Gov. Nixon’s request for major disaster declaration for Missouri counties hit by flooding and storms this summer granted by President Obama

August 17th, 2010

Declaration means federal government will reimburse 75 percent of eligible emergency response and recovery expenses associated with June and July flooding, severe storms and excessive rain.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A request by Gov. Jay Nixon for a major disaster declaration for areas across Missouri hit by flooding, severe storms and excessive rain during June and July was granted today by President Barack Obama. The declaration paves the way for affected counties and local governments to seek millions of dollars in federal funds for disaster-related emergency response and recovery expenses. The federal government will reimburse local governments for 75 percent of their emergency response and eligible recovery activities associated with the damaging weather beginning June 12.

“I appreciate the President making this major disaster declaration so that our counties, local governments and communities can obtain the assistance they need in recovering their costs,” Gov. Nixon said. “Local officials across Missouri responded quickly to the devastating floods, damaging rain and severe storms, and this declaration will help expedite the recovery process.”

The President’s declaration will assist at least 29 counties in recovering from the damage caused by flooding and the damaging weather. Those counties include Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clark, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Lafayette, Lewis, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Ray, Schuyler, Scotland, Sullivan and Worth.

Additionally, since Gov. Nixon’s July 27 request, joint damage assessments have been completed by the State Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in nine other Missouri counties and the city of St. Louis, which were impacted by this storm system. Those counties are Audrain, Knox, Linn, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, Shelby, St. Louis and the city of St. Louis. Gov. Nixon will request that the President’s major disaster declaration be expanded to include those jurisdictions as well.

Gov. Nixon’s major disaster declaration request followed a series of visits by the Governor to affected areas and actions to assist communities respond.

The Governor conducted a visit to Holt County and met with officials there on June 18; declared a state of emergency on June 21; conducted an aerial tour of northwest Missouri and met with response officials in Buchanan and Holt counties on June 22; activated the Missouri National Guard on June 23; and conducted a visit to Buchanan County and met with officials there on June 26. 

Citing the extraordinary hardship and losses caused to agricultural areas, Gov. Nixon on July 28 asked Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to designate 55 Missouri counties as primary disaster areas, which will permit assistance for farmers from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency.

Counties for which agricultural assistance has been requested are: Adair, Andrew, Audrain, Benton, Caldwell, Callaway, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clark, Cooper , Crawford, Daviess, DeKalb, Dunklin, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Jefferson, Laclede, Lafayette, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Maries, Marion, Mercer, Mississippi, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Pemiscot, Perry, Pettis, Pike, Platte, Putnam, Ralls, Ray, St. Charles, Ste. Genevieve, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Sullivan, Vernon, Warren and Worth.


Missouri’s Budget Crisis: The Outlook and Solutions

August 8th, 2010

Dear Friends,

I understand that many of you are concerned about Missouri’s budget and I thought you might find this event interesting.  In the past, I have worked with the organizations sponsoring the event and they are reputable and do great work.  The forum will not only discuss the problems facing Northeast Missouri, but solutions to these problems as well.  I encourage everyone to attend.

Sincerely,

Rebecca McClanahan

Missouri’s Budget Crisis: The Outlook and Solutions

 A Forum with the citizens of Rural and Northeast Missouri
 
Tuesday, August 10
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Adair County Annex Building
300 N. Franklin
Kirksville

Missouri is at an important crossroads in how we manage our state’s budget and how we choose to operate key programs and services.  Due to major shortfalls, decisions are being made to scale back, and sometimes cut entirely, services and programs that we all count on–some have been in place for generations.

The scale and quality of our public safety services, how many teachers are in the classroom and how many school buses are available, highway and road maintenance–these are all issues that are directly affected by the state budget , and that affect us as rural Missourians.
 
We know that there are major challenges facing Missouri’s budget, and there are also possible and realistic solution that can help us get back on track, and that can ensure that we keep core Missouri programs intact.
At this meeting, we will talk specifically about how the state budget and cuts to it affect Northeast Missouri, and discuss what solution make sense for our communities.


Rep. McClanahan Pursues Relief for Flood Victims

July 26th, 2010

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – In light of recent flooding in Adair County, Rep. McClanahan’s office is working to assure that Adair County residents with uninsured property damage are included in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assessment for assistance being conducted the week of July 26-30, in collaboration with the state of Missouri.
 
The first step for emergency relief is proper assessment of the area. The list is currently being compiled by the Adair County Commission for assessment of uninsured damage to individual properties in Adair County.  Adair County residents with flood damage should call the Commissioners at (660) 665-2283 or email cadams@adaircomo.com. If residents are unsure if they qualify for assistance or if they have any additional questions, they may also call Rep. McClanahan’s capitol office at 866.845.5738. FEMA will be in Adair County to do individual assessments the week of July 26-30.
 
“As I was out in our community the day after the heavy rains at the end of July, I began hearing from residents that were unaware of the process of reporting damage to private property,” said McClanahan, “and I was hopeful that my office could help get the word out to citizens that may benefit from federal or state assistance for flood damage that is not covered by their insurance.”
 
McClanahan has continued making calls and working with commissioners and coordinators from State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in order to ensure there would be individual assistance assessments for Adair County residents in addition to the public assistance assessment that have already been completed.
 
