TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Good News from Washington: Two Legislative Victories.....................................2Mental Health and Addiction Equity ActSecond Chance Act

Bad News from Washington.................................................................................3$198 Billion Proposed Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention Cut

A Surprise for Treatment Advocates in Budget Bill..............................................3

Update on Alcohol/Drug Legislation.....................................................................4Senate Bills

Senate Bills introduced since publication of Capitol Report #21.......8House Bills..................................................................................................8

House Bills introduced since publication of Capitol Report #21........12

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Praises Missouri’s Drug Courts.....................13

MO Responds to Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce UAD14

Missouri’s Youth/Adult Alliance (MYAA) Reports Alcopop Reclassification 15

MRN Invited to Participate in Civic Engagement Campaign.................................16

Register Now for MRN’s Advocacy Day & Recovery Rally..........................17

Missouri Mental Health Champions Awards Banquet April 16, 2008....................17

Deadlines for Voter Registration and List of Candidates......................................17

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Good News from Washington: Two Legislative Victories Advocates for addiction and mental health treatment and recovery services celebrated two major legislative victories in March. The first was the passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act (H.R. 1424) on March 5. The legislation, which has been covered in previous issues of Capitol Report, represents a historic step in a long-term battle for equity and opposition to insurance discrimination. The battle is not over, since the Senate has passed its own version of parity legislation, and the two chambers will have to arrive at a compromise. The second victory came a week later, as Congress passed the Second Chance Act (H.R. 1593), which will help individuals returning to communities from the criminal justice system get their lives back on track. Both measures have been the subject of thousands of contacts with elected officials over a period of many years, by individuals and broadly-based coalitions, including faith community organizations at the national level.

The vote on the House parity bill was 268 to 148. A news feature by Join Together’s Bob Curley (March 6) includes statements by key people in the parity campaign and the challenge ahead:

“We’ve waited 12 long years for this historic day,” said Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), co-chair of the Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus with Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) I am grateful that the House has taken this important step to end the discrimination against people who need treatment for mental illness and chemical addiction.” Ramstad, who is retiring from the House, cosponsored the parity bill with Kennedy, who said he hoped passage of the legislation “will help erase the stigma associated with mental illness and substance abuse.”

The House bill received critical support from Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who appeared at a pre-vote rally on the steps of the Capitol and spoke in favor of the measure during the floor debate on March 5. Pelosi said that ensuring that Americans have equal access to addiction and mental health treatment has economic benefits and also would benefit returning veterans. “Illness of the brain must be treated like illness anywhere else in the body,” said Pelosi, who called the Wellstone Act “a comprehensive bill to help end discrimination against those who seek treatment for mental illness.”

The strong bipartisan House vote is generally seen as an important message to the Senate, which passed the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 by unanimous consent on September 18, 2007. Nevertheless, the task ahead of House/Senate negotiators is daunting, especially since there are only a few weeks left on the Congressional calendar, and there is strong opposition from the Bush administration, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the trade association America’s Health Insurance Plans.

Pat Taylor, executive director of Faces and Voices of Recovery, said that while there are “significant differences” between the two bills, “we think they can be worked out. “ unlike the Senate bill, for example, the House legislation requires that out-of-plan addiction and mental-health treatment be covered by insurers if plans do so for other illnesses, and that insurers include coverage of all illnesses listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the “bible” of the mental-health field. That’s the same standard used in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.”

The Missouri Recovery Network (MRN) has sent out an action alert from Faces and Voices of Recovery that its members “help keep the heat on Congress for this historic action. We know that the American public supports ending insurance discrimination ….. For too many years, we have heard promises of action, now Congress is poised to make the promise a reality…. We need your help in asking your Senators and Representatives to support passage of a strong bill this

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year.” For help in communications with members of Congress, visit http://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/publications/enews/2008-03-14/wellstone.php. A wide-ranging coalition of civil rights, religious, health, housing and addiction worked in support of the Second Chance Act. The Bush administration has indicated its support for it and President Bush is expected to sign it. The Act reauthorizes a Dept. of Justice grant program for people returning to the community from incarceration; grants would be provided to states and local areas by providing substance abuse and mental health treatment, job training and education opportunities. The Act authorizes $110 million annually for this grant program. In order to receive grant funds, applicants would be required to provide an analysis and identification of regulatory and statutory barriers to an individual’s reentry into the community. Also, the Act requires coordination between various agencies, including state substance abuse, child welfare, and criminal justice agencies. Several other grant programs are authorized, including programs that strengthen addiction. It is important to note that this legislation authorizes, but does not appropriate, money for these grant programs. Funds would still need to be approved by the annual federal budgeting process. See http://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/publications/enews/2008-03-14/second_chance_act.php for more detail.

Bad News from Washington President Bush’s Federal Fiscal Year 2009 budget plan is drawing considerable concern from advocates for substance abuse prevention and treatment. Approximately $198 million would be cut from the budget of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the primary federal funding source for many state programs. Capitol Report will review the President’s recommendations to Congress, monitor Congressional reaction, and report on developments in future issues. The new federal fiscal year begins on October 1, 2008.

A Surprise for Treatment Advocates in Budget Bill Passed by the Missouri House

The Missouri House of Representatives has passed the package of bills that constitute the state’s operating budget for Fiscal Year 2009, which begins on July 1, 2008. The $22.5 billion recommendation represents an increase of almost $1 billion over the current year. The bill passed by a vote of 87-66 on March 27. During the debate, Republican legislators described its budget as generous, but with the necessary fiscal restraint. Democrats noted at various points that it leaves much essential work undone. The Department of Mental Health’s share of the budget is $1,163,353,377. The Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse would receive modest increases over the current year. The comparisons with the final FY2008 and earlier versions of the FY2009 bill are as follows:

Sections of DMHAppropriations Bill

FY2008 (HB1010)Final -- May, 2007

FY2009 (HB 2010) Introduced

FY2009 (HB2010) House Committee

FY2009 (HB 2010)Approved by House

Administration 2,303,944 2,390,712 2,390,712 2,390,712Prevention & Education

11,939,954 12,011,230 12,175,520 12,175,520

Treatment 90,798,370 95,349,550 97,148,184 98,048,184Compulsive Gambling

485,340 490,810 499,638 499,638

SATOP Program 4,480,338 4,524,294 4,600,632 4,600,632Total 110,007,946 114,766,596 116,814,686 117,714,686

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For specific line items within sections, see http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills081/bills/hb2010.htm.

