This week, the Governor delivered the "State of the State" address. "Fighting everyday for every job" was the dominant message. It resonates strongly as we work to craft reasoned policy to encourage job creation and growth.
Meantime, to produce a constitutionally-required balanced budget, the Governor proposes cutting hundreds of additional state jobs.
On the positive side of the balance sheet, the Governor recommends increases to Parents as Teachers, and full funding to Early Childhood Special Education. He plans to keep funding at current levels for K-12, increasing access to Higher Education through scholarship expansion for middle and low income students, and adding to the Bright Flight program.
For our seniors, he has asked for a renewal for our Missouri Rx program. NORC continues to be funded in his budget.
You can hear the Governor's Vision for Missouri at www.Mo.Gov by clicking on 2011 State of the State.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Truly,
Jill Schupp
"Compete Missouri"
In an effort to spur job growth, the Governor has announced his new initiative, "Compete Missouri!" This program is designed to streamline and simplify job growth opportunities by consolidating six different business incentives and worker training programs. It will ease the burden on businesses of all sizes that may be eligible for one or more of the programs, including job training.
This Week in the House
House Bill 45: A Small Business Growth MockeryHB 45, the "Big Government Get Off My Back Act," as it is derisively named, was hurried through committee and brought to the house floor this week.
The bill is touted as one that will help with small business job creation. In brief, the reality is that the one time $520-$1200 tax credit incentive received will not encourage a company to hire a new full time permanent employee making $40-$50,000 per year. Rather, it will provide a credit to those companies who would be hiring new employees anyway...further diminishing the state's revenue.
The bill also states that no federal mandate can be implemented without state legislative authorization, a back door referendum against the Affordable Health Care Act.
I look forward to working with legislators and the Governor's office on legislation that will truly support small business growth in our community and our state.
Missouri Veterans History Project "behind the scenes" "Talent Search"
Next week end, the Missouri Veterans History Project will be meeting in Columbia to begin expansion of our program across the state.
We will begin signing up area volunteers to help interview and tape our Veterans' stories. Training will be provided...no experience is necessary. We will also need volunteer schedulers who can work from home.
Please let my office know that you are interested and willing to volunteer! Call Anne Marie at (314) 616-5009 or email Annemarie{dot}Rhoades{at}house{dot}mo{dot}gov.
Happy Birthday, MOM!
On January 18, my mom, Joan Seltzer, celebrated a very special birthday. Another birthday never gets in the way of her exercise classes, her painting and her volunteer work!
How fortunate we are to have had a party with her and the family all gathered around! I know she loved every minute of the week-long celebrations! So did we, Mom! Happy 29th-ish birthday!
A Look Inside The House
This photo, taken by House Photographer Tim Bommel, shows the members of the House of Representatives at the Swearing-In ceremony; many family members and special guests look on from the upper and lower House galleries.
Visiting Nurse Association Celebrates 100 Years!
Congratulations to the Visiting Nurse Association in honor of its 100 year tradition of caring for the people of the Greater St. Louis Area and beyond.
The VNA is St. Louis' only nonprofit community-based visiting nurse agency.
They work to promote and achieve wellness, and believe that people want to have optimal quality of life in their own homes.
They are located at 11440 Olive Blvd. in Creve Coeur.
Welcome Liz Augustine!
We are delighted to welcome Liz as one of our Interns during this legislative session
Green Tip of the Week
We generally provide you with a Green Tip of the Week, written and researched by one of our office Interns. This week's green tip is by Liz Augustine. Liz is a senior at the University of Missouri, where she is studying Political Science.
Electronics are great when we still use them...but not so great when they end up in the trash pile!
According to the Missouri DNR, e-waste has become a major environmental issue. The environmental protection agency estimated that in 2007, 80% of the 2.25 million TONS of electronics that were disposed of ended up in landfills. While all of those recyclable materials are going to waste, they could also be harming us. Many electronics contain dangerous toxins such as lead and mercury. Luckily, the Missouri DNR has compiled a list of registered e-waste recycling businesses which can be found here:
http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/electronics/recyclerlist.htm
More information about the e-waste topic can be found on the DNR's website at:
http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/electronics/recyclerlist.htm
Computer Crime Alert
A recent update from the Creve Coeur Police warms of a potential security vulnerability when making "secure" transactions online. "Tabnabbing" can occur when you have a secure connection open at the same time that you have a regular, "insecure" website open. Secure transactions may be exploited during this process.
If you are conducting a secure transaction, do not have additional windows or tabs open until you have concluded it.
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