Missouri Press Association

Sunshine Week, March 14-20, starts Sunday

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

This year's Sunshine Week celebration will honor individuals who fought tirelessly last year to make their state or local public institutions more open and accessible.

During Sunshine Week (March 14-20) media organizations and other groups throughout the nation will highlight the efforts of these Local Heroes whose work has made their communities better places to live.

Sunshine Week, launched in 2005 by ASNE, is held annually to promote dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include hundreds of print, broadcast and online news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in the public's right to know.
Some examples of the kinds of achievements that might qualify for Local Hero status include the following:

-- A citizen who launched a successful campaign to open local public meetings.

-- A blogger who filed a state or federal FOIA request or sued a public institution under FOIA laws and uncovered previously hidden information that had a major impact in their community.

-- An investigative reporter whose use of state or federal public-records laws revealed a threat that moved local officials to make changes that protected the safety of local citizens.

ASNE encourages local media and civic organizations to nominate one of their own employees or members to compete for a Local Hero prize. Nominations may be submitted by completing a brief form on the Sunshine Week Web site and uploading supporting materials. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Feb. 26.
Winners will be announced the following week.

If you have any questions about the contest or Sunshine Week, please contact Cristal Williams Chancellor at 703-453-1138 or cwilliams@asne.org.

Sunshine Week is funded primarily by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation of Miami.

Sunshine Week also has received major organizational support from the National Freedom of Information Coalition the Society of Professional Journalists, the Radio and Television Digital News Association and others who have partnered to ensure that it thrives and grows.

Sunshine Week information and promotional material can be found at asne.org.

Sunshine Coalition panel discussion is Monday

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Three Missouri reporters will discuss the recent controversy surrounding public health issues related to E-coli at the Lake of the Ozarks at the Missouri Sunshine Coalition's second annual Sunshine Week observance.

The program, featuring panelists Karen Dillon of the Kansas City Star, Tony Messenger of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Chad Livengood of the Springfield News-Leader, will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, March 15, at Fisher Auditorium in Gannett Hall on the University of Missouri campus.

During the event, the coalition will also unveil its nominees for the American Society of News Editors' Sunshine Hero award.

The Missouri Sunshine Coalition is a statewide organization that advocates for open government. For more information or to become a member, visit www.missourisunshine.org.

Inalnd to host three more Webinars this week

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Four Inland Webinars This Week Will Help You:
*Find NEW BUSINESS!
*Become a better MOTIVATOR!
*Transform your WEEKLY NEWSPAPER!
Read the details below....and then register today!

Finding New Business From New Categories

What are you doing to garner new business categories to replace the ones you may be losing? Albert Einstein once said insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Does this describe your organization when it comes to how your sales staff goes about prospecting new business? There is a better way! Register for this Inland Webinar and you'll get real world methods that are working today!
When: THURS., MARCH 11 | 10:30 A.M. CENTRAL
Presenter: Mike Blinder, president, Blinder Group, Inc., New Port Richey, Fla.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Weekly Newspaper Focus: Putting Community in Your Community Newspaper

In this Inland Webinar, Ron Petak will show you ways to make your newspaper useful and important to your readers. Petak will cover simple and easy ways for your newspaper to build a meaningful and lasting relationship with those readers.
When: THURS., MARCH 11 | 2 P.M. CENTRAL
Presenter: Ron Petak, executive editor, Suburban Newspapers Inc., Bellevue, Neb.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Reach Your Peak: "Positive Motivators Get Results"

If you've ever observed positive motivators, you'll notice they have a special way about them. People love to work with these positive motivators and enjoy reporting the successes they have -- even the small ones. They know how to come up with programs that are well received, hold meetings that people love to attend and create a positive work culture. This Inland Webinar will explore some basic motivational concepts and offer some techniques used by managers in other industries.
When: FRI., MARCH 12 | 10:30 A.M. CENTRAL
Presenter: Dan Chiodo, president, Impact Training and Development, Joplin, Mo.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Inland Webinars are $75 for members and
sponsoring organizations and $125 for non-members.

"Inland Webinars:
Training that travels to you."

Inland Press Association
701 Lee Street
Des Plaines, Illinois 60016
847-795-0380

New Sunshine Week 2010 toolkit material is now available for use!

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

You´ll find editorial cartoons, op-eds, calendar, logos and info graphics at this site.
http://sunshineweek.org/Home.aspx

Just click on the tab for "Toolkits."

New material will be posted daily on this site. Later this week, we will post a nationwide poll
on the public's attitudes about FOIA.

In addition, we´d be happy to add any state or nationwide Sunshine Week events to the
calendar. Just send me an e-mail.

Also, stay tuned for an announcement of our Local Heroes winners on Monday!

Please let me know if you have questions or difficulty downloading any of the material.

Thanks,

Cristal Williams Chancellor
Project Director
American Society of Newspaper Editors

Which vendors are your favorite

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Which vendors are America's favorites?

API wants to know, and we bet you do too.

Increasingly, newspaper companies are embracing third-party digital products and technologies that enable new business models, deliver content and advertising across platforms, maximize efficiencies and enable sustained innovation.

API is launching a nationwide survey to find out which vendors are truly delivering quality solutions to meet our industry's needs -- and we want to make sure your favorite vendors are on the list.

Would you help us design the survey?

Here's how you can help:
Step 1: Nominate up to 10 of your favorite vendors to be included in the survey, and tell us what service each provides for you.
Step 2: Name any vendors you're curious about and would like to see rated in the survey.
We'll include three broad vendor categories in the survey:

Digital publishing (blogging, content management systems, e-mail newsletters, e-papers, e-reader/tablets, hosting services, mobile technologies, mobile apps, paid online access, search engine optimization, social networking, transaction/fulfillment, video and photo platforms, Web aggregation, Web site production, etc.)

Advertising (ad optimization, ad platforms, ad production, classified solutions, coupons, e-commerce, hosting services, lead generation, local search, media buying, networks, rich media, search engine marketing, self service systems, software/systems, video, etc.)

Research and marketing (audit and measurement, business development, list services, predictive modeling, market analysis and presentation software, readership/audience development, segmentation/analysis, subscriber acquisition/retention, text messaging, etc.)

The survey will launch this month, and the results will be revealed at the API Vet the Vendors seminar, April 30 May 1, 2010, at API in Reston, Va.

At the seminar, we'll bring the industry's favorite vendors together for a face-to-face dialogue about what works, what it takes and what's worth the money. Attendees will hear presentations from these companies and from the clients who use them.

Please submit your nominations at:
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB22ABKFVV4AS

For more information, contact API Associate Director Mary Peskin, 703-715-3336..

Ozark Press Association to feature Viers, Slimp, March 18-19

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

The Ozark Press Association's joint get-together with the Missouri Society of Newspaper Editors (MSNE) is March 18-19, at the Chateau on the Lake in Branson.

The gathering is already gaining steam as world-renonwned trainers Kevin Slimp and Russell Viers will be holding training sessions.

MPA Postal Specialist Ron Cunningham and legal counsel, Jean Maneke will be there as well. And that is just the beginning. Make sure to download the Agenda and Registration Form, HERE.

Statehouse News - March 5th Edition

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

For 2010, the School of Journalism's State Government Reporting Program, under the direction of Phill Brooks, will continue to provide statehouse coverage for MPA newspapers prior to the coming legislative session.

Like last year, in addition to online stories (http://www.mdn.org), the program will produce a weekly summary of the major news events — the Capitol Report.

MPA will email Capitol Report to newspapers on Fridays. What is being emailed represents the Friday version of our weekly news service that will be updated on a near daily basis. You can find the latest version at http://www.mdn.org/mpanews. During the week, we'll be inserting new items at the top of the summary. On Friday, we will reorganize the items to reflect a more traditional pyramid structure.

Phill Brooks

MARCH 5th EDITION ***

MPANewsBook: Statehouse News for MPA Members
Go to http://www.mdn.org/mpanews for the latest version.

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+ Budget crisis could lead to restructuring of Missouri government [Entered: 03/05/2010]

The very structure of Missouri government may need to be altered, the House Budget Chairman predicted March 2 after a series of private meetings between the governor and legislative leaders.

House Budget Committee Chairman Allen Icet, R-St. Louis County, and the committee's senior Democrat -- Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia -- both said that between $400 million to $500 million would have to be cut from the governor's spending plans for the 2011 fiscal year that will begin July 1.

