Rachel Storch

Election Day 2008!

2008-11-04T15:29:51Z

As we head into Election Day, we can expect an historic election - perhaps with unprecedented turnout.

Missouri, as usual, is in the toss-up category. Will we retain our bellwether status, choosing the president as we have in every election for the last 100 years with just one exception?

What is clear is that American voters are engaged and participating actively in the elections process. In Missouri, our Secretary of State has predicted turnout rates higher than 75%.

Whether they are getting their information from television, radio, internet, text messages, or friends, people are paying attention.

As you go to vote, please call 1-877-MO-CHANGE (1-877-662-4264) if you encounter any problems. You can vote up to 7:00 p.m. tonight, and as long as you are in line by 7:00 p.m., you'll get to vote and your vote will be counted.

When you go to vote, bring ID. Any ONE of the following is acceptable:

Any State Driver's License;
Any State ID card;
US Government ID;
Missouri college ID;

OR a current copy of ONE of the following with your name and address:

Utility bill;
Bank statement;
Government check;
Paycheck;
Other government document.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING!

Food Stamp Challenge - Done!

2008-10-07T03:47:07Z

One too many peanut butter sandwiches later, I completed the food stamp challenge. It was really tough. There were several nights when I went to bed hungry. There were other times when I just didn't want to eat the options I had: pasta, peanut butter, or eggs. I short-changed nutrition in order to fill myself up. And I noticed that my mood changed through the week - the pleasure I normally take in eating my meals was stripped away as variety and freshness disappeared from the menu.

It was very clear why low-income people experience malnutrition. Buying low-cost foods means more starch and carbohydrates (at Aldi's, macaroni and cheese was only 35 cents a box!) and less protein and produce. On $3.62 a day - the current food stamp allocation, a person simply can not afford red meat, fresh fish, and most fruits and vegetables. No wonder the rates of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease are so high!

To read more about the food stamp challenge, please click here for an article from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

September is Hunger Action Month

2008-09-24T17:24:31Z

This week, I am joining Greg Lukeman, the Executive Director of Food Outreach, in the Hunger Challenge.

Starting today, we will be limiting ourselves to a food budget of $25.36 for the week - this breaks down to $3.62 per day. The amount of $25.36 represents the average weekly allotment of food stamps for a person with a disability.

This morning, we went to Aldi's to shop. Although Aldi's has some great deals, trying to balance cost with nutrition proved to be pretty difficult!

I purchased the following items:

1 Gallon of Milk;
1 Dozen Eggs;
1 Loaf of Bread;
2 Yogurts;
2 Cans of Tuna;
1 Cannister of Oatmeal;
2 Boxes of Macaroni and Cheese;
1 Box of Pasta;
1 Jar of Pasta Sauce;
1 Container of mixed Peanut Butter and Jelly;
2 Boxes of Cereal;
1 Pack of Imitation Cheese;
1 Bag of Apples;
1 Small Bag of Lettuce.;
1 Can of Chicken Noodle Soup;
1 Box of Ice Cream Sandwiches.

My total was $24.81. I only have $.55 for the entire rest of the week!

While I was able to purchase some staples, I quickly realized that I would not have items like red meat or chicken. To my chagrin, I couldn't afford any coffee. Although I brought a calculator along with me, I worried during checkout that I might have gone over my budget and would be asked to put something back.

More than 37 million Americans are living in poverty. High gas and food prices are putting pressure on family budgets. An article in today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes that hard times "have food pantries scrambling." (Click here to read article.)

Please consider making a donation to Food Outreach or any other organization that provides food assistance today.

THANK YOU!

2008-08-08T18:01:20Z

With your help, we achieved a victory on Election Day of 82.4% - 17.6%!

Thank you to all of those who knocked on doors, made phone calls, put up yard signs, and came out in the blistering heat to vote on August 5th. I appreciate your support, and I look forward to returning to Jefferson City to work on your behalf!

Get Out The Vote For State Representative Rachel Storch

2008-08-04T23:34:45Z

Autism

2008-07-29T18:34:18Z

by Rachel Storch

As I knock on doors in the 64^th district, families often share with me the struggles they deal with on a day-to-day basis. Increasingly, I am hearing from constituents that autism, the effect it has on families, and the costs associated with treatment are becoming a prominent concern.

One of the major issues facing families with an autistic child is finding affordable treatment. I believe that private insurance companies should be required to provide coverage for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Many Missouri families experience difficulty in finding an insurance company to provide coverage for the high costs of treating autism. In contrast, fourteen other states currently mandate coverage.

This year, Representative Sam Page filed legislation in Missouri that would have required insurance companies to cover children with autism spectrum disorder through the age of 21. Unfortunately, this legislation did not pass, but I will continue to fight for its passage in the next legislative session.

