Nov 29

Protecting Children In Crisis: Foster Care and Mental Health First Aid in Missouri

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November 29, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – Too many tragic situations and too few adults who are ready to help.

That’s essentially the story when it comes to Missouri’s foster care system right now. Around 13,000 young people are in foster care in the state at this point and the public-private partnership that cares for them is in need of more qualified Missourians to open their hearts and homes.

Melanie Scheetz is with the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition, which is one of the private partners helping the state’s social service workers through foster care. She describes some of the circumstances that lead to children being removed from their homes and put into foster care. She also explains why the goal is always to reunite the child with their family if at all possible.

More importantly, Scheetz gives us an overview of how you can help even if you’re not ready or able to become a foster parent.

Also, we all know the importance of learning life-saving first aid because those skills could save a life when a heart attack, serious injury, choking  or weather-related condition happens. The Red Cross does a fantastic job of training life savers throughout Missouri and America year around. So, why do so few people know that Mental Health First Aid training exists and is available as well? That, too, could equip you to save a life when there’s a mental health crisis. Like physical first aid, mental health first aid provides the skills to help stabilize a dangerous situation until professionals can take over.

For young people, a mental health crisis too often ends in suicide or harm to others around them.

Jermine Alberty is a Mental Health First Aid trainer and the principal consultant with SALT Initiatives.

He busts some of the myths associated with mental health and mental illness and provides the information you need to get ready in case you encounter a young person in crisis.

On the web:

Missouri Department of Social Services – Foster Care

Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition

Mental Health First Aid – Missouri

SALT Initiatives

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Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/protecting-children-in-crisis-foster-care-and-mental-health-first-aid-in-missouri/

Nov 22

Light Up, Pay Up More? The Effort To Raise Taxes On Tobacco In Missouri

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November 22, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – Missouri has the lowest sales tax on tobacco in America and, so far, voters have made sure to keep it that way.

In recent years, Missourians have turned down three different proposals to increase taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products. That’s not deterring some groups from trying again. Multiple efforts are underway to put different tobacco tax proposals on the ballot in 2016. We highlighted one of those earlier this year. Click here to hear from a supporter and an opponent of the “Raise Your Hand For Kids” tax increase effort.

Now, a previous opponent of efforts to hike taxes on tobacco is now promoting their own proposals to do just that.

Ron Leone (below, left) from the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association explains why they aren’t just behind the concept this year, they are actually proposing a couple versions of an initiative that would increase the tax.

His primary complaint about past proposals is that they were, in his opinion, excessive. His organization’s proposals are lower than what’s been on the ballot in previous years. One of their proposals would direct the funds towards highways and transportation needs in the state. The other would add to the general revenue the state government takes in each year.

Patrick Werner from Americans for Prosperity (below, right) has a different take on the approach. He calls for further reductions in spending and business-friendly reforms if lawmakers want to increase spending on children’s programs (as called for in the “Raise Your Hand” campaign) or for transportation or any other need.

On the web:

Americans For Prosperity – Missouri

Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association

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Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/light-up-pay-up-more-the-effort-to-raise-taxes-on-tobacco-in-missouri/

Nov 15

Dollars, Sense, Small Business and Unions: What’s Next For Missouri’s Economy?

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November 15, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – “Right To Work”, “Paycheck Protection” or what opponents call “Paycheck Deception”, the minimum wage, court reforms and even the number of lawmakers we elect to write laws in Jefferson City. This week, we get viewpoints on those from the small business community and from organized labor in Missouri.

“Right To Work” has made gains in the Missouri Legislature over the past couple years and it will very likely be debated again. That will have an impact on both the politics of the Legislative Session and on the 2016 elections.

Brad Jones (below, left) is the President of Missouri’s branch of the National Federation of Independent Business and Mike Louis (below, right) is the President of the Missouri AFL-CIO. They offer very different views on the decisions that will impact your wallet in 2016. Jones says many small businesses work on such slim margins that attempts to unionize their shops could put many out of business. Louis disagrees and says unions only want higher wagers and more robust benefits for workers, not to put employers out of business.

Both discuss efforts to increase the minimum wage in Missouri as well. Right now, multiple petitions are being promoted to put a minimum wage increase on the statewide ballot.

