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Governor Parson Announces Improved Home Heating Bill Assistance
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 Governor Parson on Tuesday announced that Missouri's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Energy Crisis Intervention Program will improve assistance to eligible low-income residents of the state. The LIHEAP Energy Crisis Intervention Program runs November through May and pays the minimum amount on an eligible individual's fuel bill when their household's energy source has been disconnected or is at risk of disconnection. With this announcement, the program will pledge the maximum disconnect amount (up to $800) toward an eligible individual's owed balance. In addition to meeting income criteria, individuals who wish to receive assistance through LIHEAP must also meet the following criteria:
- Be responsible for paying home heating costs
- Have $3,000 or less in bank accounts, retirement accounts, or investments
- Be a U.S. citizen or legally admitted for permanent residence.
"We are very pleased to announce this improvement to the Energy Crisis Intervention Program, especially given the extreme winter weather our state is currently facing," Governor Parson said. This news comes as Missouri, along with other parts of the nation, face snowfall and extreme cold temperatures. Winter weather forced the Missouri Senate to cancel all proceedings for the week and disrupted some of the planned COVID vaccine events around the state.
Governor Parson's full statement, including links on how to apply for the LIHEAP program, can be found on the Governor's website. |
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Dred Scott Resolutions Heard in House Committee
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 The Missouri House Special Committee on Urban Issues heard resolutions this week to denounce the 1852 Missouri Supreme Court decision denying Dred and Harriet Scott freedom from slavery. HCR 4 and HCR 5, filed by Rep. Raychel Proudie (D-Ferguson) and Rep. Dottie Bailey (R-Eureka) respectively, call upon the Missouri General Assembly to denounce the decision as an affront to the right of Dred and Harriet Scott to equal dignity under the law. Proudie, who is black, and Bailey, who is white, presented the resolutions together in a bipartisan effort to recognize and condemn the court decision that many argue played a part in bringing about the Civil War. The MCC testified in support of the resolution, arguing the 200th Anniversary of the founding of Missouri as a state is a fitting time for the General Assembly to issue such a resolution. The resolutions will hold no force of law, but they would be an important way of acknowledging the errors of the past and could help bring about healing. |
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U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Alabama's Effort to Bar Pastor From Execution Chamber
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.jpg) The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week to uphold a ruling that halted the execution of an Alabama inmate unless the state allowed his pastor to be present in the execution chamber. Alabama prison officials previously denied Willie B. Smith III his request under a recently revised policy that bars spiritual advisers of all faiths from the execution chamber.
A federal appeals court then ruled that the execution could not proceed unless the pastor was present. The Supreme Court's order did not give any reason why it would not vacate the lower court's ruling. The case was the latest in a series of disputes on the roles that spiritual advisers may play during executions that have divided the justices. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty filed a brief supporting the inmate. |
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House Rules Committee Passes Employment Bill for Offenders
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 This week, the House Rules-Administrative Oversight passed HB 316, sponsored by Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville), which states that Missouri cannot prohibit a person from participating in the sale of alcohol or selling lottery tickets solely on the basis of a felony conviction. This bill will open up job opportunities at grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations and restaurants for ex-offenders. The MCC supports the bill because it would give ex-offenders a fresh start, and the opportunity to showcase their skills of dependability, trustworthiness, and good work habits. It would also help prevent recidivism. The bill now goes to the House for further debate and consideration. Last year, this bill passed the House chamber and was scheduled for debate in the Senate when COVID-19 hit and upended the session. |
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Looking for a Catholic Perspective on COVID-19 Vaccines? Listen to MCC from the Capitol.
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 In the newest episode of MCC from the Capitol, MCC Executive Director Tyler McClay talks COVID-19 vaccines with Bishop McKnight of the Diocese of Jefferson City, and Dr. Keith Starke, internist and Senior Advisor to the Mercy Hospital System in St. Louis.
Bishop McKnight and Dr. Starke answer common questions about the COVID-19 vaccines from both a Catholic and medical perspective, shining light on the truths and misconceptions about these vaccines, from their connections to morally-compromised cell lines, efficacy, safety, and more.
As we all will eventually have the opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, we encourage you to read and/or listen to these latest releases from the MCC, and to share them with your family and friends who might benefit from the information. The podcast is available on our website, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Click here to listen. |
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What is a QR code?
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 Recently, we've begun using QR codes as another way to access our podcast, publications and other resources on our website. We know a lot of you may be wondering: what is a QR code? You have probably seen them before; they are a square barcode-like code that, when scanned, instantly directs you to a link or other information. Hence the fitting acronym QR: Quick Response.
These codes give printed materials digital capabilities. When we send you an email, it's easy to link directly to content, but printed materials haven't had the same option until now. Instead of printing a link address, we can now include a code. Best of all, scanning a QR code is easy and free! Most smartphone cameras are now equipped with a built-in QR scanners. All you need to do is open your camera, point it at the QR code, and the accompanying link will pop up.
Here's a video tutorial that shows you step by step how to make sure your phone is set up to scan QR codes. If you're interested in the nitty gritty of QR technology, read this article from Kaspersky. Try scanning the above QR code to read the latest MCC Messenger on your phone! |
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NASA's Perseverance Rover Lands on Mars
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 NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover landed on the red planet yesterday, February 18. The rover is NASA's fifth and largest to land on Mars, marking an historic milestone for the space program. And that's only one of the major firsts for this mission; while on Mars, the rover will be the first to search for evidence of ancient life, the first to fly an aircraft (NASA helicopter Ingenuity) on another planet, and the first to record sound on Mars. To learn more about NASA's Perseverance Rover and to stay updated with its journey, follow along here.
To commemorate this historic journey, buildings in major cities around the country are aglow in red, including the Empire State building in New York City, and our own St. Louis Science Center.
image credit: NASA |
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