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 If their license was revoked, the rippling effect would have had a horrible rippling effect.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 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.