Website | E-Mail Me | Biography | Newsroom | Subscribe | Unsubscribe April Keaveny Connection Contact: Stacy Morse — (573) 751-3599 Session Reaches Half-Way Point Benefits of Expanding Medicaid in Missouri Recap of Early Education Rally Fathers' Support Center Community Action Agency of St. Louis County Saint Louis Attractions Association Saving Lives With Blood and Organ Donation Community News and Announcements 2013 Legislative Session Reaches Half-Way Point Three of my bills have already been sent to the House for consideration. Report on Sen. Keaveny's Legislation The 2013 legislative session is past its half-way point, and more than 80 measures have been sent to the House for consideration. Session wraps up on May 17, and lawmakers have much work ahead of them. Here is an update on some of the measures I'm sponsoring this session. Senate Bill 62, voted "do pass" by the Senate Transportation Committee, would promote seat belt use and help prevent motor vehicle fatalities by increasing the fine for seat belt violations from $10 to $50. Senate Bill 69, which would permit administrative hearings officers from the Department of Social Services to correct certain errors in child support orders, was sent to the House. Also sent to the House, Senate Bill 86 addresses public pensions and specifies that plans use the funded ratio as of the most recent periodic actuarial valuation before implementing a benefit increase. The bill has a hearing scheduled in the House on April 4. Senate Bill 99, which would make the St. Louis City public administrator an appointed position, was voted "do pass" by its Senate committee. Senate Bill 100, which would add health savings plans and inherited retirement accounts to the list of exemptions in bankruptcy proceedings, was sent to the House. Senate Bill 133, which was voted "do pass" by its committee, would help expand access to early childhood education by allowing a school district that operates an early education program to receive state funding through the foundation formula for students between the ages of 3 and 5 who are eligible for free and reduced lunch. Senate Bill 162, which received a hearing in the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on March 25, would modify provisions relating to criminal procedures. Senate Bill 379 received a hearing in the Senate Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee on March 27. Those who testified in support of the bill included the City of St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. The bill would modify provisions of the state’s Distressed Areas Land Assemblage Tax Credit Act and extend the program until Aug. 28, 2019. Studying the Cost of the Death Penalty Senate Bill 61 would require the state auditor to make a one-time report on the costs of administering the death penalty in Missouri. An amendment added to the bill during its time in committee would require the auditor’s report to be paid for by private funds, to which I am opposed. If outside groups are required to pay for the study, you open up the possibility for biased and tainted results. I am also sponsoring a concurrent resolution (SCR 14) to help us better understand the costs of administering the death penalty in Missouri and how those costs affect taxpayers in the state. The Oversight Division of the Committee on Legislative Research would need to compare the costs regarding cases in which the death penalty is sought and imposed; the death penalty is not sought and the Missourian is sentenced to life in prison without parole; and the death penalty is sought, but not imposed. In addition to the state’s uninformed status of the overall costs of administering the death penalty, Missouri’s criminal procedures system has several flaws, and its structure must be streamlined to prevent wrongful convictions of innocent people. The majority party pushed a measure forward in the Senate that would cost the state millions in lost revenue. Standing Against Tax Increases on Hard-Working Missourians Before lawmakers adjourned for spring recess, the Senate sent to the House a bill that would raise taxes on hard-working Missourians — my colleagues and I in the minority party stood united in opposition to the bill. The measure in question, SB 26, would increase the state sales tax while decreasing income tax rates and business taxes over a five-year period. It is a disservice to thousands of Missourians to raise taxes on those who can least afford it. For hard-working citizens who are struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table, this bill would make it more difficult to afford everything from school supplies to clothing. Those who would benefit from the bill are corporations and wealthier Missourians. While we need to encourage economic development in our state, it should not be at the expense of Missouri's most vulnerable citizens. It's estimated that Missouri would see a decline in state revenue from $477 million to as much as $670 million. Our school funding formula is underfunded, and we should not sacrifice our children's education for the sake of competition with other states to see who can provide the lowest taxes. The governor sent a letter to Missouri senators noting the consequences of SB 26, which you can read by clicking here. I will continue to advocate on behalf of Missourians and fight for those who would be most harmed by this legislation. You can listen to my audio interview regarding SB 26 by visiting my Multimedia page on my Missouri Senate website. Benefits of Expanding Medicaid in Missouri Missouri lawmakers have an important choice to make this year — whether to expand the Medicaid program in Missouri under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, or to leave hundreds of thousands of Missouri citizens without access to affordable health care. The Medicaid program serves low-income individuals, children, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, and senior citizens. Some lawmakers contend the state simply cannot afford to expand Medicaid in Missouri. This argument misses several key points about the Affordable Care Act. First of all, the federal government will pay the entire cost of expansion for the first three years, gradually reducing its percentage of the cost of the program to 90 percent.  