A cut of that magnitude would be of generational historic proportions. It's in the same magnitude as the entire state appropriations for the University of Missouri System.

The governor held separate, private meetings with House and Senate legislators in single-party sessions March 2 to discuss the state's budget situation.

The budget shortfall stems from increasing doubt that Missouri will get all of the federal funds projected in Nixon's budget along with a steeper decline in state tax collections than the administration and legislature had predicted.

Get the full story here: http://www.mdn.org/2010/STORIES/CAUCUS2.HTM+

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New budget bills filed that would change funding for education [Entered: 03/05/2010]

As lawmakers fled the Capitol for a week-long spring break March 5, they left many questions about education funding in Missouri.

New budget bills were filed March 4 by House Budget Chairman Allen Icet, R-St. Louis County, after Gov. Jay Nixon held a series of private meetings between Republican and Democratic leaders in both the House and Senate to discuss the state's declining revenue situation.

Icet's bills reduce the amount of general revenue in Nixon's budget by $50 million.

Icet's bills include $300 million in federal stabilization funds that some legislators had previously said they doubted would come to Missouri. Part of this money will be used to help fully fund the K-12 Foundation Formula.

"The governor still believes the $300 million may occur," Icet said.

Nixon's budget recommendations, released in January, had provided for an $18 million increase to the Foundation Formula from last year's appropriations, $87 million short of the amount required to fully fund the program.

Icet also said he isn't sure if Nixon's in-state tuition freeze agreement with higher education institutions could be kept.

Rep. Mike Thomson, R-Maryville, said at this time the in-state tuition freeze is viable under Icet's current bills, but that the decision could not be finalized until after hearings are held on Icet's substitute bills.

The bills would be a starting point, Icet said, for changes that could occur if the state revises its revenue estimate for fiscal year 2011.

Get the full story here: http://www.mdn.org/2010/STORIES/NEWBUD.HTM

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+ Revenue collections continue decline [Entered: 03/05/2010]

State Budget Director Linda Luebbering announced March 2 that revenue collections this fiscal year have declined 12.7 percent compared to last year.

Individual income tax collections, the state's largest source of revenue, have fallen by over $400 million for the eight months of the fiscal year compared to the same period the year previous. The fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30.

For the month of February, collections had decreased 14.6 percent compared to February 2009.

The February collection numbers follow January collections that were more than 20 percent lower than the previous year.

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+ Senate passes ethics bill while House considers more rigid proposal [Entered: 03/05/2010]

The Associated Press reported that the Missouri Senate passed its ethics reform bill Feb. 4 and the House was working on a more rigid version.

The bill passed by the Senate would require lawmakers to report within 48 hours donations of $250 and above during the legislative session. The bill would also allow the Missouri Ethics Commission to begin investigations if approved by unanimous vote. Currently, the commission can only investigate following the filing of a complaint.

Transfers of money from one political committee to another would be banned under the Senate measure.

The House version would require the reporting within 48 hours of all donations of more than $2,000, regardless of whether the General Assembly is in session. The House bill would require votes of only four of the six members of the ethics commission to begin an investigation.

Lawmakers would also be banned from accepting more than $1,000 annually from lobbyists under the House bill.

The House legislation was filed before legislators left for spring break on March 4.

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+ House overwhelmingly passes bill ignoring health care mandates [Entered: 03/05/2010]

The Missouri House voted 113 to 40 to give initial approval to a bill that would prohibit state residents from being compelled to obtain health care coverage or participate in a health care system.

Debate on the House floor ranged from the bill itself to an overall debate on the current health care system and federal reform efforts.

The Associated Press reports that the bill would create a state constitutional amendment that would ban penalties against people or employers who decided not to carry health insurance and pay out of pocket for their health care. Those that provide health care would also be exempt from penalties for taking direct payments.

According to the Associated Press, similar legislation has been filed in 33 other states.

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+ Senate approves dropping second license plate [Entered: 03/05/2010]

Cutting the front license plate requirement will save Missouri $3 million, Sen. Matt Bartle, R-Jackson County, said before the measure received first-round Senate approval.

The change was added to a bill that would modify certain laws dealing with automobiles, including increasing the requirement to qualify for special license plates for fleet vehicles, that was passed by the Senate March 3. The bill needs to be approved once more before it can go to the House.

While the State Highway Patrol is neither for nor against the bill, its spokesman said the front license plate helps in a variety of ways when trying to identify vehicles.

"It's much easier for witnesses to get a description of that plate and possibly a license number. Also if you have a license plate on the front of a vehicle that strikes another car and then, for example, leaves the scene, often times the imprint of that plate can be left on the other vehicle," said Highway Patrol spokesman, Lt. John Hotz.

Bartle said the Patrol already deals with drivers from other states like Kansas that only require one license plate. Missouri is one of about 30 states that requires two.

Sen. Yvonne Wilson, D-Jackson County, disputed Bartle's comment that police don't have problems with out-of-state cars with only one license plate.

Get the full story here: http://www.mdn.org/2010/STORIES/PLATES.HTM

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+ Senate Democrats criticize Environment Committee report on E. coli [Entered: 03/04/2010]

A group of Senate Democrats accused Republican colleagues March 1 of carrying out a "political witch hunt," as they countered a committee report on E. coli testing with a harshly worded report of their own.

The report under fire directed pointed criticism at the Department of Natural Resources and its handling of high E. coli levels at the Lake of the Ozarks last summer. Notably, it suggested state water testing should fall under the purview of the Health Department instead of that of the Natural Resources Department.

Democrats from the committee took issue with the Republicans' report and said they were upset to have not been included in its drafting.

In a prepared statement, Sen. Tim Green, D-St. Louis County, questioned the accuracy of some facts in the Republicans' report and said the issue at hand had become overly politicized.

Sen. Brad Lager, R-Maryville, said he likely wouldn't "waste my time" reading the Democrats' report but he would be open to incorporating suggestions from Democrats into the final draft of the Republican report.

Lager said he expected the two reports would be combined into one, rather than simply submitted together. Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, said that changes will still be made to the committee's report and it should continue to be viewed as a draft.

Get the full story here: http://www.mdn.org/2010/STORIES/WATER.HTM

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+ Students, Higher Education administrators debate changes to Access Missouri Scholarships [Entered: 03/05/2010]

Officials and students from both public and private institutions testified before the House Higher Education Committee on a bill that would change how much money students can receive under the Access Missouri scholarship program.

Currently, students in four-year and two-year public institutions receive a maximum of $2,150 and $1,000 respectively. Students at private institutions can receive up to $4,600.

Under the proposed legislation, students at four-year public and private institutions would receive $2,850. Students attending two-year public institutions would receive $1,250.

"Our goal is to make this even and equitable across the board," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Gayle Kingery, R-Poplar Bluff. "We do not begrudge our private institutions. However, especially in the economy today, we'd like to equalize these amounts."

A large group of private school students voiced their opposition to the bill. Some said they think the bill provides money to Missouri students unfairly because students at private institutions pay more than those attending public institutions.

If the bill passes, the change would not be implemented until the 2014-2015 school year.

Get the full story here: http://www.mdn.org/2010/STORIES/ACCESSMO.HTM+

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+ Bill regulating tanning salons heard in House Committee [Entered: 03/05/2010]

The House Health Care Policy Committee held a hearing March 3 on a bill that would place stronger regulations on indoor tanning facilities.

Robert Cooper, R-Camdenton, a medical doctor, is sponsoring a bill requiring tanning salons to obtain licenses from the state's Health Department.

In addition to requiring facilities to obtain and post licenses, the bill also would prohibit individuals younger than 16 from tanning and require those under the age of 18 to obtain written parental permission.

Facilities would be required to get customer signatures before using tanning equipment and prior to every contract renewal for long-term tanning services.

John Overstreet, spokesman for the Indoor Tanning Association, said parts of the bill are unnecessary.

"It's an expensive proposition for negligible results," Overstreet said.

Overstreet said that in the current economic climate, tanning businesses are already suffering.

Dr. John Despain, past president of the Missouri Dermatological Association, said limiting children's access to tanning and clarifying risks are the most important part of the bill. The Missouri Dermatological Association has supported similar legislation for four years.

