Perspective: After special session, fundraising awaits

Last Wednesday, we had a special session and a veto session at the Capitol. With regard to the special session, both chambers were able to stay focused on the tax issue that was the reason for the session without getting sidetracked with other things they may have on their agenda. This allowed for an efficient session that did not take too long and yet accomplished its goal of dealing with the tax issue.

On the veto session, Gov. Mike Parson gave clear and concise reasons for his vetoes, allowing all of us to easily understand what we needed to do if these bills were to be revisited next session.

While everyone worked efficiently during these sessions, I would credit the ease of these sessions to the prayers of Monsignor Kurwicki we were blessed with twice in a single day. I'm sure we have all had great experiences with the power of prayer, and the Legislature is no different.

With all of the legislators in town, we are really able to get a lot done. The Republican Caucus met to discuss our goals and issues. The Republican freshmen gathered to have discussions on the issues and get to know each other to enable us to better work together. The Government Oversight Committee met to address issues regarding virtual schools between various entities in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. I was able to attend meetings with other individuals dealing with the scope of chiropractic treatment, port authority, utilization review of doctors for insurance companies reviewing your doctor's recommendations for treatment, nursing home issues, national cemetery issues and other issues.

It is also the time of year to deal with one of the hardest issues most of the legislators must address: raising funds. Often, fundraising for members of Congress is thought of as a self-serving measure where members of Congress simply want more money so we can continue to get re-elected. While this may be true for some legislators, and while some of the funds we raise must be used to ensure we can keep our Republican majority in Congress, the fundraising we do is for so much more than that.

Don't get me wrong, it is vitally important to ensure every Republican member of Congress has a well-funded campaign. Without our majority in Congress and a Republican governor, we cannot effectively promote bills that help or solve the issues nearest and dearest to us. Campaigns are expensive. The research, media relations and other related things necessary to run an effective campaign are outside the financial reach of all but a few, and without effective campaigns, we lose our majority. However, the fundraising we do is for more than just our individual campaigns.

It is easy to raise money to work on the extreme issues that we constantly see in the media. Those issues generally have the support of people who have deep pockets and are willing to spend their millions to aid the advancement of those issues. It is also easy to raise money for other issues that might not be considered "extreme" issues, but that have hidden agendas for the special interest groups. What is difficult is finding funding to advance issues that are simply for the benefit of everyday, hardworking Missourians. Advancing a bill requires loads of research into the effects the bill might have on the community, research into how to effectively implement the bill and media relations to rally public support for it. Without wealthy individuals or special interest groups dumping piles of cash into passing a bill, it will rarely see the light of day. This is another reason why our fundraising is so important. We use many of the funds that we get to help advance causes that won't make anyone rich, but that will help the everyday, hard-working Missourian.

On a much brighter note, I had the great pleasure of attending Helias, Blair Oaks and Lincoln University football games, as well as several youth football games. I also intend to make a Jays game and Russellville game in the near future. Attending these games reminds me of what a great bunch of people I represent. So many of you show an interest in our schools and our children, which are the backbone of a strong, healthy community. This includes parents, grandparents, friends and all of those who show general support in the community for these activities. Of course, there are so many in my district who get involved in so many important things, and unfortunately, many will go unnoticed. But I think we can all agree the education and development of children is vital to a great community. These are not the only activities that we have great support for in our community, but they remind us of what a great community we have. I want to thank everyone for their support for all community activities.

Another great event I was able to attend was Cork, Fork and Brew, which filled Capitol Plaza Hotel with generous restaurants providing great food samples, and beer, wine and soft drink suppliers furnishing drinks. The place was packed for this great cause to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City.

I was also honored to be one of a group of legislators who was honored by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and given the 2019 Business Champion Award. It was given in appreciation of my commitment to advocating for pro-business policies during the 2019 session. It was an honor to receive this recognition because we were able to come together on important issues to the businesses in our state, and we all recognize the importance of both big and small business and the need to have a viable economy. Businesses need a viable workforce, and a viable workforce needs business. Supporting pro-business policies benefits all Missourians.

I had a great fishing trip in Alaska. I am now looking forward to all of the fall hunting activities, including a trip to Montana to study their elk population and compare it to our Missouri elk population. I hope to harvest a nice elk while in Montana, for study purposes of course.

State Rep. Rudy Veit, R-Jefferson City, represents the 59th District, and shares his perspective on statehouse issues twice a month.