In earlier action, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health, Mental Health, and Social Services had generally adhered to the governor’s recommendations, with a few exceptions. The Subcommittee decreased the state employee COLA (cost of living allowance) to 2% (later changed to a flat rate for all state employees) but increased the provider COLA to 2%. The Access to Recovery program for Faith Based Providers (federal funds), which has been deleted by the Governor, received $1.1 million. One Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) mental health team, a priority for Rep. Margaret Donnelly (D-St. Louis) but excluded by the Governor, was funded at $444,000. In its mark-ups, the Budget Committee added a 3% inflationary increase to community providers (from 1%), thanks to advocacy by Rep. Danie Moore (R-Fulton) and other committee members, including Rep. Donnelly and Rep. Rob Schaaf (St. Joseph). Rep. Moore chairs the Subcommittee on Appropriations for Public Safety & Corrections. She also got bipartisan support for an amendment increasing funding for mental health services for inmates leaving Dept. of Corrections custody.

The Alliance of Advocates for Mental Health an Substance Abuse Services noted that the Budget Committee ended the day with “a DMH budget that was significantly better than the day started (a net gain of $6 million in General Revenue) and a big thanks should go out to the committee members that listened to the community providers and the community advocates.” The Alliance urged advocates to send thank-you messages to those members.

During House debate on the budget, Rep. Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis) offered an amendment which would have taken the money designated for laptop computers, as proposed by the Governor, and put it back into the Intervention Fund (Inmate Revolving Fund) to use for intervention and treatment of substance abuse. “It’s not right,” she said, “that money was not intended to be used for computers. We should be using it to reduce the recidivism rate, and to support re-entry into the community.” Her statements resulted in some confusion on the House floor, with Representatives not sure about the intent of the amendment. One House member noted that he had gotten “about 100 emails on this issue.” The amendment failed on a voice vote.

However, later in the debate, Budget Committee Chairman Allen Icet (R-Wildwood) offered an amendment which appropriates $900,000 from the Inmate Revolving Fund for a “meth treatment pilot project.” At this time it is unknown whether this is a response to the “intervention fee” controversy or some other development. It appeared to come as a surprise to those who have been following the progress of the budget for the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. In any case, the $900,000 item is in the bill that was approved by the House and sent to the Senate on March 28 and will be taken up by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Senate Appropriations Committee will make its recommendations to the full Senate. These can be amended on the Senate floor. The final Senate version is likely to differ from the House version. A Conference Committee will negotiate the differences and a “truly agreed to and finally passed” version will have to be approved by both chambers. That version must be on the Governor’s desk by May 9. Then the Governor has the power to make changes in any line item via amendatory veto.

Update on Alcohol/Drug Legislation

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More than 1,800 bills have been introduced to date in the 2008 session of the Missouri General Assembly. Action has been taken on the following bills included in Capitol Report #21. Bills on which no action was taken since that report have been deleted from this update.

Senate Bills SB 724 - (Scott) – Gives advanced practice registered nurses who hold a certificate of controlled substance prescriptive authority to administer or dispense controlled substances in schedules II-V while operating under a collaborative practice agreement. 47 states have such a law. Referred to the Senate Committee on Financial & Governmental Organizations and Elections, which conducted a hearing on January 28. It was approved by the committee on February 4, passed by a Senate vote of 30-1 on February 19 and sent to the House. It was second read in the House on February 21.

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SB 732 (Champion) – Establishes a drug monitoring program in the Dept. of Health and Senior Services and modifies existing record keeping for controlled substances and pseudoephedrine products. Referred to the Senate Committee on Seniors, Families & Public Health, which conducted a public hearing on January 29. The committee reported an SCS for the bill on February 14. The bill was passed by a Senate vote of 31-0, on March 13 and sent to the House. It was second read in the House on March 19.

SB736 - (Bartle) – Requires school districts to adopt policies for the random testing of student athletes for the unlawful use of drugs, including but not limited to anabolic steroids. Any student who tests positive shall not be allowed to participate in interscholastic athletics or intramural sports for the remainder of the year and the subsequent academic year. Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and Civil & Criminal Jurisprudence. This bill was combined with SB 747 below, becoming SCS SB’s 747 & 736). The final version of SB 747 (see below) does NOT include this provision.

SB 747 (Ridgeway) – Prohibits the use or possession of alcoholic beverage vaporizers and modifies provisions relating to underage drinking. Any person guilty of providing alcohol to a minor or who knowingly allows a minor to drink on his or her property or knowingly fails to stop a minor from drinking may be subject to a claim by the parent or legal guardian of such minor for resulting damages. Makes four changes to the Minor in Possession (MIP) law: (1) Prohibits any person who has three MIP violations from receiving cost reimbursement under the “A+ Schools Program; (2) allows any peace officer to request the minor to submit to a chemical test to determine BAC, and, if the person refuses, shall be deemed “visibly intoxicated;” (3) requires court clerks to forward copies of MIP judgments to be forwarded to the Highway Patrol within 20 days, and the information to be entered in the MULES system; and (4) prohibits the suspension of driving privileges for first MIP from being included in the person’s driving record, but allows internal use of such information by the Dept. of Revenue. Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and Civil & Criminal Jurisprudence. SS#2 for SCS was amended and adopted on March 6. The bill was passed by a Senate vote of 31-0 on March 13 and sent to the House. It was second read in the House on March 19.

SB 764 (Wilson) -- Waives the lifetime ban on food stamp eligibility for persons convicted of drug-related felonies. Provides that under an option contained in current federal law, a person who has a felony conviction under federal or state law involving possession, use or distribution of drugs shall be eligible for food stamp benefits if such person successfully participates in, has completed or “is subject to a waiting list to receive available treatment and enters the treatment program at the first available opportunity,” a treatment program “approved by the division of alcohol and drug abuse within the department of mental health,” or is determined by a certified treatment program not to need treatment. The person must meet all other requirements for program eligibility. Referred to the Senate Committee on Seniors, Families and Public Health, which conducted a hearing on February 6 and reported the bill to the Senate on February 28. After heated floor debate, it was amended and placed on the Informal Calendar on March 4.

