STORM: Governor Committed to Protecting Missourians

Gov. Matt Blunt declared a state of emergency and activated the State Emergency Operations Center, the State Emergency Management Agency and the Missouri National Guard to ensure state resources are positioned to aid Missouri communities impacted by the severe winter weather storms that hit much of Missouri this week. Once the storms hit, the governor immediately issued two executive orders. The first executive order declared a state of emergency, activated the State Emergency Operations Center, and allowed state agency resources to be used to assist local jurisdictions with their requests for severe winter weather assistance. The second activates the Missouri National Guard as needed to protect life and property and allows them to support of civilian authorities. Governor Blunt also visited storm-stricken communities in Jasper, Barton, Andrew, Miller, Callaway and Cole Counties. These areas were among the hardest hit by this weekend's ice storms and are bracing for another round of severe weather. "My first concern continues to be for Missourians’ safety, and I urge those in affected areas to check on friends and neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled, who may need assistance. We are only just beginning to see the devastation from this series of storms, and our state emergency responders are continuing to take action to protect Missourians," Governor Blunt said. Later in the week, the governor issued another executive order allowing the Department of Natural Resources to grant waivers to help expedite removal and disposal of fallen limbs and ice-covered debris. The governor’s executive order gives DNR the discretion to waive rules and regulations pertaining to waste disposal to eliminate debris left by the severe winter weather storms. “As we work to clean up the mess that this severe winter storm has left behind, I have directed regulating agencies to work with Missourians to make recovery and restoration as smooth as possible,” Governor Blunt said. President Bush also approved Governor Blunt’s request for an Emergency Disaster Declaration for the State of Missouri as a result of winter weather. More than 170,000 utility customers statewide experienced power outages from freezing rain and ice. The governor’s Emergency Disaster request approved by the White House focuses on securing the assets needed to conduct life safety actions and debris removal by state and local governments during the severe winter weather impacting the entire State of Missouri.

State of the State Information Available on Website

Governor Blunt has launched a new section on his Internet site at http://gov.missouri.gov so Missourians can see which stations in their areas are covering the 2008 State of the State address. "The State of the State is an annual progress report to Missourians and gives me the opportunity to discuss where we have been as a state, what we have accomplished and our plans and initiatives for the coming year," the governor said. "I encourage Missouri’s media organizations to carry the address live so Missourians are given the opportunity to access this annual address." The following television stations have already confirmed they will carry the address live this year. In Mid Missouri citizens can view the address on KOMU or KRCG, in the Joplin area on KGCS-TV and in the Kansas City area on KCPT and KSHB.com. Radio stations KRCU in Cape Girardeau, KSEF in Farmington, KRLL in Mid Missouri, KSGF and KSMU in Southwest Missouri, KWMU in St. Louis, and Missourinet statewide have also confirmed they will carry the address live. Governor Blunt will deliver the annual State of the State address on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 7 p.m., and he is the first Missouri governor to deliver the address in the evening to provide more Missourians the opportunity to listen or see the address live. Governor Blunt will discuss Missouri’s accomplishments over the past year, his legislative goals for the 94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session, and the Fiscal Year 2009 budget he will submit to the Legislature.

Governor Proposes Death Penalty for Child Rapists

Governor Blunt is calling for the death penalty to be included in state law as punishment for the worst sexual predators, building on the state’s commitment to protecting our children from harm. The legislation sought by the governor adds the sentence of death to forcible rape and forcible sodomy when the victim is less than 12 years old. “Sexual predators in Missouri should be put on notice that if they think they can roam Internet chat rooms or our neighborhoods for Missouri victims without consequence, they are wrong,” Governor Blunt said. “My administration has made our children’s safety a priority and that is why I signed one of the strongest Jessica’s Laws in the country to protect our children from dangerous sexual predators. I look forward to working with the state legislature next year to strengthen the penalties against those who harm Missouri’s most precious resources, our children.” The governor’s strong leadership ensured Missouri has one of the toughest versions of Jessica’s Law in the nation. The legislation mandates a lifetime sentence with a minimum of 30 years for serious sexual crimes committed against young children and calls for certain sex offenders to be monitored their entire lives. The governor also led the successful effort to expand the state’s sexual offender registry and add new tools to make it a more powerful resource for parents and law enforcement officials.