Get the full story here: http://www.mdn.org/2010/STORIES/TANNING.HTM+

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+ Senate hears bill to support METS education [Entered: 03/05/2010]

The University of Missouri System president's October call to the state to provide matching funds for science, technology, engineering and math programs was heard March 3, but something was lost in the translation.

UM System President Gary Forsee testified before the Senate Education Committee in support of a bill that would establish the Missouri Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Initiative and create a fund to process donations supporting the program.

Under the language of the proposed bill, however, the state would not be obligated to provide matching funds for these donations.

The bill's sponsor, committee chairman David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, said the bill is important for the message it sends.

"I think more than anything else it shows, if it passes, it shows that the state is very serious, that it is a priority of ours," he said.

Get the full story here: http://www.mdn.org/2010/STORIES/UMGRANTS.HTM+

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+ House bill would make possessing fake pot a felony [Entered: 03/05/2010]

Extended debate stalled a vote in Missouri's House March 3 on a bill that would outlaw fake pot.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Ward Franz, R-West Plains, would ban substances that mimic the effects of marijuana. Franz said youths in southern Missouri are accessing the substance with ease.

Franz said he had hoped the bill would come up for a vote, but House Floor Leader Steven Tilley, R-Perryville, said the debate ran on too long.

Tilley said he had heard concerns from Republicans that making it a felony to possess fake pot would be far too harsh.

On the floor of the House, Democrats said that far too many non-violent offenders were being incarcerated already, and this bill would do nothing but increase that. Under state law, a Class C felony is punishable from anywhere between a fine and seven years in prison.

Franz said he welcomed a potential amendment from Rep. Mike Talboy, D-Kansas City, which would make possession of 35 grams or less a Class A misdemeanor, putting it on par with how the state handles those caught with marijuana. While he said he was "fine" with the bill as is, he did say lowering the classification level may help the chances of his bill passing.

Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, the sponsor of the Senate version of the fake pot ban, said he opposes making separate punishments based on the amount an offender is possessing. He said fake pot is "much worse than marijuana" and possessors should be punished accordingly.

Get the full story here: http://www.mdn.org/2010/STORIES/K2DEBATE.HTM

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+ House and Senate hear bills giving St. Louis local control of police force [Entered: 03/04/2010]

A House Committee passed a bill on March 1 giving St. Louis control over its police force.

Currently, the police forces of St. Louis and Kansas City are overseen by boards of commissioners. The House bill, which would only apply to the St. Louis police force, would eliminate the board and give control to a commissioner appointed by the mayor.

On March 2, a Senate committee heard a similar bill sponsored by Sen. Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis City. Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis City, sponsored the House version of the bill.

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, testifying in favor of the Senate bill, said localizing the police force would benefit civilians, giving them "someone to turn to for results."

Joe Steiger, Vice President of the St. Louis Police Officers' Association, spoke against the legislation in the Senate committee.

Steiger countered Slay's statement that the current department set-up causes lack of accountability, pointing out that Slay was an ex-officio member of the board of police commissioners, and had input into every decision made.

Get the story on the House hearing: http://www.mdn.org/2010/STORIES/STLCOP.HTM

Get the story on the Senate hearing: http://www.mdn.org/2010/STORIES/STLPD1.HTM

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+ Capitol protesters denounce fair tax [Entered: 03/05/2010]

As state leaders prepare to develop a budget with less money than last year, about 100 protesters gathered on the front steps of the Capitol Building March 4 denouncing cuts to social services and proposed changes to the state's tax structure.

The rally, Grass Roots Organizing, included speeches on issues affecting the poor in the state, including access to health care and higher education, as well as proposals in the General Assembly that would scrap the state's income and corporate taxes and replace them with what supporters call the "fair tax."

To offset lost income tax revenue, the proposal would increase the state sales tax rate and expand the number of items and services that would be subject to sales tax. Services such as health care and tuition, which are currently not subject to sales tax, could be taxed as part of some sales tax proposals.

Show-Me Institute founder and former investment banker Rex Sinquefield was the main focus of protesters. Sinquefield has bankrolled efforts to replace the income tax in the state.

The Senate debated the tax proposal on March 4.

Debate on the proposal in the Senate ended after 35 minutes, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Although the tax proposal could be brought back to the Senate floor, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields said passage of the proposal this year was doubtful.

Get the full story here: http://www.mdn.org/2010/STORIES/PROTEST.HTM

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+ Senate Committee discusses adding methane to list of renewable energy [Entered: 03/05/2010]

The Missouri Senate Agriculture Committee discussed adding methane to the list of renewable energy sources.

The bill would add methane to Proposition C, which aims to increase renewable energy use across the state during the next decade.

Bill sponsor Frank Barnitz, a Lake Springs Democrat, says the bill will make it easier for Missouri to reach its Prop C goals.

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+ U.S. Attorney's Office investigates possible radioactive material [Entered: 03/05/2010]

A federal investigation into radioactive gas has been confirmed by the Natural Resources Department.

An official with Missouri's Natural Resources Department confirmed March 5 that there was an active investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office involving radioactive material but declined further comment.

The department cannot "comment on the situation due to an active investigation into the matter by the United States Attorney's Office," said Mark Conner, spokesman for the Department of Natural Resources Waste Management program.

Conner referred all questions to Don Ledford, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office Western District.

Ledford said as a matter of procedure the U.S. Attorney's Office does not comment until charges are filed. Ledford refused to confirm if an investigation was even going on in the matter, referring all questions back to the Natural Resources Department.

A state environmental official said last week that the department found radioactive gas being illegally stored in the Columbia area within the last month. The official asked to remain unnamed.

Get the full story here: http://mdn.org/2010/STORIES/RADACT.HTM

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+ MU System objects to joining state employee health care program [Entered: 03/04/2010]

Representatives from the University of Missouri System opposed legislation March 1 that would consolidate all of the state government employee health care plans.

Betsy Rodriquez, vice president of human resources for the UM System, said one of the system's main reasons for opposing the bill was the legislation's "involuntary nature." The UM System, along with the Transportation Department and Conservation Department, would be required to merge into the health care plan known as the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan.

Rodriguez said in order for the system to remain competitive in attracting prospective employees, it must keep costs low. But if consolidated under the proposed plan, she said, those costs would rise.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, said he didn't believe the system's claims. He doubted consolidating health care plans would raise costs. The system estimates the increase at $55 to $62 million.

That estimate "defies simple logic," Crowell said, because by merging administrative roles, costs would decrease. He said the system doesn't want to concede control. However, he said, because the system gets hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, it should join the state employee health care plan.

A document presented by the system to the Senate Financial Committee reported that UM premiums are almost $100 lower for employees than those under the state's health care plan. Rodriquez said they don't know why premiums are lower for the system compared to the state's, but they want to keep them that way.

Get the full story here: http://www.mdn.org/2010/STORIES/HEALPLAN.HTM

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+ Rep. Cunningham's wife seeks legislative action to obtain divorce [Entered: 03/04/2010]

The wife of Rep. Mike Cunningham, R-Rogersville, issued a letter Monday alleging infidelity on the part of her husband and criticizing a state statute she said is delaying her divorce. Current statute allows active lawmakers to delay certain court cases during the legislative session.

Neena Cunningham first filed for divorce from her husband in January 2009. He used state statute to put the divorce proceedings on hold.

Now, Neena Cunningham said she hopes to address the statute in the state legislature. She said she made her struggle public in order to convince a representative to carry the bill.

Mike Cunningham was unavailable for comment. He told the Associated Press he did not have time for a trial due to his responsibilities in Jefferson City.

Mike Cunningham also told the Associated Press that his wife had an affair, too, which she has denied.

Get the full story here: http://www.mdn.org/2010/STORIES/DIVORCE.HTM.

Phill Brooks
Director, Missouri Digital News , Missouri School of Journalism
Statehouse Correspondent, KMOX

2010 offers Foundation summer internships

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Missouri Press Foundation (MPF) is offering Missouri newspapers the opportunity to host interns in the summer of 2010 for four, six or eight weeks. Depending upon the length of the internship, MPA will grant each newspaper $500, $750 or $1,000 to help pay its intern.

A Foundation committee will review newspapers' internship applications and approve requests. Up to 10 summer internships will be funded this year, with preference given to newspapers that have supported the Foundation.

