Missouri House Democrats have announced a legislative package to ensure the state can quickly and effectively respond in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. House Democrats say the state must be prepared to act and react. Representative Ed Wildberger of St. Joseph insists we still aren’t ready to tackle the problems. He says it’s time to end the bureaucratic wrangling and get things done. Governor Matt Blunt’s spokesman Spence Jackson says the criticism is unwarranted because the Governor has taken the bull by the horns by creating the Homeland Security Advisory Council. He says that panel is working on solutions to all problems. Democrats are calling for improvement of on-the-ground communications in times of crisis, filling all vacancies on the Seismic Safety Commission so that it can update Missouri’s earthquake preparedness plan, and elevating the Director of the State Emergency Management Agency to a cabinet level position.
