Every Day Numbers for the 14th District
CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES
Division of Child Support Enforcement
(314) 877-2700
Jewish Family and Children's Services
(314) 993-1000
NAACP - St. Louis County Branch
(314) 389-1552
St. Louis County Human Services
(314) 615-4453
Youth Emergency Services
(314) 862-1334
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Consumer Credit Counseling Services
(314) 647-9004
Consumer
Credit Reports
1-877-322-8228
Missouri Consumer Protection Hotline
1-800-392-8222
Missouri Dept. of Insurance Consumer Information
1-800-726-7390
CRISIS HOTLINES
Youth Emergency Service Hotline
(314) 727-6294
St. Louis Housing Resource Center
(Homeless Hotline)
(314) 802-5444
Life Crisis Services, Inc. (for Adults)
(24-Hour)
(314) 647-4357
Elderly Abuse Hotline
1-800-392-0210
Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline
(24-Hours)
1-800-392-3738
Alcohol Drug Interventions & Drug Treatment Referrals
1-888-762-3750
HEALTH-RELATED SERVICES
Alzheimer's Association
1-800-980-9080
Birth & Death Records
(314) 615-1720
HIGHER EDUCATION
Missouri School for the Blind
(314) 776-4320
Paraquad, Inc.
(314) 289-4200
HOUSING
Beyond Housing
(314) 533-0600
Housing Authority -
St. Louis County
(314) 428-3200
Home Improvement Grants (North County)
(314) 615-8232
PREGNANCY COUNSELING
Abortion Alternatives
(314) 962-5300
Planned Parenthood & Reproductive Health Services of St. Louis
(314) 531-7526
SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES
Missouri Rx Program
1-800-375-1406
Long-Term Care Information - Ombudsman
(314) 918-8222
Older Adult Community Action Program
(314) 993-5181
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (Elderly Law Unit)
(314) 534-4200
TOUR THE CAPITAL CITY
State Capitol Tours
(573) 751-2854
TRANSPORTATION
Call-A-Ride
(314) 652-3617
VETERANS BENEFITS
American Red Cross Blood Services
(314) 658-2000
Missouri Veterans Commission
(573) 751-3779
St. Louis County Office of Veterans' Services
(314) 615-4413
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
Big Brothers
Big Sisters
(314) 361-5900
Foster Grandparents
(314) 961-8000
ext. 370
Newsletter
February 28, 2013
Friends & Neighbors,
If you would like to learn more about the issues addressed in this newsletter or would like to discuss any matter involving state government, please contact my Capitol office.
Thank you,
Maria Chappelle-Nadal
14th District
| Senate Approves Tax Incentive and Tax Credit Legislation |
It was a very busy week in the Senate as my colleagues and I debated several high-profile pieces of legislation relating to tax policy, paycheck deductions for labor union dues, and a program that allows schools to teach a gun safety program to young students. Although I am frustrated as a member of the minority party to have to take these bad bills seriously, I believe we can all work together to help move this state forward without jeopardizing past accomplishments. My goal is to create acceptable tax reform that helps our middle-class citizens and those who live in poverty.
This week the Senate approved a measure that would modify provisions regarding several tax credit and tax incentive programs in Missouri. Senate Bill 120, among other provisions, would create the Missouri Export Incentive Act authorizing air export credits for freight forwarders to qualifying outboard flights from the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. I fully support this provision aimed at creating new jobs in my district and the greater St. Louis region as a whole.
The principle idea is to create an environment for expansion at the airport to incentivize cargo and freight forwarders that transport products all over the world to do business in St. Louis. The state would issue the air export tax credits, capped at $7.5 million each fiscal year, unless the Department of Economic Development approves a larger amount. However, the total aggregate amount of air export tax credits that may be authorized over an eight-year period is $60 million. Simply put, we want to help bring more business to our airport and to our state. I am confident the proposal will create new jobs and increase Missouri exports.
The legislation also would create state and local sales and use tax exemptions for existing data storage centers and allow cities and counties to be exempt from certain taxes when upgrading or selling properties that are technology-based. Additionally, SB 120 changes provisions of existing tax credit programs, including the Low-Income Housing tax credit, the Historic Preservation tax credit, the Brownfield Remediation tax credit and the Neighborhood Preservation Act. The legislation eliminates the Self-Employed Health Insurance tax credit, which allows self-employed taxpayers who are unable to deduct health insurance premiums on their federal income taxes to receive a refundable tax credit against their state income tax liability.
SB 120 also authorizes $36 million in “angel investor” tax credits over six years to help new business startups in Missouri. The state currently has more than 60 tax credit programs that diverted $629-million in state revenue last year toward job creation, to encourage charitable giving, and to subsidize low-income seniors and disabled Missourians. Senate Bill 120 now moves to the House for consideration.
St. Louis County Library Announces Teen Tech Month
Seat Belts and Safety on the Roads and Highways
Tax Tips from the Missouri Department of Revenue
 |
Mo. Senate's Vote on Tax Credit Legislation (Associated Press)
Chappelle-Nadal Plans to Make Mark in Legislative Debate Over Guns
(The St. Louis Beacon)
Non-Public School Amendment Sidelines Public School Scholarship Bill
(OzarksFirst.com)
Audio: Non-Public School Amendment Sidelines Public Scholarship Bill (Missourinet)
A Flaw in a Law to Help Missouri Charter Schools (The Kansas City Star)
Mo. Supreme Court Mulls Benefits for Gay Partners (Daily Journal Online)
"Thank you for everything you are doing on behalf of working Missourians and in particular union members who are under attack from a group of legislators. You have helped us for years and we will not forget you, when you need our help, we will have your back. Labor in the state of Missouri is better because of your efforts." – David
"Love the position you have taken. Of course parents should be held responsible. Grandparents, too." – Donna
"Thanks for your hard work on gun control! It is much appreciated! –
Rev. Carleton Stock
"Tax and register guns just like cars. Test gun owners every five years, with physical and mental tests, and require them to pay for the tests." – Alfred
"Thank you for your forum the other night at UMSL. It was very well received." – Joyce
Friday, Feb. 22 – Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013
Friday morning, I was thrilled to tour the Missouri Baptist Children's Home in Bridgeton. The center provides care to children and families in need. My goal is to visit every agency or business in my Senate district which provides services like the Missouri Baptist Children's Home, to get a full grasp on what is working and what is not working for my constituents. My hope is that we can work together to solve and correct any problems, and possibly file legislation that could be beneficial to the people who rely on these services and the people who perform these duties.I also visited St. John Neumann Apartments in Jennings, a place that provides a valuable service to our senior citizens and their families.
Saturday, I attended a town hall forum hosted by the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus. The event focused on several issues, including crime in our communities, education, jobs and economic development and a disparity study by the state to look at recent demographic trends regarding minorities and business. I capped off the weekend by attending the St. Louis County NAACP's annual Rosa Parks State Observance Day in Normandy. The event was free and open to the public and had several outstanding guest speakers. Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Al., in 1955 sparked the beginning of the American Civil Rights Movement. Parks was the secretary and youth advisor for the Montgomery Branch of the NAACP and is still a great inspiration to many around the world. A life-size statue was unveiled of her in D.C. this week. She is the first black woman ever featured.
Former State Rep. Ester Heywood, D-St. Louis, speaks at the
St. Louis County NAACP's
annual Rosa Parks State Observance Day.