Ed Martin Enters Missouri Attorney General Race

Ed Martin Posted the Following on Facebook moments ago:

Today, I am asking for your support as Missouri's next Attorney General. I want to restore the Attorney General's office to one that respects the rule of law and represents a check on state government, not a checkmark for liberal politics and policies like ObamaCare. Our current Attorney General Chris Koster has acted as President Obama's lawyer, not the people's Attorney General.

Over the past three years, I’ve watched President Obama and the federal government impose their will on we the people of Missouri beginning with ObamaCare. We Missourians voted to stop ObamaCare, yet Attorney General Koster recently stated publicly that, ‘the act of the Legislature to create the exchange is not compelling a person, employer or healthcare provider to participate in a health exchange’ (Kansas City Business Journal). However, once the exchanges are set up, the government can penalize those who choose not to purchase health care. In addition, Koster has failed to lead on issues affecting both our state and nation like job creation, illegal immigration, and voter fraud.

Our Missouri Constitution describes the rights that we naturally possess and that out state government and our state officials MUST protect. This includes private property, economic liberty and individualism. As our state officials have stopped protecting our rights - and in fact joining the federal government in limiting them - our state has faltered. As Attorney General, I will relentlessly fight to protect our rights and will face off against anyone - public or private - until they yield.

All the best,

Ed

Missouri Education Commissioner Recognizes Role of State Board

Education Commissioner Recognizes Role of State Board

Jan 22-28 is School Board Recognition Week



Commissioner of Education Chris L. Nicastro today recognized the State Board of Education for its commitment to public schools in Missouri.

The State Board is responsible for a wide range of programs from preschool to adult education.

Nicastro's remarks precede Missouri School Board Recognition Week January 22-28, when communities and schools across the state recognize the contributions of school board members.

"Good governance is essential to public education, and that extends to our State Board of Education," Nicastro said. "State Board members are called upon to deal with a multitude of issues affecting schools throughout the state, and they work together diligently to decide what is best for the children of Missouri."

Board members are appointed by the governor to serve staggered, eight-year terms. No more than four members can be of the same political party, and no more than one member can live in the same county or congressional district.

"Our Board members — with their varied backgrounds and experiences — bring a wealth of knowledge to Missouri's public school system," Nicastro said.

The Board is responsible for setting policies for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, defining academic standards and assessment requirements for public schools, and accrediting local school districts.

The Board also sets standards and approves courses and professional programs for teachers and school administrators at Missouri's public and private higher education institutions.

Current members of the State Board of Education are:

Peter F. Herschend, Branson, president
Rev. Stan Archie, Kansas City, vice-president
Deborah L. Demien, Wentzville
Michael W. Jones, St. Louis
J. Michael Ponder, Cape Girardeau
Sybl Slaughter, Lebanon
Russell C. Still, Columbia

Missouri Lt. Governor Kinder urges day of service to commemorate King'slegacy

Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder Press Releases

January 12, 2012

Lt. Governor Kinder urges day of service to commemorate King'slegacy

JEFFERSON CITY – Lt. Governor Peter Kinder is encouraging all Missourians to participate in a day of service to their communities in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16.
"The example of Dr. King, his vision and his work across this nation remain a constant reminder of a life filled with purpose,” Kinder said. “It is my hope that Dr. King’s extraordinary example will continue to be a model for all people in the spirit of service to our neighbors.

On Monday, Kinder will attend a humanitarian luncheon at noon at the Salvation Army in his hometown of Cape Girardeau. Attendees are asked to donate canned goods, nonperishable items, toiletries and school supplies for local food pantries and other agencies.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed into law legislation that created Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in commemoration of the civil rights leader’s birth on Jan. 15. In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act designating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a national day of volunteer service, and in 1995, Congress began encouraging Americans to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by serving their neighbors and communities.

This is the 10th year Missouri lawmakers also will break the legislative session on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As President Pro Tem of the Missouri Senate, Kinder and then-Speaker of the House Catherine Hanaway made the change to commemorate King. Although that motion failed, Kinder said Tuesday "this effort is not over."

"This day is not just a holiday from work; it's a day to reflect on Dr. King’s dream and how we might continue what he sought in his stead," Kinder said. “At the heart of Dr. King’s work, the ideals of public service and self sacrifice became the foundation of his hope for our nation."
Last year, hundreds of thousands of Americans marked the 25th anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday by joining with their neighbors to address pressing social and economic problems in their communities.

