Dear Friends:
The 2014 legislative session came to a close on Friday, May 16. The majority of my work as your state senator now focuses in the district. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call either my District or Capitol offices. I'm here to work for you, and I'm honored to serve as your voice in the Missouri Senate.
Thank you.
Bipartisan Education Bill Addressing School Accreditation and Student Transfers Slated to Receive the Governor's Veto
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Senate Bill 493 was the culmination of bipartisan legislation coming together in order to reform Missouri's school accreditation and student transfer process. The compromise was among nine Senate bills filed this session, one of which I sponsored, that would change how our state assigns classification designations to individual schools through Missouri, naming them as unaccredited, provisionally accredited, accredited or accredited with distinction.
An amendment I sponsored, which was added to the bill earlier on during the legislative session, would prohibit changing a public school's classification from accredited to unaccredited or provisionally accredited when there is no member serving on the State Board of Education that represents the congressional district where that school is located. Many decisions have been made on behalf of students, parents, teachers and school officials of the Kansas City Public Schools when the city did not have a resident member serving on the board. While there were members on the board looking out on behalf of my constituents in the area of education, those living in the city would have had the peace of mind knowing they had proper representation on the board making difficult decisions that affect thousands in our area.
Senate Bill 493 would also create three regional authorities (one for the Kansas City area, another for the St. Louis region, and a third for the rest of the state) to oversee student transfers in Missouri. In addition, it would revise the number of required school days per year, changing it from 174 school days for a five-day week or 142 school days for a four-day week to 1,044 school hours per year.
The legislation also addressed how certain students transfer from one school to another when their home school is deemed unaccredited. One of the most debated provisions in the bill would allow voters in certain parts of the state — St. Louis City, and St. Louis and Jackson counties — to decide if students from an unaccredited district may transfer to a nonsectarian private school located in the district. It was this provision that sparked the governor's decision to lend his veto to Senate Bill 493. While far from perfect, lawmakers worked long hours to ensure a fair, quality education for ALL Missouri students — this included providing these children with the ability to attend nonsectarian private schools if approved by voters in these particular school districts.
We need to address the education of our state's students starting at the core, ensuring quality teachers are in the classrooms, the curriculum pertains to each grade level, students receive the help they need to succeed, and children aren't just passed on to the next grade, setting in motion a plan that will surely fail our children. My colleagues and I recognize the importance of providing our children with a world-class education. So when we return to Jefferson City in mid-September for our annual veto session, I hope my colleagues join me in righting the wrong implemented by the governor when he rejected Senate Bill 493 and override his veto.
Legislation Passed this Session Provides Protections for Missouri's Children
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This year the Senate unanimously gave its approval to legislation that will increase safety standards for children in our state. One of the main provisions behind Senate Bill 869 creates new requirements for child care providers who receive state or federal funds for providing fee assistance. The bill establishes increased child care provider training requirements, as well as building and physical premises requirements. The Department of Social Services (DSS) is required to create a website that lists provider-specific information about health and licensing requirements, inspections and history of violations, and compliance actions taken by these specific child care providers.
In addition, DSS is required to provide information to establish a transparent system of quality indicators that would give parents a way to differentiate between child care providers available in their community. Parents would also have access to a hotline to submit provider complaints. This particular component of the bill would not take effect until Oct. 1, 2015, or six months after the implementation of federal rules mandating these new requirements.
Senate Bill 869 also adds new duties to the Joint Committee on Child Abuse and neglect regarding the role of judges, the Children's Division, juvenile officers, guardian ad litems (court-appointed officers who represent the best interests of a child) and foster parents; allows the Office of the Child Advocate to intervene on behalf of a child who is in the judicial system; and provides leave time for foster parents who are employed by the state or a local government in order to arrange for their foster child's placement or care, among other important provisions.
Upcoming Ballot Measures
You'll See in August and November
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This legislative session, the General Assembly gave its approval to numerous constitutional amendments that will go before voters in August and November. The governor recently assigned the dates these ballot measures will appear before Missouri voters. Joint resolutions are used in submitting a proposed constitutional amendment to a vote of the people. They require the same treatment as a bill in its passage through both chambers and have the force of law, but do not require the governor's signature.
| Ballot Measures Set for Aug. 5, 2014 |
- House Joint Resolution 11 - Passed by lawmakers in 2013, this would affirm the right of farmers and ranchers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices.
- House Joint Resolution 48 - This would require the State Lottery Commission to develop and sell a Veterans Lottery Ticket with proceeds to go to the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund, responsible for covering the construction, maintenance or renovation or equipment needs for Missouri's veterans' homes and cemeteries.
- House Joint Resolution 68 - This would impose a .75 percent increase in the state sales and use tax for 10 years to be used for transportation purposes.
- Senate Joint Resolution 27 - This would provide that a person's electronic communication and data are protected from unreasonable searches and seizures performed by the government.
- Senate Joint Resolution 36 - This would modify provisions regarding the right to keep and bear arms, adding that a citizen has the right to keep and bear arms in defense of their family, along with the current rights in defense of home, person and property. The resolution would also remove language stating the right to keep and bear arms does not justify the wearing of concealed weapons and would provide that the rights guaranteed under this provision of the constitution are unalienable.
| Ballot Measures Set for Nov. 4, 2014 |
- House Joint Resolution 16 - Passed by lawmakers in 2013, this would allow relevant evidence of prior criminal acts to be admissible in prosecutions for crimes of a sexual nature involving a victim under 18 years of age.
