Sen. Shalonn Kiki Curls' E-Newsletter

Legislative Column: Week of April 7, 2014

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.

Thank you.

Food Stamp Assistance Measure Sponsored by Sen. Curls Advances to the House

I am sponsoring legislation this session that would repeal the lifetime ban for food stamp assistance in Missouri. Senate Bill 680 received bipartisan support on its final passage in the Missouri Senate. My legislation would allow an individual who has a drug felony conviction to be eligible for food stamp benefits.

The legislation lays out requirements individuals must meet in order to participate in food stamp assistance, such as attending substance abuse treatment programs and complying with all court-ordered obligations, among others. Senate Bill 680 also provides limitations for these benefits, banning those from receiving food stamps if they have had three subsequent drug felony offenses after they are released from custody. In addition, individuals would also have to meet other factors required for food stamp eligibility.

For a number of years while serving in the General Assembly, I’ve filed legislation designed to extend requirements for food stamp assistance for certain Missourians who have felony convictions for possession or use of a controlled substance — murders, child molesters, and rapists are currently eligible for this assistance. By allowing these individuals to get back on track by lifting the lifetime food stamp ban for felony drug convictions, we can help these citizens move past the stigma of being a past offender and once again become productive members of our society.

With the Senate’s final approval of Senate Bill 680 last week, the legislation now moves to the House for similar consideration and awaits assignment to committee. To follow this measure, as well as my other sponsored bills, visit www.senate.mo.gov/curls.

Funding UTILICARE in the State's
Supplemental and FY 2015 Operating Budget

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I'm working to ensure funding for the Utilicare program, which assists low-income citizens with assistance to pay their utility bills. Due to the bitterly cold temperatures our state endured this winter, quick steps were taken to include funds for this program in the state's supplemental budget, which is currently in conference where lawmakers are working out their differences in the bill.

In addition, funding for the Utilicare program was passed by the Senate this week in Fiscal Year 2014 supplemental budget, which now moves to the governor for his signature. Up to $3 million will be allocated to help our state's seniors and disabled citizens and those Missourians with young children who are struggling after this extremely cold winter to pay their utility bills.

The initial version of the state's operating budget for FY 2015 also includes $6 million for Utilicare to help Missourians at the beginning of the fiscal year, which starts July 1, 2014. The Senate Appropriations Committee is currently going line-by-line through the 13 budget bills and will examine this issue before the full budget hits the Senate floor for debate.

Legislation Revising Missouri's Criminal Code Moves to the House

This week the Missouri Senate gave is final approval to legislation that will bring our state's criminal code into the 21st Century. Senate Bill 491 started out as a more than 1,100-page measure. But with the bipartisan effort of those in the upper chamber, my colleagues and I were able to narrow down the parameters of the legislation that will reorganize our state's criminal laws, which will create a new classification for misdemeanors and increase the fine for certain felonies.

The criminal code measure now goes to the House for its consideration. The provisions within Senate Bill 491 will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2017, allowing any necessary changes that have to be made to the bill before it becomes law.

Promoting Neighborhood Improvement by Cracking Down on Nuisance Properties

Legislation that received bipartisan support in the Senate this year advances onto the House of Representatives and has been heard by members of the House General Laws Committee. Right now, property that is neglected or has code violations in certain counties and cities in Missouri, including Kansas City, is considered a nuisance if it adversely affects the property values of a neighborhood. Senate Bill 731, for which I voted in favor, would also make the property a nuisance if it affects the value of any property in the neighborhood and the list of actions — including failure to reasonably maintain the property and violations of ordinances — lead to the liability for the nuisance.

One of the earliest disputes our nation's courts had to resolve dealt with nuisance properties. To this day, it is a commonly debated issue found within all levels of the judiciary. While everyone has the right to enjoy their property in a peaceful manner, citizens should maintain a since of pride about their property and the way it represents its surroundings. Kansas City continues its focus on neighborhood improvement to promote the quality of life of the city's residents by increasing citizen responsibility, enhancing neighborhood pride and improving community relations and involvement. By putting more teeth in nuisance ordinances and actions, citizens will have more power to make a difference in their neighborhoods and communities, helping those in these areas realize their long-term vision for the future.

9th Senatorial District Resident
Appointed to Board of Governors

Senator Shalonn "Kiki" Curls sponsors the appointment of Mr. Lionel K. Attawia to the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors on April 2, 2014.

Last week I had the privilege of sponsoring Mr. Lionel K. Attawia as the student representative to serve on the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors.

Lionel is a Kansas City resident who is a psychology and philosophy major at Missouri Western State University. Much of Lionel's time is spent serving on the many organizations in which he belongs, including the Residence Hall Association, along with working as a student ambassador, director of the Western Activities Council, senator of the Student Government Association. Lionel also is an English tutor and student teacher.

