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
Newsletter
March 18, 2016
Friends & Neighbors,
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
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Senate Democrats Filibuster Anti-Gay Legislation for Two Days
Democrats in the Senate staged a 39-hour filibuster last week to block the passage of an anti-gay bill that would enshrine discrimination into our state constitution. Under the measure, businesses would be allowed to refuse service to same-sex couples solely based on their sexuality. I do not believe in the 21st Century, we should be promoting the discrimination of others. We have worked too hard, and come too far in the name of justice, to take such a step backwards. I know we are on the right side of history, and the future will validate that view. It was all too appropriate that the arguments we heard in defense of this bill were the same used to discriminate against people of color in the past.
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I believe that if you open your door for business in Missouri, you’re opening it to all. If that business entails making a wedding cake, then you make a wedding cake. You do not impose your religious perspective on a business transaction. Indiana recently tried to do that with a similar measure as Senate Joint Resolution 39. There were numbers of boycotts. All total, it’s estimated it cost the state around $60 million in revenue. This is why multiple businesses supported our efforts to kill this resolution.
Despite the hard work, the Senate Majority ultimately resorted to a rarely used parliamentary procedure to force a vote. It’s telling the majority recognized the support behind our filibustering efforts and relied on a little-used rule to cram the measure down the throats of Democrats in the chamber. Refusing to serve someone because of who they are, whether gay, straight, white, black, Asian or Hispanic, is discrimination, period.
Our state has no business exempting any people from equal treatment. This same principle is what I have been fighting for in Ferguson and in Bridgeton and along Coldwater Creek. We must protect and serve each other as one people. While I was disappointed in the outcome, I know this is but one battle in the long fight for the equitable treatment of all.
Accountable for Action and Inaction
This week, the Senate Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government heard my resolution to recall the St. Louis County Executive. I am pushing Senate Joint Resolution 31 because the county executive must be held accountable for both his action and inaction.
There has yet to be a state of emergency called for the people living around Coldwater Creek and the Bridgeton and West Lake landfills. This action could tap into state and federal resources. He was all too quick to call a state of emergency in Ferguson when the county police chased down a young man into a crowd of peaceful protesters and then exchanged fire, killing the young man suspected of stealing a television. But yet, when a white gang member and arsonist associated with political allies needs leniency, he’s all too happy to use his office to lobby the court.
Most egregious is his inability to listen to anyone. Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU) is a coalition of churches in the region who called on the county executive twice to listen to them about judicial system reform. He ignored them twice. Mayor Slay and Attorney General Chris Koster both stood up and showed up. They didn’t agree 100 percent on everything, but they came to the table to be held accountable.
MCU isn’t the only group unable to meet with the county executive; North County mayors and police chiefs never had the opportunity to weigh in on the power grab he is implementing on municipal policing. When the issue was first raised, they were promised a meeting and then they had to lobby the county council for changes after the bill was already written.
I hope the Senate will debate the merits of a recall on the floor. We should air the grievances publicly and hold the county executive accountable.
The Senate’s Slow Mode
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Fallout of Republican’s pushing discrimination against LGBTQ people continues in the state. The Senate, as a result, has begun to read the journal at the start of each day, taking up time and slowing business down to a crawl. This action is typically waived each morning. The outpour of support for the Democrat’s filibuster is overwhelming and I want to thank you for recognizing my part in trying to stop hateful legislation. I’m happy Missouri corporations have continued speaking out against discrimination.
OSHA Response
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted a site investigation at the Bridgeton Landfill in response to a letter I sent in September 2015. My office recently received their response to that letter. OSHA determined after the initial site visit that an evaluation of employee exposure would be needed. They investigated exposure in the cold of December, when gases are least active. They concluded there is “little possibility for employee overexposure to airborne chemicals.” My concern was never overexposure of a single incident but the effects of continued exposure to noxious gases which we are emanating from the landfill.
In my letter, I requested the St. Louis County Board of Elections be investigated because of the nine people who have died of cancer over the last few years. THE BOE is on top of the former Maplewood Landfill where radioactive material had once been dumped. OSHA stated they have no jurisdiction over public sector employees. I continue to be concerned about whether our first responders and other public sector employees have the proper equipment to handle and investigate events at the landfill.
