This could be a busier than usual election year for labor if the mega sales tax and other issues, good and bad, get enough signatures to get on the ballot.
Petitioners begin hitting streets for signatures
By RUDI KELLER
Columbia Tribune
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Over the coming months, at street fairs and in shopping districts, Missourians will be approached by people with clipboards asking them for their signatures on initiative petitions.
ACTIVE INITIATIVES
Ideas embodied in those proposals include higher tobacco taxes, repealing personal property taxes and eliminating the state income tax. There are initiatives to limit campaign contributions, reduce the size of the Missouri House of Representatives and to allow early voting.
In all, 34 petitions have been certified for circulation by the Secretary of State, with more in the pipeline. It takes 92,000 to 100,000 signatures to put a statutory change on the ballot and 147,000 to 159,000 signatures to put a constitutional change before voters. The ranges are based on where in the state signatures are collected.
Two proposals would make it far more difficult for lawmakers to alter laws passed by initiative. Under the proposal, lawmakers would have to muster a three-fourths majority to do so. The petition drive on that issue was sparked by actions this year to rewrite voter-approved laws on dog breeding, renewable energy, the minimum wage and nuclear power plant construction.
Freshman Rep. Scott Sifton, D-St. Louis, a spokesman for “Your Vote Counts,” said he conceived the idea soon after taking office. “I was only in Jefferson City a few weeks, and I was beginning to wonder if we were going to do something other than overturn what voters decided.”
Under the proposal, the supermajority rule would apply forever and even technical changes to smooth implementation would be subject to the requirement. Non-controversial technical changes should have no trouble meeting the threshold, Sifton said. The aim, he said, is to prevent attempts to weaken or repeal laws proposed and approved by voters.
“When millions of Missourians weigh in on an issue they are entitled to substantial deference,” Sifton said. “This is a standard that requires bipartisanship and cooperation from legislators from all regions of the state.”
But the high standard and open-ended nature of the requirement has put off at least one group that has fought battles with lawmakers.
Missouri Jobs with Justice, which pushed the successful 2006 initiative to increase the state minimum wage, is awaiting certification of its proposal to increase it again, this time to $8.25 an hour. The group has fought attempts to take away the cost-of-living inflation adjustment included in the 2006 measure.
“They have attempted to change this every year and voters have spoken out, and they have not succeeded,” said Lara Granich, the group’s executive director.
But right after it passed, supporters and opponents agreed a change was needed — the overtime rules in the measure had an unintended impact on how hours are counted for firefighters. “That is a good example of the common-sense things that would be hard to do if that passed,” she said.
A similar result was achieved this year when Gov. Jay Nixon stepped into the fight over dog breeder rules. With those seeking an outright repeal on one side and those wanting no change on the other, Nixon negotiated a compromise acceptable to almost all the groups involved. The Humane Society of the United States, which had funded the initiative, was one of the groups not pleased with the deal, and it has put $146,000 in the Your Vote Counts campaign.
Granich said her group will stay out of the Your Vote Counts effort even as it gears up for another fight over the inflation adjustment. The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations recently announced that, because of 4.2 percent inflation in the past year, the state minimum wage beginning Jan. 1 would be $7.25 an hour.
The federal minimum has been $7.25 an hour since July 2009, so the lowest-paid workers in the state will not receive a raise. But because the state and federal wages are now equal, business groups will be pushing lawmakers again to repeal the adjustment before rising prices push the minimum wage above the federal standard.
The latest adjustment “underlines the need to break Missouri’s minimum wage away from the automatic escalator to which it is currently tied,” Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Dan Mehan said in a news release. “It causes uncertainty and positions Missouri to eventually raise its minimum wage to uncompetitive levels.”
Mehan said the chamber would fight the new minimum wage initiative as well.
Reach Rudi Keller at 573-815-1709 or e-mail rkeller@columbiatribune.com.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Groups discuss effects of cuts to social services
By RUDI KELLER
Columbia Tribune
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Office consolidation and payroll cuts in the Missouri Department of Social Services are hurting families and communities, a coalition of union and advocacy groups was told yesterday during a statewide video conference.
Organized by Missouri Jobs with Justice, the Missouri State Workers Union and Missouri Interfaith Impact, the video conference discussed the impact of changes in the Family Support Division. The conference originated on the University of Missouri campus and was linked via the Internet to groups in Springfield, Kansas City, St. Louis and Kirksville.
