SPRINGFIELD – On April 10, the City of Harvey announced it would be laying off 40 employees, including nearly half of its police and fire staff, due to a state law that intercepts payments from municipalities who do not make their obligated pension payments.

Since then, State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) has been working to find a way to make this process more manageable for distressed municipalities like Harvey.

“It’s unfair for the public safety of the people of Harvey to be put at stake because of a state law that requires much more than the municipality can handle,” Harris said. “I am going to continue working on this issue because I want to ensure that the people of Harvey aren’t being penalized for living in a poor community.”

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) is lead sponsor of legislation that would require every community college and public university to offer a course studying the events of Black History.

“Education is the only way we can combat negative African-American stereotypes seen on the news, social media and in movies,” Harris said. “It should be a priority for our universities to offer a course that teaches students about our culture and the contributions we’ve made to society.”

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