Report: Legislative researchers have determined that this would add about 15,300 cases to the Dept. of Social Services food stamp caseload. The costs for a phased-in management of this caseload would be about $600,000 in FY2009 and more than $2 million in FY2011 (50% State General Revenue and 50% Federal Funds). The estimate does not calculate the value of food stamps to the recipient.

Several Republican Senators argued that this would be a soft-on-crime abuse of taxpayer money. Sen, Jason Crowell (R-Cape Girardeau) said: “Doing drugs is a poor lifestyle choice, and no Missouri taxpayer should have to be subjected to supporting another person’s poor lifestyle choice.” (AP, 03-05-08) Several Democratic Senators note that this was a valuable proposal to encourage people who have turned their lives

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around to continue their recovery. They said it was shocking that the state denies food aid to people in recovery. Missouri is one of only 14 states that impose a lifetime ban. The other 36 states have opted out of the ban, and make food stamps available to people in recovery.

Senators Chuck Purgason (R-Caulfield) and Jack Goodman (R-Mt. Vernon) amended the bill, first by requiring monthly drug testing by the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, then by simply gutting the bill by adding the word “not” to the proposed waiver. Since the bill did not appear to have the necessary votes, the sponsor did not call for a final vote but asked that it be placed on the Informal Calendar, where many bills are sent to die. Majority Leader Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph), who also opposes the bill, told AP that he might call the bill for further debate but did not say when that might occur.

The Missouri Association for Social Welfare (MASW) editorialized against the Senate action in its March 7 newsletter. “The state would incur some administrative cost, but this change in law would bring millions of federal dollars into the state – and all of that new federal money would be spent at local grocery stores across the state, adding millions of dollars in economic benefit to communities ….. Senate opponents also ignored the fact that the state imposes no such lifetime ban for food stamps on persons convicted of non-drug felonies (including violent crimes such as rape).” In an earlier report, MASW suggested that the measure would draw $14 million in federal money, and that the net benefit to the Missouri economy could be over $26 million each year if the ban were lifted.

MASW Criminal Justice Task Force Chair Sr. Carleen Reck wrote a letter to the editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, published on March 14. She cites the economic benefits of SB 764, and adds: “This lifetime ban is a remnant of the failed war on drugs and unfairly targets people who are not among the worst lawbreakers. Legislators need to hear from voters who believe that food purchased with food stamps would be a positive and humane way to help people who have a record of drug abuse but who now test clean.”

SB 821 (Shoemyer) – Expands the membership of the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee (from 18 to 19) by adding a representative from a rural health clinic as well as specifying that there shall be a doctor of osteopathy represented in each category of physicians. Referred to the Senate Committee on Health & Mental Health, which conducted a hearing on January 29. An SCS was reported out by the committee. It was taken up for debate on February 19 and placed on the Senate’s Informal Calendar of Bills for Perfection.

SB 826 (Justus) – Prohibits the denial, suspension or revocation of a liquor license because of a conviction of a crime by an employee regardless whether or not he or she were involved in retail sales of alcoholic beverages. Referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Tourism and Local Government, which conducted a hearing on January 23. The committee voted the bill “do pass” on February 27 but has not reported the bill to the Senate floor.

SB 843 (Wilson) – Creates a trust fund and commission for youth smoking prevention, funded by money received under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. Referred to the Senate Committee on Seniors, Families and Public Health, which conducted a hearing on February 14 and voted “do pass” on March 4.

SB 861 (Shoemyer) – Re-defines the term “intoxication-related traffic offense” to include certain traffic offenses involving alcohol regardless of whether the defendant was represented by or waived the right to an attorney in writing, for purposes of enhancement of penalty. Referred to the Senate Committee on Seniors, Families and Public Health, which conducted a hearing on January 22, and voted “do pass” on March 10 but has not reported the bill to the Senate floor.

SB 761 (Stouffer) – An “omnibus” bill dealing with transportation and motor vehicles. Among its many provisions: (1) denial or renewal of a school bus endorsement when records shows that

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the applicant has been convicted of an intoxication-related traffic offense while operating a school bus; (2) the drunk driving memorial sign program to be administered by MoDOT [see SB 881, below]; (3) a plea of guilty or finding of guilt followed by incarceration, a suspended imposition or execution of sentence, probation or parole of any intoxication-related offense shall be treated as a prior conviction; (4) allows any judicial court to establish a DWI court for the purpose of alternatives to the disposition of cases involving any criminal charge for an intoxication-related offense. Cases may be referred to an existing drug court or to a separate DWI court. Participants who successfully complete the treatment program may be granted a suspended execution of sentence or have the penalty reduced. Referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation, which reported an SCS for the bill to the Senate on February 7. The bill was amended extensively on March 26, and then perfected. It is on the Senate Calendar of Bills for Third Reading.

SB 881 (Green) – Establishes the drunk driving memorial sign program. Referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation, which conducted a hearing on January 30 and reported the bill with a “do pass” recom-menddation on February 28. It is on the Senate’s Calendar of Bills for Perfection. It is also included in the omnibus transportation bill, SB 761, described above.

SB 917 (Goodman) – Creates licensing requirements for prescribing psychologists. It would require completion of two years of additional training in psychopharmacology and to maintain an ongoing relationship with a physician. Proponents say that it would improve patient access to mental health services, especially in rural areas. MO Psychological Assn. President Mark Skrade said that the wait for patients to see a psychiatrist can run from weeks to nine months. Psychiatrists say that the amount of formal education and training is inadequate and could cause problems in diagnosis. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Financial & Governmental Organizations and Elections, which conducted a hearing on February 4 and voted the bill “do pass” on February 25. It has not been reported to the Senate Floor.