One of my constituents, Penny Brennell, has received national recognition for her advocacy work on autism. Each year, Penny brings students with autism to the Missouri legislature to shadow legislators. I have been proud to have an autistic student shadow me for the last several years. This is part of a continuing effort to raise awareness about the autism spectrum.

FACTS ABOUT AUTISM

Prevalence of autism is 1 in 150 American children
A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes
Symptoms generally start to appear within the first three years of life
Early intervention can greatly improve a child's development
1.5 million Americans are living with the effects of autism spectrum disorder
Autism occurs in every racial, ethnic, and socio-economic group, and is four times more likely to occur in boys than in girls
Autism costs the nation over $35 billion a year, a figure that is expected to increase significantly over the next decade.
It can cost millions of dollars to take care of an autistic individual over his or her lifetime
Costs of life long care could be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention

Rep. Storch presents House Resolution to constituent Penny Brennell at the Judevine Center, recognizing Penny's outstanding advocacy on autism spectrum disorders

Storch Earns More Endorsements

2008-07-26T14:21:17Z

Representative Storch is proud to announce the addition of three more key endorsements for her candidacy of District 64 State Representative.

United Transportation Union

Missouri Chamber of Commerce

Service Employees International Union Missouri/Kansas State Council

View all Endorsements

Missouri Chamber of Commerce Endorses Storch Campaign

2008-07-25T17:30:11Z

I am proud to be endorsed by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. As the Ranking Democrat on the Appropriations for Transportation and Economic Development Committee, I will continue to fight for good-paying jobs for hardworking Missouri families.

Please watch my new ad on the Economy!

Rep. Storch Calls for More Regulation of Daycare Centers to Protect Missouri Children

2008-07-15T15:35:51Z

As a legislator, one of my most important tasks is to advocate for those who may not be able to speak for themselves. As the daughter of a pediatric infectious disease specialist who has worked at St. Louis Children's Hospital for more than 30 years, Dr. Gregory Storch, I have always been especially attuned to issues affecting children. I have been privileged to work with organizations such as Nurses for Newborns, Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, Voices for Children, the Children's Advocacy Centers, and the Children's Trust Fund to fight child abuse and neglect.

State audits conducted in 2002 and 2008 have called for serious changes to the Missouri laws and regulations that govern daycare centers. These calls for change have gone unheeded. After learning of a recent terrible tragedy that happened in an unlicensed facility and resulted in the death of a baby, I intend to file a package of reforms related to Missouri daycare facilities. To see a recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, please click here:

Representative Rachel Storch to Receive Lewis and Clark Statesman Award from St. Louis RCGA for Second Year in a Row

2008-07-15T15:35:30Z

"Dear Representative Storch:

This year's legislative sessions in Missouri and Illinois yielded some notable economic development gains for the St. Louis region. Important steps were taken to upgrade the region's levees, improve job-recruitment tools, and expand plant and life sciences research. These successes continue to build on previous advances that have strengthened the bi-state regional economy and business community.

The RCGA believes your strong leadership on behalf of the region deserves special recognition, and so we would like to honor you with our Lewis and Clark Statesman Award."

Sincerely,

C.K. "Chip" Casteel, Jr.
Senior Vice President - Public Policy
St. Louis RCGA

The Awards Presentation will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel on August 18.

Rachel Storch - Supporting Our Children

2008-07-13T18:50:07Z

The 64th District Video

2008-07-11T21:34:34Z

Supporting Rachel Storch Video

2008-07-11T21:14:16Z

This video features Joe Edwards (Delmar Loop developer), Kim Tucci (President of the Pasta House, John Corbett (24th Ward Committeeman), and Edna Campbell (Teacher and 17th Ward Resident) describing the reasons they support Rachel Storch. Each person reflects on Storch's dedication and character which makes her such and oustanding representative for District 64. Click the link below for extended interviews of Joe Edwards, Kim Tucci and John Corbett.]]> John Corbett Supports Rachel Storch

Joe Edwards Supporting Rachel Storch

Kim Tucci Supports Rachel Storch

New Ward Endorsements Build Momentum for Storch Campaign

2008-07-11T20:22:04Z

State Representative Rachel Storch has recently gained the support of several wards in her re-election campaign.

28th Ward Endorses Storch by 58-2 vote!
Also endorsed by:

24th Ward
23rd Ward
Hadley Township

Storch Secures More Endorsements

2008-06-19T15:58:42Z

Representative Rachel Storch recently won endorsements from three more prominent Missouri organizations. Storch is delighted to be endorsed by Missouri Votes Conservation, Missouri Sierra Club, and Painters District Council No. 2

View all of Representative Storch's Endorsements.