(State Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, has released his weekly column on August 30. The opinions expressed in the column are those of Sen. Rupp and do not reflect the views of the Wentzville Patch. —Ed.) Many Missourians will enjoy a little extra time off work this Labor Day weekend, and much to our kids’ delight, numerous schools will be closed on Monday in observance of the holiday. Although we all anticipate a much-needed long weekend, few stop to think about the meaning behind Labor Day. It’s a day to relax and enjoy the company of one’s friends and family, but also a time to recognize the…

Saturday, July 14, was an important day for Missouri, as the deadline was reached for the governor to sign or veto legislation passed by the General Assembly during the 2012 legislative session. Many of these measures will take effect on Aug. 28 and become Missouri law. I believe the legislation passed by the Missouri Senate this year will make a positive difference in the lives of our families. Listed below are some of the bills that received a final stamp of approval. Sam Pratt’s Law Last February, Missourians came to the Capitol to advocate for improved safety in daycare centers throughout…

(State Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, has released his weekly column for the week of April 2. The opinions expressed in the column are those of Sen. Rupp and do not reflect the views of the Wentzville Patch. —Ed.)   As American citizens, we are guaranteed the right to the freedom of religion. Faith is at the core of many Missouri families, and parents train their children to have strong values in their religion of choice. I’m disappointed to say that many people encounter discrimination for their morals and ethics rooted in their faith, which is simply deplorable. To provide assurance to …

(State Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, publishes a weekly newsletter. The opinions expressed in the column are those of Sen. Rupp and do not reflect the views of the Wentzville Patch. —Ed.) Within a span of days, several bills have been signed into law that will help our state become a better place to call home. As a state senator and as a person who is proud to be a Missouri citizen, I’m glad to see beneficial laws take shape that will improve the lives of our families, schools, and businesses. A bill signed by the governor on June 7, HB 1042, presents Missouri students with more …

(State Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, publishes a weekly newsletter. The opinions expressed in the column are those of Sen. Rupp and do not reflect the views of the Wentzville Patch. —Ed.) 2012 Legislative Session Concludes As of 6 p.m. today, the 2012 legislative session is now complete, and several bills are on their way to the governor’s desk. I’m proud of the hard work that members of the Senate have accomplished this year. Allow me to share with you some important measures that, if signed by the governor, will become law in our state. Protecting Young Ones in Child Care Centers Ensuring …

(State Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, has released his column for the week of May 7. The opinions expressed in the column are those of Sen. Rupp and do not reflect the views of the Wentzville Patch. —Ed.) With only one full week remaining in the 2012 legislative session, the Senate is focused on giving its approval to quality bills. The Senate approved its version of a measure that would help fund veterans’ homes and honor their service to our country, among other priorities. Looking out for the well-being of our veterans is essential, and I’m proud to endorse measures that support our troops…

(State Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, has released his weekly column for the week of April 23. The opinions expressed in the column are those of Sen. Rupp and do not reflect the views of the Wentzville Patch. —Ed.) Even though the federal government has not passed a balanced budget in almost four years, lawmakers in Missouri pass a balanced budget every year.  This was a busy week at the State Capitol — early in the morning on Wednesday (4-25), the Senate gave its approval to 13 budget bills that will comprise Missouri’s projected $24 billion operating budget for FY 2013. This wasn’t an easy …

(State Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, has released his weekly column for the week of April 16. The opinions expressed in the column are those of Sen. Rupp and do not reflect the views of the Wentzville Patch. —Ed.) Last year, Missourians experienced an unprecedented storm season, one that remains clear in many of our memories. Aside from experiencing violent tornadoes, Missourians saw extreme flooding of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Caused by a substantial amount of rainfall and heavy amounts of snow, flooding displaced countless Missourians and affected businesses and farmland. To …

(State Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, has released his weekly column for the week of April 9. The opinions expressed in the column are those of Sen. Rupp and do not reflect the views of the Wentzville Patch. —Ed.) Last week, the Missouri Senate gave its final approval to one of my bills (SB 856) that would establish a new interim committee to investigate the structure and purpose of the Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance Company (MEM). The company was created by the Legislature in 1993 to promote economic competition in Missouri and lower workers’ compensation premiums for employers (many …

(State Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, has released his weekly column for the week of April 2. The opinions expressed in the column are those of Sen. Rupp and do not reflect the views of the Wentzville Patch. —Ed.)   Protecting the Quality of Fireworks Shows With only six full weeks left of the 2012 legislative session, it’s vital to move beneficial measures forward. In my role as a state senator, I feel a responsibility to endorse legislation that will protect Missourians’ liberties and ensure citizens have the opportunity to enjoy a prosperous and enriching life in our state. In our Senate …

