It is time to change Missouri.

To that end, today I'm traveling throughout the state to announce a positive ethics reform proposal that I believe could go a long way toward restoring public confidence and trust in how we do your business in your state government in Jefferson City.

This commonsense measure will make it against the law for a public official holding an elected office to simultaneously serve as a campaign consultant or fundraising consultant for other elected officials. Tony Messenger has more specifics on the proposal at his blog.

In my current position, where I’m honored to serve as your lieutenant governor, I’ve had the honor of advocating for veterans’ issues. I’ve had the honor of being the official advocate for Missouri’s seniors. Together, we're getting things done for Missourians.

And for four years prior to that, ending in 2005, I was the top elected official in the Missouri Senate.

Speaking as a public official, I believe any time any of us in public office start to turn down the road of co-mingling private interest with the public trust, we’ve taken the wrong step and we’ve taken a detour, and it’s time to turn away from that.

So I dare my friends, I dare my Republican and Democratic friends, to join me in backing this simple proposal and let’s pledge to get it enacted in next year’s legislative session.

Changing Missouri will not be easy and I'm going to need your help. However, I remain confident that together, we will deliver the positive change that Missourians deserve.