Courtney Allen Curtis

Courtney Allen Curtis
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 73rd district
In office
2012  Present
Personal details
Born Ferguson, Missouri, USA
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) None
Children None
Residence Ferguson, Missouri
Alma mater

University of Missouri

Columbia College (Missouri)
Occupation Politician
Religion Christian

Courtney Allen Curtis is an American politician and founder of the non-profit North County Forever. He currently serves in the Missouri House of Representatives representing the 73rd District and serves as the Chair of the Special Standing Committee on Urban Issues.

His district includes many municipalities in St. Louis County, Missouri, including: Ferguson, Missouri, Berkeley, Missouri, Kinloch, Missouri, Woodson Terrace, Missouri, St. Ann, Missouri, Cool Valley, Hazelwood, Missouri, Normandy, Missouri, and Bridgeton [1] He was first elected in 2012 at the age of 31, and then re-elected in 2014.

As a native resident of Ferguson, Missouri, Mr. Curtis has been a vocal and vital figure during the Ferguson unrest over the Shooting of Michael Brown. Mr. Curtis’ prior initiatives and legislation were aimed at protecting youth at risk and salvaging communities that were undone by recent economic downturns. Mr. Curtis has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Al Jazeera, National Public radio, and Geraldo Rivera to discuss the plight of these communities and his plan to solve their issues.[2][3]

Early life and career

Early life

At the University of Missouri, Mr. Curtis was a two term President of the Collegiate 100, a sub division of the St. Louis Chapter of the 100 Black Men, aimed at growing the next crop of black male leaders.[4] During his tenure as a vocal student leader, Mr. Curtis led initiatives aimed at social injustices and helping minority students establish a presence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. However, he never graduated from the University of Missouri. He also attended Columbia College (Missouri). Courtney became a public official after a rash of gang violence infiltrated his neighborhood, weeks after the birth of his niece. Curtis’ campaign ignited a grass roots movement aimed at foraging out violence while helping youth who had become disenfranchised by years of neglect.

Career

State Representative Courtney Allen Curtis is a Democrat State Representative, who represents St. Louis North County (District 73) which includes Ferguson in the Missouri House of Representatives.[5] He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2012 and re-elected in August 2014. Soon after winning his first house seat, Curtis rose through the ranks becoming the President of the Freshman Democratic Caucus and Chair of the Freshman Bipartisan Issues committee ultimately leading him to being named Associated Students of the University of Missouri Legislator of the Year in 2013 because of his passion, and leadership shown for ensuring and improving access to a quality higher education in Missouri.

In April 2014, Rep. Curtis established the not for profit organization North County Forever.[6] North County Forever is a non profit organization committed to community restoration and improvement starting with the heart of North County, the 73rd District. North County Forever (NCF) will focus on improving the Health and Wellness, Educational Development opportunities for the citizens while also mentoring the next generation of leaders, and restoring Community Pride as a community development entity using a Total Community Improvement approach. The organization’s objective is to end poverty and strife in North County and build a sustainable community fueled by the commitment and will of its residents. His agenda is multifaceted and takes the approach of partnering with non profits to strengthen them, while serving as the coordinator of area improvement efforts to strengthen the region as a collective, rather than individually.

In March 2016, Representative Curtis introduced House Bill 2831 in the Missouri legislature which aimed to make the St. Louis Cardinals the official major league baseball team of the state. This bill elicited both criticism and praise, as Kansas City Royals fans passionately defended their team, while others criticized Representative Curtis for not focusing on important state issues. Despite the backlash, this bill arguably achieved the goals Representative Curtis was aiming for: It showed that he can engage the constituents of Missouri in a lighthearted and appealing way and it gained him widespread attention as a representative during a time where he is passing monumental legislation for his district. As of March 24, 2016 the bill is not scheduled for a hearing and the results of a Twitter poll administered by Representative Curtis himself resulted in 95% of people (out of the 1,000 that voted) preferring the Kansas City Royals as the official major league baseball team of Missouri.

On April 11, 2016, the Special Committee of Urban Issues, chaired by Representative Curtis, met to discuss diversity efforts the University of Missouri System has and has not taken in response to the events on the University of Missouri-Columbia's campus in the fall of 2015.[7] Curtis questioned Pamela Quigg Henrickson, UM System Board of Curators chair; UM System Interim President Mike Middleton; Brian Millner, chief of staff for Interim MU Chancellor Hank Foley; and Chuck Henson, MU's interim vice chancellor for inclusion, diversity and equity in the hearing. Representative Curtis grilled the representatives from the UM System, insisting that efforts to eliminate discrimination on campus was not a priority for them. Representative Curtis is critical of Middleton's new interim position, as Middleton's past efforts to rectify growing racial inequality were meager. Curtis urged the UM System and the MU campus representatives that there is a lot more work to be done, and that now is the time to do it.

