Roorda: State of the State, HOPE Program Kickoff, Upcoming Meetings in Arnold

Last night, Governor Nixon delivered his state of the state address to the people of Missouri. The speech was highlighted by the Governor's main goal: create jobs for Missourians. The Governor's plan focuses on expanding existing Missouri businesses, bringing new high-tech businesses to Missouri and training workers for high demand jobs. Additionally, the Governor pledged to invest in Missouri's future by proposing record funding to K-12 schools throughout Missouri and continuing the Career Ladder program which helps pay Missouri teachers for their excellent work. He also vowed to freeze tuition at Missouri's public colleges and universities while expanding eligibility for the A+ programming helping students get to college. The Governor also talked about fiscal discipline. By eliminating 13 state boards, and proposing the elimination of 18 more boards while reducing the government workforce by 1,800 the Governor plans to make Missouri government more cost effective and efficient. The Governor's quick and deceive action has helped to balance the budget without raising taxes. Finally, the Governor addressed the 14 point plan of Lt. Governor Kinder and Republican leadership which does not mention job creation or economic growth, and defends a system that puts no limits on campaign contributions. Under Governor Nixon's leadership the state of Missouri is looking forward to a better and brighter future.

Gov. Nixon, Treasurer Zweifel kick off program to jumpstart housing market, create construction jobs

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon and State Treasurer Clint Zweifel today joined skilled craftsmen in St. Louis and Kansas City to kick off the Home Ownership Purchase Enhancement (HOPE) Program, a $15 million initiative designed to jumpstart the state's housing-construction industry.

Under the HOPE program, the Missouri Housing Development Commission will provide incentives of up to $1,750 to encourage Missourians to purchase homes. The incentive will equal the cost of the homebuyer's first year's property taxes, up to $1,250.

In addition, Missourians also would be eligible for an enhanced incentive if they purchase an energy-efficient home, purchase and remodel an existing home, or purchase an item, such as an Energy Star appliance, to make the home more energy efficient. If the homebuyer's estimated property tax would be $1,250, the energy efficiency enhancement would be $500. If the homebuyer's property tax would be less than $1,250, the individual would be eligible for a larger energy-efficiency incentive, up to a total incentive of $1,750.

Application forms for the program were finalized today and now are available online by visiting www.MO.gov and clicking on the Homebuyer Incentive tab.

"Putting Missouri highly skilled tradesmen and women back to work is a vital step toward jumpstarting our economy," Gov. Nixon said. "Missouri is home to highly skilled, highly professional workers from all types of trades, but too many of these men and women are currently out of work. By sparking growth in our housing industry, we'll get these men and women back on the job and help more Missouri families realize the American dream."

"This property tax relief program gets MHDC off the sidelines by committing to put hardworking Missourians to work right now," said Treasurer Zweifel, chair of MHDC. "We are making sure MHDC makes strategic long-term investments that move the economy forward and create and retain Missouri jobs."

In August, Gov. Nixon formed the Home Building and Residential Energy Efficiency Advisory Panel by executive order to study how Missouri can both help increase home ownership and home building to improve the economy and increase homeowner access to energy-saving measures. The 19-member panel included representatives of the home building industry, banking institutions, real estate businesses, trade unions and community action agencies, along with experts in energy efficiency and "green" building.

The advisory panel analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the current new housing situation in Missouri, as well as the opportunities and threats being faced. The panel also examined the current home building market and the reasons to encourage energy efficiency home building in Missouri. Among the recommendations were proposals to use the MHDC to promote home ownership and incentivize energy efficiency.

Who is eligible? Income eligibility is based on previously adopted MHDC guidelines. Depending on the county of the home sale, household income limit guidelines for low to moderate income persons or families approved by MHDC last spring range from $58,300 to $98,560. These grants are for owner-occupied purchases only.

When would it start? Missourians are eligible for the HOPE incentive for purchase contracts made on or after Jan. 1, 2010. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis until the total pool of $15 million is exhausted.

Where is the funding for this program coming from? The funding comes from a reserve fund held by MHDC earned through successful management of mortgage loans made to low- and medium-income individuals and families. These reserve funds are not from general revenue, nor subject to the legislature's appropriation process.

How much of the property tax bill could be paid? Eligible homeowners could have up to $1,750 of their property tax bills paid. According to the State Tax Commission, the average residential real estate tax bill for a Missouri homeowner is $1,160. An income-qualified individual or family is eligible to receive $1,250 or the amount of their first year's real estate tax bill, whichever is highest, when they purchase a new or existing residential home. An income-qualified individual or family can enhance this base amount, up to $1,750, if they purchase an energy-efficient new home or make energy efficient improvements to an existing home that is purchased. These improvements must be made prior to closing or within 60 days of closing.

How do Missourians apply for these funds? Forms and affidavits will be part of documents executed at the home sale closing. Additional receipts and documentation will be required for proof of energy efficient improvements. The MHDC forms have been finalized and are now available online by visiting the state's Web site, www.MO.gov, and clicking on the homebuyer incentive tab.

