Perspective: Working with the young and young at heart

Greetings from the fourth floor of your Missouri Capitol. As I write this, the forecast predicts we are getting ready to experience the first signs that winter may be on us sooner than we might like. However, we live in Missouri, and this should be of no surprise with the changing of the seasons.

This last two weeks have been busy in the district and beyond. I had the honor of being the host for the Silver Haired Legislature which met here at the Capitol for its annual session. They come here to discuss issues relevant to senior citizens and come with an agenda and legislation they would like to see implemented throughout the state. Like the General Assembly, they have representatives from all over the state and are elected to either the House of the Senate. While their procedures are different from the General Assembly, there are many similarities and protocols they follow. I commend them for taking the time to meet and have thoughtful discussion on issues that affect all seniors throughout the state.

Speaking of senior citizens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt hosted a senior safety meeting in Jefferson City where he outlined some dos and don'ts with regard to internet cyber-security, phone and mail scams, and other issues seniors face. This was the last of a number of presentations the attorney general has made throughout the state and gave those in attendance some great guidelines and advice to help them protect their life savings today and in the days to come. Seniors are a very vulnerable population to these scam artists, and as time passes, they have become more sophisticated in their approach. Everyone must be cautious in giving out personal information. While this presentation was targeted to the senior population, it contained great information no matter what age group you are in. For more information, I would encourage you to visit the AG's website at ago.mo.gov, or if you receive suspicious calls, you can call their consumer protection hotline at 800-392-8222 for information on filing a complaint.

I had the honor of speaking to a group of business owners and leaders about legislation introduced this past session and plans for the upcoming session. I shared with them my experience in the private industry as well as the not-for-profit world and how I came to being a state representative. There were many thought provoking questions from the group, and it is always good to speak to my constituents concerning issues on their minds and what their state representative can do to help find answers. If your group would like me to make a presentation, please give my office a call.

Finally, I got to visit with the next generation of leaders in our community in the form of the Cedar Hill Elementary fourth-grade classes as well as Mr. Matheny's third-grade class at Callaway Hills. The Cedar Hills students were on a tour of the Capitol, and at the end of their tour, I had the honor of having my picture taken with them on the grand staircase. This is always fun, and I love that they are learning about their state Capitol and all the history it holds and is right here in their hometown.

The Callaway Hills class invited me to speak with them during their government week, and they came with some great questions. I talked with them about the three branches of government and what role each plays with regard to legislation. We also discussed how each branch works together to do what is best for the residents of Missouri. They even came with prepared questions for me as well as a bill for their school that they would like to see implemented school wide, which could even possibly be something that could become law throughout the entire state. I am always encouraged that our youth are learning at an early age how our government works and how each one of them can be a part and make meaningful changes in the state where they live.

As always, it is an honor to serve as your state representative and if you have any questions or concerns please reach out to my office.

State Rep. Dave Griffith, R-Jefferson City, represents Missouri's 60th District, and shares his perspective on statehouse issues twice a month.