Right to Work

Representative Curtis has focused on issues of inequality that most politicians shy away from especially in the Democratic party. Mr. Curtis has fought the unions for more inclusive policies for minorities. This fight has highlighted the lack of minority inclusion in construction contracts for Missouri projects. During a Missouri house debate Mr. Curtis went head-to-head with those who opposed the right-to-work. One opponent characterized his attempts as “trying to impact the whole system.” The bill passed the house with few Democrats willing to risk their seats. Saint Louis law requires all contracts over $25,000 or more to maintain or participate in a Department of Labor-approved apprentice program. Union contractors are often the only ones that meet that this requirement leaving minority contractors out. Even under the threat of union opposition in the next primary to unseat him, Mr. Curtis, cared more for the need to include minorities in construction then re-election. "With all of the pending projects, things aren’t getting better for minorities in terms of opportunities or access to opportunities," said Curtis. "Now is the time to have the fight. Either we’re for equality or we’re not. But if we’re for equality, then we need to hold everybody accountable to people who claim the banner of Democratic Party.” [8][9][10] The Unions refused to meet with minority leaders until legislation was presented to allow workers the freedom to keep what they earn. This report has been at the center of his frustration with unions as he is pushing for minority inclusion while the unions fight back to keep the status quo.

Mr. Curtis provoked a physical fight with fellow Missouri lawmaker, Rep. Michael Butler, D-St. Louis, after a heated exchange of words over Curtis' anti-union proposal at a reception for labor unions on January 19, 2016.[11]

Ferguson Unrest

As state representative for Ferguson Mr. Curtis has been vocal about the need for change in the wake of the unrest. Appearing on MSNBC to talk about the unrest in Ferguson.[12] Mr. Curtis has called for change in Ferguson starting with the mayor and court/police leaders stepping down. The unrest in Ferguson came as a result of systemic problems that lead many minorities to feel discriminated against. In a call to fix Ferguson Mr. Curtis looked to put an end to judges and prosecutors working in multiple municipalities at the same time.[13]

Committee assignments

As an incoming Freshman Courtney Curtis served on:

Democrat Freshman Committee President

Freshman bipartisan issue committee

Ways and Means

Agri-Business

International Trade

2015-2016

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Representative Curtis was appointed as Chairman of:

The only Democrat to chair a committee in this legislative session.

He also served on the following committees:

[14]

