The Missouri Legislature is dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19 in its ranks just a week into its annual session. The St. Louis Post Dispatch is reporting that Rep. Wes Rogers,(D-Kansas City), has tested positive for the coronavirus and his roommate, Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, is in quarantine. Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lee’s […]
Tag: lawmaker
Audio: Missouri Congressman Jason Smith says “Impeaching Trump would fuel more hate and fire”
The U.S. House has voted today to impeach President Trump for the second time. House Democrats have led the effort after Trump urged rally supporters last week to march to the U.S. Capitol and “pressure” lawmakers to object to the election certification process. On the House floor today, southeast Missouri Republican Congressman Jason Smith, a […]
Audio: Missouri Capitol heightens security after FBI warning of armed protests; House discusses emergency plans
The Missouri Capitol has extra law enforcement keeping an eye on the building after reports of possible “armed protests” at all 50 state capitols and the U.S. Capitol. The increased presence follows an FBI warning of threats of an “uprising” in the days leading up to the January 20 inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden. During […]
Audio: Southeast Missouri lawmaker files pay raise resolution
A veteran southeast Missouri state lawmaker has filed a resolution, aimed at blocking proposed pay increases for state lawmakers and for statewide elected officials. Deering GOP State Representative Andrew McDaniel introduced his resolution on Monday. He has told Missourinet that state employees and teachers should be receiving a pay raise. He’s voted against […]
Audio: Former Missouri GOP Congressman signs onto letter calling for Trump to be impeached
At least 24 former Republican Congressional members, including one from Missouri, have signed onto a letter for the second time supporting the impeachment of President Trump. In the letter, former Missouri Congressman Tom Coleman and the other Republicans say there is no excuse for nor defense of a President to actively orchestrate an […]
Audio: Missouri Legislature’s 2021 session begins January 6
The Missouri Legislature’s new session begins Wednesday at the state Capitol in Jefferson City – with some COVID-19 measures. Senate President Dave Schatz of eastern Missouri’s Sullivan says health screenings will be done and temperatures will be checked when people enter the Capitol. Schatz, a Republican, says Senators are not required to wear […]
Audio: People who destroy or steal political yard signs might have to pay up in Missouri
People who destroy or steal political yard signs might have to pay up in Missouri. The offense is already a class four misdemeanor. Bill sponsor, State Representative Sara Walsh wants to require a person found guilty of the offense to also pay the sign owner $500 or the actual cost of the sign, whichever amount […]
Audio: Hawley’s attempt to give $1,200 payments to Americans has been blocked
Wisconsin U.S. Senator Ron Johnson has blocked an effort co-sponsored by Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley that would give 1,200-dollar direct stimulus payments to many Americans. Johnson’s move comes as lawmakers in Washington continue to work on another coronavirus stimulus package. On the Senate floor today, Hawley, a fellow Republican, says what he is proposing […]
Medical marijuana subpoena may have been connected to Independence, Missouri FBI probe
(Missouri Independent) – The head of Missouri’s medical marijuana program testified under oath that a grand jury subpoena his agency received late last year was likely connected to an FBI investigation in Independence. The revelation by Lyndall Fraker, director of medical marijuana regulation at the Missouri Department of Health and Seniors Services, is the first […]
Audio: $76 Million in to be deployed to Missouri’s K-12 schools, once Governor signs supplemental budget
About $76 million in federal money will be heading to Missouri’s k-12 schools, once Governor Mike Parson signs the supplemental budget bill. House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, says the $1.27 billion supplemental budget includes $75.6 million for school nutrition services. “i.e., paying for meals in k-12 education,” Smith says. “So this […]
Audio: Lawmaker files prescription drug monitoring program legislation for ninth consecutive year
A southeast Missouri lawmaker who has filed prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) legislation for the ninth straight year says she’s thankful that God has given her the ability to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. Scott City State Senator-Elect Holly Rehder (pronounced like Raider) says Missouri’s medical professionals must have the knowledge of […]
Missouri lawmaker: State employees and teachers should receive pay raises, not elected officials
A veteran state lawmaker from southeast Missouri will file a resolution this week, aimed at blocking proposed pay increases for state lawmakers and for statewide elected officials. State Rep. Andrew McDaniel, R-Deering, was first elected to the Missouri House in 2014 and will be a senior member in January during his final House term in […]
Audio: Southeast Missouri lawmaker will file resolution to block proposed pay raises for state lawmakers
A veteran state lawmaker from southeast Missouri will file a resolution this week, aimed at blocking proposed pay increases for state lawmakers and statewide elected officials. Deering GOP State Representative Andrew McDaniel has voted against previous pay raises for lawmakers, and says it’s state employees and teachers who should receive a raise: The […]
Audio: Missouri’s Senate President Pro Tem to review report recommending pay increases for lawmakers
A bipartisan committee is recommending a five percent pay increase for Missouri lawmakers AND for statewide elected officials. The Citizen’s Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials has made the recommendation. While he hasn’t seen their report yet, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz says the commission’s work is independent. The “Springfield News-Leader” reports […]
With no statewide mandate in Missouri, more local governments are requiring masks
(Missouri Independent) – In early July, the Columbia City Council passed an ordinance requiring everyone over 10 years old to wear a face mask when in close contact with someone from outside their household. Since that vote, a requirement for face masks has been in every health order issued for the city of 123,000 by the Columbia-Boone […]
Police chokeholds, no-knock warrants spark debate in Missouri House committee
(Missouri Independent) – As state lawmakers mull the idea of restricting police use of chokeholds or no-knock warrants, they are facing pushback from law enforcement organizations who contend decisions should be made at the local level. The House Special Committee on Criminal Justice met for three hours on Monday to explore the possibility of passing […]
Budget group calls for stimulus payments for struggling Missourians
Some Missouri policy experts say federal COVID-19 relief money should be allocated to help struggling Missourians and spur local economies. The current supplemental appropriations bill under consideration at the Missouri Statehouse would use federal COVID relief funds to replenish the state’s unemployment trust fund. It would happen at the same time the state decreased the unemployment tax […]
Missouri’s health director to outline vaccine plan and testify about increasing COVID numbers
Missouri health officials say there have been about 21,000 new COVID cases in the past week, an average of 3,105 per day. State Department of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Randall Williams will testify Tuesday morning before the Missouri House Special Committee on Disease Control and Prevention. Committee chairman Dr. Jon Patterson, R-Lee’s Summit, […]
Mike Parson defeats Nicole Galloway in race for Missouri governor
(Missouri Independent) – Republican Mike Parson has secured a full four-year term as Missouri’s governor, scoring victory Tuesday night over his Democratic challenger Nicole Galloway. Parson, 65, led Galloway, 38, by more than 442,000 votes with over 95 percent of the state’s precincts reporting shortly after midnight, according to the Secretary of State’s unofficial results. The […]