Roorda: Opposition to St. Louis Police Local Control, FY2011 Budget Facts, Appliance Rebate Program

Greetings!

My colleagues and I continued our work at the State Capitol this week, focusing on local control issues in the House.  As some of you may know,  I served for 17 years as a law enforcement officer.  Decisions concerning law enforcement are very important to me.  HB 1601 would have the St. Louis police chief report to a public safety director, appointed by the mayor. As it stands now, the police chief reports to a board, made up of the mayor and four citizens appointed by the governor.  I have serious concerns about the pension systems that could be affected if this bill would have passed.  I voted against this bill to protect the police officer's pensions from future decisions that could have a negative effect. The bill was defeated by the vote of 66-86. For more information or to read the St. Louis Police Officer Association March paper click here.

Many of you have also written to me about tax issues.  The "Mega Tax" bill - HJR 56, which proposes a constitutional amendment replacing the individual and corporate income tax and sales and use tax with a Mega sales tax on retail sales, was given a hearing by the House Ways and Means Committee on March 18, but has not been voted on.  The fact that this bill presently seems to be stalled in committee, is a victory for the citizens of Missouri.

The Missouri Senate is taking a closer look at the more than $650 million in tax credits our state hands out each year. These credits allow developers and businesses to retain some of their tax dollars to reinvest in their projects and facilities. For years we've hoped these credits would help create new jobs and stimulate our economy. Now, as we deal with the reality of a sluggish economy and a budget that is $500 million out of balance, it's only right that we take a closer look at these credits to determine their true value. I'm hopeful the House will follow the Senate's lead by carefully reviewing our existing tax credits.

FY 2011 Budget Facts

The House budget process has been one-sided.  Although cuts needed to be made, cutting alone will not put Missouri on a sound financial footing.
 
Over the last decade, the Republican-controlled General Assembly has steadily eroded the state's tax base by granting tax credits to the politically well connected. These tax giveaways now cost the state $600 million a year and the amount is growing.

House Democrats voted for some of these credits because they were supposed to create jobs and increase state revenue. But the promised jobs haven't materialized. It is time for the state to re-evaluate its 60-plus tax credit programs and eliminate those that aren't producing a positive rate of return for the state. House Republicans refuse to even have the debate.
 
Under the Missouri Constitution, the first item lawmakers must fund, after paying the state debt, is our public schools. In reality that is no longer the case. Because tax credits aren't part of the budget, they are taken off the top and are funded automatically - before the state pays the debt or funds public schools.
 
When he submitted his proposed budget to lawmakers in January, the governor recommended an $18 million increase for public schools for the 2010-2011 school year. The House Budget Committee chairman bumped that amount by $87 million to $105 million, despite knowing that amount wasn't sustainable.
 
House Democrats warned that it was unfair for House Republicans to make promises to local schools that they had no intention of keeping. Sure enough, House Republicans not only stripped out the $87 million added in committee but the $18 million increase suggested by the governor.
 
As the House worked its way through about $224 million in cuts - some good, some not - House Democrats made sure that lawmakers shared in the pain, much to the dismay of House Republicans, by offering an amendment to cut $500,000 from the House's administrative budget. With nearly all state services being scaled back - many significantly - it is only fair for the House to also make sacrifices. NOTE: When looking at the overall $23 billion state budget, a $500,000 cut may seem insignificant. However, one must keep in mind that the House administrative budget is $11.3 million, meaning the cut comes to about 4.4 percent.
 
House Republicans complain that House Democrats haven't cooperated in the budget process. However, their idea of cooperation is for Democrats to do whatever Republicans want.
 
House Democrats have offered numerous ideas for a balanced approach to creating long-term financial stability for Missouri and mitigate the need to eliminate or reduce vital state services. House Republicans have ignored those suggestions.

Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate Program begins April 19

Department announces new Web site and toll-free line

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MARCH 31, 2010 - Is that old water heater taking money out of your pocket? Is the air conditioning unit that strains and struggles to keep up during the summer heat taking all the dollars out of your vacation fund?

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has a solution: Swap out that old, energy-eating appliance for a new, energy-efficient appliance. Starting April 19, the state has $5.6 million for Missouri residents who want to reduce their energy bills.

Additional information about the Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate Program is now available online at MissouriApplianceRebate.com and through a toll-free consumer information line at 877-541-4848. The consumer information line will be available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m Monday through Friday.

The Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate Program will launch April 19. It is designed to maximize rebate eligibility and features a reservation system that will allow residents to reserve rebates in three different ways:

Through a participating local retailer or installation contractor at the point of purchase, beginning April 19.  Online via the program's Web site, beginning April 21.   Via the toll-free phone number, beginning April 21.

The program will roll out in two phases. Phase one begins April 19, when rebate reservations will be available only through local appliance retailers and installation contractors that have signed up to participate in the program. Participating retailers and installation contractors will be able to reserve rebates when qualified residents purchase a qualified appliance. Upon completion of the sales transaction, retailers and contractors will provide purchasers with a rebate application form that contains a unique reservation number. Missouri residents will be able to claim their rebate funds by mailing this form in along with their proof of purchase and recycling.

A limited amount of rebates will be set aside for the second phase of the program which starts April 21 and runs until all rebate funds have been exhausted. During phase two, residents will be able to reserve rebates online or via a toll-free phone number in addition to reserving through retailers and installation contractors. Residents will be able to reserve their rebate either before or after they purchase their qualifying appliance. They will be provided with a reservation form that contains a unique reservation number and will be able to claim their rebate by mailing this form in along with their proof of purchase and recycling.
 
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Consumers will qualify for a rebate when they meet all of the following conditions:

• Must be a resident of Missouri, 18 years of age or older.
• Must own the property where the appliances will be install, with the exception of clothes washers. Renters are eligible for clothes washer rebates.
• Limited to one appliance per appliance category per address up to a total rebate of $575.
• Purchased appliance must be ENERGY STAR® rated and qualified.
• Must reserve the rebate and mail it along with all required support documentation within 60 days of making the reservation.

Appliances must be purchased after the April 19 commencement of the program. Appliances purchased prior to the start of the program will not be eligible. New appliances must be a replacement for a comparable item and the old appliance must be recycled. Rebates will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis until all rebates funding is depleted.  

Appliance retailers and installation contractors who wish to participate in the rebate program and assist customers with the reservation of rebates must register with the program. Those interested in registering can do so online at http://retail.missouriappliancerebate.com/ or by calling 877-233-1682.

The April 19 launch is scheduled to begin in conjunction with the "Show Me Green" ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday, which runs from April 19-25.
To learn more about the Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate Program, please visit MissouriApplianceRebate.com.

U.S. Census Bureau Unveils Web site Detailing Participation Rates

Missouri among Top States to Return Census Forms

Jefferson City, Mo. - - The U.S. Census Bureau has launched a Web site that tracks participation rates in the 2010 Census by state, county and city. As of March 24, 2010, Missouri's response rate of 31 percent exceeded the national rate of 20 percent. The site also compares 2010's response with 2000 data. The Take Ten map updates data Monday through Friday and can be found at http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/.
 
"We are pleased to see these early indications of participation in the census," says Office of Administration Commissioner Kelvin L. Simmons, chairman of the Missouri Statewide Complete Count Committee. "Our committee has been working hard for the past year to educate residents about the census and to encourage them to look for the form, fill it out and mail it back. It looks like our efforts are paying off."

However Simmons warns residents to not get complacent. "There are some counties that are below the national rate. We will continue with our marketing efforts to encourage those residents to fill it out and mail it back. Census data is used in a variety of ways to determine how federal funds are distributed. We need to count every Missourian to ensure that our state receives funding for roads, jobs, teachers and healthcare."

