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Archive for the ‘State’ Category

The following list of Tea Party organizations, from across the state of Missouri, have NOT endorsed Roy Blunt in his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat.  When we received a notification that Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, a strong supporter of Tea Parties nationally, and the originator of a “Tea Party Caucus” in Washington last week, will be coming to Missouri on July 31st to make phone calls with Roy Blunt from the St. Louis GOP headquarters, and to be a featured speaker at a Blunt fundraiser that night, we were shocked.  We believe she has been grossly misled if she understands him to be a Missouri Tea Party candidate.

Tea Party participants believe the spending in Washington has to STOP.  Roy Blunt voted for TARP and Cash for Clunkers.  For Michele Bachmann to come to Missouri and give the impression that all the Missouri Tea Parties support Roy Blunt is an abomination of everything we have been standing up for.  “Most Tea Party supporters I know will be baffled by Michele Bachmann helping someone with a record like Roy Blunt before the primary vote,” said Jedidiah Smith, a Tea Party leader in Franklin County, Missouri. Read the rest of this entry »

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today released the following statement regarding the vote by the Missouri Senate to pass House Bill 1311:

“Today’s bipartisan vote by the Senate is an important step forward on this critical issue.  This legislation will expand access to treatments and therapies that have been shown to make a lasting difference for children with autism, and it will ease the burden for families struggling to afford these vital services.  I urge legislators from both parties to continue to work together to send this bill to my desk.”

Grant will aid city in completing public infrastructure improvements needed to
facilitate 100-year-old shoe company’s local expansion

Gov. Nixon announces infrastructure grant to Potosi, helping Red Wing Shoe Company
expand and create 42 new jobs

POTOSI, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon today visited Potosi to announce a $261,270 Industrial Infrastructure Grant under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The grant will aid the city of Potosi in completing public infrastructure improvements needed to assist the expansion of the Red Wing Shoe Company’s local facility, creating at least $736,600 in private investment and 42 new full-time jobs within two years.

The Governor made the announcement today while speaking to workers and community leaders at the Red Wing Shoe Company’s manufacturing facility in Potosi.

“It’s a positive sign for the Show-Me State’s economy when a local employer chooses to expand its operations, further invest in our state, and hire more hard-working Missourians,” Gov. Nixon said. “The Red Wing Shoe Company is a well-known, century-old brand that has been a vital part of the economy Potosi and Washington County for more than 15 years. We are pleased that the state has been able to play an important role in paving the way for the company’s expansion and existence in the region for many years to come.” Read the rest of this entry »

Treasurer Clint Zweifel announces $529 college savings giveaway Giveaway in celebration of 529 College Savings Day

JEFFERSON CITY – State Treasurer Clint Zweifel (ZWY-ful) announced MOST – Missouri’s 529 College Savings Plan will be awarding a lucky Missourian $529 to put towards saving for college. The winner will be selected from the pool of applicants who enter online for a chance to win at www.Most529Savings.com. Entries will be accepted from May 1 through May 31, 2010.

 ”This $529 scholarship will provide valuable aid that could grow over time to help pay for a child’s college education,” said Treasurer Zweifel, who sponsors the college savings program. “This contribution, combined with the investments made by MOST 529 account owners on behalf of Missouri’s children, has a real impact on education savings and college affordability.”

The giveaway drawing will coincide with 529 College Savings Day, which corresponds with the date of May 29. The winner will be notified by phone June 1, 2010. College Savings Day is an opportunity to remind Missouri’s families that saving for college is one of most important things they can do for the students in their lives. Saving even just a little bit of money as early as possible is integral to lowering the expense hurdle of a college education.

“If you start investing $50 per month into the MOST 529 account when a child is born, you could accumulate $16,633 by the time the child turns 18,” Treasurer Zweifel said. “Small investments can add up to make a real impact over time on a child’s education.” MOST 529 currently has more than 123,000 owners and more than $1.3 billion in assets, an all time high for the program. To enter the drawing to win the $529 contribution, Missouri residents are encouraged to visit www.Most529Savings.com and click on the “529 Day” button. Missouri taxpayers who are age 18 or older may enter to win on behalf of any beneficiary*. The prize money must be invested in an existing MOST 529 account or in a newly opened account in the plan. Winners will be announced June 4, 2010.