A list of newspapers that will have Foundation internships will be emailed to Missouri college and university communications and journalism departments. Students who are interested will be instructed to contact the newspapers directly. Newspapers will be responsible for hiring their interns.

If your newspaper is interested in hosting an intern, complete the application form and return it to the Missouri Press Foundation, 802 Locust St., Columbia, MO 65201. Applications must be received by Monday, March 15.

If you have questions about the application form or the program, contact Doug Crews at 573-449-4167 or dcrews@socket.net.

Viers to offer more InDesign training in Warrenton

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

More than 60 newspaper professionals learned how to build their newspapers faster using InDesign and Photoshop with Russell Viers at his last workshop in Odessa.

If you missed it, plan to come to Warrenton on Thursday, April 8, for a repeat performance. (And read on for comments from Odessa on why you should.)

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
First State Community Bank Community Room
1022 N. Hwy 47, Warrenton (Just off I-70)
$20 registration fee
Lunch sponsored by Atomic News Tools

This seminar is design to do one thing: help you build your newspaper faster with the same or better quality. You'll learn tools and techniques in this workshop that could save you hours each week building pages and ads. This not just for users of CS4, either. Features covered are available in many versions.

Some of what you'll learn includes:
• Building ads faster in InDesign
• Processing photos faster for best reproduction
• Building a template that cuts production time
• Building editorial pages faster in InDesign
• Automating mundane, repetitive work
• Using Word to format copy for InDesign
• Improved workflow ideas
• Mastering Styles for speed, consistency and quick editing
• Tapping into the power of Libraries and Snippets
• How InDesign's Data Merge could change your life
• GREP styles and how they cut editing time
• Editing copy faster through automation
• Using Bridge for faster Photo handling
• Much, much more

Here are just a few of the reviews from the Odessa evaluations:
·        This is the first training I have participated in that I felt engaged the whole time.
·        The most beneficial training I’ve received so far… wish I had a week to learn more.
·        I’ve tried using some of the techniques before with no success. Was able to understand better after today. Can’t wait to try it out.
·        Entire production staff should have attended.
·        Great!
·        Excellent presentation!
·        An eye-opening experience
·        Hilarious – time flew!
·        Excellent – great speaker/training
·        Russell – fantastic public speaker!
·        Very affordable – excellent presenter

To register for this training, contact the Missouri Press Foundation at (573)449-4167 or fax or mail a registration form, available HERE.

Workshop trainer Russell Viers began his career as a reporter/photographer at the age of 16 in Lamar, Mo. His entire career since has revolved around newspapers: printing and publishing. As an Adobe Certified Instructor, he travels the world teaching production techniques to save time and improve quality. He offers more than technology, however, as he has sold advertising, laid out papers, worked in darkrooms, pasted up, reported and photographed the news and designed papers.

And even though he has worked with some of the largest newspapers in the world, his first love is small community newspapers.

March 1-5 is NIE week!

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

This week, March 1-5, is Newspaper In Education Week, commemorating the partnership between newspapers, teachers and parents to connect young readers to their community and enrich learning using the newspaper.

Please promote this year’s new teacher guide, “Critical Thinking Through Core Curriculum: Using Print and Digital Newspapers,” to your teachers. The guide offers elementary and secondary activities on financial literacy, nutrition, environment, character education and information technology. Activities are correlated to Missouri’s learning standards.

The Missouri adaption of this guide from the Newspaper Association of America Foundation can be accessed by newspapers and teachers at www.mo-nie.com using the download code: niewk10. You are free to promote this access information or to post this guide on your Web site.

This week is a great opportunity to share what you are doing in your community to reach out to young readers – write an editorial, publish a story, take some pictures. Missouri Press has a few political cartoons and guest editorials available at www.mo-nie.com using download codes: mocartoon and nieops.

Happy Newspaper In Education Week!
Dawn

Dawn Kitchell
Educational Services Director
Missouri Press Association & Foundation
Phone & Fax: (636)932-4301
kitchell@yhti.net

Amber Alert Workshop

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

MPA sponsoring April 23 training from USC

U.S. media perform many valuable public services, including programs like AMBER Alert.

To help you better understand the nuances and sensitivities associated with these missing child cases, the Missouri Press Association is hosting a free seminar on April 23 for all Missouri media, AMBER Alert coordinators, law enforcement, school officials and public information officers.

Children in Jeopardy is a highly interactive, four-hour workshop. It uses scenarios derived from actual cases to help you better understand how you can assist law enforcement to safeguard our kids as well as what to avoid that potentially could make these situations worse.

The seminar will be taught by a three-person team from the University of South Carolina’s College of Mass
Communications and Information Studies. They are knowledgeable about law enforcement policies and the latest communication techniques.

There is no cost to you. The workshop is underwritten by Fox Valley Technical College through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The sessions are an outgrowth of a series of more than 50 AMBER and the Media seminars held over the last four years in Newsplex, USC’s newsroom of the future. Several hundred members of the media have participated.

DATE & TIME: Friday, April 23, 9 a.m. –1 p.m.
SPONSORING AGENCY: Missouri Press Association
LOCATION: Missouri State Highway Patrol General Headquarters Building, 1510 East Elm St., Jefferson City.
REGISTRATION LINK: https://www.fvtc.edu/apps/mytraining/Public/Home.aspx?1=65535. Register for Class 65535
INFORMATION/QUESTIONS/PROBLEMS: Terri Moorer, WAN-IFRA Newsplex Program Coordinator, 803-348-0445, moorert@mailbox.sc.edu.

Reynolds Center offers $1,000 scholarship to attend SABEW Conference

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Two $1,000 scholarships available to attend SABEW Conference in Phoenix March 19-21; apply by March 1

Two $1,000 scholarships to the conference of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers from March 19-21 in Phoenix are available from the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism. Applicants should be full-time journalists who cover business and have a supervisor’s approval to attend.

Preference will be given to those attending all four sessions of the “Become a Multimedia Business Journalist” track being offered before, during and after the SABEW Conference at no additional charge by the Reynolds Center. In these hands-on sessions, you can learn how to produce a video business news story in a day and to look natural on air, as well as the basics of podcasting and shootingphotos with impact. Here are more details on how to apply by March 1.

Pulitzer winner Buzz Bissinger and ESPN.com Editor-in-Chief Rob King headline “Investigating the Business of College Sports” March 10 in Indy
This free, daylong workshop will help you dig into the finances of your local colleges’ athletic programs, including coaches’ contracts. Hotel rooms are only $119 a night through Feb. 25.

And here’s more free training from the Reynolds Center:

Learn at Your Desk in 1 Hour a Day: FREE Interactive Webinars:

·         “Using Social Media to Cover Business Better,” April 19-20 with BusinessJournalism.org managing editor Robin J. Phillips.

·         “Show Them the Money! Finding Personal Finance Angles on Every Beat,” May 10-14 with BusinessJournalism.org blogger Melissa Preddy.

·         “Unlocking Financial Statements,” July 19-23 with University of Kansas journalism professor Jimmy Gentry.

·         “How to Be an Entrepreneur as a Business Journalist,” Aug. 9-13 with freelancer Maya Smart and “Ask the Recruiter” blogger Joe Grimm.

Other FREE Regional Workshops:

·         Phoenix, March 18: “Produce a Business News Video in a Day” with ASU instructor Brian Snyder. A pre-SABEW conference event.

·         Phoenix, March 19: “How to Look Natural On Air” with ASU professor Susan Green. A pre-SABEW event.

·         Phoenix, March 20: “Produce a Business New Podcast” with Mark Moran, news director for KJZZ public radio station. During SABEW.

·         Phoenix, March 21: “Take Compelling Business News Photos” with Carlos Chavez, deputy photo editor for The Arizona Republic. A post-SABEW event.

·         Portland, Ore., May 7: “Investigative Business Journalism on a Beat,” with former Washington Post reporter Alec Klein and Pulitzer winner Gary Cohn.

·         Las Vegas, June 9: “Investigative Business Journalism on a Beat,” with former Washington Post reporter Alec Klein. A pre-IRE convention event.

Questions? Contact Executive Director Linda Austin at 602-496-9187 or e-mail her.

More than 8,500 journalists have benefited from free training in business journalism from the Reynolds Center since its founding in 2003. Cover business better with daily tips from its newly improved Web site, BusinessJournalism.org. The Reynolds Center is funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.