Governor Outraged by Legal Decision on Funeral Protesters

Governor Blunt is taking issue with a preliminary injunction issued by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on the enforcement of Missouri’s law banning protests at military funerals. The governor called for and enacted the law after an extreme group from Kansas protested the Missouri funeral of Specialist Edward Lee Myers. In a callous disregard for the families of fallen servicemen and women, the court claimed their action to allow protests at military funerals “will not cause substantial harm to others.” “It is an outrage that this extreme group in Kansas feels it is appropriate to protest the funeral services of Missouri’s military men and women who lost their lives defending the freedoms and security of the United States,” Governor Blunt said. “And it is outrageous that this court believes that allowing protests at the funerals of fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines ‘will not cause substantial harm to others.’ I think the family of Specialist Myers and others who have experienced these kinds of protests as they honored their sons and daughters would say ‘substantial harm’ is an understatement.” The governor is a committed advocate for veterans and their families. Following what he called an appalling protest at the funeral of Specialist Edward Lee Myers, the governor sent a strong message that Missouri not only supports our military members at home and abroad, but that the sacrifices they make are valued, respected and important to the grateful people they serve. “A despicable protest at the funeral of Specialist Edward Lee Myers clarified the need for legislation making it clear Missouri will not tolerate protests from radical groups that disrupt those who are mourning the loss of a military hero,” Governor Blunt said. “I enacted a strong law to allow the families of the fallen to honor the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice with dignity and in peace. I urge the Eight Circuit of Appeals to throw out this misguided case and support our nation’s military men and women and their families.”

Governor Helps Pay Tribute to Veterans at Gallery

Governor Blunt recently paid tribute to the sacrifices and commitment of Missouri’s veterans at the opening of the Missouri Veterans Gallery in the Missouri State Museum located in the State Capitol. The Missouri Veterans Gallery is dedicated to the Missourians that have worn the uniforms of our Nations armed forces. The gallery tells the story of Missouri’s veterans since the founding of Missouri in 1821 and the role they have played in our state’s history. The centerpiece of the Missouri Veterans Gallery is a 19-foot brass model of the U.S.S. Missouri built by the U.S. Navy for research after World War II, and features artifacts and images donated by or related to Missouri veterans. The governor is a committed advocate for veterans and their families. He has signed legislation creating the Vietnam Veterans Medallions Program, a program created to honor and recognize Missourians who served our country during Vietnam. The governor also signed legislation extending the World War II and Korean conflict medal program in order for Missouri to continue to honor these veterans and their families. The budget Governor Blunt signed this year increased money for Missouri’s veterans’ homes by $8.7 million. Earlier this year the governor signed legislation that established the Stolen Valor Act to put in law fit punishment for those who impersonate military heroes and that increases grants to fund Veterans Service Officers. Governor Blunt also signed legislation to enact additional protections for War on Terror Veterans to ensure that their jobs, wages and benefits were kept for them during the time they were called to serve our country. The legislation established a state fund to benefit War on Terror veterans who apply for unemployment assistance related to their service and, to help fund that program and established state penalties for employers who violated the law. The governor graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served more than 5 years on active duty. He has witnessed firsthand the dedication and commitment that Missouri troops make everyday to protect and defend our freedom with visits to Iraq, Afghanistan and the Mexican Border. Governor Blunt is currently serving as a lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserves.

More Funding for Cyber Crimes, Governor Pledges

Governor Blunt is recommending a quarter million dollar increase in funding specifically designated to help protect Missourians from cyber crime. The funds will support the Multi-jurisdictional Internet Cyber Crimes Task Forces and Cyber Crime Grant Program the governor created to aide law enforcement in the fight against online criminals. "In order to safeguard Missouri families we must recognize that the convenience of modern technology creates a new battle zone for criminal activity," Governor Blunt said. "We must take action to ensure law enforcement have the tools they need to protect Missourians from cyber crimes and the capabilities to track and prosecute Internet criminals and specifically target online sexual predators. I recommend we dedicate $1.5 million next year to further law enforcement’s efforts in the fight against cyber crime." The governor’s Multi-jurisdictional Internet Cyber Crimes Task Forces and Cyber Crime Grant Program, created in 2006 with the passage of Jessica’s Law, distributes funding to support detectives’ salaries, training and computer forensic personnel who focus on preventing and controlling Internet cyber crime, ultimately improving public safety. The program assists law enforcement in investigating dangerous Internet crimes, especially sex crimes exploiting children. Since its creation state funding for the program has grown from $250,000 to $1.25 million. The governor will recommend $1.5 million for the program in fiscal year 2009, a $250,000 increase over the current budget. Governor Blunt has taken the lead to protect Missourians from Internet threats. He recently announced the Governor’s Internet Harassment Task Force and charged the group with carefully reviewing state law and making recommendations for changes to better protect Missourians from Internet harassment. The group, headed by Director of Public Safety Mark James and created in the wake of Megan Meier’s senseless death, will ensure that state law has the protections and penalties needed to safeguard Missourians from Internet harassment.

