Website | E-Mail Me | Biography | Newsroom | Subscribe | Unsubscribe March Keaveny Connection Contact: Stacy Morse — (573) 751-3599 Senator Keaveny's Legislation Sent to House Rally Supporting Early Childhood Education Sen. Keaveny's Bills Move Forward in Legislature Free Tax Assistance Construction Careers Center Charter High School State of Missouri Disparity Study Saint Louis Crisis Nursery Missouri Department of Conservation Programs Senator Keaveny's Legislation Sent to House Senator Keaveny with Nanci A. Bobrow and Executive Director Kirk Schreiber, who serve on the Board of Directors of the Children's Trust Fund. Protecting Public Pensions My legislation to clarify provisions of law relating to Missouri public pensions and assist in the long-term sustainability and security of these pension plans (SB 86) was sent to the House for consideration. Current state statute prohibits public pension plans from implementing benefit enhancements beyond a plan’s provisions in effect prior to Aug. 28, 2007, unless the plan’s funded ratio is at least 80 percent. Senate Bill 86 specifies that plans use the most recent periodic actuarial valuation before implementing a benefit increase. The act also authorizes plans to make benefit increases, despite having a funded ratio below the required level, if necessary to maintain federal tax deferred status on the employer contributions paid into the plan. We need to establish solid retirement security for our hard-working public employees, such as our teachers and public safety officers. After a career of working for the state and serving others, Missourians should feel confident in their retirement and not have undue stress about their livelihood. Addressing Bankruptcy Proceedings Senate Bill 100, sent to the House on Feb. 26, would increase protections for Missourians involved in cases of bankruptcy. Under current state law, an individual who must declare bankruptcy can exempt his or her money located in a retirement or a profit-sharing plan from the bank. My proposal would expand those exemptions to include money a Missourian has accumulated in a health savings plan or received from an inherited individual retirement account (IRA). Bankruptcy is not meant to wipe out Missourians' savings for their health or retirement needs, and my legislation would help ensure that valuable money remains safe for citizens. Administrative Child Support Decisions Senate Bill 69, sent to the House on Feb. 20, would grant authority to administrative hearing officers from the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) to set aside or correct administrative child support decisions or orders and proposed administrative modifications of a judicial order. My bill also specifies the conditions and timeframe under which corrections to orders and decisions can be made due to a mistake, fraud, misrepresentation, and other situations. By allowing DSS officers to fix certain mistakes found in cases, such as scrivener’s errors (incorrect dates of birth or Social Security numbers), critical matters regarding our young ones can be handled as promptly and efficiently as possible. Rally Supporting Early Childhood Education Studies indicate that investing funds in early education would prevent children from needing to repeat grades; in 2011, more than 24,000 students were held back in Missouri. On Tuesday, March 5, at 12:30 p.m., in the first floor Capitol Rotunda, the Missouri Coordinating Board for Early Childhood will release a report that demonstrates the economic benefits of investing in early childhood education. The presentation will show how investments in early care and education provide a boost to local businesses in Missouri and play an important role in helping the state’s economic recovery. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) highlights an analysis that demonstrates the benefits of early education programs, particularly for children from low-income families. The study focused on the Child-Parent Centers (CPC) program, part of the Chicago Public Schools system, which was founded to serve families in high-poverty neighborhoods. The study followed children who participated in the CPC program to age 24 and found that those individuals were: Less likely to suffer from depression, Less likely to serve time in prison, More likely to go to college and find a full-time job, and More likely to have health insurance. It’s estimated that every dollar spent on the program generates $4 to $11 of benefits to the participants and society at large. We need to bring forth action that will promote a strong and well-rounded education for our children, and, in turn, we will see a boost in our state’s economy and job market. Senator Keaveny's Bills Move Forward in Legislature Seat belts are the most effective way to save your life in event of an accident and can reduce your risk of fatal injury by 45 percent. Evaluating the Cost of the Death Penalty Like so many of us, the state needs to budget its money and make every dollar count. Our state has not conducted a comprehensive study regarding the cost of applying the death penalty, compared to sentencing individuals to life in prison without the possibility of parole. I'm sponsoring SB 61 (voted do pass by its committee on Feb. 13) to require the auditor to make a one-time report on the costs of administering the death penalty in Missouri. According to the organization Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, studies in 12 states have concluded that the death penalty costs an additional 30 percent, to up to 10 times more, than seeking life without parole. Missouri needs to determine the