Now that we’ve passed the mid-point of session, our focus is on passing valuable bills that would establish a climate that spurs economic development and creates jobs for countless Missourians. Unemployment is still an issue in our state, with more than 225,000 people without work. To have a rewarding job that allows one to provide for his or her family should be attainable for everyone, and I want Missourians to be excited to work and raise their families in our state. The Missouri Senate has passed numerous bills that address important economic priorities, including SB 572, which would have…

It is hard to believe that time has gone by so quickly. It seems like just yesterday that I created the New Markets Program in Missouri to help small businesses that could not get bank loans to expand and hire more Missouri workers. That program has been a huge success, which was highlighted by a recent report that shows more than $900 million of private investment dollars were invested in Missouri small businesses since the creation of the New Markets Program. In addition, more than 4,000 jobs have been created in our state due to this private venture capital equity. One of these investment …

As a lawmaker and father, protecting the lives of unborn children is imperative—I have always vowed to defend the sanctity of life. We have an obligation to defend the rights of all Missourians, even those who have yet to make their entrance into the world. Throughout the 2012 legislative session, I am sponsoring two bills that will emphasize these values and shed light on the importance of women and children’s health. One of my bills, SB 657, would ensure that no medical professional would be mandated to perform an abortion or other related procedures against his or her conscience. If a …

Committee work was in full swing this week as a wide range of 2012 Senate bills were considered. One very important piece of legislation heard in the Senate Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee, of which I am chair, would restore protections for co-employees from personal lawsuits for their role in honest accidents at work and return Workers’ Compensation as the exclusive remedy for workplace accidents. The measure (SB 572) is designed to allow employers to use their funds to hire more employees instead of paying for frivolous lawsuits. Currently, more than 250,000 Missourians are…

As the clock chimed at noon on Wednesday, the Second Regular Session of the 96th General Assembly was set in motion. The atmosphere in the chamber was optimistic and confident, as the first bills of 2012 were introduced in the Missouri Senate. My prayer is that lawmakers will be able to band together to pass beneficial legislation that will make Missouri an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. The Legislature has many goals for the 2012 legislative session. Some of those priorities include passing a balanced budget without increasing taxes on hardworking Missourians — Senate …

Let me begin by saying that I hope you and your family had a very joyous Christmas. It’s always a little sad when Christmas is over, but we can still look forward to New Year’s celebrations and starting 2012 with a fresh perspective and a positive attitude. For lawmakers, the beginning of a new year means that a new legislative session will commence. The Second Regular Session of the 96th General Assembly will begin at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. I’m anticipating a productive and dynamic session, and I look forward to supporting measures that will make Missourian even better place to …

Christmas Day, which is this Sunday, is one of the merriest days of the year. It’s a day for spending time with loved ones, watching classic Christmas films, such as “A Christmas Carol” and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” eating delicious food, and seeing the joy in your children’s eyes as they discover their filled stockings under the tree or resting by the fireplace. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, and as always, I’m looking forward to spending this joyous and holy day with my family. Aside from the holiday festivities, Christmas is a time to be appreciative for all that has been …

There is almost nothing more annoying than when you are about to sit down and enjoy a meal with your family and the telephone rings, alerting you to a robotic, soliciting phone call, asking for your time or business. My friends in the 2nd Senatorial District have voiced their concerns to me regarding their privacy, and I want to help ensure that Missourians won’t continue to be bothered by impersonal, automated “robo-calls.” To address this matter, I have prefiled SB 484, which would modify Missouri’s No-Call list and create “paid for by” requirements for political phone calls. My bill has …

December 1marked the date prefiled bills for the 2012 regular session received their numbers. I was happy to have the opportunity to prefile several pieces of legislation for the upcoming session, including SB 448. This measure would establish “Sam Pratt’s Law” and “Nathan’s Law,” and modify provisions relating to child care providers. I have addressed this important issue before, and I am determined to see this important bill enacted into law so Missouri families will have the peace of mind knowing their children are safe in daycare facilities. I became aware of numerous children’s safety …

Now that Thanksgiving is over, Missourians are in preparation mode for the December holidays. Along with shopping for gifts, preparing delicious meals, and putting up decorations, many will participate in the Medicare Part D open enrollment period, which ends next week on Wednesday, Dec. 7. I hope you will be sure to set some time aside to address this important health care matter. Medicare Part D is a helpful program that can assist citizens in paying for prescription drugs. The program is newer in Medicare, having been signed into law in 2003 as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug …