District 7 Community Partnership’s Annual Officer of the Year Luncheon

February 25, 2010 was a day to honor the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) Seventh District’s finest and marked the debut of a powerful partnership.

The District 7 Community Partnership’s Annual Officer of the Year Luncheon, held at The Pageant in the Delmar Loop, honored 18 officers chosen by their peers to have the distinguished honor of being awarded Officer of the Month—of those 18, one, Officer Michael Butler was named 2009 Officer of the Year. Officer Butler received a Proclamation from Representative William Lacy Clay, “designating February 25, 2010 as ‘Police Officer Michael Butler Day’ in the First Congressional District of Missouri.”

The annual event drew a crowd of nearly 400 people from the surrounding community; and the program included Ed Goodman of KEZK as Master of Ceremonies, the St. Louis Metro Police Department Honor Guard; Chief Daniel Isom; Captain D. Sam Dotson; Mark Jaffe, President of the District 7 Community Partnership; Do The Right Thing videos submitted by three area schools; and St. Louis Blues player Cam Janssen as the featured speaker.

Mark Jaffe recognized and announced the new partnership between the District 7 Community Partnership and Pelopidas, LLC that has flourished in recent months. The Community Partnership, via the Business Liaison Officer—Officer Phil Green, reached out to Pelopidas for help in creating an annual fundraising plan. The Pelopidas Team updated and re-launched the Community Partnership’s website (www.7thdistrict.org), incorporating video capabilities so the District 7 community can hear directly from the officers that serve and protect them daily.

Pelopidas Media Lab captured the entire program during the annual luncheon as well as interviews with all Officers of the Month and Year in attendance to further honor District 7’s finest via the web, including a congratulatory thank you from Cam Janssen.

Other contributions from the Pelopidas Team included the creation of the Luncheon’s PowerPoint presentation, event sponsorship, onsite program assistance, and broadcasting the event’s program on The Pageant’s big screen via LIVE feed. The Pelopidas Team couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity to work in partnership with those that consistently serve and protect our right to crime-free neighborhoods and continually put their life on the line while fighting the good fight. We again congratulate the Officers of the Month and 2009 Officer of the Year as we look forward to our powerful partnership with the District 7 Community Partnership.

Missouri Associations: looking toward economic growth

As Missourians embark on a serious conversation about economic growth, one of the ways we can take our state economic pulse is by listening to and getting involved with trade and professional organizations.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Associated Industries of Missouri, and the Missouri Growth Association serve a variety of Missouri businesses and industries.

Small businesses employ about half of U.S. workers, and are responsible for 64% of net new jobs in the past 15 years [source]. Some organizations, like the MO Chapter of National Federation of Independent Business, just focus on Missouri small businesses and issues that they face.

The Missouri Department of Revenue is a constant resource for businesses or individuals looking for information or answers to questions about taxation and licensure, and for their annual report.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development looks at indicators of state economic growth in their Economic Conditions Report, and connects Missouri businesses with state resources.

A drive across the state reminds us that farming is a very important part of the equation for Missouri growth. The Missouri Farm Bureau Association looks closely at how farmers and Missouri’s strong agricultural sector will be affected by policies.

Part of Missouri’s health is attracting and retaining population and businesses. Missouri Association of Realtors is watching these trends closely.

These organizations are great resources for learning more about the economic status of Missouri, and getting a picture of the variety of indicators we can look at to move Missouri in the right direction.

Committee Formed to Support Let Voters Decide Initiative

Jefferson City, Jan. 20, 2010 – Papers were filed today with the Missouri Ethics Commission to establish a ballot measure committee in support of a statewide voter initiative dealing with local earnings taxes in Missouri.

The group, named Let Voters Decide, will soon start gathering the roughly 100,000 voter signatures needed to place the initiative on the November 2010 statewide ballot.

Attorney Marc Ellinger, a spokesman for the new group, explained that various versions of an earnings tax measure had previously been submitted for review by the Secretary of State, but only one of them is to be circulated and ultimately headed to the ballot.

