To the Citizens of the Missouri 25th Senatorial District,
During my two terms in the Senate, my mission was to represent the values of our district, protect our most vulnerable citizens and support legislation to sustain and attract jobs to southeast Missouri.
I enjoyed applying business principles and real-life experiences learned throughout my business career to the legislative process. My top priority was to always support our citizens and the robust communities of southeast Missouri.
I have been richly blessed with the many relationships developed with citizens in the 25th district, as well as with colleagues and staff at the capitol. It was always exciting to speak on the Senate floor about the important role our district plays in Missouri’s economic well-being and to promote the unique aspects of our culture and its history. It has been a privilege to showcase our great manufacturing industry and small businesses; schools and colleges; the tourism industry supported by our beautiful lakes, rivers and timberland; the bountiful agricultural contributions of our expansive row crop and cattle farms; and, our many other resources.
Each year, one of my biggest legislative challenges was attempting to secure much needed 21st century road and bridge funding for our cities, counties and state. Continued investment in our highway infrastructure is imperative to our families’ safety, jobs and economic development of our communities. Let’s not be “penny-wise and pound-foolish” in funding our highways. Missourians own our highway system; we must take care of it.
Get to know your new legislators and provide them with the same solid foundation that helped me in Jefferson City. Reach out to your local leaders, as well as your state and federal legislative elected officials, and offer to be a resource. There will always be more work to do, and we will always need hardworking Missourians to carry it out.
It has been an honor to serve you in the Missouri Senate. Though my time in state government has ended (due to term limits), I ask you to stay engaged in the legislative process. If you are passionate about an issue or have a story to share, I urge you to make the beautiful drive to Jefferson City and testify at a bill’s legislative hearing. You can make a difference.
Now, I look forward to serving southeast Missouri as a volunteer of the E.R.A.S.E. Foundation. The foundation works to stimulate and encourage future generations to be successful in their pursuit of happiness. The goal is to create partnerships with local, faith-based outreach centers throughout southeast Missouri, and more specifically, in rural and impoverished areas that have limited, or no access, to after-school programs.
I sincerely appreciate all of the love, support and guidance received from many folks. Most importantly, I want to thank my wife, Elaine, and my family, without whom I could not have done this work. Special thanks to the voters for making this incredible journey possible.
Lastly, I appreciate my staff and all they did throughout the past eight years to assist our district and help make my job a pleasure. They replied to countless emails, answered multiple phone calls, juggled appointments, traveled many miles, and responded to our constituents’ needs quickly and efficiently. I feel we made a great team and together helped the citizens who needed us the most.
Thank you, and best wishes for 2021 filled with good health and happiness.
Doug Libla – Former Senator, 25th District