Missouri - After years of work by local planning agencies and transportation partners, Missourians are now asked to weigh in on a list of transportation projects and improvements that could improve safety, create jobs, and boost Missouri's economy.

Starting on June 13, the complete draft list of projects and priorities as outlined in the Constitutional Amendment 7 legislation will be released by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. The list, a schedule of open house meetings, and an online comment form will be available at www.modot.org/movingforward.

At their meeting on June 11, the commission heard MoDOT's progress report on the creation of the list and decided to expand the public comment period.

"There will be hundreds of projects on this list, affecting every type of transportation - from roads and bridges to transit, ports, airports, and bike-ped facilities," said Commission Chair Stephen Miller. "We want to make certain Missourians have the opportunity to let us know if they believe these are the projects that would have the biggest impact for their communities and the state."

MoDOT is also holding open house public meetings in every region of the state so Missourians can talk face-to-face with the department and the regional planning partners who helped create the list.

The public comment period now extends through 5 p.m. on July 3, and the Commission will review all public comment and approve the list on July 9.

On August 5, Missouri voters will decide on Amendment 7, a ballot measure to temporarily raise Missouri's sales tax by ¾ of a cent. All proceeds from the tax would go toward much-needed transportation improvements across the state. The amendment's provisions include the creation of a project list prior to the election so Missourians can see what their tax dollars would fund.

For more information, visit www.modot.org/movingforward or contact MoDOT's customer service center at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Jefferson City, Missouri - This coming Sunday is a very important day is most people’s lives. Father’s Day is a day that we celebrate the men in our lives that have made a huge impact. They don’t have to be our fathers; many celebrate uncles, grandfathers, etc., any man who has made a significant impact on our lives. Father’s Day started in 1908 in the state of Washington. It was celebrated on the third Sunday in June, because others in states like Virginia didn’t have the appropriate time to get ready for the June 5th celebration in Washington. That is why Father’s Day is still celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in June. This holiday was not official until 1972 when a Congressional Act officially recognized the 3rd Sunday as the date. This week tell all the men in your lives thank you for the great job that they have done in your life, whether you are a kid, parent or grandparent enjoy the day!

As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629. You can also email me at kent.hampton@house.mo.gov . I look forward to hearing from you.

8th Congressional District, Missouri - With the summer season now upon us many families are enjoying the outdoors. We are blessed to have tremendous recreation opportunities in the Eighth Congressional District that are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. As you think about planning a family vacation or weekend outing, I would encourage you to consider some of the local businesses and parks we have right here in South Central and Southeast Missouri.

This week I spent time visiting tourist attractions in our region. Tourism in Missouri provides us with new adventures close to home, but it also helps fuel our state's economy. The tourism industry provides more than 280,000 tourism-related jobs and generates nearly $11 billion in tourism-related spending. Visitors to our state spend money on lodging and at restaurants, outdoor recreation facilities, gas stations and small retail businesses. These dollars mean jobs for our friends and neighbors, and are important tax revenues for our municipal and county governments.

During my travels this week visiting tourism sites in our Eighth Congressional District, I met great people who work diligently to show visitors Missouri hospitality. In Ste. Genevieve, I stepped back in time while visiting historic attractions in the 18th century French colony. Ste. Genevieve is home to internationally recognized historic homes, and a beautiful downtown historic district. I visited an old time pharmacy in Ava where you can still get an ice cream cone for 10 cents. In Sikeston I toured and dined at the original home of the famous 'Throwed Rolls.' In rural Ozark County I had a hardy breakfast at Dawt Mill and took in the natural beauty of the North Fork of the White River. In Mansfield I visited the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder and learned about her life experiences which inspired her book, Little House on the Prairie that eventually became a successful television series.

In addition to historic sites, I visited our pristine state and national parks and small businesses that rely on the rivers. In Wayne County I visited the Bill Emerson Visitor Center at Lake Wappapello. Further north in Iron County I toured Elephant Rocks State Park where I saw the giant granite boulders that resemble elephants. At Johnson Shut-Ins State Park I saw great places to swim, nice picnic areas and the beautiful Ozark landscape. I spent time on the Current River near Round Spring to learn about the small businesses that provide goods and services to visitors. Along the way I heard from business owners and private citizens who are concerned about new management plans in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and how these changes will impact their communities. I will continue fighting any efforts to limit access to our federal lands.

When you are planning a trip or activity this summer, remember the great local tourist attractions our region has to offer. By staying local this summer you can enjoy less time traveling and know that your dollars are supporting small businesses in our local communities. Whether you like to camp, fish, be on the water or visit unique restaurants and businesses, our Eighth Congressional District has something to offer for everyone.

 

Jefferson City, Missouri - Gov. Jay Nixon has signed into law Senate Bill 892, which moves the presidential primary from February to March to comply with national party committee rules and ensure more Missourians have a voice in the nomination process. Under the bill, Missouri’s presidential primary will be held on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in March.

“This measure will help avoid the uncertainty and disruption seen in 2012 and ensure more Missourians have a voice in the nomination process,” Gov. Nixon said. “I thank the legislature for getting this responsible measure to my desk well in advance of the 2016 presidential election.”

As in 2012, both parties are expected to authorize penalties for states that schedule their presidential primaries earlier than required by the national party committees. For 2016, the Republican National Committee has issued rules that would penalize states, with the exception of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, which hold presidential primaries before March 15.

In addition to Senate Bill 892, the Governor also signed House Bill 1064, which replaces the terms “mentally retarded” and “mental retardation” with the terms “intellectually disabled” and “intellectual disability” in state law.

“Eliminating these outdated and hurtful terms from our laws builds on our efforts to root out discrimination and make sure all Missourians are treated with dignity and respect,” Gov. Nixon said. “Missouri has been recognized as one of the top states in the nation for helping its citizens with developmental disabilities live up to their God-given potential, and today we’re making sure the words we use are consistent with the values we share.”

The Governor also signed the following bills:

House Bill 1136, which relates to election laws;  

House Bill 1301, which relates to the Police Retirement System of Kansas City;

House Bill 1376, which deals with the Uniform Commercial Code;

`House Bill 1656, which corrects a typographical error in the Uniform Anatomical Gifts Act of 2008;

8th Congressional District - Missouri - On Thursday, June 5th, 2014, Congressman Jason Smith will be touring Wappapello Lake with Colonel Hall from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Colonel Hall will also be providing the Congressman with a briefing.
 
Wappapello Lake, MO is a 45,000-acre project nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains on the St. Francis River in Southeast Missouri. Completed in 1941, Wappapello Lake annually provides an estimated $3.9 million in flood protection to agricultural lands and developed areas along the St. Francis River. Wappapello Lake averages nearly 2.5 million visitors per year.
 
WHO: Congressman Jason Smith
WHAT: Tour of the Lake and Briefing with USACE
WHERE: Bill Emerson Visitor's Center,
                    10276 Highway T, Wappapello
WHEN: Thursday, June 5th, 2014 beginning at 9:00