The annual legislative spring break was held this past week through March 24, and I’m enjoying this time I can spend with my family and our community. Here is what we worked on before we adjourned for the legislative break on March 14.

I have some great news to share with veterans, especially the veteran I met on the campaign trail who explained the red tape he had to get through to receive his handicap placards for his vehicle. This is why I filed Senate Bill 912 to streamline this process for our veterans.

During the perfection of SB 912, several amendments were adopted to give the legislation more teeth and further benefit our service men and women. These include my proposal designating the POW/MIA SSG Paul Hasenbeck Memorial Highway in Osage County, making it easier for veterans to access their benefits, waiving the $15 fee to apply for veteran personalized license plates, and enhancing veteran suicide prevention efforts across the state. This legislation is the least we can do to help our service members who have fought so bravely for our country. I am hopeful, we will third read and finally pass this measure when we return from break.

One of the first measures the Senate passed this session, Senate Joint Resolution 74, was heard by the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee on March 12, inching the bill one step closer to passing in the General Assembly and appearing on the ballot for voter approval.

This SJR will make some needed updates to our state’s century-old Initiative Petition (IP) process, raising the threshold to pass an amendment to the constitution to a majority of votes cast in five out of eight congressional districts, as well as a majority of votes cast statewide. I believe if this resolution passes, it will give all Missouri voices greater volume and better representation when it comes to permanently altering the Constitution.