The 2012 Legislative Session Comes to a
Close
Last week, the Second Regular
Session of the 96th General Assembly came to a close. When the session began in January, we knew it
would be a challenging year but we were committed to moving a legislative
agenda that would strengthen Missouri’s
economic future. Although the final week
of this legislative session was relatively slow, by the time the final gavel
fell, we were successful in sending some common sense measures to the
Governor’s desk.
The key to rebuilding our economy lays
in the hands of Missouri’s
private sector job creators. It is
vitally important that our state has a business environment that fosters
success and does not stand in the way of economic growth. In the final days, we were able to fix one of
the two major issues plaguing Missouri’s
workers compensation system. This
legislation, if signed by the Governor, will protect Missouri’s employees from the unfair
co-employee liability litigation that has been occurring across our state. This legislative fix will close the court
created loophole thereby providing Missouri’s
employees the same legal protections as employees in most other states.
Since I first entered public
service, I have consistently heard horror stories about the permitting problems within the Department of Natural
Resources. After years of fighting with
this bureaucrat heavy organization, we are starting to make progress. On the final day of session, I was successful
in passing legislation that would implement online permitting for many
businesses, increase stakeholder involvement in the general permitting process,
and increase transparency and communication in many of the more complex
permits. While we still have a long way
to go, this is a good first step in reducing the excessive regulatory obstacles
often created by this department.
Life during session includes daily
battles against special interest and a constant struggle to overcome the out of
touch state bureaucracies. Swapping
those out in exchange for more evenings at home with Steph and the kids and
days working in the private sector is a welcome change. I feel fortunate for the opportunity you have given
me to work on behalf of our communities and our state as a member of the
Missouri State Senate. Although I may be
back at home in the district, I will not stop fighting to make our state
government more reasonable, responsible, and accountable to the people it
serves.
As always, please feel free to
call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my
email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and
my mailing address is Room 422, State Capitol Building,
Jefferson City, MO 65101.
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