Joe Smith: MoDOT to close Jungermann Road across Route 94 Sept. 21

Jungermann Road to be closed @ Route 94 for up to 8 weeks beginning Sept 21. Local traffic will need to use Harvester Road and other local roads to cross Route 94/364 in this area. The traffic signal @ Route 94/Jungermann will not be in operation during this time.

Rupp: From Bill to Law: Legislation Recently Taking Effect

Since the conclusion of the 2010 legislative session, 74 House bills and 32 Senate bills were sent to the governor.  Of those measures, 68 House bills and 30 Senate bills received the governor's signature.  Many of these measures took effect Aug. 28, exactly 90 days after the constitutional last day of session.  I touched on several of these bills in my end-of-session report, found on my Missouri Senate website.

Perhaps one of the most important measures passed last session was meaningful autism insurance reform that provides coverage to thousands of Missouri families. House Bill 1311, which I handled in the Senate, requires coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including coverage for applied behavior analysis, for up to $40,000 annually, through the age of 18.  Even though the bill took effect Aug. 28, families can begin purchasing coverage on Jan. 1, 2011.

As a pro-life supporter in the General Assembly, I worked to help pass legislation that prohibits your tax dollars from funding abortions in Missouri through the federal health care bill.  Senate Bill 793 contains language that enacts new requirements for women seeking an abortion, such as having the opportunity to hear her baby's heartbeat and view an ultrasound.  The mother also will be told that the baby may feel pain during the procedure, be given an explanation of the financial responsibilities regarding the father of the child, and be informed of available counseling.

In order to help stop fraud, waste, and abuse in our state before it happens, my legislation, Senate Bill 757, was adopted into House Bill 1965, which also received the governor's signature.  The measure establishes a joint committee of House and Senate members to oversee the various grants and contracts awarded by federal stimulus funds.  The bill also requires the governor to submit a daily report of all amounts held from the state operating budget to the Missouri Accountability Portal, as well as out-of-state travel expenses for state employees or elected officials.

As a co-sponsor of the Health Care Freedom Act, which was included in House Bill 1764, voters were allowed to make their voice heard in this year's August primary elections and decided for themselves whether or not they want federal law to require them to purchase health insurance.  With an overwhelming 71 percent of the vote, Missourians made themselves loud and clear on this issue — citizens should be able to choose their own health care products and services.

To see a complete list of legislation delivered to the governor this year, visit the Missouri Senate website (www.senate.mo.gov), click on Session Information, and then on the Truly Agreed Bills link.

If you have any questions or comments about these measures or any other topic regarding state government, please visit my website, e-mail me, or call my office toll-free at (866) 271-2844.

Nodler: A Reminder of Unity this September 11

This Saturday marks the anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. This event in American history will always be engrained in the memory of all Americans. In a single day, the course of our history in the United States was forever changed. This September 11, as we all think back on the tragedy of that day nine years ago, we must focus on the challenges that we still face, and how we can overcome them as a country.

When jetliners crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the countryside of Pennsylvania, forever altering the lives of millions of Americans, it was the first assault on American territory since the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Americans were stunned, upset, but most importantly, unified. Businesses in major cities and rural towns proudly displayed Old Glory in their windows and messages of support were present on clothing, bumper stickers, and signs throughout the U.S. In the aftermath of the attack, American flags dotted the landscape of neighborhoods throughout the country as a sign of grief for those who were killed, support for those who were fighting our enemies abroad, and patriotism and pride in our great nation.

Nine years later, the tragedy of the 9/11 attacks remains on our minds, but as we revisit this event, we also can’t help but look at the present. As our brave service men and women continue to fight for freedom abroad and as we work at home to secure our borders, we must remember the unity we felt as a country and the support our heroes still need and deserve.

I have joined many of you in questioning the recent actions of our federal government and working to bring an end to overspending and over-regulation. Even as these concerns increase, we must remember that we are one nation under God, and that it is the dedicated work and efforts of American citizens that made our country great. Through tragedy, hardship, and challenge, we find unity and purpose.

Davis: Student-built House

The House that High School Students Built

This past week I attended Lewis and Clark Career Center's Open House where attendees could view projects' building materials such as the brick samples I'm showing. The students of the Lewis & Clark Career Center (LCCC) in St. Charles build one house every year and are completing an entire block of houses.


Here I am with Joshua Blattner, LCCC's Brick and Stone Instructor. Mr. Blattner is in charge of the brick and stone masonry course.


Parents and others were able to view the blueprints of a new two-story house to be constructed in February 2011.


Would you have guessed that this house was built by high school students? It was completed earlier this year. All the LCCC's homes are built under the supervision of great instructors and now here is another masterpiece.  I am in the driveway with Kathy Frederking, Director of the Lewis & Clark Career Center, with her daughter Lauren Marie and my daughter Susanna and son Philip.


On the inside of the Lewis & Clark-built home is Joshua Blattner, LCCC's Brick and Stone Instructor with his daughter Cassidy Rose.  His students laid the tile on the interior floors as well as the home's exterior.


Not all students can or want to attend college.  Some people enjoy and are quite good at working in skilled trades.  My husband learned how to be a printer in high school, and his skills provided a living for our family.  It is very important to me that during our budgetary refinements we not short-change the technical schools since they are providing wonderful opportunities for a broader spectrum of students; and we all benefit from fostering the talent-development of each unique person.


Lewis & Clark Career Center is operated by the St. Charles School District, but students from all over the county attend.  Because of its uniqueness, it serves as an amenity to the entire region. This is why it is critical that Missouri never cut career training out of the state budget, and why I applaud the school districts that  make career training a budgetary priority.

Your thoughts are important to me, so please let me know what you think about technical / vocational schools. You can send me your opinion by clicking here: Cynthia Davis

A Little Bit of Humor

Six Phases of a Construction Project:

1) Enthusiasm
2) Disillusionment
3) Panic
4) Search For The Guilty
5) Punishment Of The Innocent
6) Praise & Honors For The Non-Participants

Directory of Construction Terminology:

Contractor - A gambler that never gets to cut, shuffle or deal.
Bid Opening - A poker game where the losing hand wins.
Low Bidder - A contractor who is wondering why he's left out.
Engineer's Estimate - The cost of construction in heaven.