Politics & Government
Legislative Roundup: One Week To Go In Jefferson City
With one week left in Missouri's legislative session, here's an update on some hot topics facing the state and how Creve Coeur's delegation is weighing in during the final days.
- Budget: State lawmakers produced a $23 billion budget for the next fiscal year, one which Governor Jay Nixon said Friday to Patch was “out of balance”. While he did not identify specific areas where he might cut, he indicted that lack of balance added up to $30 million. State Rep. Jill Schupp (D-Creve Coeur) says that budget currently includes money for what’s known as an area designated as a "Naturally Occurring Retirement Community, or NORC, in Creve Coeur. Funding allows elderly residents to stay in their homes. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on controversy earlier in the budget process when it was removed from a version in the General Assembly.
- Governor Nixon said he has a sense “we can land this deal,” in talking about the so-called “Aerotropolis” bill that would help Missouri turn Lambert-St. Louis International Airport into an air cargo hub. Creve Coeur Mayor Harold Dielmann mentioned the hub legislation as important for the entire region during an observance of the
- Redistricting: For the first time, the legislature was able to override a gubernatorial veto of a congressional redistricting bill, as lawmakers did on Wednesday. The new maps would move Creve Coeur into a redesigned 2nd Congressional District. Schupp told Patch the new maps, which would have the most political impact on Rep. Russ Carnahan, “doesn’t reflect who we are as Missourians well.” When asked how the process went forward after the veto, Governor Nixon told Patch Friday that it was now up to the voters, but when asked if there was still an option in the courts, he said, “I wouldn’t think so, I don’t know. I spent 16 years as attorney general worrying about court. I don’t worry about court that much anymore,” he said laughing as he walked away from reporters following Friday's For more perspective on redistricting, be sure to check out .
- Domestic Violence: As the session began, newly elected State Senator John Lamping (R-Ladue), who also represents Creve Coeur, said one of his goals was a bill to make changes in state statutes regarding domestic violence. On Thursday, lawmakers officially sent the bill to the Governor's desk. The measure makes changes to orders of protection and extends the life of a program that gives alternative mailing addresses for assault victims through the Secretary of State's office.
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