SB 946 (Dempsey) -- Creates the Tobacco Use Prevention, Cessation and Enforcement Fund to fund a comprehensive tobacco control program. Referred to the Senate Committee on Seniors, Families and Public Health, which conducted a hearing on February 14. It gave a “do pass” recommendation to a SCS for the bill on March 4.

SB 1001 (Justus) - Allows a Kansas City festival district promotional association to obtain a license to sell alcohol for consumption within the festival district. Same as HB 2421. Referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Tourism & Local Government, which conducted a hearing on February 6.

SB 1052 (Rupp) – Prohibits licensing of new casinos, increases the tax on existing ones, limits the identification that needs to be shown, and repeals the $500 loss limit. Missouri is the only state that limits how much a gambler can lose in a two-hour period. The Gaming Commission estimates that 30% of gambling Missourians go to other states. Critics say that loss limits helps curb the excesses of compulsive gamblers and saves their families much grief. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Ways & Means, which conducted a hearing on February 18 and reported it with a “do pass” recommendation on March 27. It is on the Senate Calendar for Perfection.

SB 1063 (Koster) – The Missouri Methamphetamine Project, which includes provisions dealing with meth education, treatment, prevention, law enforcement, penalties, and funding of deputy sheriff salaries. In cases where probation is granted for possession of meth, the conditions of probation shall include, but not be limited to, referral to a drug court for participation in a substance abuse program or participation and completion of not less than twenty-eight days in an inpatient substance abuse program. Such persons shall receive a term of supervised probation of less than four years and shall be subject to mandatory urine analysis to determine use of controlled substances throughout the term of probation as determined by the

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court or board of probation and parole. It also requires the Dept. of Public Safety to develop and conduct a large-scale statewide advertising campaign to combat the first-time use of methamphetamine among young people. The campaign shall consist of television, print, and outdoor advertising focusing on the impact meth has on the individual and his or her family and friends. The ads shall using stark and high-impact imagery designed to realistically and graphically communicate the risks of meth to young people. SB 1063 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Pensions, Veterans Affairs and General Laws. There has been no further action on the bill.

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Senate Bills introduced since publication of Capitol Report #21:SB 1079 (Bray) – Modifies the provisions of the Missouri Indoor Clean Air Act to prohibit smoking in a public place or a public meeting or within 15 feet of any entrance to a public place or meeting. It repeals the provision allowing for a designated smoking area in public places, and creates a crime of littering (Class A Misdemeanor) if a person throws any cigarettes, cigarette packages or other smoking-related items. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Pensions, Veterans’ Affairs and General Laws.

SB 1107 (Scott) – Amends various laws pertaining to the Water Patrol, including boating while intoxi-cated. The BAC level for the crime of operating a vessel with excessive BAC is reduced from .10 to .08. Various penalties are modified, and the crimes of assault with a vessel and involuntary manslaughter with a vessel while intoxicated are made universally applicable to the whole state rather than just the big rivers and lakes. It also creates classifications of prior, persistent, aggravated and chronic for repeat offenses. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Financial & Governmental Organizations and Elections, which conducted a hearing, and voted to give the bill a “do pass” recommendation. It was reported to the Senate on March 27.

SB 1109 (Scott) – Modifies the scope of practice for Licensed Professional Counselors. Includes a requirement for additional education and training for current licensees in the assessment and diagnosis of persons with mental and emotional disorders. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Financial & Governmental Organizations and Elections, which conducted a hearing, and voted to give the bill a “do pass,” recommendation. It has not been reported to the Senate Floor yet.

SB 1177 (Barnitz) – Licensed Professional Counselors are included in the definition of mental health professionals for the purposes of providing services of the DMH Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and the Division of Comprehensive Psychiatric Services. Referred to the Senate Committee on Financial & Governmental Organizations and Elections, which conducted a hearing, and reported the bill with a “do pass - consent,” recommendation. It is on the Senate Calendar of Consent Bills.

SB 1222 (Engler) – Requires construction employees to take drug tests before working on projects on school and state property. Referred to the Senate Committee on Small Business, Insurance & Industrial Relations on February 28.

SB 1265 (Bray) – Imposes various regulations (hours of operation, vehicle safety, drug and alcohol screening, etc.) on contract carriers that transport railroad employees. Referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation on March 3.

House Bills HB 1323 (Sater) – Meth Offender Registry. Requires the Missouri State Highway Patrol, subject to appropriations, to create, maintain and make available for public inquiry on the Internet a Registry of persons convicted of, found guilty of, pled guilty to, or grant a suspended imposition of sentence for certain meth-amphetamine-related offenses. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety on February 28.

HB 1402 (Dusenberg) – Requires excursion gambling boats to deposit money from jackpots won by gamblers who have voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling boats into the Compulsive Gamblers Fund. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety.

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HB 1406 (Deeken) – Establishes the drunk driving memorial sign program in MoDOT. Any person may apply to Mo DOT to sponsor a sign in memory of an immediate family member who died as the result of an alcohol-related crash. MoDOT will charge a fee to cover the cost of designing, constructing, erecting and maintaining the sign. The signs will feature the words “Drunk Driving Victim,” the initials of the deceased victim, the month and year, and the phrase “Who’s Next?” All private signs are prohibited. Same as SB 881 (Green). Passed by the House by a vote of 82-51 on February 25 and sent to the Senate. The Senate Committee on Transportation voted a recommendation of “do pass” on March 12.

HB 1408 (Deeken) – Sets up a special fund in the state treasury to be used exclusively to fund prevention, treatment, and recovery of alcohol-related problems and alcohol-related traffic safety. The special fund will receive money from alcohol excise taxes collected (currently deposited in the General Revenue Fund) as well as from private donations. The totals to be deposited in the fund will be implemented over a 3-year phase-in period. About $10 million would be deposited in the fund next year, $20 million the following year, and $30 million each year thereafter. Alcohol-related problems are defined and described, as well as the criteria to be used by the General Assembly in making appropriations from the fund. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Health Care Policy, which conducted a hearing on March 11.

