Tishaura Jones: Response to Gaming Commission Actions, Local Control of Police, Census Reminder

We're at the end of another busy month and I think I see more grey hair!

I had my first bill hearing!!  HB 1826 would prohibit the Missouri Gaming Commission from setting a nationwide precedent by closing a casino purely for economic reasons.  If the Gaming Commission is allowed to proceed, this would send a bad message across the country that gaming licenses are subject to revocation for declining economic performance.  I'm hopeful that this legislation will pass out of committee next week. I'm also very thankful to House Speaker Ron Richard for co-sponsoring HB 1826 and for his support.  Stay tuned!!

In other news, a bill that I sponsored last year is making progress.  HB 1601, sponsored by Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, would return local control of the St. Louis Police Department.  The State of Missouri has controlled the police departments in St. Louis and Kansas City since 1861 due to circumstances surrounding the Civil War.  The war has long since been over and martial law is no longer a threat.  The department is currently governed by a State appointed board of police commissioners, one of whom was recently in the news for springing his 47-year old nephew from jail for an apparent DWI.  This is an example of corruption at its worst.  The current system is a perfect example of taxation without representation.

Lastly, I am excited to let you know that I filed for re-election to a second term this week.  The election is August 3rd and I appreciate your continued support.

Sincerely,

Tishaura

Get On Board! United States Census 2010

The US Census Bureau needs your assistance, as community leaders, to help us fill crucial positions in order to carry out a fair and accurate count in the 2010 Census. This will help in providing your community with its just share of federal resources. Please help recruit people to fill these jobs in your area. We urgently need local people to apply. Please pass on the information listed below by forwarding it to friends and family.

Crestwood
Watson Road
Crestwood, MO 63126
Phone: 314-800-0680
Census takers start at: $15.25/hour

St. Louis City
Goodfellow Boulevard
Saint Louis, MO 63120
Phone: 314-802-9410
Census takers start at: $17.00/hour

April 1st, 2010 is Census Day in America!  The Census is one of the most important federal operations of the decade.  The questionnaire consists of 10 questions and should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.  By participating, you are ensuring an accurate count of everyone in the United States which will help the federal government allocate $400 billion in funding to cities and states.  It is estimated that for every person not counted in the census, we lose approximately $1,300 per year.  So please take part as best you can!

What's going on with the Gaming Commission?

As submitted to the St. Louis American

A couple of weeks ago, the Missouri Gaming Commission accused Pinnacle Entertainment of behavior that was "injurious to the State of Missouri" and started the process to revoke its gaming license for the President Casino. In a letter to Pinnacle, Executive Director Gene McNary stated that the license was being revoked for "inadequate declining performance." Over the last several years, Pinnacle has submitted several plans to either repair the President's hull or replace the facility with an entirely new riverboat, but their efforts have been met with opposition at every turn. In fact, Pinnacle was instructed to apply for an entirely new license when they offered to replace the Admiral with a new boat located in New Orleans. Yet other gaming facilities within the State of Missouri have replaced their facilities and were not required to reapply for a new license. Why is Pinnacle subject to different standards under the law than other gaming license holders?

Of all the casinos in Missouri that are "injurious to the State" as Director McNary claims, why isn't the casino in Caruthersville up for discussion? In 2006, the Gaming Commission took over operations of Casino Aztar in an unprecedented move to save approximately 280 jobs until a buyer was located. If the Gaming Commission succeeds with revoking The President's license, 241 people stand to lose their jobs, seventy percent of which are African-American. In addition, the City of St. Louis could see a reduction in tax revenue of approximately $2.2 million per year, which equates to the salary and benefits of forty employees. Those layoffs would come from one of three places; police, fire, and or city employees. The same numbers of people are subject to job loss in the both situations, yet why isn't the Gaming Commission coming to the rescue in the City of St. Louis?

Here's a bit of history that may provide some context for my comments. In 2008, Missouri voters approved Proposition A which lifted the individual loss limits in exchange for a cap on the number of gaming licenses issued in Missouri at thirteen. Therefore, gaming licenses are a hot commodity in Missouri.

