Gov.-elect Nixon Announces Initial Steps of Show Me JOBS: A Bipartisan Plan to Get Missourians Back to Work

Press Release - Jay Nixon Gov.-elect Nixon Outlines Proposal to Create New Jobs, Help Small Businesses Grow KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Gov.-elect Jay Nixon today announced the initial steps of the Show Me JOBS initiative, a bipartisan plan to get Missourians back to work and support small-business growth during these challenging economic times. Joined by students, teachers and skilled craftsmen, Gov.-elect Jay Nixon announces his Show Me JOBS initiative in the carpenters' workshop at the Builders Association Training Facility in Kansas City. Gov.-elect Nixon's plan focuses on creating new jobs and supporting small-business development during these difficult economic times. Gov.-elect Nixon's initiative will help create new jobs in Missouri by supporting small-business development, providing incentives for worker training and re-training, expanding the Quality Jobs Program and bringing next-generation auto jobs to the state. "During these difficult economic times, we must come together, across party lines, to get Missourians working," Gov.-elect Nixon said. "Missouri is home to the most innovative, most productive workers in the world, but as the national economic crisis worsens, too many of our friends and neighbors are unemployed. Too many Missouri families are struggling to make ends meet. I'm proud to join the leaders of both parties in taking historic steps to turn this economy around. By working together, we'll create new jobs, support small-business growth and foster the high-tech, high-paying industries of the future here in Missouri." Legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle share Gov.-elect Nixon's belief that the top priority for the upcoming session must be creating new jobs and turning Missouri's economy around. "In the Senate, we are committed to working early on with the Governor-elect to pursue responsible, job-creating legislation," Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields said. "We share the common goal of putting more Missourians to work at better-paying jobs with good health care benefits." Gov.-elect Jay Nixon visits with students from the linemen-training program at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley following his announcement of the Show Me JOBS initiative on that campus. "The solution to this economic crisis won't come from a Washington policy or a Wall Street bailout," said Sen. Victor Callahan, the Senate Minority Leader. "It will come from small-business owners right here in our state. That's why Republican and Democratic leaders are coming together to help Missouri businesses hire new workers, get them trained and get them on the job. Missourians aren't looking for a handout. They're looking for an opportunity to work hard and make an honest living. As we begin the new legislative session, we must put politics aside and focus on the pressing needs of Missouri families." "I welcome any commitment from the new Governor that helps us protect and create Missouri jobs," said Speaker-elect Ron Richard of the Missouri House of Representatives. "This continues to be an early priority for the House next session. I look forward to working with the Senate and Governor Nixon on this critical matter." "To fix this broken economy, we've got to revitalize Main Streets across Missouri, and that's what Show Me JOBS is all about," House Minority Leader Paul LeVota said. "Helping small businesses grow is the key to creating new jobs and jumpstarting this economy. This plan will help small-business owners access capital, train workers and expand their operations here in Missouri. When the legislature convenes next month, I look forward to working with the Gov.-elect Nixon and my colleagues in both parties to develop and pass the necessary bills to turn this important plan into law." Show Me JOBS: A Bipartisan Plan to Get Missourians Back to Work To get Missourians back to work and begin to turn the economy around, Gov.-elect Nixon and the legislative leaders will take the following, multifaceted course of action: Provide low-interest loans specifically for small businesses. To create the jobs of the future, small businesses must have access to affordable capital. Under the Show Me JOBS plan, the Missouri Development Finance Board will develop a low-cost, direct-loan program specifically for small businesses. Funding for this program will come from the 4 percent fee currently collected on all MDFB tax credits. Expand the Missouri Quality Jobs Program. Across the state, the Quality Jobs Program has helped create new jobs that offer both above-average wages and health care for employees. Gov.-elect Nixon and the legislative leaders will look for opportunities to expand this program and the benefits it offers. Create incentives for worker training and re-training. To compete in the new global economy, Missouri workers must be equipped with 21st-century knowledge and skills. And employers must have the resources necessary to provide this training for their employees. Under the Show Me JOBS plan, employers would be eligible for tax credits to offset a portion of the pre-employment training costs for full-time employees, such as tuition at a Missouri community college or vocational school. An employer would be eligible for this reimbursement once a trained employee had completed his or her second anniversary with the company. Coordinate all state actions with federal efforts. To ensure that these efforts are as efficient as possible, state officials will coordinate all job-creation initiatives with Missouri's Congressional delegation and the current and incoming presidential administration. This will avoid any needless duplication and guarantee that all state efforts complement any federal stimulus package. Establish an Automotive Manufacturing Task Force. Missouri is home to the most productive auto industry employees in the country as well as state-of-the-art production facilities. But the economic crisis has hit the auto industry especially hard, and too many Missouri autoworkers have seen their jobs disappear. In the years to come, America's auto industry employees will be rolling out new lines of high-tech, fuel-efficient vehicles. By executive order, Gov.-elect Nixon will establish a task force to ensure that Missouri's autoworkers and other industry employees are at the forefront of this cutting-edge production. Foster expansion of Missouri businesses. The Missouri BUILD Program provides tax credits to help large-scale businesses expand their operations and create new jobs in the state. Under the current program, however, Missouri businesses are required to solicit economic-development proposals from other states before becoming eligible for an incentive here in Missouri. To help keep these businesses in Missouri, the Show Me JOBS plan would empower the Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development to waive this requirement on a case-by-case basis. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Church Army Branson receives more than $47,000 in tax credits

Springfield News-Leader staff • December 22, 2008 Church Army Branson has been approved for $47,370 in NAP tax credits. The funds from this NAP project will go to its Parent Child Partnerships in Learning program, a comprehensive program designed to help families achieve and maintain a lifestyle that is free from abuse and neglect. Programming includes parenting and life skills classes; tutoring for school-age children; GED education and testing; child care; transitional housing assistance; and recovery services. Church Army Branson is a nonprofit Christian ministry designed as an outreach to the alcoholic and addicted of the community of the Branson area. To learn more, call 334-3879. Other NAP credits, $25,000 each, went to Enhancement Inc. of Potosi to allow the sheltered workshop to purchase a building, and Better Family Life Inc. of St. Louis, to renovate an old school for a center to focus on family life, cultural, educational and business services. The DED administers the Neighborhood Assistance Program that helps not-for-profit organizations raise private-sector funds by providing partial state tax credits to businesses that make contributions to approved community improvement projects. Businesses can donate cash, materials, supplies or equipment; technical assistance and professional services; labor; real estate; or stocks and bonds. Credits can equal up to 50 percent of the total amount contributed or up to 70 percent for projects located in most rural areas. Not-for-profit organizations participating in the NAP program conduct capital campaigns or provide services in the areas of crime prevention, education, job training, physical revitalization, or community services. The Neighborhood Assistance Program is utilized by not-for-profit organizations throughout Missouri to make their communities a more desirable place to live and work, as well as pave the way for economic development. In your voice -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Branson youth star in morning seminary

