[Nfbmo] Gov. Nixon to protect Blind Pension program, directs Missouri Department of Social Services to maintain pensionpayments to blind Missourians

[Bryan Schulz]

hi,

this is a 180 from what was printed on the front page of the post this 
morning.
i hope this version really happens.
Bryan Schulz


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eugene S Coulter via Nfbmo" <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
To: "NFB of Missouri Mailing List" <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2014 3:25 PM
Subject: [Nfbmo] Gov. Nixon to protect Blind Pension program,directs 
Missouri Department of Social Services to maintain pensionpayments to blind 
Missourians


> Note this is very good news meaning that we will get the full amount of 
> Blind Pension in January instead of the reduction. However, keep in mind 
> that if the legislature does not give the governor the Supplemental Money 
> that the Pension will be reduced later  and since there will be fewer 
> months to make up the shortfall the reduction will be larger.
> Gene
>
> From: Cory McMahon
> Sent: Monday, December 01, 2014 3:21 PM
> To: 'Carol Coulter' ; 'Dacia Cole' ; 'Debbie Wunder' ; 'Diana Aubuchon' ; 
> 'Don Branch' ; 'Elisabeth Coulter' ; 'Erick Coulter' ; 'Gail Bryant' ; 
> 'Gary Wunder' ; 'Gene Coulter' ; 'Grace Warn' ; 'Jay Pellis' ; 'Julie 
> McGinnity' ; 'Justin Cole' ; 'Karen Black' ; 'Katie Juettner' ; 'Lawrence 
> Luck' ; 'Leah McCoy' ; 'Nellene Martin' ; 'Sarah Pellis' ; 'Steve Black' ; 
> 'Tom & Helen Stevens'
> Subject: FW: Gov. Nixon to protect Blind Pension program, directs Missouri 
> Department of Social Services to maintain pension payments to blind 
> Missourians
>
>
>
>
>
> From: Ansley, Channing [mailto:Channing.Ansley at mo.gov]
> Sent: Monday, December 1, 2014 3:06 PM
> To: Ansley, Channing
> Cc: Holste, Scott
> Subject: Gov. Nixon to protect Blind Pension program, directs Missouri 
> Department of Social Services to maintain pension payments to blind 
> Missourians
>
>
>
> Contact:           Scott Holste, (573) 751-0290
>
>                        Scott.Holste at mo.gov
>
>                                Channing Ansley, (573) 751-0290
>
>                        Channing.Ansley at mo.gov
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> Dec. 1, 2014
>
> Gov. Nixon to protect Blind Pension program, directs Missouri Department 
> of Social Services to maintain pension payments to blind Missourians
>
>
>
> Governor to seek supplemental budget funding to compensate for a reduction 
> in available fund balance
>
>
>
> Jefferson City – Gov. Jay Nixon today ordered the Missouri Department of 
> Social Services to reverse its plans to reduce benefits for Missourians 
> who qualify for the state’s Blind Pension program. The Governor said he 
> will request a supplemental budget appropriation from the Missouri General 
> Assembly to make up for the reduction in available blind pension funds.
>
>
>
> “For more than 90 years, Missouri’s Blind Pension program has provided 
> vital assistance to Missourians in need,” Gov. Nixon said. “After being 
> briefed about the Department of Social Services’ plans to reduce this 
> assistance, I have directed them to abandon their plans so that no blind 
> Missourian will have their pension reduced. I look forward to working with 
> the General Assembly to protect this essential program.”
>
>
>
> Missouri’s Blind Pension program is funded with a dedicated property tax 
> of three cents on each one hundred dollars of assessed valuation.  The 
> annual revenue into that Blind Pension fund declined during the national 
> recession and available Blind Pension fund balance was spent down to 
> maintain the pensions at the required level.  Even with property taxes 
> potentially recovering, the fund balance is no longer available and less 
> funding is available for pensions.  The expected cost of pensions during 
> the current fiscal year is $32 million, but just over $31 million in 
> available revenue and fund balance is anticipated.  Therefore, the 
> Governor will request a supplemental appropriation to make up for the 
> shortfall.
>
>
>
> The Blind Pension program was established in 1921. This program provides 
> assistance for blind persons who do not qualify under the Supplemental Aid 
> to the Blind law and who are not eligible for Supplemental Security Income 
> benefits. Each eligible person receives a monthly cash grant of $718, as 
> well as state-funded health care coverage through Missouri’s Blind 
> Healthcare Program.
>
>
>
> In 2012, Gov. Nixon successfully reversed an effort by the Missouri House 
> of Representatives to completely eliminate Missouri’s Blind Healthcare 
> Program which helps provide vital home and community-based health services 
> to thousands of Missourians who are blind and whose assets are limited.
>
>
>
> ###
>
> Follow the Governor on Twitter @GovJayNixon
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbmo mailing list
> Nfbmo at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmo_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Nfbmo:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmo_nfbnet.org/b.schulz%40sbcglobal.net
>