New session comes into focus, more changes

Change is in the air at the State Capitol. The next legislative session in Jefferson City begins Jan. 4 but preliminary work for the session begins in December.

One of the first orders of business is establishing offices and staff. Because of term limits and election turnover, there are 38 old reps leaving the Missouri House and 38 new ones coming in. Because not all offices are the same size or convenient location, there is a shuffling of offices with the most senior legislators getting first pick.

Some people assume state reps have a team of assistants and staff working for them. But the truth is each representative not in a leadership role can have only one legislative assistant (LA). To save our taxpayers some money, most reps share a single LA.

While there is a general clerk staff that works hard keeping the paperwork of all of the bills straight, our lone LAs are the only dedicated staff we have helping us at the capitol.

Like offices, some LAs tend to shuffle around after each election as the reps they were serving move on. I was fortunate to have a great LA, Cheryl, who helped me with constituent work for my first term. Unfortunately for me, she was given the opportunity to serve a rep in a leadership position, which pays her better, and so she will be moving on to greater things, and I am happy for her.

I have already found a new LA, who has served in the capitol for 15 years and will be a great replacement. Her name is Clarissa; she starts work for our district in January. If you call at the office, say hello to Clarissa. I’m sure she will be able to help you with your question.

Another thing that gets shuffled after an election are committee assignments. There are committees assigned to handle each of the various topics of our state – Agriculture, Corrections, Education, Social Services, etc. Each rep serves on two or three committees, and new committee assignments will be made by the end of December by the Speaker of the House.

I am anxious to know if I will remain on the Ag and Insurance committees that I served on last term, or if I will get to contribute to our state in other areas.

The 38 new reps will arrive without much knowledge of the legislature’s inner workings, so early December is also the time for freshman orientation. They come to the capitol for three days and are taught some of the ABCs of capitol procedures. There is no way to be fully informed in just three days, but it’s a start.

I have volunteered to be one of the tutors to help our “newbies” get acclimated. I guess it’s Mom’s school teacher blood in me that inspires me to help others by sharing knowledge and insight. Plus, I remember when I was the rookie and appreciated some veteran guidance, so it will be my way of paying it back by paying it forward.

My advice to our freshman class of legislators: “Always look out for the best interests of the people of Missouri, which is not always the same as the best interests of lobbyists, bureaucrats, and special interest groups. Family before politics. Morals before money. Always vote your conscience.”

If they remember that, they will do fine.