“The statutory initiative measure we will pursue does not automatically repeal the existing earnings taxes in St. Louis and Kansas City,” said Ellinger. “It’s designed to give voters in those cities the right to decide for themselves, in local elections, whether they want to continue the earnings tax in their city or phase it out gradually over a period of ten years. The initiative also prohibits any new local earnings taxes in communities that don’t currently have one, so it protects people in the rest of the state from having a local earnings tax imposed in their city or town.”

With regard to St. Louis and Kansas City, Ellinger explained that the initiative requires local “sunset” votes on the existing 1% earnings tax in each city every five years starting in 2011. The tax would continue as long as the majority of voters continue to approve it in those local votes. If, in a future local election, the majority of local voters in St. Louis or Kansas City vote against continuing the earnings tax, it would be phased out in their city gradually, over a period of ten years, at the rate of one-tenth of a percent per year.

Ellinger said the primary initial funding for the Let Voters Decide campaign has been provided by retired Missouri businessman and philanthropist Rex Sinquefield. Travis H. Brown, who heads up the Pelopidas L.L.C., a consulting firm that represents Sinquefield, will serve as Chairman of Let Voters Decide.

Real Economic Growth for Missouri

As Governor Jay Nixon unveils his State of the State speech on January 20th before the Missouri General Assembly, it is expected that job growth and economic recovery ideas will be front and center.

The drive toward dynamic economic growth for the Show-ME State economy is an important one to institute. That’s why we were fortunate to have Dr. Art Laffer of Laffer & Associates present his views on how Missouri’s economy can grow by replacing our state income tax with a broad-based sales tax system.

Below is a complete list of the 2010 Missouri General Assembly roster of State Representatives and Senators that are likely to be discussing this legislative issue. As citizens, taxpayers, small business leaders, and professionals, it is our hope that your voices will be heard this legislative session on this important debate.

HOUSE MEMBERS

Sue Allen, Bert Atkins, Joe Aull, Kenny Biermann, Walt Bivins, Ellen Brandom, Rachel Bringer, Dan Brown, Jason Brown, Michael Brown, Mark Bruns, Eric Burlison, John Burnett, Don Calloway, Chris Carter, Ron Casey, Maria Chappelle-Nadal, Mike Colona, Robert Cooper, Michael Corcoran, Stanley Cox, Mike Cunningham, Shalonn Curls, Cynthia Davis, David Day, Bill Deeken, Charlie Denison, Mike Dethrow, Scott Dieckhaus, John Diehl, Bob Dixon, Curt Dougherty, Tony Dugger, Gary Dusenberg, Ed Emery, Vicki Englund, Doug Ervin, Sally Faith, Joe Fallert, Linda Fischer, Barney Fisher, Tom Flanigan, Tim Flook, Michael Frame, Ward Franz, Doug Funderburk, Chuck Gatschenberger, Jason Grill, Jeff Grisamore, Casey Guernsey, Jim Guest, Belinda Harris, Steve Hobbs, Steve Hodges, Jason Holsman, Denny Hoskins, Theodore Hoskins, Leonard Hughes IV, Jacob Hummel, Allen Icet, Kenny Jones, Timothy Jones, Tishaura Jones, Jason Kander, Shelley Keeney, Chris Kelly, Gayle Kingery, Jeanne Kirkton, Andrew Koenig, Sam Komo, Michele Kratky, Will Kraus, J C Kuessner, Mike Lair, Sara Lampe, Scott Largent, Mike Leara, Roman Lee LeBlanc, Paul LeVota, Albert Liese, Scott Lipke, Tom Loehner, Beth Low, Rebecca McClanahan, Tom McDonald, Mike McGhee, Cole McNary, Margo McNeil, Tim Meadows, Kate Meiners, Chris Molendorp, James Morris, Brian Munzlinger, Bob Nance, Jamilah Nasheed, Stacey Newman, Brian Nieves, Jerry Nolte, Charlie Norr, Jeanette Oxford, Mark Parkinson, Mike Parson, Darrell Pollock, Bryan Pratt, Paul Quinn, Ron Richard, Jeanie Riddle, Jeff Roorda, Martin Rucker, Marilyn Ruestman, Don Ruzicka, Ray Salva, Therese Sander, David Sater, Luke Scavuzzo, Rob Schaaf, Rodney Schad, Dwight Scharnhorst, Ed Schieffer, Charles Schlottach, Shane Schoeller, Sue Schoemehl, Jill Schupp, Tom Self, Tom Shively, Ryan Silvey, Trent Skaggs, Jason Smith, Joe Smith, Michael Spreng, Bryan Stevenson, Mary Still, Rachel Storch, Rick Stream, Mike Sutherland, Terry Swinger, Mike Talboy, Mike Thomson, Steven Tilley, Tom Todd, Clint Tracy, James Viebrock, Michael Vogt, Maynard Wallace, Gina Walsh, Rochelle Walton Gray, Jay Wasson, Steve Webb, Stephen Webber, Don Wells, Ray Weter, Kevin Wilson, Larry Wilson, Terry Witte, Billy Pat Wright, Patricia Yaeger, Anne Zerr, Jake Zimmerman

