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Today was great.  I started the morning with Seniors, Families & Public Health committee hearings.  We went into executive session and my childcare subsidy bill was unanimously voted out of committee.  This bill has been introduced for the last 13 years and this is the first time it has ever gotten out of committee. 

Today was also the first day of debate on the floor (in both the house and senate).  We were debating a video franchise bill that would allow telephone companies to enter the video market and compete with cable companies.  There was some lively debate on the issue and it was ultimately tabled until tomorrow. 

At the close of debate I introduced an anti-escalation concurrent resolution calling on President Bush to NOT send 21,000 additional troops to Iraq.  It is similar to the non-binding resolution that has been debated in DC for the last few days.

The afternoon was spent meeting with some great constituents and domestic violence/sexual assault advocacy organizations. 

We ended the day with a fun Mardi Gras party hosted by cities and counties from throughout Northwest MO.  I also had a nice dinner with some great women lobbyists and legislators.  I got an earful of capitol history and gossip.

The biggest highlight of the day had to be the world's largest cockroach that appeared on the ceiling of my office this afternoon.  Going well above and beyond the call of duty, Charles removed the monster and saved us all from untold horrors.  If I haven't mentioned it lately -- I love this place!

I think I hit technology overload today. Here's the rundown:

2 laptops -- one for law firm; one for personal/political
2 desktops -- one for senate; one for home
2 handhelds -- blackberry for law firm/personal; black jack for senate (both are phones too)
digital camera & digital video camera (black jack has both options too)
7 e-mail addresses -- home, law firm, senate, 2 campaign, junk mail & new gmail account
6 phone numbers (don't ask)
1 high maintenance ipod (likes to crash a lot)
2 portable game machines
1 myspace site
1 blogger site
1 campaign site
1 senate site

SO -- I need to add one additional tech resolution for 2007 -- time to consolidate some of this nonsense. Thanks for your patience while I get everything sorted out.

While almost 30 days have passed since swearing in, we have been in session 15 days.  I'm getting anxious about when 'real' floor action might occur, but in checking have found that it takes longer than I expected for bills to wend their way through the hearing process before they come to the floor.

However, we have been staying busy in the office!  Since you're reading this – I know that you're already computer savvy (even you, Dad).  So this week my http://www.senate.mo.gov/07info/members/bios/bio10.htm"> bio went up on the official Senate site.  

And also, I've kept working on http://www.senate.mo.gov/07info/bts_web/sponsoredby.aspx?SessionType=R&legislatorid=230" sponsored legislation and http://www.senate.mo.gov/07info/bts_web/cosponsoredby.aspx?SessionType=R&legislatorid=230  co-sponsored legislation.  For those keeping score at home, that's 7 sponsored and 12 co-sponsored.

Some are what I've heard referred to as "good government" bills.  These may have no visible effect back home, but they help government do the right thing.  Others are the 'meat and potatoes' of my campaign.  Although I guess they should be called the 'pasta and vegetables' of my campaign.

Some of the highlights:

Equal Rights Amendment -- Yes, I realize there may be a timeliness issue, but I have enough legal research to say that it's worth a shot.  If nothing else, Missouri should say that women are equal, just so it's said loud and clear

MONA – prohibiting discrimination because of sexual orientation.  Duh;

Safe Women – allows women who are victims of abuse and/or stalking to register their address with the Secretary of State so that their actual home addresses remain hidden.

And later today I have my first meeting with the Governor.  Wish me luck!  

One of my bills was heard in committee for the first time tonight (in front of the Judiciary Committee).  SB 343 is a bill that would create one definition of "unknown father" for purposes of adoption, termination of parental rights and guardianships.  The current definitions are confusing and cause difficulty for family court practitioners.

The bill was researched and drafted by three great UMKC law students.  I was thrilled that the students were able to attend and testify at the hearing tonight.

I have requested consent status for the bill.  Consent status would increase the chances that the bill will actually pass.  To achieve consent status, the bill must have a small fiscal note (i.e., not cost much, if anything) and it must be non-controversial.  This bill is a simple definitional change and as such, should qualify for the consent calendar.  I will keep you posted as it progresses.

Tomorrow morning I have a hearing on my child care subsidy bill.  Senator Koster and I are co-sponsoring companion bills that would raise the eligibility level for child care subsidies in the state.  MO currently ranks 50^th in the nation (51st if you count DC) in child care subsidy eligibility.  This bill makes sense from a social/economic justice perspective and it also makes sense for the state's bottom line.  Increasing the subsidy will put more people in the workforce and actually spur economic growth in the state.  We can't afford NOT to pass this one. 

Many thanks to all the kind words of encouragement I have received since the "toe incident."  The sprained foot is basically healed – I can fit in regular shoes again.  It will be a while before the toe is back to normal.  I try to stay off of it as much as possible and since I'm required by law to wear sensible shoes, I should be back to somewhat normal in no time.

Bonus update – many of you know that Pierre the cat also broke his foot last week.  He is doing much better, although still sporting a nifty splint.  The color of his wrap changes regularly.  We started with blue, and then rotated through purple and green.  Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers – Pierre should be back to sitting on the dryer doing nothing in very short order.