“We wanted to give the clients and workers affected by the changes a voice about the impact on them and how services are provided,” said Kelly Anthony of Missouri Jobs with Justice. “We are about to go into another legislative session. It is important to highlight what happens to counties when these people leave.”
The Family Support Division takes applications for food stamps, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and other welfare programs. Although state law requires the department to maintain an office in every county, the department has responded to budget cuts by leaving a single employee in many counties and consolidating work in regional locations. That happened in Central Missouri earlier this year when Audrain County caseworkers were moved to the Columbia office.
When the change was announced in July, social services Director Ron Levy said it would make the department stronger. “As a state agency, we are always looking for ways to improve operations while providing the tools needed to strengthen Missouri families,” he said in a news release issued when the change was made. “By being more efficient in the work we do behind the scenes, we can improve those frontline services that impact families.”
But Lacy Proctor of Centralia, a caseworker who was moved, said the overwhelming burden of work — the average caseload is 750, she said — and other inconveniences have hurt morale and made efforts to bring people out of poverty less effective.
“I feel a loss of purpose,” said Proctor, who credited quality casework when she was pregnant with helping her stay in school and obtain the degree that helped her get her job. “You feel like you are destined to fail every single day when you walk in the door.”
The groups participating are being asked to endorse a series of recommendations that would stop the consolidations, add workers to bring the average caseload down to 300 and increase state revenue to provide more funding for social services. Action on caseloads would require 441 new workers statewide at a cost of $12 million annually.
Consolidation can hurt small communities that relied on the handful of jobs at the county welfare office, said Dave Strickler, Mayor of Edina, the county seat in Knox County. Edina has a population of 1,100, and there were seven jobs at the social services office before consolidation, he said.
The jobs moved to Kirksville, 25 miles away. Coupled with cuts by the Missouri Department of Transportation and the U.S. Postal Service, it means harder work to fight the decline of small cities, he said.
“I thought I could count on our government to be here for our community,” he said. “People still live in Edina, and we still need our government.”
Reach Rudi Keller at 573-815-1709 or e-mail rkeller@columbiatribune.com.
By RUDI KELLER
Columbia Tribune
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Office consolidation and payroll cuts in the Missouri Department of Social Services are hurting families and communities, a coalition of union and advocacy groups was told yesterday during a statewide video conference.
Organized by Missouri Jobs with Justice, the Missouri State Workers Union and Missouri Interfaith Impact, the video conference discussed the impact of changes in the Family Support Division. The conference originated on the University of Missouri campus and was linked via the Internet to groups in Springfield, Kansas City, St. Louis and Kirksville.
“We wanted to give the clients and workers affected by the changes a voice about the impact on them and how services are provided,” said Kelly Anthony of Missouri Jobs with Justice. “We are about to go into another legislative session. It is important to highlight what happens to counties when these people leave.”
The Family Support Division takes applications for food stamps, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and other welfare programs. Although state law requires the department to maintain an office in every county, the department has responded to budget cuts by leaving a single employee in many counties and consolidating work in regional locations. That happened in Central Missouri earlier this year when Audrain County caseworkers were moved to the Columbia office.
When the change was announced in July, social services Director Ron Levy said it would make the department stronger. “As a state agency, we are always looking for ways to improve operations while providing the tools needed to strengthen Missouri families,” he said in a news release issued when the change was made. “By being more efficient in the work we do behind the scenes, we can improve those frontline services that impact families.”
But Lacy Proctor of Centralia, a caseworker who was moved, said the overwhelming burden of work — the average caseload is 750, she said — and other inconveniences have hurt morale and made efforts to bring people out of poverty less effective.
“I feel a loss of purpose,” said Proctor, who credited quality casework when she was pregnant with helping her stay in school and obtain the degree that helped her get her job. “You feel like you are destined to fail every single day when you walk in the door.”
The groups participating are being asked to endorse a series of recommendations that would stop the consolidations, add workers to bring the average caseload down to 300 and increase state revenue to provide more funding for social services. Action on caseloads would require 441 new workers statewide at a cost of $12 million annually.
Consolidation can hurt small communities that relied on the handful of jobs at the county welfare office, said Dave Strickler, Mayor of Edina, the county seat in Knox County. Edina has a population of 1,100, and there were seven jobs at the social services office before consolidation, he said.
The jobs moved to Kirksville, 25 miles away. Coupled with cuts by the Missouri Department of Transportation and the U.S. Postal Service, it means harder work to fight the decline of small cities, he said.
“I thought I could count on our government to be here for our community,” he said. “People still live in Edina, and we still need our government.”