2014 Bills

2014 Sponsored Bills

Bill Description Date Last Action
HB1619 Specifies that the aggregate amount of tuition charged by a receiving school district during a school year must not exceed $10,000 per pupil when a student transfers from an unaccredited district 04/30/2014 HCS Voted Do Pass (H)
HB1624 Designates the "high five" as the official state greeting 02/05/2014 Referred: Tourism and Natural Resources(H)
HB1625 Establishes the Missouri Indoor Clean Air Act and changes the laws regarding smoking in public places 02/05/2014 Referred: Local Government(H)
HB1694 Allows any county to establish a County Youth Initiative and authorize a sales tax to provide programs to improve children's well-being and prevent juvenile delinquency 04/08/2014 Public Hearing Completed (H)
HB1695 Authorizes a community children's services fund to expend funds to provide preventative services, including transportation costs, for children 04/08/2014 Motion to Do Pass Failed (H)
HB1696 Authorizes an income tax deduction for single residents who have never had a child 02/11/2014 Referred: Ways and Means(H)
HB1704 Establishes the Missouri Tuition Equity Act 02/18/2014 Public Hearing Completed (H)
HB1705 Allows students at two-year or four-year colleges or universities to seek tuition reimbursement for college remedial courses under certain circumstances 02/18/2014 Public Hearing Completed (H)
HB1706 Requires a student to successfully complete four units of credit in both mathematics and science to receive a high school diploma 02/11/2014 Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education(H)
HB1808 Authorizes an income tax deduction for expenses incurred in creating or forming a limited liability company or sole proprietorship 03/04/2014 Public Hearing Completed (H)
HB1809 Authorizes an income tax deduction for 100% of the tuition paid for up to the last 30 hours required to complete an associate or bachelor's degree from a public two-year or four-year college 02/25/2014 Public Hearing Completed (H)
HB1810 Designates June 1 as "Underrepresented Minority Contractor Appreciation Day" in Missouri 02/18/2014 Referred: Tourism and Natural Resources(H)
HB1811 Establishes the Committee for Entrepreneurs within the Department of Economic Development and a grant program for certain accelerated computer programming programs 03/04/2014 Public Hearing Completed (H)
HB1812 Changes the laws regarding economic development incentives 02/18/2014 Referred: Economic Development(H)
HB1813 Establishes the Missouri Youth Funds Legislative Oversight Committee to ensure that all youth funds in the state are operated efficiently and effectively 03/11/2014 Motion to Do Pass Failed (H)
HB1814 Waives the articles of organization filing fee every January for newly formed LLCs 03/12/2014 Action Postponed (H)
HB1859 Requires the minimum annual salary of legislative assistants of the House of Representatives to begin at a level 15% below the annual salary of the hiring Representative, with cost of living adjustments 03/12/2014 Public Hearing Completed (H)
HB1931 Requires the Governor to issue a proclamation for Primary Election Day and for General Municipal Election Day 02/26/2014 Referred: Elections(H)
HB1978 Requires radiation monitoring to be conducted at any solid waste disposal area located in Bridgeton 05/16/2014 Referred: Tourism and Natural Resources(H)
HB1979 Designates the first Tuesday after the first Monday in April of each year as a state holiday known as "Voter Pride and Awareness Day" or "Voter Pride Day" 03/27/2014 Public Hearing Completed (H)
HB2106 Requires commercial mobile service providers to report specified information to the Missouri Public Service Commission for posting on its website 05/16/2014 Referred: Utilities(H)
HB2165 Requires the Coordinating Board for Higher Education to conduct a study to consider a three-year bachelor's degree program in selected public higher education institutions 05/16/2014 Referred: Higher Education(H)
HB2166 Prohibits a higher education institution from charging a Missouri resident who is a full-time student a tuition rate that exceeds the amount charged when the student first enrolled for the next five years 05/16/2014 Referred: Higher Education(H)
HB2167 Requires school districts and charter schools to identify students needing remedial coursework and implement a virtual school program to assist the identified students 05/16/2014 Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education(H)
HB2170 Establishes the 8 in 6 Program within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 05/16/2014 Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education(H)
HB2195 Expands the Incentive Subsidy Program to encourage municipal courts to seek assistance from the Division of Youth Services in order to utilize community early intervention programs for youth 05/16/2014 Referred: Judiciary(H)
HB2196 Creates the Office of Public Counsel Fund to fund the office within the Missouri Public Service Commission from regulated utilities based on each utility's total gross intrastate operating revenues 05/16/2014 Referred: Utilities(H)
HB2211 Establishes a state Community Education Council and requires a community action council to be established in each school district located in St. Louis City and St. Louis County 05/16/2014 Referred: Urban Issues(H)
HB2228 Changes the laws regarding federal work authorization programs 05/16/2014 Referred: Workforce Development and Workplace Safety(H)
HB2291 Establishes the Historic Revitalization Act 05/16/2014

Referred: Economic Development(H)

HB2299 Requires any county that contains an unaccredited school district to devote 10% of its annual revenue to a grant program to deliver services to the school district 05/16/2014 Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education(H)

