by State Representative Jim Whorton
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I haven’t established a pattern of writing this column this session because, well because, there haven’t been any extraordinary House happenings yet. Average time when we are actually “in session” on the House floor has been about 15 minutes per day. Each day we have the traditional prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, introduction of special guests, First Reading of new bills and announcements. That’s a good thing early in the session to minimize the time in session because it allows more time for committee work. Committee meetings and hearings are usually where it all begins and really where the action is. But wait! We don’t have committees yet either. What? Why don’t we have committees yet; after all, three weeks of the 94th General Assembly have passed and again “after all” we’ve known who we are since the November election, so why don’t we have committees? The Missouri Senate has announced committee memberships; however, the House has only identified respective committee chair positions.
Well, maybe some day.
Life does go on and it is actually busy enough without committee involvement, but when they are identified, we’ll “git er done” there, too. Right now I process several inches of paper every day made up of correspondence from the district, as well as others with interests, regarding pending legislation and other areas of Missouri Government.
Our office has been blessed with personal visits from several individuals with special concerns, and on occasion, visits by representatives from groups including AARP, Missouri Association of Realtors, Forest Products Association, Missouri Cable Telecommunications Association, Missouri “BAR”, Green Hills Community Action Agency, Missouri Board of Optometry, Missouri Asphalt Pavement Association, Missouri Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, family nurse practitioners, Primary Care Association, several farmer and labor groups and others.
In addition, we receive numerous e-mails and phone calls which, coupled with the routine of caucus meetings, and one-on-one discussions with other legislators, keeps me pretty busy. All that activity is normal and I haven’t felt like there was anything special to pass along to each of you, but I do want to let you know that we are here and some day soon, we’ll have more to share.
If we can assist you during the interim with questions or concerns regarding any issue, please feel free to contact Pam at the Jefferson City office. Our number there is 573-751-1649 and the email address is [email protected]. You can also contact me at the district office at 660-359-3988.