More than 40 years after his death, America still faces many of the same challenges Dr. King faced during his lifetime – poverty, hunger, illiteracy, youth violence and a dropout crisis. Organizations throughout the country are using the MLK Day of Service to engage volunteers to address these challenges, both on the holiday and throughout the year.

"We must remember from where we have come, and with that, acknowledge how far yet we have to go," Kinder added. “Together, we will continue to further the efforts started by Dr. King. We will continue work to lay the foundations of peace, liberty and justice for those who are oppressed. Dr. King was a true and genuine inspiration for all, and his legacy is to be emulated, as he hoped for a better nation brought about by diligence, open minds and strong spirits."

Attorney General Koster files criminal charges in Medicaid fraud case

Press Release Missouri Attorney General's Office

Jefferson City, Mo.— Attorney General Chris Koster said today Medicaid recipient Carolyn Koenig, 50, and three of her former in-home personal care attendants – Casie Koenig, 32; Melinda Alterauge, 47; and Alethea Stemick, 30 – have been charged with various counts of Medicaid Fraud and Stealing by Deceit for their involvement in a scheme that defrauded Missouri’s Medicaid system. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is assisting Texas County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Anderson in the prosecutions.

Koster said his Medicaid Fraud Control Unit led the investigation after a personal care company that supervised Carolyn Koenig’s services and employed some of her attendants reported its suspicions of fraud to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Greene County Sheriff’s Department.

The investigation revealed that Koenig and her attendants caused Medicaid to be fraudulently billed almost $13,000 between 2009 and 2011 for personal care services that were not actually provided.

The defendants face multiple felony and other charges for submitting falsified timesheets to Medicaid providers.

As in all criminal cases, the charges against the defendants are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Gov. Nixon outlines Missouri Works strategy during visit to St. Louis chemical manufacturer

Missouri Works will attract more next-generation jobs, enhance skills of Missouri's workforce; strategy is Governor's top legislative priority for 2012

OVERLAND, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon was at Jost Chemical Co. in St. Louis County today to discuss Missouri Works, a comprehensive strategy to create career opportunities for Missourians in the new economy. Building on the blueprint developed by the Missouri Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth, Missouri Works will:

Gov. Jay Nixon visited Jost Chemical Co. in St. Louis County on Jan. 13, 2012 to discuss Missouri Works, a comprehensive strategy to create career opportunities for Missourians in the new economy.

• Attract next-generation automotive supplier jobs to Missouri;
• Expand Missouri exports to create jobs;
• Train more workers for high-tech careers;
• Hire more Missouri military veterans;
• Jumpstart job-creation in science and technology;
• Target high-growth industries identified by the Strategic Initiative; and
• Create jobs in rural communities

"My top priority for 2012 is to create jobs to get Missourians working and keep our economy moving forward," said Gov. Nixon, who just returned from Detroit on Thursday, where he met with top officials from Ford, GM and leading automotive suppliers. "Missouri Works gives several concrete steps we can take right now to attract new employers to Missouri, create career opportunities, and keep our economy growing. There's not a day to lose when it comes to creating jobs and growing our economy, and I look forward to working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to implement this bold strategy as quickly as possible to get Missourians back to work."

Missouri Works builds on the foundation established by the Missouri Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth. Launched in May 2010, the Strategic Initiative engaged 600 business, education and labor leaders from across Missouri to develop a blueprint to transform the state's economy. Missouri Works will put that blueprint into action immediately.

The key pillars of Missouri Works are:

• Attract next-generation automotive supplier jobs to Missouri

With Ford and GM both making historic investments to create more than 3,200 new jobs in Missouri, Gov. Nixon's strategy capitalizes on this landmark opportunity to attract new automotive suppliers to Missouri and help existing suppliers grow. Automotive suppliers are located in every corner of Missouri, including many in the St. Louis region. But as Ford and GM prepare to manufacture new products in Kansas City and Wentzville, Missouri has an unprecedented opportunity to help existing suppliers grow and bring thousands of new jobs to our state. Missouri Works will provide an extra jolt to grow and attract suppliers during this critical transformation of the auto industry. During his trip to Detroit this week, Gov. Nixon met with top executives from Ford and GM and some of the leading automotive suppliers to discuss how to bring more jobs and investment to Missouri.

