Greetings from the fourth floor of your Missouri Capitol. Winter is definitely here, but we are still having some typical Missouri weather with 50-degree days followed by 25-degree days - but that is why we live here, right? If you have not gotten your flu shot I would highly recommend it as the flu bug is making its way around Central Missouri.
It's been a busy two weeks since I last communicated with you. We began with the annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast with a very special guest speaker, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson. His message, like so many in the past, was a wonderful way to begin our legislative session. Carson spoke of the role religious organizations can have in local communities with social service issues. He said what our community would look like if every church adopted a homeless family and the effect that would have on not only that family but also the community as a whole. He went on to say that faith does have a place in governance and can be a true partnership. I have had the honor of attending many of the Governor's Prayer Breakfasts over the past 20 years, and they always have great speakers who inspire us to do a better job of being not only good legislators but also residents of the great State of Missouri.
On that same day, we opened the second year of the 100th General Assembly, and like much of what we do in this building, it is part of protocol and statute. By statute, we have to send notice to the Senate and the governor's office that the Legislature is in session and ready to do the people's business. One very special part of that opening day business is the reading of the Missouri Bill of Rights, and as in the past, clerk Marilyn Seaton had the honor of reading that to all in the Chamber. While a lot of state business was not done in the first week, the big difference from last year is our committees are already assigned, and the work in those committees has begun with many meeting in that first week. It is my hope we will begin the legislative process sooner than last year and get more accomplished.
As a reminder to you all, I serve on four committees. I am the chairman of the Veterans committee, the Transportation committee, Crime Prevention and Public Safety, and the Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment. The Task Force had our first organizational meeting last week, and I am pleased to tell you we have some very talented people serving on this task force including former Cole County Sheriff Greg White. There are six representatives, six senators and four members at large. We elected Rep. Nick Schroer as our chairman and Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer as our vice chair. We will be having meetings once a month, and these meetings are open to the public. While every meeting may not be open to public comment, you're always welcome to attend. The House Transportation Committee met this past week and heard testimony on four pending bills including Rep. Rocky Miller's HB 1935 dealing with boating safety identification cards, Rep. Becky Ruth's HB 1959 concerning third-party motor vehicle reports, Rep. Mike McGirl's HB 1418 over correction officer confidentiality, and finally Rep. Rudy Veit's port authority conveyance of state property. This was the first public hearing on the port authority, and from the response from the committee, I am hopeful we will move this across the finish line this session.
Finally, the governor's State of the State address was this past week. While not everyone in attendance stood with their approval of Gov. Mike Parson's remarks, I for one thought they were spot on and reflect many of my own beliefs and commitments. Leaving $100 million on the bottom line is just good policy in my opinion. I was raised to save for unexpected events in life. I have encouraged my children and grandchildren to pay yourself first out of every paycheck. Take 10 percent and put it in savings in case something happens that you need cash for, and you will not have to borrow your way out of that circumstance.
I was also impressed to hear of Missouri Department of Corrections ASPIRE MO program and how we are giving inmates the tools they need to return to society as productive citizens and not fall back into the bad choices they made that took them to prison in the first place. I have seen how effective this is with the veterans wings in a number of our correctional facilities and appreciate the thoughtfulness we are taking to rehabilitate these men and women to give them the skills they need to better our communities and strengthen our workforce. I also appreciate the man Mike Parson truly is and the credit he gives to his wife, Teresa. Every time - and I mean every time - I hear our governor speak, he always refers to the first lady and how important she is to him and the job he is doing as our governor. I would echo his remarks when it comes to my wife, Leigh. Through the 46-plus years we have been married, she has been the solid supporter I have needed to become the man I am today, and I certainly would not be sitting in this chair without her support and hard work. I can never thank her enough for her guidance and especially raising of our two children and grandmother to our five grandchildren.
Once again, thank you all for your support and allowing me to serve as your state representative. If you ever want to talk, please call my office or stop by. Remember to shop local and shop Missouri.
State Rep. Dave Griffith, R-Jefferson City, represents Missouri's 60th House District, and shares his perspective on statehouse issues twice a month.