Schaefer: Approipriations Committee Work Continues, But Pauses To Celebrate College Signing Day

On Monday afternoon (1/30), the Senate Appropriations Committee met with the following departments concerning their allocation of tax credits in light of the governor’s proposed budget:

• Economic Development
• Agriculture
• Health & Senior Services
• Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration
• Natural Resources
• Revenue
• Social Services

I greatly appreciate the time these departments spent in organizing their testimony and taking the time to meet with our committee. The commitment of these organizations and their members to helping their fellow Missourians is indispensable and does not go unnoticed.

Also on Monday, I was fortunate enough to meet with the University of Missouri Flagship Council was at the Capitol on Monday (1/30), and I was fortunate enough to meet with them. Those in attendance were Doug Crews, Jay Dade, Dave Griggs, Don Landers, Lexi Norris, Wally Pfeffer, Melodie Powell, David Shorr, Ed Turner, Kurt Voss, and Ron Wood. This council advocates on behalf of the university intending to influence legislation in support of university issues. I would like to thank these individuals for their dedication to the University of Missouri.

Tuesday morning (1/31), I discussed the state budget and talked about the future of higher education in Missouri in a radio broadcast on KBIA. Click HERE for a link to the broadcast.

Later that afternoon, I met with members of the Missouri State Troopers Association on their visit to the Capitol. Many thanks go out to them for all the services they provide to the state and our citizens throughout the year.

Also on Tuesday, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard from the Department of Economic Development. Both the Department of Labor & Industrial Relations and the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration testified before the Appropriations Committee Wednesday morning (2/1). Thank you to these departments and their continued dedication to the many Missourians they serve. Together, we will work through these tough economic times.

Wednesday morning marked a special occasion in which the University of Missouri welcomed the nation’s No. 1 football recruit, Dorial Green-Beckham, who committed to the university during a press conference at Hillcrest High School in Springfield, MO. As a five-star recruit, this wide receiver will bring enormous talent to MU’s football program next fall. Congratulations to him on his decision and also to the coaching staff and alumni who helped make this possible as MU moves to the Southeastern Conference. Click HERE for the story from the Columbia Tribune.

Wednesday afternoon was exceptionally busy. I filed two bills, SB729 and SB730. SB729 pertains to Boone County purchases and raises the requirement that the county obtain bids on purchases of $6,000 or less, up from the original amount of $4,500.

SB730 is related to Boone County ordinances and establishes minimum standards for rented or leased residential occupancy.

Many constituents and organizations from my district also stopped by the office Wednesday, including the Randolph County OATS transportation organization and the Missouri Public Transit Organization. The majority of the afternoon and evening was taken up by executive session.

Thank you for your continued interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Randolph counties. If you have any questions or concerns throughout this session, please contact my office.