Senators

Frank Barnitz, Matt Bartle, Joan Bray, Victor Callahan, Norma Champion, Dan Clemens, Jason Crowell, Jane Cunningham, Rita Heard Days, Tom Dempsey, Kevin Engler, Jack Goodman, Timothy P. Green, John Griesheimer, Jolie Justus, Joseph Keaveny, Brad Lager, Jim Lembke, Rob Mayer, Ryan McKenna, Gary Nodler, David Pearce, Chuck Purgason, Luann Ridgeway, Scott Rupp, Kurt Schaefer, Eric Schmitt, Delbert Scott, Charlie Shields, Wes Shoemyer, Bill Stouffer, Carl Vogel, Yvonne Wilson, Robin Wright-Jones

Twitter Updates for 2009-12-18

• CFtweet: $13,000 from AMEREN UE to CIVIC PROGRESS ACTION COMMITTEE on 12/16/2009 #
• CFtweet: $9,000 from Save Our Ballot Inc. to MISSOURI S.O.S. BALLOT on 12/14/2009 #
• CFtweet: $7,400 from Bank of America, N.A. to CIVIC PROGRESS ACTION COMMITTEE on 12/14/2009 #
• CFtweet: $7,400 from Peabody Investments Corp. to CIVIC PROGRESS ACTION COMMITTEE on 12/14/2009 #
• Bye, bye Saab cars. You know it's bad when Government Motors cannot even save it. http://bit.ly/6VjRVA #
• A decent overview of state budget pressure by @WSJ http://bit.ly/4rW7e1 #
• CFtweet: $15,500 from AFSCME to AFSCME MO PEOPLE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ORGANIZED TO PROMOTE LEGISLATIVE EQUALITY on 12/14/2009 #
• CFtweet: $5,000 from Emerson Electric Co. to EMERSONS MISSOURI RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT FUND on 12/17/2009 #
• CFtweet: $6,000 from Emerson Electric Co. to EMERSONS MISSOURI RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT FUND on 12/17/2009 #
• RT @JakeWagman: On Political Fix: St. Louis legislators host public forum Saturday on police control http://bit.ly/4HlmVR #
• Nothing like a little dusting of snow to kick-start the Holiday Spirit, is there? #
• CFtweet: $10,000 from Enterprise Holdings, Inc. PAC to MO REPUBLICAN PARTY on 12/18/2009 #

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Twitter Updates for 2009-12-17

• CFtweet: $10,000 from Anheuser-Busch Cos, Inc. to MO REPUBLICAN PARTY on 12/14/2009 #
• CFtweet: $5,001 from ENGLER FOR MISSOURI to BOB DIXON FOR SENATE on 12/12/2009 #
• CFtweet: $20,079 from GROW MISSOURI COMMITTEE to Friends of Bob Johnson on 10/31/2009 #
• CFtweet: $5,000 from Roy Pfautch to FRIENDS OF PETER KINDER DEBT COMMITTEE on 10/28/2009 #
• CFtweet: $8,000 from Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters to MO STATE COUNCIL OF FIRE FIGHTERS PAC on 12/07/2009 #
• @beckycordero "Q" was always the most interesting character, at least on James Bond movies anyway. #