Additionally, the latest research indicates that Missouri could retain or lose a seat in Congress by counting or missing less than one percent of the population. 
 
The Census Bureau estimates that if 100% of households mail back their forms, taxpayers would save $1.5 billion dollars that would be used on follow up, which includes having enumerators visit homes to gather census data.

DNR Announces 2009 Boost in Visitors to Mastodon State Historic Site, 6 Percent Growth in Visitors to State Parks Last Year

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., MARCH 29, 2010 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced today that Mastodon State Historic Site in Imperial saw a 36 percent increase in visitors in 2009.  The announcement follows an earlier announcement by Gov. Jay Nixon that Missouri's system of state parks saw an overall increase in visitors of 6 percent last year.

"Mastodon State Historic Site is just one of the many gems to be found in Missouri's state park system," Gov. Jay Nixon said.  "With the opportunities for inexpensive recreation and family activity that Mastodon State Historic Site provides for folks in the St. Louis area and beyond, it's no wonder that people flocked to the site last year in growing numbers."

The Division of State Parks reports that 463,250 visits were made to Mastodon State Historic Site in 2009. The previous year, the division recorded 340,183 visits to Mastodon State Historic Site.  The 36 percent increase in visitors over the previous year at this park is reflective of a larger trend that shows the number of visitors to Missouri state parks on the upswing for the first time in a decade.

Mastodon State Historic Site contains an important archaeological and paleontological site -- the Kimmswick Bone Bed, where scientists found the first solid evidence of the co-existence of humans and the American mastodons in eastern North America. The site's museum displays ancient artifacts, fossils and a mastodon skeleton replica. The area also includes hiking trails and picnic sites.

On Friday, Gov. Jay Nixon noted in his remarks at the initial meeting of the Children in Nature Challenge initiative, which he created via Executive Order 10-18 on Feb. 26, that total attendance at Missouri state parks in 2009 had risen to more than 15,890,785 visitors.  This is an increase of nearly one million visitors from the 2008 attendance figure of 14,937,471.

Gov. Nixon has implemented several initiatives encouraging awareness and use of Missouri's tremendous system of State Parks and Historic Sites.  In addition to the Children in Nature initiative, Gov. Nixon has created the State Parks Youth Corps, which will put one thousand young Missourians to work this summer on projects beautifying and maintaining state parks and historic sites.  He has also worked with the Missouri Division of Tourism to encourage people from Missouri and neighboring states to vacation at or near state parks.

Mastodon State Historic Site is located on 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial. People requiring special services or accommodations can call the site at 636-464-2976 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For information about state parks and historic sites, visit the Web at mostateparks.com.

If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact my office.  I enjoy serving my constituents as "their" voice in the Missouri State Capitol.

Tishaura Jones: Facts on Local Control of St. Louis PD, MoDOT Roadwork, Green Sales Tax Holiday

Greetings!

My first bill, HB 1826 was gutted in committee by the usual suspects and a handful of Democrats. The Chairman of the committee used parliamentary procedure to end the executive session once an amendment was added that would grant the authority to close casinos for financial reasons and give them 90-day notice to do so. Unfortunately, the rogue nature of the Missouri Gaming Commission forced Pinnacle to surrender their license earlier this month. If their license was revoked, the rippling effect would have had a horrible rippling effect. However, Pinnacle has assured me that they will do everything they can to help displaced employees.

In other news, HB 1601, that would provide local control of the St. Louis Police Department made a giant step. The bill is currently on it's way to the House floor!!. Senator Joe Keaveny (D-4), is filing companion legislation in the Senate and was granted a hearing on Tuesday, March 2nd. The local news reported that two bus loads of police were in Jefferson City to show support. Which begs the question, who was watching our streets while the police were up here playing politics? For more information about what Local Control is and what it is not, read the article below.