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/56315/Branson-youth-star-in-morning-seminary.html Spotlight is on gospel study in city known for showtime By Greg Hill Church News staff writer Published: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 Print | Email | Share BRANSON, MO. When students of the Branson, Mo., seminary were recently asked by the Church News if any of them perform on stage, Emilee Anne Warnock tentatively raised her hand. Greg Hill High school junior and senior-aged Church members are taught by Teri Green. Though many are transplants, the seminary students living in the southwest Missouri Ozarks tourism hot spot are cheerful and faithful. What show? "The Andy Williams Christmas Show," she softly replied. That night, sure enough, there she was on stage in the Moon River Theater with three sisters and her parents — the Warnock Family — "teaching" Andy Williams to sing with an energetic and delightful rendition of the popular "Sound of Music" song "Do-Re-Mi." While the entertainment industry touches almost everyone in this southwestern Missouri community, what binds the seminary students together is a willingness to meet at 6 a.m. each school day at the Church meetinghouse to study the gospel. Greg Hill Younger seminary students from the Branson 1st and 2nd wards are taught by David Faria at the meetinghouse early in the morning on school days. Though there are only approximately 7,500 permanent residents in Branson, it is home to two wards of the Springfield Missouri Stake. Those wards supply teenagers to fill two seminary classes, the older students taught by Teri Green and the younger class taught by Dave Faria. The teachers said that of the students enrolled — a total of about 40 — nearly 100 percent attend regularly. The young Church members fit well in Branson, which unabashedly promotes God, family and patriotism. At Christmas time, the true meaning of the holiday is trumpeted rather than veiled. Greg Hill David and Maria Hughes, adopted from Russia, are part of a bell choir performing during the Hughes Brothers Christmas Show at the Hughes American Family Theater in Branson, Mo. "This area has more churches, and church-goers, than almost anywhere else I have been," Branson 1st Ward Bishop Jeff Green, a transplant from California, told the Church News. "These people believe in Christ and He factors heavily in all that they do." Once a relatively unknown town in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, Branson is now famous for its dozens of theaters staging wholesome family-friendly shows featuring professional music, dance, comedy and variety acts. Some of the theaters are home to LDS performers, often complete families. Four seminary students attending on an early December morning spoke to the Church News of their experience. Sisters Maria and Sarah, and brother and sister David and Sofia, were born in Russia and lived for a time in an orphanage there. Then they were adopted by Lena and Gary Hughes, parents of the Hughes Brothers who put on a lively and popular variety show in their own Hughes American Family Theater. The adopted children were taught the gospel in the home and by missionaries and were baptized, Sister Hughes said. Later, they were sealed to their family in the St. Louis Missouri Temple. Already an extended-family act, the Hughes Brothers show absorbed Maria, Sarah and David, who were eager to get on stage. Sofia, preferring to avoid the stage, finds joy as manager of the theater's "Celebrity Bistro" restaurant. Greg Hill The Warnock Family, singing Do-Re-Mi with Andy Williams during Andy Williams' Christmas show at the Moon River Theater in Branson, Mo., are among the many LDS performers in this Ozarks community. With its popular shows drawing millions of tourists a year, Branson has grown over the past several years. That growth is reflected in the seminary classes; most of the students have roots elsewhere. Many are from Utah, but they come from several other states as well. Their spirit is reflected in their comments about seminary given to the Church News on Thursday morning, Dec. 4, before they went off to Branson or Hollister high schools, or to home schooling. Shannon Haynie, 17, a Branson native, said: "Three things I love about seminary are getting to spend time with my friends, being given the opportunity to study the words of prophets every morning and, most of all, I love feeling the Spirit to start off each of my days." Sierra Madeline Spencer, 15, who led her written comments with "I (picture of a heart) seminary," said, "It helps me with not being shy." Keaton Knudsen, 14, from California, noted that seminary "helps me answer the questions my non-member friends have about the Church." Greg Hill From left, Maria, Sophia, David, Aaron and Sarah Hughes after seminary class in Branson, Mo. All but Aaron were adopted from Russia by Gary and Lena Hughes. They now are part of the Hughes Brothers performing family. Alex Yeverino, 15, a Branson native, called seminary a "complete spiritual breakfast." Genevieve Lynn Green, 16, from California, said she is grateful her mom is her teacher because "this experience allows us to spend time together and learn and grow together in the gospel. When I go to seminary, my day is happier, more successful and I feel the Holy Ghost more abundantly." Karalee Foster, 17, from Texas, said that four of the seven students in her family have already completed four years of seminary. Attending, she said, allows her to "learn from everyone in the class," augmenting her personal scripture study. Kyle Knudsen, 16, from California, said seminary is his favorite part of the day and "it keeps me from doing stupid things at school." Michael Hamman, 18, from Wisconsin, said seminary is "a great way to prepare for your mission, especially with memorizing the scripture masteries." Emmily Pippin, 14, from Utah, said she escaped serious injury in a car accident two days earlier and noted, "I'm grateful for my blessings seminary taught me to recognize." Finally, Ethan Spencer, 14, from Idaho, expressed sincere feelings: "Brother Faria is a good teacher and I'm tired." ghill@desnews.com -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Area Churches Serve Loaves And Fishes Dinners Beginning January 4

Seven churches are opening their doors this year to provide meals every night of the week from January 4th through March 13th.  Church locations include:  Salvation Army on Sundays; First Baptist Branson on Mondays;  Church Army Branson on Tuesdays; Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church on Wednesdays; Branson United Methodist Church on Thursdays; First Presbyterian on Fridays; and Faith Lutheran on Saturdays. "No doubt the need is greater than ever for folks who are struggling in the Ozarks" said Sue Head, on of the organizers of the Loaves & Fishes program.  The program is a collaborative effort among 70 groups who have stepped up to "take a night" to provide a warm, nutritious meal at no charge for anyone in need during the "off season". The program in 2008 was only five nights a week and served over 3,000 people. Meals will be served from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at each of these locations.  A map of the locations can be found at www.hometowndailynews.com.  If you have any questions, please call Dee Klein at 335-4599.