• Expand Missouri exports to create jobs

Expanding Missouri exports to other countries has been a top priority for Gov. Nixon from Day One. Missouri exports were up $1.2 billion in the first three quarters of 2011, on top of 35 percent growth in 2010. Some of Missouri's largest exports include chemicals, electrical components, and copper and other alloys. Last October, Gov. Nixon led a delegation of more than 60 Missouri business and agricultural leaders to China to close a series of agreements to sell $4.6 billion in Missouri goods to Chinese consumers - increasing Missouri's exports to China by more than $1 billion over the next three years. Under Missouri Works, the state of Missouri will establish a virtual "one-stop shop" for Missouri entrepreneurs who want to establish or expand their export business, providing seamless assistance and resources from across state government. Missouri Works also will establish an International Exports Coordinator within the Missouri Department of Agriculture and commit resources to open Missouri export offices in China, Southeast Asia and South America.

• Train more workers for high-tech careers

Missouri Works calls for continued investment in worker training, especially in computers, technology and other skills that are vital for modern manufacturing careers. Last year, Gov. Nixon's budget increased the state's investment in the Customized Training Program by 50 percent. This positive investment provided training opportunities for 35,669 Missourians at 310 different businesses, including Jost Chemical. Missouri Works sustains that record level of investment.

• Hire more Missouri military veterans

From his first day in office, Gov. Nixon has been committed to making Missouri a great place for veterans to live. In 2009, the Governor signed legislation to phase out Missouri state taxes on military retirement income gradually by 2016. In 2010, Gov. Nixon launched Show-Me Heroes, an initiative to encourage Missouri employers to reach out to, recruit and interview military veterans for job openings. Jost Chemical is one of the Missouri employers to make that commitment. To date, Show-Me Heroes has helped secure employment nearly 1,000 veterans. The Missouri Works strategy will expand the mission of Show-Me Heroes to provide on-the-job training opportunities for recently separated veterans, including National Guard and reserve personnel and active-duty personnel who recently left the service.

• Jumpstart job-creation in science and technology jobs

Last year, leaders on both sides of the aisle worked together to pass the landmark Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act, or MOSIRA. This act establishes a fund to help create careers in high-tech, high-growth industries. To jumpstart the vital work of this fund, Gov. Nixon will recommend an immediate investment of $4 million to help high-tech business create jobs. These funds will be invested through the Missouri Technology Corporation as loans or other investments in emerging high-tech businesses.

• Target high-growth industries

The Strategic Initiative identified seven targeted industries ripe for growth and expansion in Missouri: advanced manufacturing; energy solutions; bioscience; health sciences and services; information technology; financial and professional services; and transportation and logistics. Under Missouri Works, Missouri's existing economic incentives will be focused on these targeted industries, ensuring that the state is investing in high-growth businesses that will create career opportunities for Missourians.

• Create jobs in rural communities

Missouri Works also includes incentives to support job-creation in rural Missouri. These performance-based incentives are conditioned on strict job-creation requirements.

Gov. Nixon will provide more information about Missouri Works and his other legislative priorities during his State of the State Address at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17.

The Governor's visit to Jost Chemical Co. underscored the importance of Missouri's job training initiatives. Since being founded in 1985 as a manufacturer of high-purity, inorganic and organometallic salts for food and for pharmaceutical and nutritional products, Jost Chemical has expanded several times and continues to grow. This fiscal year, Gov. Nixon's administration has approved $40,000 in training assistance through the Missouri Customized Training Program to enhance the skills of Jost Chemical's workforce. Jost Chemical is using the state assistance to train in such areas as foundational chemistry and process instrumentation, among other areas.

Missouri added 10,900 new manufacturing jobs in the first 11 months of 2011. The unemployment rate in Missouri is now at its lowest point in 34 months, and groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are pointing to Missouri as a top state for business growth and expansion.

Press Release Missouri Department of Agriculture January 12, 2012

Department of Agriculture Expands Recall of Meat from Lafayette County Business

Last week's meat recall at Alma, Mo. based Alma Meats has been expanded to include an additional product as a result of Missouri Department of Agriculture's Meat and Poultry Inspection Program and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service's ongoing investigation. The business is recalling an additional 137 pounds of cooked meat and has withdrawn from the state inspection program.

The expanded recall includes 137.22 pounds of Cooked Head Sausage. The recalled product was produced Sept. 15, 2011 and labeled Lot # 1085211.

As part of the ongoing investigation, officials uncovered records indicating that the cooked head sausage may not have been properly cooled to ensure food safety during processing. The product was distributed locally within Lafayette County and to two retail outlets, 4-K Cheese and Meat in Cole Camp, Mo. and The Cheese Store in Sweet Springs, Mo.

Alma Meats withdrew from the state inspection program Jan. 5, 2012, indicating that they would no longer be processing meat under inspection for retail or wholesale distribution. Withdrawing from the inspection program does not affect the business' ability to continue performing custom exempt processing for livestock owners.

