Worth County Community Services Offering Home Weatherization

You could qualify for Worth County CSI's free weatherization program for homes. There are limited federal funds available for this program.

Weatherization saves money by reducing energy use in households by making homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. It also has the added benefit of creating safer, healthier, and more comfortable places to live.

Homes, apartments, duplexes, and mobile homes that are rented or owned can all qualify. Landlords must give permission for services and agree to pay a small fee. Some landlords have this fee waived if the situation warrants. CSI can assist applicants in contacting their landlords.

Certain income guidelines must be met. A single person can have a yearly income of $21,660. A family of two can have an income of $29,140; family of three, $36,620; family of four, $44,100; family of five, $51,580; family of six, $59,060; family of seven, $66,540; family of eight, $74,020; each additional family member adds $7,480.

Community Services' Weatherization Assistance Program is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 with the goal of preserving and creating jobs and stimulating the economy. CSI uses their own crews or contracts the work with area businesses. Whenever possible, products are purchased from local manufacturers and suppliers. Weatherization can reduce energy consumption by as much as 25% or $450 per year.

Weatherization includes such things as repair, tune-up, or replacement of furnaces, weather stripping, replacement of old light bulbs to more efficient types, and insulation of hot water tanks, walls, floors, and attics. What will be done depends on the unique needs of each structure.

For more information, call Mary Jo Fletchall of Worth County Community Services at (660) 564-2182.

Senate Advances Extension of Unemployment Benefits for 10,000 Missourians

The Missouri Senate today voted 28-5 to advance a bill that extends unemployment benefits for Missouri families who have reached, and those nearing, the 79 week cut-off. Senators also adopted an emergency clause 28-5 meaning the extension to 99 weeks of benefits would take place immediately upon the governor’s signature. House Bill 163 was handled in the Senate by Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg. He noted that a compromise negotiated by Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, and Senate Majority Floor Leader Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, led four senators to allow a vote on the bill.

“I’m glad we were able reach a vote and move one step closer to making these extended benefits a reality for the Missouri families that rely on them in this tough economy,” Pearce said.

Dempsey said today’s vote brought five weeks of debate to an end. He said the reality of the benefits lapsing last week added pressure to move the bill forward.

“This is a real and pressing issue for more than 10,000 Missouri families now and potentially thousands more,” said Dempsey. “That is why, in the Senate, we never gave up and continued to do everything we could to get to a vote to extend the benefits.”

Mayer and Dempsey said taxpayers win with the twofold compromise that includes a commitment from them to identify and work to eliminate appropriations of $250 million of federal stimulus spending projects in Missouri.

“We all share the frustration with the federal government’s continued overspending and mounting federal deficit,” said Mayer. “But, for the majority of the Senate, we believed it was important to extend benefits for Missouri families while they continue to look for work in this great recession.”

The second part of the compromise included in an amendment to the bill reduces Missouri’s state share of initial unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 20 weeks. The amendment’s sponsor, Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, said the change does not affect current recipients of benefits.

“The federal government has spent Missouri businesses into an almost $1 billion debt,” said Kehoe. “Today we reduced the burden on businesses to offset the additional federal taxes that will be placed on Missouri businesses to pay off that debt. But more importantly, this will encourage businesses to hire and expand. I have said all along that this session is about jobs, jobs, jobs, and this amendment encourages hiring and job expansion."

The bill now returns to the House where that chamber will consider whether or not to accept changes to the bill adopted in the Senate. The House can request to go to a conference to iron out differences or choose to take up and pass the bill as amended by the Senate. Pending the House’s approval, the bill then moves to the governor’s desk for his signature.

Senate Advances Extension of Unemployment Benefits for 10,000 Missourians

Missouri families who have reached, and those nearing, the 79 week cut-off of extended unemployment benefits are one step closer to seeing those benefits continued to 99 weeks thanks to a compromise that led four senators to allow House Bill 163 to advance. Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, and Senate Majority Floor Leader Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, led the negotiations.

“We all share the frustration with the federal government’s continued overspending and mounting federal deficit,” said Mayer. “But, for the majority of the Senate, we believed it was important to extend benefits for Missouri families while they continue to look for work in this great recession.”

Mayer and Dempsey said the twofold compromise included a commitment from them and Senate Appropriations Chairman Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, to identify and work to eliminate the appropriations of $250 million of federal stimulus spending projects in Missouri.

“We have made a commitment to look at re-appropriations in the governor’s budget recommendations for House Bill 18 and identify ways we can truly reduce the spending of federal stimulus dollars in Missouri,” said Mayer.

The second part of the compromise added Senate Amendment 2 to the bill, which was adopted on a voice vote. The amendment reduces Missouri’s state share of initial unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to 20 weeks. The amendment’s sponsor, Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, said the change does not affect current recipients of benefits.

“The federal government has spent Missouri businesses into an almost $1 billion debt,” said Kehoe. “Today we reduced the burden on businesses to offset the additional federal taxes that will be placed on Missouri businesses to pay-off that debt. But more importantly, this will encourage businesses to hire and expand. I have said all along that this session is about jobs, jobs, jobs, and this amendment encourages hiring and job expansion."

Dempsey had brought the bill up for debate three times prior to today’s debate. He said the reality of the benefits lapsing added pressure to reach a resolution.

“This is a real and pressing issue for more than 10,000 Missouri families now and potentially thousands more,” said Dempsey. “That is why, in the Senate, we never gave up and continued to do everything we could to get to a vote to extend the benefits. Today, that work paid off and these families are one step closer to receiving their benefits.”

A hearing is scheduled Monday in the Senate Ways and Means and Fiscal Oversight Committee. From there, the bill would return to the Senate floor for a vote. Upon approval, it returns to the House where that chamber will consider whether or not to accept changes to the bill adopted in the Senate. The House can request to go to a conference to iron out differences or choose to take up and pass the bill as amended by the Senate. Pending the House’s approval, the bill then moves to the governor’s desk for his signature.

Senator Roy Blunt: President Breaks Promises on Stimulus

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today marking the second anniversary of the passage of President Barack Obama’s $816 billion stimulus:

“As we mark the second anniversary of the passage of President Obama's so-called stimulus plan, it's clear the President’s pledges about this taxpayer-funded spending were not pledges that could be kept.

"Instead, our children and grandchildren are now saddled with over $800 billion in new debt thanks to this massive spending bill, which failed to reduce skyrocketing unemployment and failed to focus on much-needed private sector job creation nationwide.

“There must be a better way. Moving forward, we must focus on creating real sustainable jobs, spending less money, and letting the private sector grow."