Dealing with the legislature.
Many folks are surprised to find out that Greene County and the other Counties are directly controlled by the legislature. The counties are told what they can and can’t do, how to operate and what fees they can impose through the courts. The legislature also funds part of the Assessors office and part of the daily costs associated with housing the inmates in our County Jail.
Given that our County prospers or falters by the whims and finances of the legislature it would stand to reason the Presiding Commissioner of Greene County should have some skills in dealing with the legislature. The voters of Western Greene County generously granted me the opportunity to serve in the General Assembly for four full terms. I handled many difficult issues during my time as a House Member. I served as the Vice Chairman of DNR, Agriculture and Conservation appropriations. As a member of that Committee we restructured the priorities and directions of those departments. As Chairman of Retirement I stopped the co-mingling of the Teachers retirement systems with the other State retirement systems and redefined language that clarified investment practices for municipalities. And I drafted and passed the language that forced the city of Springfield to fix the Police and Firefighters pension system.
The ability I developed in the legislature will afford me the necessary skills to properly lobby the legislators on behalf of the needs of Greene County. Our current commissioners rely almost solely on the two hired lobbyist to convey concerns to the legislators even though the Commissioners are present in Jefferson City several times during the legislative session. The relationship between the legislators and the County Commissioners is key to the County’s needs being met. Regardless of the party affiliation an effective advocate has respect for the elected officals and has regular conversations with the State Representatives and Senators about the issues important to the County.
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This site paid for and maintained by the Committee to Elect Jim Viebrock
P.O. Box 176
Republic, MO. 65738
Renee Viebrock, Treasurer