Senator Sater’s Capitol Report, for the Week of Jan. 14: Missouri Legislature Back in Session

Last week, members of the Missouri Senate and House returned to the State Capitol for the start of the 2019 legislative session. As I enter my final two years in the Missouri Senate, I can’t help but think back to days before I entered public service and was just a business owner frustrated by government red tape and taxes, and a constituent worried the people I voted for would go to Washington, D.C., and Jefferson City, and forget about the people who voted for them. I never imagined that after retiring from 30-plus years of owning and operating my pharmacy that I would have the honor and privilege to represent my neighbors in this role. During my time in office, I have strived to never forget or take for granted those people who put their trust in me to do this job. This isn’t my career — I already had one of those. Instead, this is my chance to give back a little to the state and community that was so good to me, and I promise the next two years will be no different.

Each session presents different opportunities and challenges, and this year’s will be no different. For my part, I am focusing on what is important to the people I represent. In our neck of the woods, we believe in small, limited government that gets out of our way, so we grow our economy and live our lives. We believe in the Second Amendment and our constitutional right to protect ourselves, families and property. We believe in protecting life, that every child — born or unborn — is a precious gift with the same rights all of us enjoy. We believe in work and that each and every person has skills and abilities and can contribute to society through hard work and initiative. We believe in balancing our budget and keeping more of the money we earn.

These aren’t radical ideas or just the opposite of what the other political party believes. They are deeply rooted in our communities and are central to who we are and what we believe. They are formed by faith, family and a love of country, and are not for sale. These are my guiding principles and always have been.

When it comes to specific issues that may come up this session, I don’t have a crystal ball, but I anticipate we will continue to focus on ensuring our schools have what they need to teach our kids. We will pass a conservative, balanced budget that defunds Planned Parenthood and spends no more than is necessary. Our workforce needs to keep up with competing states, so we need to train and equip a talented workforce that can do the work employers need done. I also anticipate that we’ll work on reforms to our state’s legal system and regulatory system, so business can go out and create jobs and grow our state and economy.

It may seem like our country is divided right now, but I am staying optimistic. America didn’t become the greatest country on Earth by shrinking from challenges or giving in when times are tough. It would be easy to get distracted by lofty promises by elected officials that the government can fix every problem if we only gave government more power and would spend more money on this-or-that program. It’s not true. As President Reagan said, “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” Government is not the solution. Those values we hold dear are the solution. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, get to work, and remember what’s important.

As always, I welcome your ideas, questions and concerns. You may contact me at the State Capitol as follows: (573) 751-1480, david.sater@senate.mo.gov or by writing to Sen. David Sater, Missouri State Capitol, Room 416, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

God bless and thank you for the opportunity to work for you in the Missouri Senate.