An attempt to renew a law essential to financing Missouri’s Medicaid program drew fire late Monday from a state Senator who wants to bar Planned Parenthood from participating in the program and an anti-abortion group seeking to block access to contraceptives. A renewal of the taxes that provide more than $2 billion annually for Medicaid was added […]
Tag: House
More than $350 billion in federal recovery cash starts rolling out to states, cities, counties
(Missouri Independent) – States, cities, and counties can begin to tap their share of the $350 billion in federal funds intended to spur a national recovery from the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, White House officials announced Monday. Missouri will receive $2.7 billion in federal funding, with another $2.5 billion in direct aid for counties […]
Audio: Missouri House votes to legalize programs that let drug users exchange used needles for clean ones
The Missouri House has voted in favor of legalizing programs that let drug users hand over used hypodermic needles for clean ones. During House debate, St. Peters Republican Phil Christofanelli talks about the legislation that is intended to put an end to reusing or sharing dirty needles and potentially spreading diseases like HIV and hepatitis […]
Lawmakers approve Missouri operating budget
Missouri foster care advocates are praising Friday’s passage of the $35.1 billion state operating budget, saying it provides unprecedented support for the foster families who care for the thousands of children in Missouri foster care. House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith (R-Carthage) tells Missourinet that the budget provides a $90 million increase for foster and adoptive […]
Missouri State Fair officials announce first four concerts at State Fair Grandstand
The Missouri State Fair is excited to announce the first four concerts for the 2021 State Fair Grandstand presented by CFM Insurance. Trace Adkins will open the 2021 grandstand concert series on Opening Day, Thursday, Aug 12. Adkins has sold more than 11 million albums and charted more than 20 singles, including “You’re Gonna Miss This,” which won […]
Missourians join call to pass John Lewis Voting Rights Act
Missouri voting-rights advocates joined a national call to action Saturday to promote the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act. The Lewis Act would require states with a history of voter discrimination to get approval from the Justice Department before making legal changes to voting rules. Julie Steiger, co-president of the League of […]
Trenton Fire Department responds to East 17th Street address
Trenton Fire Department responded to 101 East 17th Street, where a small fire was reported at the base of a tree. A spokesman noted flames were moving up a dead tree approximately 15 feet away from a house. The department extinguished the fire and used a thermal imaging camera to check for any hot spots […]
Chillicothe City Council to meet on May 10 at 6:30
The Chillicothe City Council will consider several ordinances next week regarding bids, zoning, the sale of property, and contracts. The council will meet in the Chillicothe Municipal Utilities meeting room on Tuesday, May 10, 2021, at 6:30 in the evening. Ordinances involving bids would accept them for street improvements, the demolition of 1020 Cherry Street, concession […]
Audio: Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri offers a multitude of services including LIHEAP and services for women
The Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri provides various services in the Green Hills area. One of those services is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps households in need with utilities. Executive Director Chris Small reports Community Action works with more than 40 utility vendors. Some of the vendors are municipal […]
Audio: Missouri moves closer to student-athletes getting paid
The Missouri House approved legislation for all college athletes in the state to profit off of their name, image, and likeness. Representative Mark Sharp from Kansas City. Bipartisan support, passing 124-23. Rep Travis Fitzwater from Holts Summit. The state of California was the first to sign a bill like this into […]
Furious lawmakers demand answers from Missouri DSS for undercount of abuse reports
(Missouri Independent) – Lawmakers slammed the Department of Social Services on Thursday for underreporting the number of substantiated cases of abuse and neglect at youth residential facilities during a previous legislative hearing. For nearly an hour-and-a-half on Thursday, the House Special Committee on Government Oversight pressed DSS officials on why the number of findings of […]
Audio: Missouri Legislature passes private schooling tax credit bill
The Missouri Legislature has passed a private schooling tax credit bill. The measure would let donors provide scholarships to students to attend a private Missouri K-12 school. In return, they would get state tax credits. Senator Andrew Koenig of eastern Missouri’s Manchester carried the House bill that would prioritize special needs students and those who […]
Missouri WIC to see temporary benefit increase
Missouri WIC is temporarily increasing the Cash Value Benefit for Fruit and Vegetable Purchases (CVB) to $35 per month for eligible women and children. WIC is the Department of Health and Senior Services Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The American Rescue Plan Act gave USDA authority to temporarily increase the CVB […]
Missouri WIC income guidelines updated for 2021-2022
Missouri WIC announces the release of the updated Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) effective April 1, 2021. WIC is the Department of Health and Senior Services Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) releases annual adjustments to the IEGs used in determining eligibility […]
Grundy County Commission to meet on May 11
The Grundy County Commission next week will discuss utilities in back of the courthouse in Trenton. The commission is to meet with Trenton City Administrator Ron Urton at the courthouse on May 11, 2021, at 9:30 in the morning regarding the matter. The agenda also includes Public Administrator Adria Moore at 10 o’clock.
Less pollution, lower bills: Missouri, Kansas move ahead on utility securitization
(Missouri Independent) – Utility providers across Kansas and Missouri may soon be able to retire coal-fired power plants faster as the energy sector accelerates its transition to renewable energy sources. Kansas already passed legislation that allows companies to shutter coal plants, which release considerable amounts of carbon dioxide, without the financial hit that would otherwise come […]
Groups say slate of school bills would undermine public education
Advocates for public schools are urging the Missouri Legislature to bolster funding for public education rather than shift resources towards charter schools and school voucher programs. A bill pending in the House would provide tax credits for paying for private school tuition. Another would change school funding formulas to give more resources to charter schools, specifically […]
Audio: Missouri’s Amtrak rail service funding was back on the chopping block on Wednesday
Missouri’s Amtrak rail service funding was back on the chopping block on Wednesday. Kansas City Democrat Greg Razer and House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith discussed the plan. During legislative negotiations on the state budget, an effort was made to trim Amtrak service from two daily trips to one. About 170,000 people ride […]
Audio: Missouri Senate-House bill boosts protections for police, punishment for protests
The House and Senate will soon confer on a bill to boost protections for police officers and to boost penalties for repeated protesting in public streets. Senate Bill 26, deemed “the public safety bill of the session” by supporters, also comes with an array of amendments tacked on by the House Tuesday. The […]
Families and Friends of the Developmentally Disabled to meet on May 10, 2021
The Families and Friends of the Developmentally Disabled in Grundy County will discuss the chamber banquet next week. A meeting will be held at the Grundy County Courthouse in Trenton on May 10th at 7 o’clock in the evening. Enter by way of the east entrance. Other items on the agenda include FFDD’s portion of […]