In this report I have addressed the budget, budget cuts and the legislation that is being heard during Special Legislative Session.
If you have any comments or concerns please don't hesitate to let me know.
COOLING SITES IN ST LOUIS
Cooling Sites offer the general public air-conditioned relief and cool water during the hottest part of the day. Sites will be activated if an Excessive Heat Advisory or Warning is issued by the National Weather Service. Heat Advisory issued - when the Heat Index (HI) is expected to reach 105 degrees F or air temperature reaches, at least 100 degrees F. Heat Warning issued - when HI is expected to reach, at least 110 degrees for 2 consecutive days with a minimum HI no lower than 75 degrees at night or if Heat Advisory is expected to last 4 or more days
| 63107 Divoll Library 4234 N Grand Ave 314-534-0313 Mon & Sat 9-6pm, Fri Noon-7pm, | 63107 Little Sisters of the Poor 3225 N Florissant 314-421-6022 Mon-Fri 8-2pm | 63108 Schlafly Library Branch 225 N Euclid Ave 314-367-4120 Mon-thurs 9-9pm, Fri-Sat 9-6pm | 63109 Buder Library 4401 Hampton Ave 314-352-2900 Mon-thurs 9-9pm, Fri-Sat 9-6pm, Sun 1-5pm |
| 63110 Kingshighway Library 2260 S Vandeventer Ave 314-771-5450 Mon & Sat 9-6, T-Thurs Noon-7pm and Fri 11-6pm | 63111 Carondelet Library 6800 Michigan Ave 314-752-9224 Mon&Sat 9-6, T-Thurs Noon-7pm and Fri 11-6pm | 63111 Carondelet Senior Center 6518 Michigan Ave 314-664-1008 Mon-Fri 8:30-2:30pm | 63111 Grace Hill PATCH Center 7925 Minnesota Ave 314-584-6964 Mon-Fri 8-4pm |
| 63111 Human Development Corp 6827 S Broadway 314-631-0019 Mon-Fri 8:30-5pm | 63113 Cabanne Library 1106 Union Blvd 314-367-0717 Mon & Sat 9-6, T-Thurs Noon-7pm and Fri 11-6pm | 63113 Northside CommunityCenter 4120 Maffitt 314-531-4161 Mon-Fri 8-5pm | 63113 Union Sarah Senior Center 1408 N Kingshighway 314-367-3153 Mon-Fri 9-3pm |
| 63115 Julia Davis Library 4415 Natural BridgeAve 314-383-3021 Mon-Thurs 9-9pm, Fri -Sat: 9-6pm, Sun 1-5pm | 63115 Prince Hall 4411 N Newstead 314-877-2182 Mon-Fri 6am-10pm | 63115 Wesley House Senior Center 4507 Lee 314-385-1000 Mon-Fri 9-6pm | 63116 Bevo Senior Center 4705 Ridgewood Ave 314-352-0141 Mon-Fri - 9-4:30pm |
| 63116 Grand Oak Hill Senior Center 4168 Juanita 314-865-5530 Mon-Fri 8-5pm | 63118 Carpenter Library 3309 S Grand Blvd 314-772-6586 Mon-Fri 9-9pm, Sat 9-6pm | 63118 Five Star Senior Center 2832 Arsenal 314-664-1008 Mon-Fri 8-5pm | 63118 Salvation Army Temple Corps 2740 Arsenal St 314-771-3460 Mon-Fri 8-4pm |
| 63119 Shrewsbury Senior Center 7677 Watson St 314-968-8720 Mon-Fri 9-3pm | 63120 San Francisco Temple Multiplex 5341 Emerson 314-381-7819 Mon-Fri 6am-8pm | 63120 Walnut Park Library 5760 W Florissant 314-383-1210 Mon-Thurs 9-9pm, Fri -Sa: 9-6pm, Sun 1-5pm | 63122 Kirkwood Senior Center 385 S Taylor St 314-965-1002 Mon-Fri 9-3pm |
| 63123 Affton White Rodgers Community 9801 MacKenzie 314-544-5100 Mon-Thurs 8-10pm, Fri 8-5pm. Sat 8-4pm | 63125 South County Senior Center 9451 Gentry 314-631-8698 Mon-Fri 8-3:30/ | 63133 Human Development Corp 6356 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr Mon-Fri 8:30-5:00pm | 63136 Northside Senior Center at Northside Christian Church 9635 Lewis and Clark Blvd 314-867-5661 Mon-Fri 9-3pm |
| 63139 Machacek Library 6424 Scanlan Ave 314-781-2948 Mon&Wed Noon-9pm, Tues, Thurs-Sat 9-6pm | 63139 Marketplace Library 6548 Manchester Ave 314-647-0939 Tues-Thurs 11-7pm, Fri 11-6pm, Sat 9-6pm | 63139 St. Louis Senior Center 5602 Arsenal 314-645-3477 Mon-Fri 8:30-6:30pm | 63144 Brentwood Recreational Complex 2505 S Brentwood Blvd 314-963-8689 Mon-Fri 6-10pm |
