The Capitol Reeppoor tt

201 W. Capitol Avenue Room 116A-2 Jefferson City, MO 65101

E-mail: mazzie.boyd@house.mo.gov

573-751-4285

To the Great Constituents of District 2,

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.

-Robert Louis Stevenson

This week went by extremely fast due to Presidents Day. The House approved and sent two bills HB 417 and HB 640 & 729 on to the Senate.

HB 417 would allow the Department of Economic Development to award grants to qualifying employers for each employee or prospective employee who obtains upskill credentials. Credentials that could be eligible under the program include manufacturing technology, cybersecurity, blueprint reading, medical assistants, pharmacy technician and medical records coding. Under the bill, the department could award up to $6 million per fiscal year for upskill training. Each employer could receive up to $2,000 for each employee who obtains upskill credentials. The bill would cap the total an employer could receive at $30,000 per fiscal year. This bill also ensures the funding, which is subject to appropriation, is distributed evenly among small, medium, and large employers. It would reserve one-third of the funding for heaving, the repeated freezing and thawing that causes the water in the soil to expand and contrast therefore pushing some plants out of the ground. small businesses with up to 50 employees and another third for medium employers with 51 to 200 employees. Any amount that is reserved and not awarded by March 1 of the fiscal year would be issued to any qualifying employer eligible for an award.

Snow is a slow-release source of moisture for plants. As the snow melts, it soaks into the soil deeply and thoroughly. Snow is beneficial for flower beds and raised bed gardens for the same reason - the soil gets a good soaking.

There are drawbacks to plants from snow too. Heavy snows can damage tree and shrub branches. The increased weight can cause branches to break especially evergreen species. It is a good idea to gently shake the snow off the branches to help prevent any damage. Freezing precipitation is not so good for trees and shrubs.

HB 640 & 729 helps Kansas City Police Department attract and retain the very best law enforcement personnel by offering better pay to officers and the Chief of Police. The legislation would eliminate the current authorized salary ceiling for the Kansas City police chief and allow the Board of Police Commissioners to establish a salary ceiling by resolution. The bill would also eliminate the existing salary ceilings for police officers, computed according to rank, and empower the board to use the salary minimums as a base in pay ranges for officers in crafting their comprehensive pay schedule program.

Last week, I filed a bill, HB 1159, which would prohibit the state librarian from disbursing funds to libraries that offer obscene/pornographic materials to children. We have to protect children’s in- nocence at all costs. My bill would also allow the general revenue fund that the Secretary of State disburses to public libraries to be used for maintenance and repair of library facilities. I think this will be a HUGE help to our small libraries that struggle with the maintenance of their buildings.

Ice and freezing rain have a lot of weight causing branches to break. It is best not to remove ice from plants, that can damage them more, just let the ice melt.

The next time we are unhappy or inconvenienced by snow, remember snow benefits plants in several ways. Someone recently told me she had always heard that snow brought Nitrogen to the soil surface. She is right, there is N in snow. However, it is a complex subject with many variables. It can be more beneficial in some area than others and can be harmful to some ecosystems. You can find more information at the National Atmospheric Deposition Program website.

It's a pleasure to serve and as always if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at (573) 751-4285 or email me at Mazzie.Boyd@ house.mo.gov.

Some of the things I have helped people navigate this year have been:

Helping with Unclaimed Property

Finding Income Taxes

Dealing with License/Titling Information

Helping Navigate the Department of Transportation

Helping with Unemployment Benefits

It's a pleasure to serve and as always if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at (573) 751-4285 or email me at Mazzie.Boyd@house.mo.gov.

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In honor of Black History Month, North Central Missouri College spotlights student Gerald Gittens. Gerald is a second-year student from Brooklyn, New York, and will graduate in May with his Associate in Arts degree. After graduation, Gerald will transfer to a four-year institution to get his bachelor’s in business administration and continue to play basketball.

When asked what Black History Month means to him, Gerald said, “It’s a great way to honor black people that paved the way for my generation and the world as it is today. I like that everyone, regardless of race, can be celebrated in today's world, and we all intertwine.” Gerald went on to say, “It’s an honor to be black. Knowing what our ancestors went through and continuing to share my culture with others freely is nice.”

Coming from New York, Gerald often shares his culture with others. Gerald said, “The clothes I wear, how I act, and when they know where I’m from, people ask me questions about the differences in cul- ture, and it’s a good way to share with others where I’m from. I enjoy meeting different people, and we all get along well together.”

At NCMC, Gerald plays for the Pirates Basketball team and lives on campus in the residence halls.

When asked why he chose NCMC, he said, “I like the small-town living, and it is comfortable. It has helped me stay focused and on track for my education and athletic career.” He went on to say, “At NCMC, everyone knows everyone and has a good relationship. I like to one-to-one attention from faculty and staff.”

Gerald’s favorite class is Business Communication with Instructor Sarah Bird.

Gerald said, “The class is really versatile, and we hear real-life applications to what we are learning.”

Black History Month is observed each February and pays tribute to generations of African Americans and their contributions to civilization. To learn more about Black History Month, visit https://blackhistorymonth.gov/

North Central Missouri College recognizes, uplifts, and amplifies the voices of our students and celebrates their unique heritages. To learn more about NCMC's Diversity and Inclusion efforts, visit https://www.ncmissouri.ed u/ or contact NCMC at 660-359-3948.