Engineers play an important role in society, and it's important that you make your voice heard in our community and by Missouri legislators. If we do not, another industry or group – perhaps with interests at odds with our own – is likely to fill the vacuum we leave. Missouri legislators are constantly voting on bills that affect our profession, such as licensure, infrastructure funding, environmental permitting, to name a few.
If we don't have a seat at the legislative table, people will forget about us. And when they forget about us, bad things happen. We need to promote the engineering profession to Missouri legislators, so that we can serve as a resource when public policy issues that affect engineering come up for a vote.
ACEC, APWA, ASCE and MSPE are partnering to conduct an "Engineer's Day at the Missouri Capitol". The purpose of this day is to educate legislators on the important and diverse roles that engineers play in our community, and to increase our presence and voice in the public policy process.
We are not asking you to "lobby" or engage in "advocacy" with a Missouri legislator. We are asking you to educate legislators on the importance of our profession and why we should be heard. And we are here to serve as a resource if they need advice deciding how to vote on a piece of legislation in the future.
However, if you want to speak to your legislators about a current piece of legislation, you are welcome to do so. We will provide you a handout to leave with them, as well as suggestions on how to conduct your meetings. We will also have staff in the building that day to help you if needed.
Agenda
9:00 a.m. - Registration in 3rd Floor Rotunda. We will then visit with a legislator.
10:00 a.m. - We will proceed as a group to the 4th floor Senate Gallery, where the Senate will be in session. After we are introduced to the Senate, you are free to do individual visits on your own. Do not be discouraged to try and meet with a Senate or House member while their chamber is in session. Often times their office staff will pull them off the floor or take you to the side gallery to meet with them.
12:00 p.m. - Lunch & Remarks from Representative Jonathan Patterson, Speaker of Missouri House of Representatives. Located at Capitol Plaza Hotel, 415 W. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. (There is no registration fee for attending the lunch.)
To participate in this event, we ask that you sign up in advance. There is no charge to attend. We also ask that you indicate any legislators you are wanting to meet with as we will try and coordinate schedules so that multiple participants can meet at the same time if you prefer. Don’t know who your legislator is? You can click here and enter your address. Don’t live in Missouri but still want to participate? Use the address of your Missouri based office.
We are also maintaining a FAQ, about the day located here. This page includes a list of individuals who are participating.