Our 5th Annual Capitol Christmas Choir performance will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Capitol Rotunda. 

During the month of November, I will be meeting with public safety officials and healthcare leaders across the 143rd District to discuss upcoming legislation and how we can best support their needs in Jefferson City. These conversations ensure the priorities of our first responders, hospitals, and EMS professionals are represented at the Capitol.

I am also finalizing legislation to pre-file on Dec. 1. Several bills will reflect requests from constituents across the 143rd District—focused on strengthening public safety, improving healthcare access, and increasing government accountability. Your feedback and ideas are always welcome.

Community & Legislative Updates

Resolving Brightspeed service challenges continues to be a priority for my office. We are actively assisting residents and coordinating with our federal partners when necessary, including referring certain matters to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for formal review and inquiry. If you are experiencing issues with Brightspeed, please contact my office. If you are having any issues with a state or federal department, please feel free to reach out to my office and we will be glad to assist.

In the coming weeks, I will also be scheduling mobile office hours across the 143rd District. These visits provide an opportunity to sit down in your community and discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding state government. I look forward to meeting with you and continuing to serve our district.

If your school, civic group, or family is planning a visit to the Missouri Capitol, please let my office know — we are happy to assist with scheduling tours and helping make your visit memorable.

Federal Government shutdown impacts on Missouri

Governor Mike Kehoe provided an update on how the ongoing federal government shutdown is affecting Missourians, particularly those who rely on federally funded programs administered through state agencies.

The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) announced that, because of the federal shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) has informed states that November 2025 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits cannot be issued until federal funding is restored. SNAP benefits are fully funded by the federal government and distributed directly to recipients via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. State governments do not have the authority to substitute state dollars for these benefits.

Governor Kehoe said state agencies are prepared to distribute benefits as soon as federal funding resumes. “Our Department of Social Services team stands ready to issue November funds as soon as possible once the federal government is reopened,” Kehoe said. “We continue to monitor the situation closely to support Missouri families who rely on these programs.”

DSS encourages Missourians who may be affected to:

Review their October benefit balances and plan accordingly where possible.

The shutdown’s impact extends beyond nutrition programs. State officials report that:

Approximately 56,000 federal employees in Missouri may face delayed paychecks during the shutdown.

Small Business Administration (SBA) loan distributions are temporarily halted, delaying more than $15 million in weekly assistance to small businesses across the state.

Economic analysts estimate Missouri’s Gross State Product could decline by around $232 million for each week the shutdown continues, potentially resulting in temporary job losses if it extends for a month or longer.

Governor Kehoe and his administration continue to coordinate with state and federal partners to assess and mitigate the effects of the federal shutdown on Missouri workers, families, and communities.

Explore available local food resources, such as community food banks and pantries.

The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is also monitoring potential effects on the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which provides nutritional assistance to approximately 98,000 Missourians. Like SNAP, WIC is funded through the USDA and depends on federal appropriations.