| 63147 Baden Library 8448 Church Rd 314-388-2400 Mon&Sat 9-6, T-Thurs Noon-7pm and Fri 11-6pm | 63147 Father Tolton Center SeniorProgram 1018 Baden Ave 314-385-3445 Mon-Fri 9-5pm |
STATE RELEASES APRIL 2010 GENERAL REVENUE REPORT
State Budget Director Linda Luebbering announced today that 2010 fiscal year-to-date net general revenue collections declined 7.9 percent compared to fiscal year 2009, from $6.82 billion last year to $6.28 billion this year.
Net general revenue collections for May 2010 increased by 53.1 percent compared to those for May 2009, from $400.9 million to $613.8 million.
GROSS COLLECTIONS BY TAX TYPE
Individual income tax collections- Decreased 8.2 percent for the year, from $5.50 billion last year to $5.03 billion this year.
- Decreased 0.2 percent for the month.
- Decreased 4.4 percent for the year from $1.71 billion last year to $1.63 billion this year.
- Increased 18.2 percent for the month.
- Decreased 8.0 percent for the year, from $453.7 million last year to $417.3 million this year.
- Increased 2.8 percent for the month.
- Decreased 10.7 percent for the year, from $458.0 million last year to $409.1 million this year.
- Decreased 28.7 percent for the month.
- Decreased 5.7 percent for the year, from $1.28 billion last year to $1.21 billion this year.
- Decreased 86.3 percent for the month.
GOVERNOR NIXON CALLS FOR SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The Governor has called a special session during the week of June 28 in order to pass the Manufacturing Jobs Act, similar to House Bill 1675 from last session. This legislation [HB2] is primarily designed to save the 3700 jobs at the Ford plant in Claycomo, and the thousands of related jobs at auto suppliers throughout the state. As a cost offset for this legislation, the Governor is also considering including in the call a state employee retirement reform package similar to Senate Bill 714 from last session. These two pieces of legislation are summarized below.
Manufacturing Jobs Act ($15m cap/year for 10 years)
Under this bill, a qualified automobile manufacturer that creates or retains jobs may retain 100% of employee withholding taxes for ten years, up to $10 million/year for each company, if it meets the following criteria:- manufactures goods in Missouri
- derives more than ten percent of its total sales from goods produced at the facility which are ultimately exported outside the United States or derives more than twenty percent of its total sales from goods produced at the facility which are exported outside of Missouri
- manufactures a new product that has not been manufactured in Missouri by the company
- makes an additional capital investment of at least $100,000 per full-time employee retained at the facility for a new product line, and
- continues to manufacture such goods for a period of at least five years.
- derives more than 10% of its total annual revenues from sales to a qualified manufacturing facility
- adds five or more new jobs
- pays wages for new jobs that are equal to or exceed either the county wage or industry average wage for Missouri (but not less than 60% of the statewide average wage), and
- provides health insurance to employees and pays at least 50% of the insurance premiums.
