It’s already February, and though it may be cold outside, the legislative session is certainly heating up! So far, I am happy to report the Senate has been working on many issues important to Missourians' everyday lives. I am also pleased to announce that my colleagues and I are motivated to achieve legitimate victories on the issues you care about. The obstacles we face are many, and the problems are broad, so I won’t bore you with all of the details; however, here are the highlights:

Critical Race Theory (CRT)

One of the most pressing issues we are tackling this year includes the prevention of indoctrination of students by prohibiting schools from teaching on divisive issues like Critical Race Theory, the 1619 Project and other anti-American, anti-family ideologies. I want parents to be confident that their children are being educated in our schools and not indoctrinated.

Save Women’s Sports Act

Another central concern is in the area of ensuring that girls are given equal opportunity in the area of school sports. I sincerely desire to see our girls participate in sports without the fear of being forced to compete against boys. I care about all of our boys and girls and want all of them to have equal opportunities in the area of athletics, and the only way this can happen is if we pass the Save Women’s Sports Act.

Protecting Children from Mutilation

It is simply unacceptable for any child under the age of 18 to be subject to any surgery or chemical that would alter their body composition. I fully respect an adult’s right to do what they want if they are not harming anyone else; however, minor children are just too young to have surgeries that remove body parts or take medication that permanently alters their mind and body. We must stop this barbaric practice.

Protecting the Second Amendment

For too long, we have sat by and allowed the federal government to levy taxes on firearms and ammunition. Many people are unaware that every single round manufactured is taxed at 11%, over and above any sales taxes. This means some Missourians pay over 20% in taxes for every round they purchase in our state. To fix this problem, I have filed a bill that would save Missourians real money by abolishing sales tax on firearms and ammunition.

I am also extending a tax credit to gun sellers to offset their overhead costs, which will decrease the overall price of firearms in the State of Missouri. There are many ways to protect our 2nd amendment rights, and one of those ways is to limit the federal government from making guns and ammunition needlessly expensive. I am working to ensure the practice of unfair and unbalanced taxation of firearms and ammunition ends in the State of Missouri.

As you can see, there is a lot that I am trying to accomplish, and I know that it will take a lot of work. I am fighting for these issues and many others, hoping Missouri can be the freest of all our 50 states.

If you have any ideas, questions and concern, please feel free to contact me at the State Capitol: (573) 751-2108, rick.brattin@senate.mo.gov or by writing to Sen. Rick Brattin, Missouri State Capitol, Room 221, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

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