The School Superintendents Association says Missouri is the only known state in the nation that has not authorized the distribution of federal coronavirus funds designated for schools. Sasha Pudelski, director of Advocacy for the national organization, says the Missouri Legislature has not yet allowed the state Department of Education to dole out the nearly two-billion […]
Tag: billion
House committee scales back governor’s pay raise plan for Missouri state workers
(Missouri Independent) – Hundreds of custodians, clerks, and cooks working for state agencies would not get the raises Missouri Gov. Mike Parson promised in December under a spending bill approved Monday by the House Budget Committee. On a party-line vote, with Republicans supporting the bill and Democrats opposed, the committee approved a spending bill that sets […]
United States Department of Agriculture pledges $1B for ‘climate smart’ ag products
(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to spend up to $1 billion to foster the creation of climate-friendly agricultural and forestry products by offering grants to facilitate their production and the markets to sell them. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon in those industries. “Agriculture is such […]
Video: Pro-Greitens PAC hits Schmitt on China in ad airing during Olympics opening ceremony
(Missouri Independent) – Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s record on China is once again coming under fire, with a political action committee supporting one of his rivals in the GOP Senate primary launching an attack ad during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics Team PAC, which was formed to support the U.S. Senate candidacy of former […]
USDA provides update on implementation of forthcoming disaster assistance for agricultural producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provided an update at the Cattle Industry Convention on forthcoming assistance for agricultural producers impacted by weather-related disasters in calendar years 2020 and 2021. “Over the past two years, as agricultural producers have struggled with the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have been hard-hit by more frequent and […]
Judge approves most of Ashcroft’s summary for Missouri school funding ballot measure
(Missouri Independent) – A Cole County judge kept intact most of the ballot summary Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft wrote for an initiative petition seeking to bar public funds from going to private schools. On Wednesday, Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem ruled that Ashcroft was correct to say in the summary that the […]
Congress clashes over climate in early farm bill talks
(Missouri Independent) – Congressional Democrats on Wednesday touted conservation programs for farmers and ranchers as key tools for limiting agriculture’s impact on the global climate as they took initial steps to create the next farm bill. One Republican’s response: So what? “We’ve talked primarily about climate change, and I gotta to be honest with you,” […]
Federal Communication Commission’s Affordable Internet Connectivity Program provides assistance to qualifying households
GRM Networks is promoting consumer awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program, a new program from the Federal Communications Commission. This benefit will help lower the cost of broadband Internet service for eligible households. The $14 billion Affordable Connectivity Program provides a discount of $30 per month toward broadband Internet service for eligible households. A household […]
USDA invests $1 billion to improve community infrastructure for people living in rural towns across the country
United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh today announced that USDA is investing $1 billion to build and improve critical community facilities in 48 states, Puerto Rico and Guam (PDF, 449 KB). This infrastructure funding will increase access to health care, education, and public safety while spurring community development and building sound […]
Audio: Missouri Senator says Parson’s $250 million fund reserve request is a slush fund for the governor
The Missouri Legislature is getting to work on Governor Parson’s 47-billion dollar state budget proposal for the next fiscal year. State Senator Lincoln Hough has a problem with an item in the fellow Republican’s wish list that would create a 250-million-dollar reserve of funding. Hough represents the Springfield area in southwest Missouri. Hough, […]
Parson pay raise plan in limbo as $5.4 billion spending bill awaits vote
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri state employees counting on seeing a big raise in their February paychecks may be disappointed, as lawmakers fiddle with a $5.4 billion spending bill pushed by Gov. Mike Parson. When the Republican governor in December proposed a 5.5 percent pay raise for all state workers, he said he wanted it in effect by […]
Audio: Missouri trooper shot in the line of duty honored during governor’s state of the state address
A Missouri state trooper who was shot last month in the line of duty was a special guest at this week’s State of the State Address. Governor Parson recognized Trooper Colton Beck, who was shot by a suspect during a routine traffic stop. Trooper Beck was hit by gunfire which struck him in the face, […]
Audio: Parson requests millions to help upgrade Missouri’s water, wastewater and storm water systems
Governor Parson is requesting 250 million dollars to help provide safe drinking water and wastewater. He wants another 150 million to enhance stormwater systems. It’s part of his 47 billion dollar state operating budget for the next fiscal year. The proposal is now in the hands of the Missouri Legislature to decide if […]
Agriculture secretary pressed about pandemic relief funds for farmers
(Missouri Independent) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack faced questions on how his agency is doling out emergency pandemic aid and fostering collaboration with historically Black colleges during a Thursday hearing before the House Agriculture Committee. Committee Chairman David Scott, a Georgia Democrat, asked Vilsack for “critical updates on the implementation of pandemic relief programs, including […]
Governor proposes record $47.3B Missouri budget as he taps surplus and federal aid
(Missouri Independent) – Gov. Mike Parson proposed massive new spending on infrastructure and college buildings, and still found money to set aside for pensions and future revenue shortfalls, in the budget submitted Wednesday to lawmakers. Missouri will enter the new fiscal year with nearly $3 billion in surplus general revenue, an anticipation of record future tax collections, […]
Governor Mike Parson touts Missouri’s COVID-19 response in annual State of State address
(Missouri Independent) – Gov. Mike Parson praised his administration’s handling of the still-unfolding COVID-19 pandemic Wednesday, telling a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly that the state has emerged ready to make long-term investments in its future. “The bottom line is Missouri’s economy is strong,” Parson said in his annual State of the State […]
December 2021 was the warmest on record in Missouri and Kansas – by a long shot
(Missouri Independent) – Kansas and Missouri logged their warmest average December temperatures on record last month, according to data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Average temperatures over the last half of 2021 were higher than they’ve ever been in either state — and across the country. Meanwhile, despite a devastating cold snap that forced […]
Online orders for free at-home COVID tests to begin January 19
(Missouri Independent) – The Biden administration on Friday launched a new website for Americans to request up to four free COVID-19 tests per household. The administration is buying 1 billion at-home rapid COVID-19 tests, and Americans will be able to begin ordering the tests online on Jan. 19 at COVIDtests.gov. This is part of the administration’s effort […]
USDA invests more than $288 million to build and improve critical rural infrastructure in Missouri
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri State Director Kyle Wilkens announced that USDA is investing $288,302,000 to build and improve critical rural infrastructure in Missouri. “Infrastructure is more than just laying pipes in the ground and wires on poles,” said Wilkens. “By investing in modern infrastructure, Rural Development is investing in the lives of […]