Also – I have taken a beating in the past week for my choice of pet names.  In particular I am receiving heat for Laika (an alleged commie) and Pierre (French).  You'll be glad to know that after some advice from local reporters and a quick family meeting, I have changed their names to Walker and Texas Ranger.

Walker (formerly known as Laika)

Texas Ranger (formerly known as Pierre)

Another interesting day in Jefferson City.  In addition to two committee hearings (Financial/Gov't Orgs & Elections and Judiciary), I had visits from both Big and Little Tobacco.  Yeah, I wasn't aware (until recently) that there is a Little Tobacco, but it turns out there is.  These are the folks that (for the most part) make discount smokes and (for the most part) did not join the Master Settlement Agreement with the attorney general.

I am not going to bore you with the details of their issues – I'm just starting to comprehend the issues myself.  Needless to say, it was interesting to hear from both sides.

Both my committee hearings were firsts for me.  I've had two Rules/Ethics hearings to date, but these were the first two hearings for these two committees this session.

Not much to report from the first hearing (Fin/Gov't Orgs & Elections).  Notable primarily for the absence of most of the committee members.  Session starts at 4:00 on Monday afternoons.  This hearing was at 2:30.  I come in Sunday nights to get ready for the week, so 2:30 is not a tough one for me, but I suppose those who don't leave until Monday have some trouble making it here in time.  I hope the attendance improves as session progresses.

The judiciary hearings are notorious because this is the only committee that meets at night.  In addition to meeting after dark, Judiciary typically has the greatest number of bills assigned to it and it often hears some of the most controversial issues that face the senate.  Senator Bartle is the chair.

An interesting group of bills came before us tonight.  Child porn, alcohol vaporizers, adult entertainment billboards, legal aid funding, celebratory gun firing, drug sales in parks.  If things continue along this road, we might suggest renaming the committee "Sex, Drugs & Lawyers."  I'm taking nominations for new names.  

Democratic staffers enjoying a dinner break during the marathon filibuster.

Senator Smith helps the time pass with some pizza and conversation in the Senate Minority Caucus Leader's office.

My staff caught a picture of me talking to Warren Erdman after his confirmation was approved after 3:30 AM. 

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I need sleep but after tonight, it does not come quickly.  Senator Bartle was able to hold the floor for 17 hours in an attempt to block the appointment of Warren Erdman to the University of Missouri Board of Curators.  By all accounts, no one has filibustered for that long in over 20 years – maybe ever.

Those of you that know me may think my next statement absurd, but Senator Bartle's effort today was impressive and courageous.  I disagree 100% with his message, but I have a new found respect for the controversial senator.  He was wrong to filibuster this appointment, but I fully support his right to do so.  Senator Bartle spent 17 hours on his feet today – no food, few drinks and a couple of bathroom breaks (which he took after the 12^th hour of his filibuster).  I consider myself lucky to have participated in such an amazing event during my first two weeks in office.  My hope is that Senator Bartle and his party will have the same respect for my colleagues and me should we find ourselves with the tables turned later this session. 

At the close of session this morning (after 3:30 AM), my first stop was in Senator Bartle's office to thank him for his courage.  He stood up and expressed his beliefs in the face of pressure from every person in the senate, his party and his governor.  He kept all of us from sleep, from our families – but that is what makes the senate such an amazing place.  Each one of us has the power to stand and fight for our constituents and our beliefs.  Only in the senate can this take place.  The senate was designed to be a deliberative body.  One that moves slower.  Where fair and free discussion is encouraged.

I will provide a more detailed account at a later date but for now, I will leave you with the following information.  Warren Erdman was appointed to the University of Missouri Board of Curators.  As promised during my campaign, I did not compromise the values of the people of the 10^th District and I stood up to those who would chill the fair and free debate that is the safeguard of the state senate.  Democracy worked today.  I'm proud to be a part of it.

At 5:30 Senator Bartle passed the seven hour mark in his attempt to block Warren Erdman's appointment to the Missouri Board of Curators.  In addition to a mesmerizing reading of the names of every senator, representative and their staff members, Senator Bartle led the senate in a number of stretching routines to make sure that he is able to stay on his feet and to help wake all of us up so we can stay attentive to his stimulating discussion. 

Other highlights – pictures and commentary from the Bartle family Christmas; calories burned during two hours of snow skiing (1200 in case you were wondering); nutrition advice (mainly directed at Senator Koster); and so on and so on. 

I've heard rumors about a pool trying to predict when he'll cave.  Senator Bartle seems prepared to carry on indefinitely. Regardless, when Senator Bartle is done (either voluntarily or involuntarily) I will be here to move for the senate to give its advice and consent and approve the appointment of Mr. Erdman. 

Lana – I'll be home tomorrow (maybe).  If anyone in Jeff City is reading, I need someone to go walk my commie dog (see  http://kcbuzzblog.typepad.com/kcbuzzblog/2007/01/kc_senator_brea.html).