MOST 529 has several features that make it an affordable option when saving for college:

 • Start saving with as little as $25. Additional contributions of $25 may be made at anytime.

• Save on taxes.

Contributions and earnings grow free of federal and Missouri state income taxes, and can be withdrawn tax-free when used for the beneficiary’s qualified higher-education expenses.*** Plus, Missourians who are account owners qualify for a state income tax deduction on their contributions.**** • Choose from a variety of investments. With options from Vanguard and Missouri-based American Century Investments, account owners should be able to find an investment that matches their goals and comfort level. For more information about MOST 529, visit www.Most529CollegeSavings.com or www.treasurer.mo.gov.

Council will advise and work with national defense, homeland security officials on matters related to National Guard, civil support missions

Jefferson City – Gov. Jay Nixon was selected on Thursday (Feb. 4) by President Barack Obama to serve on the Council of Governors, a bipartisan group established last month by an executive order from the President. The purpose of the Council is to advise and work closely with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the White House Homeland Security Council, and other national defense and security officials on matters related to the National Guard and homeland defense.

“Close cooperation and communication between the federal government and the states are vital if we are to make the most effective use of state resources on matters of national defense and homeland security,” Gov. Nixon said. “Having personally seen the accomplishments of the Missouri National Guard both here in Missouri and in Afghanistan, my focus on this Council will be to ensure that we continue to use our Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen to the best effect possible on these fronts.” Read the rest of this entry »

Gov. Nixon outlines strategies to create jobs, position Missouri for long-term growth during second State of the State Address

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. – Gov. Jay Nixon delivered his second State of the State Address this evening to a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly.  During the speech, the Governor outlined strategies to address the state’s urgent economic issues, while also laying a solid foundation for long-term economic growth.

“Our most pressing economic challenges – creating jobs, seizing opportunities for growth, and balancing the budget – are too important to be sidetracked by partisan bickering. That would betray the trust put in us by the people,” Gov. Nixon said during the address.  “We also need to take the long view, and be wise stewards of the blessings that make Missouri so special: our families, our communities, and our God-given natural resources.  In everything we do this year, we must put our differences aside and put Missouri first.” Read the rest of this entry »

Attorney General Koster warns Missouri seniors of “grandparent scam”

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster today issued a Consumer Alert warning Missouri seniors of a scam aimed at swindling grandparents out of their savings.

Koster said the scammers will place a phone call to unsuspecting seniors posing as their grandchild, saying he has been in an accident, is in jail-most often for drunk driving-or that the grandchild is in some other kind of trouble. He said the caller often says that the grandchild is in Canada and asks the grandparent to wire money there via Western Union. Koster said one worried Missouri grandparent wired more than $20,000 after receiving a call from her “grandson” saying that he had been arrested for DWI in Canada and needed her to send money.

Koster said that consumer complaint reports his office has received indicate that the callers have an uncanny amount of personal information about the family, often knowing the grandparent and grandchild’s name.

“The fact that these scammers take advantage of a grandparent’s love for their grandchildren by placing these alarming and frightening calls to con them out of thousands of dollars is simply unconscionable,” Koster said. “I urge anyone receiving such a call to check with family members to confirm the call is a hoax. I also urge individuals to report the call to the Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-392-8222.”

Attorney General Koster says Neosho man convicted for prevailing wage violations, placed on contractor debarment list

Jefferson City, Mo. - Attorney General Chris Koster today announced a Neosho man has been sentenced to fourteen days in jail and placed on Missouri’s contractor debarment list for one year after being found guilty of violating Missouri’s prevailing wage law.

Koster said being on the debarment list means Michael B. Robin and any company he owns cannot contract directly or indirectly with any public body for the construction of any public works for that period of time. This is the first time in state history that the Attorney General’s office has placed a prevailing wage violator on the statewide debarment list. Read the rest of this entry »

 SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today launched Training for Tomorrow, a $12 million initiative to educate Missourians in high-tech fields and get them working in growing industries.  These grants will help Missouri community colleges create or expand training programs to serve additional students.

The Governor announced Training for Tomorrow during visits to Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield and Moberly Area Community College. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you heard the news? Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and State Auditor Susan Montee are being sued by the Missouri Roundtable for Life. According to the allegations, The two illegally reworded several initiative partitions and provided improper cost estimates. You can read more at Kansas City Star’s Prime Buzz.