Missouri will never pay more than 10 percent of the cost of expansion. If Missouri does not expand Medicaid, the tax dollars Missourians pay will simply be spent on health care services in other states (Medicaid expansion was not included in the Missouri Senate or House budget plans). In addition, a recent University of Missouri (MU) study found that Medicaid expansion would essentially pay for itself. The report states that the federal government will contribute $8.2 billion to Missouri’s Medicaid expansion from 2014-2020, or 96.1 percent of the cost of expansion. During that same period, the state will contribute $332.9 million to expanding Medicaid, or just 3.9 percent of the total cost.  A MU study concluded that Medicaid expansion would generate $856 million in state and local taxes from 2014-2020 — more than enough to pay Missouri’s share of the cost of expansion. The Missouri Hospital Association also highlighted in a news release that, without Medicaid reform, the cost of providing care to the state’s uninsured citizens at Missouri hospitals could nearly triple to $3.5 billion annually by 2019. The organization also released a report noting how not reforming Medicaid could lead to cost shifting (click here to read the report). The Affordable Care Act is the culmination of an effort, started by President Harry Truman, to provide universal health care for the citizens of this country. We haven’t achieved that worthy goal, but it is now in sight. I hope Missouri lawmakers do what is in the best interests of the citizens they are elected to represent.   Early Childhood Education Rally Senator Keaveny speaks at a rally at the Capitol in support of expanding access to early education programs. In early March, a bipartisan group of lawmakers and Missouri leaders came together at the Missouri Capitol in support of expanding access to early childhood education programs. The event was hosted by America's Edge, an organization that strives to strengthen businesses and the economy through investments in children. During the event, a report commissioned by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Early Childhood was released, highlighting how investing in early learning can help expand Missouri's economy. Among its findings, the report notes that if all Missouri children age 5 or under were given access to quality early learning programs at a cost of an additional $1.9 billion, that investment would generate $3.5 billion in total new spending in Missouri businesses. It's also important to note that many kids are not learning the necessary skills to grow in their academic careers. The study found that, on a national level, 60 percent of 3- to 5-year-olds do not have the basic skills needed to enter kindergarten, such as counting to 10 and recognizing letters of the alphabet. With support across the table, I am hoping my early education bills, SB 132 and SB 133 (SB 133 was voted "do pass" in the Senate Education Committee) will move forward in the Missouri Legislature. You can read an editorial published by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch regarding SB 133 by clicking here. You can keep track of the measures by visiting the Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov. Fathers' Support Center According to the Fathers' Support Center, children whose fathers are not in their lives are 10 times more likely to use illegal drugs and 20 times more likely to go to prison. With a mission to help men become better parents to their children, the Fathers' Support Center in St. Louis has served more than 9,000 fathers and their families — including 22,500 children. By providing numerous services to fathers in the community, families in St. Louis are growing stronger and more children will be on the path to a happy life. It's evident that children who grow up without fathers in their lives are more likely to be involved in crime and to have more struggles growing up. To help participants, the organization sets up a "boot camp" program for dads. Programs not only emphasize the importance of fathers building good relationships with their children, but help fathers acquire necessary skills to maintain employment and become financially stable. The gentleman who started the program, Halbert Sullivan, provides a great deal of energy and heart to the organization, having dealt with his own struggles as a younger man. Sullivan was featured in a Suburban Journals article receiving the Gold Pin in February for the President's Volunteer Service Award, signifying that Sullivan has spent more than 500 hours providing service to the community. I applaud him for all his invaluable service to our