Keeping prayer a right

Session starts each day with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance; I was honored to deliver the prayer before my colleagues in the chambers of the House of Representatives on Monday. The right to prayer was reaffirmed by the voters in Missouri last August by a statewide vote of 82.8 percent, and St. Francois County supported the constitutional amendment 88.3 percent. I cosponsored the bill that created the ballot measure. It was a proud moment to know our right to pray in a public place was overwhelmingly supported by the citizens of Missouri.

Although the temperature is still a bit chilly, the House will not be in session next week due to spring break. Time is marching quickly this session and many bills will not make it through the legislative process. In most cases, that is a good thing.

This report is filed at the end of each week during the legislative session. This report was filed at the close of business last week.