September 22, 2010
Missouri Speaker-Elect Steven Tilley Addresses RCGA Public Policy Council
On September 17th Missouri Rep. Steven Tilley (R-Perryville), the current House Majority Leader and Speaker-Elect for the next session, spoke to the RCGA's Public Policy Council about the upcoming November elections and the 2011 legislative session.
Rep. Tilley told the Council that the theme of his Speakership will be "putting people to work", and that he would like to see the House pass a "Show-Me Solutions" jobs bill in the first 50 days of session. He also said that he will continue to defend proven economic development programs, and that it makes no sense to "unilaterally disarm" in the competition for jobs at a time when other states are expanding their programs. With regard to the legislative process, Rep. Tilley noted that the House is often frustrated that a few
Senators can stop progress on bills supported by a majority of the Senate, and recommended that options like a cloture system be explored to keep widely supported bills moving forward to passage.
When asked about the November elections, Rep. Tilley said that this Fall is a a strong political environment for Republicans, and that he is optimistic that the GOP will pick up seats in the House. He lauded the quality of Republican candidates recruited to run for State Representative, and said he is encouraged that his party is doing well in generic ballot tests conducted in swing districts around the State.
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Missouri House Majority Floor Leader Steven Tilley (left) proudly displays the RCGA Lewis & Clark Statesman Award given to him by new RCGA Public Policy Council Chair Ted Powers, Regional Director of Government Affairs for Anheuser-Busch Companies.
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RCGA lobbyist
Tricia Workman also provided the Public Policy Council with an overview
of Missouri's political landscape, including insights into the August
and November elections, expectations for next session, and legislative
leadership races. She explained that while there were more open Republican seats in the House, she would be surprised if the Majority lost seats in November because the national mood favoring Republicans is so strong. In the Missouri Senate, Workman predicted that the substantial Republican Majority would hold steady or perhaps increase slightly. She said the top State Senate races to watch are District 16 in central Missouri, District 18
in northeast Missouri, District 24 in central St. Louis, and District 34 north of Kansas City. Workman also detailed the leadership races in the General Assembly, noting that many of the contests are far from decided. Top issues that she sees arising next session include the budget, Employment Law Reform, economic development tax credit issues, workers' compensation, and the possibility of a streamlined sales tax agreement that could facilitate taxation of internet sales.
The Public Policy Council also honored and thanked its former Chair John Sondag, President of AT&T Missouri, and former Vice-Chair Tina Shannon, Legislative Representative for AmerenUE, for their years of distinguished service to the organization.
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Retiring Public Policy Council Vice-Chair Tina Shannon, Legislative Representative for AmerenUE, and Public Policy Council Chair John Sondag, President of AT&T Missouri, were congratulated for their years of service on the Council.
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About MO Rep.
Steven Tilley
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First elected to the Missouri House in 2004 (termed in 2012).
House Majority Floor Leader since 2008
House Speaker-Elect (expected to become Speaker of the House in 2011)
Chair of the Ethics Committee. Ex-officio member of all House Committees.
Represents House District 106, which includes Farmington and Perryville.
Graduate of Southeast Missouri State University (B.S.) and the University of Missouri-St. Louis School of Optometry (O.D.)
Practices Opotometry with Clarkson Eyecare in Perryville, MO
Resides with his wife and two children in Perryville.
Born in Wiesbaden, West Germany.
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Focus on Illinois: New Coalition Promotes Levee Issues
On September 8th the St. Louis Metro East Levee Issues Alliance held a news conference in Collinsville to announce its formation and discuss its mission of obtaining the time and funding necessary to bring the Metro East levees up to new federal standards. The organization is comprised of business and civic organizations, community leaders and concerned citizens from throughout the region, under the direction of being administered by the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois.
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Three years ago the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began a process to designate almost all of the American Bottom flood plain a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA),
which could have a significant detrimental impact on the 150,000 residents,
4,000 businesses and 56,000 jobs currently protected by the levees.
Negative ramifications of a SFHA designation could include expensive flood
insurance requirements and restrictions on new development.
Mark Tade (pictured right), president of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois,
stated, "With the formalization of this grassroots effort under the
umbrella of the St. Louis Metro East Levee Issues Alliance, we hope to
step up the efforts and increase the pressure on our lawmakers and the
Administration to be our partners in this process and not an impediment
to achieving our common goal -- protecting the lives, property and
economic assets in the American Bottom."
