(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden’s massive pandemic stimulus law pumps a welcome infusion of federal aid into state and local government coffers — but one brief section is raising questions about whether states are barred from cutting their own taxes if they accept the federal help. The Senate added language to the COVID-19 relief package […]
Tag: benefits
Groundbreaking for Caldwell County’s Little Otter Creek Reservoir set for March 19, 2021
The final permits to begin construction on Little Otter Creek Reservoir were issued in late October 2020. Bud Motsinger, Presiding Commissioner of Caldwell County credits the success of this endeavor to the patience and support of the Citizens of Caldwell County and the hard work of present and past Commissioners, as well as elected officials […]
Laredo Board of Education accepts health insurance bid, approves field trips and renews teaching contracts
The Laredo R-7 Board of Education accepted health insurance through the Ozark Schools Benefits Association on March 8th. The district will pay $530 for 2021-2022 plus vision and life insurance. The board approved field trips. They included the eighth grade to Kansas City, kindergarten through second grade to Shatto Dairy, and third through eighth grades […]
North Mercer Board of Education approves addition to base salary schedule; senior trip to Florida approved
The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education approved items related to the salary schedule on March 8th. Seven hundred fifty dollars was added to the base salary schedule, and each teacher will receive steps on the salary schedule. After the increase, North Mercer’s base salary will be $30,250. Other personnel will receive a two-point-five percent […]
Missouri leads 12 state coalition in filing suit against the Biden administration over massive expansion of federal regulations
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt led a coalition of 12 states in filing suit against President Joe Biden’s administration over a massive expansion of federal regulations through executive order, potentially impacting nearly every aspect of the economy and Missouri household. “Manufacturing, agriculture, and energy production are essential to Missouri’s economy and employ thousands of hard-working […]
State agriculture officials recommend enhancements to USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farmers to Families Food Box program and recommend adjustments to improve the program’s effectiveness. “The Farmers to Families Food Box program has been a critical tool during the COVID-19 pandemic […]
Every Republican, including Senator Blunt, voted no on $2 trillion budget bill
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today after voting against Democrats’ nearly $2 trillion budget reconciliation bill. The far-reaching legislation includes $1,400 stimulus checks, $300-per-week jobless benefits through the summer, a child allowance of up to $3,600 for one year, $350 billion for state aid, $34 billion to expand the Affordable Care Act subsidies, and $14 billion for vaccine distribution. […]
North Mercer Board of Education to address salaries and benefits at March 8 meeting
The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education will discuss salaries and benefits next week. The board will meet on March 8th at 6 o’clock in the evening. Other items on the agenda include a senior trip presentation, summer school, summer projects, make-up days, personnel, and an executive session to discuss employees and records.
Audio: Missouri House passes bill about 46,000 Missourians mistakenly given virus unemployment benefits
Missourians who were mistakenly paid coronavirus unemployment benefits might not have to return the federal portion, but they still might owe the state’s share. The Missouri House has passed a bill affecting roughly 46-thousand Missourians who received the benefits in error and have been told by the state to pay up. During debate, Nixa Republican […]
Missouri Department of Conservation offers hunter education in schools despite COVID-19 challenges
COVID-19 presented considerable challenges to Missouri schools, staff, and students in 2020, including closures, cancellations, remote learning, and more. The pandemic also presented challenges to schools and instructors teaching the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) hunter education courses. “Many schools were closed for much of the year, which reduced the number of kids who could […]
Joshlin and Addie Yoder receive Missouri Leopold Conservation Award
Joshlin and Addie Yoder of Leonard, Missouri, located in Shelby County have been selected as the recipients of the 2020 Missouri Leopold Conservation Award®. The award, named for renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, recognizes farmers, ranchers, and foresters who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management on private land. In Missouri, the $10,000 award […]
Major Richard Star Act would allow combat-injured veterans to receive both disability and retirement pay
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) helped introduce the Major Richard Star Act, bipartisan legislation to provide combat-injured veterans with less than 20 years of military service their full benefits. “It’s long overdue that these heroes – who could no longer continue serving due to injuries they sustained in combat – get the benefits they earned,” said […]
One of the nation’s largest chicken producers pleads guilty to price fixing and is sentenced to $107 million criminal fine
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a major broiler chicken producer based in Greeley, Colorado, has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to pay approximately $107 million in criminal fines for its participation in a conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for broiler chicken products, the Department of Justice announced today. According to the plea agreement entered […]
Missouri House committee votes to forgive federal unemployment debts
(Missouri Independent) – Thousands of Missourians facing repayment of mistakenly paid unemployment benefits would get some relief under legislation passed with a bipartisan vote Wednesday in a Missouri House committee. The bill, which will likely be debated on the House floor next week, would forgive debts due to overpayments from federal coronavirus relief programs but would not […]
Outlook for $15-an-hour minimum wage boosted by new government report
(Missouri Independent) – The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office in a report Monday found a gradual increase to a $15 federal minimum wage by 2025 would reduce poverty, add $54 billion to the deficit over a decade and increase pay for millions of low-income workers. The report could help Democrats make a strong case for including a […]
Jamesport Tri-County Board of Education to seek bids for audit; renews several employee contracts
The Jamesport Tri-County Board of Education took action on several items at a meeting on February 9th. The board moved to seek bids for a financial audit for the 2021-2022 year. Membership was renewed in the Ozarks School Benefits Association Health Insurance Consortium. A certificate of deposit investment was approved of $150,000 for eight months […]
Audio: MoDOT director Patrick McKenna says 645 MoDOT employees currently have COVID
Missouri’s transportation director says more than 600 of his employees currently have the coronavirus. State Department of Transportation (MoDOT) director Patrick McKenna testified before the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight on Monday in Jefferson City, delivering MoDOT’s annual report. “As of this moment (Monday afternoon), we’re at about 645 cases of COVID within MoDOT, MoDOT alone,” McKenna […]
USDA extends general signup for Conservation Reserve Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the Conservation Reserve Program General Signup period, which had previously been announced as ending on Feb. 12, 2021. USDA will continue to accept offers as it takes this opportunity for the incoming Administration to evaluate ways to increase enrollment. Under the previous Administration, incentives and rental payment rates […]
Audio: Missouri’s Governor discusses unemployment overpayments and issues with House Speaker
Missouri’s governor is downplaying news reports of tension between him and House Speaker Rob Vescovo, saying there’s been hype in the media. Governor Mike Parson says he’ll move forward with the House and the Senate. The governor wrote a recent three-page letter, criticizing House GOP leaders for disrupting last week’s plans to hold the State […]