Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
WASHINGTON DC – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) this morning sent a letter of resignation to Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and notified the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives that today will be her last day serving in Congress.
“I am honored to serve the people of the Eighth Congressional District since 1996. They are an outstanding example of the very best our American communities have to offer: smart, strong citizens who are always ready to lead,” Emerson said. “At a time when the popularity of Congress hovers in the single digits, it has never been more important for us to instill their virtues in our elected representatives. Congress is the branch of government closest to the people. We must strive to make it representative of us and our national desire to accomplish great things together.
“Tomorrow, I will once again be a constituent of Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District. I hope and pray that all we have worked to accomplish will be upheld by the public servants who follow in Bill Emerson’s footsteps and in mine. To us, the people of this district have always come before politics. That philosophy of service remains the only way to get good things done on behalf of Southern Missouri and the nation.”
The text of Emerson’s letters of resignation to Gov. Nixon and Speaker Boehner is attached:
The Honorable Jeremiah W. Nixon
Governor of Missouri
Jefferson City, MO
Federal Funding will cover 100% of the costs of the expansion for the first three years and 90% or more in subsequent years.
He plans to speak at 11:30 a.m. at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center located at 2080 Three Rivers Boulevard. This is a free event and open to the public.
“After spending the last few weeks traveling around southeast Missouri and meeting with members of the 8th District Congressional Committee, I have been encouraged by the support I have been receiving. My wife Amber and I thought long and prayed hard about this decision and we are proud to announce that I am seeking the nomination.” Richardson said.
Todd continued, “I have spent the last month talking with family, friends and constituents about this decision. After traveling the district and meeting with dozens of committee members, I have been honored and humbled by the level of support I have received.”
“My father taught me a long time ago not to do anything you weren’t fully committed to and I believe that I am the right candidate for southeast Missouri. I was born here and raised here and I have a tremendous amount of passion for the 8th congressional district, but mostly, I want my son Sawyer to have the same opportunities that my generation had. We need more young, aggressive conservatives in Washington fighting to cut spending, defend our family farms and get this country back on the right track.”
Todd is a second term State Representative from Poplar Bluff. He represents Butler and Dunklin counties in the State Legislature.
To contact Todd Richardson: 573-727-4488 or you may send him a letter via snail mail to P.O. Box 310, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902 to voice your concerns or offer congratulations to him and his family.
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Listening Posts are intended for Missourians to share their questions and concerns during meetings with members of Senator Blunt's staff.
Senator Blunt's Jefferson City office also extends one-on-one service to all Missourians who have an issue with a federal agency or need additional assistance.
To reach the Senator's Office of Constituent Services, please call (573) 634-2488 or send a letter to 308 E. High Street, Suite 202, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
The Bootheel Regional Planning Commission is located at 105 E. Main in Dexter, Missouri.
Submitted by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
JEFFERSON CITY - Drought-stricken farmers in 63 Missouri counties are eligible for federal assistance after the U.S. Department of Agriculture today issued a primary natural disaster area designation, Gov. Jay Nixon said. The designation from USDA Secretary Vilsack is for 31 counties that have suffered either extreme or exceptional drought, or have suffered severe drought for more than eight weeks. An additional 32 counties have been designated as contiguous disaster counties.
"Missouri livestock and crop farmers across the state have been struggling with drought for a long time now," Gov. Nixon said. "There has been relief in some parts of the state because of rain and snow, but it's still a great challenge. Coming on the heels of our drought relief program on the state level that has helped thousands of Missouri ranchers and farmers drill new wells, this designation can provide additional help for these hard-hit areas. We'll continue to stand with Missouri agriculture at every step of the recovery."
The 31 primary counties included under the designation are Andrew, Atchison, Audrain, Bates, Caldwell, Callaway, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Dunklin, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Lafayette, Lincoln, Linn, Livingston, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Nodaway, Pettis, Pike, Ralls, Ray, Warren and Worth.
In addition, 32 counties have been named as contiguous disaster counties: Adair, Benton, Boone, Buchanan, Butler, Camden, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clay, Franklin, Gasconade, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Johnson, Macon, Marion, Mercer, Miller, New Madrid, Osage, Pemiscot, Platte, Randolph, St. Charles, St. Clair, Saline, Shelby, Stoddard, Sullivan and Vernon.
A disaster designation allows eligible farmers to be considered for assistance from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), including FSA emergency loans.
In addition to keeping an eye on crops and livestock, producers should document any losses or additional costs experienced as a result of weather events, including drought. That information is often required for producers to be eligible for physical and/or production loss loan assistance from the FSA, as well as other assistance programs.
Last July, the USDA issued a disaster designation at the Governor's request because of the drought that impacted all 114 counties and the city of St. Louis.
Affected farmers can contact their local FSA office for more information.
