Families in Missouri have been receiving Child Tax Credit payments of $300 to $350 a month per child since the summer, and one local expert says making them permanent could benefit families long-term, across the nation. So far, 45% of Missouri families have reported using their payments for food, 33% for essential bills, and 30% […]
Tag: bills
After cold snap upended markets, natural gas could be pricey this winter
(Missouri Independent) – After a historic cold snap depleted natural gas reserves in February, prices for heating could be as much as 30% higher this winter, prompting concerns about increasing bills for Kansas and Missouri customers. Kansas is already grappling with the $1 billion fallout from this winter’s cold snap when natural gas prices rose by […]
Grundy County tax bills are in the mail
Personal property and real estate tax bills have been mailed for Grundy County. The bills are due to the collector’s office in the courthouse in Trenton by December 31st. The collector’s office is open weekdays from 8:30 to 4:30. There is a dropbox on the north side of the courthouse. The tax bills can also […]
Missouri Public Service Commission’s Cold Weather Rule takes effect November 1
The Missouri Public Service Commission’s Cold Weather Rule, designed to help customers with heat-related utility bills, begins on November 1, 2021. The rule will remain in effect through March 31, 2022. It has been a part of the Commission’s rules and regulations since 1977. The Cold Weather Rule applies to natural gas and electric utilities […]
Missouri man who stole gun from murder victim sentenced to almost 6-years in prison
A Missouri man who stole a firearm from the victim of a fatal shooting in a liquor store parking lot has been sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing the firearm. James A. Jones, 34, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Monday, Oct. 25, to five years and […]
Audio: Missouri State Treasurer pushes back on Biden’s plan to track bank transactions of $10k or more
State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick is pushing back on the Biden Administration’s proposal to track bank transactions being made to avoid taxes. It calls for banks, credit unions, and some state treasurers to report bank transactions and accounts of $10,000 or more. Fitzpatrick, a Republican running for State Auditor, says giving the IRS more personal information […]
Feds seize property of Kansas City area companies accused of COVID relief fraud
(Missouri Independent) – The federal government has seized two vehicles and is threatening to seize a lake house, allegedly purchased illegally with COVID-19 relief money by a Kansas City-area businessman. The property was seized from several real estate companies incorporated in Kansas by Joseph Campbell, with most operating under a version of the name Titan […]
Galt Board of Aldermen announce the purchase of city’s electric system by Grundy Electric Cooperative
The Galt Board of Aldermen accepted the resignation of an alderman on October 13. It was also announced the city’s electric system will have a transfer of services. Alderman at Large Tony Grindstaff resigned, and his position was declared vacant. A new alderman will be appointed at the November meeting. The person appointed will fill […]
Missouri Attorney General joins 19 state coalition urging Congress to reject legislation that increases energy fees
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt joined a 19-state coalition urging Congress to reject burdensome legislation that would increase fees on energy producers and hit American consumers with even greater price hikes. The two bills in question are the Methane Emissions Reduction Act in the Senate and a provision of the Build Back Better Act in […]
Advocates press for action in Congress on voting rights, despite grim outlook
(Missouri Independent) – Activists are ramping up the pressure on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to move on his chamber’s version of a voting rights bill, even though there’s no sign there will be enough Republican support to advance it. Alternatively, they’re pressing for an end to the filibuster, though there’s no indication there would […]
Recommendations by Missouri State Auditor not fully implemented by City of Center, after former city clerk misappropriated $300,000
After an audit last year determined the former city clerk of Center misappropriated more than $300,000, State Auditor Nicole Galloway has issued a follow-up report measuring the progress made to implement the audit’s recommendations. While officials in the Ralls County town of 500 have taken some measures to better safeguard public funds, the follow-up report […]
Lawsuit filed by lobbyist accuses MOSERS of violating Missouri Sunshine Law
(Missouri Independent) – A new lawsuit will test whether public agencies can hide how much they are paying attorneys and determine how far they must go in searching for records sought under the Missouri Sunshine Law. The lawsuit, filed Sept. 10 in Jefferson City by lobbyist John Gaskin of Flotron McIntosh, accuses the Missouri State Employees […]
Missouri lawmakers buck national trend by establishing police “Bill of Rights”
(Missouri Independent) – On the final day of the 2021 legislative session in May, Missouri lawmakers passed a “law enforcement bill of rights” that gives officers special legal protections and closes files to police misconduct. When Gov. Mike Parson signed it into law in July, the bill of rights portion was largely overshadowed in press […]
Audio: Kansas City State Senator Greg Razer vows to block all anti-LGBT bills that reach the Missouri Senate
Kansas City State Senator Greg Razer says he will try to block every bill he considers to be anti-LGBT that reaches the Missouri Senate. On the Senate floor Wednesday, Razer, a Democrat who is openly gay, says protecting the rights of the LGBT community will be the goal for the rest of his term. […]
Revised voting rights bill rolled out in U.S. Senate, with Manchin on board
(Missouri Independent) – Senate Democrats on Tuesday unveiled a revamped voting rights bill that would expand voter registration as well as create nonpartisan redistricting committees, but the measure is still likely to face an uphill battle in an evenly divided Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he will bring the legislation to the floor […]
After receiving “poor” audit rating in 2020, Monroe City making progress, but after follow-up review only 3 changes fully implemented
A report from State Auditor Nicole Galloway finds that Monroe City has implemented some recommendations from a 2020 audit, but that other concerns remain. The June 2020 audit of Monroe City was initiated through a citizen petition, which required 200 valid signatures of qualified voters in the city. That audit highlighted concerns in several areas, including city […]
“Simply unconscionable”: Advocates push Ameren to keep electric bills low during pandemic
(Missouri Independent) – Ameren Missouri should not increase its electrical rates for its customers as they struggle to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic fallout, a coalition of environmental, veterans, and tenants advocates said Wednesday. The St. Louis-based utility filed with regulators in March seeking a rate increase worth nearly $300 million per year to pay […]
White House seeks at least $24 billion to aid states struck by natural disasters
(Missouri Independent) – The White House is urging Congress to approve at least $24 billion — and likely more — for disaster relief costs, saying that the aid should be included in a short-term spending bill expected this month. That tally includes $14 billion for recovery costs related to extreme weather events, including hurricanes, floods, and wildfires during […]
Missouri will become the last state to enforce federal mental health parity act
(Missouri Independent) – Under a new state law that went into effect late last month, Missouri will become the final state to enforce a federal law designed to ensure mental health care is covered by insurance providers the same as treatments for physical ailments. The provisions were included in House Bill 604, an omnibus insurance bill […]