Jan 11

Business And Labor: Two Views On The 2015 Missouri Legislative Session

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January 11, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – When it comes to jobs and your paycheck, what happens in the State Capitol could impact you. Business groups and organized labor are already hard at work trying to influence lawmakers in the Legislative Session that is just days underway.MWSnap043

Associated Industries of Missouri President Ray McCarty wants state lawmakers to work on ways to push back against Washington DC lawmakers and bureaucracies, especially when it comes to new ozone and carbon emissions regulations that he believes will harm Missouri’s economy. Among his concerns is that new regulations will increase the cost of power and regulations that could limit the ability of business to expand in certain areas if emissions are deemed too high regionally.

Another proposal that’s likely to make headlines this year isn’t new but may have new life because of an increased number of Republicans in both legislative chambers. McCarty sees that as an opportunity to pass a so-called “Right To Work” law, which would outlaw the practice of requiring union membership for employment.MWSnap044

Joe Mueller is a business agent with the AFL-CIO affiliated Painters and Tapers Union. He says it’s obvious that organized labor has an uphill battle in this year’s political environment but says that won’t stop unions and union supporters from continuing to fight the idea.

To keep a “Right To Work” law off the books, organized labor will have to gain the support of several Republicans. The GOP has a larger veto-proof majority in 2015 than they had in 2014, when Republicans overrode a record number of vetoes. Still, the idea has been proposed in previous years but Missouri is still not a “Right To Work” state.

McCarty and other supporters of “Right To Work” laws say it’s about employer and employee choice and would help the state by attracting more businesses. Mueller and other opponents of the idea say it’s union busting and would harm the state’s economy by reducing take-home pay for workers.

On the web:

Associated Industries of Missouri: www.AIMO.com

Painters and Tapers Union – Missouri: http://www.iupat.org/pages/about/contact-us/MO

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/business-and-labor-two-views-on-the-2015-missouri-legislative-session/

Jan 04

Back To Work In Jefferson City: A Look At The 2015 Legislative Session

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January 4, 2015

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – The 2015 Missouri Legislative Session is just days away and, in some ways, the issues will sound familiar because they’ve been debated before.

In other ways, there will be new debates.

Among the issues making a return to the attention of lawmakers is the push to expand Medicaid in the state. The Missouri Budget Project’s Jay Hardenbrook says he hopes to see a compromise bill passed after the idea has been rejected in past Legislative Sessions.MWSnap040

That plan involved the federal government picking up the tab for expansion for three years and then covering most of the cost after that. Republican leaders have already indicated the proposal is unlikely to pass this year.

State Rep. Paul Curtman (R) is among those who are not in favor of expansion but says more of those who need some kind of help could get it through increased efforts to root out fraud and waste. To him, it’s a matter of not expanding government reach into healthcare.

Tax policy and transportation/infrastructure funding are among the issues discussed on “Missouri Viewpoints” this week – before they are discussed in the state Capitol.

On the web:

Missouri Budget Project: www.MOBudget.org

Rep. Paul Curtman: www.paulcurtman.com/

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/back-to-work-in-jefferson-city-a-look-at-the-2015-legislative-session/

Dec 28

Focus On Veterans In Missouri 2014

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December 28, 2014

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – They serve our nation even at the risk to their own lives.

Many veterans of the armed forces continue to serve after their active duty ends through organizations like the American Legion. In Missouri, the Legion is active throughout the state providing services to veterans, their families and through service to local communities through sports and youth programs.MWSnap038

This week, John Buckwalter from the American Legion’s Department of Missouri branch explains what the organization does, the impact they have and why it’s important to the entire state. Buckwalter is the Zone 1 Vice Commander.

Also, too often, those returning from active duty find readjusting to civilian life harder than expected. Homelessness among veterans happens throughout the state. In Columbia, there’s an effort to find homeless vets, get them back on their feet and help them build a productive life after hanging up the uniform.

Ross Bridges, a Marine Corps veteran, is the Board President of Welcome Home, Inc. which is making a difference in the lives of many veterans each year.MWSnap039

He explains the emotional challenges some veterans face, why their program works, why it’s important to support veterans after active duty and why the entire state benefits from helping veterans in need. The Veterans United Foundation provides a special video report on this effort as well.

On the web:

American Legion in Missouri: http://www.missourilegion.org/

Welcome Home, Inc.: http://welcomehomelessveterans.org/

Veterans United Foundation: http://www.veteransunited.com/about/foundation/

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/focus-on-veterans-in-missouri-2014/

Dec 21

Ferguson, Protests, Race and the Big Question: Where Does Missouri Go From Here?

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December 21, 2014

* note: this program was recorded prior to the tragic shooting deaths of two New York City Police officers on December 20th.

By Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – To some, it’s a demand for justice and anger in response to both racism and a corrupt judicial system. To others, it’s senseless violence, anarchy and a show of support for criminals who fought with police and lost their lives as a result.

Regardless of the perspective one has toward the recent events following the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Tamir Rice, the impact of the divides within our culture and state impact everyone.MWSnap036

This week, On Point! Communications President Patricia Washington, who is also the Communications Director for the Office of the St. Louis County Executive and Move On Up founder Christopher Arps offer differing perspectives on the protest tactics and what needs to be done to bring peace, healing and public safety to a better level.

While Washington isn’t officially speaking for the County Executive’s Office during this interview, she says critics of the protests should work harder to understand the emotions and the reasons for choosing tactics that disrupt the lives of others by forcing temporary closures of shopping malls, highways and even government buildings.

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She also takes issue with the way the media has – and continues to – portray the Ferguson community and related protests.

Arps disagrees with Washington when it comes to the protest tactics being used. He also believes healing, culturally and personally for those involved, cannot rely only on governmental changes. He discusses a faith-based effort that’s in the organizing stage right now that he hopes will do what political and legal conflicts cannot.

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/ferguson-protests-race-and-the-big-question-where-does-missouri-go-from-here/

Dec 14

The Holidays And Mental Health

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December 14, 2014

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – It’s easy and common to say things like “this time of year drives me crazy!”. No one means any offense by that and, while “crazy” isn’t the right word to describe it, many people struggle emotionally this time of year.

According to the Missouri Institute of Mental Health’s Andrea Purnell, there is one myth that needs to be busted about this time of year. Suicides do not go up during the holiday season. She says there is usually an uptick in suicides in January, though.MWSnap033

With the pressures of keeping up with family gatherings, social parties, events at church and your children’s school and with trying to fit in gift-buying while balancing year-end work demands, the holiday season is a time when stressors can make mental or emotional health challenges more painful.

For some, according to Purnell, it can be a time of struggling with recent relationship breakups or the absence of a loved one who has passed away. It can also be difficult when TV commercials, shows and movies all highlight happy ending love stories and family unity when so many do not have that in their lives.

Purnell offers advice on how to spot struggles that are more than just stress-related holiday blues and how to help.

Also, this time of year can be particularly hard on children of parents who have separated or divorced. While parents may look at scheduling some time in one home and some time in the other as fair to Mom and Dad, it can have an impact on the kids that parents don’t often see.MWSnap034

In many cases, mix in the common addition of a step parent and step siblings, and conflict, loneliness and depression can become more possible in young people.

Often, they won’t ask for help.

Jane Gavril from the Crider Center explains why the holidays are sometimes harder on children than other times of year and how parents – even if no longer together – can work to make the season as fun and healthy for everyone as possible.

On the web:

Missouri Institute of Mental Health: https://www.mimh.edu/

Crider Center: http://cridercenter.org/

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/the-holidays-and-mental-health/

Dec 07

Working To Stop Distracted Driving In Missouri

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December 7, 2014

by Mike Ferguson

(St. Charles, MO) – We know we shouldn’t do it but most of us do, anyway. And our teenagers do it, too.

When the phone alerts us to a text, Tweet or message on Facebook or Instagram, we pick it up and check it out sometimes, even if we are driving at the time.

For most of us in Missouri, that’s perfectly legal right now. State Rep. Keith English (D) wants to change that. Right now, the law bans those under 21 from texting and driving (or otherwise using a mobile device while behind the wheel). He wants that expanded to include everyone and he is proposing a bill to allow police to pull you over if they see you doing it.MWSnap029

The idea has been introduced to the State Legislature before and has had little support. English says he hopes to find more support from both parties this year but, even if the bill doesn’t get passed, he hopes the news coverage of the idea reminds us all to focus on the road instead of our phone or iPod.

Efforts to stop distracted driving are not only being made in the halls of government. AT&T Missouri* President John Sondag says his company, along with some other mobile providers, are renewing their “It Can Wait” campaign that raises awareness of distracted driving. AT&T offers a free mobile app that, when downloaded and activated, would put your phone into a “Drive Safe Mode”.MWSnap030

Once your vehicle reaches a certain speed, the app blocks incoming calls, messages and other alerts. It automatically sends a reply to those who message you, saying you are currently driving and will see the message when you are no longer operating the vehicle.

The app is available through most app stores or through ATT.com. It can be downloaded by anyone, no matter which mobile provider you use for your phone service.

On the web:

Rep. Keith English: http://www.keithenglishformo.com/

AT&T: www.ATT.com

* AT&T is a sponsor of “Missouri Viewpoints”

Permanent link to this article: http://americanviewpoints.tv/working-to-stop-distracted-driving-in-missouri/

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