HECKEMEYER, NAEGER IMPRESSED WITH FRESHMAN LEGISLATOR TOUR THROUGH STATE

Joe Heckemeyer and Patrick Naeger admit they were both impressed and a bit overwhelmed by what they saw the last three weeks during a statewide tour for new members of the Missouri General Assembly.

But both agree the trip was a learning experience that will help them be more effective representatives. It has only increased their enthusiasm to get started Jan. 4 when the new session convenes.

The purpose of the tour is designed to give new legislators a broad view of state institutions and services, as well as an orientation on what state agencies do and on House procedures.

Heckemeyer said the trip gave him an idea of where state funds go and what some of the needs are. One of the biggest jobs facing state lawmakers is approving an annual budget of nearly $13 billion.

"I felt satisfied with what I saw," said Heckemeyer, a Democrat from Sikeston representing the 160th District. "It gave us an opportunity to associate places with appropriations."

Naeger, a Republican from Perryville who will represent the 155th District, said he was overwhelmed a lot of times.

"It is fascinating, all the different institutions, departments and everything the state is affiliated with or owns," he said. "I was pretty amazed at the amount of money it takes to run some of these places and the commitment on the part of the people who run them."

The freshmen toured several state university campuses, some state agencies, correctional institutions, mental hospitals, parks and other state facilities.

Southeast Missouri stops were made at Southeast Missouri State University, Trail of Tears State Park, the Delta Agricultural Center in Portageville, the Sears Youth Center and Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, and the state prison in Potosi.

Naeger was surprised by the contrast between the two maximum security prisons, an old facility in Jefferson City and a new one in Potosi.

"My idea of incarceration is not lying in a cell that is climate controlled like the prison at Potosi," Naeger said.

Because they were trying to cover a lot of sites, the schedule was rigorous and most stops included programs that got right to the point.

"By and large most of the people at places we visited were not lobbying hard, but rather were proud to show us their places and tell us what they did," Heckemeyer said. "Basically, they knew it was time for show and tell, not begging."

Naeger added: "You could sense the pride everywhere you went and the desire for them to have your attention, and rightly so."

Both say one of the most important parts of the trip was having an opportunity to get to know the other freshmen legislators, and to meet other returning members at stops around the state.

"It was a unique opportunity to meet with all the others and a good opportunity to find out what is going on in other areas of the state," Heckemeyer said.

"The most important thing I got out of it was the time I got to spend with my colleagues and building those relationships and getting to know them on a personal basis," Naeger said.

He added that the trip left everyone with "a sense of responsibility" about what they were elected to do.

Both have received office assignments in Jefferson City and have hired their secretaries.

Heckemeyer will be on the fourth floor in a small office that has a view of the Missouri River.

Naeger was not so lucky. Freshmen Republicans drew for their choice of offices and he got last choice among his 17 colleagues. Naeger's office is on the first floor and in a suite without windows.

"The office is not what it's all about," Naeger said. "I have the same desk and the same space on the floor of the House as everyone else. What I have to do is take care of these people in Ste. Genevieve and Perry counties."