Some lawmakers in Jefferson City are pushing forward bills that would limit citizens’ ability to put constitutional amendments on the ballot. The proposed legislation would double the number of signatures required to get on the ballot and raise the thresholds to pass them from a majority to two-thirds. Benjamin Singer, CEO of the group Show-Me Integrity, noted […]
Tag: bills
Missouri man pleads guilty to arson and insurance fraud conspiracy
A Missouri, man has pleaded guilty in federal court to leading an arson and insurance fraud conspiracy and to illegally possessing firearms. Wandale J. Fulton, 40, Lee’s Summit, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to one count of conspiracy to use fire in the commission of wire and mail fraud, one count of […]
GEC Community Foundation awards over $2,900 in grants
The Trustees of the GEC Community Foundation, Inc. met on January 26, 2022, and awarded four grants totaling $2,971.00. All grants are funded by member donations called Operation Round Up where members voluntarily round up their utility bills each month to fund grants to eligible entities. Education grants were awarded to Trenton-IX Middle School, Trenton, […]
Missouri Senate hears bipartisan push to forgive mistakenly overpaid unemployment benefits
(Missouri Independent) – Tracie Engelmeyer was among hundreds of bus drivers who were furloughed in St. Louis County in March 2020 because of the pandemic. School-district authorities told them that even though drivers are contracted labor, they would qualify for unemployment benefits and urged them to apply. Engelmeyer recalled the conversation she had with a […]
Missouri budget proposal includes dispersing federal funds for child care
More than half of Missouri families report paying more than $500 a month for child care, and child-care providers have been struggling to keep their doors open. Advocates for children say there are some promising actions the Legislature could take to improve both ends. Craig Stevenson, director of policy and advocacy with Kids Win Missouri, noted […]
Missouri businesses oppose ban on COVID vaccine mandates, argue it’s their choice
(Missouri Independent) – Proposals that would bar COVID-19 vaccine mandates and provide greater exemptions for vaccinations more broadly faced a wave of opposition from Missouri business groups Wednesday. Representatives for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Associated Industries of Missouri, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and other business associations made clear to lawmakers […]
Evergy customers to see increase in monthly electric bills
The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved a request filed by Evergy Missouri West, Inc. d/b/a Evergy Missouri West to adjust the Demand Side Programs Investment Mechanism (DSIM) charge on customer bills. The DSIM charge, which appears as a separate line item on customer bills, allows Evergy Missouri West to recover demand-side management program costs […]
Audio: Missouri lawmaker expects several proposed bills that would limit local tax increases
A Missouri lawmaker expects several legislative bills proposed this session that would make it harder for cities to ask their voters for tax increases. State Representative Bill Falkner is chairing the state House Local Government Committee. Falkner tells Brent Martin he will focus on helping municipalities address their biggest need, recruiting and retaining quality workers. […]
Audio: State Senator Dan Hegeman on worker compensation, school funding and the distribution of COVID relief funds
State Senator Dan Hegeman of Cosby says state worker compensation will be one of the top issues facing legislators when they return to Jefferson City next month. Hegeman, a Republican who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, notes low state pay is costing the state some quality workers. Hegeman says there is room in […]
Trenton Police Chief cautions area businesses to be vigilant for fake or counterfeit money
Trenton Police Chief Rex Ross advises business owners to be vigilant for fake or counterfeit money, especially this time of year. Ross reports a $100 play dollar bill was passed in the last few days at a convenience store. The bill had “Play Money” printed on it. The person who had passed the fake bill […]
Bipartisan Missouri legislation aims to provide a year of health care for new moms
(Missouri Independent) – Faced with over a year’s delay from the state social services department on implementing extended mental health care for new moms, a bipartisan effort now aims to expand health care coverage more broadly for low-income pregnant women. Legislation filed last week by Sens. Elaine Gannon, R-De Soto, and Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, would extend […]
Grundy County Collector-Treasurer Barbara Harris announces last day to pay tax bills in 2021
Grundy County Collector-Treasurer Barbara Harris reports that the Grundy County Courthouse in Trenton will be closed on December 24th for Christmas Eve and December 31st for New Year’s Eve. The last day to pay personal property and real estate tax bills in person at the Collector-Treasurer’s Office will be December 30th. The office is open […]
Controversial bill would have aided Orscheln Products LLC, under scrutiny for contamination
(Missouri Independent) – Two years ago, a company led by an influential Republican businessman faced off with the state’s environmental regulators over whether it needed to do additional testing for a chemical that health officials worried could pose a cancer risk to the company’s workers. The Moberly manufacturing facility, Orscheln Products LLC, is owned by […]
Evergy files request with Missouri Public Service Commission for increase in monthly electric bills
Evergy Missouri West and Evergy Metro have filed applications with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking to adjust the demand side mechanism charge on customer bills. The charge appears as a separate line item on customer bills and allows Evergy to recover demand-side management program costs and incentives under the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act. […]
NCMC hosts legislative forum with four state representatives, one senator, two representatives for federal legislators and president of MCCA
Four state representatives, one state senator, two representatives for federal legislators, and the president of the Missouri Community College Association spoke at a forum in Trenton November 29th. The legislative forum was in Cross Hall on the campus of North Central Missouri College. The speakers were asked to answer one question: What is your perspective […]
Three police officers hired by Trenton City Council; discussion continues but no action taken on trash service
Three representatives of Rapid Removal Disposal met last night with the Trenton City Council and city officials to discuss issues regarding trash service, particularly complaints that have been received by staff at City Hall. Councilman Lance Otto led a discussion on his research on the banned breed dog ordinance as well as the dangerous dogs’ […]
Climate funds in infrastructure bill aimed at drought, wildfires, floods
(Missouri Independent) – The recently passed bipartisan infrastructure bill isn’t just about roads and bridges — it also spends billions to address wildfire, drought, flooding, and other effects from climate change, Interior Department officials said Wednesday. The $1.2 trillion measure, which is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature after the House cleared it last week, includes pay […]
People are grappling with rising food prices and supply issues
From supply-chain issues to rising food costs, local food shelves are navigating a sea of obstacles in gathering enough supplies for those needing help. Iowa locations say to meet the nutritional needs of clients, the public could help in a variety of ways. The Food Bank of Siouxland, which covers several counties in northwestern Iowa, […]
GEC Community Foundation awards over $6,000 in grants
The Trustees of the GEC Community Foundation met on October 13, 2021, and awarded 10 grants totaling $6,034.00. All grants are funded by member donations called Operation Round Up where members voluntarily round up their utility bills each month to fund grants to eligible entities. Education grants were awarded to Pleasant View R-VI School District, […]