(Missourinet) – Programs like training shelter dogs, growing produce for food pantries and making items for classrooms aim to instill compassion and responsibility in Missouri prisoners.

The Restorative Justice programs are offered to some of the 30,000 offenders within Missouri’s 21 prisons.

State Department of Corrections Director George Lombardi said inmates consider these programs a privilege.

“I believe that compassion will make them (prisoners) think twice about committing a crime if they really believe in their soul and in their heart that they have empathy for other people,” Lombardi said.

More than 2,000 inmates in Missouri’s prison system have been obedience trainers for shelter dogs. Lombardi believes “Puppies for Parole” is the most transformative program within the state’s prisons, for the inmates and for the dogs.

“The recidivism rate for those people is much lower than any other inmates,” Lombardi said.

If it wasn’t for the program, many of these dogs once considered unadoptable faced being put to sleep. The department recently celebrated it 4,000th dog adoption.

Lombardi said Missouri has the largest dog obedience training program of any correctional system in the U.S.

Inmates are on track to give nearly 100 tons of produce to more than 80 food pantries throughout the state this year.

“It’s amazing and a lot of the pantries have come to depend on the produce from us,” Lombardi said.

Nearly all of Missouri’s prisons have gardens. Seeds are donated to the state’s prisons to grow the produce.

Inmates have also made about $1 million worth of school supplies like flash cards and coloring books for teachers in some of the state’s poor districts. The raw materials are also donated to the Department of Corrections.

(Missourinet) – A federal agency has fined a national retailer over flagrant violations at one of its southeastern Missouri stores.

Since 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has identified more than 100 infractions at Dollar General stores nationwide.

Last month, an inspection of a location in Van Buren revealed blocked exits and other hazards.  The agency issued several citations and the store now faces fines totaling almost $98,000.

Scott Allen with OSHA calls Dollar General’s violations totally unacceptable.

“I don’t know what they’re doing” said Allen. “If they’re putting profit before the safety and concern of their workers, it’s just a sad situation. I’d hate to see something tragic happen because their careless disregard for safety and health of their workers.”

Allen also noted the retailer has a track record of infractions nationwide.

“Unfortunately, Dollar General does have a history of being sloppy and disregarding the safety and welfare of their workers and their customers,” Allen said. “This type of situation is absolutely unacceptable when they put workers and customers in jeopardy for no reason at all.”

A call to Dollar General’s corporate headquarters was not returned.  A person identifying himself as the manager at the Van Buren location said the violations were addressed and the store had since been in compliance with federal law.

The company has 15 days to respond to OSHA’s proposed fines.  It can pay the penalties, request a settlement conference to have the fines reduced, or contest the infractions before the independent Occupational Safety Health Review Commission.

OSHA is a federal agency under U.S. Department of Labor.

Dollar General is headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.  It operates 12,000 stores in 43 states and employs about 100,000 people.  Its fiscal 2015 sales totaled $20.4 billion.

(Missourinet) – The court-ordered special primary election between State Rep. Penny Hubbard (D-St. Louis) and challenger Bruce Franks has been set for next Friday, September 16, and it leaves no room for error.

A judge said the St. Louis City Board of Elections didn’t follow the rules for absentee voting in the August primary, and now voters will again have to choose between Hubbard and Franks on the 16th. However, that leaves only seven days for those votes to be certified before absentee ballots for the November general election are mailed out on September 23.

Franks had challenged the August vote that put Hubbard as the winner by only 90 votes, all of which and more – 142 to be exact – were absentee ballots, which had been cast in person and were not in the required envelopes. Franks accuses Rep. Hubbard of voter fraud, but the judge placed the blame squarely on the Election Commission.

Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander (D) has told the St. Louis Election Commission that he’ll make sure his office certifies the votes as soon as possible.

Hubbard is seeking her fourth term in the Missouri House. She was first elected to the House in 2010, and is finishing her sixth year in Jefferson City. The district includes parts of north and south St. Louis, as well as part of downtown.

(Missourinet) – Members of Missouri’s Human Trafficking Task Force say their mission is to raise awareness of the trafficking problem in the Show-Me State. Lawmakers who serve on the task force describe the issue as a “rapidly-growing” criminal industry.

The Human Trafficking Task Force meets Wednesday afternoon at 1 at Mehlville High School, near St. Louis. State Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) chairs the task force.

“And our goal is just to be there, whoever wants to come testify, to provide us with information and give us their input on what we need to do as a Legislature, what the state of Missouri needs to do in order to move forward on this issue,” Haahr said.

Haahr tells Missourinet they aim to get input from three different perspectives. One is from law enforcement.

“Two, people that helped bring the victims out of trafficking and what things they need from the state of Missouri. And then three, the traffic victims themselves,” Haahr said.

