Gavel and Law book news graphic

Audio: Missouri Legislature’s state budget negotiators recommend the hiring of 53 public defenders

The Missouri Legislature’s state budget negotiators are recommending the hiring of 53 attorneys for the state Public Defender System. During negotiations, Senate Minority Floor Leader John Rizzo of Independence says his wife corrects some cases handled at the local level by overworked attorneys.     The system has nearly 400 lawyers handling about 90,000 cases […]

USDA Sign

USDA awards MDC two partnership projects to enhance cropland acres, restore and protect sand prairies

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will continue initiatives to integrate conservation with agriculture practices and help restore and manage sand prairies after being awarded two partnership projects through the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Through RCPP, conservation partners work in collaboration with NRCS to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners throughout […]

Domestic Assault (Domestic Violence) graphic

Audio: Missouri Legislature passes bill allowing domestic violence victims to get lifetime order of protection for themselves and their pets

Domestic violence victims could get long-term orders of protection against their alleged abusers without returning to court annually. The Missouri Legislature has passed a bill that would allow protection orders to be renewed for up to the lifetime of the attackers. The proposal is sponsored by Senator Elaine Gannon of southeast Missouri’s De Soto.   […]

Unemployment

Audio: Missouri Senate works on bill that would forgive unemployment overpayments, shrink future jobless benefits

The Missouri Senate worked Monday on a bill that would forgive state and federal unemployment overpayments. During debate on the proposal, an attempt was also made to shrink future jobless payments by eight weeks. Kansas City Democrat Greg Razer says the effort would kick Missourians while they are down.     Warrensburg Republican Denny Hoskins […]

Medicaid Expansion in Missouri

Audio: Missouri’s Senate president says Medicaid and social services consume 46 percent of state operating budget

Missouri’s Senate leader says the state’s operating budget has grown from 21-billion dollars a decade ago to 34-billion dollars today. Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz tells Sullivan affiliate KTUI that Medicaid expansion is too expensive. He says the state Department of Social Services’  budget continues to grow.     The Missouri Senate and House […]