State Employee Retirement Reform Package (MOSERS savings over ten years = $566m)
This package does NOT in any way impact teacher retirement, and specifically exempts PSRS, PEERS and LAGERS. It contains the following components:- New employees hired after January 1, 2011 will be eligible for retirement at age 67 with 10 years of service, or Rule of 90 (currently age 62 with 5 years of service or Rule of 80)
- New employees contribute 4% of pay on a pretax basis
- Establish a public Investment Board to manage assets of MOSERS and MPERS to provide investment management and advisory services, and MOSERS and MPERS Board of Directors remain in place to address business affairs, including benefit management.
GOVERNOR NIXON MAKES ADDITIONAL $301.4 MILLION IN BUDGET CUTS
Gov. Jay Nixon signed the $23 billion state operating budget for the 2011 fiscal year into law on June 17 but cut $301.4 million in general revenue spending approved by Missouri lawmakers when they passed the budget in late April. These cuts, which potentially could be restored if the state's financial outlook improves but realistically probably won't, are in addition to massive cuts Nixon and lawmakers had already made for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1.
One of the most significant cuts made by Nixon is a $70 million reduction in state reimbursements to local school districts for student transportation costs. Combined with reductions made by the General Assembly, the state will reimburse about 30 percent of schools' transportation costs for the 2010-2011 school year compared to more than 40 percent in 2009-2010. The governor, however, didn't touch legislative appropriations for basic state aid to local schools.
Another budget action of note included reducing funding for the need-based Access Missouri Scholarship Program by $50 million. However, the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority has pledged $30 million for need-based scholarships that will largely offset this cut. The governor also cut the much smaller merit-based Bright Flight Scholarship program by one-fourth, or $4.1 million.
The administration is also banking on $47 million in savings from the state's more than 60 tax credit programs. State Budget Director Linda Luebbering said the savings will come from enhanced scrutiny of requests for tax credits that should result in fewer being granted and lower-than-expected redemptions of credits already issued.
OTHER STATE HAPPENINGS
NIXON SEEKS FIVE-YEAR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Gov. Jay Nixon is seeking to develop a five-year strategic plan for improving Missouri's economy. The plan, which is expected to be prepared by the end of the year, will include targeting existing and future industries that are key to the state's economic growth.Nixon on May 21 appointed an executive board to lead the effort that consists of Missouri Department of Economic Development Director David Kerr, Ann Marie of United Missouri Bank in Springfield, Paul Combs of Baker Implement in Kennett, Bill Downey of Kansas City Power & Light and David Steward of World Wide Technology in St. Louis.
A larger steering committee that includes industry experts, researchers, labor representatives, economic development officials and business leaders from throughout the state will be named by early June to provide additional input on the strategic plan.
LIQUOR CONTROL DIVISION SURVIVES BUT SMALLER
Because legislation sought by Gov. Jay Nixon to eliminate the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and merge its regulatory operations into the state Department of Revenue failed to win final legislature approval, the agency will survive. However, thanks to significant budget cuts lawmakers did approve, the division's staff will be cut by more than half.The budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 reduces the alcohol division's appropriation by more than $1 million from the current year. As a result, the number of full-time employees at the agency will drop from 41 to 17.
Because of the staffing reduction, the agency will no longer be able to carry out much of its field enforcement work, such as spot checks to determine if bars and liquor retailers are serving minors. The responsibility for such enforcement will instead shift to local law enforcement.
REPORT SHOWS POLICE STOPPING BLACKS AT HIGHER RATE
Black motorists were 70 percent more likely to be stopped by Missouri police in 2009 than white drivers and twice as likely to be stopped as Hispanic drivers, according to the 10th annual analysis of statewide traffic-stop data released on June 1 by Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster. The statistics covered more than 1.7 million traffic stops made by 642 law enforcement agencies, which are required by state law to record the racial demographics of motorists from every traffic stop.The statewide data show a growing disparity in traffic stops since the first report was released in 2001. That report, which covered stops in 2000, showed that black drivers were 30 percent more likely to be pulled over than white drivers. "These findings continue a disturbing trend for African-American drivers in Missouri," Koster said a in a statement attached to the report.
The report also found that police searched Hispanics at a higher rate than blacks or whites, who were searched at the lowest rate. However, of those three groups, Hispanics were the least likely to be found with contraband following a search and whites the most likely.