The task force will submit a report and recommendations to the Legislature by January 1.

“So these hearings outside of our legislative session give us that opportunity to really refine the pitch that we need, the legislation that we want to offer and to maximize whatever time we’re spending during the legislative session on it,” Haahr said.

He describes the task force work as bipartisan, noting he’s worked closely on the issue with Senate Democratic Leader Gina Walsh (D-Bellefontaine Neighbors). Haahr has also worked closely with State Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake St. Louis) and State Rep. Cloria Brown (R-St. Louis County). Haahr describes Brown as “important part of this Committee”, saying she’s pushed to get perspective from south St. Louis County. Brown’s district includes the Mehlville area.

The task force held hearings last year in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield. They’ll hold another hearing later this month in Columbia.

(Missourinet) – State Representative Tony Dugger’s resignation could impact the fate of legislation he’s championed.

The term limited Hartville Republican left office shortly before a new statute went into effect requiring former lawmakers to wait six months before returning to the Capitol as lobbyists.

At the time, Dugger said he wanted to keep his employment options open. But his most prized achievement will require a legislative override in the upcoming veto session.

“I think probably my biggest accomplishment that I’ve worked on my entire time in the House is the photo ID to vote bill, which I was able to get done this year,” Dugger said. “And it will be on the November ballot.”

But to go before voters this year, the legislature must override Governor Jay Nixon’s veto of the legislation. The photo ID law passed with a veto proof number of Republicans voting for it in the House. But two GOP members, including Dugger have since resigned, complicating its future.

Fellow Republican Kevin Engler of Farmington can’t explain why Dugger would vacate his office before the override vote.

“That’s his decision he has to make that he doesn’t think that it’s worthy enough position that he would stay long enough to vote for it,” Engler said.

Engler says people who run for office “should continue” their term. He also questions the need for lawmakers to resign early to avoid the new six month waiting period to lobby in the legislature.

“He (Dugger) could wait (to resign) until after veto session and not become a lobbyist until February, so what,” Engler said. “Anybody that really would want to hire you in January when there’s hardly anything happening during the inauguration period and the setting up of the committees, surely would hire you in February or March”.

Another Republican House member, Travis Fitzwater of Holt Summit, contends Governor Nixon’s veto of the Photo ID law will be easily overridden.  After the two resignations, Republicans still hold a commanding 114-45-1 majority in the House. 109 votes are required in the chamber to override vetoes. Fitzwater tweeted late Friday to Missourinet, “It was truly agreed/finally passed with 112 votes on May 4th in House with 11 absent.  I believe it will be overridden.”

The legislation requires voters to present a photo ID at polling places before voting. Those who don’t are still allowed to cast a provisional ballot. Proponents of the measure who are mostly Republicans claim it will prevent voter fraud.  Democrats who opposed it claim voter fraud effectively doesn’t exist, and say it would disenfranchise elderly, disabled and minority voters. A similar law in North Carolina was struck down by a federal court.

(Missourinet) – A new poll says about 86% of Missouri voters support a permit requirement for those who are allowed to carry a concealed gun in public.

Kevin Ahlbrand with the Fraternal Order of Police supports that requirement. State lawmakers plan to attempt a veto override next month on a bill that would eliminate Missouri sheriff departments’ power to decide who can carry concealed.

“Last year, over 1,700 applications were turned down by sheriffs. So, there are people who the local sheriffs obviously think should not be able to carry a concealed weapon that if this override passes, will be able to the next day,” Ahlbrand said. “If this override goes into effect, the sheriffs will have no say in virtually anyone that does not have a felony conviction will be allowed to carry a firearm concealed in Missouri.”

The poll was conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Missouri chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Everytown says the results of the poll included residents of gun-owning households, which made up more than half of all respondents.

The poll also indicates that 63% of Missouri voters would be less likely to vote for a candidate who voted to eliminate Missouri’s permitting requirement.

“I believe this will be a huge officer safety and public safety issue. I think if this passes, we’ll have the most liberal gun laws in the country. Certainly, there’s a difference between the urban and the rural settings,” Ahlbrand said.

In a statement from Senator Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown), the sponsor of the measure, he says the bill will better protect Missourians.

“I am not surprised by the lack of transparency in this poll, resulting in sensationalizing inaccurate and misleading information,” Munzlinger said. “I, like millions of my fellow Missouri gun owners, don’t need an inaccurate poll paid for a New York City Billionaire who like Jay Nixon, supports Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama’s desire to disarm Americans and more specifically my fellow Missourians, to tell me that overriding Jay Nixon’s veto of SB656 is the right thing to do.”

Munzlinger represents northeast and north-central Missouri.

The legislature’s veto session starts September 14.

(Missourinet) – This year’s Missouri governor race is one of the most intensely followed statewide elections in the country with vast amounts of money pouring in.

