Jeff Pittman, chancellor of St. Louis Community College, with Sen. Keaveny.

Just a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of receiving one of the most prestigious honors the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) gives to leaders and supporters of community colleges. I was awarded the Distinguished Legislator Award.

Recipients were selected based upon their support for MCCA’s legislative priorities, institutions, members, and most importantly students in community colleges from around this great state.

Missouri is home to 12 community colleges with more than 70 locations, with more than 98,000 students enrolled. Each year those 12 colleges award more than 12,000 degrees and certificates.

I am honored to have received this award from a group that helps so many Missourians and our state as a whole. Unlike other colleges and universities, 98 percent of community college students are Missourians, and 93 percent stay in Missouri after graduation, contributing to the state economy and strengthening Missouri’s workforce.

For more information about the MCCA visit their website www.mccatoday.org/.

The is the proposed 136-acre site for the Next National Geospatial Agency West (NGA), located in North St. Louis.

Due to aging buildings, limited room for expansion and increasing security concerns, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency West Campus Headquarters (NGA West), now located in the southern area of St. Louis, is currently considering a site in the region for a new facility. As the deadline for naming a new location approaches, I encourage residents of the 4th Senatorial District to let their voices be heard in support of this opportunity.

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is the nation’s primary source of geospatial intelligence for the Department of Defense and the U.S. Intelligence Community. It provides support to U.S. national security and defense as well as disaster relief. It will provide 3,100 jobs with an average salary of $83,000 a year, and tax earnings for the city of an estimated $204 million. During construction, there are expected to be as many as 5,200 construction jobs available. Both the short-term and long-term economic development potential of this project will leave a positive impact for years and generations to come.

Although four sites are being considered, elected leaders agreed to, and have put all their support behind the North St. Louis site. This is the preferred location for the Next National Geospatial Agency West (NGA) as we seek to rebuild North St. Louis through jobs, safety and more economic development opportunities.

Over the past 11 months, the Next NGA West project team has been studying the potential social, economic and environmental impacts of a proposed NGA location at each of the four proposed sites. A public comment period was held and a decision is near. Like so many others, I am hopeful the new home for NGA West will be in North St. Louis.

I encourage everyone who is able to sign this petition to voice your support, one last time, for this vital project to be located in North St. Louis.

I am sponsoring Senate Concurrent Resolution 58 which further demonstrates support from my colleagues across the state. The resolution urges the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to remain in St. Louis by building a new facility in the city. Click here www.senate.mo.gov/senator-Joseph-keaveny-on-the-national-geospatial-intelligence-agency-in-st-louis/ to listen to a podcast where I discuss NGA.

Starting last fall a new program, College Kids, began providing a children’s savings account for every kindergartner in a public or charter school within the city of St. Louis. The accounts were opened automatically with an initial $50 deposit from the City of St. Louis Treasurer's Office to help families jump start their kindergartner's college savings.

There are several ways accounts can receive additional funds, outside of the traditional deposits, which family and friends are encouraged to make. Through contributions made by the business and community members, students can earn additional money for college. This year, matches and incentives include: $1 for every week of perfect attendance, match contributions up to $100; and up to $50 for completing financial education courses either online, in person, or using a smart phone.

Recent research shows low-income students with $500 in college savings are three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate from college than students with no college savings. It is important to note the money saved will be less money the child will have to borrow as a college student. Knowing they have parents and a community who support their future education will serve as encouragement throughout their educational career.

Donations to the program can be made at http://1to1fund.org/match/partners/st_louis_college_kids.

Other ways to save for college include:

• MOST 529 Accounts — Specifically designated for college savings provided by the state of Missouri. An investment account that allows you to choose how to invest.
• Coverdell Education Savings Account — Can be used for college or private K-12 expenses. An investment account, you choose how to invest your hard earned money.
• Youth Savings Account — Available at your local financial institution of choice. These types of accounts can be used for any expense, but you can personally determine what the account’s savings will be used for, like college expenses.
• Certificate of Deposit (CD) — Can be used for any savings. Money cannot be withdrawn for the length of CD. Earns some interest.
• Savings Bonds — Through the U.S. Treasury. Savings bonds are easy to give as gifts, but now require purchase online by setting up an online account.

Both state and federal taxes filing deadline is Friday, April 15.

The beginning of January marks the start of the tax filing season, when individuals and families submit their federal and state tax returns.

For information about how your Marketplace coverage may affect your taxes, visit www.HealthCare.gov/taxes/ or call the Marketplace Call Center at (800) 318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. 

If you have questions about your taxes, need Form 8962 or Form 8965, or want to learn more about the fee for not having health coverage, visit www.irs.gov.   

Missouri Taxes

• Missouri tax forms for tax year 2015, and previous years, are available at www.dor.mo.gov.
  
  
• Call (573) 751-3505, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for assistance. 
  
  
• Email the Department of Revenue at income@dor.mo.gov with questions about filing tax returns.

Tax Assistance

• Electronic filing is a service provided by almost all tax preparation agencies, or individuals can purchase tax preparation software that helps to avoid errors.
  
  
• The Internal Revenue Service has the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free tax help to people who generally make $53,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. 
  
  
• The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. 
  
  
• To find a VITA or TCE site near you, click here or visit www.IRS.gov/freefile or www.IRS.gov/VITA. 
  
  
• ElderLink St. Louis is offering to help senior citizens locate free tax help. Elderlink St. Louis can be reached at
  (314) 812-9300.

The Campaign for Disability Employment is an effort among several disability and business organizations seeking to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace. The goal of the group is to change misconceptions and encourage employers to provide job opportunities, share inclusive practices, become mentors, and raise awareness for the campaign and its goals.

It is important for each of us to realize people with disabilities can and do make important contributions every day. By implementing good workplace practices, like maintaining a flexible work environment, businesses can capitalize on the talents of qualified people with disabilities, which benefits all of us.

For more information about the Campaign for Disability Employment, contact them through email or visit their website at www.whatcanyoudocampaign.org/.

St. Louis has been using the ParkLouie system since last summer. The technology has made parking easier throughout the city.

St. Louis is the latest metropolitan area to start using technology to help make parking more user-friendly. Every parking meter in the City of St. Louis now accepts payments through the mobile phone app ParkLouie. ParkLouie is the new brand for the City of St. Louis Parking Division.

ParkLouie customers pay for parking by registering for the app and entering the zone number identified on green stickers on parking meters. Paying for parking using ParkLouie will not register time in the physical parking meter, but parking enforcement personnel will be able to detect your payment. ParkLouie also makes it easier to track parking sessions, providing users with the ability to receive notifications and pay for additional time.

ParkLouie can be downloaded at www.parklouie.com.

Those who do not have smart phones can also use the app by calling (314) 450-2830.

For more information about ParkLouie please call, (314) 450-2830, email info@parklouie.com, or visit their website at www.parklouie.com.