Reach Rudi Keller at 573-815-1709 or e-mail rkeller@columbiatribune.com.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Hearing on the Human and Economic Impacts of Downsizing and Consolidation within the Missouri Department of Social Services
WHEN: Saturday, October 29th, 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
WHERE: University of Missouri, Lafferre Hall, Room W0015
The Missouri Jobs with Justice Public Good Project, the St Louis Workers' Rights Board (WRB), Missouri Interfaith IMPACT and CWA 6355 are organizing an investigative hearing on the substantial downsizing of Department of Social Service offices across the state, shining light on the broad impact on rural and urban populations in Missouri. Many counties have already experienced the "downsizing," limiting opportunities for families and children in those counties to apply for and/or receive critical social services. This hearing will illuminate the problems caused by downsizing in local communities, the strain it will put on other parts of Missouri’s safety net and its providers. Testimony will also provide alternative solutions and recommendations from front-line workers in the Family Support Division and the Children’s Division, impacted civic leaders, and concerned community members. A panel of statewide leaders, including those from the faith community, social service provider networks, and Missouri’s farming community will hear testimony and issue a report with final recommendations to follow.
The conveners of this hearing believe that the role of public workers and the public sector are as protectors of their neighbors in times of crisis, and as promoters of economic opportunity and self-determination within their own communities. Closing state office buildings in Missouri counties will harm the members of the community, as well as negatively impact the economic sustainability of these local communities. Members of these communities who rely on critical and often immediately-needed services will face significant obstacles to access, and it puts Missouri’s citizens at risk.
Do you have a story to tell about a time when you needed the social safety net? To share your experience, please email Kelly Anthony at Kelly@mojwj.org
To find out more about this hearing, please contact Kelly Anthony at HYPERLINK "mailto:Kelly@mojwj.org" Kelly@mojwj.org or 314-644-0466.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Police officers union backs fired cop who wants his dog back
Columbia Tribune
The Columbia Police Officers Association is supporting fired Officer Rob Sanders in his quest to purchase his police dog, Fano, from the city.
Citing a passionate response by many police officers, the Columbia Police Officers Association has thrown its support behind a fired cop who wants to purchase his canine partner from the city.
The association is requesting the 3-year-old dog, Fano, be released from city ownership to former Officer Rob Sanders, who was fired for shoving a man in a holding cell in August. Sanders’ supporters tried to drum up support to get the city to either give or sell the dog to Sanders.
The Columbia City Council has requested a report detailing the dog’s worth and the potential liabilities of selling the animal. The police department at one time told Sanders it would sell him the dog for $10,800. Sanders came up with the money through public donations, but the offer was rescinded by Chief Ken Burton when he learned about potential liabilities.
“Some are very passionate about the issue,” union Executive Director Ashley Cuttle said. “Some just wanted” the union “to step up and do what they thought is right.”
In the union’s letter to the council, Mayor Bob McDavid and City Manager Mike Matthes, Cuttle details an estimated $2,700 in kennel fees to house the dog until a new handler can be trained. She also estimates the dog’s worth to be as much as $6,500 and current medical issues that include two missing teeth.
The letter tackles the city’s presumed liability issues by noting a Missouri statute that addresses dog bites without provocation and owner liability for damages. Cuttle said the statute places liability on the owner. City Attorney Fred Boeckmann previously said he could foresee a situation in which others could allege the city knew the dog to be vicious and threatening if it ever bit someone.
Cuttle and Sanders’ supporters will be present for Monday’s city council meeting, where council members could decide the matter.
Occupy STL Protestors Ready To Hit The Streets, With Unions By Their Side
KMOX Radio
October 14, 2011 6:53 AM
ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Those “Occupy St. Louis” protestors who’ve called Kiener Plaza home the last several weeks get a big boost later today.
They’ll also be on the move.
Hundreds of local union members are reportedly ready to march side-by-side with the “Occupyers” this afternoon.
What message does group spokesman Derek Wetherell hope observers take away?
“The corporate sponsorship, pretty much, of votes and politician’s voting decisions,” Wetherell tells KMOX News. “I feel like they don’t always necessarily vote in favor of the people they’re representing.”
As for outside claims that the local Occupy movement looks somewhat disorganized, Wetherell admits each Kiener Plaza protestor has their own reason for being there, but the larger cause of stopping corporate greed unites them all.
Protestors plan to march on several downtown banks and then on to the Arch Grounds beginning at 3:30 Friday afternoon.
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