Summary of Hearing: The Missouri Recovery Network (MRN) and Missouri’s Youth/Adult Alliance (MYAA) were well-represented at the March 11 hearing. Testimony provided committee members with personal stories of recovery, the effects of addiction and recovery on families, the value of treatment and rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration or a part of the re-entry process for offenders, and the need for more resources for prevention at the community level. Also presented were arguments in favor of using money to deal with alcohol-related problem from this funding stream, e.g. the heavy drinkers who consume large quantities of the product; the compelling state interest in dealing with the consequences of abuse and addiction; the concept of an “impact fee” to offset the costs to society by placing more of the burden on those who create those costs; and the precedent already set by the legislature in earmarking 12 cents per gallon of wine for promotion of grape products and research conducted by the Dept. of Agriculture.

The committee has not taken action on the bill since the hearing. It still needs to vote on it and report it to the House. Before the House can put it on the calendar for debate it needs to be approved by the Rules Committee, which approved that version of the bill in 2006. Even if that happens, time is running out, and it is doubtful that the bill will make it to the House Floor for a vote. Opposition to the bill will come from legislators and interest groups which do not want to lose even relatively small amounts of General Revenue which could be used for other purposes.

HB 1409 (Deeken) – Allows persons who have been convicted more than twice of driving while intoxicated to obtain an ignition interlock restricted license for a one-year period if the person meets certain requirements. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety on February 21.

HB 1423 (St. Onge) – Anyone who has had his or her driving license suspended due to an alcohol-related traffic offense will be deemed to have not fulfilled the suspension and a restricted driving license will not be issued until the person has completed 30 days of a suspension and has filed proof with the Dept. of Revenue that the person’s motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, certified ignition interlock device as a required condition of the person’s restricted driving privilege. If the person fails to maintain the proof, the restricted license will be terminated or suspended, or both. Referred to House Committee on Transportation, which conducted a hearing on the bill on January 22. The Committee approved an HCS for the bill by a vote of 10-0 on February 13. It was referred to the Rules Committee, which voted to send the bill back to the committee of origin. The Transportation Committee changed and sent it back to the Rules Committee on March 11, and Rules reported it the House “do pass” on March 27. NOTE: The

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provisions of the amended bill apply only to a second or subsequent offense rather than first offense.

HB 1443 (Roorda) – Prohibits a person from intentionally smelling or inhaling fumes of or aiding another person in the use or sale of specified solvents. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety.

HB 1445 (Roorda) -- Creates the crime of altering or falsifying drug or alcohol test results or selling or transporting a biological sample or adulterant to falsify test results. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety.

HB 1464 (Nolte) – Prohibits the use or possession of an alcohol beverage vaporizer. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety. NOTE: This provision is included in SB 747.

HB 1468 (Pratt) -- Changes the laws regarding the crime of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree and adds a penalty for the possession of a controlled substance in the presence of a minor. Referred to House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety, which conducted a hearing on January 29. The committee approved an HCS for the bill on February 5, but has not yet reported it out.

HB 1489 (Donnelly) -- Establishes the Drug Monitoring Act to monitor the prescribing of certain controlled substances and modifies existing record keeping requirements for controlled substances and pseudoephedrine products. Referred to House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety.

HB 1492 (Smith) -- Raises the legal driving age from 16 to 18 years of age and the age to obtain an instruction permit from 15 to 17 years of age. Referred to the House Committee on Transportation.

HB 1507 (Hughes) -- Eliminates the payment of an intervention fee as a condition of parole. Repeals law enacted in 2005. Referred to House Special Committee on Urban Issues, which conducted a hearing on the bill on March 4.

HB 1530 (Smith) -- Allows criminal charges to be filed against a mother who intentionally used or ingested an illegal controlled substance while she was pregnant which resulted in harm to her unborn child. Referred to House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety. HB 1552 (Stevenson) –Specifies that the presence of a controlled substance in the blood is prima facie evidence that the person was in a drugged condition at the time a test was taken for the crime of driving while intoxicated. Also lowers the age for which the juvenile court does not have jurisdiction over a child who is alleged to have violated a state or municipal traffic ordinance or regulation from 15 years and six months of age to 15 years of age. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, which conducted a hearing on February 12.

HB 1580 (Bruns) -- Requires retailers of tobacco products to have a license issued by the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, pay an annual fee, and have a retail sales tax license before selling any products. Referred to House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety, which conducted a hearing on March 11. HB 1586 (B. Baker) -- Prohibits the possession or consumption of alcohol in the State Capitol or on the State Capitol grounds. Referred to the House Committee on Local Government.

HB 1591 (Lipke) -- Creates the crime of driving with a controlled substance in a person's body. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety.

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HB 1592 (Lipke) -- Establishes the Drug Monitoring Act and prohibits the selling, dispensing, purchasing, or receiving of certain controlled substances by mail order or mobile retail vendor. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety.

HB 1593 (Lipke) -- Lowers the blood-alcohol content to .08 of 1% for the crime of operating a vessel with excessive blood-alcohol content. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety.

HB 1601 (Bringer) -- Creates a rebuttable presumption that the person whose name appears in the controlled substance log book which pharmacies are required to keep and maintain is the person whose transaction is recorded. Referred to the House Special Committee on Healthcare Transformation.

HB 1619 (Jones) – The Drug Monitoring Act requires the Dept. of Health and Senior Services to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of all Schedule II through Schedule V controlled substances by all licensed professionals who prescribe and dispense. Included in the bill is authorization to contract with other state agencies or private vendors, develop an educational course, and work with associations for impaired professionals to ensure intervention, treatment and ongoing monitoring of patients who have been identified as addicted. It also requires sellers of pseudoephedrine products to keep an electronic log of each transaction. (similar to SB 732) Referred to House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety, which conducted a hearing on February 5. The committee reported an HCS for the bill “do pass” on February 13 and the Rules Committee did so on February 18. It was debated by the full House on March 4 and 5, amended it, passed it by a vote of 84-69 on March 6 and sent it to the Senate. It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Seniors, Families and Public Health, which has scheduled a hearing for April 1.. HB 1620 (Jones) -- Authorizes certain advanced practice registered nurses to enter into collaborative agreements with physicians to administer and dispense controlled substances. Referred to the House Special Committee on Professional Registration & Licensing, which conducted a hearing on March 6.

