The new director of the state Department of Health and Senior Services is settling in this week. Jane Drummond replaces Julie Eckstein who has resigned. Drummond used to be the department’s general counsel before becoming Governor Blunt’s top lawyer. She says her familiarity with the department and all of its programs gained through her experience as the agency’s lawyer makes her a good fit for the director’s job. In fact, she says she has missed working with the department. Drummond says she got an early briefing on the Governor’s Medicaid reform proposal, which will be made public soon. She says several department programs, primarily in-home services, that are funded by Medicaid will be affected. Drummond thinks the plan will closely follow recommendations from the legislature’s special Medcaid Reform Joint Committee, which filed 82 recommendations a year ago. The legislature took no action on them this year. But legislative leaders say they have to act in 2007. If they don’t, they’ll face a June 30th, 2008 termination date for the program.
House Democrats Propose More Money for Colleges
House Democrats say a healthy chunk of an expected budget surplus should be used to boost college funding. Democrats in the Missouri House say colleges have had to suffer during the lean times and should benefit now that the state budget expects to grow by as much as $500 million. House Minority Leader Jeff Harris (D-Columbia) says Democrats will propose state colleges and universities receive an additional $110 million dollars in next year’s budget. He says a college education needs to be more accessible. Also, Democrats want to allow Missourians to deduct college tuition from state income taxes, a tax break totaling approximately $50 million. Harris says Republican leadership insists the money is there. He says Democrats simply are relying on the budget projections of House Speaker Rod Jetton (R-Marble Hill). Jetton has stated that state revenue has grown steadily this year and should provide as much as $500 million more for the next fiscal year. Harris says a 12.6% increase in higher education appropriations would still only bring higher education spending to 2002 levels. He says the proposal doesn’t require colleges promise to freeze tuition rates if they receive extra money from the state.
Transportation Department Wants to Start Making Waves
The State Transportation Department wants to rock the boat… literally. Director Pete Rahn says as local economies are increasingly gaining global access the state needs to get on board and capitalize on some of its greatest natural assets – its rivers and ports. He says the recent announcement of the expansion of the Panama Canal should be a big incentive for the state to invest in expanding it’s own shipping capabilities.
First Responders Attend Terror-Related Investment Risks Summit
Police officers and firefighters from throughout the state hear about terror-related investment risks and how to avoid them. State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, who has been fighting to have money from MOSERS – the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System – withdrawn from companies that invest in terrorist countries, wants to extend this idea to first responders … and eventually to all Missourians. Steelman hosted a Jefferson City summit attended by first responders who were given anti-terrorism investment advice from experts in the field. Among them: Frank Gaffney, a former Assistant Defense Secretary who is the founder and president of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Security Policy; and Roger Robinson, president and CEO of Conflict Securities Advisory Group and a former Senior Director of International Economic Affairs at the National Security Council. The first responders are being urged to return home and ask their investment brokers where retirement funds are being invested. Steelman’s efforts to convince the MOSERS board to divest from companies investing in terrorist states has, so far, not been successful.
Vander Kooi Honored
For the third consecutive year, Mizzou outside hitter Jessica Vander Kooi has been named to the All-Big 12 First Team.
Vander Kooi was named Big 12 Player of the Week twice and AVCA National Player of the Week once. She finished the conference season ranked in the top-10 of three scoring categories.
The Tigers begin their postseason run Thursday against Santa Clara. Mizzou has won two-straight first round games in the NCAA Tournament.
