislative session. Fully aware of the new and significant challenges brought on by his vast slate of new committee duties, Cauthorn is ready to meet them head on.

"With the kinds of deficits we're looking at this year, the lagging budget just might make last year's session look like a walk in the park," Cauthorn said. "But good times or not-so-good, the missions of the Senate committees remain unchanged. As groups, as the full Senate, as the General Assembly, I and my legislative colleagues are committed to evaluating and shaping legislation that makes sense for the State of Missouri and for the people of Missouri."