As the legislative session ends its first week, committees are the main activity for lawmakers. In these hearings, we get an idea of how the public views the bills, many of which will be voted on by these committees and considered by the full Senate. But before this happens, the committees must first decide if a bill should be altered, or sometimes, never advance. These hearings are almost always open to the public. For a list of scheduled committee hearings, visit http://www.senate.mo.gov/hearingsschedule/hrings.htm.

We are also beginning to see many visitors to the Capitol. A statewide coalition of realtors came to the Capitol this week, and I had the opportunity to visit with many of them and discuss various legislative issues on their agenda.  A school group from Edgar Springs, Mo., also came to visit the Capitol, and I was happy to visit with them and give them some insight on the legislative process.

If you or your group should decide to visit the Capitol this session, there is a form on my Web page under Constituent Services that offers a great many options to consider when scheduling your visit to our beautiful Capitol building and its surroundings.

Always feel free to contact me throughout the year with any comments, questions, or issues by calling my office at (573) 751-5713 or by visiting my website at www.senate.mo.gov/brown.

Thank you for reading this and for your participation in state government.