Ron Richard: Reform is the name of the game for 2017

(From Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin)

The First Regular Session of the 99th Missouri General Assembly officially began at noon on Wednesday. The Honorable Patricia Breckenridge, Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court, was on hand to swear in 12 re-elected senators and five newly elected senators. Our new senators bring with them fresh perspectives and ideas on how to tackle the tough issues we face, and I am looking forward to working with each of them.

Sen. Ron Richard gives his opening address after being sworn in as president pro tem of the Missouri Senate on Wednesday, Jan. 4. He is joined by his wife, Patty, the lieutenant governor and the governor-elect. 

On a personal note, Wednesday was particularly significant for me, as I was sworn in for the second and final time as president pro tem of the Missouri Senate. I was honored to have my longtime friend, Judge Dan Scott of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, administer the oath of office, while my wife, Patty, held the Bible.

I want to thank my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their continued support and for entrusting me to lead for another two years.

Reform is the name of the game for the 2017 session — labor reform, tort reform, regulatory reform and education reform. After eight years of being at odds with the governor, we have been given the gift of new life. With our new governor-elect, the Missouri Legislature now has the unique opportunity to transform the Show-Me State into a pro-worker, pro-transparency and pro-taxpayer environment.

In the coming weeks and months, we are going to work on creating jobs, more job training opportunities and a smaller, better government. We are going to push legislation to reform Missouri’s legal climate so that it is fair and structured to attract, rather than discourage, investment in our state. We are also going to cut harmful red tape and work to end government overreach.

If we can bring all of these issues together — issues that will promote and encourage economic growth — we will achieve the “Missouri Miracle.” We will bring investment back into our communities, and we will finally be able to make Missouri a pro-worker state, ripe with high-skilled manufacturing jobs.

We certainly have a lot to do, but I am confident that by the end of this session, we will have passed legislation that is going to fundamentally change the way Missouri does business. As always, it continues to be a privilege serving the residents of the 32nd Senate District. I will continue to keep you updated on legislative news as session progresses.

(Senate photo)