In addition, the St. Louis Police Officers Association (POA) has stooped to an all time low in their attempt to mislead and mischaracterize by accusing me of trying to make you believe that Local Control is a racial issue. I have never mentioned race in my attempts to convince anyone to support Local Control. The only time race has been mentioned in the debate about local control was in a letter by sent to the Missouri House from Joe Steiger, Vice President of the POA. Local Control is not about pensions; it is not about the size of the Board of Aldermen; it’s not about the St. Louis Fire Department; and it is not about race. Local Control is about taxation without representation, it is about the sovereignty of the taxpayers of the City of St. Louis to have the same rights that all of the counties in the State of Missouri currently have. A lot Americans believe that the recently passed federal health care legislation is an intrusion on Missouri’s sovereignty, then state control of the St. Louis Police Department is a violation of St. Louis City’s sovereignty on STERIODS. The POA’s assertion that I inserted race in this issue is a blatant and outright lie.

Keeping up the good fight,

Tishaura

Information About Death Penalty

From Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

Over 125 people, including 3 Missourians, that have been executed have been found innocent. Missouri ranks fourth in the country for executions. There are some notable racial differences; for example, the fact that even though African Americans make up half of the murder victims, 79% of death row inmates have been executed for killing white victims. In death penalty states only 1% of chief district attorneys are black. Socioeconomic situations also appear to make a difference; over 80% of people sentenced in Missouri were unable to afford their own attorney. The death penalty seems to be an inefficient and costly method of dealing with violent crime. The south has the highest murder rate and 80% of all executions, while the northeast has the lowest murder rate and accounts for less than 1% of all executions. It also raises concerns about Constitutional and Human Rights; the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Furman v. Georgia abolished the death penalty citing it as cruel and unusual punishment. Over two-thirds of countries in the world have abolished the death penalty, in fact, in 2008 93% of all executions took place in only five countries (China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the U.S.).

Facts on Local Control of the St. Louis Police Department

• Local control would not change police pensions in any way, shape or form. Police officers deserve their pension. No one is trying to take it away from them.
• If the State of Missouri returns the police department to the people of St. Louis, the City will recognize the St. Louis Police Officers Association as the bargaining unit, and will negotiate a contract with the officers. They have never had that.
• The State of Missouri took the St. Louis Police Department away from the people of St. Louis during the Civil War. The Pro-Confederacy State of Missouri feared the Pro-Union City of St. Louis would use its police department against the State.
• Every other city, county and state in America has its own police department if it wants one, except St. Louis and Kansas City. Opponents say the people of St. Louis cannot be trusted with their own police department. That is an insult.
• The governor appoints four of the five board members. If the commissioners do something wrong, there is little recourse for the people of St. Louis. If the mayor or aldermen do something wrong, the people of St. Louis can do something about it---vote them out of office. That is accountability.
• There already is political influence in the St. Louis Police Department, but there is little accountability to the taxpayers.
• Including fringe benefits, the taxpayers spend $165 million funding the St. Louis Police Department, but they have almost no say over its operations.
• The state auditor is auditing city government. The audit of the police department is by far the worst of any city agency.
• The city’s current budget shortfall is created by shrinking revenue because of the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression and rising employee benefit costs.
• The city has supported the police department. Funding for the police department has risen by 39% over the last decade. It went up by $13 million last year.
• The City of St. Louis does not control the Police Retirement System. Active and retired police officers do. If the pension fund is mismanaged, they are the ones managing it. The City of St. Louis has made every single payment required under the law to the Police Retirement System.

2010 Census Jobs

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 our community with its just share of federal resources. Please help recruit people to fill these jobs in our area. We urgently need local people to apply. Please pass on the information listed below by forwarding it to friends and family.

