Love note from Jeff City

My Fellow Missourians:

Caution is in order as planting season is in full swing. Farmers are moving from field to field on our rural roads and highways, even in heavily populated counties and suburbs. Recently, legislation in the form of an amendment has been offered to allow machinery to be moved between the hours of sunset and sunrise as long as proper lighting and caution signs are displayed. This will allow farmers to move machinery at times when traffic is not as heavy. Since agriculture is the #1 industry in Missouri, the passage of the amendment would provide relief during times of planting and harvest, when farmers need to move equipment between fields and tracts of farmland at all times of day. This bill would ensure that farmers can do that with the proper safety lighting.

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt spoke to all House members. He addressed important EPA regulation repeals relating to waters of the United States and utility plant regulations. He mentioned three things we need to increase and build upon in Missouri: manufacturing, growing of crops and livestock production and medical research. Last, but not least, he hopes to see a huge increase in infrastructure projects on highways, railroads and river ports. During his address, Senator Blunt stated, “If everything is a priority, then it seems nothing is a priority.” This reminded me of something former Governor Nixon had once said, “It is difficult to get laws done, and it is difficult to then get laws undone; and this is really good for good reason!”

Improving 911 services (HB334):

The House gave final approval to legislation designed to consolidate and provide adequate funding for the state’s 911 call centers. The bill is meant to ensure Missourians have access to 911 emergency services in all parts of the state. It would update the current funding model for 911 services that was put in place more than three decades ago and is based on a surcharge on traditional landline phone lines. More and more residents have done away with landlines and switched to cell phones, which has caused funding for 911 services to diminish. The legislation would allow local municipalities to submit for voter approval a fee of up to $1.50 for any device capable of contacting 911. The legislation approved by the House would allow and encourage municipalities to work together to consolidate 911 services. It would implement a three percent surcharge on each retail purchase of a prepaid cell phone to provide additional funding for 911 services. An amendment added to the bill on the floor would put the state on track to implement a next generation 911 system that would allow for the use of electronic messages including text, images, video and data. It now moves to the Senate.

Upcoming events in district 125:

The City of Stockton will be hosting “The Wall That Heals” at the Stockton High Football Field, May 11-14, Thursday through Sunday. This extremely moving and educational mobile exhibit will be open 24 hours a day and is free of charge. There will be a special memorial ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, and the public is invited. ‘The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a symbol of America’s honor and recognition of the men and women who served and sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War. It is dedicated to honor the “courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty and country” of all who answered the call to serve during the most divisive war in U.S. history.’ –Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

Congratulations to Appleton City on being appointed as a “Purple Heart City.” To celebrate this award, Appleton City will be hosting festivities on June 9, Friday, with the annual city parade at 7 p.m. City officials invite and encourage all Purple Heart recipients and all veterans to join the parade by lining up on Poplar Street at 6:30 p.m. There will be a Purple Heart Ceremony following the parade in Forest Park at 7:45 p.m. This celebration is in conjunction with their annual fair. Please contact Appleton City Mayor Karol Stephan at 660-679-1326 or kdstephan@gmail.com if you or a loved one is a Purple Heart recipient.