MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

  Exit  

MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News

MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

  Exit  

MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News

Help  Close

A Senator's Last Days

Ten years ago, Missouri citizens approved a law prohibitng lawmakers from serving more than eight years in office.

Now with the close of the legislative session quickly approaching, 88 lawmakers will lose their jobs.

Republican Senator Morris Westfall will be among those 88 leaving state government.

Humbleness, a love of people, and straight forwardness--three things which have kept Morris Westfall grounded during his tenure at the capital.

The 63-year-old Senator from Halfway has been a fixture in state government since 1971.

Westfall's desire to become a public servant stems from a father who also served in the Missouri legislature.

His Republican roots have served him well.

Westfall holds several leadership roles in the Senate--including chair of the Republican Caucus and chair of the transportation committee.

As transportation chair, Westfall has left his mark.

He's sponsored bills to increase safety on the highway--including lowering the legal blood alcohol level to .08.

Westfall's drive to protect Missouri's highways comes from events in his personal life.

However, Westfall's transportation legacy may suffer a blow before leaving office.

The senator faces serious opposition from members of his own party about his plan to increase taxes to pay for public transit, road repairs, and construction.

However, the recent controversy won't sour the Republican's memories of his fellow lawmakers.

At the state capital, I'm Danielle Douglas.