2010 Census JOBS
Call 1-866-861-2010 to apply for 2010 Census Jobs
or a local office near you – listed below!
Jobs range between $10.00 - $17.00/hr, paid training, paid for mileage ($.50 per mile) Flexible Hours

Work up to 40 hours per week in Field Positions.
Applications Sessions are being scheduled in your area.
INTERESTED APPLICANTS PLEASE CALL
1-866-861-2010 or 314-802-9410
Leave a message if calling after business hours
(7:30 am – 4:30 pm M-F) *hourly rate varies by area.

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

MoDOT Performs Various Lane Closures for Rehabilitation Work on Russell Bridge

Missouri Department of Transportation will temporarily close the on-ramp from Lafayette to southbound Interstate 55 starting at 7 p.m., on Tuesday, March 23. Motorists can detour to Tucker, and then Russell, to get back on southbound Interstate 55. There will also be various lane closures on Interstate 55 while crews perform rehabilitation work on the Russell Bridge. The on-ramp and lane closures on Interstate 55 will take place between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., on weekdays until Wednesday, March 31.

The westbound Interstate 44 Gravois off-ramp will remain closed until mid-April 2010. This ramp closure is necessary while crews perform rehabilitation work on the Gravois Bridge. Motorists can continue to detour to Jefferson Avenue, and then Lafayette, to get back on Gravois.

This work is part of a rehabilitation project on seven bridges along Interstate 55 near Soulard. The project is expected to be fully complete by August 2010.

Motorists should reduce their speed, use caution and pay attention in this work zone. Plan ahead for ways to avoid work zones, call 1-888-ASK-MODOT or visit our website at www.modot.org.

Missouri's Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday

The second annual Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday will run from April 19-25. People who buy specific energy efficient appliances from ENERGY STAR during this time will not only save 4.225 percent on their purchase (representing the elimination of Missouri sales tax) but will also reap the benefits of lower utility costs in the future. Several local government entities have also decided to participate in the holiday, which means that some purchases will also be exempt from city, county and special district sales tax.

ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program allows manufacturers to label certain appliances if they meet certain criteria. The goal is to promote appliances that perform as well or better than similar appliances while using less energy. The sales tax exemption will apply to ENERGY STA R-labeled clothes washers, refrigerators, freezers, dish washers, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps. The tax exemption will only apply to the first $1500 of each appliance; any amount exceeding $1500 will be taxed.

Frequently asked questions about the Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday are answered at http://dor.mo.gov/tax/business/sales/taxholiday/green/faq.htm.

Tishaura Jones: Response to St. Louis POA's Racism Allegations

The following letter was sent to members of the Missouri House of Representatives by Rep. Tishaura Jones and released to the media.

Dear Colleagues:

Last week, I sent the attached letter to the Democratic members to dispel the myths about Local Control of the St. Louis Police Department. On Thursday, just as we completed one of the most gruesome debates on the State’s budget, the St. Louis Police Officers Association (POA), distributed the attached letter to as a rebuttal. The POA has stooped to an all time low in their attempt to mislead and mischaracterize by accusing me of trying to make you, my fellow colleagues, believe that Local Control is a racial issue. I have never mentioned race in my attempts to convince anyone to support Local Control. The only time race has been mentioned in the debate about local control was attached letter from Joe Steiger. Local Control is not about pensions; it is not about the size of the Board of Aldermen; it’s not about the St. Louis Fire Department; and it is not about race. Local Control is about taxation without representation, it is about the sovereignty of the taxpayers of the City of St. Louis to have the same rights that all of the counties in the State of Missouri currently have. If a lot of you believe that the recently passed federal health care legislation is an intrusion on Missouri’s sovereignty, then state control of the St. Louis Police Department is a violation of St. Louis City’s sovereignty on STERIODS. The POA’s assertion that I inserted race in this issue is a blatant and outright lie. I urge you in the affirmative for the sovereignty of the residents of the City of St. Louis.

Sincerely,


Tishaura O. Jones

63rd District

Rep. Jones' letter from 23 March (PDF)
Response from St. Louis POA legislative chairman Joe Steiger (PDF)

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.