The Public Service Commission wants to look further into how many utility bills are sent out without anyone ever looking at a meter. The PSC started the inquiry about six weeks ago after getting about two-thousand complaints against LaClede Gas for estimated billing practices. LaClede is the state’s biggest natural gas utility. It’s based in St. Louis. Commission Chairman Jeff Davis says the staff has been told to survey investor-owned electric, gas, and water utilities. He says the commission wants to know how many estimated bills each company has sent out during the last year; how often the utilities got actual meter readings for accounts on which it had issued estimated bills; and how often the utility reconciled its estimates with real meter readings. When the study is over the PSC will do follow-up audits to see how close the estimates come to the actual meter readings. No timetable has been set for completion of the survey.
Sex Offenders Exposed
Neighborhood watch just hit the web… at least with Missouri sex offenders. The public can now log on to a new website detailing information on sex offenders in their cities, even in their neighborhoods. The site, accessible through the Highway Patrol webpage, maps out the location of sex offenders within a thousand feet, a mile, or five miles from a specified address. But, Captain Tim McGrail says the system is limited to offenders sentenced since 1995. Offenders within the past 10 years, though, can’t slip by the online profile listing names, aliases, physical descriptions, homes, work, vehicles – owned and operated; as well as complete offense information and whether the offender is in compliance with registration requirements. The information is also available toll free at 888.767.6747.
Related web sites:
MHP Sex Offender Registry Site
Senate Candidates Perceive Economy Differently
Democratic Senate candidate Claire McCaskill dismisses numbers which indicate the economy is strong and says the mood of the country is sour. Republican incumbent Jim Talent gets a different reading from the same numbers. McCaskill hears uneasiness among Missourians as she campaigns. She says Missourians seem frustrated and that every time President Bush says the economy is going well, the average Missourian questions his assessment. McCaskill ties the frustration she perceives with the economy. McCaskill says average Missourians aren’t benefitting from low interest rates, low inflation and low unemployment. She sees all the benefits of the economy going to the rich, especially the CEO’s of large corporations. Senator Talent credits President Bush’s tax cuts for economic growth that he insists has been strong enough to push through high energy prices and the war in Iraq. Talent doesn’t perceive unease among Missourians. Talent says there is an underlying confidence in the future of the United States, especially in the long-term. Talent says he has concerns about some aspects of the economy, but has faith in its overall strength.
Brent Martin interviews with Jim Talent and Claire McCaskill
Related web sites:
Talent for Senate
McCaskill for Senate
World Series Wager Seen as Opportunity to Boost Missouri Agriculture Products
That friendly World Series wager between Governor Matt Blunt and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm could be a double victory for Missouri if the Cardinals defeat the Detroit Tigers. A championship for the Cards would certainly thrill baseball fans throughout the state, and it would mean the Michigan Governor would publicy enjoy some of the good things produced by Missouri agriculture. Misti Preston with the State Agriculture Department points out a Redbirds’ victory would lead to Granholm eating Missouri Angus steak and drinking some award winning Missouri wine. In the event the Tigers win the Series, Governor Blunt would have to consume a Lil’ Caesars Pizza washed down by Vernor’s Ginger Ale. Preston says Michigan’s Governor will not be disappointed by her losing wager should the Redbirds win.
St. Peters Mayor Resigns
Just days after pleading guilty to a federal bribery charge, Shawn Brown has resigned as Mayor of St. Peters. Brown entered the guilty plea on Friday at the federal courthouse in St. Louis, admitting he accepted a bribe from a company that won the contract to install red-light traffic cameras in St. Peters. Under the law, Brown would not have been forced to leave office until sentencing, which is scheduled for January 11th. That prompted city and St. Charles County officials to pursue impeachment proceedings against the Mayor. Aldermanic President Bruce Holt will serve as interim Mayor. An election will be held in April to choose a candidate who will fill out the remainder of Brown’s term, which expires in April of 2008. Brown’s resignation is effective immediately.