Russell Viers to be in Harrison, Ark

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Noted InDesign and Photoshop Trainer Russell Viers will be in Harrison, Arkansas on April 1. Don't miss your chance to speed up the process of putting together your newspaper. Sign up and/or find out more, HERE.

MAMA Ad Contest entries due Friday!

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Gather your entries for the 2010 Missouri Advertising Managers’ Association Best Ad Contest. Entries are due at the Missouri Press Association office by Feb. 26.

Members of the Iowa Newspaper Association will judge the contest.
While you are gathering your Ad Contest entries, watch for entries for the Missouri Press Better Newspaper Contest. Rules for that contest will be distributed in a few weeks.

The Ad Contest and Newspaper Contest are open to all publications holding ACTIVE membership in the Missouri Press Association. Entries for both must have been published during 2009.

Ad Contest awards will be presented April 22 during the MAMA conference at the Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark.

Instructions for the Ad Contest, entry labels, shipping manifest and nomination forms for the Dee Hamilton Old Pro Award have been mailed to your newspaper. They are also available online HERE. If you have questions, call the MPA office at (573) 449-4167.

March Book Buzz is life-changing!

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Heroes in Other Lands

It’s common to feel like we’ve got problems. But our troubles are minimal compared to the situations the characters in my March books are up against. A boy from Haiti, a girl from Afghanistan and a young man from India have to reach deep and believe in themselves as they face adversity with grace.

Newsbee is amazed at their courage and thinks you will bee too! Hope you enjoy these enlightening titles about “Heroes in Other Lands.”

Every country has its customs — in Haiti, when a child is born a tree is planted. That’s exactly what young Facile wants to do in “Circles of Hope,” a heart-rending book by Karen Lynn Williams.

Imagine being a girl and not being able to get an education. That was the case in Afghanistan when the Taliban reigned from 1996-2001.

“Nasreen’s Secret School” by Jeanette Winter is the fictional story of a girl from the city of Herat whose grandmother was determined that she would learn — at any cost.

Based on a true story, Nasreen’s quest for knowledge is revealed in sparse text and in brilliantly detailed illustrations framed on each page.

Drought forces a family from their village in India to the overcrowded city of Mumbai. There a boy is separated from his family, and enslaved to produce trinkets that will be sold in the Western world.

That’s the premise of a moving new novel, “Boys Without Names,” by Kashmira Sheth. Eleven-year-old Gopal is distraught when his father tells him they will be moving. But there will be work in the city, and a place for the family to live.

Gopal feels an obligation to put food on the table. He falls for the lies of a boy who says he can get him a job in a factory. But Gopal is tricked—drugged, kidnapped and forced to work in a boarded-up building for hours on end alongside other boys who have been taken by force.

Though “Boys Without Names” is a work of fiction, its author includes notes in the back of the novel detailing statistics of child labor in India.

MPA Day at the Capitol yields budget info

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

The Missouri Press Association Day at the Capitol was well attended yesterday (Thursday, February 18). Over 50 publishers, editors and reporters gathered at the state capitol to hear from, and talk with, local legislators.

One of the high-water marks of the annual meetings was when former state budget director Jim Moody gave a presentation on the current economic outlook for Missouri. MPA was able to obtain the entire Powerpoint presentation and it can be found here (under 2010 Missouri Financial Outlook).

U.S. Senate candidates, State Sen. Chuck Purgason and U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, both appeared in the morning, prior to lunch with Gov. Jay Nixon in the Governor's Mansion.

NNA, MPA efforts bring down postal rate hike

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

In-county newspapers entered at delivery offices avoid 78 percent piece price increase for 'flimsy' newspapers
National Newspaper Association received news this week that its campaign to help community newspapers avoid a postage up-charge intended for lightweight publications was successful and a 78 percent in-county piece rate increase that would have taken effect in June has been averted. The Postal Service announced that it would not assess a charge on carrier-routed newspapers entered at delivery offices. The charge may still apply to outside-county carrier-routed newspapers that fail a "droop" test.

The test applies to flat mail that droops more than 4 inches when extended 5 inches off a flat surface.
NNA President Cheryl Kaechele, publisher of the Allegan County (MI) News said the charge was proposed last fall, and that NNA's Postal Committee Chairman Max Heath had immediately swung into action to prevent it. The "droop" test is imposed to charge flats that are too lightweight to be handled by automated sorting machinery, but in the latest iteration, USPS had said it thought that even publications not sorted by machine should be assessed the charge.

"We were greatly concerned," Kaechele said. "The Postal Service had announced that there would be no postage increases during this very challenging economy. Then to suddenly find this daunting charge looming because of a mere rules change was very bad news indeed. We congratulate the Postal Committee and Max Heath for effective advocacy to turn back this threat to our industry."
Heath said, "NNA won a decisive victory in its effort to ensure that so-called 'flimsy flats' entered at DDU post offices retain the Basic carrier-route price for 6-124 Periodical pieces or 10-124 Standard Mail Enhanced Carrier route pieces on a route if they fail a so-called 'deflection' test.

"NNA was the only association publicly cited during a presentation on the final rule at the Mailers Technical Advisory Committee in Washington Feb. 17 for the reasonableness and quality of arguments to a Federal Register filing. NNA, several members and some state associations filed comments showing that newspapers would be discriminated against with a 78 percent increase to 5-digit Periodical rates should a newspaper fail a new, more restrictive 'droop test.'"

The final rule, effective June 7, indicates that the test will be applied to periodicals, such as magazines, that don't enter at Destination Delivery Units.

Heath said, "I encourage publishers to maximize their DDU drops if at all possible to avoid this nasty penalty if they have a concern that their newspaper could fail the droop test."

"This decision once again shows the value of mailers dropping their own subscriber copies via Exceptional Dispatch to DDU post offices, both in-county and across county lines, anywhere substantial carrier-route mail exists," Heath said. "Likewise, those with Standard Mail shoppers get the same price discount on Basic price carrier route sorted mail entered at the DDU. High-density and Saturation mail is already exempt from this penalty in both classes."

Each NNA member newspaper without high page counts will enjoy a savings of 4.6 cents per piece when sorted to the Basic carrier-route price In-county (line A13 of Form 3541), and 12.3 cents on every Basic carrier-route price piece Outside County (line C25 of 3541). DDU-entered shopper copies would have a savings of 11.4 cents per piece from Basic-price pieces staying on line I12 rather than going to line E9 for 5-digit rates on a 3602-R.
Members can annualize their savings by multiplying $0.046 times in-county Basic carrier route copies times the number of issues in a year, then $0.123 times outside-county Basic carrier route copies times annual issues. For newspapers with shoppers, or free Standard Mail newspapers, paying Basic carrier-route rate, multiply $0.114 times line I12 copies times the number of issues in a year. That should more than pay for annual dues for any member and multiple years membership for some.

Details of the deflection test, which is still being argued by major mailers, will appear in Max Heath's Pub Aux Postal Tips column prior to implementation.

Payne Awards nominations end Friday, Feb. 26

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

Call for nominations: Payne Award for Ethics in Journalism
Deadline Friday, February 26, 2010

Ethics in journalism are more important than ever in today’s fast-paced newsgathering environment. Do you know a journalist or media organization that has demonstrated an outstanding adherence to professional ethics, even in the face of extreme personal, political, or economic pressure?

Please help us to identify journalists and news organizations that are worthy of special recognition. Honor their courage by nominating them for a Payne Award for Ethics in Journalism.

For the past 11 years, the Payne Awards, based at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, have helped recognize top journalists and news organizations around the U.S. and have become a hallmark of excellence in journalism. Each spring, a panel of judges representing both the news industry and academia meets to decide the winners. Awards are presented in three categories to U.S.-based journalists: News Organization, Individual, and Collegiate Media.

The Payne Awards seek entries from news organizations, individual journalists and student journalists in broadcasting, print or new media. Nominations are being accepted until Friday, February 26, 2010, for stories published or decisions made in 2009. Journalists and outlets can nominate themselves or be nominated by a third party.

We invite you to visit http://payneawards.uoregon.edu for a full list of requirements and nomination forms. If time constraints inhibit you from completing the nomination application, we would be happy to assist you in any way. Please call or write if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your support and consideration.