best solutions for both taxpayers and incarcerated individuals. Raising Seat Belt Fines to Help Prevent Fatal Injuries Senate Bill 62 would raise the fine for seat belt violations from $10 to $50; the bill was voted do pass by the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Feb. 27. Groups and organizations that showed up in support of the bill included the Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri State Troopers Association, Missouri State Medical Association, and the Missouri Trucking Association. Mark Peck, an injury prevention outreach coordinator for the Mercy Injury Prevention Center in Springfield, Mo., also testified on behalf of SB 62. At the bill's hearing, he stated that the average charges for a restrained Medicaid patient involved in an motor vehicle crash were $33,500. The average charges billed for an unrestrained Medicaid patient are $85,300. That is a difference of $51,800 per patient. Missouri is lagging behind the national average for seat belt use — our state's citizens use seat belts only about 79 percent of the time, as opposed to the national rate of 84 percent. Losing a loved one in a car accident is horrible enough, let alone knowing he or she could have been saved if they had just worn a seat belt. My hope for the legislation is to encourage more people in Missouri to buckle up and be safe. For more about SB 62, please click here to listen to my audio interview. Criminal Procedures in Missouri My bill to streamline our criminal procedures system was considered in the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on Monday, Feb. 25. Senate Bill 162 addresses five key areas of the criminal justice system: eyewitness identification procedures, post-conviction DNA testing, jailhouse informant testimony, custodial interrogations, and biological evidence procedures. Some of these issues were noted as areas needing improvement in Missouri’s criminal procedures system, according to a report published by the American Bar Association (ABA) in 2012. With science and technology available to help professionals thoroughly investigate a crime to the best of their ability, therefore allowing judges to administer the most accurate sentences possible, Missouri needs to jump on board to modernize its criminal procedures system. Expanding Access to Early Childhood Education I am dedicated to expanding access to early education programs and am sponsoring two bills to address this matter. Senate Bill 132 would allow a school district that operates a pre-kindergarten program to receive state funding through the state’s school foundation formula for students between 3 and 5 years of age. Senate Bill 133 is similar, but targets children who are eligible to receive free and reduced-priced lunch. Both measures had a hearing conducted in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 27. Witnesses who testified in support of SB 133 included representatives from: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Children's Education Council of Missouri Missouri Charter Public School Association Partnership for Children The Special Administrative Board for St. Louis Public Schools School Administrators Coalition Missouri State Teachers Association First Chance for Children St. Louis Regional Chamber Child Care Aware of Missouri Missouri National Education Association Missouri School Board Association Free Tax Assistance for Missourians We've reached that time of year again to file our taxes with the state and federal government — the deadline is Monday, April 15. Dealing with taxes can be stressful, and often, people don't know where to turn for assistance. Here are some resources you can use to help make this year's tax season less stressful. The St. Louis Tax Assistance Program enlists the help of professional volunteers who are happy to offer complementary and confidential tax preparation services and financial counseling to low-income families and individuals who need assistance to claim available credits and refunds. Visit the organization's website at www.stlouistap.org to find out more about tax services. You can also learn about 1099-G forms, which provide important tax information that needs to be reported on your federal income tax return, by clicking here. In addition, the IRS lists several resources that could offer help with tax questions. For any additional help or question regarding your taxes, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue's website at www.dor.mo.gov. Construction Careers Center Charter High School Construction Careers Center student Dandre Traylor observing Carl Spalinger (C&R Mechanical Company) during Job Shadow Day in February. The Construction Careers Center (CCC) Charter High School is a great option for high school students interested in preparing for careers in the St. Louis construction industry. CCC was founded by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of St. Louis to prepare students in grades nine through 12 for the construction industry by providing a solid foundation in academics, a broad exposure to the construction industry, and relevant career and technical education. The demand for employment in the St. Louis construction industry is expected to grow over the next few years, as the economy expands and older workers retire. CCC graduates can choose to participate in some of the best apprenticeship training programs in the country, prepare for other post-secondary education at a community college or local universities, or enter employment with a wide range of construction industry suppliers or service providers. CCC graduates are supported by a full-time placement coordinator