Assigning committees, getting to work

This week Senate President Pro Tem Mike Gibbons finished appointing the 2007 legislative committees. Most senators serve on three to five committees, each focused on specific issues. For the 2007 legislative session, I will be serving on five committees that have great impact on northwest Missouri.
I will serve as the vice chairman of the Commerce, Energy, and Environment Committee. This committee is responsible for bills related to the development of state commerce, the commercial sector, consumer protection, the development and conservation of energy resources as well as all matters relating to environmental pollution.
I will also serve as the vice-chairman of the Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee. This committee is the watchdog over all legislative initiatives, except regular appropriation bills, which require new appropriations while also hearing legislation relating to budget reform, governmental efficiency, responsibility and accountability.
Representing a district which has a strong economic base in agriculture, I was excited to see my assignment to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation, Parks and Natural Resources Committee, which deals with all legislation relating to animals, animal disease, pest control, agriculture, and the state park and conservation system.
As a member of the Financial, Governmental Organizations, and Elections Committee, I will be involved in legislation relating to banking, savings and loan associations and other financial institutions in the state. This committee also considers election laws and all matters relating to the department of corrections. Finally, I will have the opportunity to work to reform our tax code as a member of the Ways and Means Committee.
Of the hundreds of bills filed thus far and now knowing my committee assignments, it looks to be a year of great debate and deliberation. I know that through hard work and determination, we can and will make Missouri’s government reasonable, responsible, and accountable to the taxpayers it serves.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is brad.lager@senate. mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 429, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.