When asked about other priorities for 2016, Jones says his group wants to see more protections in the courtroom through legal reforms. Louis mentions a proposal that would actually decrease the number of state lawmakers in the State Legislature, which is currently dominated by Republicans.

On the web:

National Federation of Independent Business – Missouri branch

Missouri AFL-CIO

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Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/dollars-sense-small-business-and-unions-whats-next-for-missouris-economy/

Nov 08

The Ferguson Commission Report: A Free Market-Based Response

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November 8, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – By the end of 2015, the Ferguson Commission will dissolve and its work will officially be done. That’s by design. The working group was appointed and funded by Governor Jay Nixon following the turmoil in Ferguson and other areas of St. Louis after the shooting death of Michael Brown by a police officer.

Efforts to make changes will continue after the Commission finishes its official duties. The Ferguson Commission Report is a series of recommendations to change laws and increase some government programs. While the discussion began with a focus on Ferguson, everyone in Missouri will be impacted in some way if State Lawmakers follow the suggestions. Supporters say the goal is to address the underlying tensions and issues that contributed to the protests that put Ferguson on worldwide television.

Dr. Rachel Douchant of Lindenwood University’s Liberty & Ethics Center (part of the Hammond Institute for Free Enterprise) explains why she feels there is a better response to healing communities – like Ferguson, MO – that have been damaged by unrest and violence.

She believes that an approach based on free markets and less regulation is a better option than one led by increased government through programs, laws and spending.

Also, Andrew Wilson from the Show Me Institute* responds to the policy recommendations in the Ferguson Commission Report.

NOTE: Multiple invitations have been extended to the Ferguson Commission to have a Commissioner appear on “Missouri Viewpoints” to speak in support of the Report. To date, the Commission has not scheduled a representative to be on the program.

On the web:

The Ferguson Commission & The Ferguson Commission Report

The Liberty and Ethics Center

The Show Me Institute

* The Show Me Institute is a sponsor of “Missouri Viewpoints”

 

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/the-ferguson-commission-report-a-free-market-based-response/

Nov 01

Your Money, Your Identity & Your Reputation: How To Protect Yourself

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November 1, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) The holiday season is upon us. That often means our hearts and wallets are more open as we are more giving this time of year.

Unfortunately, con artists and thieves are counting on that and they are counting on us not being careful to protect ourselves and our money.

Better Business Bureau investigator Bill Smith provides updates on the common scams used during the holiday season. He also provides advice on protecting your money, identity and for making sure your donations go to legitimate charities.

Also, AT&T Missouri President John Sondag* explains apps and other tools that are available to protect people – especially young people – from potential danger on social media.

On the web:

Better Business Bureau

AT&T Missouri

* ATT Missouri is a sponsor of “Missouri Viewpoints”

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/your-money-your-identity-your-reputation-how-to-protect-yourself/

Oct 25

Criminal Justice and Embryo Defense: The Legal Challenges of 2015 in Missouri

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October 25, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – “…if you cannot afford and attorney, one will be provided for you…”

From watching police shows like “COPS“, we’ve all heard that part of the Miranda Warning that’s read to criminal suspects after an arrest. If they cannot afford a lawyer, the suspects’ legal counsel comes from the state’s Public Defender office.

State Public Defender Michael Barrett (below, left) says they need more lawyers because the case load is too high to effectively handle right now. Barrett also says everyone should be concerned about that even if you’ve never been on the wrong side of an arrest.

Also, one court battle in Missouri could affect the entire nation.

Jasha McQueen’s (below, right) marriage has ended but some embryos she and her now ex husband had frozen remain. She wants to keep them and he does not. Among the challenges before the courts is the fact that very little law is written now to address this situation.

Is it a pro-life/pro-choice conflict? Is it a custody dispute? Is the situation a matter of divorce-related marital property?

The ruling here could set precedent nationwide. McQueen has founded Embryo Defense as a result of the case. She discusses what’s at stake and why everyone should be informed about this emerging science and area of law.

On the web:

Missouri State Public Defender’s Office

Embryo Defense

Michael Barrett DirectorJasha

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/criminal-justice-and-embryo-defense-the-legal-challenges-of-2015-in-missouri/

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