A Moment with Mike -- Thanksgiving

      With Thanksgiving close at hand, we can all think of many things that we are thankful for.  One thing that most would agree on is the end of the elections and a very long campaign season.  The people have spoken and regardless of your feelings on the elections it is time to move forward and do the best we can as a nation, a state and as a community.  I am thankful for another opportunity to advocate for the people of Northwest Missouri and very thankful that I represent hardworking people with solid conservative Midwestern values and priorities.

      Missouri has proven to be a diverse state with both political parties claiming victory at the state and national level.  Missouri voted overwhelmingly for a Republican  President and for LT. Governor.  They elected  Democrats for Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Senator and Attorney General  while continuing to support a strong republican majority in the House and Senate.

      The Missouri House is now made up of 110 Republicans and 53 Democrats while the Senate has 24 Republicans and 10 Democrats.  This large number of Republicans in the House represents the largest Republican majority in the history of our state and the Republicans in both bodies have a veto-proof majority.  This would enable them to over-ride any vetoes by the Governor if they chose to do so.  This majority will encourage a more aggressive stance on a pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda and will hopefully bring all parties to the table for negotiations as we look at the many issues to be debated.  The Governor will be forced to work with the legislature and working together always produces better public policy.

      Both the House and Senate have already met to elect the leadership that will lead us into the 97^th General Assembly.  These committed individuals  represent different parts of the state and come from different walks of life.  This team and the whole legislative body must work well together as we advance an agenda that will improve the quality of life for Missouri families.

      Once again we have received positive news regarding our employment figures in Missouri.  The most recent numbers released this week show Missouri gained an additional 13,000 jobs in October.  That growth puts us at a total of 25,500 new jobs for the year.  The solid job growth has kept our state unemployment rate at 6.9 percent, which is a full point below the national average.  This is good news that we hope to build on in the coming year with legislative efforts that will encourage additional job growth.

      Also, the workers in Missouri that are making minimum wage will see an increase in their earnings next year.  The state’s minimum wage, which increases based on inflation figures, will rise above the federal minimum wage to $7.35.  Missouri will join 17 other states with a minimum wage higher than the federal standard.

      I wish you the very best as we approach this season of Thanksgiving and hope that you are able to enjoy family, friends and all of the blessings that God has given us.

          If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 401B State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.