HB 1703 (Bruns) -- Revises the laws regarding prior, persistent, aggravated, and chronic intoxication-related traffic offenders and requires continuous alcohol monitoring as a condition of parole or probation for some offenders. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety.

HB 1708 (Pollock) -- Increases the penalty for certain commercial drivers who are convicted of operating a commercial vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs from a class B to a class A misdemeanor. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety.

HB 1709 (Sater) -- Creates the Tobacco Use Prevention, Cessation, and Enforcement Trust Fund to be used by the Department of Health and Senior Services for a comprehensive tobacco control program. Referred to the House Committee on Health Care Policy, which conducted a hearing on March 11.

HB 1791 (Cooper, R.W.) -- Defines "licensed professional counselor" and includes these individuals as mental health professionals working in the Division of Comprehensive Psychiatric Services. At a hearing on the bill, proponents noted that it would allow LPC’s to conduct assessments for involuntary commitments and said that there are not enough practitioners available to assess persons who pose a substantial risk to themselves and others. DMH and the Coalition of Community Mental health Centers support the bill. Referred to the House Committee on Professional Registration & Licensing, which conducted a hearing and reported the bill “do pass-consent” and sent it to the Rules Committee on March 6. Rules also reported the bill the

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House Floor “do pass-consent” on March 12. The bill was perfected, i.e. given first-round approval, on March 27.

HB 1792 (Cooper, R. W.) -- Changes the laws regarding licensed professional counselors. Referred to the House Committee on Professional Registration & Licensing, which conducted a hearing on February 28.

HB 1839 (Low) – Establishes Christy's Law which requires all health care personnel involved in the examination of a rape victim to inform the victim of his or her right to be tested for the presence of a date rape drug. Referred to the House Special Committee on Family Services, which conducted a hearing on March 5.

HB 1889 (Meadows) – Requires the Missouri state highway patrol to provide a real-time electronic log book for pharmacies to use to enter certain drug transactions. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety.

House Bills introduced since publication of Capitol Report #21:HB 2033 (Page) – The Drug Monitoring Act requires the Dept. of Health & Senior Services to develop a program to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of all Schedule II through Schedule V controlled substances by all licensed professionals who prescribe or dispense in Missouri. All information is to be confidential. Also requires a person selling pseudoephedrine products to keep and electronic log of each transaction. Referred to the House Special Committee on Healthcare Transformation.

HB 2119 (Roorda) – Any person who unlawfully distributes or delivers any controlled substance to any person and that person’s injection, inhalation, or ingestion causes his or her death will be guilty of first-degree involuntary manslaughter. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety, which conducted a public hearing on March 11.

HB 2153 (Silvey) – Prohibits any person under age 21 who is not an underage entertainer from being allowed inside a drinking establishment. Violation is a Class C misdemeanor. Introduced on February 14 but not referred to committee. NOTE: This bill is MYAA priority legislation.

HB 2168 (Grill) – Increases the penalty for the crime of selling tobacco products to any person younger than 18 from $25 to $250 for a first offense, $100 to $500 for a second offense, and $250 to $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense. Referred to the House Committee on Crime Prevention & Public Safety.

HB 2190 (Nasheed) – Phases out the sales and use tax on food over a six-year period and replaces those revenue with a tax on beer, wine and spirits. NOTE: The summary refers to the alcohol tax as a “sales tax,” but the bill refers to the charges levied at the wholesale level (similar to Rep. Deeken’s proposal). In each of the three categories, the bill reads: “The rate of the charge shall be the percentage of the purchase price paid or charged, adjusted annually, necessary to replace the amount of revenue lost each year as a result of the reduction in the percentage of tax imposed on food…..” The money would be put in the school district trust fund. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Tax Reform, which conducted a public hearing on March 4. No further action has been taken.

HB 2297 (Dougherty) – Beer with the brand name “Budweiser” is selected for and shall be known as the official beer of the state of Missouri. The bill was introduced on February 28, but has

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not been referred to committee. It is co-sponsored by Reps. Darrough, Schneider, Oxford, Young, Spreng and Funderburk.

Report: An Associated Press story made its way into many news outlets around the country. A Google search found more than 3,500 links, including several from foreign countries, by March 20. USA Today gave it space, and Join Together included the item in its e-newsletter. Some advocates for substance abuse prevention and treatment services have expressed concern about the implications, and the kind of message it sends to our culture; others point to it as another example of the alcohol industry’s influence on legislation and public policy, or another example of waste of taxpayer money, since it costs money to process a bill even if it doesn’t go anywhere.

A March 12 editorial in the Jefferson City News-Tribune calls it “one of the more ludicrous ideas advanced this legislative session.” It objects to the Budweiser designation primarily because it, unlike other state symbols, is “product-specific:” The editorial raises the question about whether any alcoholic beverage deserves to be elevated to the stature of state symbol. “In the final analysis, designating a commercial product as a state symbol is poor public policy.”

Numerous suggestions have been advanced for other “official state symbols” that might be considered by Missouri lawmakers, as well as legislators in other states. To see suggested symbols or to submit your suggestions, please visit the MYAA Blog.

HB 2330 (Brandom) – Requires the Dept. of Social Services to develop a program to screen and test applicants for or recipients of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program benefits who the dept. has reasonable cause to believe, based on the screening, engages in the illegal use of controlled substances. Applicants or recipients who test positive for the use of a controlled substance after an administrative hearing will be declared ineligible for TANF benefits for three years beginning on the date of the administrative hearing decision. The dept. will refer individuals who tested positive to a substance abuse treatment program approved by the DMH Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. The bill was referred to the House Special Committee on General Laws on March 13. A hearing has been scheduled for April 1.