Town Halls
We have concluded the second round of town halls on the Bridgeton and West Lake Landfills and Coldwater Creek. I am thankful to all who came out for our conversation. I would also like to invite you to call my office if you would like to have my presentation brought to your church or organization. This is my crusade and I want you to have the opportunity for yourself to decide if you should be concerned. I especially want to thank the people of the historic town of Robertson, now the southern part of Hazelwood. If dumping hadn’t occurred in your community, turning the wells “black as lagoons," I am certain we would still have a thriving community. I appreciate everybody taking time out from their busy lives to listen and discuss this important problem we all face.
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Over the weekend, I concluded my March series of town halls regarding the Bridgeton and West Lake landfills and Coldwater Creek. The meetings were a wonderful success, and helped inform citizens in our community on the dangers posed by this radioactive waste to families within our district.
I would like to thank the organizations and volunteers who made these town halls possible. Without the support of numerous individuals and groups, we would not have been able to reach as many people as we have. Spreading word of this environmental catastrophe was the first part in addressing it. I'm grateful to all those who attended. Together, we can win this battle and secure a solution that protects the residents in our area.
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Our MO hero, filibuster, Maria Chappelle-Nadal - Daily Kos (March 9, 2016)
This Missouri Senator Led a 39-Hour Filibuster Against an Anti-Gay Bill - Blavity (March 10, 2016)
Missouri Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal Leads Record-Breaking 39-Hour Filibuster - Black Enterprise (March 10, 2016)
Marathon filibuster: Missouri Democrats try to block anti-gay, religious freedom bill - RT (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Democrats Filibuster Anti-Gay SJR39 - Peacock Panache (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Democrats Wage Wendy Davis-Style Filibuster Against Anti-Gay Religious Amendment - Think Progress (March 8, 2016)
Missouri filibuster an epic debate - St. Louis Post-Dispatch (March 8, 2016)
Defiant Democrats Launch Epic Filibuster to Fight Antigay Mo. Bill - Advocate (March 8, 2016)
Mo. Democrats filibuster religious-freedom bill that critics say could discriminate against gays - Washington Post (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Senate Filibusters Against Bill Protecting Opponents of Same-Sex Marriage - New York Times (March 8, 2016)
Sanders back Mo. Dems filibustering anti-gay bill, echoed by Clinton - Washington Blade (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Democrats filibuster for over 24 hours -- and counting -- against 'religious beliefs' bill - Los Angeles Times (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Senate filibusters against bill protecting foes of same-sex marriage - Seattle Times (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Dems filibuster religious-objections bill - Salt Lake Tribune (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Democrats filibuster 'religious-freedom' bill that protects gay marriage opponents - Kansas City Star (March 8, 2016)
Barbara Shelly: Cheers to Missouri Senate Democrats for filibuster of anti-gay resolution - Kansas City Star (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Democrats Filibuster GOP-Backed LGBT Discrimination Amendment - Huffington Post (March 8, 2016)
Democrats Filibuster Bill Protecting Groups Opposed to Gay Marriage - Ozarks First (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Democrats try to block anti-gay law by talking non-stop for 18 hours (and continuing) - Pink News (March 8, 2016)
Right Now Missouri Democratic Senators Have Been Filibustering an Anti-Gay Bill for Over 15 Hours - New Civil Rights Movement (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Senators Filibuster "Religious Freedom" Resolution All Night Long - Riverfront Times (March 8, 2016)
Filibuster in Jefferson City enters 18th hours - Joplin Globe (March 8, 2016)
Missouri lawmakers' marathon filibuster for gay marriage passes 24-hour mark - Dallas Morning News (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Democrats filibuster proposed gay discrimination amendment - Reuters (March 8, 2016)
