Legislative session concludes

Dan Hegeman

The First Regular Session of the 98th General Assembly, and my first session as the 12th District State Senator, has finally come to a close.

By the time the gavel fell, Missouri lawmakers passed an estimated 150 measures. But, in many respects, this has been an unprecedented session.

The session began with the rejection of legislative pay increases.

In the weeks and months that followed, we passed language I sponsored that will help protect victims of sexual assault, a measure reforming municipal courts throughout the state and a $26.1 billion balanced budget that was signed by the governor.

In addition, for the first time in Missouri’s history, the General Assembly sent a right-to-work bill to the governor’s desk.

Unfortunately, this session also had its fair share of challenges: the House and Senate failed to reach an agreement on ethics reform, and little legislative action took place during the final week as a result of near-total gridlock in the Senate.

In addition, on the very last day of session, the House of Representatives saw the resignation of the Speaker of the House and the immediate election and swearing-in of a new Speaker.

The ball is now largely in the governor’s court. He has until mid-July to determine action on all of the Legislature’s “Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed” measures. These bills can be signed into law, allowed to become law by taking no action or vetoed.

If a bill is vetoed, the legislature will have the opportunity to override any of the governor’s vetoes later this year during the annual veto session.

Over the last five months, I have done my best to represent the constituents of the 12th Senate District throughout my first legislative session.

I’m proud of the work my colleagues and I have accomplished for the great State of Missouri and its citizens, and I’m thankful to be returning home to my family and northwest Missouri.