Every Day Numbers for the 14th District
CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES
Division of Child Support Enforcement
(314) 264-7700
Jewish Family and Children's Services
(314) 993-1000
NAACP - St. Louis County Branch
(314) 389-1552
St. Louis County Human Services
(314) 615-4453
Youth Emergency Services
(314) 727-6294
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Consumer Credit Counseling Services
(314) 647-9004
Consumer
Credit Reports
1-877-322-8228
Missouri Consumer Protection Hotline
1-800-392-8222
Missouri Dept. of Insurance Consumer Information
1-800-726-7390
CRISIS HOTLINES
The Women's Safe House
(314) 772-4535
Youth Emergency Service Hotline
(314) 727-6294
St. Louis Housing Resource Center
(Homeless Hotline)
(314) 802-5444
Life Crisis Services, Inc. (for Adults)
(24-Hour)
(314) 647-4357
Elderly Abuse Hotline
1-800-392-0210
Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline
(24-Hours)
1-800-392-3738
Alcohol Drug Interventions & Drug Treatment Referrals
1-888-762-3750
Trevor Lifeline
(For at-risk LGBT youth: 24-Hours)
1-866-488-7386
HEALTH-RELATED SERVICES
Alzheimer's Association
1-800-272-3900
Birth & Death Records
(314) 615-1720
HIGHER EDUCATION
Missouri School for the Blind
(314) 776-4320
Paraquad, Inc.
(314) 289-4200
HOUSING
Beyond Housing
(314) 533-0600
Housing Authority -
St. Louis County
(314) 428-3200
Home Improvement Grants (North County)
(314) 615-8232
PREGNANCY COUNSELING
Abortion Alternatives
(314) 962-5300
Planned Parenthood & Reproductive Health Services of St. Louis
(314) 531-7526
SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES
Missouri Rx Program
1-800-375-1406
Long-Term Care Information - Ombudsman
(314) 918-8222
Older Adult Community Action Program
(314) 993-5181
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (Elderly Law Unit)
(314) 534-4200
TOUR THE CAPITAL CITY
State Capitol Tours
(573) 751-2854
TRANSPORTATION
Call-A-Ride
(314) 652-3617
VETERANS BENEFITS
American Red Cross Blood Services
(314) 658-2000
Missouri Veterans Commission
(573) 751-3779
St. Louis County Office of Veterans' Services
(314) 552-9890
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
Big Brothers
Big Sisters
(314) 361-5900
Foster Grandparents
(314) 961-8000
ext. 370
Feb. 5, 2016
Friends & Neighbors,
This week I presented two pieces of legislation before Senate committees. Also, my minimum wage bill was sent to committee. In this newsletter, I've also included information on the Department of Natural Resources' study on radioactive material at Westlake, as well as other studies.
In addition, I was honored to sponsor the gubernatorial appointment of a 14th District resident. Below, you'll also find my talented staff, who are an invaluable resource and contribute to my goals of improving our area each and every day.
If you would like to learn more about the issues addressed in this newsletter or would like to discuss any matter involving state government, please contact my Capitol office.
For a full list of my legislation, click here.
Sincerely,
Maria Chappelle-Nadal
14th District
(573) 751-4106
Hearing Updates
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This week, I presented Senate Bill 741, an act to update Missouri’s use of force doctrine, to the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. We are 30 years behind the times on training and standards for use of force by police officers. This lack of attention to how police are expected to respond during an arrest puts police and civilians at risk every day. I am convinced we can give the police better training to carry out their duty in a respectable fashion.
I also presented Senate Bill 956, protecting the State of Missouri from having to pay for any municipality that becomes financially insolvent. Many municipalities are under financial constraints due to the economy and recent legislation. If there are future financial issues, we should contain the problem and not put others on the hook for the actions of a few.
Studies Released on Radioactive Materials at Westlake
The Department of Natural Resources released four studies recently searching for radioactive contamination on and off the property at Westlake landfill. The Environmental Protection Agency and DNR responded to events on site, which included a brush fire, torrential rain and flooding, as well as investigating whether radiological material has traveled off the premises of the landfill.
Two interim reports were released at the end of January. The first report, the Bridgeton/Westlake Landfill Radiological Report, released by the Department of Health and Senior Services, collected air samples on the premises of the Bridgeton and Westlake landfills, as well as established background levels as a baseline. An area upwind, in the southwest area, had the highest reading at 14.4 microroentgen. The study characterized the readings as, “over the 10 μR/hr that is typically found in outdoor environments and can be accounted for through normal fluctuations of naturally occurring radioactive material and cosmic radiation.”