Missouri filibuster on same-sex marriage amendment enters day 2 - Washington Times (March 8, 2016)
Filibuster against anti-gay wedding measure rolls on in Missouri Senate - St. Louis Post-Dispatch (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Democrats stall religious objections measure - Fox News (March 8, 2016)
Missouri filibuster over religious objections measure passes 28-hour mark - WIBW 13 (March 8, 2016)
Marathon Filibuster Continues on Missouri Proposal Aimed to Protect Gay Marriage Opponents - Ozarks First (March 8, 2016)
Tireless Missouri Democrats Continue 24-hour Filibuster Against Anti-Gay Amendment - New Now Next (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Senate filibuster continues - Four States Home Page (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Democrats vow to continue filibuster - KTRS (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Democrats are fighting a law that would let companies discriminate against same-sex couples - Kicker (March 8, 2016)
24 Hours! Missouri Democratic Senators Have Now Been Filibustering an Anti-Gay Bill for a Full Day - New Civil Rights Movement (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Senate Democrats filibuster anti-LGBT constitutional amendment - Metro Weekly (March 8, 2016)
Missouri Democrats Have Been Filibustering a Discriminatory Anti-Gay Bill for 20 Hours - Jezebel (March 8, 2016)
Showdown in Missouri Senate Ends in Record Breaking Filibuster - Time Warner Cable News (March 9, 2016)
Missouri Senate grab national headlines as filibuster reaches 24-hour mark - St. Louis Post-Dispatch (March 9, 2016)
Filibuster of religious freedom bill surpasses 24-hour mark - Missouri Times (March 8, 2016)
Missouri senators filibuster 'religious freedom' bill - CNN (March 9, 2016)
Missouri filibuster of religious exemption plan heads into new day - KMBC-TV (March 9, 2016)
After 30 hours, state Senate locked in filibuster - Joplin Globe (March 9, 2016)
Who is Maria Chappelle-Nadal? Missouri Democrats Filibuster Against 'Religious Beliefs' Bill - International Business Times (March 9, 2016)
Update: Missouri State Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal Tweets That Democratic Filibuster Against 'Religious Beliefs' Bill Hits 30 Hours - Kaleinar.com (March 9, 2016)
After epic 39-hour filibuster, Missouri Senate passes bill criticized as anti-gay - Washington Post (March 9, 2016)
Republicans end Democrat-led filibuster of same-sex marriage bill in Missouri Senate - St. Louis Post-Dispatch (March 9, 2016)
Missouri religious exemption measure advances - Associated Press/Seattle PI (March 9, 2016)
Democrats blocking Missouri religious objections measure - Fox News (March 9, 2016)
Religious 'shield' proposal being blocked in the Missouri Senate - KRCU (March 9, 2016)
Missouri Democrats' filibuster of anti-gay 'religious liberty' bill ends after nearly 40 hours - New York Daily News (March 9, 2016)
How Does Missouri Senate Filibuster Compare to Others in US History? - Newsy (March 9, 2016)
Missouri 'religious freedom bill' passes as 39-hour filibuster ends - KUGN/CNN/St. Louis American (March 9, 2016)
After 39-hour filibuster, Mo. Senate approves 'religious freedom' measure - Washington Blade (March 9, 2016)
Democrats' filibuster against Missouri religious objections bill ends - St. Louis Business Journal (March 9, 2016)
Filibuster ends, Senate approves amended religious objection bill - KY3 (March 9, 2016)
The Missouri Democratic Filibuster Was Totally Epic - Riverfront Times (March 9, 2016)
Missouri Republicans Break Democrats' 39-Hour Filibuster, Advancing Anti-Gay Bill - Buzzfeed News (March 9, 2016)
Missouri Senate passes controversial religion bill after 39-hour filibuster - The Guardian (March 9, 2016)
Missouri Senate's GOP majority shuts down Democrats' epic filibuster of anti-LGBT measure - Daily Kos (March 9, 2016)
Missouri Senate votes on religious objections measure - SF Gate (March 9, 2016)
Missouri senators filibuster 'religious freedom' bill - KXLF (March 9, 2016)
MO Republicans break filibuster, pass religious exemption measure - KSDK (March 9, 2016)
These Missouri Democrats Put Up an Epic Fight Against an Anti-Gay Bill - Glamour (March 9, 2016)
Missouri Democrats Filibuster for 39 Hours to Stop Anti-Gay 'Religious Freedom' Bill - Huffington Post (March 9, 2016)
Nearly 40-hour filibuster not enough: Anti-LGBTQ legislation going to Missouri House floor - The Maneater (March 10, 2016)