More Support for Agriculture from Governor

Governor Blunt has announced he will recommend $171,000 in funding for the Missouri Branded Beef Initiative as well as funding to protect an important animal health program that is being cut by the Congress. The governor kicked off the Missouri Branded Beef Initiative at the State Fair in 2006 as an opportunity to help promote growth for Missouri cattlemen. Since then, his Agriculture Department has met with packers who are interested in processing the Missouri brand and hired a brand manager to assist in marketing.“Agriculture is the bedrock of our state’s economy and cultural heritage. Missouri farmers consistently produce high quality products that deserve to be recognized and valued as among the best in the nation,” Governor Blunt said. “We created the Missouri Branded Beef Initiative to ensure beef consumers the world over recognize the quality of Missouri beef. This year to highlight the exceptional quality of Missouri beef I will recommend we dedicate $171,000 to that initiative to continue building on the progress the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Missouri cattlemen have already made.” With the governor's recommendation, funding for the Missouri Branded Beef Initiative would go from $58,000 to $171,000, a $113,000 increase. The governor also will again intercede where Washington has cut funding, this time in regards to Johne’s disease. The disease is an intestinal bacteria infection affecting all varieties of cattle. The Missouri Voluntary Johne’s Control Program, a federal partnership, has worked to limit the effects of this disease on Missouri cattle. Washington recently cut funding to administer the program; however, Governor Blunt plans to recommend state funding to ensure there is no interruption in service for this vital animal health program. The governor said his budget will include up to $79,000 for this animal health program.

Governor Stands Up for Christmas

Following a disturbing incident recently at Missouri State University in which a campus Christmas tree was removed from Strong Hall, Governor Blunt stood up in support of celebrating Christmas. MSU President Michael Nietzel reversed the decision to remove the tree. "I was deeply troubled by MSU's decision to take down a campus Christmas tree. President Nietzel's reversal of this outrageous decision by university bureaucrats was the only proper decision, and I thank him for it," the governor said. "The historical underpinnings and meaning of Christmas cannot be ignored because some university office received a complaint." The governor issued a directive to state agencies that no state employee will be reprimanded, cautioned, or disciplined for saying "Merry Christmas" to others and recommended that MSU and all other taxpayer-supported institutions adopt his policy.

Students Decorate Capitol Christmas Tree With Governor

Governor Blunt and local second grade students this week decorated the Capitol Christmas tree with handmade ornaments. “The Capitol Christmas Tree is a wonderful reminder of the blessings of the season and the traditions of giving that accompany this time of year," Governor Blunt said. "Melanie and William Branch join me in wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year." This year’s tree is a white pine Christmas tree donated by Leroy Rood of Pea Ridge Forest Inc. in Hermann. Mr. Rood, president of the Missouri Christmas Tree Association, won the honor of providing the Capitol Christmas tree. For more than 30 years MCTA has donated Christmas trees to the Capitol.

Missouri Medicine Magazine Endorses Governor

Missouri Medicine Magazine this week endorsed Governor Blunt’s re-election because of his commitment to improving the quality of health care in Missouri. John C. Hagen III, a Kansas City ophthalmologist and editor of the magazine, criticized the liberal media for misrepresenting for the governor’s record but concluded: “No Governor in recent times has been so wholly and publically committed to the medical and health needs of Missouri citizens. No Governor has worked as effectively with the legislature to enact laws that have objectively improved the lot of Missouri’s physicians and their patients. No Governor has so enraged the tort kings and queens of the Million Dollar Judgment Roundtable.”

First Lady Announces New Award for Outstanding Women

First Lady Melanie Blunt this week announced the inaugural First Lady Awards to recognize Missouri women who are making history. Honorees in five categories will be recognized as part of Women’s History Month in March. “Missouri is home to countless women who make historic contributions every day that enhance our state and communities,” Mrs. Blunt said. “I am pleased to introduce the First Lady Awards to recognize Missouri women making a difference in our state and an impact on our history.” Five women will be honored with the First Lady Award each year. A First Lady Award will be given to an individual in each of the following categories: business and innovation; culture and humanities; education; health and wellness; and volunteerism. A committee appointed by the Missouri Women’s Council will evaluate completed and qualified nominations. The First Lady will recognize honorees on March 4, 2008, in a ceremony to celebrate Women’s History Month at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is proud to support the inaugural First Lady Awards. Nominations must be submitted by January 31, 2008. For more information and a nomination form, visit http://gov.missouri.gov/firstlady/.

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