Lawmaker wants fuel tax break for schoolsAfter spending 20 years balancing school budgets, state Rep. Maynard Wallace says it's time to exempt public schools from paying the state's motor fuel tax to fill the tanks of school buses

.Chad Livengood for Springfield News-Leader Wallace, an Ozark County Republican, is sponsoring legislation for 2009 session that would exempt taxpayer-supported schools from paying this tax. Schools are already exempted from paying federal highway taxes on diesel fuel for buses. The tax rate is 17.3 cents per gallon. "We're paying taxes with tax money," said Wallace, who spent 20 years as the superintendent at the Forsyth and Ava school districts. "It just rubs me wrong, especially when the feds don't require (schools) to pay that." This will mark the fourth straight year Wallace and other lawmakers have pursued the legislation, House Bill 87, which is being co-sponsored by southwest Missouri Reps. Ward Franz, David Sater, Jim Viebrock and Dennis Wood. Wallace said eliminating the tax would relieve school districts across the state of $3 million in expenses. But it would leave that much of a hole in the Missouri Department of Transportation's budget, which lawmakers say could be a tough sell given that MoDOT is facing a projected budget multimillion-dollar deficit next year because of declining gasoline usage and new vehicle sales. Wallace represents Ozark County and rural parts of Howell, Stone and Taney counties. Across his district, small schools often provide the fabric for their communities. "My little schools do a great job of educating children," he said. "I know they struggle financially to break even each year." To address funding inequalities for small rural schools, Wallace is planning to pursue legislation that would appropriate $5 million more to be split among tiny school districts of 350 students or less. "It's not going to totally solve it, but it's going to help give the small schools a little bit more money," he said. Wallace is co-sponsoring 17 other bills dealing with a range of issues, from providing more money for smoking cessation to establishing an online registry of convicted methamphetamine users and dealers. He also is one of four co-sponsors of House Bill 26, which would prohibit a person driving a vehicle while talking on a cell phone unless they use a hands-free listening device, like a headset or Bluetooth technology. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Smith of St. Charles, would exempt emergency personnel, wreckers and commercial truck drivers. Wallace has signed on to sponsor House Bill 30, which would require the state Department of Social Services to screen and test welfare recipients for drug use, and House Bill 27, a proposal to let veterans deduct their entire military pension from their taxable income tax bill. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Missouri Senator Matt Bartle - Letter in opposition to Conservation Commission

Dear Mr Hoskins:   It has come to my attention that the Conservation Commission has proposed a draft rule that would require citizens to own at least 80 acres of land before they would be allowed to hunt deer on their own property without purchasing a permit. In addition, I understand that permit fees for Missouri residents are also scheduled to increase by $3.00.   These proposals are misguided and could not come at a worse time. Missouri families are suffering the effects of a slowing economy and are trying to make ends meet. For many, being able to stock their freezers with venison is a significant cost savings.   As a practical matter, allowing landowners to harvest a few of the deer that roam their property, without having to buy a permit, is only fitting considering the loss of crops and other damage they incur throughout the year. It is these same landowners that also provide an important benefit to our state by helping to manage a deer population that threatens to mushroom out of control.   The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is the envy of the rest of the nation. While most state conservation departments rely heavily on permit fees and state appropriations for their operating expenses, the MDC is supported by a generous and dedicated stream of sales tax revenues.     Over the past several years, many millions of dollars taken from these sales taxes, paid by Missouri citizens, have been used by the MDC to purchase excessively large tracts of land across the Show-Me State. Now, the MDC wants to further regulate the use of thousands of additional privately owned acres by mandating that these landowners purchase hunting permits.   I believe the Department of Conservation has overreached with this proposal. I respectfully request the department to reconsider and to withdraw this proposed rule change.   Sincerely,       Matt Bartle State Senator District 8 -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Wrong Time for Raising Elected Officials’ Pay - Missouri Senator Bartle

At a time when people are worrying about keeping their jobs, a salary boost for legislators and other elected officials should be the last thing anyone is considering. And yet, a pay increase for legislators is scheduled to become law next month (with raises starting January 2011)—thanks to the recommendation of a commission charged with studying elected officials' salaries. As the General Assembly prepares to dramatically reduce spending and take the budget axe to many state programs, it would be a poor gesture to raise the salaries of elected officials. With funding very likely to be cut from a variety of programs and services that Missourians depend on—not just for fiscal year 2010 (beginning July 1, 2009), but for this current fiscal year—it is exceptionally bad timing to be talking about more money for legislators, especially as some Missourians are struggling to make ends meet in this slumping economy.  I plan to file a resolution in the next few days that would prevent these pay raises from going into effect. Under the Missouri Constitution, the proposed raise must be voted down by a two-thirds majority of both the House of Representatives and the Senate by the end of January or it will automatically kick in. The Legislature convenes in Jefferson City early next month so the clock is already ticking and there won't be much time to prevent this raise from taking effect.  We cannot predict how long the current economic downturn will last. But one thing is for sure:  It is time for legislators, who will soon be swinging the budget axe, to set an example for the rest of the state by declining the pay increase proposed by the Missouri Citizens' Commission on Compensation.   -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Carnahan Halts Springfield Company's Real Estate Investment Scheme

Missouri Secretary of State Press Release Jefferson City, Missouri —– Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan's Securities Division issued a Cease and Desist Order against Springfield, MO-based Greenleaf Companies, LLC. Greenleaf allegedly sold over $15 million of unregistered real estate investments to more than 66 Missouri investors. Greenleaf allegedly sought out Missouri investors with good credit, offering an investment return of $10,000 in exchange for use of their credit to obtain financing for single-family homes. The investigation found that each investor purchased a home recommended by Greenleaf, assured that the company would make monthly payments and manage the property. The Secretary of State's office received formal complaints from investors when their payments stopped in June 2008. "This type of scheme has no place in Missouri," said Carnahan. "Missourians have a right to get the facts they need to make informed investment decisions. Greenleaf failed these investors at every turn. In these tough economic times, my office will aggressively investigate and stop those who wish to defraud Missourians." The order states that Greenleaf promised to send the investor funds each month to pay the principal, interest, taxes and insurance on the home, and The Real Estate Company of Missouri or Greenleaf would manage and maintain the property for three years. At the end of the three years, Greenleaf would sell the property and pay off the purchase loan. Greenleaf allegedly guaranteed to some investors that it would purchase the property if it did not otherwise sell. The Order charges that Greenleaf began missing principal, interest, tax and insurance payments to investors for the houses in May 2008. Many Missouri investors have received no payments since June 2008, and several homes involved in these investments have been foreclosed upon or are scheduled for foreclosure. The investments sold by Greenleaf and a related company, The Real Estate Company of Missouri, and their organizers Eric Gagnepain and Scott Dasal, were not registered as required by law. Both of the companies, Gangepain and Dasal are alleged to have also failed to provide material information about these offerings to their investors. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

