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| Legislative Column — Week of March 24, 2014 — |
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Dear Friends: In an effort to keep you informed about the activities at your State Capitol and how those activities may impact your lives, I am offering a regular electronic newsletter. This column includes information about bills making their way through the legislative process, including legislation that directly affects the citizens of Kansas City. I welcome your feedback and encourage you to contact my office with any questions or concerns you may have.
Legislation I am sponsoring this session advances out of the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee and onto the full Senate for debate. Senate Bill 678 would make changes to our state's laws that handle lead abatement and renovation licensing and training, allowing the Department of Health and Senior Services to implement a renovation program authorized by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The safety of Missouri citizens is always a priority, especially when talking about a potentially dangerous element that can be found in the air, soil, water and our homes and, if exposed, can be toxic to people and animals. Every-day items found in your home can contain lead, including paint, ceramics, pipes, batteries, ammunition and cosmetics. Even though federal and state regulations have helped reduce and even eliminate the amount of lead in these produces, that might be some items lying around your home that contain lead. That's why it is important when those who are licensed and trained to handle lead abatement and renovate homes and buildings that have traces of lead to be up to speed on the abatement or renovation of buildings that contain this element. In addition, citizens need to be informed when their homes are affected and receive proper information regarding potential lead hazards in their home. My legislation highlights awareness of this issue, and I look forward to bringing this legislation up before the full Senate for debate. Another one of my sponsored bills will receive time on the Senate floor in the near future. Senate Bill 680 was voted out of the Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee before mid-session recess. My legislation will expand requirements for food stamp assistance, allowing those who have a possession or use of a controlled substance felony conviction to be eligible for food stamp benefits. This legislation will help citizens who are trying to get their lives on the right track after learning from the poor choices they made in the past. I will update you on both of these measures as they continue to move through the Senate.
On April 14, 2014, my colleagues and I will host a Memorial Service for the distinguished former senators who have passed away since May 1987. It will be the first time in nearly 30 years an event like this has been held. Together, with the families of the former senators, we will celebrate the lawmakers' lives and legacies, and remember their dedicated service to those in our great state.
Click on each senator's name above to read his biography found on the Missouri Senate's Memorial Service website, or visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on the Memorial Service Information link. If you are a relative who would like to attend, please contact the Secretary of the Senate, Terry Spieler [tspieler@senate.mo.gov, (573) 751-3766], for more information.
The Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund is now excepting applications for reimbursable grants that support prominent and celebrated activities in our state, which include past recipients: the American Jazz Museum, KC Fringe Festival, and Hyde Park Neighborhood Association. Grants are awarded to organizations that host cultural, social, ethnic, historic, educational or recreational activities - many of which can be found within the 9th Senatorial District. In addition, interested organizations must also:
The department will receive grant applications for activities that take place between May 1, 2014, and April 30, 2015. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on May 1, 2014. Please note that applications received in the mail after May 1 will not be eligible for the grant. For more information about the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, please contact Venessa Huskey in the Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department by calling (816) 513-4505. |
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