Despite the bad weather, Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones hit the road early Thursday to begin his three-day tour through southern Missouri to highlight his “4G Agenda” for the new legislative session, which begins next week.
Jones’ planned focus includes revisiting the tax cuts that dominated much of the 2013 session as well as his push to revamp public education, promote energy production and examine such issues as “right to work,’’ which bars unions and employers from requiring all workers to become members when a majority votes for union representation.
“The 4G Agenda is based on pro-growth, pro-jobs policies that will help our state thrive both now and in the years ahead,” said Jones, R-Eureka. “My goal is to build on the many successes of the 2013 session by advancing policy items that will help us create the opportunity for more good-paying family-supporting jobs, make a world-class education more readily available to all Missouri young people, and protect our rights and freedoms from an ever-encroaching federal government.”
Jones plans to make nine stops over three days – Thursday, Friday and Monday. His stops are all along or south of Interstate 44, which cuts a diagonal swath through Missouri. Jones, R-Eureka, said that this year’s itinerary simply reflects his aim in recent years of directing his annual pre-session tours to different areas of the state.
The tour will not stop in the St. Louis area. Thursday’s stops are scheduled for Lebanon, Marshfield and Springfield, Mo. Friday’s leg is in Bolivar and Joplin, while Jones will visit West Plains and Poplar Bluff on Monday.
Jones plans to chronicle his trip on Facebook and Twitter (@SpeakerTimJones).
