At the most recent meeting of the Highway 5 Corridor Coalition, a unanimous vote was taken to endorse Proposition D on the November ballot. Proposition D raises the motor fuel tax by 2.5 cents each of four years totaling 10 cents per gallon in the fourth year. The funds will directly offset money in the […]
Tag: government
Audio: Two women, Republican & Democrat, run against female incumbents in Missouri House
A self-employed veterinarian wants to be the next Missouri State Representative in a district that includes a portion of mid-Missouri’s Columbia. Maren Bell Jones says she learned a lot about voter issues when making house calls for her work. A Republican woman is trying to defeat a female who is the only Democratic […]
Putnam County Democratic Committee to hold candidate debate
Putnam County R-1 Government students will assist the Putnam County Democratic Committee in holding a debate and candidate meet and greet next week. Putnam County teacher and administrator Mary Comstock and Government teacher Chris Lindhoff will moderate the debate at the commons of the high school in Unionville Tuesday evening at 6:30. Background on the […]
September is National Emergency Preparedness Month
September is National Emergency Preparedness Month and Grundy County Emergency Management Director Glen Briggs says this month’s purpose is to promote preparedness for emergencies that may strike in communities and get persons thinking about what they would do in an emergency. Information regarding emergency preparedness is included in the Grundy County Emergency Operations Plan which […]
Macon Post Office to be renamed in honor of World War II veteran
U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill has announced a bill that would honor Arla Harrell, a Missouri World War II veteran intentionally exposed to mustard gas, by naming the Macon post office for him. The proposal comes on the heels of new data from the Department of Veterans Affairs that shows that the agency has granted nearly […]
Audio: Government red tape is creating a shortage of services for domestic violence victims
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has released a report claiming government red tape is creating a shortage of services for domestic violence victims. The audit shows more than 28,000 requests for shelter went unmet in 2017. Galloway notes that Missouri turns away a higher percentage of victims from domestic violence shelters than five surrounding states. […]
USDA partners with rural Missouri communities to support opioid prevention, treatment and recovery
The USDA is partnering with rural communities to support opportunities for opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery. Among the 85 recipients nationwide receiving funding are four (4) Missouri organizations ready to make an impact in the state’s opioid epidemic. “In 2016, there were 908 opioid overdose deaths in Missouri and it is now estimated that 1 […]
USDA to implement regulatory reforms to increase access to capital; Local listening session to be held at Lake Ozark
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced that USDA is hosting listening sessions to solicit feedback on a plan to increase access to capital in rural areas by streamlining regulations for four Rural Development loan guarantee programs. “At USDA, we know that for many rural communities the regulations that govern our […]
First World War Commemorative Garden to be dedicated at John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site
The General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site will formally dedicate its First World War Commemorative Garden next week. The ceremony will be held at the historic site in Laclede the afternoon of September 15th from 2 to 5 o’clock. Missouri State Parks report the dedication will commemorate the garden as a place […]
Chillicothe City Council agenda includes four ordinances and a workshop
The Chillicothe City Council will hold a workshop and its regular meeting next week with both meetings to be held at the Chillicothe City Hall Monday evening. Topics for the 5:30 workshop include delivery of the rough draft of the audit and presentation of proprietary funds, financing of new radios for fire and police, and […]
Audio: Missouri Auditor’s report says taxpayers on the hook for city projects they didn’t OK
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released a report on Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), which found that lax oversight of taxpayer-funded projects has allowed for spending decisions to be made by those that benefit the most. Taxpayers will be burdened with increased taxes to pay for an estimated $2.2 billion in costs for more than […]
New law changing age requirements for marriage become effective August 28th
Age requirements for marriage licenses in Missouri will change next week due to legislation passed by the Missouri Legislature and recently signed into law by Governor Mike Parson. Senate Bill 655 prohibits marriage licenses from being issued if either party is younger than 16 years of age. The legislation also bars the marriage of anyone […]
Audio: Missouri farmers can expect more details soon on trade relief package
(Missourinet) – Missouri farmers can expect more details by the end of the month on the federal government’s 12-billion dollar trade relief package. USDA Trade Under Secretary Ted McKinney says farmers will need to sign up for the program and compensation will be based on 2018 yield data. McKinney says while most farmers would […]
What’s next after Proposition A defeat?
Local and state leaders will join citizens groups and unions today to establish ways to build on the momentum gained after the defeat of Proposition A. A town hall meeting at Oppenstein Brothers Park in Kansas City will discuss how to increase wages to at least $15 an hour for low-wage workers. Jessica Podhola, director […]
What local government agencies can do to safeguard electronic data
Local governments often make common mistakes that put electronic data at risk of hacking and theft, Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway says. The Auditor today released a summary of the most common cybersecurity risks found by her audits of local governments and courts, along with recommendations those agencies can follow to better safeguard their data. […]
Audio: Missouri Senator McCaskill and Attorney General Hawley on Post Office privatization
(Missourinet) – Missouri’s senior senator AND her GOP opponent in November both oppose privatizing the United States Postal Service. Senator Claire McCaskill, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, tells Missourinet she’s worked hard on this issue. McCaskill and her GOP challenger are BOTH critical of a proposal […]
State auditor finds poor planning in Tax Increment Financing projects in Bethany
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released a citizen-requested audit of the City of Bethany, which found that poor planning in tax increment financing projects (TIF) spearheaded by the city resulted in delays and lack of oversight. “Economic incentives can be valuable for communities, but they must be presented transparently and used effectively as part […]
St. Joseph home health care aid pleads guilty to $207,000 fraud scheme
A St. Joseph, Mo., in-home health care nursing assistant pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing bank account information from one of her clients in order to illegally transfer more than $207,000 out of her account. Ashley N. Garr, 33, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to one count of filing a […]
Audio: You can still vote if you don’t have a photo ID
(Missourinet) – Missouri’s primary election is underway. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft says the state’s registered voters without a government-issued photo ID can still cast a ballot today. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft says the state’s voter ID law was designed to make the experience easy for citizens casting their ballot. […]
EPA’s reduction in fuel standards concerns Missouri leaders
Missouri’s air quality could take a hit in future years if a reduction in fuel-efficiency standards announced on Thursday by the EPA is allowed to take effect. The proposal would freeze fuel-economy standards to hold them to 2020 levels. It rolls back an Obama administration requirement to increase the fuel standard to 54 miles per gallon by […]