responsible for connecting and matching students with interested employers. For more information, contact recruitment coordinators Cornelius Weaver (314) 657-8622, or Gwen Crimm at (314) 280-7799. State of Missouri Disparity Study Missouri is overdue for an updated disparity study; the last disparity study in our state was commissioned in 1994 and completed in 1996. It's common practice for states to conduct these studies every three to five years. An updated State of Missouri Disparity Study will compare the actual number of minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBE) that exist in the state against the actual number of M/WBEs utilized in state government contracts. The study will help determine whether any barriers exist, due to discriminatory practices that impede M/WBEs from participating in state contracting opportunities. A initiative was established in FY 2013 to use public and private money to fund a statewide disparity study for Missouri. The goal is to raise $1.5 million; approximately $82,152 has been raised thus far. I applaud the governor for including a $1 million appropriation for an updated study in his plan for the FY 2014 budget. We need to make sure all businesses have the chance to grow and succeed, and not be brought down due to race or gender. Please visit oeo.mo.gov/disparity/faqs to learn more about a disparity study for our state. Saint Louis Crisis Nursery Senator Keaveny participates in a legislative forum sponsored by the Regional Early Childhood Council and Vision for Children at Risk. Saint Louis Crisis Nursery is fully committed to preventing child abuse and neglect in our community, and has served the St. Louis area since 1986. The organization provides emergency intervention, respite care, and support to families in crisis by offering the following: Short-term care for young children in a safe and nurturing environment. Assistance to families coping with crisis. Resources for empowerment, ongoing support, and parent education. Community outreach and awareness. Advocacy for children and families. In addition, struggling families may bring their children to any of the organization's nursery locations if they are coping with parental stress; an illness or death in the family; lack of resources, such as food or shelter; domestic violence; and other emergency situations in which a child may be in danger. With a $3.4 million budget, more than 86 percent of all revenue goes directly to crisis care for children and family empowerment services — this includes the operation of five Crisis Nursery facilities (operated year-round, 24 hours a day), as well as the support of families at six out-reach centers throughout the region. For more information about the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery or how you can volunteer, please visit the organization's website (www.crisisnurserykids.org) or call (314) 292-5770. Missouri Department of Conservation Programs The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is hosting several events and programs throughout March to encourage people to connect with nature. Though the weather is chilly and the trees are still bare, Missourians can still enjoy the great outdoors. "Women's Basic Handgun" Workshop Jay Henges Shooting Range Thursday, March 7, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, March 9, 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. This two-part women’s program will include instruction on handgun operation, shooting fundamentals, safety, maintenance, and safe storage. A classroom session will begin on Thursday evening, with a live-fire session on Saturday morning. Although equipment and ammunition will be provided, you may bring your own. Anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult (participants must be at least 16 years of age). To register for this program, email henges.range@mdc.mo.gov or call (636) 938-9548. Please reserve by March 7. Beginner Photography Workshop Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center in Forest Park Sunday, March 10, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. For those who love nature and enjoy taking pictures, join the MDC for a morning session of photography for beginners. Photography techniques will be discussed, and the group will venture to Forest Park to take photos. Please call (314) 877-1309 for more information. This workshop is for participants age 15 and older. Hunter Education Classes and Certification To view a list of hunter education courses, please click here. Also, for Missourians age 16 and older, an Apprentice Hunter Authorization Permit allows individuals who do not have hunter education certification to hunt in the presence of a hunter-certified adult. This permit is perfect for Missourians who wish to try hunting before making the commitment to hunter education. Winter Fishing Opportunities Through the MDC's urban trout fishing program, rainbow trout can be stocked in cooperatively-managed urban ponds and small lakes. The program provides close-to-home fishing opportunities and is a great activity for families. Trout can be harvested in all impoundments and any type of bait, lure or fly may be used to harvest up to a daily limit of four trout. An annual trout permit is required to harvest trout, but is not required for catch-and-release fishing. In the St. Louis area, some of the locations in which the MDC stocks trout include the Boathouse Lake in St. Louis, Carp Lake in St. Louis County, Island Lake in St. Louis County, and Tilles Park Lake in St. Louis County. For more about outdoor adventures you and your family can share, visit www.mdc.mo.gov.