Dear 151st District Constituents,

From my family to yours, I wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July holiday. I know for many this is a time for friends, food, fun and fireworks, but I urge you to also keep in mind the significance of our Independence Day that commemorates the moment in time when our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. It has now been more than two centuries that the American people have enjoyed the freedoms and rights that have made this the greatest nation on the planet , and I think it’s important that we take a moment to remember and appreciate all that we have been given.
 
At the same time, I ask us to remember the words of President Dwight Eisenhower, who once said, “Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed.” His words serve as a reminder that we must continue to fight for and earn the freedoms made possible by the struggles and sacrifices of Americans throughout history. On this Independence Day I hope you will refresh your own commitment to preserving the freedoms we hold dear. We are truly blessed to live here in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
 
Let us all appreciate the significance of these freedoms and work together to ensure they are still in place for our children, grandchildren, and all the generations of Americans who will follow us. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

I have noticed in the local papers recently, that quite a few people have recently celebrated retirements after a long and dedicated career in our local communities and businesses.  If you or someone you know, has or will be retiring, please contact my office, we will be happy to get a resolution or certificate ready for this event to honor all that the retiree has accomplished throughout their career.  If you would like for me to present this to the retiree at the celebration, we will do our best to arrange my schedule so that I will be available to do this.    

We are still working on the Unclaimed Property List.  If you think you may have some unclaimed property, please go to www.ShowMeMoney.com.  This website as all the information there.  Just in our district, the total of Unclaimed Property is $1,059,893.27.  That is a lot of property! It is taking us awhile to get through this list but we will work on it until we have contacted as many people as we can.  Please feel free to check out the website to make sure you are not on this list!!

If you would like to talk with me or set up a meeting, please call the Jefferson City office, 573-751-1494, and leave a voice message, I will be checking these throughout the week.

Until next week,
Tila

The new law will go into effect January 1 of next year.
 
Increasing Compensation for Crime Victims (SB 141)
 
For the first time since 1981, the state will increase the cap on the amount of compensation for victims of violent crimes. Right now, victims and their families can receive up to $200 each week to help with medical and counseling expenses, and to offset the lost wages that resulted because of the crime. The bill that will now take effect as law on August 28 will raise the cap to $400 per week. In the last fiscal year, $3.8 million was disbursed through the program to provide financial assistance to more than 700 victims and their families.
 
Advocating for the Military (HB 1070)
 
With an impact of as much as $40 million in economic activity and nearly 470,000 jobs, the military has an enormous and important presence in Missouri. This session the legislature worked to ensure the vital part of Missouri’s economic engine continues to have a strong voice in the state. Recently the governor signed legislation to establish the Office of Military Advocate.
 
Located within the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission, the sole purpose of the office will be to remain a positive voice by advocating for the military in Missouri. Appointed by the governor, the office will be administered by a military advocate and will serve a term of six years.  The Department of Economic Development will provide the administrative support and staff needed for the office.
 
Education Reform Legislation Vetoed (HB 42)

While the governor has recently signed many pieces of legislation into law, he also vetoed a bill that was hailed by supporters as a way to help young people in struggling school districts. Proponents said the bill’s system of accreditation for individual schools rather than entire districts would have alleviated some of the transfer issues and allowed kids to stay closer to home. The bill also would have given students new educational opportunities by allowing for more charter schools and providing a virtual school option.
 
In objecting to the bill, the governor sided with opponents who took issue with the expansion of charter and virtual schools, which he referred to as a voucher system. Opponents also criticized the bill for failing to provide real solutions for the failing districts that have strained financially to pay the tuition of transferring students. Those opposed to the bill also said the virtual school option failed to provide the necessary oversight and accountability for student performance.
 
Following the veto, the bill’s sponsor said he was disappointed to see the governor reject the education reform plan, but also said he does not plan to bring it up for a veto override. The issue of fixing the transfer law was partially addressed recently when 22 school districts pledged their support to help the unaccredited districts in Normandy and Riverview Gardens. The districts will provide assistance in the form of lowered tuition cost for transfer students and teacher training.

When this bill came to the floor, I had voted in favor of this bill. I had supported the bill due to the belief that once implemented, approximately $67 million dollars more would be available to the Foundation Formula.

My goal, on education bills such as this one, is to support the Foundation Formula being fully funded and to support more local control of our schools.  I am looking forward to supporting better legislation in the future that will provide a positive impact on our schools.