08-03-2025
‘Donuts and Delegates' kicks off with discussions on AI and state funding
JOPLIN, Mo. — The Joplin Chamber of Commerce is launching a new legislative update series.
'You know, the ability now, for very little money to purchase an app or a program where you can create an image of someone that looks just like them, sounds just like them, saying whatever, and they didn't really say that,' said Mo. Rep. Ben Baker, (R).
Artificial intelligence and the challenges it represents are top of mind for Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker.
He's helping to kick off a new legislative update series in Joplin called 'Donuts and Delegates.'
'I think we're already behind, but if we don't keep up with it legislatively, it's going to be there's going to be a lot of repercussions of that, I think, in a negative way. So I think it's something that we're going to have to really be on top of as a legislature,' said Baker.
Baker and state Representative Lane Roberts spoke about everything from government efficiency and taxing broadband grants to changes in state spending vs federal funding.
'There's so much happening at the federal level right now, and the consequences as such, might be good or bad. We just don't know yet. It'll probably be next year before we start to feel the impacts of those budget decisions,' said Mo. Rep. Lane Roberts, (R).
He adds that they are trying to ease some of the unique workplace challenges that have developed in just the last few years.
'Life has changed in our country, particularly since COVID and the ability of people to work, the access to child care that facilitates their ability to work has been impacted by all that. So I think we're interested in doing things to make sure that we get as many barriers out of the way as we can,' said Roberts.
The Donuts and Delegates series replaces the single Eggs and Issues event the Joplin Chamber has hosted in the past.
They will hold three more sessions featuring other lawmakers in the next few weeks.
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