2014 Co-Sponsored Bills

HB1068 Allows certain felons to be eligible for federal food stamp program benefits 01/16/2014 Referred: Government Oversight and Accountability(H)
HB1134 Specifies that in all criminal cases a $5 surcharge must be assessed as costs with specified exceptions to be credited to the Brain Injury Fund 01/09/2014 Referred: Judiciary(H)
HB1151 Allows misdemeanor offenses for stealing to be expunged 01/16/2014 Referred: Judiciary(H)
HB1152 Creates the offense of distribution of a controlled substance near a child care facility 04/24/2014 Rules - Reported Do Pass (H)
HB1153 Prohibits an employer from using a job applicant's personal credit history as a hiring criteria except where the credit history is shown to be directly related to the position sought by the applicant 04/03/2014 HCS#2 Reported Do Pass (H)
HB1317 Changes the time for a man to file an action to establish paternity or file with the putative father registry from 15 days to 60 days after the birth of the child 01/16/2014 Referred: Judiciary(H)
HB1321 Changes the time for consent for adoption to be executed from 48 hours to 72 hours after the birth of a child 02/11/2014 Reported Do Not Pass (H)
HB1322 Allows a person convicted of a drug-related felony to become eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits upon meeting certain conditions 01/16/2014 Referred: General Laws(H)
HB1323 Authorizes expungement for specified offenses and increases the surcharge on petitions for expungement from $100 to $500 01/16/2014 Referred: Judiciary(H)
HB1441 Requires each session of the General Assembly to be broadcast on the Internet via audio and video live streaming 01/28/2014 Referred: General Laws(H)
HB1442 Designates December 4 as "Alpha Phi Alpha Day" in Missouri in honor of the first black intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans 03/27/2014 Second read and referred: Senate General Laws(S)
HB1604 Allows any registered voter who is eligible to vote in a particular election to do so by absentee ballot without being required to state a reason 04/07/2014 Public Hearing Completed (H)
HB1747 Allows community service in lieu of a fine for certain traffic offenses 02/12/2014 Referred: Judiciary(H)
HB1764 Prohibits publishing of the names of lottery winners without written consent 02/12/2014 Referred: General Laws(H)
HB1820 Changes the laws regarding bullying in schools 02/18/2014 Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education(H)
HB1858 Changes the laws regarding complaints filed with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights regarding discrimination based upon a person's sexual orientation or gender identity 02/25/2014 Referred: Judiciary(H)
HB1907 Limits the rate of tuition that a receiving school district can charge when receiving students from unaccredited districts 04/30/2014 Voted Do Pass (H)
HB1924 Authorizes a sales tax exemption for products that are made in the USA during the sales tax holiday in July with specified exceptions 04/08/2014 Public Hearing Completed (H)
HB1981 Authorizes the board of aldermen of fourth class cities to enact certain types of ordinances regulating residential rental property 03/04/2014 Referred: Local Government(H)
HB1989 Changes the laws regarding the Missouri individual income tax 03/04/2014 Referred: Ways and Means(H)
HB1991 Changes the laws regarding eligibility for MO HealthNet benefits 05/16/2014 Referred: Health Care Policy(H)
HB2028 Designates the month of November each year as "Epilepsy Awareness Month" 05/07/2014 Placed on Informal Calendar
HB2038 Creates a tax credit for an employer that hires a student majoring in the field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics for an internship 04/28/2014 Rules - Reported Do Pass (H)
HB2040 Allows a qualified first responder to administer naloxone to a person suffering from an apparent narcotic or opiate-related overdose 07/07/2014 Approved by Governor (G)
HB2086 Expands income eligibility under the MO HealthNet Program to 138% of the federal poverty level and changes various provisions regarding the delivery of health care to improve health care outcomes 05/16/2014 Referred: Government Oversight and Accountability(H)
HB2096 Changes the laws regarding the licensing of child care facilities 05/16/2014 Referred: Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities(H)
HB2097 Establishes Nathan's Law that changes the laws regarding the licensing of child care facilities 05/16/2014 Referred: Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities(H)
HB2134 Repeals the authority of a school district board to retain counsel and requires the Attorney General to furnish whatever legal services are necessary to exercise its powers upon the request of the board 03/26/2014 Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education(H)
HB2156 Requires the Department of Higher Education to develop a program to offer information technology certification through technical course work 04/08/2014 Voted Do Pass (H)
HB2162 Establishes the 2014 Safe Patient Handling and Movement Act 05/16/2014 Referred: Health Care Policy(H)
HB2254 Changes the laws regarding sales and use tax exemptions for agricultural seed, feed, and pesticides 05/16/2014 Referred: Agriculture Policy(H)
HCR3 Requests the United States Congress to transfer authority for the remediation of the West Lake Landfill radioactive wastes from the EPA to the Corps of Engineers Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program 05/16/2014 Referred: General Laws(H)
HCR39 Establishes Missouri's ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution 05/16/2014 Referred: Judiciary(H)
HJR85 Proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the state to recognize a marriage between a man and a woman as well as between a same-sex couple 05/16/2014 Referred: Judiciary(H)
HB1113 Allows a person 60 years of age or older to renew a nondriver's identification without being physically present at the license bureau under specified conditions 05/06/2014 Voted Do Pass (H)
HB1112 Establishes the End Racial Profiling Act of 2014 01/16/2014 Referred: General Laws(H)
HB1380 Removes the words "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" from the statutes, except for references to a clinical diagnosis 04/24/2014 Public Hearing Scheduled (S)
HB1381 Establishes the Joint Committee on Children's Services Oversight to review laws and policies, study problems, develop a comprehensive policy, and review contracted services 05/01/2014 Action Postponed (H)
HB1382 Authorizes expungement of juvenile records of persons adjudicated as delinquent in certain circumstances 01/28/2014 Referred: Judiciary(H)
HB1383 Grants in-state tuition eligibility for active duty military personnel and national guard 01/28/2014 Referred: Higher Education(H)
HB1384 Requires the General Assembly to provide live video and audio broadcasting of all legislative sessions of its chamber to the public 01/28/2014 Referred: General Laws(H)
HB1431 Establishes state offenses for acts against officers of the state which are similar to federal offenses for acts against federal officers 01/22/2014 Referred: Crime Prevention and Public Safety(H)
HCR10 Commemorates the twenty-second anniversary of the Khojaly Tragedy in Azerbaijan 02/12/2014 Public Hearing Completed (H)

