January 2025

The first session of the 109th Legislature kicked off on Wednesday, January 8th. The initial day of the long, 90-day session involved the election of the Speaker of the Legislature and Standing Committee Chairs. I had the honor of walking onto the floor of the Norris Chamber, to be sworn in as State Senator for Legislative District 1. On Friday, I learned that I will be serving on the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance and Judiciary Committees. Despite having been engaged with the legislative process for 40+ years, it is an immense responsibility to represent your interests on the “other side of the glass”.

On November 5, 2024, the American people cast their votes in a pivotal presidential election. A sitting vice president and a former president faced one another in a hotly contested race. Through the early hours of the morning of November 6, our votes were counted. And that morning, the voice of the American people was heard. Donald Trump was projected the winner of the 2024 presidential election.

Recently I was working with my son’s scout troop to help them achieve the personal fitness merit badge. This merit badge has many requirements including discussions about healthy habits, diet, and exercise. The scouts keep track of their exercise over a 12 week period and log everything they eat over a few days as well. One of the discussions covers the seven warning signs of cancer.

“2025 – Not 2024” I tell myself as I am writing a check – But my brain is so wired that I still write 2024!