The snowstorms that hit Missouri late last month and at the start of this month have given one of Missouri’s top traffic safety programs a stern test. [Read more...]
Republican Senate leaders vow to fully fund education
January 25, 2010 By
State Senate leaders are vowing to maintain full funding for Missouri’s public schools, despite Governor Jay Nixon’s budget proposals that leave the education Foundation Formula approximately $87 million short of its stated goal.
Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph) and Senate Majority Floor Leader Kevin Engler (R-Farmington) made it clear to reporters, during their weekly question and answer session following the Monday Senate session, that they intend to send Governor Nixon a 2011 fiscal year budget that includes full funding for the fifth year phase-in of the formula that the General Assembly agreed to. And that likely means cuts in other areas. [Read more...]
Mine fire under investigation
January 25, 2010 By
Three miners have been rescued from a lead and zinc mine in southeast Missouri after a fire. The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration is investigating the fire at Doe Run Company’s Viburnum #29 minue near Bunker. [Read more...]
Bond package proposal returns, now $800 million
January 25, 2010 By
A proposal to issue bonds to finance college capital improvement projects that failed to make it through the legislature last year has re-surfaced this year, after a bit of tweaking by the sponsor.
Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) sees advantages to resurrecting his idea.
“The membership of the General Assembly has had more time to become aware of and comfortable with the idea,” says Kelly.
Kelly proposes that the state issue $800 million in bonds to finance construction of medical, technical and science buildings on each state college campus in Missouri (HJR 77). Kelly understands targeting the money for those particular purposes to each campus has political appeal in the General Assembly.
“I think it is politically helpful, but we didn’t pick them for that reason,” Kelly says, explaining that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education chose the projects.
Kelly says the money is there to pay for the bonds. He points out that the state makes the final $39 million payment on $600 million in capital improvement bonds issued in 1982. Kelly proposed a $700 million dollar bond package last session. It passed the House, but failed to clear the Senate. Governor Nixon even considered calling a special session to consider the idea.
The timing is important. Interest rates are low, which would allow the state to issue more bonds at less cost. The federal economic stimulus package provides incentives for states to issue bonds, offering to pay up to 35% of the interest. Kelly estimates the bonds could be paid off in 20, possibly 25, years.
If the legislature approves the issue, it goes to a vote of the people.
“Must be voted on by the citizens of Missouri,” Kelly says. “And they have a right to determine the use of their own tax dollars.”
Kelly also touts the bond package as economic development. He says each of the projects financed would create construction jobs.
Unprecedented cancer research project begins at Washington University
January 25, 2010 By
Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death from disease among children over the age of one in the U.S. Cure rates remain below 50 percent. Washington University in St. Louis is partnering with St. Jude Hospital in Memphis to change that.
