Your AARP: Missouri

July-August 2009

Power play — AARP Missouri and other advocates successfully defeated a bill (SB228) that would have allowed utility companies to charge customers higher rates in order to finance planning and construction of new power plants.

To oppose the measure, AARP Missouri members participated in rallies outside the offices of power company AmerenUE in St. Louis and Jefferson City, telephoned state legislators and testified against the bill at legislative hearings. If passed, the proposed legislation would have allowed utility companies to shift construction costs of projects like AmerenUE's proposed nuclear plant to consumers.

To thank lawmakers for working to keep utility costs low, go to www.moga.mo.gov. To volunteer or get involved in future issues, e-mail moaarp@aarp.org or visit www.aarp.org/mo.

June 2009

Taxing issue — Advocates at AARP Missouri are working to defeat a proposed taxpayer bill of rights (TABOR) because it could ultimately deplete state and local budgets and force reductions in vital public services.

The proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 23) would tie revenue growth to a complex formula based on inflation and population growth. In a strong economy, excess revenue would be refunded to taxpayers; in lean times, the state's budget would shrink.

TABOR opponents argue that it pits state programs and services against one another and limits funding to address unmet or emerging needs when there is a budget shortfall. The TABOR formula also fails to account for health care costs that rise much faster than inflation and for increasing demand from an aging state population.

For more information, go to www.aarp.org/mo.

April 2009

No blank checks — AARP and other consumer advocates oppose a move to overturn a 1976 law that prohibits utility companies from charging ratepayers for power plants that are not yet up and running. If passed, the legislation (SB 228) would authorize prepayment of projects such as a nuclear plant proposed by AmerenUE, and shift billions of dollars in construction costs to consumers during the estimated 10 years needed to build it.

The 1976 statute, which voters approved by a 2-to-1 margin in a referendum, was designed to keep utilities from building unnecessary or excessively expensive power plants at customers' expense.

For updates and a schedule of public hearings on this issue, go to www.nocwip.org. To help defeat SB 228, go to www.moga.mo.gov and contact your state senator and representative.