I-44 interchange at Crossroads Industrial Park subject of June 4 public hearing

(From MODOT)

A public discussion of a proposal to build an I-44 interchange at the Crossroads Industrial Park east of I-49 near Joplin is set for Tuesday, June 4, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. 

The public discussion will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Joplin Schools Administration Building at 3901 E. 32nd Street. 

MoDOT engineers will provide a brief overview of the project beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by general discussion. 

For those unable to attend the June 4 meeting in person, an online public meeting is available where anyone can view plans for the project and email comments or questions to MoDOT. Go to the MoDOT Southwest District web site at www.modot.org/southwest . 

MoDOT and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce are partners in the project, which would involve building a new I-44 interchange to serve the Crossroads Industrial Park and would close the 7th Street bridge. 

Flanigan offers assessment of 2013 legislative session

(From Rep. Tom Flanigan, R-Carthage)

The 2013 Session of the Missouri Legislature was very productive in the breadth and scope of bills passed and policy reforms implemented. At the end of all the chaos and noise one hundred and sixty three bills were truly agreed and finally passed. From a balanced budget to critical investments in our state capitol building and state services, the people’s business was done in an efficient and responsible manner.

New Faces

At the start of the interim there are some new faces around our office. The first is Jarad Perry, my new legislative assistant who will be assisting those who call my office. The other new face is Jessica Petrie, Representative Sue Allen’s new legislative assistant. Both will be glad to offer help and are a welcome addition to the Capitol.

Rebuilding Joplin

Of particular note, the Missouri Legislature passedSenate Bill 23 which creates the Rebuild Damaged Infrastructure Fund to finally fulfill our promise to the people of Joplin. And with the second anniversary of the devastating tornado that engulfed the city of Joplin and wrecked untold havoc, this rebuilding fund will allow the final efforts to make a community so affected by destruction to become as whole as they possibly can. The fund will sweep $14 million from other state programs to provide the monies for new construction so that the hustle and bustle of the local economy can begin to flourish once again. The bill now sits on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature.

A Responsible and Balanced Budget

The Missouri Legislature’s most important duty is to pass a balanced and responsible budget for the state, and this year we did that while also keeping out commitments to those who are in need of important state services. The budget process is very complex with input from many parties. The budget includes 4,160 distinct appropriations with 826 coming from General Revenue. But that does not mean important priorities are lost. In fact, the budget included a reformation of mental health provider rates, the first in several years. This will improve the quality of life for some of the most vulnerable of Missouri’s citizens.

Some other highlights of the budget this year include a restoration of the Missouri National Guard tuition assistance scholarships that were originally cut because of federal sequestration. Our commitment to those who put their lives on the line to defend our freedom is a sacred trust and one which we continue to uphold.

Veterans Voting Rights Protected

The legislature also passed a bill that would protect the voting rights of those who serve oversees.Senate Bill 116 would allow for ballots sent by military personnel to be counted if they arrive before noon on the Friday after an election. This extra time would ensure that those who protect our freedoms can exercise their right to vote.

Department of Revenue Troubles

And while we restored cuts to those who defend our freedom, we took money away from those who have abused their power. The Missouri Legislature cut $85 thousand from the Missouri Department of Revenue budget. This money had been for their scanning and retention of personal documents that were sent to federal government in violation of Missouri law. The protection of Missouri citizens and their identities is of paramount concern and so this was a necessary cut that will help protect taxpayers in the future.

Capitol Improvements

The legislature also passed bills to invest in Missouri’s future. House Bill 19 will provide funds to restore our magnificent Capitol to its original splendor and continue to be a place all Missourians wish to visit. A capitol commission has been created to oversee all the necessary work that needs to be done to the capitol and ensure that the public’s money is spent wisely.

Yet, it is not only capitol restoration and renovation that will be provided for in House Bill 19, there is also $13 million for the planning and design of a new state mental health facility in Fulton. This goes hand in hand with the reform of mental health services in order to help those in need retain their dignity and quality of life. But it is not only investment in critical services that is funded by this important bill; there are also monies to be used for the restoration of state parks. This will not only provide jobs and economic development, but continue to increase tourism to our beautiful state.

Un-finished Tasks

However, with all of our success this session, there were some things that were needed that did not make it all the way through the process. One important item that failed to make it through was the Fifth State Building Fund. HJR 14 would put a $1.2 billion bond issue to the voters for their approval. The funds from these bonds would not only create jobs, but also give Missouri a 21^st century infrastructure system and higher education system. In fact, the American Society of Civil Engineers recent infrastructure report card for Missouri gives our state a C-, which has a negative impact on our economy. Missouri businesses need a high quality transportation system, both physically and digitally so that they can compete globally.