On Jan. 4, 2012, members of the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Meat and Poultry Inspection Program uncovered records indicating that the business sold meat to consumers that had been improperly handled and was not inspected. As a result, cooked-meat processing for retail and wholesale Alma Meats in Alma, Mo. was halted and the Lafayette County meat processor recalled approximately 320 pounds of meat, including summer sausage, snack sticks, beef jerky and roast pork.

Individuals who have conducted business with Alma Meats as well as those who purchased Alma Farm Fresh Meats-labeled products should carefully examine all items processed by the facility. Individuals should return any unused portion to the business at 100 North County Road in Alma.

Anyone concerned about an illness should contact their health care provider.

Quality Counts" Report Gives State Grades, International Perspectives

January 12, 2012

"Quality Counts" Report Gives State Grades, International Perspectives

A national report card released today gave Missouri an overall score of C-minus across six educational policy and performance categories.

The 16th annual edition of Education Week’s “Quality Counts” report provides state scores and letter grades based on the categories: chance for success; K-12 achievement; standards, assessments, and accountability; the teaching profession; school finance; and transitions and alignment.

The majority of states received overall grades of C or lower, while Maryland earned a B-plus and honors as the top-ranked state for the fourth year in a row. The nation as a whole again earned a C in this year’s report.

Missouri made gains over last year in the category of standards, assessments and accountability, rising from a C-minus to a C-plus. The chance for success category remained steady at a C-plus. The area that declined the most in the state’s report was in the analysis of school finance, dropping from a B-minus to a C-minus, reflecting a decline in spending equity indicators due in large part to the inability of the state to adequately fund the school foundation formula.

Major themes explored in Quality Counts 2012 include international comparisons, teaching, immigration, community and preparing for competitiveness in a global, 21st century economy.

The special, international perspectives theme examines how the world’s public education systems are influencing policy and practices within states. For example, the report reveals Missouri is one of 29 states that include international comparisons to align student preparation with the demands of a global economy. High-performing education systems around the world are effectually creating a cross-fertilization of “best practices."

“Ideas for improving public education are not limited to high-achieving states in the northeast or Shanghai, China,” said Commissioner of Education Chris L. Nicastro. “This report confirms that more states are learning from innovative and useful practices being developed locally and around the world as we strive to provide our students with a world-class education system.”

For more information, visit www.edweek.org.

Assistance Available to Missouri Farmers Seeking Organic Certification

Missouri Department of Agriculture - Organic Certification Assistance For Missouri Farmers (Press Release)

The Missouri Department of Agriculture has funding available to assist Missouri farmers and food processors working to obtain or renew their business' organic certification. Through the USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program, producers who complete the process in 2012, as well as those who received certification in 2011, may be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of their certification expenses.

"The Organic Certification Cost Share Program is one of the many outstanding tools the Department of Agriculture makes available to our producers as we move Missouri agriculture forward," said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. "The number of participants in this program has more than tripled as our state's farmers and processors find opportunities to build their businesses through organic certification."

Through its Ag Business Development Division, the Department has participated in the Organic Certification Cost Share Program since the USDA launched the program three years ago. Since that launch, the number of Missouri businesses certified through the USDA National Organic Program has grown to include over 200 producers and processors.

As a result of that growth, Missouri received a 40 percent increase in available funding for the 2012 program from the USDA. The funds will be used to reimburse producers and processors for 75 percent of their certification costs, up to $750 for each type of certification.

To participate in the program, businesses must obtain or renew their organic certification, complete an application and document their certification costs between Oct. 1, 2010 and Sept. 30, 2011 for the 2011 award year, or between Oct. 1, 2011 and Sept. 30 of this year for the 2012 program. Applications for the cost share funds are available online and must be submitted to the Department no later than Sept. 30, 2012. Producers will be reimbursed in the order their applications are received until funds are exhausted or the eligibility period ends, whichever comes first.

To find certified organic producers in Missouri and their products, visit AgriMisouri.com. To learn more about the organic cost-share program or the Missouri Department of Agriculture, visit mda.mo.gov.

Missouri Legislative Report (Missourinet): post special session rift between House, Senate healed (AUDIO)

Leadership: post special session rift between House, Senate healed (AUDIO):

The relationship between leadership in the House and the Senate collapsed along with the special legislative session last year. At one point in late October, Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer (R-Dexter) said he had not spoken to House Speaker Steven Tilley (R-Perryville) in three weeks, while Tilley went so far as to say Mayer had “lied” to him about the status of a deal on legislation.

