Columns

Blaine's Bulletin: From Small Coins to Big Change, Every Vote Counts

| Posted in Columns

Reflecting on last week’s election, I want to start by addressing a common sentiment that I’m sure you’ve heard before: “My vote doesn’t count.” Imagine you have loose change in your pocket—pennies, nickels, maybe a dime or two. You have a choice: You could toss it aside or put it in a jar. At first, it doesn’t look like much, but over time, those small coins can add up to something…

Blaine’s Bulletin: Fall Favorites In The Third District

| Posted in Columns

Fall is in full swing here in the heartland, and as we move into the season of giving thanks, there’s no better time to celebrate family togetherness and community. Missouri’s Third District offers a wonderful array of activities, local traditions, and scenic beauty for everyone to enjoy as we gather with loved ones in preparation for the upcoming holidays. Missouri has a rich history of…

Blaine’s Bulletin: The Promise of NextGen MURR

| Posted in Columns

For so many of us, cancer isn’t just a word—it’s personal.  Whether it’s touched a friend, family member, or even ourselves, cancer has left its mark on our lives and our communities. It’s a fight that impacts not only our loved ones but also our entire nation. But here in the Third District, we are leading the charge in the fight against this devastating disease. With each…

Blaine’s Bulletin: Rebuilding Stronger

| Posted in Columns

Natural disasters leave a lasting mark on communities, and for Missouri, the Great Flood of 1993 changed the landscape of agriculture for years to come. As floodwaters overwhelmed the mighty Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, they swept across thousands of acres of fertile farmland, drowning crops and submerging equipment. From April to October, Missouri's farmers—many of whom had worked…

Blaine's Bulletin - Missouri’s Supply Chain Highway

| Posted in Columns

Imagine a local hardware store that’s been serving our community for generations. This family-owned business relies on a steady supply of tools, construction materials, and farming equipment that come through U.S. ports. This week, we were brought to the brink of a major supply chain disruption that would have catapulted our already fragile economy into chaos, Despite the Biden…

Blaine's Bulletin - Harvesting Missouri's Best

| Posted in Columns

Fall is a time of tradition, and like many of you, I look forward to the season—cooler weather, cheering on the Chiefs, and enjoying fall festivities with the grandkids. Our beautiful state is home to a wide array of thriving industries including aerospace, agriculture, transportation equipment, food processing, printing and publishing, financial services, and of course, beer. While these…

Blaine’s Bulletin – From Friendship to Fraud

| Posted in Columns

Recently, I spoke with a resident from right here in Missouri who had fallen victim to a scam that seemed like something out of a thriller but, unfortunately, is becoming all too common. She shared a story about “Anna,” someone she believed she knew everything about—a person who had carefully built a genuine connection over time. “I had zero doubt that Anna was who she said she was. I…

Blaine’s Bulletin – Border Security and Ballots

| Posted in Columns

Allowing illegal immigrants to vote in U.S. elections is akin to letting criminals create laws and hand out punishments. Just as lawbreakers would shape a legal system to serve their interests, those who enter the country illegally could influence policies that benefit their circumstances, undermining the integrity of the democratic process. The principle of law and citizenship in a…

Blaine’s Bulletin: Missouri's Fight Against the Opioid Epidemic

| Posted in Columns

Next week the halls of the Capitol will fill back up as we return from our district work period. While I can assure you, we have a long list of priorities to finish out for the year, we face a crucial moment in our fight against a devastating crisis that has taken root in our communities: the opioid epidemic. This issue is not a distant problem; it is right here, affecting our friends,…

Blaine’s Bulletin – Harvesting Tradition: The Power of Missouri's Family Farms

| Posted in Columns

Many of you may have had the chance to journey to the State Fairgrounds in Sedalia this August, joining fellow Missourians in celebrating the best of our state’s agricultural traditions. Whether you were there to marvel at the dairy cattle, sheep, and swine or simply to savor your favorite fair foods, the Missouri State Fair offers a unique glimpse into the heart of our agricultural…