Love note from Jeff City

My Fellow Missourians:

“O’er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave” (lyrics from our National Anthem) comes to my mind as we approach Memorial Day. Another song that comes to mind is by Billy Ray Cyrus. The lyrics are: “All gave some. Some gave all. Some stood through the red, white, and blue; and some had to fall.” Memorial Day is observed with the understanding that some gave all. They were brave and laid their lives in harm’s way so that we might be free. We spend this day remembering the human cost of war. Originally called Decoration Day, it started after the American Civil War to honor both Union and Confederate soldiers who had died while serving. Women from both sides began decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. By the end of World War II, the decoration of the graves of all soldiers who had died in the armed forces was taking place. Memorial Day was signed into law in 1971, with the holiday being set as the last Monday in May.

I want to remind everyone to check your local newspapers for dates and times of your cemetery’s annual workdays and board meetings. I encourage everyone to get involved and help out with volunteer work, fundraising events, or donating financially to help with the upkeep and mowing.

Discover more on Route 54:

The “Discover More on Route 54” board members met recently to discuss the 3rd Annual 100 Mile Yard Sale. The event has been set for Sept. 1-3, Friday through Sunday. Beyond Bargains in Hermitage and the Highway 54 RV Park in Wheatland have both been confirmed as host sites for the event this year. As new sites are confirmed, please go to www.discover54.com for updates. The 100 Mile Yard Sale will take place during daytime hours and include the cities of Camdenton, Macks Creek, Preston, Hermitage, Wheatland, Weaubleau, Collins, El Dorado Springs, and Nevada, all along U.S. Route 54.

Special session:

The General Assembly has returned to the Capitol this week for a special legislative session. Governor Eric Greitens called legislators back to address an economic development issue that could mean hundreds of jobs for Southeast Missouri. During regular session, the House approved legislation that could allow one company to proceed with plans to reopen the Noranda aluminum smelter at Marston; and another company to build a new steel mill at New Madrid, both in Southeast Missouri. However, despite overwhelming, bipartisan approval in the House, the measure failed to secure passage in the Senate before time ran out on the session.

In Special Session today, the House has approved legislation that would allow the Public Service Commission to consider lowering utility rates. The lower rates are a vital component to luring the companies to Missouri as it will allow the facilities under consideration to be more profitable.

The sponsor of the legislation said people in his area are in desperate need of jobs, especially after Noranda closed last year, eliminating nearly 900 jobs. He said the two projects under consideration could create more than 500 new jobs. The bill’s sponsor  noted that the entities behind the two facilities are expected to decide soon whether to give up on progressing with their plans for the two sites in Missouri. If the legislature can quickly pass this bill, he is confident those companies will postpone their decisions until they can meet with the PSC.

Because special sessions can be costly, the House is trying to be as efficient as possible with its work schedule. The House held a technical session on Monday and Tuesday, which does not require the full membership to be present. House members were in full session on Wednesday only. This schedule will help minimize the cost to taxpayers. The bill now goes to the Senate for debate and vote.