MoDOT's Traveler Information Map Gives Latest Road Conditions

MoDot Press Release For more information, contact Matt Hiebert (573) 526-0897 or Sally Oxenhandler at (573) 751-7456. December 15, 2008 JEFFERSON CITY -- Like it or not, winter weather is here. When snow and ice hit, highways and roads can become dangerous.  Fortunately, Missouri drivers can find out what lies on the road ahead with MoDOT's Traveler Information Map. Located at http://www.modot.org/, the map gives drivers an up-to-the-minute view of road conditions for major Missouri highways. Conditions for major routes across the state are color-coded to give visitors the information they need at a glance. "Hundreds of thousands of drivers have already discovered our Traveler Information Map," said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn.  "They can find out what road conditions are like and then make the call whether or not to drive." The map shows road conditions for major Missouri cities, counties, MoDOT districts and other travel destinations.  Individual routes can also be selected.  A text report and links to road condition maps for surrounding states are also available. Although the map is updated around the clock during winter events, road conditions can go from bad to worse in an instant.  Drivers are strongly urged to consult other informational sources before heading out in any questionable weather.  Local television and radio stations and the Missouri State Highway Patrol provide information to supplement conditions reported on the map. Travelers can find the map by visiting MoDOT's Web site at http://www.modot.org/ and clicking on the map in the center of the page, or by going straight to http://maps.modot.mo.gov/travelerinformation. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Department Announces Results of Organ Donation and Blind Awareness Campaign

Missouri Department of Revenue Press Release JEFFERSON CITY –The Missouri Department of Revenue (Department) announced today that during the month of October the Department encouraged all Missourians who renewed or applied for a driver license, permit or non-driver license to become an organ donor and contribute to the organ and blind awareness fund. Governor Blunt signed the new Organ Donor First-Person Consent law this summer and all 183 contract offices throughout the state were challenged with taking advantage of this significant legislation by raising money for the organ and blind awareness fund and by signing up new organ donors. A total of $29,434 was raised for organ and blind donation awareness, and over 51,000 new donors were registered during this period. "I am proud of all of our contract offices and the impact each has made in the lives of Missourians," said Omar Davis, Director of Revenue. "The gift of life through organ donation and the money raised will benefit those who need it the most and the Department is proud to be a part of this life changing initiative." Since August 28, 2008, customers obtaining new, renewal, or duplicate driver or non-driver licenses or instruction permits have been able to request that an organ donor symbol be placed on their document. This symbol indicates that the holder has enrolled in the organ and tissue donor registry. This means that any eligible Missourian who agrees to have their name in the registry has given full legal consent to the donation of their organs or tissue upon death. There will no longer be a requirement to obtain secondary consent from relatives. Applicants will be asked several detailed questions regarding their intent to register as an organ donor before the new symbol will be placed on their document. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Attorney General’s Office reminds Missourians to give wisely to charities this holiday season

Missouri Attorney General's Office Press Release Jefferson City, Mo. - Consumers need to do their homework before contributing money to charities, especially between now and the end of the year - that's the advice from the Attorney General's Office. December is typically a big month for charitable contributions, with many nonprofits depending on year-end contributions and stepping up fundraising efforts. The Attorney General's Web site offers Check-a-Charity, an online database showing the finances of almost 1,000 charities. Consumers can enter the name of a charity into the database to see how much money the group spends on program services versus administrative costs. Consumers can use these guidelines for donating to charity: Research the finances of the charity by visiting ago.mo.gov and clicking on Check-a-Charity. Give to charities that spend at least 65 percent of their income on program services, and no more than 35 percent on administrative costs, such as overhead, salaries, fundraising and rent. Never make a decision during a telemarketing call. Insist on written information by mail. And don't give out personal information such as credit card, bank account or Social Security number, to anyone who contacts you by phone or e-mail. Don't give into pressure or guilt. Give only when you are comfortable and when all of your questions have been answered to your satisfaction. For future planning, the Attorney General's Office encourages consumers to decide their charitable giving a year at a time, rather than make on-the-spot decisions from telemarketing calls and mailings. Consumers can file complaints against charity fundraisers at the Attorney General's Web site or Consumer Protection Hotline, 1-800-392-8222. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

MISSOURI’S PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM ANNOUNCES HIRING FREEZE

Missouri State Public Defender Press Release Missouri's beleaguered State Public Defender System took another hit today as department director, J. Marty Robinson, announced a hiring freeze. The department set up to meet the state's constitutional obligation to provide defense counsel to those facing state criminal charges who cannot afford a lawyer has already made national news for its shortage of attorneys to handle the growing caseload. A recent New York Times front page article named Missouri's public defender system as one of seven defender systems nationwide to begin turning away cases due to insufficient staff to effectively handle the caseload. Ironically, the hiring freeze announced today has been necessitated, in part, by the department's successes in reducing its attorney turnover. In 2006, faced with close to 100% attorney turnover in the public defender system over the first five years of the decade, the state legislature funded additional salary increases for public defenders. Though still well below what lawyers could make in the private sector or even in most of the state's prosecutors' offices, the increases had a positive impact, dropping the department's attorney turnover from an annual high of 22% to around 14%. The recent downturn in the economy did the rest. With fewer senior lawyers venturing out to start their own practices and private law firms tightening their belts, turnover among public defender attorneys has plunged to an historic low, hovering close to just 2% for the past five months. This is both good and bad news for Missouri's public defenders. MSPD handles 83% of the felonies filed in Missouri's state courts and desperately needs to retain senior staff to deal with its burgeoning caseload crisis. However, for twenty years, the public defender system has relied upon "vacancy savings" to help make its annual payroll. As a senior lawyer leaves, his/her salary for the time it takes to re-fill the position is used to make up a portion of the system's payroll expenses. Departing experienced lawyers are usually replaced with new, inexperienced ones at a lower salary. That difference also accrues to help meet the system's payroll. The unprecedented drop in public defender turnover carries with it a drastic reduction in the amount of vacancy savings available to help meet the system's payroll costs. At the same time, a higher percentage of senior attorneys are staying on staff. The result is a perfect storm, in which the department's total payroll costs have increased at the same time its source of meeting those costs has plummeted. According to the department's director, J. Marty Robinson, "The writing is on the wall. If we don't take action now, we will not be able to meet payroll by the end of this fiscal year." Eric Barnhart, Chair of the Public Defender Commission, points out this is but one more step in an ongoing progression of efforts to keep Missouri's struggling Public Defender System afloat. A year ago, faced with close to a decade of no increases in staffing and a caseload that had increased by some 12,000 cases, the department eliminated its Alternative Sentencing Program and Youth Advocacy Offices. Both programs were proven successes at reducing recidivism among public defender clients, but the growing caseload necessitated converting all available positions into more lawyers to help handle the caseload. This past July, MSPD instituted a freeze on promotions. Under the hiring freeze announced today, any positions vacated by departing employees will remain unfilled through the rest of the fiscal year. Salary dollars associated with those positions will be diverted to meet the system's payroll costs. Director Robinson acknowledges the hiring freeze will further aggravate the system's ongoing caseload crisis. Three public defender offices – Springfield, Columbia, and Jefferson City, which together serve eight Missouri counties -- have already begun turning away cases and more are expected to do so under a new rule adopted by the Public Defender Commission in July of this year. The rule establishes maximum caseloads for each defender office and creates a mechanism for offices exceeding that standard to begin turning away additional clients. "We already don't have enough people to handle the caseload," says Robinson. "We need every lawyer we have, and then some. But we also need the funding to pay every lawyer." Indigent defendants cannot constitutionally be sentenced to jail without the provision of counsel. A supplemental budget request for funds to make up the payroll shortage has been submitted to the incoming governor and legislature, but a decision on that is not likely until March of 2009. In the meantime, for many of Missouri's poor facing criminal charges, the constitutional right to a lawyer may be on hold. For more information, contact: Cat Kelly, MSPD Deputy Director PH: 314-749-5480; Cathy.Kelly@mspd.mo.gov -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Gov. Blunt Highlights State's Recycling Efforts, Recognizes 2008 State Recycling Award Winners

