As we begin the legislative session in Jefferson City, I want to thank you again for sending me to serve on behalf of the 82nd district. It is work that I care deeply about and I am committed to serving with passion and integrity. What will a successful 2010 session look like?
A successful session would result, first and foremost, in jobs for Missourians. Building and expanding businesses and getting people back to work will improve our economy and fund our needs throughout the state.
A successful session will help ensure affordable and comprehensive healthcare coverage for more Missourians, including children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
A successful session will continue to make education, early childhood through college, a priority.
A successful session will include meaningful and effective ethics reform in our state. Transparency and limits on campaign contributions are key components of reform.
With hope that we will achieve success, my colleagues and I descended upon Jefferson City this week to begin the legislative session on Wednesday. We witnessed the swearing in of our newest member, Representative Stacey Newman.
The Capitol looks beautiful in the snow, but it makes for difficult driving. Many Representatives and Senators travelled home immediately after Wednesday's session to avoid all that Wednesday evening would bring to bear weather-wise, so there was no substantive session on Thursday.
As are my colleagues, I am filing legislation for consideration that you will hear about as session moves forward.
As always, please keep in touch and if possible, come visit our magnificent capitol. Let us know you are coming, and we will help you arrange tours.
Healthy and happy New Year,
Jill
New Ranking Member Status
I was selected by the Minority Leader to begin service as the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee for Public Safety and Corrections. Helping take the lead to inform colleagues on this committee, the Budget Committee and in the General Assembly will help me delve further into appropriations as I continue to become educated and offer input into budgetary decisions that affect our safety.Freshmen Dems' Learning Sessions
It is a real honor and wonderful opportunity to serve as the Chair of the Freshman Democratic Caucus. Early this session, we will begin by discussing the following topics in order to make us better informed legislators:- DWI (Driving while intoxicated) enforcement
- Nursing Home Regulations/Private Services
- School Foundation Formula
- Biotechnology
- Healthcare Options for Missouri
- Roadways and Transportation
- Appropriations for Tax Credits
- Metro
- Farmland Property Classifications and Taxation
- CAFO (Controlled Animal Feeding Operation) legislation
A Message from MODOT: Record Cold + Blowing Snow = Cautious Driving
This information is provided directly from a MODOT press release.In conditions which are more favorable for polar bears than people, the Missouri Department of Transportation road crews will be pulling out all the equipment, people and materials needed to clear the roads.
The department says the cold temperatures make melting ice and snow much more difficult. At 30 degrees, one pound of salt will melt 46.3 pounds of ice, but at 0 degrees, the same pound of salt will melt just 3.7 pounds of ice. Combining the cold with blowing snow, means it could take longer to clear any snow-packed roadways.
"Our crews have had plenty of opportunities to plow snow in the last few weeks," said Don Hillis, MoDOT System Management Director. "This storm brings some new challenges because salt isn't as effective at these low temperatures. That's why we add other products, such as calcium chloride and beet juice to the salt to help it work better as the thermometer drops."
The department urges motorists to be extra cautious when driving on slick roadways, particularly when the temperatures dip below zero and being stranded on the roadside could be very dangerous. The ultra-cold temperatures predicted for Friday will also cause refreeze on anything that had melted previously making ice an even bigger problem.
Real-time road conditions are available at www.modot.org through the Traveler Information Map.
Travelers can also call MoDOT's toll-free number, 888-ASK-MODOT, to get road condition information.
Constituent Spotlight: Retired educator continues service to community
Meet Florence Terry Pullen!
Florence is both Vice-President and membership chair for the Missouri National Education Association-Retired (MNEA-R). She was recently appointed by Governor Jay Nixon to serve on the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.Florence's memberships in various community organizations truly set her apart. She is a board member for the Women's Society of Washington University. She serves on the Heritage House Board and Heritage House Foundation, which are both responsible for housing retired educators and non-educators. Florence is a member of the St. Louis, Senegal/St. Louis, Missouri Sister City Committee, promoting cultural, educational, and economic development. She serves on the Physical Improvement Committee for the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, helping homeless and abused women.
Florence earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Alcorn State University, and her Master's degree from Webster University. She went on to teach Elementary Education for 31 years at Commons Lane Elementary School in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. She retired 12 and one half years ago.
During her professional career, Florence was President of the Ferguson-Florissant National Teacher's Association, a member of the MNEA's Board of Directors, and also a Board Member for Jefferson Memorial Human Development Corporation which provided after-school tutoring and summer school for five area city schools.
When she is not attending one of her several organizational meetings, Florence enjoys traveling, both in the United States and abroad, reading and spending time with her family, including her son Robert (Jacque), her daughter Andrea and her grandchildren, Camille, Maya, Marissa and Mason.
Congratulations and thank you to Florence for her ongoing service to our community and our state!
GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK
By Casey Bruce, Legislative AssistantStay warm and GREEN this winter with these quick, easy, energy-saving tips!
1. Check your seals!
Bad sealing around windows and doors can let the hot air out and cold air in, causing a hike in your energy bills. Caulk and weather-strip are inexpensive and easy to install--and can save a bundle on utility bills.
2. Put winter clothes on your windows.
While sealing windows can help with energy bills, a lot of cold can still be felt through the glass. Putting on thicker curtains and drapes can help keep a lot of the cold air out, especially at night time. If it's a sunny day you can open them to let the warmth of the sun in and close them back up after dark.
3. Go easy on the thermostat.
Keeping your thermostat just 5 degrees lower in the winter can save up to 10% on utilities bill. Try keeping it at 69 or 70 degrees. If it gets cold, throw on a sweater or a blanket--or even a Snuggie!
4. Run your fan clockwise.
If you run your fan clockwise at a low speed, it will recirculate the warm air that collects at the ceiling. This is another way to save on energy and reuse the warm air from your heater.
Does you or someone you know need help with prescriptions?
It has been reported that in 2008, Pfizer Helpful Answers helped 21,000 Missourians receive 142,000 Pfizer prescriptions for free or at a savings. The value of this was approximately $17,500,000 (at wholesale cost).Pfizer Helpful Answers: This is Pfizer's family of patient assistance program for the uninsured and underinsured who need help getting Pfizer medicines. These programs provide Pfizer medicines for free or at a savings to patients who qualify. Some programs also offer reimbursement support services for people with insurance.
Pfizer Helpful Answers
If you are, or know of a person truly in need of help with affording medication, please contact The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA). This program is run by PhRMA and is a gateway to over 475 public and private patient assistance programs for a variety of prescription drugs.
PPA's website
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