Missouri’s most influential business group is endorsing a Medicaid expansion issue that will appear on your August ballot. Medicaid, which is formally known as MO HealthNet, is a federal and state program that assists with medical costs for residents who have limited incomes. Missouri’s current Medicaid budget is about $10 billion, accounting for about one-third […]
Tag: lawmaker
Missouri motorcycle helmet legislation still under review
Missouri’s governor is still reviewing legislation that would allow some motorcyclists to ride without a helmet. The provision is included in a large transportation bill that is now on Governor Mike Parson’s desk. Parson’s spokeswoman, Kelli Jones, told Missourinet on Wednesday that the large bill is still under review. Current Missouri law requires every person operating […]
Missouri Congressman introduces legislation intended to prevent police brutality
Missouri Congressman Lacy Clay and a chorus of other lawmakers have introduced sweeping legislation designed to crack down on police brutality problems. Clay, along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional Black Caucus, want to reign in on police using deadly force and want to require an independent prosecutor for all police killings. Clay, […]
Audio: Missouri lawmakers hope to see a cattle slaughter facility in Missouri
Two state lawmakers testified Thursday in Jefferson City that an effort is underway to get a cattle slaughter facility in Missouri. State Reps. Don Rone, R-Portageville, and Dan Shaul, R-Imperial, testified before the Joint Committee on Agriculture. Rone says he and Shaul participated in a conference call this week with retailers, grocers and meat wholesalers. “This would be […]
Missouri Chamber calls on governor to deal with ‘opportunistic COVID-19 lawsuits’
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants Gov. Mike Parson to call a special session to put an end to “opportunistic COVID-19 lawsuits”. In a press release, the Chamber says coronavirus liability is an emerging problem in Missouri involving those who believe they might have contracted the virus at a business and wants to […]
Missouri Legislature gives final approval to absentee ballot legislation; photo ID requirement stripped out
Absentee ballot legislation that expands voting by mail through the rest of 2020 is on its way to Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s desk, after receiving final approval from the House in Jefferson City on Friday evening. The final House vote was 121-24 and came with about 30 minutes to spare before the mandatory 6 p.m. […]
Missouri’s municipal electric utilities encouraged by General Assembly regarding Grain Belt Express
Missouri’s municipal electric utilities are encouraged by the outcome of the 2020 General Assembly Among the favorable outcomes was the reconsideration and defeat of parts of SB 782 by the Missouri Senate. Senators found a ‘hidden’ House amendment in the bill that was an attempt to kill the Grain Belt Express transmission line project (GBX). […]
Missouri House to vote on final approval of state operating budget
The Missouri House is expected to give final approval to a proposed $34.9 billion state operating budget Wednesday in Jefferson City. The House will gavel-in Wednesday morning at 10, and House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, tells Missourinet they’ll take up the budget at that time. He notes the Legislature must approve a balanced budget by […]
Missouri’s lack of e-commerce use tax means missing out on revenue from items sold online
As Missouri moves to reopen the state’s economy while still respecting social distancing measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, city and county government leaders warn of dire financial problems due to Missouri’s lack of an e-commerce use tax. Callaway County Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann said the failure of the Missouri legislature to pass an e-commerce […]
Audio: Supplemental budget passed by Missouri lawmakers expands Medicaid and funding for child care
One of the Missouri House Budget Committee’s senior members says the six-point-two billion dollar supplemental budget approved by the Legislature on Wednesday expands Medicaid to those impacted by the coronavirus and are below the poverty level. Versailles GOP State Representative David Wood chairs the Appropriations subcommittee on social services. The budget contains funding […]
Missouri to receive federal guidance this week on $13 million in coronavirus funding
Missouri’s budget director testified Sunday in Jefferson City that he expects federal guidance early this week on what the Show-Me State can spend its coronavirus funding on. State Budget Director Dan Haug tells the House Budget Committee that Missouri is expected to receive at least $13 million in federal funding. “Right now we do know […]
Missouri Health and Senior Services Director testifies that the state is well-prepared for Coronavirus
Missouri’s health director testified Monday afternoon in Jefferson City that he’s hoping for the best and preparing for the worst regarding the coronavirus. State Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams appeared before the newly-created Missouri House Special Committee on Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Williams testifies there have been no confirmed […]
Medicaid expansion emerging as key issue in Missouri gubernatorial race
Missouri’s GOP governor and his likely November Democratic opponent clashed over the issue of Medicaid expansion, during separate press conferences Tuesday in Jefferson City. Medicaid is a federal and state program that assists with medical costs for residents who have limited incomes. Missouri’s current Medicaid budget is about $10 billion, accounting for about one-third of […]
Audio: Missouri lawmaker focused on Missouri gasoline tax increase
Increasing the state’s gasoline tax is the top priority for a veteran Missouri lawmaker who’s in his eighth and final year in the House. Grandview Democratic State Representative Joe Runions tells Missourinet it’s badly needed, noting the state’s 17-cent gas tax has remained the same since 1996. Runions says Missouri’s cities and towns […]
Audio: Missouri medical marijuana director to testify at Missouri Capitol again next week
The state’s medical marijuana director will be back to testify at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City next Wednesday. Director Lyndall Fraker delivered a presentation to the House Special Committee on Government Oversight yesterday. House Speaker Elijah Haahr tells Capitol reporters that lawmakers are trying to learn more about how the program works. […]
Audio: Missouri Medicaid Director Richardson to present budget this week
The state’s Medicaid director will present his budget to the Missouri House Budget Committee Tuesday morning in Jefferson City. The hearing is set for 8:15. During his January State of the State Address, Governor Mike Parson (R) credited former House Speaker and current Medicaid director Todd Richardson for finding $84 million in savings, in the Medicaid […]
What you need to know about Governor Parson’s proposed prison budget
Governor Mike Parson’s proposed state budget of $30.5 billion includes $825 million to fund the Missouri Department of Corrections and the 21 prisons it operates. The plan is about a $44 million increase compared to the current fiscal year. Parson wants to reduce the number of housing units within Missouri’s prison system. During a House […]
Audio: Missouri lawyer says federal background check system used for firearms sales is faulty
A southwest Missouri trial lawyer says the federal background check system used for firearms sales is faulty. During a Monday hearing before an interim Missouri Senate committee studying the state’s gun violence problem, Craig Heidemann of Springfield, says Missouri is not providing mental health information to the database, to keep guns away from unstable people. […]
Audio: Missouri lawmaker hopes to pass prescription drug monitoring program
A southeast Missouri state lawmaker who has championed prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) legislation hopes to pass it in her final year in the Missouri House. Missouri is the only state in the nation without a PDMP, which is an electronic database that collects data on controlled substance prescriptions within a state. Scott […]