Gov. Nixon’s request for major disaster declaration for Missouri counties hit by flooding and storms this summer granted by President Obama
August 17th, 2010Declaration 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, 2010I 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
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.
Rep. McClanahan Pursues Relief for Flood Victims
July 26th, 2010JEFFERSON 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, 2010JEFFERSON 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, 2010Dear 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
Ethics Reform Passes
May 17th, 2010
On 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.
