On Wednesday, I was very fortunate to attend the press conference formally announcing that Continental Commercial Products will be moving its operational and corporate headquarters to the former RR Donnelley facility in Jefferson City. This is great news.
RR Donnelley cannot be replaced, and the impact of its closure is still significant, but this move by Continental Commercial Products is great for Jefferson City and the surrounding area with the hiring of 150 new employees by the end of 2015. Continental Commercial's reputation is excellent, and these new positions will be filled by hard-working Central Missourians who will continue to grow the company.
Continental Commercial's move to Jefferson City was facilitated by the hard work of the City of Jefferson, Cole County, the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, Jefferson City Public Schools, Lincoln University, State Technical College of Missouri, both major medical centers in Jefferson City, and countless other businesses and individuals.
These types of coalitions do not just come together by accident. They only do so with hard work and coordination. I would like to publicly thank Randy Allen and Missy Bonnot of the Jefferson City Area Chamber, as well as Mayor Eric Struemph, for their diligent and significant efforts. Also, Dr. Donald Claycomb and State Technical College of Missouri deserve recognition for their logistical cooperation with Continental Commercial to ensure operational success. The 6th Senate District is a great place to live and do business, and I am certain this fact was readily evident to Continental Commercial. I look forward to this company very quickly integrating into the fabric of Central Missouri.
This year the Legislature is endeavoring to complete our work on the 2016 budget well before the constitutional deadline of one week before the end of session. The impetus for doing so is to force the governor to make veto decisions on the budget while the Legislature is still in session. Accordingly, the appropriations committee met at length this week to be prepared to take the Senate version of the budget to the floor for debate next week. When the Senate version is passed, the House and the Senate will then reconcile the differences in conference and will finalize a budget to be sent to the governor before April 17.
Crafting any state budget, much less one in excess of $26 billion, takes a great deal of time, effort, discussion and compromise. In the end, it never pleases everyone. This year, under the leadership of Sen. Kurt Schaefer, the appropriations committee has worked to craft a responsible budget which controls the explosive growth in entitlement programs that the governor and his administration seek year after year. In the coming weeks, both on the Senate floor and in conference, using your tax dollars responsibly and wisely will be the priority for the 2016 budget.
I love spring and the promise that it represents, and Easter is my favorite holiday for the exact same reason. The darkness of the cross on Friday gives way to the light and promise of an empty tomb on Sunday. I deserve the darkness, but by God's grace, I can reap the benefits of the light. On this Easter Sunday, I will worship with thanksgiving a Savior who took my punishment and conquered death and the grave. He is risen! I wish you and your families a very happy and blessed Easter.
My purpose and my intent is to serve the constituents of the 6th Senatorial District. If you are in the Capitol during the coming weeks and months, please stop by your office in Room 220.
State Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, represents the 6th District.