Social Security and Welfare Benefits Going Paperless

A rooster is crowing, and an alarm clock chimes. “Wake up, wake up, wake up, it’s the first of the month,” the rap song by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony goes. “To get up, get up, get up, so cash your checks and get up.”

Immortalized in rap songs, examined in books on inner city life and discussed on Facebook, the federal benefits check has developed into a social and cultural icon. The checks have generated a “first of the month” economy in some places, as lottery revenue increases and lines at liquor stores and discount retailers swell. And in some communities, the checks serve as security to borrow cars, get a loan or sleep for a few days in someone’s house in hard times, said Sudhir Venkatesh, a professor of sociology at Columbia University.

But now, the days for such rituals are numbered.

In May, the government will no longer pay someone eligible for benefits with a mailed check. Instead, the money will be electronically deposited directly into a bank account or made accessible by a debit card. And by March 2013, the 10 million people who receive checks, out of 70 million people in all, must switch over to direct deposit or use a card.

For the government, the policy is in line with a trend toward paperless banking that will curb theft and save $120 million a year in costs.

Source:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/29/business/29checkless.html?nl=todaysheadlines&adxnnl=1&emc=tha25&adxnnlx=1296302960-qkkixQBKo/hAJk+OofjaWg

10th Annual Disability Rights Legislative Day!!

Dear Advocates:

You are encouraged and invited to attend an important event for people with disabilities across the state of Missouri. Please save the date to join us in making this year’s 10th anniversary rally the largest ever!

On behalf of the Disability Rights Legislative Day Planning Committee, we are writing to provide some background information regarding this annual event. This year’s event will be held on March 9, 2011 at the Capitol Jefferson City Missouri.

The day’s agenda follows.
10:30-11:15am - Registration – 1st Floor Rotunda & Legislator visits
11:15am-12:00pm - Rally #1- 1st Floor Rotunda
12:00pm – 2:30pm - Lunch break (on your own)/ Visit your legislator
2:30pm – 3:00pm - Rally #2 – First Floor Rotunda

Our primary purpose ten years ago, and still today, is to bring Missourians with disabilities, family members and those who care about them to the Capitol, to hear from legislators and to talk to legislators about issues impacting our lives each and every day.

Our Committee is comprised of various groups coming together to peacefully voice a common goal: recognition of our rights and responsibilities as U.S. citizens. We would like to increase awareness among legislators that all people with disabilities simply want what all people want: the possibility to pursue hopes and dreams throughout life with dignity and respect.

The values of our coalition are:

All people, with and without disabilities, should have the lifelong opportunity to:
Be treated with dignity and respect;
Have all the rights and responsibilities of full citizenship;
Be included in all communities in our state to live, work and play there;
Exercise choice in expressing our wants and needs;
Have meaningful participation with our elected officials in policy development that impacts our lives.

If you would like more information regarding this day or the organizations participating please contact Cathy Brown at 800-500-7878 or cbrown@mpcdd.com.

Respectfully,

Greg Griffin and Cathy Brown, Committee Co-chairs

Residents express views on downtown Columbia development plans

*Extending Elm Street will be a matter of Eminent Domain and will destroy housing,part of a park and school in that area. Bad idea and I encourage everybody in that effected area to fight this proposal. :angry:

Residents express views on downtown Residents express views on downtown

Columbia residents expressed their views concerning the final development plans for downtown Columbia on Tuesday evening at the Downtown Leadership Commission informational session.

Urbanizing College Avenue, extending Elm Street* and building a new hotel are a few parts of the finished development plan, which will be presented to the City Council for approval early next month, said Assistant City Manager Tony St. Romaine.

The plan, created by H3 Studio Inc., has gone through a series of public discussions and charrettes since last year.

St. Romaine said they're hoping to solicit more ideas and suggestions, but added that the plan is final.

Janet Hammen, a retiree who lives at 1844 Cliff Drive, said her property is not included in the plan, "but I'm quite excited to see it," she said. "I spend a lot of time downtown."

Source and More:
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/01/11/downtown-columbia-devemopment-plan-presented-city-council-next-month/