(Missouri Independent) – Gov. Mike Parson gave lawmakers a deadline of noon Tuesday to strike a deal to renew medical provider taxes vital to funding Medicaid or accept responsibility for more than $700 million in cuts from the state budget that takes effect July 1. If not, the governor says he will freeze funding in Missouri’s […]
Tag: bill
Missouri prison healthcare contract won by a company accused of bid-rigging in Tennessee
(Missouri Independent) – The long-time contractor for medical services in Missouri’s prisons is protesting the state’s decision to award the business to a company that will charge more than lawmakers appropriated and is accused of bid-rigging to obtain a contract in Tennessee prisons. Centurion Health, a Virginia subsidiary of St. Louis-based managed care company Centene, beat […]
Special session on tax crucial for Medicaid in doubt over Planned Parenthood amendment
(Missouri Independent) – Last Tuesday, Republicans appeared to have reached a fragile consensus around extending a tax crucial to Missouri’s Medicaid finances — opening the door for Gov. Mike Parson to call lawmakers into a special session this week. By Friday afternoon, June 18, that consensus appears to have been derailed, at least temporarily, by disagreements […]
Audio: Missouri Public Defender System prepares to hire 53 new attorneys, biggest staffing increase since around 1989
If Gov. Mike Parson does not make changes to the Missouri Public Defender System’s next budget, the office is on track to get its largest staffing increase since about 1989. Director Mary Fox tells Missourinet 53 new public defenders would be hired statewide. “This is going to make a huge difference in terms […]
Video: Biden signs law making Juneteenth a federal holiday. State offices will close in Missouri
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden on Thursday signed into law legislation declaring a legal public holiday annually on June 19, the date of the end of slavery in the U.S. known as Juneteenth. “Throughout history, Juneteenth has been known by many names—Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, Liberation Day,” Vice President Kamala Harris said at the […]
Audio: US Justice Department says “not so fast” to new Missouri law that supersedes federal gun laws
The US Justice Department is warning officials in Missouri that the state can’t ignore federal law after the governor signed a bill that bans police from enforcing federal gun rules. The St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause outweighs the measure that Gov. Mike Parson signed into law. The […]
Audio: Missouri leaders respond to Department of Justice’s warning about state’s new gun law
Missouri has responded to the U.S. Justice Department’s warning about a new gun bill signed into state law. The US Justice Department says Missouri cannot ignore federal law after Governor Parson signed a bill last weekend that bans police from enforcing federal gun regulations. Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton says the law […]
Missouri State Auditor issues report on Missouri’s use of federal stimulus dollars received through CARES Act funding
State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released her 12th monthly report detailing the state government’s use of federal stimulus dollars intended for the COVID-19 response. Last year, Auditor Galloway announced that her office would examine the state’s distribution and spending of funding received under the CARES Act and other federal assistance programs passed by Congress. The most […]
Missouri hospitals sue to block changes in Medicaid payments
(Missouri Independent) – After obtaining some relief from lawmakers for revenue cuts likely from a change in the way Medicaid pays for outpatient services, Missouri hospitals are asking the courts for relief from a coming change in payments for inpatient care. The Missouri Hospital Association on Friday filed a lawsuit in Cole County alleging the Department of […]
Audio: Northeast Missouri gun dealers pleased with Second Amendment Preservation Act’s signing
Gun dealers in northeast Missouri are praising the governor’s signing of the Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA), describing it as a win for Second Amendment rights. Reporter Dylan Austin from Missourinet Quincy affiliate WGEM has the story: SAPA declares that it’s the duty of the courts and law enforcement agencies to protect the […]
After winter cold snap drove up natural gas prices, utilities grapple with who should pay
(Missouri Independent) – Penalties that Spire Missouri issued to suppliers who failed to provide natural gas during a February cold snap that forced power outages across the Midwest could drive bills for hospitals, schools, and businesses to astronomical levels, according to a trio of complaints pending before state regulators. During the worst of the cold snap in February, […]
Lawmaker announces that he will reintroduce Taiwan Defense Act
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced he will reintroduce the Taiwan Defense Act (TDA), following new signs of China’s increasing belligerence in the Asia-Pacific and imperial ambitions worldwide. Sen. Hawley’s bill ensures the United States is able to defeat any attempted Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Originally introduced in June 2020, TDA is co-sponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Steve […]
Audio: Camp Rainbow at Crowder State Park in Trenton returns after missing 2020 due to COVID-19
Camp Rainbow will hold three sessions at Crowder State Park west of Trenton this year after not meeting last year due to the pandemic. The camp for individuals with disabilities will be held at Camp Grand River at the state park from June 18 through 26. Each session will involve a two-night stay. Then there […]
USDA opens signup for CLEAR30, expands pilot to be nationwide
Landowners and agricultural producers currently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program now have a wider opportunity to enroll in a 30-year contract through the Clean Lakes, Estuaries, And Rivers initiative, called CLEAR30. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expanding CLEAR30, a water-quality focused option available through CRP – to be nationwide now. Interested producers with […]
“Fireworks in the Park” set for July 5 in Jamesport
Activities are planned leading up to fireworks in Jamesport. The Jamesport Community Association and Lil’ Red Shed Fireworks will present Fireworks in the Park at the Jamesport City Park on July 5, starting at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Activities will include blacksmithing demonstrations, bounce houses, face painting, and a parade. There will also be […]
Lawmakers introduce Bill to improve housing services for survivors of human trafficking
U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Dick Durbin (Ill.), as well as U.S. Representatives Joyce Beatty (Ohio) and Ann Wagner (Mo.), introduced legislation that would commission a study reviewing current homelessness and housing services for survivors of trafficking. “We can […]
Judge rejects effort to add plaintiffs to Missouri Medicaid expansion lawsuit
(Missouri Independent) – A trial to determine whether Missouri must expand Medicaid coverage as mandated by a 2020 initiative will take place Friday as scheduled, Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ruled Tuesday. The ruling against adding new plaintiffs to the case came a day after Beetem heard arguments over whether two people who would become eligible for Medicaid […]
North Mercer Board of Education approves budget amendments
The North Mercer R-3 Board of Education approved budget amendments for 2020-2021 and adopted the 2021-2022 budget on June 14th. Secretary Jennifer Wilson reports revenues for 2020-2021 were down $9,396 at $3,159,279. Expenditures were up $38,609 at $3,169,588. That left a deficit of $10,309. The board approved the transfer of $100,000 from Fund 1 to […]
New Missouri unclaimed property owner lists available online for the first time
Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick is launching an annual effort to return Unclaimed Property to Missourians. Beginning Tuesday, the names of more than 112,000 individuals, small businesses, and non-profit organizations with Unclaimed Property will be listed in over 100 publications across the state. This year, for the first time, Missourians can also search and view […]