New Session... Bills of Interest

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

MPA Bills of Interest Filed in Jefferson City January 2010

The 2010 session of the Missouri General Assembly convened on Wednesday, Jan. 6. Missouri Press Association expects an active session, and publishers will be called upon to contact their senators and representatives on various issues. Grassroots contacts by publishers are vital, or we will not prevail on issues important to the newspaper industry.

During the session, you can track House and Senate bills on the Missouri state government web site in Jefferson City: www.mo.gov

House and Senate Joint Bill Tracking: http://www.house.mo.gov/billcentral.aspx

House Bill List: http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills101/billist.htm

Senate Bill List: http://www.senate.mo.gov/10info/BTS_Web/BillList.aspx?SessionType=R

Bills of interest filed in the House of Representatives

HB 1219, sponsored by Rep. Joe Smith

Requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to implement strategies to raise public awareness regarding food allergens. This bill requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to implement strategies to raise public awareness regarding food allergens. The strategies must include an outreach campaign using print, radio, television, and other materials.

HB 1242, sponsored by Rep. David Sater

Subject to appropriations, requires the State Highway Patrol to make available on the Internet for public inquiry a registry of certain drug (methamphetamine) offenders.

HB 1253, sponsored by Rep. Terry Swinger

Revises the definition of "telephone solicitation" to also prohibit political campaigns from using live operators or automatic dialing announcing devices (ADAD) equipment to call anyone on the No-call List. Would prohibit calls endorsing a political candidate, requesting financial support or a vote for a political candidate, or conducting political polling.

HB 1267, sponsored by Rep. Kate Meiners

This bill increases from $3 to $10 the fee charged for certain recorded documents pertaining to real property by the county recorder of deeds. Nine dollars of the fee is to be forwarded to the Director of the Department of Revenue for deposit into the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, and $1 is to be retained by the county recorder for use at his or her discretion.

HB 1279, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Roorda

This bill requires the juvenile court to publish in a court docket the time, date, and location of certain juvenile proceedings and to post the docket in a conspicuous and readily available location in the courthouse.

HB 1300, sponsored by Rep. Sara Lampe

Requires the Revisor of Statutes to make all copies of laws, resolutions, and constitutional measures available electronically to the public and eliminates the printing of certain state documents, including bills proposed by the General Assembly and state agency reports.

HB 1315, sponsored by Rep. Tom Shively

Prohibits all drivers, regardless of age, from text messaging while operating a moving motor vehicle on any highway in this state.

HB 1316, sponsored by Rep. Bill Deeken

Changes the required notice that certain assessors must give taxpayers when the assessed valuation on real property increases.

HB 1317, sponsored by Rep. Shalonn Curls

Increases from $3 to $5 the fee charged by the county recorder of deeds for certain recorded documents pertaining to real property.

HB 1322, sponsored by Rep. Paul LeVota

Beginning January 1, 2011, this bill changes the laws regarding campaign contributions to candidates and committees. In its main provisions, the bill:

(1) Limits campaign donations from any person other than the candidate in any one election to candidates for statewide office at $2,000; for state senator, $1,000; and for state representative, $500. Contribution limits for local candidate donations are based on population and are specified in the bill. Candidate committees will be exempt from these limits;

(2) Limits donations made or accepted by political party committees to $2,000 for a statewide candidate; $1,000 for a state senator candidate; $500 for a state representative candidate; and 10 times the allowable individual contribution for candidates for other local offices;

(3) Requires contributions from children younger than 14 years of age to be counted equally toward their parents' contribution limits or, in the case of a single parent, counted fully against that parent's contribution;

(4) Establishes a surcharge penalty payable to the Missouri Ethics Commission of $1,000 plus the amount of the nonallowable contribution for a violation of the campaign contribution limits by any committee and requires the candidate to return the nonallowable contribution to the contributor within 10 business days; and

(5) Requires a separate accounting procedure for funds used before January 1, 2011, and allows the use of those funds based on the current laws.

HB 1324, sponsored by Rep. Rachel Bringer

This bill prohibits members of the General Assembly from accepting any tangible or intangible item, service, or anything of value from a lobbyist.

HB 1325, sponsored by Rep. Rachel Bringer

Expands the No-call List to include all calls regardless of content and prohibits using automatic dialing announcing devices in certain situations. The provisions do not apply to telephone calls to subscribers with whom the caller has had a business contact within the past 180 days or a current business or personal relationship.

HB 1326, sponsored by Rep. Rachel Bringer

Beginning January 1, 2011, this bill changes the laws regarding campaign contributions to candidates and committees. In its main provisions, the bill:

(1) Limits campaign contributions from any person other than the candidate in any one election to candidates for statewide office at $1,275; for state senator, $650; and for state representative, $325. Limits for local candidate contributions are based on population and are specified in the bill. Candidate committees will be exempt from these limits;

(2) Limits contributions made or accepted by political party committees to $10,000 for a statewide candidate; $5,000 for a state senator candidate; $2,500 for a state representative candidate; and 10 times the allowable individual contribution for candidates for other local offices;

(3) Requires contributions from children younger than 14 years of age to be counted equally toward their parents' contribution limits or, in the case of a single parent, counted fully against that parent's contribution;

(4) Establishes a surcharge penalty payable to the Missouri Ethics Commission of $1,000 plus the amount of the nonallowable contribution for a violation of the campaign contribution limits by any committee and requires the candidate to return the nonallowable contributions to the contributor within 10 business days; and

(5) Requires a separate accounting procedure for funds received and expended before January 1, 2011, and allows the use of those funds based on the current laws.

HB 1337, sponsored by Rep. Gary Dusenberg

Beginning January 1, 2011, this bill changes the laws regarding campaign contributions to both candidates and committees. In its main provisions, the bill:

(1) Limits campaign contributions from any person other than the candidate in any one election to candidates for statewide office at $3,000; for state senator, $1,500; and for state representative, $750. Contributions for local candidates including judicial office are based on population and specified in the bill. Certain candidate committees are exempt from these limitations;

(2) Limits donations made by political party committees to $10,000 for a statewide candidate; $5,000 for a state senator candidate; $2,500 for a state representative candidate; and 10 times the allowable individual contribution for candidates for other local offices. Political party committees may also expend up to 50% of these limits on a candidate who is unopposed in a primary election;

(3) Requires contributions from children younger than 14 years of age to be counted equally toward their parents' contribution limits or, in the case of a single parent, counted fully against that parent's contribution;

(4) Establishes a surcharge penalty payable to the Missouri Ethics Commission of $1,000 plus the full amount of a

nonallowable contribution for a violation of the campaign contribution limits by any committee and requires a candidate to return any nonallowable contribution to the contributor within 10 business days;

(5) Requires a separate accounting procedure for funds used prior to January 1, 2011, and allows the use of those funds based upon current law;

(6) Limits contributions to a political party or continuing committee from any one person or entity to $1,500 for a

particular election and allows political party committees to make unlimited in-kind contributions or expenditures on behalf of a candidate if the contributions or expenditures are not coordinated with the candidate;

(7) Prohibits all contributions between continuing committees;

(8) Prohibits fundraising events or solicitation of contributions or expenditures on state-owned property including

the property of political subdivisions;

(9) Prohibits fundraising events within 100 miles of the State Capitol Building when the legislature is in regular session;

(10) Requires contributions for leadership positions in the General Assembly to be disclosed to the Missouri Ethics

Commission and made available to the public in the same manner as required in Section 130.057, RSMo; and

(11) Increases the penalty for a purposeful violation of Chapter 130 from a class A misdemeanor to a class D felony.

HB 1350, sponsored by Rep. Marilyn Ruestman

Changes the laws regarding assessed valuation of residential real property.

HB 1359, sponsored by Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal

Allows for the establishment of electronic health record banks.

HB 1374, sponsored by Rep. Doug Ervin

Makes changes to comply with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

HB 1382, sponsored by Rep. Doug Ervin

This bill establishes the Missouri Patient Privacy Act which prohibits the disclosure of patient-specific health information to any employer, public or private payer, or employee or agent of a state department or agency without the written consent of the patient and health care provider. Health information may be disclosed to a health insurer; employer; state employee or agent of the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan; the Department of Health and Senior Services; the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration; or the MO

HealthNet Division within the Department of Social Services in connection with the employee's official duties including overseeing state health programs, tracking infectious diseases, administering state wellness initiatives and programs, and researching state medical trends. The bill does not prohibit disclosure of personal health information consistent with federal law and does not require health care providers to obscure or remove the information when disclosing it.

