Power Profile: Mike Cierpiot, State Senator

The key to bridging the learning gap as a state lawmaker is to pay attention and ask questions, according to Sen. Mike Cierpiot (R-8, Lee’s Summit). Everyone has catching up to do because of the sheer number of topics the legislature covers. And it was no different for Cierpiot, who worked as a network engineer for 38 years before running for office. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and the Senate in 2017.

“It’s hard. You’re an expert in something but not so much in the other things…There is not a lot of connection between working for AT&T and Medicaid,” Cierpiot said. He overcomes that learning curve by paying attention and asking questions, which has served him well in his current role as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment. Cierpiot emphasizes the importance of advocates – from consumer groups to industry representatives – showing up to public hearings and providing input on bills, which can help educate legislators about the impact of proposed legislation.

“It is very easy to stop things in this process. It is much harder to pass something,” Cierpiot said.

The 2018 energy legislation, which enabled Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan, is a good example. It took multiple years and numerous revisions before SB 564 was approved. And so far, it is working out well, Cierpiot noted. There seems to be consensus around this legislation - consumer groups are happy, and so is the industry. 

Cierpiot’s committee held a public hearing in late February on legislation that would extend and expand SB 564.

“You bring the consumer groups in. You bring the utilities in. Our approach is to hear from them and sit at the table and see what you can work out,” Cierpiot said. “There are many ways to get things done.”

Overall, the process can be exasperating. But Cierpiot noted that if you read history books, it has always been maddening and it’s supposed to be that way. Senators need to be trustworthy with good character but also independent, according to Cierpiot. He added that the upper chamber is referred to as the deliberative body for a reason.

“We have philosophies we live by, that’s what makes us Republicans,” Cierpiot said. “But we have to look at things a little closer and make sure they would actually make good public policy.”

For him, it is more important to get the people’s business done than who gets the credit for it. He pointed to a quote by former President Harry Truman: "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."