Opinion

As Majority Whip, I and many of my fellow state representatives and members of leadership have been fighting to protect our children from receiving sterilizing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and sex change surgeries. Also, we are fighting to stop men from playing in women’s sports...

The April 4 election is fast approaching. In the coming weeks we’ll have more information on candidates for contested school board and city council races. We hope these articles will help you make an informed decision when the time comes to cast your ballot...

Over the last few decades Missouri has fallen behind. While states like Texas and Florida have seen major growth, we have actually lost one congressional seat. That is why I am excited about legislation like HB 816 and 660 that could actually reverse this decline. Currently, the rate of tax imposed on the highest bracket of income is 4.95%. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, this bill lowers the top rate to 4.5%...

Gov. Mike Parson recently signed an executive order to establish a master plan on aging. The plan is designed to help reduce age and disability discrimination, eliminate barriers to safe and healthy aging and help Missourians to age with dignity. The governor’s office noted there are currently more than 1.1 million Missouri citizens over the age of 60. Estimates suggest that older adults will outnumber minors for the first time by 2030 and older adults will greatly outnumber minors by 2060...

Last week the horrible news broke of a young lady cut down in the prime of her life in downtown St. Louis. A 16 year-old high school student from Tennessee lost both her legs after being struck by a reckless driver. She was in town for a volleyball tournament and instead of having warm memories of our state she will remember it as the place where her life was permanently changed. One of the worst things about the incident is that it could have been prevented...

The Missouri House approved HB 115 by a vote of 147-1. Forty seven states currently allow some form of direct access to physical therapy. Studies show patients with direct access have fewer visits and less overall cost. The bill also states the physical therapist must refer to an approved health care provider any patient whose condition is beyond the physical therapist’s scope of practice, or any patient who does not demonstrate measurable or functional improvement after 10 visits or 30 days, whichever occurs first.. ...

Wreaths Across America is a national effort to remember fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve and continue to teach the value of freedom. It was inspired by a 12-year-old paper boy’s first trip to the nation’s capital and a visit to Arlington National Cemetery...

Gun rights have always been one of my top priorities, and I am proud of the victories I have helped achieve in the legislature. For instance, I have sponsored or co-sponsored several pro-gun bills, and we are now blessed to live in a state that leads the country in protecting our constitutional freedoms. Nevertheless, there is always the need to guard against those who seek to disarm us, and this legislative session is no different...

Governor Mike Parson recently signed an executive order to establish a master plan on aging. The plan is designed to help reduce age and disability discrimination, eliminate barriers to safe and healthy aging, and help Missourians to age with dignity...

Both new and returning lawmakers made their way to Jefferson City this week to begin their service in the Missouri House of Representatives. On Wednesday, Jan. 4, the 163 members of the House gathered in the House Chamber to take the oath of office and officially begin the 102nd General Assembly...

The Bread Shed is a local organization that touches the lives and hearts of many here in our area. The organization is best known for providing food boxes and weekly meals to those in need, but the volunteers do so much more. Several times a year, the Bread Shed gives away refurbished bicycles to area youth...

Like any position in life, the journey of a legislator is often defined by the passage of time. After being elected in 2018, I was a “freshman” in the state legislature. Starting out, I was learning everything, from where to file a bill, how to cast my vote, and proper conduct in debate. ...

Last week, I was humbled and privileged to be sworn in for my third term as your state representative. I appreciate the trust that has been placed in me and I look forward to continue working for you and our communities. This year, I have the additional honor of serving as the House Majority Whip. In this role, my team and I will keep track of the votes of our GOP members. I will also be a member of leadership, which will increase my influence over legislation...

Monday is observed as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Several events will take place in the coming days to celebrate the civil rights leader. Poplar Bluff will be home to the 37th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Program on Monday at Wheatley School, starting at 11 a.m. Keynote speaker Michelle Webb, president of the Butler County NAACP, will speak on King’s dream and how that dream can be a reality for future generations...

The new year is often a time of celebration as one year ends and another begins. However, many New Year’s celebrations have ended in tragedy because of alcohol-fueled vehicular crashes. Here at the Daily American Republic, we’ve had many articles in our paper this year about serious and fatal vehicle crashes. Sadly, some of those crashes were a result of a driver consuming alcohol before he or she got behind the wheel...