HB 1390, sponsored by Rep. Paul Quinn

This bill prohibits members of the General Assembly from contracting with or soliciting any other member for the purposes of securing services for political campaigning, fundraising, or consulting that in any way relates to the election of any state or federal office.

HB 1403, sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox

Andrew Jackson Vote Restoration Act. Currently, nonpartisan elections in political subdivisions and special districts, except for municipalities, may be canceled if the number of candidates filing for a position is equal to the

number of positions available. This bill establishes the Andrew Jackson Vote Restoration Act which repeals these provisions and requires elections to always be held.

HB 1405, sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox

This bill allows any pleading or filing, other than the interlocutory or final judgment, in a dissolution of marriage or

legal separation filed before August 28, 2009, to be a public record if the court clerk has redacted the Social Security number from all the pleadings or filings. Upon a request, the clerk must redact the Social Security number from any filings, judgment, or pleading before releasing the information to the public.

HB 1420, sponsored by Rep. Ward Franz

Changes the laws regarding the sale of real property for the collection of delinquent taxes. Property with an assessed valuation of $1,000 or less, and has been advertised previously, would not be included in the public notice. Currently, property with an assessed valuation of $500 or less, and has been advertised previously, is not included in the public notice.

HB 1424, sponsored by Rep. Ward Franz

Changes various provisions relating to property taxation and collection.

HB 1426, sponsored by Rep. Doug Funderburk

Modifies the state’s No-Call List to include wireless telephone numbers and fax numbers.

HB 1434, sponsored by Rep. Tim Flook

Changes provisions relating to ethics laws. Sets as a class D felony any bribe by a person seeking an elected or appointed official to vote for or against any measure. Sets penalties for persons who intentionally fail to register as lobbyists.

HB 1441, sponsored by Rep. J.C. Kuessner

Establishes registration requirements with the secretary of state for certain initiative or referendum petition circulators.

HB 1444, sponsored by Rep. Tim Jones

Requires certain public body meetings to provide at least a four-day notice of such meetings. For any public meeting addressing issues regarding a fee or tax increase, eminent domain, zoning of a specific property or zoning map amendment, transportation development districts, capital improvement districts, commercial improvement districts, or tax increment financing, the governing body of any county, city, town, or village, or any entity created by such county, city, town, or village, shall give notice at least four days before such entity may vote to address such issues, exclusive of weekends and holidays when the facility is closed. This subsection shall not apply to any votes or discussion related to proposed ordinances that require a minimum of two separate readings on different days for their passage, or in case of emergencies. Each public meeting described in this subsection shall include a period of time in which the members of the public may offer comments on matters of the public business of the entity holding the meeting. Public comment shall be taken after the proponents of the proposal have made their presentation. If the notice required under this subsection is not properly given, any discussion of such issues shall be postponed, and no vote on such issues shall be held until proper notice has been provided under this subsection. For the purpose of this subsection, a tax increase shall not include the setting of the annual tax rates provided for under sections 67.110 and 137.055. In zoning matters, the four-day notice of commencement of any meeting addressing a zoning matter as set out in this subsection shall apply to the first meeting at which the matter is heard, whether at a meeting of the jurisdiction's governing body, at a board of zoning adjustment meeting, or at a planning and zoning meeting.

HB 1445, sponsored by Rep. Tim Jones
Changes the laws regarding the Open Meetings and Records Law, commonly known as the Sunshine Law.
In its main provisions, the bill:

(1) Requires all records of the Missouri Ethics Commission to be open records except for any investigative reports prepared by commission employees regarding complaints until a decision is rendered. Any reports of complaints that the commission dismisses shall remain closed.

(2) Requires all meetings of the commission to be open except those in which the commission discusses a pending complaint; Any party may request the commission to close any record to be introduced at a hearing.

(3) Requires the minutes to reflect a general account of the discussions that occurred at a closed meeting;

(4) Specifies that only members of a public governmental body, their attorneys and staff assistants, and any
necessary witnesses will be permitted in any closed meeting of the governmental body;

(5) Specifies the criteria for the litigation exception to the open record disclosure. An actual lawsuit, a threat of a lawsuit, or a substantial likelihood of litigation must exist in order to close information regarding a cause of action;

(6) Specifies that settlement agreements relating to legal actions shall be publicly disclosed in an open meeting upon final disposition of the matter.

(7) In any legal proceeding, there shall be a presumption that a meeting, record, or vote is open to the public. The burden shall be on a public governmental body or a member of a public governmental body to prove that such meeting, record, or vote may be closed to the public.

(8) Requires information to be made available in an electronic format if a public body keeps records in an electronic format. Data must be available in a format accessible to the public if it is stored in a data-processing program. Hospitals will not be compelled to violate their licensing agreements involving proprietary data-processing systems;

(9) Sets at $1,000 the civil penalty for a knowing violation of Sections 610.010 - 610.026, RSMo, and increases
the maximum penalty for a purposeful violation of these sections from $5,000 to $8,000;

(10) Requires any public meeting of a public governmental body addressing issues regarding a fee or tax increase, eminent domain, zoning, transportation development districts, or tax increment financing to give at least four days' notice prior to the meeting, exclusive of weekends and holidays when the facility is closed. The meetings must allow time for public comment. If proper notice is not given, discussion on the issue will be postponed and no vote will be taken until proper notice is given.

(11) Requires Sunshine Law training of one to two hours for appointed and elected public officials.

HB 1464, sponsored by Rep. Steve Hodges

Requires health care facilities to notify local fire departments when oxygen is supplied in a residential setting.

HB 1466, sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith

Changes the laws regarding the oversight of public funds. Establishes a joint committee of the general assembly, which shall be known as the "Joint Committee on Recovery Accountability and Transparency", to coordinate and conduct oversight of covered funds to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

HB 1478, sponsored by Rep. Leonard Hughes

Authorizes the expungement (closure) of certain criminal records including convictions for any nonviolent crime, misdemeanor, or nonviolent drug violation.

HB 1496, sponsored by Rep. Rob Schaaf

Creates in the state treasury the "Agriculture Promotion and Marketing Fund", which shall consist of all fines and fees assessed and collected by the department of agriculture which are not otherwise specifically designated in state law for use by the department or for deposit in other funds. The state treasurer shall be custodian of the fund. Upon appropriation, money in the fund shall be used solely for the purposes of promotion and marketing agricultural products grown, raised, or processed in the state of Missouri.

HB 1500, sponsored by Rep. Steven Tilley

Changes various provisions relating to ethics.

Bills of interest filed in the Senate

SB 580, sponsored by Sen. John Griesheimer

Omnibus local government bill. This bill contains numerous issues relating to local government. Last year, a similar bill attracted an amendment supported by the St. Louis County Municipal League that would have allowed municipalities in that county to post public notices on their government web sites, rather than publish the notices in local newspapers. While the Internet notice provision is not contained in SB 580, it could easily be added as an amendment. MPA will keep a close watch on SB 580. One provision of SB 580 would allow a county to waive bidding requirements on purchases of $6,000 or less. Currently, such amount is set at $4,500. Also, under current law, counties may waive competitive bidding when the county commission determines that there is only one feasible source for the supply. This section requires counties to post notice on such proposed purchases of over $6,000 and advertise the county commission's intent to make such purchase in the newspaper at least ten days in advance. Currently, the commission must post notice for such proposed purchases of at least $3,000 and also advertise in the newspaper for such purchases of at least $5,000.

SB 581, sponsored by Sen. John Griesheimer

Allows the city council of a third class city to submit a question to the voters as an advisory referendum.

SB 582, sponsored by Sen. John Griesheimer

Increases certain user fees collected by county recorders by $1 for one year to be used by the secretary of state for preservation of local records.

SB 588, sponsored by Sen. Gary Nodler

Modifies provisions of law requiring notices of projected tax liability.

SB 610, sponsored by Sen. Tim Green

Bars employers from requiring employees to disclose user names or passwords to any Internet site or web-based account, except for those relating to the employers’ computer systems.