The Missouri Gaming Commission is a regulatory agency according to state law. It's ironic that the Commission is taking actions against the President at a time when North County Development has released plans to open a casino as a part of a 377-acre master plan development that is dangerously close to the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, as well as the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. What's stranger in this situation is that the Gaming Commission warned North County Development that the planned development site faces engineering issues due to its close proximity to a floodplain. So is the commission taking a proactive role and making an arbitrary and capricious decision on what bad economic performance is? Has the Commission published what good economic performance looks like? Does a regulatory body have the authority to decide who is and who isn't profitable? What's the real motivation of the Gaming Commission? Is it to 'free up' a license for North County Development?

State law clearly delineates the nine reasons that the Commission can revoke a license; all of which are related to fraud and abuse and economic performance is not one of them. If we performed a litmus test on all casinos based on economic performance, all of them would be vulnerable in this economy. Senator Robin Wright-Jones (D-5) and I have filed companion legislation in the House and Senate to prohibit this sort of whimsical activity. Our bills state that the Missouri Gaming Commission cannot revoke a license based on economic performance. If passed, this will halt the Commission's efforts to revoke the license from the President Casino, unless they have other tricks up their sleeves.

To state it simpler, whatever the Gaming Commission says it is…it ain't

Advocating Financial Stability

From the St. Louis Community Credit Union

"Approximately 88,000 homes in St. Louis lack any type of checking or savings account, leading to an estimated $91.7 million lost in consumer purchasing power.  A lack of access to mainstream banking in low-income areas may be a contributing factor.  Providing cost effective financial services and education to these low income households is the first step towards great financial stability which in turn will lead to economic development. Last January, the Greater St. Louis United Way coordinated a Martin Luther King Jr. Financial Education Blitz; it is the first of three such efforts.  Hopefully more companies will continue to get involved.  Freedom Loan is another service being offered by the St. Louis Community.  Members can get loans up to $500 with a 90-day repayment period and low interest rates.  It is an attempt to remove people from the payday lender cycle."

We're Not Out of Flu Season Yet!

"Although the case load is dwindling, parents are still urged to make sure their children get a second flu shot.  Children under the age of 14 have made up about 66% of flu patients in Missouri this year.  Those under 10 years old require two doses about 30 days apart for maximum efficacy.  The H1N1 vaccine is widely available and can be found free of charge at local health agencies."

Happy 2-1-1 Day!

Supported by the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH), 2-1-1 is a free service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the entire state of Missouri.  Trained representatives can provide information about any health or human services need.  For more information visit www.211missouri.org.

Understanding Epilepsy

Epilepsy is the third most common neurological disorder in the United States, affecting almost 3 million Americans.  Seizures occur when clusters of nerve cells in the brain signal abnormally, this may briefly alter a person's consciousness, movements, or actions.  Onset can occur at any age, in fact, many soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq with traumatic brain injuries are now suffering as well.  Other causes include infections that affect the brain, stokes, brain tumors, Alzheimer's disease, and genetic factors.  However, more than half the time, the cause is unknown.  Currently available medications and other treatments have helped many people live with epilepsy, but over a million victims continue to have seizures which often limit their academic achievements, employment opportunities, and other life experiences. For some helpful first aid tips you can visit talkaboutit.org.

The Epilepsy Foundation of the St. Louis Region (EFS) works to prevent, control, and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy and services.  Over 60,000 Missourians have been diagnosed with epilepsy; EFS is forming partnerships with programs in Kansas and Western Missouri in order to provide a unified voice and services for them and their families.  EFS is seeking support of several issues including Senate Bill 804 (establishes each February 14th as Epilepsy Awareness Day), Senate Bill 825 (prohibits the substitution of anti-epileptic drugs under certain circumstances), and healthcare reforms that would prohibit a pre-existing exclusion from insurance and ensure that people with epilepsy can access treatment options and medications.