State Sen. Karla Eslinger (R-Wasola) represents one of the poorest districts in the Legislature. Her seven-county district is in south-central and southwest Missouri, and she says five of those counties are among Missouri’s ten poorest counties. Senator Eslinger joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” from the governor’s prayer breakfast in Jefferson City, telling listeners that education, workforce development and economic development are critical to battling poverty. Senator Eslinger also says sports wagering, initiative petition reform and education will be three top issues in the General Assembly this year. She’s a former superintendent in both Ava and West Plains:
Education, communication are top 2023 priorities for Missouri Senate Republicans
Missouri’s top Senate Republican says communication will be key for his party, during the 2023 legislative session.
Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) is expected to become Senate President Pro Tem in January. He tells 939 the Eagle’s “Gary Nolan show” that a center-right message will appeal to Missourians.
“We haven’t always done a good job, I think we’ve kind of taken for granted the fact that we are in those majorities and majorities of that size. We haven’t done a good enough job of explaining what we’re doing, why we’re doing it,” Rowden says.
Senator Rowden notes Republicans have lost ground in some suburban areas in Missouri.
Education, including critical race theory (CRT), will also be a top priority in 2023 for the Missouri Senate’s GOP supermajority.
“CRT issue which I think broadens itself to a parents’ bill of rights. More accountability and transparency for parents. And ultimately I think the end goal being to give those parents that have more transparency and accountability a chance to move their kid if they don’t like what they’re seeing,” says Rowden.
He says other priorities for his caucus will include initiative petition reform and foreign ownership of Missouri farmland.
The GOP will have supermajorities in both chambers in 2023 in Jefferson City. They’ll control the Senate 24-10 and the House 111-52.
(AUDIO): Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) previews Missouri’s 2023 legislative session on 939 the Eagle
While Republicans have had a 24-10 supermajority for the past several years in the Missouri Senate, infighting among GOP state senators has caused some gridlock and frustration in Jefferson City. Republicans will control the chamber 24-10 again in January, and Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) says eight new state senators mean fresh ideas and an interest in finding ways to get things done. Leader Rowden is expected to be Senate President Pro Tem in January. He tells 939 the Eagle’s “Gary Nolan show” that he’s interested in numerous issues, including CRT, a parents bill of rights, initiative petition reform and foreign ownership of Missouri farmland. State Sen.-Elect Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit) filled in for Gary this morning:
Missouri lawmakers to discuss initiative petition reform
A Missouri House committee will hear testimony Tuesday morning in Jefferson City, on initiative petition reform and on election security. The House Elections and Elected Officials Committee will begin the hearing at 10:30. The committee will be taking in-person and written testimony today. One of the issues that is expected to come up is initiative …