The contest is being driven by national business and labor groups which are locked in a battle over collective bargaining.

If Republican Eric Greitens is elected, many think Missouri will become a “Right to Work” state, meaning unions will be barred from requiring workers to pay dues as a condition for employment.

Dan Mehan with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce contends “Right to Work” status will revive the state’s lagging productivity.

“From 2004 to 2014, we were 42nd in job growth, 43rd in state GDP and 37th in per capita income increase,” Mehan said. “Those are the facts.  That’s what we’re trying to change.”

Mehan further contends the state would benefit from an improved economy with a “Right to Work” law.

“We believe that that would help our job creation, that that would help our opportunities to thrive in the state of Missouri,” Mehan said. “We’ve seen it happen in other states. States that get it right are flourishing. States that don’t, won’t”.

Democratic State Senator Gina Walsh said she thinks Right to Work laws are an attack on labor. She also claims they have no impact on business decisions.

“We’ve never had a major manufacturing company, or a big production company, come in here and say ‘We didn’t come to Missouri because you’re not a right to work state.’ Not one,” Walsh said.

Walsh further says large Missouri based corporations haven’t appeared in front of lawmakers asking for Right to Work legislation.

“None of our big players, I’ve never heard Anheuser-Busch come and testify for these bills, or any of the utilities.  You just don’t see it,” Walsh said.

Democrat Chris Koster, who’s received over $5 million in campaign funding from labor groups, had a double-digit lead over Greitens in recent polling.

Mehan with the Missouri Chamber thinks the gubernatorial race will be the most expensive election for a state office ever.

“You’ll see national money come. You’ll see both sides dig in extremely deeply and fight it out,” Mehan said.

Mehan thinks $40 million could end up being spent on the race.

(Missourinet) – The Missouri Department of Transportation is gearing up for winter with the hiring of seasonal workers.

The agency plans to bring in up to 700 new employees who will assist with storm response and other operations performed in cold weather months.

Becky Allmeroth with MoDOT is concerned drivers will have more difficulty navigating snowy roads in the coming months after last year’s light winter.  She said the department normally does a good job of letting the public know what to expect, but the unpredictability of storms in the state creates challenges.

“We have storms that’ll come in where its 32 degrees and we’ll have 6 inches of snow, but it’s wet and easy to plow off. And then we have other storms that’ll come in where we have half an inch of snow, but its 15 degrees and our salt’s not working,” Allmeroth said. “That’s the biggest thing for us is just the fluctuations and the storms and the seasons.”

Allmeroth said predictions change on short notice in the state because the Rocky Mountains often throw storms off of their path, while the Missouri and Mississippi rivers can change their trajectory as well.

Allmeroth notes the agency is also starting to closely monitor long range forecasts.

“It’s looking like it’s going to be a cold winter for us, but average precipitation,” Allmeroth said. “For us, having an average, typical winter would be a blessing.”

Allmeroth also hopes there won’t be a repeat of three years ago when 30 inches of snow pounded the state.

“It was so, so bitterly cold,” Allmeroth said. “We had several storms that we were fighting that year where the temperatures dipped below zero. And once they dip below zero, none of our chemicals work and we were having salt and some of our chemicals freeze up.”

A typical winter brings 20 inches of snow.  Allmeroth said last year was unusually mild, which is somewhat concerning if drivers forget how to navigate the elements this season.

Missouri is also an innovator in that it’s the leader in the country with 82 “tow plows.” This machinery is towed behind the plow truck itself and allows for plowing of two to three lanes of traffic at one time.  Allmeroth said several accidents have resulted from drivers not noticing the tow plows and trying to pass the trucks, not realizing the equipment is occupying the lane they’re in.

MODOT is now in the process of hiring seasonal employees and plans to have the personnel in place by the end of September.  Those hired for the winter typically work through the end of February.

Seasonal employees are paid $12.69 per hour while working a standard 40-hour week.  Emergency snow plow operators earn between $14.10 and $15.94 per hour, but don’t have guaranteed working hours.

To learn more about MoDOT’s winter operations, log onto modot.org or call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636).

(Missourinet) – Former Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Ed Quick (D-Kansas City) has died.

The Kansas City Star reports the 81-year-old Quick died Saturday of a lung ailment known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Ed Quick was elected to the Missouri Senate in 1984 and served five terms in the Chamber, from 1985 until 2004. A Missouri Senate official tells Missourinet Quick was the only Senator from Clay County to serve as Missouri Senate President Pro Tem. Quick served as Pro Tem in 1999 and 2000, during the final two years of Governor Mel Carnahan’s (D) second term.

Quick later served as Senate Minority Leader and as Clay County Presiding Commissioner.

He helped pass a major health insurance program for poor and uninsured children in the 1990s, and also worked on amusement park safety legislation.