“I will continue pushing for answers when it comes to individual assistance,” McClanahan said. “Some people had significant loss of property and may need some help to get back on their feet.  As of right now, the area has only been assessed for need of public assistance, but if there is need of individual assistance that must be noted during FEMA’s visit this week.”
 
If you have any additional questions you may contact Rep. McClanahan through her Capitol office at 201 W. Capitol Ave., Room 101-A, Jefferson City, MO 65101 or email her at rebecca.mcclanahan@house.mo.gov or call toll free 1-866-845-5738.


Special legislative session wraps up with passage of Ford, pension bills

July 15th, 2010

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A three-week special legislative session wrapped up on Thursday when the General Assembly granted final passage to a bill that will provide the Ford Motor Co. and its Missouri-based suppliers up to $150 million in tax breaks over 10 years and approval of another bill that will make changes to the state employee pension system.

State Rep. Rebecca McClanahan, D-Kirksville, voted against both bills because neither serves the interests of north Missouri residents. The governor called lawmakers into the rare summer session primarily to provide incentives to Ford, which is considering closing its Claycomo assembly plant in suburban Kansas City. Even with the tax breaks, Ford hasn’t committed to keeping the plant open. The pension bill was included in part to provide a funding source to pay for the tax incentives to Ford.

“The Ford bill provides no direct or indirect benefit to north Missouri, and I fear we could be simply paying for the moving vans since Ford has made no commitment to staying,” McClanahan said. “Missouri’s history with giving generous tax breaks to auto industry is not an encouraging one.”

The pension bill would require state employees hired after Jan. 1, 2011 to pay 4 percent of their salaries toward their retirement, push the standard retirement age from 62 to 67 and double the amount of state service it takes to become vested in the system from 5 years to 10 years. The legislation provides a different deal for lawmakers, however, who will be able to retire at age 62 and become vested after just six years. 

“Missouri’s state workers have the lowest average pay in the nation, but those low salaries were somewhat offset by a decent retirement plan,” McClanahan said. “Not only did this bill cut retirement benefits for regular state employees, but it cuts a sweetheart deal for lawmakers, and I simply couldn’t support it.”


Rebecca’s 4th Annual Barbeque!

May 20th, 2010

Dear Friend,

My Fourth Annual Barbecue at Thousand Hills State Park Point Shelter is this Thursday, June 18th, at 5:30 pm.  I hope you can make it!  These fundraisers are important because I need your support on issues facing our District, such as healthcare, education, and rebuilding our economy.   I’ve fought hard to make sure North Missouri is not forgotten by state government.  Just this year, I worked hard to protect $20 million dollars in funding for Truman State, and worked hard on the Budget committee to make sure that North Missouri got its fair share.

But now I need your help!

I’d love to you see you on Thursday, June 18th, at Thousand Hills at 5:30.  It will be an excellent chance to visit with other supporters and enjoy some great barbecue from Western’s!  If you have questions, just call me at my district office: 660.627.6229.

With Warm Regards,
Rebecca McClanahan

P.S. Our rain location is the Covered Shelter on Big Loop Trail.


From the Office of State Representative Rebecca McClanahan, District 2

May 18th, 2010

Greetings from the Capitol!

 

With session ending last week, I would like to report some of the accomplishments and pit falls this session. The challenges Missourians face are many, and some of the actions taken by this legislature may have big impact on your life. I encourage you to read each article below and I hope they will provide insight to the decisions we made in the Capitol.
I will be hosting Rebecca’s Roundtables in the coming weeks. I will be travel around the district, talking to constituents and explaining actions the body has taken this session. I hope to inform people how the new laws may affect you or your family. As always, I encourage you to become involved in helping me make rational and effective decisions down the road, by letting me know how you feel about the issues. It is an honor being your voice in the capitol – I don’t take it lightly!
 
You are always welcome to contact me about any concerns and questions. Cherie Diemler is my full-time Legislative Assistant and will help you with most of the issues and can connect you to the right department.
 
We just updated our contact list, so you may have been recently added. We hope you enjoy the newsletter, but if you prefer not to receive future issues, just scroll to the bottom of this email to unsubscribe.
 
We look forward to your emails and calls!

 


Ethics Reform Passes

May 17th, 2010

House In SessionOn the last day of the legislative session the House of Representatives voted 153-5 to grant final passage to ethics reform legislation that strengthens state law in several areas but fails to include important reforms such as reinstating campaign contribution limits and prohibiting lawmakers from doing paid political work.

 
Unfortunately, key reforms didn’t make it into the final bill. One would have outlawed the practice of lawmakers simultaneously running political consulting businesses, a practice that creates inherent conflicts of interest when a lawmaker/consultant can control the fate of his client’s legislation. Another called for imposing a waiting period before lawmakers who leave the General Assembly can become lobbyists. And most importantly, the bill fails to reinstate campaign contribution limits, which were originally imposed by Missouri voters but repealed by lawmakers in 2008.
 
I was disappointed that some key components of true ethics reform did not make it into the bill. I believe the reinstatement of contribution limits is the most significant thing we can do to reduce the possibility of the undue influence of money.

 
I am hopeful this legislation will lead to a deeper conversation and further action in the future to assure ethical practices by all elected officials.


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