- House Joint Resolution 72 - This would prohibit the governor from reducing any payment of public debt and require the General Assembly to be notified when the governor makes specified payment changes or appropriations.
- House Joint Resolution 90 - This would require the establishment of a six-day early voting period before a general election.
Renewing Focus on Traffic Enforcement
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You might have noticed the increased presence of law enforcement on our roads over the Memorial Day weekend. Even though the holiday weekend is over, officers within the Kansas City Police Department remain vigilant on our roads. Police offers have already doubled the number of speeders cited since April 2013. A new squad of 10 additional traffic officers, six on motorcycles and four in squad cars, was added to the four already established traffic enforcement squads.
A recent study showed the level of tickets written by Kansas City police officers was at the same level as 1947. Now, nearly 900 officers are assigned to patrol our city, and many of these officers cite at least one traffic ticket each day, ensuring the safety of our citizens and providing sufficient revenue to pay for services those living in Kansas City depend upon, including public works, fire, municipal courts and animal control.
These fine men and women, who all pledged to help protect the citizens of our great city, are not out to target drivers on Kansas City's roadways. They are responsible for holding accountable those who violate our traffic ordinances. It's these same violations that could result in tragic accidents, which can be prevented if we slow down, follow the laws and pay attention to others on our roadways.
Free Legal Assistance for Unemployment Claims
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There is help for those out there who have applied for unemployment benefits, but were denied due to a variety of reasons. The Unemployment Clinic, a new service provided through Core Legal Advocates along with the University of Missouri-Kansas City's School of Law, is here to assist low-income citizens who are currently fighting for their rightful unemployment benefits.
Countless individuals in our state who have been laid off from their jobs are struggling to pay their bills, having to decide whether to put food on the table or keep a roof over their heads. However, help is available for those who find themselves in this difficult situation. The law students at the Unemployment Clinic continue to work with countless citizens to ensure social justice within our communities.
St. Louis University has been running a successful clinic and now citizens in the Kansas City area can benefit from this much-needed program directed toward assisting individuals who otherwise would not have the means to help themselves.
For more information about the Unemployment Clinic through the University of Missouri-Kansas City's School of Law, call (816) 235-5129 or apply for help at the clinic: 4743 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64110.
Free Child Dental Services Available in June
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The City of Kansas City Health Department and HOPE Dental, a small nonprofit that provides dental services to low-income children throughout the Kansas City metro area, are partnering up to offer free dental services for children ages 18 and younger throughout the month of June.
Services are available Monday through Friday by appointment only. To schedule your appointment, call HOPE Dental at (816) 679-2198. All Medicaid for children will be accepted, along with most private insurance plans.
For more information about HOPE Dental, visit www.heartlandoutreach.org.
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| About Sen. Curls: |
Senator Shalonn "Kiki" Curls, a Democrat, represents part of Jackson County (District 9) in the Missouri Senate. She won a special election to the Missouri Senate in February 2011, and won re-election to the Senate in 2012 after having served in the Missouri House since 2007.
In addition to her legislative duties, Sen. Curls works in real estate development, and currently serves as the 14th Ward Democratic Committeewoman in Kansas City. She is also a member of St. Monica's Catholic Church.
Senator Curls received her education from St. Teresa's Academy in Kansas City and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Senator Curls was born on Dec. 7, 1968, in Los Angeles, and is the mother of twins, James and Michaela. |
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Capitol Office:
201 W. Capitol Ave.
Room 434
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-3158
District Office:
4609 Paseo Blvd.
Suite 102
Kansas City, MO 64110
(816) 923-6000 |
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| Health & Safety Fair |
I will be hosting another Public Health & Safety Fair on June 7, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center, located at 825 Euclid Ave. in Kansas City.
Services and events will include health screenings, car and booster seats for those who meet federal poverty income level requirements, bicycle helmets and bicycle giveaways, a mini-football camp and much more!
There is NO COST to participate and I urge citizens to attend this important event. |
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| Excess Trash Tag Rates Change June 1 |
For many families, every penny counts, so it's important to note the cost for excess trash tags will increase from $2 to $2.50 starting June 1. Those who purchased trash tags prior to June 1 will still have valid tags and only one is needed per excess trash bag.
This rate change will help offset the cost of excess trash collection, in which the city currently spends between $3.50 and $5 to dispose of every excess bag it collects.
Excess trash tags must be placed on each bag exceeding the two-bag limit. However, the city will continue to provide its unlimited free curbside recycling. By utilizing this valuable service, you save money and help our environment by reducing the amount of trash placed at the curb.
For more information about excess trash tags, as well as the city's recycling and hazardous waste programs, call the 311 Call Center (311) or (816) 5813-1313. You can also visitwww.kcmo.gov/
publicworks/trash/.
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| Affordable Care Act |
The federal Affordable Care Act, also known as the ACA, puts you in charge of your health care. Under this law, passed in 2010, you have the stability and flexibility you need to make informed choices about your health.
Benefits of the ACA include improving quality and lowering health care costs through free preventive care, prescription discounts for seniors, protection against health care fraud, and small business tax credits; new consumer protections through the coverage of pre-existing conditions and consumer assistance with your health care decisions; and access to health care by using the health insurance marketplace.
The health insurance marketplace makes buying health coverage easier and more affordable. By visiting www.healthcare.gov, you can compare health plans, get answers to your questions, find out if you are eligible for tax credits for private insurance or health programs, and enroll in a health plan that best meets your needs.
For more information about the ACA, visit www.hhs.gov or call (877) 696-6775. |
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