The Missouri Western State University Board of Governors establishes policies, bylaws, rules and regulations for its own government and for control and government of the university. The board also selects, appoints, and removes the president of the university, sets admission standards and makes decisions on financial matters.

As one of the newly appointed representatives of the board, I know Lionel will bring his experience as a member of several campus organizations to the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors. I'm proud of the hard work and dedication Lionel is putting toward his education and honored to call him a citizen of the 9th District.

Lionel was appointed to a two-year term, which is set to expire Dec. 15, 2015. His appointment was confirmed by the full Senate on April 3, 2014.

Applications Now Accepted for
2014 Nature & the Arts Camp

The Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center is now taking applications through April 30, 2014, for a summer camp geared toward children ages 9-12 who are interested in learning more about nature and the arts through a mixture of topic-related workshops that include field trips to the Thomas Hart Benton Home & Studio State Historic Site, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and Hartell Conservation Area.

The camp will run from July 28 through Aug. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with free before- and after-care starting at 7:30 a.m. and running to 5:30 p.m. Transportation to all off-site field trip locations will be provided.

The camp is open to Missouri residents. Those campers living in these zip codes will receive priority in the enrollment process and lottery: 64109, 64110, 64128 and 6130. Click here or visit www.senate.mo.gov/curls and click on the "2014 Nature & the Arts Camp" link to fill out your application.

For more information, please contact Wendy Parrett by calling (816) 759-7305 ext. 1141 or send an email to Wendy.Parrett@mdc.mo.gov.

Small Grants Now Available for
Neighborhood Improvements

Starting April 1, 2014, the Neighborhood Services Division within the City of Kansas City began accepting applications for this Fiscal Year 2014-2015 reBUILD-KC Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program, which offers grants ranging from $500 to $3,500 for various improvement projects for registered neighborhood organizations.

These projects, such as neighborhood cleanups, community gardens, community art programs, and youth development programs, are required to foster partnerships and provide a public benefit to the community. In addition, these projects must be completed within one year. A dollar-for-dollar matching contribution of volunteer labor, donated materials and/or in-kind services is required under the grant program. To earn the matching grant, the neighborhood group must make a contribution — donated labor, professional services, etc. — that is assigned a fair value ($15 per hour). For each $1 of donated time, labor or materials, the neighborhood group earns $1 of matching grant funds up to $3,500.

Registered neighborhood organizations must also meet the following criteria to be eligible for the grant:

Represent a geographic area, such as a neighborhood or a cluster of neighborhoods;
Demonstrate broad-based community support for, and participate in, the proposed project;
Perform the project within the geographic area in which the organization is applying;
Demonstrate proof of partnership (formal letter of support);
Have active, identifiable leadership recognized and elected by the organization's members;
Demonstrate fiscal accountability and have an established process to manage grant funds that includes a current checking account in the name of the organization;
Be a not-for-profit neighborhood organization in good standing and incorporated in the state of Missouri;
Have the capacity to complete the proposed project by April 30, 2015; and
Have submitted an annual registered neighborhood summary report from the previous year.

Technical assistance is available to help organizations navigate through the application process. The City will review all applications and select the best projects that meet the requirements.

The City will also host two workshops for organizations interested in applying for the reBUILD/KC Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program. Workshop topics will include discussing the purpose of the mini-grant program; eligibility and funding requirements; documentation required for grant consideration; tips on preparing successful applications; contract compliance; and the reimbursement process.

reBUILD/KC Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program Workshops Thursday, April 10 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 12 10:30 a.m. - Noon Both workshops will be held at the Southeast Community Center, 5201 E. 63rd St.

Grant applications and complete program information and criteria can be found by visiting http://kcmo.gov/neighborhoods/rebuild-program. For more information about the reBUILD/KC Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program, please contact Tiffany Drummer in the Neighborhood Services Division by calling (816) 513-4504.

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.

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

Citizens may drop off their household hazardous waste, tires, electronics, and leaf and brush at the Robert J. Mohart Center (3200 Wayne, KCMO) on Saturday, June 7, 2014, from 8 a.m. to noon. This event is for household waste only. Proof of residency will be required for those who wish to drop off tires and leaves/brush. Space is limited. First come, first served.

For year-round disposal of household hazardous waste, the City's drop-off facility, located at the Environmental Campus at 4707 Deramus, is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Thursdays and Fridays) and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Saturdays). No appointment is required.

For more information about the June 7 drop-off event, contact Augusta Wilbon by calling (816) 392-7924. You may also contact Leigh Blumenthal at (816) 333-7870 ext. 203 or emailing leigh@bhcsmo.org.

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.

I will be hosting another Public Health & Safety Fair on June 7, 2014, from 10 am. to 2 p.m. at the Samuel U. Rodger's 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.