During my first year in the Senate, I’m proud to have been appointed as one of only two freshman members to serve on the crucially important Senate Appropriations Committee, and I’ve accomplished some good things for the district in the FY 2022 State Budget:
- $2 million for design, renovation, construction & improvements of Career & vo-tech centers
- $1 million for an advanced welding lab at MSU-West Plains
- $575,000 for grants to help volunteer fire departments cover workers’ comp premiums
- $250,000 to supply rural fire districts with epi-pens
I was also happy to support SB 153 (commonly referred to as Wayfair legislation) so Missouri can begin collecting sales taxes from online retailers and level the playing field for our main street brick and mortar businesses. This legislation was championed by the Missouri Chamber for a number of years.
I sponsored SB 582 to protect our sheltered workshops from actions proposed at the federal level which threaten workshops’ ability to pay a commensurate wage for workers with disabilities, currently allowed by Section 14 C of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Language within the bill was amended, relating to the protection of vulnerable persons. Missouri has 87 separate and independent sheltered workshops that employ more than 5,800 people with disabilities. I’ve served on the DOCO sheltered workshop board and I know first-hand of the opportunities they afford to our local residents with disabilities by providing a valid and valued option for employment and skills training.
It is my honor to serve the residents of Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Ripley, Texas, Webster and Wright counties in the Missouri Senate. Even though we’re not in session, if I can help you with a state agency, or if you want to discuss legislation for next year, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.
Capitol Office: 573-751-1882
District Office: 417-596-9011