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Core Objectives of the Levee Issues Alliance
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Improve the Metro East levees through the support of efforts by the Flood Prevention Districts Council;
Eliminate the proposed designation of the levee-protected areas in the American Bottom as Special Flood Hazard Area; and
Reduce the economic damage threatened by an Special Flood Hazard Area designation.
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Corporate Sustainability is the Focus of RCGA Energy and Environmental Council Meeting
The September 15th meeting of the RCGA Energy and Environmental Council showcased the leadership of St. Louis area businesses in sustainability. The meeting was held at the global headquarters of Novus International, located at the Missouri Research Park in St. Charles. In 2009, Novus received LEED-Platinum certification for their headquarters office space. Novus is a global leader in creating science-based health and nutrition solutions for the animal agriculture industry, with clients in more than 80 countries.
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| Steve Poplawski, chair of the RCGA Energy and Environmental Council, welcomes the capacity crowd at Novus International Headquarters in St. Charles. The RCGA thanks Novus for their generous hospitality in hosting the meeting. |
Don Vondriska, project manager for Novus during the construction of the facility, said that the company's 90,000 square-foot structure reused 98% of the original building and diverted 98% of the waste during construction. The 5,000 sq. ft. of solar panels lining the roof (second largest solar array in Missouri) generates 44,835 kilowatt hours of energy a year. Novus is also seeking the top certification in the Sustainable SITES program, the first national rating system for sustainable landscapes, and is currently working on restoring
the native habitat around the Missouri Research Park. After construction was completed, 53% of native habitat was restored. Novus provides preferred parking spots for their employees who drive low-emissions and fuel-efficient cars, and plans are underway to install electric charging stations. Vondriska said that Novus is also working to construct a living building with zero-environmental impact at their research facility in Montgomery County, MO. This renovated farm will feature sustainable landscaping, waste minimization strategies and solar power. For
more information on Novus’ commitment to sustainability, click here.
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Don Vondriska of Novus explains how their facility is a living symbol of the company's strong commitment to sustainability as good business.
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During their tour of Novus, the RCGA Energy and Environment Council members saw recycled content in several office fixtures such as milk jugs, scrap aluminum used in the reception desks, yarn for carpeting and glass at coffee bar counters, and mechanized shades to adjust daylight into the office space to conserve energy.
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The second major presentation for the RCGA Energy and Environmental Council was from Gary Hughes, General Manager of the Primary Smelting Division at The Doe Run Company. He spoke about Doe Run’s new lead processing technology that will nearly eliminate emissions into the air, land and water. Doe Run manages the largest lead smelting operation in North America at their Herculeanum facility, and the new technology is under development at a pilot plant in southeast Missouri. The company, headquartered in St. Louis County, is the largest
integrated lead producer in the Western Hemisphere. Lead is an important material source for environmental sustainability, now being used for alternative energy storage in wind turbines, solar arrays and electric vehicles. Hughes told the Council that Doe Run’s proprietary new technology uses a wet chemical process to dissolve lead concentrates into solution, then extracts lead from the solution using electric current. A self-contained process, the activating solution is recycled back into the process indefinitely. Doe Run plans to invest more than $30 million into the pilot
plant and already has devoted 200,000 man-hours to research and development. Hughes said this new technology will help Missouri’s world class mining district flourish and reduce dependence on foreign sources.
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Gary Hughes, General Manager of The Doe Run Company Primary Smelting Division, holds a block of galena, the official state mineral of Missouri. For his presentation click on the below image.
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The Energy and Environment Council also learned how the Missouri Department of Natural Resources plans to spend more than $360 million of federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Andrea Kliethermes, Strategic Planning Coordinator in the Director’s Office, explained how ARRA funds were divided with $205 million for energy programs such as weatherization for low-income households, energy efficiency block grants to communities, appliance rebates, and the State Energy Program. An additional $154
million went to environmental quality improvements such as water infrastructure, diesel emissions reductions and underground tank removal. The Energize Missouri program, run by DNR's Energy Center, made $12.2 million available to industry for energy efficiency improvement grants. Missouri ranked first among all states in getting their stimulus funds directly into the projects. Kliethermes said the Department is also proud of investing $147 million in water infrastructure projects to improve wastewater plants across the state. 20% of this
funding was devoted to green infrastructure that helps reduce stormwater runoff. All stimulus funds have been obligated, and with the leverage of local Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant Programs, Missourians should be seeing environmental projects under construction in their communities throughout 2011, said Kliethermes.
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Andrea Kliethermes of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources explains how the Department allocated $360 million federal stimulus funds. To view her presentation click on the below image.
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