HB 2368 (Roorda) – Defines "intoxication-related traffic homicide" as involuntary manslaughter in which the person operates a motor vehicle in an intoxicated condition to cause the death of another person or murder in the second degree or a homicide from another state where the underlying conduct would have constituted an intoxication-related traffic homicide. The definitions of "aggravated offender," "chronic offender," "intoxication-related traffic offense," "persistent offender," and "prior offender" are expanded to include intoxication-related traffic homicide. Introduced on March 6.

HB 2373 (Harris) – Imposes additional penalties on a person who has been convicted of an intoxication-related traffic offense when that person’s BAC was .16 or 1% or higher. Introduced on March 6.

HB 2397 (Funderburk) – Requires drug and alcohol testing of persons providing construction services on school property. The bill was introduced on March 11 but has not been referred to committee.

HB 2406 (Deeken) – Makes it unlawful for a person under 18 to sell cigarettes or tobacco products or for any person to require a person under 18 to sell cigarettes or tobacco products. Introduced on March 12 but has not been referred to committee.

HB 2421 (Meiners) – Allows a Kansas City festival district promotional association to obtain a license to sell alcohol for consumption within the festival district. Referred to the House Special Committee on Job Creation & Economic Development.

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HB 2432 (Harris) – Creates a trust fund and commission on youth smoking prevention. Introduced on March 13.

HB 2444 (Bland) – Exercises the federal option for food stamp eligibility for persons who had a drug-related felony conviction if the person has completed a substance abuse treatment program. Identical to SB 764 (see above). Introduced on March 13.

HB 2477 (Hughes) – Allows the expungement of all records associated with a conviction for a nonviolent crime, misdemeanors, and nonviolent drug offenses. Criteria to be met for expungement: at least 4 years having elapsed since the applicant has completed imprisonment, probation, parole, graduation for high school or GED, employment for at least 2 years, 700 hours of community service, etc. The bill was introduced on March 27.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Praises Missouri’s Drug Courts

In the annual State of the Judiciary Address to a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly, Chief Justice Laura Denvir Smith noted the accomplishments of the state’s drug courts. Her speech, delivered on February 5, included the following remarks (emphasis ours):

“Drug courts, also, are helping urban and rural communities throughout the state reap similar benefits. Since they were established in Missouri 15 years ago through bipartisan efforts, our drug courts have graduated more than 6,200 individuals. An incredible 90 percent of these never return to our criminal justice system! I thank my colleague, Judge Ray Price, for his instrumental role in the development and oversight of these courts as chairman of Missouri's statewide drug court commission. In fact, the reason he is unable to be with us today is that he is in Washington, D.C., attending a board meeting of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.

I encourage all of you to attend a local drug court graduation - it's an amazing expe-rience. In Stone County, for example, one graduate went from having no place to live, no relationship with his two sons, no job and spending his time committing crimes and his money on drugs to having a solid marriage, running a masonry business and coaching his son's football team.

His story is echoed in the experiences of many of our drug court graduates. We have a number of recent graduates here today, along with some of our drug court staff and judges, and I invite them to stand and be recognized for their achievements.

These are the types of outcomes that timely and effective court intervention creates all across Missouri. Keeping offenders out of prison allows them to remain in the workforce and their families to stay intact. In fact, our juvenile courts have been able to place 120 children back in their natural homes after a parent graduated from drug court. The success of our drug courts even affects the next generation of Missourians, as more than 325 drug-free babies have been born to female drug court participants! And as I'm sure you are aware, protecting our unborn children from the ravages of drugs saves the state literally tens of thousands of dollars per child and gives every child a chance at a better life.

Alcohol abuse, like drug abuse, can ruin lives. Missouri has had the foresight to establish DWI courts as part of its drug court programs. The Greene County DWI court recently was one of only four such courts nationwide to be honored as a model court for its work in turning around repeat DWI offenders. Of its 143 graduates since 2003, only four have been convicted of subsequent DWIs.

As the Springfield News-Leader recently noted, expanded funding of the proven, cost-effective services offered by such courts will reduce the impact of substance abuse in

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Missouri. At any given time, our 108 drug courts are working with more than 3,200 offenders - that's approximately equal to the population of two state prisons Missouri has not had to build. This money-saving investment in our drug courts really is an investment in a positive future for Missourians. And all drug court funds go directly to treatment services for your constituents in your communities.”

On the following day, Missouri Department of Transportation Director Pete Rahn delivered the State of Transportation Address. He did not mention alcohol or drug related issues, such as drunk driving. This is unusual. Most of the annual speeches by MoDOT directors have included some reference to the need to reduce driving under the influence to improve public safety.

MO Responds to Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce UAD

As part of a national effort to help communities in their efforts to stop underage drinking, a series of Town Hall Meetings have been scheduled to take place across America during the week of March 31–April 4, 2008.

The town hall meetings are part of a national effort to increase understanding and awareness of underage drinking and its consequences, and to encourage individuals, families, and communities to address the problem. These Town Hall Meetings give local communities the opportunity to come together to learn more about the new research on underage drinking and its impact on both individuals and the community, and to discuss how their community can implement the recommendations in The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to prevent underage alcohol use. They are designed to alert and empower the community as well as generate interest from the media. Participating Coalitions include:

Ava- Ava Advance 2000 Billings- Republic Community 2000 Republic- Republic Community Center

Branson- City of Branson/Liquor Task Force

Carthage- The Alliance of Southwest Missouri

Cassville- Cassville C2000 *Chillicothe- Livingston County C2000

Clayton- Clayton CommAlliance for Healthy Kids

Clinton- Bates County CHART C.O.D.E. Community Organization for Drug Elimination

*Columbia- YC2 Drug-Free Columbia (Virtual)

De Soto- De Soto DARE

East Prairie- Charleston C2000 East Prairie C2000 Team

Eureka- Rockwood C-2000

Farmington- St. Francois Co Community Partnership Grant City- Worth County Cares Coalition Hermitage- Hickory Co. Comm Improvement Hopkins- MHTF/Maryville C2000 Imperial- Blackcat and Jefferson County P.R.I.D.E. Jefferson City-Missouri's Youth/Adult Alliance (MYAA) Joplin- Carthage Caring Communities/C-2000

Joplin Area Coalition

Neosho - Neosho Area Coalition Kansas City- Hickman Mills Prevention Coalition

Northland Coalition

U.P.L.I.F.T.

