Bernie, Missouri - Gov. Jay Nixon will join Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Richard Fordyce and agriculture industry leaders at the Martin Rice Warehouse in Stoddard County on Friday (Feb. 13) for a roundtable discussion on increasing Missouri exports, and the economic benefits of increased trade to Cuba.
 
Last month, the Governor announced that he will be traveling to Havana from March 1-4 with members of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC) to explore how to maximize the benefits of expanded trade to Cuba for Missouri producers.
 
Friday, Feb. 13
 
WHO:              Gov. Jay Nixon
                         Richard Fordyce, Director, Missouri Department of Agriculture
                        Agricultural leaders
                       
WHAT:            Discussing the economic benefits to Missouri and Missouri farmers of increased exports
 


WHEN:            11 a.m.
 
WHERE:         Martin Rice Warehouse
                        22326 County Road 780
                        Bernie, MO 63822

Washington - Rep. Jason Smith and the House of Representatives voted to pass the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act with bipartisan support. The bill, which has cleared both the House and Senate, will now be sent to the president for his signature. The infrastructure project is estimated to add more than 40,000 jobs to the workforce and lower energy costs for all Americans.

Despite six years of environmental studies showing no negative impact to move oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico through the pipeline, President Obama has threatened to veto the project claiming it requires additional analysis.

“After years of bipartisan work and support since its initial proposal in 2008, we are finally able to send the bill to construct the Keystone XL Pipeline to the president after passing it today. The fact that with its passage we have the opportunity to provide Americans with 40,000 shovel-ready jobs and lower energy costs is very exciting,” said Congressman Jason Smith. “This excellent opportunity to help put Americans back to work and reduce their burden of high energy costs is why I urge President Obama to sign the bill into law and begin digging.”

The U.S. State Department has thoroughly investigated this project with five reviews totaling more than 22,000 pages and had no major environmental objections. According to the impact study, the pipeline would not increase carbon emissions. Additionally, the project would voluntarily incorporate more than 50 new safety standards recommended by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Congressman Smith and a bipartisan group of more than 300 lawmakers continue to urge President Obama to sign the Keystone XL authorization and bring this infrastructure project that will provide thousands of jobs to fruition.

Hubrecht will serve as House Floor Whip for the 2015 Legislative Session

Jefferson City, Missouri - Rep. Hubrecht, R-Dexter, will play a key role in helping the House Majority Caucus achieve its legislative priorities for the 2015 session. Hubrecht was named this week to serve on the Whip Team by Majority Whip, Rep. Delus Johnson, R-St. Joseph. 

“After just a couple of weeks in observing the work ethic, commitment and dedication, it seemed imperative to select Tila to serve on the whip team,” stated Rep. Johnson.

Rep. Hubrecht will serve as one among an elite few selected to serve in this capacity. As part of the Majority Whip team, Hubrecht will be responsible for assisting the majority whip in rounding up votes on critical issues, communicating policy positions to other members, and overseeing that parliamentary rules of the House are followed.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to play a much greater role in the legislative process,” said Rep. Hubrecht. “This position offers me a great opportunity to better represent the interests of the  151^st  district. I look forward to working to help ensure the passage of legislation that will be of great benefit to the people in our area as well as the entire state of Missouri.”

Rep. Hubreccht added that her new post allows her to become more involved in a wider variety of legislative matters.

Jefferson City, Missouri - Gov. Jay Nixon today made $21.5 million available for seniors, veterans, public safety, economic development, higher education and other priorities. The additional funding comes from a national settlement with the ratings agency Standard & Poor’s announced today by Attorney General Chris Koster and Secretary of State Jason Kander.

“I appreciate the hard work of Attorney General Koster and Secretary of State Kander in representing Missouri, which will help provide needed funding for a number of key priorities, including programs for seniors, veterans and local law enforcement,” Gov. Nixon said.

The Governor made funding available for the following programs for the current fiscal year:

·         $8 million for the state’s seven veterans homes;
·         $4.68 million for the University of Missouri School of Medicine Clinical Campus in Springfield;
·         $3.5 million for high-tech startups through the Missouri Technology Corporation;
·         $1.5 million for grants to local cyber crimes task forces to reduce internet sex crimes and improve public safety;
·         $620,000 for occupational therapy and other health related degree programs at Missouri State University;
·         $500,000 for sheltered workshops, which provide employment for Missourians with disabilities;
·         $500,000 for the Missouri Department of Corrections to provide grants to local entities to work with offenders who are reintegrating into the community, including employment placement services;
·         $500,000 for grants to domestic violence shelters to provide services for victims of sexual assault, including counseling and emergency housing;
·         $500,000 for Alzheimer’s Grants that provide respite and other services for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families;
·         $500,000 for the Missouri Division of Tourism to promote tourism across the state;
·         $400,000 for grants to Area Agencies on Aging to provide services to seniors, including meals;
·         $250,000 for the Lincoln University Land Grant Match; and
·         $50,000 to help train teachers about how to understand and respond to students with epilepsy.

8th Congressional District - Missouri - I have always been, and will always be, committed to protecting the life of the unborn and standing for the voiceless. It saddens me that we actually have to fight for something such as the life of a precious unborn child, something that each of our mothers chose for us from the first time they heard our heartbeat on the monitor, to the day we were born. However, it is encouraging to see so many people standing and joining the fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

This week, on the 42nd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, I welcomed pro-life advocates from Missouri to Washington, D.C. for the annual March for Life. I watched as they joined tens of thousands of pro-life supporters marching throughout Washington; starting at the National Mall, going past the United States Capitol, and right onto the steps of the Supreme Court to urge the protection of the unborn. It is inspiring to see so many people of all ages, from all across the country join together in support of the unborn.

Since the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, our medical knowledge and expertise have grown exponentially. Babies diagnosed with birth defects in some cases can now be operated on in their mother’s womb, before they are even born. Premature babies born at just 22 and 23 weeks today have a much better chance of growing up to thrive and live healthy lives. With the medical advancements that have already been made, there is no telling where we will be in the years to come. We can say, though, we will most certainly see even more lifesaving medical capabilities, many of which are being developed as we speak.

Even as we are seeing these advancements, however, there are still so many people that think it is okay to take the life of an unborn child. It is imperative that we continue fighting each day for the sanctity of life. In both terms I have been in Congress, I have cosponsored the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This would stop abortions after 20 weeks, which is something a majority of Americans agree should be prevented. Along with that bill, another key issue I have worked on and will continue to support is the prevention of federal funding for institutions that provide abortions. You deserve better from your government than spending your hard-earned money on something that is immoral and wrong.

I have worked hard to help lead the fight for the unborn in Washington, and I am committed to continuing that fight. Every life is a precious gift; from conception, the day a parent hears their child’s heartbeat for the first time, to the day they are born. If we continue sharing our message and standing up for the life of the unborn, like we do at the annual March for Life, we can change the tide. Together we ensure those who cannot speak have a voice. Together, we truly make a difference.