Missouri Department of Revenue Press Release JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Matt Blunt congratulated the Missouri Department of Revenue and state employee Melanie Carden-Jessen who were awarded the 2008 State Recycling Award for their outstanding contributions in the areas of recycling collection, waste reduction, and recycled content procurement. "I believe strongly that we have a moral responsibility to care for the resources with which our state has been blessed and have worked diligently to ensure the State of Missouri is a careful steward of our environment," Gov. Blunt said. "I congratulate Melanie Carden-Jessen and the dedicated officials in my administration for their commitment to recycling and limiting the state's impact on our natural treasures."   Agency Award Gov. Blunt recognizes the Missouri Department of Revenue with the Missouri State Recycling Program's 2008 agency award.  Over the past five years the department has recycled more than 3.6 million pounds of paper while ensuring that confidential information is transported and destroyed under strict security.  The department's efforts assured an average of 734,000 lbs. (367 tons) or 18 truckloads each year are recycled instead of thrown away. The department contracts with a company that ultimately uses recycled paper to manufacture bathroom tissues and paper towels.  In this innovative agreement, the company pays the department for the hundreds of thousands of pounds of paper, generating about $10,000 annually for the State Recycling Fund.  Recognizing the Department of Revenue's innovative approach to document destruction services, the Secretary of State's Records Management Program modeled a contract after the successful program. The department program safeguards confidential information through several checks and balances.  Their staff loads the pallets of confidential records onto a semi trailer and attach a cable sealed lock to the trailer.  Security personnel at the paper mill inspect the trailer to make sure the seal is intact upon arrival and that the seal number matches that which is noted on the shipper's original Bill of Lading.  The paper mill keeps the confidential records in a locked and secured location at all times prior to pulping and must pulp all confidential records within 24 hours of receipt of the records.  The paper mill then issues a Certificate of Destruction.  The pulping process involves rewetting the paper product with a mixture of bleach followed by separation and removal of inks, adhesives, and other contaminants. Employee Award Gov. Blunt recognizes Melanie Carden-Jessen with the Missouri State Recycling Program's 2008 award for her outstanding contributions in the areas of recycling collection, waste reduction, and recycled content procurement.   Ms. Carden-Jessen works for the Missouri Department of Conservation as the education center manager at Twin Pines Conservation Education Center.  Recycling programs Ms. Carden-Jessen implemented impact just about every facet of the facility's operation. Here are some highlights: Her recycling efforts include using bathroom tissue rolls for bird feeders, plastic milk jugs for hand washing stations, cornstarch 'packing peanuts' for craft materials, yogurt containers for fishing worms at kids fishing clinics and old PVC pipe for bird houses and dough rollers, just to name a few. Ms. Carden-Jessen has been vigilant about purchasing recycled products when ordering supplies.  For instance, the snake cages use recycled newspaper pellets, pencils are made from recycled materials, even bright color paper and cardstock which have 30 percent recycled content are chosen from the list of supplies available. Gov. Blunt has been instrumental in identifying and employing the use of alternative energy sources in Missouri.  His proactive solutions to save energy and protect the environment are both reducing energy use and have the potential to save taxpayers nearly $16 million in energy costs.  Initiatives include a range of projects from centralizing and monitoring statewide energy consumption to changing laundry operations at prisons. Most recently, Gov. Blunt signed an executive order that will both protect the environment and promote Missouri tourism.  The governor's order calls for a new program that will recognize and certify hotel and lodging facilities in Missouri that work to protect the environment. In August Gov. Blunt visited the South Central Correctional Center where new biomass boilers are supplying heat and hot water requirements. The boilers use a renewable fuel as the primary heat source, instead of propane. In addition to improving energy efficiency, the new biomass project will result in an estimated $450,000 in annual energy cost savings. Late this summer, Gov. Blunt announced Missouri's application was selected to take part in the Greening the State Capitols Initiative.  The national initiative supported an energy audit to help build on the governor's efforts to save taxpayer dollars and make state government more energy efficient and environmentally-friendly.  The audit reviewed energy usage in three state buildings and made recommendations for energy improvements.   Gov. Blunt also called for and signed legislation enacting the "Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday" to encourage Missourians to consider environmentally responsible products and reward their choice by making them sales-tax free for one week every year.  Missouri is only the fourth state to enact an environmentally-friendly sales tax holiday joining Connecticut, Florida and Virginia. Last year the governor announced a partnership to create renewable energy and heat using byproducts from the Jefferson City Landfill.  Methane gas from the landfill is converted to electricity, and the heat created by conversion facilities is used to heat water for the state prison. The project uses resources that would otherwise have been wasted while at the same time producing benefits for the environment, the state, the prison and local communities. Last summer the governor signed the Green Power Initiative. The Initiative has been heralded as the most important environmental legislation passed by the state in more than a decade. It decreases pollution from energy production by encouraging an increase in the use of renewable energy sources such as wind, hydroelectricity, solar power, hydrogen and biomass. The legislation sets targets for utilities to meet: a four percent renewable energy target by 2012, eight percent by 2015 and 11 percent by 2020. The legislation also requires the Office of Administration to ensure that at least 70 percent of the new vehicles purchased for the state fleet are flex fuel and allows municipal landfills to accept yard waste in order to create bio-reactors which produce methane gas for use in energy production. Gov. Blunt has been a dedicated supporter of renewable fuels in our state.  The governor fulfilled a promise he made to Missourians when he signed legislation in 2006 requiring all gasoline offered for sale in Missouri to contain 10 percent ethanol (E-10).  Ethanol is a cleaner burning alternative to petroleum-based gasoline and is more efficient to produce.  It contains more oxygen, which results in better combustion and fewer carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and carcinogenic emissions. Missouri is also home to the only state building in the nation with a platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. ### -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Gov. Blunt: New Crime Lab Will Take Criminals Off the Street Faster