2015 Sponsored Bills

Bill Description Date Last Action
*HB729 Requires a runoff election for county executive, prosecuting attorney, and county assessor in St. Louis County if no candidate receives at least 50% of the votes cast 05/15/2015 Referred: Elections
*HB898 Designates June 1 as "Underrepresented Minority Contractor Appreciation Day" in Missouri 05/15/2015 Referred: Trade and Tourism
*HB899 Requires the Governor to issue an executive order to implement the remedies recommended in the 2014 Disparity Study regarding utilization levels of minorities and women-based enterprises in state awarded contracts 05/15/2015 Referred: Special Committee on Urban Issues
*HB900 Changes the laws regarding economic development incentives 05/15/2015 Referred: Economic Development and Business Attraction and Retention
*HB901 Requires the Department of Economic Development to create a job training program for individuals with low to moderate income to help them find employment on state-funded projects 03/31/2015 Referred: Economic Development and Business Attraction and Retention
*HB902 Requires school districts and charter schools to identify students needing remedial coursework and implement a virtual school program to assist the identified students 05/15/2015 Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education
*HB903 Establishes the Committee for Entrepreneurs within the Department of Economic Development and a grant program for certain accelerated computer programming programs 5/15/2015 Referred: Economic Development and Business Attraction and Retention
*HB904 Establishes the 8 in 6 Program within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 5/15/2015 Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education
*HB905 Prohibits a higher education institution from charging a Missouri resident who is a full-time student a tuition rate that exceeds the amount charged when the student first enrolled for the next five years 4/21/2015 Public Hearing Completed (H)
*HB906 Requires any county that contains an unaccredited school district to devote 10% of its annual revenue to a grant program to deliver services to the school district 5/15/2015 Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education
*HB907 Requires courts to sentence defendants to community service for certain offenses 5/15/2015 Referred: Civil and Criminal Proceedings
*HB908 Expands the Incentive Subsidy Program to encourage municipal and juvenile courts to seek assistance from the Division of Youth Services in order to utilize community early intervention programs for youth 5/15/2015 Referred: Civil and Criminal Proceedings
*HB909 Establishes the Missouri Youth Funds Legislative Oversight Committee to ensure that all youth funds in the state are operated efficiently and effectively 5/15/2015 Referred: Economic Development and Business Attraction and Retention
*HB944 Creates and modifies provisions relating to prosecuting attorneys 5/15/2015 Referred: Civil and Criminal Proceedings
*HB945 Modifies provisions related to law enforcement officers 5/15/2015 Referred: Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
*HB1059 Creates a funding source for grants and programs that benefit children and establishes provisions to ensure youth funds in the state are operated efficiently and effectively 5/15/2015 Referred: Children and Families
*HB1140 Modifies provisions relating to officers of the court 5/15/2015 Referred: Civil and Criminal Proceedings
*HB1141 Allows an arrest record to be eligible for expungement if the DOJ or US Attorney General issues a report with findings that a law enforcement agency engaged in unconstitutional practices or racial profiling 5/15/2015 Referred: Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
*HB1320 Enacts provisions relating to youth opportunities 5/15/2015 Referred: Special Committee on Urban Issues
*HB1321 Allows the Missouri Highway Patrol or other accredited police department to take over operations of a police department that failed to follow recommendations provided by the DOJ or US AG in a report 4/13/2015 Public Hearing Completed (H)
*HB1322 Establishes the Joint Committee on Police Department Oversight 4/13/2015 Public Hearing Completed (H)
*HB1349 Prohibits the executive branch from extending existing bonds or issuing new bonds without legislative or voter approval 5/15/2015 Referred: Government Oversight and Accountability
*HB1363 Establishes the Missouri Youth funds legislative oversight committee 5/15/2015 Referred: Special Committee on Urban Issues
*HB1364 Authorizes a community children's services fund to expend funds to provide preventative services, including transportation costs, for children 5/15/2015 Referred: Special Committee on Urban Issues
*HCR41 Specifies that the General Assembly agrees with the United States Department of Justice report findings as a result of an investigation conducted following the death of Michael Brown 5/15/2015 Referred: Government Oversight and Accountability

References

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