Opening of the 2010 Legislative Session

Missouri lawmakers gathered last week at the State Capitol for the beginning of the 2010 legislative session, which began at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 6. The Missouri Legislature will adjourn May 16th.

It promises to be a challenging year as lawmakers confront revenue shortfalls; and complicated issues such as economic development, ethics reform and health care. The following is a brief synopsis of the opening remarks from the Senate Pro Tem and Speaker of the House and also a short biography of the leaders of the Democratic and Republican Senate and House leadership.

Missouri Senate

Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields(R-St. Joseph) kicked off the legislative session by addressing the Senate and outlining his priorities for the year. Senator Shields expressed his desire for state government to focus on long-term solutions, acknowledging that with 10 senators term-limited this year, and an additional 10 senators term-limited in two years, focusing on the future will require lawmakers to take a forward-thinking approach to public service. Plans are underway to propose legislation this year to make long-term planning a permanent part of the legislative process. Work has already begun on the legislative agenda as senators continue to add to the measures prefiled before the start of session. Before specific bills can progress any further in the legislative process, they must first be referred to committees, a task that will happen in the coming weeks. Individual committees will then meet, discuss legislation, and hear public testimony before deciding whether to return the legislation to the full Senate.

Senator Charlie Shields was elected unanimously by his colleagues to serve as Senate Leader of the 95th General Assembly. He represents the 34th Senatorial District that is comprised of Buchanan and Platte Counties. Naming three strategies of job creation, more health coverage, and education past high school as ways to make Missouri a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Senator Kevin Engler, a Republican, was elected to the Senate in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. He now serves as the Majority Floor Leader for the Senate. He represents the 3rd District which includes Carter, Reynolds, Iron, Washington, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and South Jefferson counties in the Missouri Senate. Prior to the Senate he served one term in the House of Representatives. (2003-2004).

Senator Victor Callahan, a Democrat, was elected to the Senate in 2004. Senator Callahan is the Minority Leader. Senator Callahan represents parts of Jackson County and resides in the Independence area.

Senator Rita Heard Days (D) is the Assistant Minority Leader. She graduated from Webster High School in 1968 and received a music degree from Lincoln University in 1972. Senator Days was elected to the Missouri Senate in 2002 where she currently serves on more than 10 committees, commissions, and councils. In her years in the Senate, she has drafted legislation addressing discrimination (2003), early childhood special education (2004), property taxes (2005), advanced voting systems for elections (2006), children’s mental health (2007), and ballot requirements for elections (2008). Senator Days represents parts of St. Louis County.

Missouri House of Representatives

Over in the House of Representatives, Representative Ron Richard is the Speaker of the House. In his opening remarks, he stressed his objective is to work in a bi-partisan nature on economic development legislation, and ethics reform legislation. Representative Richard represents parts of Jasper and Newton counties which are located on the western side of the state.

Representative Steven Tilley, Republican, is the Majority Floor Leader. Representative Tilley as Majority Floor Leader is responsible for directing the flow of debate on the House floor. He has wide discretion whether to cut off debate and call for a vote of a particular bill or amendment. Rep. Tilley represents part of Perry, St. Francois and Shannon Counties. Rep. Tilley is an Optometrist

Representative Paul LaVota, Democrat, is the Minority Floor Leader. Representative LaVota represents part of Jackson County of the western side of the state. Representative LaVota is a licensed Missouri Real Estate Appraiser.

Representative John c. Kuessner, Democrat, is the Assistant Minority Floor Leader. Representative Kuessner represents Iron County, parts of Reynolds, and Washington Counties.

Posted by The Core Editor on Jan 11 2010. Filed under Government. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.