What energy-efficiency upgrades are eligible for the additional incentive? Eligible improvements include installing high-performance windows, house wraps, programmable thermostat controls, water-efficient toilets and faucets, and energy-efficient water heaters, lighting and appliances; sealing heating and air conditioning ductwork; caulking; insulating water heater pipes; increasing the R-value of insulation in crawl spaces and attics; and conducting on-site energy efficiency inspections and tests, including a blower door test, which tests the overall energy efficiency of the house, and a duct blaster test, which tests how much the air ductwork leaks.

PSC to Hold Local Hearing In Arnold In Ameren UE Electric Rate Case

JEFFERSON CITY---The Missouri Public Service Commission will hold a local public hearing in Arnold on January 21, 2010, to receive customer comment in an electric rate case filed by Union Electric Company d/b/a AmerenUE. Customers who have had any service related problems may also bring those to the attention of the Commission during the local public hearing.

The January 21, 2010 local public hearing will be held at the Fox C-6 School District, Roy Wilde Conference Center, 849 Jeffco Boulevard. A question and answer session starts at 5:30 p.m. The local public hearing will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. or until all those who wish to testify have done so, whichever is sooner. This local public hearing will be held in a facility that meets the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any person who needs additional accommodations to participate in this hearing should call the Public Service Commission's hotline at 1-800-392-4211 (voice). Consumers unable to attend the local public hearing and wish to make written comments may contact the Office of the Public Counsel, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-2230, telephone (866) 922-2959, e-mail opcservice{at}ded{dot}mo{dot}gov or the Missouri Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102, telephone 1-800-392-4211, e-mail pscinfo{at}psc{dot}mo{dot}gov . Comments may also be registered in the case using the Commission's electronic filing system at https://www.efis.psc.mo.gov/mpsc/Comments.html.

On July 24, 2009, AmerenUE filed an electric rate case with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking to increase annual electric operating revenues by approximately $402 million. For the average residential customer the proposed increase would be approximately 18 percent or $14 a month. AmerenUE's filing also includes a request to continue its fuel adjustment clause. The filing also includes a request for an Environmental Cost Recovery Surcharge to collect the costs of mandated environmental upgrades on customers' bills through another separately-identified surcharge outside a general rate case. AmerenUE provides electric service to approximately 1.2 million customers in Missouri.

Gov. Nixon announces plans to eliminate 31 boards and commissions, 473 appointed positions.

Governor's proposal would streamline government, make services more efficient and effective

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon today announced plans to eliminate 31 state government boards and commissions, which would eliminate 473 appointed positions. The Governor's announcement followed recommendations by Commissioner of Administration Kelvin Simmons, whose department reviewed boards and commissions across state government to root out waste, inefficiency and redundancy and save taxpayers money.

This morning, Gov. Nixon signed executive orders eliminating 13 boards and 227 positions. The Governor will ask the legislature to eliminate 18 additional boards and 246 positions that were created by statute.

"Missouri government must continue to tighten its belt, just as families all across the Show-Me State are doing," Gov. Nixon said. "Eliminating ineffective or redundant state boards will give Missourians a government that's more efficient, accountable and responsive. Many state boards do excellent work and will continue to do so, but we must continue to root out waste, inefficiency and redundancy wherever they exist in government."

To eliminate redundancy and increase efficiency, some of the duties of these eliminated boards will be transferred to existing boards. For instance, under the Governor's plan, the Board of Private Investigator Examiners and the Board of Licensed Private Fire Investigator Examiners will be merged into a single board.

The legislation will be sponsored by Sen. Delbert Scott (R-Lowry City) in the Senate. The bill will be sponsored by Rep. Steve Hobbs (R-Mexico) and co-sponsored by Rep. J.C. Kuessner (D-Eminence) in the Missouri House.

"Streamlining state government and making it more efficient is always important, but especially during these challenging budget times," said Sen. Delbert Scott, who plans to sponsor the legislation in the Missouri Senate. "I look forward to working with Governor Nixon and my colleagues in the General Assembly on this important issue."

"Missouri taxpayers expect and deserve their state government to work effectively, but also efficiently," said Rep. Steve Hobbs. "Eliminating and consolidating state boards will help us do just that."

"When it comes to state boards and commissions, sometimes less is more," said Rep. J.C. Kuessner. "We should continually look for ways to focus on boards and commissions that are working well and get rid of those that are no longer effective."

Some boards have been dormant for some time or have never met. For example, the Thomas Hart Benton Homestead Memorial Commission has not met since 1991.

The full list of boards and positions eliminated can be found at http://governor.mo.gov/pdf/eliminated_boards.pdf

City of Arnold Economic Summit

Mayor Ron Counts is assembling an Economic Summit to be held at Fox C-6 Service Center on February 18, 2010 at 6:00pm. Its function is to assist city and business leaders in identifying ecomonic needs and goals to assure properity for our community. A participant must have one or more of the following attributes: (A) Reside within the city limits of Arnold; (B) Be employed or own a business within the City of Arnold; (C) have a vested interest in the City of Arnold or its citizenry.