Liberty- Liberty Alliance For Youth Milan- Communities Against Drugs and Alcohol Mtn Grove- Wright County Resource Team/C-2000

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Mt. Vernon- Mt. Vernon Drug Advisory Council Richmond- Ray County Coalition Rolla- Phelps County Child Advocacy Network Sedalia- S.T.A.N.D.

Sikeston- SE Missouri Drug Free Communities

Smithville- Smithville C-2000 Springfield- Greene Co-UAD Task Force

Stover - Stover Community CenterSt Charles- Healthy Communities St. Charles

County St. Joseph- St. Joseph Youth Alliance/Buchanan Co. St. Louis- Operation Weed & Seed - St. Louis, Inc. Unionville- Putnam County Partners in Prevention Versailles- Morgan County CLEAR *Warsaw- Benton Co. Human Services Council

*Denotes Coalitions hosting multiple meetings

Missouri’s Youth/Adult Alliance (MYAA) Reports Alcopop Reclassification

The Maryland Senate passed a bill that would classify AlcoPops as beer and not distilled spirits. AlcoPops are sweet, fruity, often bubbly alcoholic beverages designed for and marketed to youth. Learn about the products, the companies that make and market them, and the harms they cause, for example Mike’s Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff Ice. Alicia Ozenbeger, MYAA Project Director reports “Missouri has already reclassified AlcoPops as beer. The reclassification was pushed into a provision passed last legislative session that was missed by many prevention professionals, including our colleagues at PIRE.”

Prevention professionals fear that these actions being taken by states will perpetuate low alcohol prices, especially for alcoholic drinks that are usually marketed to our youth. Federal studies prove that these fruity flavored drinks are popular among youth.

The Marin Institute has conducted studies and published reports about AlcoPops and alcoholic energy drinks. See Join Together Online for more information on Maryland’s reclassification legislation.

MYAA will be launching an AlcoPops Awareness Campaign to educate parents, educators and retailers about identification and dangers of this trendy product targeted toward youth during Alcohol Awareness Month. For more information on the campaign and what you can do to prevent underage drinking in your community, please visit the MYAA Blog.

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MRN Invited to Participate in Civic Engagement Campaign

The Missouri Recovery Network (MRN) was invited by the national Faces and Voices of Recovery organization to participate in the 10-state “Recovery Voices Count” campaign. This project will help engage those in recovery, family, friends and allies in the 2008 election process. Recovery Voices Count is a national movement which will build recognition of the recovery community as a “constituency of consequence.” The intent is to help advocates around the country to get involved in nonpartisan voting activities so that their voices can be heard at local, state and national levels.

The project consists of three areas of involvement: Voter Registration Voter Education Voter Participation

MRN Project Director Brenda Schell is excited about the project. “MRN will build community spirit, enthusiasm, and commitment around recovery and what we represent,” she says. More information about the campaign and its various components is available on Faces & Voices of Recovery. Especially helpful are the “Five Questions to Ask Candidates,” the sample “Candidate Pledge,” and example or a town hall forum, which are also featured in the most recent issue of “Rising!”

Register Now for MRN’s Advocacy Day & Recovery Rally

The Missouri Recovery Network (MRN) will host its first Advocacy Day at the State Capitol on Wednesday, April 30, followed by the Annual Recovery Rally on Thursday, May 1, at the Truman Hotel in Jefferson City. Registration is necessary. There is no fee for Advocacy Day. There is a $30 registration fee for the Recovery Rally. MSAPCB has awarded 6 CEU’s for this event. Contact MRN at 877-669-2280 or 573-635-6669 for more information.

MRN Project Director Brenda Schell says about Advocacy Day, “It will give recovery advocates a chance to rally and collectively come together to share our concerns with our elected officials. This day should be used as an opportunity to come together as a unified voice and advocate on behalf of those in recovery and those who still need recovery. It is a day to speak up about issues regarding substance abuse treatment and recovery support. We should never forget that those at the capitol are elected to represent all of the people in their districts. If they don’t hear from us, they are likely to get their information from other sources. The field of substance abuse and addiction needs legislative champions, legislators who become knowledgeable in relevant issues. If they develop that knowledge and understanding of the issues, their colleagues will turn to them for advice when it comes time to vote on the issues.”

Keynote speakers for the Rally are Tom Coderre, National Field Director, Faces & Voices of Recovery (FAVOR), and Mike Barry, President of people Advocating Recovery (PAR) in Kentucky. Tom will address messaging and how to share messages with public officials. He will address how our stories can help break down the myths and stereotypes that keep people from getting the help they need. Panel presentations will include speakers from the DMH Division of Alcohol & Drug Abuse, Dept. of Corrections, Missouri Re-entry Process, Missouri Drug Courts, Committed Caring Faith Communities (CCFC), and individuals in recovery who will share their success stories.

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Missouri Mental Health Champions Awards Banquet April 16, 2008

The Missouri Department of Mental Health and the Missouri Mental Health Foundation cordially invite you to the 2008 Missouri Mental Health CHAMPIONS Awards Banquet on April 16, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. The 2008 Champions are:

Theresa Taylor who founded Vision House in Cape Girardeau, a faith-based long-term transitional living center for homeless women with addictions;

Nan Chamberlain who created a college curriculum for incoming social work students and works at a Community Mental Health Center in Mexico, and

Dan LaLone, who, along with family and friends led an effort in Springfield to establish an apartment complex to provide independent living for persons with disabilities.

Deadlines for Voter Registration and List of Candidates

The filing deadline for candidates for the August 5 Primary Election has passed, and a list of the candidates is complete, for the moment, since some may choose to withdraw. The Secretary of State’s website lists candidates for all offices, including mailing addresses, and updates it regularly. Want to know who is running for office in the Senate and House districts in which you live? Go here and click on the office or district.

The deadline for voter registration for the August 5 Primary Election is July 9, 2008. The deadline for the November 4 General Election is October 8, 2008. You will find valuable voter registration information, polling place listings, and other election-related information at http://www.sos.mo.gov/.

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