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Twitter Updates for 2009-12-16

• RT @CoryBooker: “I’ve never seen a monument erected to a pessimist.” – Paul Harvey #
• "The insurance companies win. Time to kill this monstrosity coming out of the Senate." #DailyKos http://bit.ly/7cLNeQ #
• For Missourians claiming Florida residence to miss State Income Tax, there may be a new house on the market soon. http://bit.ly/6XBm5e #
• @Missourischools @MSTE If the State can judge this, http://bit.ly/8i5Gb3 why can't we pay teachers more on merit to keep them? #
• It starts to scare me a bit when the NYT calls a national consumption tax "inevitable." http://bit.ly/6RlGE0 Seems like states go first. #
• 24 – % Americans that trust the fed gov't to reduce the income tax (if a consumption natl sales tax was imposed). http://bit.ly/6YlUxj #
• VIva Las Vegas… RT @RiverfrontTimes: Finally! An Explanation for Rod Blagojevich's Hair: http://bit.ly/6EnRJ2 #
• CFtweet: $5,001 from Rex A. Sinquefield to RON RICHARD 2010 on 12/15/2009 #
• CFtweet: $5,000 from CITIZENS FOR MIKE LAIR to House Republican Campaign Committee on 12/11/2009 #

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Twitter Updates for 2009-12-15

• RT @St_Louis_Blues: Tickets 4 Brett Hull Hall of Fame nite R almost gone. C Hull, Cujo & more: http://blues.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=58807 #
• @DonCalloway To quote the wise Jedi Yoda "Do or do not, there is no try." in reply to DonCalloway #
• Prediction: A lot more bloodhounds, pit bulls, and german shepherds will curiously-find homes in northern, rural Illinois. #gitmo #
• DC Disney Lobbyist retiring to law school. http://bit.ly/7XCnqH Mickey Mouse is now 81, and still going strong. #
• Why not cash for "flying cars?" http://bit.ly/6QmaRi #
• $229 Billion. The amount that individuals, not institutions and foundations, donated in 2008. http://bit.ly/4QwUSC #
• RT @amednews: People who self-pay for medical care can restrict disclosure of their records. http://bit.ly/76wClf #

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Twitter Updates for 2009-12-14

• @DonCalloway How did it turn out? in reply to DonCalloway #
• Wonder whether @joliejustus should start a savecoffeebreak.com effort in KCMO? #
• CFtweet: $10,000 from AT&T to MO DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE on 11/19/2009 #

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Twitter Updates for 2009-12-13

• Mark Ingram – you deserve it! Congrats #Bama fans. #
• "If ignorance is bliss, there should be more happy people." – Victor Cousins #
• Onto WashU Olin School MBA event. http://bit.ly/68UfaD Sadly, Kauffman Found marks #STL 2nd to last in newco's http://bit.ly/68UfaD #
• For those under-employed, contact Larry Summers. He claims others claim job growth in spring. http://bit.ly/6YqBX6 No phone # provided. #
• Fantasy football season RB yard forecasts had @LaurenceMaroney at about 500. Before today, he's pushing 560. http://bit.ly/6gjRO0 #
• "I used to take his money when we played poker. Now he's trying to take mine." – IL State Senator Bill Brady, on BHO. http://bit.ly/7ZEV4q #
• @JoAnnEmerson The score at halftime is Big Pharma $5B. Original BHO Canadian Drug Position: 0. http://bit.ly/4HbJYx #
• "If you're looking for a holiday vacation that keeps Christ in Christmas, set your GPS for Branson, Mo." – Sue Merrell http://bit.ly/4w215x #
• http://bit.ly/4PWOcN Another reason MO doesn't need tax breaks to Lake Ozark yachts for Coast Guard commissioning to fight Jayhawks #
• 94 Yards on 22 carries today for St. Louis native @LaurenceMaroney. Not bad at all. http://bit.ly/50tg8G Another #Foxboro win. #

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