That is also why the failure to pass Senate Joint Resolution 16 negatively impacts Missouri infrastructure. SJR 16 would put to the voters a proposed 1% sales tax and use tax increase that would last ten years and be used to fund transportation projects. Such an investment would raise our C- rating from the American Society of Civil Engineers and demonstrate Missouri’s commitment to improving the framework by which our economy moves. Missouri has more miles of highway than Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas combined as well as being 6th in the nation of total number of bridges. All of which are in need of dire repair making the infrastructure investments critically important,

And while the investment in physical capital is a high priority, it is from human capital that future jobs will emerge. Students at Missouri universities will be the leaders of tomorrow and that is why there was such an emphasis on higher education investment. In a competitive global economy, the workers of tomorrow need to have the skills to adapt to rapidly changing paradigms.

So while we in the legislature did accomplish some great things this session, there is still more work to be done.

Besendorfer to speak at Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation annual conference

Joplin Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Angie Besendorfer will be one of the featured speakers at the annual trade show and conference held by the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation July 9-12 in Columbia.

From the program:

Whither the Weather: What to Do Before and After Disaster Strikes
Presenter: Dr. Angie Besendorfer-Asst. Supt.-Joplin Public Schools

An EF5 tornado struck Joplin MO on May 22, 2011 leaving 161 dead and disruption to the lives of many who lost their homes and businesses. Learn how the Joplin Rebuild Effort is reshaping the way we respond to natural disasters

BBC focuses on two-year anniversary of Joplin Tornado

C. J. Huff advice on Moore tornado: You need to take care of the people

PBS Newshour has an interesting story featuring Joplin leaders' advice to Moore, Oklahoma, as it recovers from the deadly tornado, including this excerpt from the section on Joplin Schools Superintendent C. J. Huff:

Although he has not been able to watch television coverage of the Oklahoma tornado because of the memories it would bring, Huff has this advice to the leaders in Moore: Concentrate on taking care of everyone's mental health. "The buildings will get rebuilt, but you need to take care of the people." He added that 1400 students in his district are still being treated for varying degrees of post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Hoskins on vote against teacher tenure bill: I will do the right thing for my constituents

As part of his column wrapping up the 2013 legislative session. Rep. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, explains his courageous vote in favor of teacher tenure, a vote that caused Speaker of the House Tim Jones, to retaliate in typically petty fashion by removing Hoskins from the House Committee on Fiscal Review. Jones received $100,000 from retired billionaire Rex Sinquefield and $5,000 from Michelle Rhee's misnamed StudentsFirst, and then lambasted those who voted for teachers for caving in to special interests. Since when are a legislator's constituents considered to be special interests? In the Joplin area, representatives Bill White, R-Joplin, and Charlie Davis, R-Webb City, also stood tall against the speaker.


Teacher evaluations and tenure became a major issue during this session. I voted against HB 631 and SB 125 which would take away control from local school boards on how to best evaluate teachers. Both bills received considerable resistance, but SB 125 did pass after all the language regarding teacher evaluations was stripped from the bill. The bill now allows for the immediate state takeover of unaccredited schools and for the removal of tenured teachers in St. Louis that are deemed incompetent educators.

The Speaker of the House removed me from the House Committee on Fiscal Review for my “No” vote on SB 125. I voted “No” because I believe it represented the will of the people I was the elected to serve, the people of the 54th District. I will continue to do the right thing for my constituents, even when it may not be the easy thing to do.

Joplin Schools offer advice to Moore on how to handle tornado aftermath

Joplin Superintendent Comforts Moore Schools from Moore Monthly on Vimeo.

Nixon ponders decision on tax cut bill

A KMBC video

Sinquefield drops another $100,000 into obsession with ending teacher tenure

The organization is called Teach Great, which sounds like a wonderful idea, but in reality as with so many organizations these days, the name is designed to confuse the public into thinking it is something which it is not.

Teach Great, which can be found at teachgreat.org, has one purpose, to end every protection that Missouri teachers have.

If  Teach Great is successful in what it is trying to do, put an end to tenure in front of Missouri voters, then no school district will ever have to spend the money the Joplin School District is spending in its efforts to get rid of me, because administrators will be able to fire teachers at will without any regard to experience or skill.

Teach Great registered a political committee with the state and since that time has received slightly over $175,000 in contributions. Of that total, $175,000 came from retired billionaire Rex Sinquefield, the same man who believed that public education was created by the KKK.

The latest contribution, $100,000 was made Friday, according to Missouri Ethics Commission documents.

Teach Great's belief on tenure is as follows:

Supporters of the ballot issue, such as Sinquefield and the misnamed Students First organization, are hoping to have it on the ballot in 2014. A lawsuit challenging the ballot language was filed earlier this month by educators.

If this measure is approved by voters no teacher will ever feel secure about his or her job ever again. And that most definitely includes even the best teachers...especially if administrators are unscrupulous or want to bring in younger, cheaper teachers, regardless of quality.

Tenure does not make it impossible to fire teachers. All it does is require school districts to have a hearing before removing a tenured teacher. Obviously, even that does not happen often, as we have seen in the Joplin School District. Ways have been found to remove many excellent teachers and more have been targeted. And only one has made it as far as a hearing during the current administration, we heard during the hearing Thursday.

The only purpose of eliminating teacher tenure is to further weaken public schools.

Joplin superintendent visits Moore, Okla.