SB 628, sponsored by Sen. Tom Dempsey

Requires the auditor of any county with a charter form of government to take an annual inventory of county property with an original value of $2,500 or more, rather than $250.

SB 633, sponsored by Sen. David Pearce

Modifies the state Do Not Call list to include personal cell phone numbers, expands the list to prohibit solicitations via faxing, graphic imaging or text messaging, and creates “paid for by” requirements for political phone calls. Entities that give out the phone number of an elected official in a political radio advertisement must register with the Missouri Ethics Commission and disclose who is paying for the ad.

SB 637, sponsored by Sen. Jim Lembke

Prohibits political subdivisions from using automated photo red light enforcement systems to enforce red light violations.

SB 641, sponsored by Sen. Robin Wright-Jones

Requires charter schools to comply with laws and regulations that require the reporting of information by schools, governing boards and school districts to the State Board of Education or Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

SB 648, sponsored by Sen. Joan Bray

Imposes campaign contribution limits for individuals and committees in support of candidates running for public office. The limits are as follows for contributions made by or accepted from any person other than the candidate and all committees: $1,275 for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, or Attorney General. $650 for Senators. $325 for Representatives. $325 any other office, including judicial office if the population of the area is under 100,000. $650 any other office, including judicial office if the population of the area is between 100,000 and 250,000. $1,275 any other office, including judicial office if the population of the area is over 250,000.

SB 663, sponsored by Sen. Scott Rupp

Similar to SB 633, modifying the state Do Not Call list.

SB 688, sponsored by Sen. Robin Wright-Jones

Requires schools to report certain student enrollment information to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

SB 691, sponsored by Sen. Yvonne Wilson

This act, upon voter approval, increases the fee collected by each recorder of deeds to fund the county homeless person assistance program from $3 to $10 if such a program has been created by the governing body of such charter county.

SB 701, sponsored by Sen. Ryan McKenna

Prohibits all drivers, regardless of age, from text messaging while operating motor vehicles.

SB 714, sponsored by Sen. Jason Crowell

Allows the State Auditor to audit any state or local public employees retirement system.

SB 729, sponsored by Sen. Ryan McKenna

This act creates the "Political Subdivision Construction Bidding Standards Act". Except for certain violations, this act does not apply to political subdivisions that have specific state or local competitive bidding requirements that are equivalent or stricter than the ones contained in this act. If a political subdivision is not covered by a specific federal, state, or local law that is equivalent or stricter in its requirements, it shall comply with the advertising and bidding requirements outlined in this act when soliciting bids and awarding contracts of $6,000 or more. Contract for construction shall be advertised in advance of the acceptance of bids for a minimum of two days in an area newspaper, with the first ad appearing at least 30 days in advance of the stated deadline for acceptance of bids. For contracts for over $100,000, bids shall also be advertised by providing information to at least one organization which regularly provides information to construction contractors. Ads and solicitations must include the project name, submission deadline, and the time, date, and location of where the bids shall be received and opened.

Constitutional Amendments proposed

SJR 21, sponsored by Sen. Matt Bartle

Creates the Missouri Savings Account in the Constitution

SJR 22, sponsored by Sen. Victor Callahan

Authorizes the creation of Show-Me Small Business Districts

SJR 23, sponsored by Sen. Luann Ridgeway

Prohibits a political subdivision from receiving state funding if it provides health insurance to its employees through a public health insurance option plan.

SJR 24, sponsored by Sen. Yvonne Wilson

Authorizes the creation of tax free zones.

SJR 25, sponsored by Sen. Jane Cunningham

Prohibits laws interfering with freedom of choice in health care.

SJR 26, sponsored by Sen. Jane Cunningham

Limits increases in assessed value of real property caused by reassessment until a transfer of ownership occurs

SJR 27, sponsored by Sen. Jim Lembke

Changes the method by which certain judges are selected.

SJR 28, sponsored by Sen. Jim Lembke

Changes the process for determining compensation and changes the amount of judicial salaries

HJR 45, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Gatschenberger

Proposes a constitutional amendment limiting the total service in the General Assembly to 16 years in any proportion between the House of Representatives and the Senate.

HJR 46, sponsored by Rep. Gary Dusenberg

Proposes a constitutional amendment replacing the Highways and Transportation Commission with a Director of Transportation.

HJR 47, sponsored by Rep. Will Kraus

Proposes a constitutional amendment reducing, beginning with the 97th General Assembly, the number of state representatives to 137.

HJR 48, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Davis

Proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting any person, employer, or health care provider from being compelled to participate in any health care system.

HJR 49, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Davis

Proposes a constitutional amendment establishing the Missouri Taxpayer Protection Initiative which prohibits state funds from being expended for certain cloning, human research, and abortion services.

HJR 50, sponsored by Rep. Doug Ervin

Proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting any person, employer, or health care provider from being compelled to participate in any health care system.

HJR 51, sponsored by Rep. Mike Cunningham

Proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to vote by secret ballot for all public offices, initiatives and referendums, and any authorizations or designations regarding employee representation.

HJR 52, sponsored by Rep. Belinda Harris

Proposes a constitutional amendment restricting the use of eminent domain.

HJR 53, sponsored by Rep. Belinda Harris

Proposes a constitutional amendment repealing authority of chartered cities or counties to take blighted property by eminent domain but authorizes them to enact ordinances to impose liens.

HJR 54, sponsored by Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal

Proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the St. Louis Board of Freeholders to meet monthly and authorizing the people of St. Louis city and county to change the constitution regarding the board.

HJR 55, sponsored by Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal

Proposes a constitutional amendment replacing the Highways and Transportation Commission with a Director of Transportation.

HJR 56, sponsored by Rep. Ed Emery

Proposes a constitutional amendment replacing the individual and corporate income tax and sales and use tax with a fair sales tax on retail sales of new tangible property and taxable services.

HJR 57, sponsored by Rep. Tim Jones

Proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting any person, employer, or health care provider from being compelled to participate in any health care system.

HJR 58, sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox

Proposes a constitutional amendment changing the composition of nonpartisan judicial commissions and increases the number of candidates it nominates to the Governor for certain judge vacancies.

HJR 59, sponsored by Rep. Mike McGhee

Proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a citizen’s First Amendment right to pray on public property and reaffirming a citizen’s right to choose any or no religion.

HJR 60, sponsored by Rep. Tim Jones

Proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing an exemption from personal property tax for one motor vehicle owned by or leased to a veteran awarded the Purple Heart medal or the surviving, unwed spouse.

HJR 61, sponsored by Rep. Mike Thomson

Proposes a constitutional amendment raising the allowable level of bonded indebtedness for school districts.

HJR 62, sponsored by Rep. Mike McGhee

Proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a citizen’s right to pray.

HJR 63, sponsored by Rep. Michael Parson

Proposes a constitutional amendment increasing the percentage of required voter signatures in each of two-thirds of the Congressional districts before a petition can be placed on the ballot.

HJR 64, sponsored by Rep. Stanley Cox

Proposes a constitutional amendment changing the laws regarding elections and voting rights.

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Biele inducted into Special Olympics Hall of Fame

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0600

SOMO Volunteer Inducted into the Special Olympics Hall of Fame

Ralph Biele of Jefferson City, longtime associate member of the Missouri Press Association as a public information officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, was inducted into the Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) Hall of Fame on January 16. Biele was chosen to receive the honor based on his dedication to Special Olympics Missouri and his accomplishments within the organization. He was recognized by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame at ceremonies in Springfield on January 31.

Biele is the godfather of Missouri’s Law Enforcement Torch Run. The Torch Run began in October 1984 under his direction. Biele raised $4,381. Since then, Missouri’s Torch Run has grown to achieve international fame. In 1995, it received the Greatest Percentage Increase in the World, and since 2004 Missouri’s Torch Run has been a $1 million program. It is ranked No. 7 in the world in terms of funds raised annually.

Biele has served on the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Missouri for most of two decades.

This year’s inductees also included SOMO President and CEO Mark Musso and Special Olympics athlete Chet Hollingshead of Sullivan. Missouri Special Olympics serves more than 15,000 athletes in 21 sports and operates with an annual budget of $5.2 million.

Each inductee receives a specially designed Hall of Fame medal. A permanent display, housed in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield, features the name of each year’s Special Olympics Missouri Hall of Fame inductees.