Senate President Pro-Tem Rob Mayer (left) and House Speaker Steven Tilley pictures courtesy, Missouri Senate and Missouri House of Repsresentatives

The situation left many wondering if the two ends of the Capital would be able to work together in the regular session that just began last week. Cooperation between chambers and parties is key as lawmakers take on a budget with an estimated $500 million dollar gap between revenue and expenditures.

Representative Tilley says things are getting off on a good foot. “It’s well documented we had our difficulties last year and I’ll take the blame my part of that. I had a great dinner with the President Pro Tem of the Senate. I know our Majority Leader (Tim Jones, R-Eureka) has had numerous visits with the Majority Leader of the Senate (Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles) and we want to start off on a good note, and I told Rob (Mayer) that I want to focus on areas where we agree and let’s stay away from areas where we disagree.” Tilley says he hopes there will be time at the end of the session for areas where the two disagree.

Senator Mayer says he holds no animosity about what unfolded last year. “This is a tough business and sometimes things don’t work out, and you have to put all that behind you to go forward to get some things done for the people of Missouri, so I hold no ill feelings about the House or the leadership there and look forward to working with them this year.”

Representative Tim Jones picture courtesy, Missouri House of Representatives

Representative Jones talked about appearing together with Senator Dempsey “in front of several groups over the last several months…I will tell you we had no arguments together in public. We actually spoke about common themes and principles and even common specific legislation.”

Representative Mike Talboy picture courtesy, Missouri House of Representatives

Jones says he hopes the Senate as a whole is on board with its leadership, which he says plans to pick three or four key topics to attempt to address early in the session. “I hope that there’s not any individual agendas over there that are simply thinking of themselves and not of the state as a whole. I do truly believe that there are a majority of senators that want to work with a majority of the House and actually move and pass some significant legislation that will help the state as a whole.”

The top Democrat in the House, Minority Leader Mike Talboy (D-Kansas City) says for his part, he has a good relationship with Representative Tilley and Senators Mayer and Dempsey, “so I don’t necessarily have the issues but then again I’m also not in the same position that Steve is and I realize that there are some disagreements that when you’re in charge you have to sit at the table and be able to do some things.”

 

Talboy adds “I can’t speak for what their relationship’s like but, we’ll see.”

 

AUDIO:  Mike Lear reports – 1 minute

Carnahan Halts Unregistered Commodities Trading Operation in Lee’s Summit

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan's Office (Press Release)

Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced an enforcement action against Richard Joseph Gumerman concerning misuse of investor funds through his Lee’s Summit, Missouri, business.

According to the cease-and-desist order issued by officials in Carnahan’s Securities Division, Gumerman, who was not registered to offer or sell securities in Missouri, sold investments in a commodities trading fund through his business, Gumerman Trading Company (GTC), since 1990, leaving investors with more than $700,000 in losses.  The Securities Division received nine investor complaints concerning Gumerman in November 2011. 

According to the order, Gumerman guaranteed investors that they would not lose money and they could withdraw the funds they invested at any time.

“Before trusting someone with their savings, Missourians should check out the legitimacy of both the investment and the person offering it,” Carnahan said. “One phone call to the Securities Division could potentially protect a lifetime’s worth of savings.”

The order states that Gumerman failed to disclose to investors that he had only traded commodities for one year in a personal account and lost money in that account. He also allegedly failed to tell investors that he “borrowed” several hundred thousand dollars from the GTC bank account for personal expenses.

Specifically, it is alleged that Gumerman paid approximately $10,000 to three waitresses at a Hooters restaurant and one clerk at another retail store that included payments for the purchase of a car, furniture and clothing. Gumerman also allegedly used investor funds to pay expenses for his engineering business and rent for an apartment. 

The order alleges that at least 12 investors in Missouri and Pennsylvania invested more than $948,000. At least $724,000 has not been repaid. One investor is currently 91 years old. The cease-and-desist order alleges that Gumerman sold unregistered securities and committed securities fraud by failing to disclose to investors how their funds would be spent.

Gumerman faces up to $75,000 in penalties and costs and restitution of over $700,000. Gumerman has 30 days to request a hearing. The Securities Division is cooperating with other governmental agencies regarding this matter.

For more information regarding investments and fraud protection, or for information regarding a company or representative, visit the secretary of state’s online Investor Protection Center at www.MissouriInvestorProtection.gov or call the toll-free Investor Protection Hotline at 1-800-721-7996.