Newman: Good News Edition For A Change

Only 17 days are left in the 2011 legislative session so this update focuses on great things happening in the 73rd district and the Capitol. Often it is easy to get discouraged with various legislation the House is considering - some policies that I believe hurt people and our state instead of helping. But since this is a "Good News Edition", I'd like to share with you a few victories.

Yesterday, April 12th was National Equal Pay Day - symbolizing how far into 2011 women must work to earn what men earned in 2010. You can read my op-ed that was published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch here, in the Columbia Tribune here and a letter to the editor in the Columbia Missourian written by my University of Missouri intern, Jen Weisbrod.

And on the subject of good news, I was unexpectedly offered the chance yesterday to have my equal pay bill, HB349 heard in the House Workforce Development and Workplace Safety Committee before sesssion ends. This is monumental since equal pay legislation has not moved in several years in the state legislature. Times do change. I am indeed hopeful!

Stacey

PREMIERE OF "JOE'S PLACE" DOCUMENTARY IN MRH SCHOOL DISTRICT

I was thrilled to be one of the honorary community directors for the sold out world premiere on April 2nd at Maplewood Richmond Heights High School of "Joe's Place", a locally made documentary, to help support an unique local home for high school boys.

The documentary, created by Maplewood filmmaker Matt Sielback and narrated by actor David Oyelowo ("The Last King of Scotland"), tells the amazing story of a community, several homeless high school boys and a school district coming together to address the issue of youth who need a home. Joe's Place offers homeless teenage boys in MRH school district, via a unique non-profit, a caring home environment under the supervision of houseparents Dan and Alyssa Reeve, supporting them in graduating from high school and creating a positive future for themselves.

Seilback found a warm welcome from the residents of the house as he began work on his very first movie. “The boys have such a love for people and a respect for others,” said Seilback. “Given the hardness that they have already encountered in this world, it is a testament to the relationships they have developed together and with their house parents.”

Compassion for these boys has also touched hearts as far out as Hollywood. When Seilback searched for a narrator, he was quick to find David Oyelowo, best known for his role in “The Last King of Scotland.” Oyelowo, an active advocate for helping people in need, did not hesitate to volunteer his time and talent.

Additional honorary directors from the community included Richmond Heights Mayor Jim Beck; community resident Tish Corcoran; Nadir Djavaherian, GM of Auto Plaza Ford; Jim Fiala, owner of the restaurant Acero; Jerry Gibbs, owner of J&E's Office City; Jay Hardy, president of Jay B. Smith Funeral Home; Mike Haughey, COO of Sunnen; Patrick Jugo of Jugo Plus Architects; Mark Langston with Coldwell Banker Gundaker; Eric Roy, Schlafly brewer; Joe Sausele with Ameritime; and Keat Wilkins, CEO of Sense Corp.

I am actively working with my colleagues in Jefferson Cityfor additional screenings this summer throughout the state. The film has already caught the eye of the MIssouri Film Commission and will hopefully be entered in film festivals soon.

AND I can't say enough about MRH Superintendent Linda Henke who, without her vision and direction, homeless boys in our community would have simply become statistics.

Read more about Joe's Place and how you can make a difference too.

HOORAY - MY VERY FIRST BILL PASSES THE HOUSE!

UPDATE - SEAN'S LAW WAS INCLUDED IN AN OMNIBUS DISABILITY BILL [HB555] THAT PASSED TODAY IN THE HOUSE. I COULD GET USED TO PASSING BILLS.

At right: Sean Larochelle with his support dog, Cady

I was almost doing cartwheels on the house floor as my very first piece of legislation (EVER) was passed by the House last week. However, I was reminded quickly that house rules forbid gymnastics in the Capitol, particularly by legislators.

HB513 - Sean's Law - passed by a vote of 148-2 on Tuesday, April 5th as one of 57 "consent" bills (non-controversial bills with no state fiscal cost).

Sean's Law, named for my constituent Sean Larochelle, of Brentwood, adds mental disabilities - also referred to as "invisible" disabilities - to the current state statute. The bill also expands the definition of a service dog team to include a child and an adult handler.

Even though this legislation was designed to aide children who deal with non-verbal forms of autism, we found quickly during the hearing process that the bills affects many more Missourians. Adults suffering from numerous invisibile disabilities - such as post-traumatic stress syndrome, agoraphobia and major depression - including many veterans, benefit from updating the current statute.

The next step is getting Sean's Law through the State Senate and to the governor's desk for signing.

You can help by asking both Sen. Eric Schmitt (ESchmitt{at}senate{dot}mo{dot}gov)
and Sen. Jason Crowell (JCrowell{at}senate{dot}mo{dot}gov) for their help in passing
Sean's Law.

As you may have heard before, one small step for mankind...one giant step for helping constituents in the legislature!

UPDATE FROM ONE OF MY FAVORITE YOUNG ACTIVISTS

Earlier this year I told you about my young friend, Maddie Goldberg, a 4th grader at Reform Jewish Academy in St. Louis, who I am training to replace me in the state legislature once she grows up. Maddie just returned from her first trip to Washington D.C. to lobby Congress on epilepsy awareness and emailed me about her trip:

Dear Representative Newman,

I just got back from Washington D.C! It was a great trip and an amazing experience. The first day, we did the the National Epilepsy Walk. I also attended two days of advocacy training and had a group dinner. I met a lot of kids with interesting stories. One girl was having so many seizures, she decided to have brain surgery to stop her from having all of these seizures so they took out half of her brain which also paralyzed half of her body. It was the only option she had. She is the star volleyball player on her volleyball team so that proves that she can do everything a kid without her circumstances can do! If you want to know more about her, go to the OliviaDavisFoundation.com. On Capitol Hill day, I met with Senator Roy Blunt, Congresswoman JoAnn Emerson, and several more aids to support the RAISE act (Raising Awareness and Insight for Seizures and Epilepsy.) It will train first responders, teachers and nurses how to recognize and deal with a seizure.

I had a great trip and if you want to know more, you can email me!

Sincerely,
Maddie Goldberg