GOVERNOR SIGNS OVERHAUL OF DWI STATUTES INTO LAW
Gov. Jay Nixon on June 2 signed into law legislation that seeks to make it harder for repeat drunken drivers to avoid enhanced punishment while also directing more offenders into alcohol treatment programs. The push to revise state DWI laws resulted from a St. Louis Post-Dispatch investigation last year that showed record keeping difficulties often allows repeat offenders to avoid being charged with felonies and local practice in some municipal courts enable offenders to avoid getting another DWI conviction on their records even those they aren't eligible for such deals.Under the overhaul legislation, HB 1695, offenders with at least two prior DWI convictions must be tried in state – not municipal – court. It also sets new standards for prosecutors and law enforcement to enter DWI offenses into a statewide database and requires municipal judges to undergo training regarding the proper disposition of cases.
In addition, the law authorizes local judicial circuits to set up special DWI courts to handle offenses in which the driver registers a blood alcohol content of at least .15 – nearly double Missouri's legal limit of .08 BAC. Participants would undergo intense supervision and alcohol treatment, but successful completion could allow them to regain limited driving privileges sooner than is normal.
STATE REVENUE SHOWING SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT
Missouri's financial situation continued to show signs of improvement in May, although revenue collections were still well below where they were a year ago. Through the first 11 months of the 2010 fiscal year, which ends June 30, year-to-date net general revenue collections were down 7.9 percent compared to the same period in FY 2009. That's good news, however, when one considers that through April collections were down 11.7 percent for the year, which was an improvement from March when year-to-date collections were down 13.3 percent from the previous year.May 2010 general revenue collections increased a whopping 53.1 percent compared to May 2009, from $400.9 million to $613.8 million. This was due in large part to an 86.3 percent decrease in tax refunds during May 10 compared to May 2009.
NIXON APPOINTS ST. LOUISIAN TO HIGHWAYS COMMISSION
Gov. Jay Nixon on June 1 appointed Republican Kenneth Suelthaus, a lawyer from St. Louis, to Missouri State Highways and Transportation Commission, the independent governing authority of the state Department of Transportation. Suelthaus can begin serving on the six-member commission immediately, but the Senate must ultimately approve his appointment once it reconvenes.Suelthaus earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of Michigan and a law degree from the University of Missouri. If confirmed by the Senate, Suelthaus would serve for a term that expires March 1, 2015. He replaces fellow Republican Duane Michie of Hayti, whose term expired in March 2009 but who continued to serve until his replacement was named.
LINN STATE TO RESCIND TUITION HIKE THAT VIOLATES DEAL
The Linn State Technical College Board of Regents plans to rescind a $3 per credit hour fee that it recently voted to impose for 2010-2011 academic year, The Associated Press reported on June 2. The hike violated a deal Linn State and other public colleges and universities made with Gov. Jay Nixon in which they agreed to hold tuition flat for the upcoming school year in exchange for limited cuts in state funding for higher education.A Linn State official told the AP the board thought it was in technical compliance with the deal by labeling its revenue-boosting move a "fee" until informed by the governor's office that any increase in tuition, no matter what they called it, violated the deal. The board is scheduled to revoke the increase at its June 25 meeting.
GOVERNOR SIGNS AUTISM INSURANCE BILL INTO LAW
Gov. Jay Nixon on June 10 signed into law long-sought legislation that will require state-regulated health insurance companies to offer policies that provide at least $40,000 a year in coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of children age 18 and younger with autism spectrum disorders. Insurance policies typically have excluded coverage for behavioral therapy for autistic children, which has proven effective but is financially out of reach for many Missouri families.A similar bill appeared on track for easy passage during the 2009 legislative session until blocked by House Speaker Ron Richard, R-Joplin. This year legislative leaders of both parties declared the legislation a top priority and the bill, HB 1311, passed with overwhelming majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The autism coverage mandate, however, isn't universal as it doesn't apply to insurance plans that are federally regulated, such as those of large businesses that self-insure their employees.
RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON STATE EMPLOYEE TRAVEL
Gov. Jay Nixon's administration is placing tight restrictions on out-of-state travel by state employees to reduce expenses, The Associated Press reported on June 8 citing an administration memo to state department directors. The new policy generally prohibits state workers from traveling out of state, though there are exceptions for transporting prisoners, emergency responses and travel that is legally required, privately paid for or essential to conduct an audit or collect taxes or fee due to the state.MOSERS EMPLOYEES COULD GET HUGE HIKES IN BASE PAY
Bowing to intense criticism after it was revealed that employees of the Missouri State Employees Retirement System received lucrative bonuses in 2008 despite the fact that the system lost $1.8 billion that year from its investments, MOSERS agreed to eliminate bonuses for all but the system's top managers starting later this year. But the MOSERS Board of Trustees this month will consider a proposal to offset the loss of bonuses by increasing their employees' base pay.Although MOSERS' investment staff received the bulk the bonuses, support staff, such as secretaries, also were given more modest bonuses. Under the proposed pay plan, the approximately 70 employees who are no longer eligible for bonuses would receive pay increases equal to 90 percent of what they used to get in bonuses. MOSERS oversees the pension system for most state employees.
RESPECTED CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY GROUP CLOSES DOORS
After 25 years, Citizens for Missouri's Children, a respected child advocacy group that produces the annual Kids Count report, has ceased operations. In June 4 letter to supporters, CMC Director Scott Gee cited a lack of sufficient funding as the reason for the group's demise.CMC was best known for its Kids Count report, which annually compiled comprehensive date on child poverty rates, health issues and other matters affecting Missouri children. Gee told the Missourinet that he hopes another group will take over the report.
UM SYSTEM OFFICIAL TO HEAD HIGHER ED DEPARTMENT
The Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education on June 10 appointed University of Missouri System Vice President David Russell as the state's interim commissioner of higher education. Russell, who has worked for the UM System for 19 years, will replace retiring Commissioner Robert Stein effective July 1 and hold the post indefinitely.The board likely chose a temporary replacement for Stein because the future existence of the Department of Higher Education is uncertain. Gov. Jay Nixon has proposed merging the higher education department and the much larger Department of Elementary and Secondary Education into a single agency. The Senate passed pair of proposed constitutional amendments to create a single Department of Education earlier this year but neither cleared the House of Representatives before the legislative session ended. Another effort to combine the departments is expected next year.
UM CURATORS SEEKING 30 PERCENT FUNDING HIKE
After enduring a decade of state funding cuts, the University of Missouri Board of Curators on June 11 voted to request a 30 percent increase in the UM System's state appropriation for the 2012 fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2012. System officials justified the request as necessary to give employees their first raise in three years and to pay for numerous other needs that have been neglected in recent years due to repeated cuts in state funding.It is highly unlikely that the General Assembly will be in a position to honor the curators' request, even if inclined to do so, since substantial additional cuts are expected throughout state government when lawmakers begin work on the FY 2012 budget next year. As a result, instead of a funding increase UM System schools and the state's other public colleges and universities will likely endure another round of cuts.
BANK OF AMERICA TO PAY FINE FOR NO-CALL VIOLATIONS
Bank of America has agreed to pay the state $195,000 to settle complaints that it violated Missouri's telemarketing solicitation laws by calling Missourians who have signed up for the state's No-Call List. In announcing the settlement on June 10, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said the company also agreed to establish a comprehensive do-not-call program to ensure future compliance with state and federal telemarketing laws.WARD MEETINGS
2nd Ward Meeting
4th Thursday of Month
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Charlotte's Banquet Hall
8707 Riverview Drive
3rd Ward Town Hall
4th Tuesday of month
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Clay Elementary School
3820 N. 14th Street
Northside Neighborhood Action Association
First Saturday of Month
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
1525 Orchid
21st Ward Meeting
4th Thursday of month
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wesley House
4507 Lee Avenue
27th Ward Meeting
3rd Saturday of month
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Greater Pentacostal
6080 W. Florissant
6th District Police Mtg.
4th Monday of month
7:00 pm. to 8:00 p.m.
Police Station
4014 N. Union
Urban League Meetings
3rd Monday of month
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
4330 Stratman Place
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