Area lawmakers get committee assignments

Local state representatives will serve on committees that oversee economic development, small business finance and small business matters, as well as higher education and veterans matters.

Hardy Billington

Committee assignments were announced today, before Gov. Mike Parson delivered his State of the State Address to the 100th Missouri General Assembly in Jefferson City, Mo.

Jeff Shawan

Rep. Jeff Shawan of the 153rd district that includes parts of Butler, Wayne, Carter and Ripley counties will serve on the Economic Development, Professional Registration and Licensing, and Higher Education committees.

Rep. Hardy Billington of the 152nd district that includes portions of Butler and Dunklin counties has been assigned to the Small Business, Financial Institutions and Veterans committees.

Three Rivers College and community colleges are still the best bargain for an economically disadvantaged region like Southeast Missouri, Shawan said, of his appointment to the Higher Education Committee.

“The health of higher education in Missouri, along with protecting the affordability of college will be much of my focus,” Shawan said. “Also, incentivizing curricula geared toward trades and technological work opportunity will be very important.“

The Economic Development Committee can help shape continued prosperity Missouri, while Professional Registration and Licensing has the ability to deal with over regulation and the soft corruption of commissions that seek to limit competition, he said.

“As a former small business owner, I have personally experienced how commissions can ‘chill’ a competitive business environment,” Shawan said.

On the Small Business Committee, Billington also expects to help with growth, development and operations of companies.

“Being a small businessman most of my life, I believe that being on this committee will allow me to do a lot for the small business people in my district and across the state,” he said.

He said he is also pleased to help on committees that oversee financial institutions and matters related to veterans affairs.

“As a veteran myself, I will do all I can to help our veterans across the state,” said Billington.

Billington holds the seat formerly held by Todd Richardson, who has since been appointed to head the Missouri Medicaid program, and was mentioned during Parson’s address.

“I agree that Todd will run the program with the highest integrity, ensuring accountability for all our tax dollars,” Billington said.

The governor has realized there is a rural health care crisis and is focused on finding a solution, Shawan said, of other comments during the governor’s address.

“If the ability to provide access to critical and emergent health care is not solved, then agriculture, the largest industry in Missouri is going to be negatively impacted and our rural way of life will be threatened,” he said, adding, “Leadership, real leadership, begins with a vision and Governor Parson came forth with a vision to make life in Missouri better.”

Both Shawan and Billington support efforts to improve rural broadband networks.

“Broadband is so important to communication and economic development,” said Billington, who also believes Three Rivers College could play a major role in the governor’s plans for a job training program.

The governor realizes Missouri is lagging behind in training and education for the digital world, Shawan said.

“Reform that not only educates our youth, but prepares them for careers that will give them high paying jobs,” he said.

Billington believes the governor’s plans for transportation are on the right track.

“His plan will free up $350 million in state and federal funds so we can start working on projects. It also adds a $50 million cost sharing program to assist local governments with their serious transportation needs,” Billington said. “The best part is it does not require a tax increase. I look forward to working with the governor to find even more creative ways to improve our infrastructure.”

Southeast Missouri can better feed the world and have a worldwide reach for its cotton, soybeans and rice with improved transportation and ports, Shawan said.

Billington also praised the assembly for giving a standing ovation to three police officers who were wounded in the line of duty.