Here to Serve the 9th Senate District

The First Regular Session of the 99th Missouri General Assembly is now well underway, having been called to order on Wednesday, Jan. 4. I was honored to be sworn in for my second and final term as state senator for the 9th Senate District. My friend and colleague, Sen. Jeanie Riddle, R-Callaway County, escorted me to the dais. After which, Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Breckenridge administered the oath of office to myself, 11 re-elected senators and five newly elected senators.

Pictured above, from left to right: Ms. Tina Shannon; Ms. Melba Curls, aunt of Sen. Curls; Sen. Curls; and Mr. John Bowman descending the Grand Staircase during the Inaugural Ball on the evening of Jan. 9.

The pomp and circumstance continued on Monday, Jan. 9, when Missouri's new governor and other statewide officials were sworn in on the steps of the Capitol. That evening, everyone gathered in the Capitol Rotunda for the Inaugural Ball. I was blessed to be joined by Ms. Tina Shannon; Mr. John Bowman; my aunt, Ms. Melba Curls; as well numerous friends and colleagues. It was a wonderful evening and a great way to kick off my last term in the Missouri Senate.

Committee appointments were also announced during the first week of session. I was honored to be named vice chair of the Senate Committee on Progress and Development, which is responsible for considering and reporting upon bills and matters relating to human welfare. In addition, I was named a member of the Administration; Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources; Gubernatorial Appointments; and Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety committees. I will also serve as the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

I have already filed 11 bills for the 2017 legislative session. All but two of these measures are a continuation of last year’s efforts, and most have been referred to committee and are awaiting a hearing date. I will continue to keep you updated on the status of these bills and other important legislation as session moves forward. You may also find my sponsored legislation in a chart at the end of this column.

I am happy to say we have three new legislative interns joining us this year. For the next four months, they will be helping me and my staff with policy and constituent services and policy. Khaiuna S. Ayetimiyi, of Winona, Mississippi, is a senior at Southeast Missouri State University. She is majoring in political science and minoring in French. Zakiah V. Marshall, of Kansas City, Missouri, is a senior at Northwest Missouri State University. She is majoring in psychology and minoring in political science. Finally, Brendan B. Simpson, of Arnold, Missouri, is a senior at the University of Missouri. He is majoring in history and minoring in business.

It continues to be an honor serving the men, women and children of Missouri’s 9th Senate District. As we move forward through session, please know I value your input, and I invite you to visit my Capitol office if you are ever in Jefferson City.

For more information on Sen. Curls' sponsored legislation and committee assignments, please click here or visit her official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/mem09/.