Citizen input is the key…

While it is true that Missouri government happens in the State Capitol located in Jefferson City, it begins with people, people like you who are all part of that government. Government needs individual input and inputs are most effective when we, as citizens, participate in Capitol activities. One of the best illustrations of citizen input took place again recently as people representing the “Great Northwest” descended upon Jefferson City and shared time with the General Assembly.
Words cannot describe the feelings and emotions that were generated by all the folks who were involved. I believe this was the sixth consecutive year that people from more than 19 counties and numerous communities throughout Northwest Missouri came together in joint efforts to achieve common goals. Their goals are actually anything and everything that can improve life in the Great Northwest part of Missouri. Sure, a lot of talk was about “economic development” and the resultant benefits, but it’s way beyond that in details; details that are not limited to but include transportation needs, education crisis, health care for all, especially those with special needs, regulatory issues that restrict efficiencies in all levels of government and others. We discussed just about everything except the weather, and then we talked about that, too! Those of you who didn’t come down this year may want to next year in order to avoid all the snow.
Whenever a group of over 300 people can agree to work together and accept the fact that whatever helps one also helps another in order to achieve maximum benefits for the region, something good is bound to happen. Issues that the Great Northwest contingency agreed to support as legislative priorities this session included: the twelve county regional water partnership, consideration of needs for better wastewater treatment in order to meet current and future “Environmental Protection Agency” requirements and a host of economic development ventures.
Coincidentally, at the same time as the Great Northwest, our County Commissioners held their annual meeting in Jefferson City. I had occasion to visit with many commissioners and will be working on their specific issues as well. It was really great to have all the visitors and especially welcomed those who individually spent time in our office and some who sat in on committee hearings.
If you have any questions, concerns or opinions about bills that have been filed, or personal issues that we might help you with, please feel free to contact Pam in Jefferson City. Our number there is 573-751-1649 and the email address is jim.whorton @house.mo.gov. You can also contact me at the district at 660-359-3988.