community and to St. Louis families. You can watch a KTVI video report featuring Sullivan by clicking here. On June 15, the Fathers' Support Center and the Fatherhood Initiative Committee will host the 17th Annual Fatherhood Walk/5K Run and Rally from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Tower Grove Park. The purpose of the event is to highlight the importance of responsible fatherhood. Organizations and businesses are encouraged to help raise awareness and participate in the event. If you'd like to become a sponsor, run or walk in support, or register a booth, please contact the Fathers' Support Center at (314) 333-4170. Community Action Agency of St. Louis County The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) has served St. Louis County for more than 30 years and is committed to helping the communities of St. Louis County prevent conditions of poverty for future generations. CAASTLC offers several counseling programs to assist and provide encouragement to members of low-income families in our community, including: Counseling to address individuals and families, anger management, and drug and alcohol abuse; A therapy program to assist people struggling to establish and maintain sobriety; and Drug and alcohol programs designed specifically for women, as well as an "aftercare" maintenance program designed to involve people in positive activities and extend supportive contact. The organization also offers emergency services to take care of citizens' immediate needs, including a food pantry, which is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon. A household can receive food assistance every 30 days if necessary, for a maximum of 12 times per year. CAASTLC also provides weatherization services, which help reduce energy costs for eligible families by improving the energy efficiency of their homes, at no cost to citizens. For more information about CAASTLC or how to volunteer for this organization, please visit the organization's website (www.caastlc.org) or call (314) 863-0015. Saint Louis Attractions Association Members of the SLAA visit the Capitol and Jefferson City. On Tuesday, Feb. 5, members of the Saint Louis Attractions Association (SLAA) traveled to Jefferson City for the fourth annual "Tourism Trip." Their goal was to visit with legislators to let them know the importance of tourism on Missouri's economy. By increasing the amount the state spends on tourism promotion, it will increase tax revenues, create jobs, and improve the economy. According to SLAA, for every dollar invested in the Division of Tourism’s budget, the state of Missouri receives $3.22 in state tax revenues. In addition, investing in tourism helps provide more than 80,000 jobs in the St. Louis region alone. For more about the Saint Louis Attractions Association, visit www.stlattractions.org. Saving Lives With Blood and Organ Donation A single organ and tissue donor can save the lives of up to eight people and improve the lives of at least 50 individuals. There is no greater service you can provide to a person than the gift of life. With so many citizens in St. Louis and across the state in need of blood transfusions or organ transplants, I encourage you to discuss with your family the notion of becoming a blood donor or signing up to become an organ donor. Blood donations are always in high demand, and just one donation can make a big impact — one pint of blood can save up to three lives. If you'd like to learn more about donating blood, or about volunteer opportunities with the American Red Cross, you can visit the American Red Cross (St. Louis chapter) website at www.redcross.org/mo/st-louis. Organ donation is also a priceless gift that can save the lives of numerous people. Here are some ways you can sign up to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor in Missouri: Register your decision in Missouri's registry online. Enroll in the registry when you obtain or renew an instruction permit, or a driver's or non-driver's license. Complete and mail in a registration form. You may also call toll-free at (888) 497-4564 to obtain a copy of the form. Sign the back of your license with a permanent marker — be sure to also have a witness sign. For more about organ donation in Missouri, including donation facts and common misconceptions about organ donation, visit the Donate Life Missouri website at www.donatelifemissouri.com. Community News and Announcements Free Concert at Powell Symphony Hall On Wednesday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m., the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, with the St. Louis Symphony, will present "SymphonyCares — A Music Therapy Showcase," a free concert for the citizens of St. Louis. The concert promotes the healing power of music and will feature musicians and representatives from various health care and wellness organizations. A complementary reception will follow. To learn more about the St. Louis Symphony's Community Partnership Program, please click here. Neighborhood Organizations Neighborhood organizations provide excellent outlets for citizens to participate in their communities and note any concerns they may have. To find a neighborhood organization in District 4, click here or visit my Missouri Senate website (www.senate.mo.gov/keaveny) and click on the "Neighborhood Meetings" icon on the main page. If you have a neighborhood organization you would like noted on this special Web page, please e-mail wilma.rowden@senate.mo.gov.