Missouri Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal Leads 39-Hour Filibuster to Block Anti-Gay Bill. Law Ends up Being Passed - Super Selected (March 10, 2016)
Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal Makes Missouri History Attempting to Filibuster Anti-LGBT Bill - Daily Fix (March 10, 2016)
Missouri Senate gummed up a day after marathon filibuster ends - St. Louis Post-Dispatch (March 10, 2016)
Missouri Democrats derail Senate over 'religious freedom' gay marriage bill - Kansas City Star (March 10, 2016)
Democrats stall, but Senate Republicans pass contentious resolution - Joplin Globe (March 10, 2016)
Sanders invites three Ferguson activists to speak with him at SIUE - St. Louis American (March 10, 2016)
Bitter debate over Senate journal belies frustrations from previous question - Missouri Times (March 10, 2016)
Sanders, Clinton and Cruz Comment on Missouri Democratic Filibuster - Riverfront Times (March 10, 2016)
Missouri Senate passes conscience protection bill after Democrats' 39-hours filibuster - Life Site (March 10, 2016)
After Marathon Filibuster, Missouri Senate OKs Bill Protecting Gay Marriage Foes - On Top Magazine (March 10, 2016)
Maria Chappelle-Nadal Leads Record-Breaking 39-Hour Filibuster - Talent Refresh (March 10, 2016)
Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal Makes Missouri History Attempting to Filibuster Anti-LGBT Bill - MyInforms (March 11, 2016)
A huge bravo to Missouri Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal - The Picta (March 10, 2016)
Missouri Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal Leads Record-Breaking 39-Hour Filibuster - HipHopzilla (March 10, 2016)
Proposal to shielf businesses who decline work on same-sex couples goes to Missouri House - St. Louis Public Radio (March 10, 2016)
Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal Makes Missouri History Attempting to Filibuster Anti-LGBT Bill - Autostraddle (March 10, 2016)
Missouri Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal Leads Record-Breaking 39 Hour Filibuster - Newz Posts (March 10, 2016)
Missouri State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal Endorses Bernie Sanders, Asks for Help - Daily Kos (March 12, 2016)
Chelsea Clinton arrives, Bernie Sanders returns to urge people to vote - St. Louis Public Radio (March 14, 2016)
Missouri Senate Debates Constitutional Amendment to Expand Religious Protections - State of the State KS (March 14, 2016)
Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-Ferguson) Ready to Set the House on Fire - Crooks and Liars (March 14, 2016)
Missouri State Senator, Maria Chappelle-Nadal, Endorses Bernie! - Democratic Underground (March 14, 2016)
Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal, the filibuster queen - Daily Kos (March 14, 2016)
Strained relationship on display as Missouri Senate reconvenes - KBIA Public Radio (March 15, 2016)
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“Thanks Maria. I support your stance on both issues: SB600-home buyout program and SB672-sex education.” Susan
“Maria, thank you so much for sharing your informative newsletter, and for including your speaking engagement with BIG. It was a pleasure to meet you and serve as moderator. You are both powerful and passionate women who operates with integrity. Best regards, “ Marylynn
“Thanks so very much for my birthday card. Thank you also for your commitment to helping your constituents. I appreciate your hard work and determination. Sincerely yours,” Teresia
“Dear Maria, thank you so much for your service & dedication to the YEO network. Your fearless leadership & uncompromising compassion are an inspiration. It was an honor working with you and your team.” Jerralyn
“Senator Chappelle-Nadal, thank you so much for meeting with us to discuss Access Missouri and A+ funds for DACA students. Providing these funds are critical to the success of our students. We appreciate the advice you gave about navigating the political landscape in Missouri. It is important to know who to talk to. We also appreciate your willingness to work with us to ensure students are heard. Thank you!” Karissa & Karina
"Maria, We could not have been prouder of you as our State Senator. What a heroic fight you led against hatred and bigotry. You are a superwoman! There are those in our state who are living in the past. The right side did not win today, but one step back will be met with two steps forward. Thank you for standing against legalizing discrimination. Sincerely," Lynn Reid