Historical April 1997 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
I recently visited with our Skinker DeBaliviere neighbor, State Senator William Lacy Clay. Joining us during our conversation was his lovely daughter Carol who is not quite two years old.
A very bright and engaging child, she often turned the conversation away from legislation to a more immediate agenda. Senator Clay said that he was very pleased that the new President Pro Tern of the Missouri Senate, Bill McKenna of Barnhart, had selected him to be a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. That committee has jurisdiction over the entire state’s budget. Clay also noted that Ed Quick of Kansas City is now the Majority Floor Leader.
He feels this is a younger, more progressive leadership. Clay has been interested in the teachers’ retirement system for quite some time. Last year, he sponsored a bill to give the retirees a cost of living allowance which was enacted into law.
This year he would like to make those with fifteen years or less of service eligible for some type of retirement benefit.
He feels that this will pass. Clay said that “Teachers make a great sacrifice in time put in for the schools and our children.
We should strengthen the retirement system.” Clay also wants to address the question of redlining in the insurance industry this year.
If a company is selling insurance in one part of St. Louis, it should give out policies in all parts of the city.
He also wants insurance companies to give reasons in writing for the cancellation of home or auto policies.
The Department of Insurance should monitor and enforce this.
It is a consumer protection issue. Clay said that if and when school desegregation winds down, he wants to ensure that St. Louis city doesn’t lose anything.
He wants a new bill restructuring state aid so that it is based on the poverty level—not race—so that the city will still get the same amount as it does now under the desegregation plan.
On the Appropriations Committee, Clay said that he wants the state’s contribution to Forest Park made in accord with the new master plan.
He also foresees improvements to the state hospital at Arsenal that will better protect the neighbors there. Clay is opposed to the proposal to build two additional state prisons. “Send them to Yale, not to jail.” Prisons now have too many nonviolent individuals incarcerated there, e.g., someone sentenced to 20 years for passing bad checks. Clay noted that we’ve built an economy around prisons. “We’re not addressing systemic causes. We’re not trying to deter them.” Clay wanted to see other options besides prison again pointing out that “prison is an economic unit.” Clay is also sponsoring several other bills. One would allow people to vote by absentee ballot without stating a reason. Under another bill, St. Louis city teachers would be able to reinstate creditable service by paying back any contributions they may have withdrawn. Clay also wishes to create a task force on the needs of children of incarcerated parents. Clay enjoys his busy agenda and I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with him and his precocious daughter.
Original photograph caption
Senator Clay with his wife Ivie and daughter Carol. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April 1997.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1997_04.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
