Dear Friends and Supporters,

Well summer is upon us and I hope this finds everyone enjoying the warmer weather.  I am taking advantage of the interim to catch up with friends, family, and my garden. 

This time has also allowed me to tour and learn more about local facilities and programs such as Ameren’s Solar Center, Cardinal Glennon Childrens’ Hospital, Affton School District’s plans for a new Early Childhood Center, and most recently I along with my House colleagues toured the tornado destruction in Joplin to get a first- hand look and lend a helping hand.

Neither words nor pictures can begin to describe the devastation of this tornado. Joplin requires our long- term prayers, assistance, and financial support.  They lost all but one of their schools, one of two hospitals, their center for autism, their mental health facility, and countless businesses and homes.  Contributions and volunteers are still needed- volunteer hours help draw down federal relief dollars so please consider volunteering your time. St. Louis Americorp is on site facilitating aid.  If you’d like to help please visit the website RebuildJoplin.org which can connect you with verified agencies.

Governor Nixon on Friday signed into law the FY 2012 Budget.  You can find changes in the budget presented by the General Assembly at http://oa.mo.gov/bp/facts2012.htm .   While certainly the Joplin crisis and impending flooding will further stress an already fragile state budget I find some of the restrictions to educational programs particularly concerning.  The $100,000 funding I fought hard to restore was completely restricted for the Early Literacy Program, a program with a proven track record of getting first graders back on grade level in reading and writing following a relatively short intervention.  The Parents as Teachers program received a $2.05 million restriction.  Both of these programs save Missouri tax dollars in the long run by providing early intervention.

 The following received reductions as well:  K-12 transportation -$8 million, Bright Flight Scholarships -$2 million, Access Missouri Scholarship- $1 million, and 4-year Institutions -14.9 million.  Educational dollars spent are an investment which saves dollars.  We cannot afford to cut these investments in our children’s futures.

Budgetary cuts are never easy and I believe Governor Nixon understands the value of maintaining strong educational systems for Missouri.  The simple truth is Missouri lacks sufficient revenue to adequately provide for them.  We must explore and be prepared to utilize options to increase revenue such as the streamlined or Internet sales tax recovery.  Sadly, education, social services, and mental health are the first programs to face cuts in budgetary crises. Continued elimination of proven programs and erosion of educational dollars will not result in the improved educational outcomes we all desire for our children.  I hope you join me in supporting measures to improve revenue.

I am proud to now serve on The Missouri Women’s Council and last week we held our first board meeting since my appointment.  We have many upcoming events planned to promote the economic success of Missouri women by connecting them to information and resources.  We sponsor a Women’s History Exhibit which will be on display at the University of Missouri-St. Louis September 28, 2011.  For more information on this and other upcoming events please visit us at our website at www.womenscouncil.org.  If you’re interested in receiving a copy of our Women’s Resource Guide visit http://www.womenscouncil.org/documents/ResourceGuide(April2011)pdf.

My time in our community and around the state always illustrates for me the compassion of my neighbors and the citizens of Missouri.  As always thank you for your ongoing support and please feel free to contact me anytime.

Respectfully,

Genise

Genise.Montecillo@house.mo.gov

Missouri House of Representatives

State Capitol, Rm 135AC

Jefferson City, Missouri, 65101-6806

573 751 9472