The second report, West Lake Landfill Vicinty Interim Report, released by the Department of Natural Resources, includes three sample types collected from the ground, surface water and settled dust from the areas surrounding the Westlake and Bridgeton Landfills. Results of dust collected in the northwestern area, near the fence line of the landfill property, resulted in a sample “analyzed four times with results indicating consistent, non-decreasing alpha counts ranging approximately 2.5 to 3.5 times greater than empty tray readings, along with a higher beta and gamma value."
Both interim reports and conclusions will be withheld until additional lab results are complete. If you have questions, please attend the upcoming CAG meeting:
Community Advisory Group
February 8
6:30 pm
Bridgeton Machinists Hall
12365 St. Charles Rock Rd.
Bridgeton, MO 63044
Additional Studies
Concerns raised by the surface fire caused by utility equipment on the premises of the Bridgeton landfill and the substantial flooding at the end of 2015, two separate studies were conducted to determine if either event posed a risk through contact with radioactive material.
On Oct. 24, 2015, a brush fire was caused by a malfunctioning switch on an Ameren utility pole. Because of community concern, the EPA ordered soil samples collected in the area where the brush fire occurred for analysis. Their report was posted on the DNR website on Feb. 1. They report, “Overall, based on the similar radionuclide activities… appear indicative of naturally occurring background concentrations.” Although, they did note the presence of thallium-208 (Tl-208) being “marginally above the maximum Tl-208 activity found in the BMAC reference samples."
Due to the historic December rain at the end of 2015, concern for potential radiation in groundwater and drinking water caused the Department of Natural resources to release a one page report from analysis of samples collected. The report states, “Results indicate gross alpha, gross beta and isotopic Uranium were below drinking water standards.”
Minimum Wage Bill Sent to Committee
I filed legislation to raise the minimum wage from $7.65 an hour to $15.00. The bill includes cost of living adjustments even if the federal government does not increase the national minimum wage. Missouri is considered a low-tax state, which we hear often. I support us being a fair wage state.
Gubernatorial Appointment
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I was honored this week to support Andrew J. Burkemper’s nomination to the Board of Geologist Registration during the Gubernatorial Appointment Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 3. Mr. Burkemper’s extensive experience and expertise will make him an excellent addition to the board. I also had the pleasure of meeting with Andrew’s lovely family. I know he will excel in his new position. I wish him the best of luck.
My Senate Staff
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The success of any elected official depends on the quality of their staff. These employees work diligently behind the scenes, and deserve to be recognized for their contribution to our legislative process. We could not do what we do in the Senate without them. I’m blessed to have a wonderful staff who are dedicated to improving District 14 and Missouri as a whole. I’d like to offer my heartfelt thanks for all their work.
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On the Trail: As Ferguson mulls consent decree, a city and a region's fate hangs in the balance - KCRU, St. Louis Public Radio (Jan. 28, 2016)
Missouri Legislature considers mandatory free speech course at college state-wide - Campus Forum (Jan. 29, 2016)
St. Louis Bal Vihar celebrates Republic Day - India Post (Feb. 2, 2016)
Senate Committee Hears Proposals on Use of Deadly Force - KMOX (Feb. 2, 2016)
Incumbents in Congress continue to rely on corporate donations - St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Feb. 2, 2016)
Missouri primary is March 15 - St. Louis American (Feb. 2, 2016)
Senators asked to update Missouri's deadly force law - Fulton Sun (Feb. 4, 2016)
Senators asked to update Missouri's deadly force laws - Fulton Sun (Feb. 4, 2016)
Missouri Senate committee considers bills to update deadly force law - Columbia Missourian (Feb. 4, 2016)
Missouri Senate votes to ban traffic-ticket quotas - Belleville News-Democrat (Feb. 4, 2016)
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“Maria, thanks so much for the card and warm sentiments." - Edna
“Thank you for remembering my birthday. Fondly, Jamie” - Jamie
“Senator Chappelle-Nadal, thank you for being a voice in the Capitol for those without political clout. Fight on!" - Kevin
“I got this from you. Yes it is a Happy Birthday. Yes, Happy Birthday it is. Thank you." - Clyde
“Praise the Lord. I don’t know if you will read this email, but I’m sending it to acknowledge that I still support you on your endeavors. Keep up the good work and fight for justice. May God be with you. It’s sad how people in the world act (the Mike Brown issue), but we still have to stay prayed up for better times.” - Loretta
“Senator Chappelle-Nadal: I am a constituent and just wanted to thank you for representing me!” - Monica