Missouri Governor's Office Press Release Governor Participates in Ribbon Cutting for New State Crime Lab in Springfield             SPRINGFIELD – In a ribbon cutting ceremony today for the new state crime lab in Springfield Gov. Blunt said Missourians will benefit as criminals will be taken off our streets faster.  The new state-of-the-art crime lab is a reality because of state funding provided by Gov. Blunt and federal funding secured by Congressman Blunt.             "As governor, I have enacted significant legislation to better protect Missouri families with new anti-crime and public safety initiatives. Through vigorous law enforcement and the passage of tough new criminal laws against meth manufacturers, child predators and drunk drivers, Missouri is a safer place," Gov. Blunt said. "This new crime lab will make Missouri a safer state by getting criminals off the street faster. And its impact will be felt statewide, as it will relieve pressure on the Jefferson City lab, leading to faster lab results for law enforcement agencies around the entire state."           "Our law enforcement officers in Springfield and Greene County do an incredible job protecting our communities, but their ability to see that justice is carried out quickly was becoming difficult with only one comprehensive forensic crime lab in the state," Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt said.  "This new lab will allow the law enforcement community in Southwest Missouri to serve our neighborhoods more efficiently than ever before by cutting time consuming evidence backlogs.  I want to thank Greene County Sheriff Jack Merritt, Prosecutor Darrell Moore, Springfield Police Chief Lynn Roe and members of the Highway Patrol Troop D for their leadership in helping secure this facility."              Earlier this year the governor signed legislation that provided over $1.6 million for the lease/purchase of the lab space for the new state crime lab. The crime lab is used by Department of Public Safety and the State Highway Patrol for forensic analysis. Currently, law enforcement officers in the Springfield area have to send DNA, trace evidence, latent fingerprint and firearms analysis requests to Jefferson City, slowing the investigative process.              The new crime lab will reduce the burden on the Missouri State Highway Patrol crime lab system. Currently, the system receives over 23,000 criminal cases a year. The Springfield lab will increase forensic analysis capacity by 30 percent. In addition, the merger of crime labs in Joplin and Cape Girardeau with the Highway Patrol crime lab system will further increase capacity and efficiency.             The safety of Missouri's families is one of Gov. Blunt's highest priorities.  Gov. Blunt has been a national leader in protecting children from sexual predators.  He enacted Missouri's version of Jessica's Law, an action that mandates a life sentence with at least 30 years served for predators who commit egregious crimes against young children.  Additionally, Gov. Blunt made Missouri one of the first states in the nation to mandate lifetime GPS monitoring for sex offenders.              Gov. Blunt instituted the Missouri Alert Network to enhance school safety and supported funding for cyber crime grants to assist law enforcement in investigating dangerous Internet crimes, especially sex crimes exploiting children. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Missouri to receive $488,878 in nationwide settlement with Mattel over sale of toys containing excessive lead paint

Missouri Attorney General's Office - Press Release Jefferson City, Mo. - Toy manufacturer Mattel and its subsidiary Fisher Price will implement stringent procedures to avoid manufacturing products with lead paint and pay the state of Missouri $488,878 under a consent judgment obtained today by the Attorney General's Office. Missouri was part of the executive committee that negotiated the $12 million nationwide settlement involving 42 states, filed today in Cole County Circuit Court. Following a series of recalls of Mattel and Fisher Price products in 2007, the Attorney General's Office launched a 16-month investigation into the events that led to the recall, the company's quality assurance testing and procedures, and Mattel's recall procedures. At the time of the recalls, the standard permitted for lead in accessible surface coatings was 600 parts per million. Lead levels taken of the recalled toys during the course of the states' investigation uncovered amounts in excess of this standard. In some instances, surface coatings tested at over 10,000 and 50,000 parts per million. Since the investigation, Mattel has implemented more stringent quality control procedures, in cooperation with the Attorneys General. Today's agreement reached by the Attorneys General includes tougher standards for accessible lead in toys, effective for toys manufactured after November 30, 2008. Since the Attorneys General first began investigating Mattel in August 2007, Congress has enacted the Consumer Product Safety Improvements Act (CPSIA) which now provides more stringent standards for the amount of lead in toys starting in February 2009. Missouri's Attorney General Office was instrumental in ensuring this federal law contains strong enforcement provisions. Mattel has agreed with the Attorneys General to phase in the tougher standards ahead of the timelines provided by the CPSIA. Mattel has also agreed with the Attorneys General to notify them if it confirms excessive lead in any of its products and to work with the Attorneys General to remedy such violations. In addition, Mattel will pay $12 million to the participating states, including $488,878 to the state of Missouri, to resolve the case. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Gov. Blunt’s Landmark Higher Education Initiative Distributes $8.8 Million to Benefit Missouri Students

Missouri Governor's Office - Press Release             JEFFERSON CITY—Gov. Matt Blunt's plan for Missouri colleges and universities today provided more than $8.8 million to benefit students around the state, promote technology and innovation, and help secure Missouri's role as a higher education leader.  The $8,878,264 payment distribution is the fifteenth of the $335 million total that Gov. Blunt secured for Missouri students and classrooms through his Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative.              "Our Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative is providing more than $335 million to our colleges and universities without a tax increase.  This $335 million investment in state-of-the-art learning centers for our students is in addition to the 19.3 percent increase in higher education funding my administration has achieved over the last four years," Gov. Blunt said. "Our students are our future, and this investment in higher education will continue to ensure that they have the resources they need to compete and succeed in our global economy."              The following universities and colleges received funding today: University of Central Missouri Morrow & Garrison Buildings, $121,820 Harris Stowe-State University Child and Parent Education Center, $1,175,636 Lincoln University Jason Hall, $569,187 Linn State Technical College Heavy Equipment Technology Building, $123,041 Missouri Southern State University Health Sciences Building, $182,187 Missouri State University Phase 1 FREUP, $880,716 Missouri State University Incubator, $400,846 Missouri Western State University Agenstein Science and Math Halls, $739,971 Northwest Missouri State University Biologics Center, $1,434,227 Truman State University Pershing Building, $13,299 University of Missouri Greenley Learning & Discovery Park, $4,945 University of Missouri Delta Research Center, $33,736 University of Missouri Southwest Education and Outreach Center, $652 University of Missouri Graves-Chapple Facility $2,369 University of Missouri Horticulture & Agroforestery Research Center, $44,390 University of Missouri Thompson Farms, $1,372 University of Missouri Wurdack Farm, $1,772 University of Missouri South Farms $535 University of Missouri-Kansas City Dental Equipment, $621,354 Missouri University of Science and Technology (UMR) Engineering Building, $931,893 University of Missouri-St. Louis Benton and Stadler Halls, $263,772 University of Missouri-Kansas City Pharmacy and Nursing Building, $1,330,544             Gov. Blunt's Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative is providing $335 million to Missouri students, colleges and universities, through the sale of loans to out-of-state students who very rarely attended a Missouri school.  One example of the type of loan sold to benefit Missouri students is a loan held by a Californian and used to attend the University of Arizona.             Gov. Blunt's landmark Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative is a partnership between the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority and the state.  The partnership, authorized through legislation and supported by lawmakers, reinvests a state asset to generate $335 million to strengthen Missouri's colleges and universities for students.  The Department of Higher Education and the Office of Administration are working with universities and colleges to process the funding.             The payment amounts reimburse four-year colleges and universities for actual expenditures and are determined by information provided by the institutions each month.  Community college payment amounts are set at $2 million each and distributed by request.  In addition, $6 million total for maintenance and repair was allocated to community colleges.  Community colleges must provide a local match in order to receive the maintenance and repair funds.  Under the governor's plan, the $335 million will be distributed over the next five years to maximize the benefit to students and ensure as many projects may be completed as quickly as possible.             The historic initiative takes an enormous stride forward for higher education in our state and provides much-needed funding for state-of-the-art learning and research centers.  The new learning centers will prepare students to compete in today's global economy where higher quality learning in areas such as math and science are crucial elements for students' future success.              For a complete list of projects funded by the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative and for more information, visit http://www.ded.mo.gov/lcdi.             Gov. Blunt has been a champion for higher education in Missouri.  When he took office, he put an end to cuts to higher education.  Before Gov. Blunt took office higher education had been cut by more than 10 percent or $98 million. Gov. Blunt made higher education a priority, increasing funding for colleges, universities and students by $166.5 million, or 19.3 percent, bringing the total to more than $1 billion.              "Missourians can take pride in the fact that we ended the education cuts and withholdings of the past and delivered the largest higher education budget and the first ever to exceed $1 billion," Gov. Blunt said.             Gov. Blunt's support for higher education quadruples funding available for Access Missouri scholarships and provides $105.8 million in new funding for colleges and universities in addition to the $335 million provided by the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Gov. Blunt Marks Start of Katy Trail Connector to Kansas City

Missouri Governor's Office Press Release             PLEASANT HILL – Expanding the Katy Trail has been a priority for Gov. Matt Blunt and today he held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official beginning of the Rock Island Trail-Katy Connector project from Windsor to Pleasant Hill which connects the Katy Trail to the Kansas City area.                "Missouri's Katy Trail State Park helps to highlight the scenic beauty of our state, provides recreational opportunities for Missourians and generates tourism dollars for our economy," Gov. Blunt said. "Expanding the Katy Trail to the Kansas City area has been a priority of my administration and our efforts in the Taum Sauk settlement have made this connection possible. With the new Windsor to Pleasant Hill connection we will be closer than ever before to connecting the trail across the state.  I look forward to the day when cyclists can travel from St. Louis to Kansas City on this beautiful trail."             "Connecting the Katy Trail to the Kansas City area has been a long-time goal for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and for the cycling community, and it is gratifying to see that this project is moving forward," said Doyle Childers, department director.  "Having a trail connecting the two major metropolitan centers will enhance recognition for Missouri and be an economic boost."                          Gov. Blunt and the Department of Natural Resources secured through the Ameren Taum Sauk settlement a perpetual license to build a trail that will connect the Katy Trail from Windsor to Pleasant Hill, which will result in linking the Katy Trail from St. Louis to Kansas City.  The state will receive $18 million for construction of the Katy Trail to Kansas City.             The 225-mile long Katy Trail, which is administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, has the distinction of being the longest developed rail-to-trail conversion project in the nation. It also has been recognized nationally for the outstanding recreational opportunity it provides and the significant economic boost it has given to the many communities along the route. It is estimated that approximately 350,000 people annually use the trail, which runs from St. Charles to Clinton.                  In addition to being in the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame, Katy Trail State Park is considered a designated Millennium Legacy Trail, part of the American Discovery Trail and is the longest non-motorized segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.                                                This year the Katy Trail was inducted into the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a national nonprofit organization that works with communities to preserve unused rail corridors by transforming them into trails. The Conservancy developed the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame in 2007 to honor exemplary rail-trails each year. Rail-trails are chosen on merits such as national prominence, scenic beauty, user volume, historical significance, total length and geographic diversity. Katy Trail State Park was chosen as the second rail-trail to be included into this new Hall of Fame. There are currently 1,457 open rail-trails and nearly 1,000 more in development.    -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Gov. Blunt Finalizes Missouri’s Electoral Vote for President

Missouri Governor's Office Press Release Electors Select John McCain, Sarah Palin           JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Matt Blunt today finalized Missouri's selection for United States President and Vice President.  After, the state's 11 electors met and selected John McCain for President and Sarah Palin for Vice President, the governor ensured results were finalized and distributed according to century-old protocol.           "Our nation's representative government is structured so that the people define the laws under which we live," Gov. Blunt said.  "As we elect our nation's leader and finalize Missouri's electoral vote we abide by the traditions of our Constitution's authors.  They understood the importance of integrity and accuracy in elections. As it was more than two hundred years ago, the right to vote in a fair and open election today remains one of Americans' greatest freedoms and one that many men and women in uniform have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect."              Members of Missouri's Electoral College today convened at the Capitol.  Each elector was previously certified by Gov. Blunt after the Secretary of State certified the general election results.  After receiving election results the group selected the nation's highest leaders.  Formal copies of the vote tally and results will, as defined by the U.S. Constitution, be delivered to the Vice President of the United States, the Archivist of the United States, the Missouri Secretary of State's Office, and the Chief Judge of the United States Courts for the Western District of Missouri. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

"NAME THE TRAIN" CONTEST RECEIVES OVERWHELMING RESPONSE Call for Entries Closed, Online Voting Begins Week of Dec. 22

MoDOT News Release   ATK-08-107Amtrak Contact: Marc Magliari312 880.5390MoDOT Contact: Kristi Jamison573 526.2482Rod Massman573 751.7476 December 15, 2008 JEFFERSON CITY and ST. LOUIS -  The "Name the Train" Contest sponsored by the Missouri Department of Transportation and Amtrak® attracted more than 8,300 name submissions during the first phase of the contest. Due to the overwhelming response, contest judges require additional time to select the five finalists. As a result, the final voting phase of the contest will begin the week of Dec. 22.  Once online voting begins, you can cast your vote at http://www.morail.org/ or mail your favorite finalist name, along with your name and address to MoDOT, Name the Train Contest, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102.  Only one vote per person will be accepted. The new name will be announced by Jan. 30, 2009. The Missouri Department of Transportation and Amtrak® are sponsoring the "Name the Train" contest in celebration of 30 years of state-supported passenger rail across Missouri, as well as major service improvements in the works. The name selected will give a new, single brand to the St. Louis to Kansas City passenger service line.  Five finalists will receive two round-trip coach tickets to any Amtrak destination in Missouri and a gift basket from one of five participating cities located on the passenger rail line. The grand-prize winner will receive two round-trip sleeping car tickets, if available, to any Amtrak destination in the U.S. About the Missouri Department of Transportation Our mission is to provide a world-class transportation experience that delights our customers and promotes a prosperous Missouri.  For more information, visit http://www.modot.org/ or call 888-ASK-MODOT (within Missouri). About Amtrak Amtrak has posted six consecutive years of growth in ridership and revenue, carrying more than 28.7 million passengers in the last fiscal year.  Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail service to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a 21,000-mile route system.  For schedules, fares and information, passengers may call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Blunt Announces $248,550 Industrial Infrastructure Grant for Callaway County under the Community Development Block Grant Program

Missouri Department of Economic Development Press Release FULTON – Gov. Matt Blunt today announced that Callaway County has been awarded a $248,550 Industrial Infrastructure Grant for road infrastructure improvements under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The Industrial Infrastructure Grant will aid Callaway County in providing public infrastructure needed to assist in the development of Sinclair Research Center, Inc.'s facility. Sinclair will create at least $2.6 million in private investment and 25 new full-time jobs within two years. The project will have a significant economic benefit for Callaway County and the surrounding area. The CDBG Industrial Infrastructure Grant assists local governments in the development of public infrastructure that allows industries to locate new facilities, expand existing facilities, and prevent the closing of a facility or the relocation of a facility outside the state. Projects can only be in a "non-entitlement" area -- a city under 50,000 in population or a county under 200,000 in population. Grant funds may be used for public streets, water or sewer lines, engineering and other public facilities necessary to support the project. A public entity must own the facilities to be funded. Facilities owned by the company or a private utility are not eligible for funding. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Blunt Announces $386,036 Community Development Block Grant for City of Clarksville

For Immediate Release Release Date: 12-15-08 Contact: Keener A. Tippin II (573) 751-9065 Missouri Department of Economic Development Press Release CLARKSVILLE — Gov. Matt Blunt today announced that the city of Clarksville has been approved for a $386,036 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) by the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED). The grant will be utilized for a drainage system improvement project. Clarksville's storm water drainage system is poor at best and non-existent in other areas. Following a moderate rain, storm water rushes down city streets, into basements, crawl spaces and businesses. For long periods of time, stagnant water can also be found standing in lawns, creating a health hazard to citizens. The entire community will benefit from the proposed improvements. The CDBG program, administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, provides grants and loan funds to cities with a population under 50,000 and counties under 200,000 to assist in a variety of public works and economic development projects. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Missouri to receive $150,000 in nationwide settlement with Florida dietary supplement producer over false claims

Missouri Attorney General's Office Press Release Jefferson City, Mo. - A Florida-based company that made unsubstantiated and unlawful claims in marketing dietary supplements will cease the practice and pay the state of Missouri $150,000 under a consent judgment obtained today by the Attorney General's Office. Missouri was part of a $7 million nationwide settlement with Airborne Health, Inc. of Bonita Springs, Fla.,that involved 32 states and the District of Columbia. Airborne-Original is the top selling dietary supplement in its category and is sold at many major retailers. It consists of Vitamin A, E, zinc, selenium and large doses of Vitamin C. Today's settlement covers all Airborne products in addition to Airborne-Original, including any new products the defendants produce in the future. The settlement resolves the state Attorneys Generals' allegations that the defendants made health-related claims in the marketing, packaging, advertising, offering and selling of their line of dietary supplements that were not substantiated by reliable and competent scientific evidence at the time the claims were made. The states alleged that Airborne explicitly and implicitly claimed to sell a cold prevention remedy, a sore throat remedy, a germ fighter, and an allergy remedy without adequate substantiation to prove that the products could perform as advertised at the times the claims were made. Other allegations included that the defendants failed to adequately warn consumers about potential health risks to select populations, including pregnant women, under old formulations of Airborne that contained 5,000 International Units of Vitamin A per dose. Currently, the level of Vitamin A in Airborne is 2,000 International Units. Under today's settlement filed in Cole County Circuit Court, Airborne agrees not to make any express or implied claim concerning the health benefit, performance, efficacy or safety of their dietary supplement products unless at the time the claim is made competent and reliable scientific evidence exists to substantiate each claim. Specifically, Airborne is prohibited from stating "take at the first sign of a cold symptom," and other claims that imply that Airborne can diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat, or cure colds, coughs, the flu, and upper respiratory infection or allergies. -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com

Gov. Blunt Urges Preparedness, Generator Safety in Wake of Winter Storms

Missouri Governor's Office Press Release             JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Matt Blunt today urged Missourians to protect their homes, purchase additional food and an alternate heating source before the next round of winter storms.  Missouri is experiencing the first rounds of winter weather including extremely cold temperatures, freezing rain and snow.              "Many Missourians experienced power outages from the ice and winter storms that hit our state in December 2007 and February 2008.  My first concern is for the safety of our citizens.  I strongly encourage Missouri families to ensure they are prepared for winter storms with the appropriate supplies and to stay updated on the latest storm information including the Department of Transportation's Road Closure information," Gov. Blunt said.             Missouri families should consider purchasing additional water and food that can be prepared without cooking in case there are power outages. They should make sure there are extra batteries for a radio and create and keep a winter vehicle kit in their vehicle's trunk. This includes a blanket, a spare radio with batteries, snacks or energy-type food, jumper cables, flares, a shovel, sand or shingles to give their tires traction.             With recent power outages fresh in Missourians' memories, it makes sense to secure an alternate fuel source such as firewood, heater, or a generator. Make sure your fireplace functions properly. If you have a kerosene heater, refill the heater outside and remember to keep the heater at least 3 feet away from flammable objects. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a real threat when charcoal is burned to heat your home.             Before purchasing a generator read the labels on lighting, appliances, and equipment you plan to connect to the generator to determine the amount of power that will be needed to operate the equipment. Choose a generator that produces more power than will be drawn by a combination of lighting, appliances and equipment you plan to connect to the generator. Remember the initial power surge. If your equipment draws more power than the generator can produce, you may blow a fuse on the generator or damage your equipment.             Follow the installation directions supplied with your generator. Never use portable generators indoors, especially inside a closed garage. Adequate ventilation is necessary when running a generator. Proper refueling measures, outlined in the owner's manual, must be carefully followed. Make sure you have properly working carbon monoxide (CO) alarms inside your home. Let your generator cool down before refueling. Do not store fuel in a garage, basement or anywhere inside your home. Vapors released from the fuel can cause illnesses, a potential fire or explosion hazard.             Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not hook up a generator to your home's electrical service. Home use generators do not supply enough amperage to supply sufficient power to run the furnace, lighting, electronic equipment and appliances simultaneously. Unless your home power supply was installed with a disconnect to the main power feeding lines, power you put into your home from a generator could "backfeed" into the main line and cause problems for the utility company and you.           For more information check these websites: Missouri's Ready in 3 program: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Ready_in_3 SEMA: http://sema.dps.mo.gov/semapage.htm then click on the 2008 Winter Awareness Link. Missouri Dept of Transportation's Road Conditions: www.modot.org NWS St. Louis Winter Campaign: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=winterday NWS's Winter Brochure: http://www.weather.gov/os/brochures/winterstorm.pdf -- http://MissouriNetizen.com http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.missourinetizen.com