Governor Mike Parson’s office says they’re confident that a final transportation agreement with Missouri lawmakers is possible, before the end of the session in May. The governor’s office is responding to House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith’s 100-million dollar transportation plan, which does NOT incur new debt. The Carthage Republican has concerns with the governor’s […]
Tag: lawmaker
Audio: Missouri Legislature considers bill about poachers
Lawmakers have reintroduced a proposal that would allow judges to order poachers to pay restitution fees ranging from $375 to $5,000. Two identical bills filed in the Missouri House and Senate could gain more traction this year considering three recent cases in which elk were illegally killed. Under the proposed legislation, the fees […]
Audio: Missouri Department of Revenue blasted at House Oversight Committee hearing
The Missouri Department of Revenue says state tax refunds are about 80-dollars lower than a year ago, in part because of a longstanding inaccurate calculation at DOR involving the federal tax deduction. Revenue Director Joel Walters testified Wednesday before a House oversight committee in Jefferson City, saying some taxpayers will have to pay because they […]
Audio: Missouri Senate committee considers charging sales tax for some online purchases
A Missouri Senate committee is considering whether the state should be charging a 6.5-percent sales tax on out-of-state internet purchases. Missouri School Boards Association spokesman Brent Ghan says the tax could bring in additional money for the state. Ghan hopes lawmakers would not use the additional revenue to give tax cuts. […]
Audio: Missouri House Democrats unveil detailed health care agenda
Approving prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) legislation is a top priority for Missouri House Democrats in 2019. A PDMP is an electronic database that collects data on controlled substance prescriptions within a state. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade of Springfield says PDMP could go to the House floor this week. Missouri is the […]
Great Northwest Day steering committee announces priorities for event in Jefferson City
The Great Northwest Day steering committee has announced its priorities for the upcoming visit next month with lawmakers at the state capital. According to Micah Landes, the steering committee chairman, five priorities to be presented include: Caring for our youngest citizens Aligning to educate and advance our workforce Having rural high-speed broadband access and affordability […]
Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr announces House Committee chairmanships
House Speaker Elijah Haahr announced today the House Committee chairmanships and his selections for Republican membership on House committees for the 100th General Assembly. “One of the greatest qualities of the Republican Caucus is the diverse experiences and talents this group of individuals brings to our legislative process,” said Speaker Haahr, R-Springfield. “We have worked […]
Advocates to Missouri Legislature: Leave Amendment 1 Alone
Hands off Amendment 1. That’s the message from supporters of the “Clean Missouri’ ballot initiative to state lawmakers, who begin the 100th General Assembly next week. The anti-gerrymandering measure passed by 62 percent of the vote in November, but Gov. Mike Parson and several legislators are already calling for major changes. Joan VonDras with the Sierra Club’s […]
Audio: Counties continue to warn Missouri lawmakers against transferring road maintenance to local governments
Local county officials continue to push back against any effort on the state level to transfer maintenance of roads to them. Opposition to any transfer of the “lettered roads” to local governments is reflected in unbending comments by Randolph County Commissioner Wayne Wilcox in northeast Missouri. Wilcox says handing over those roadways to […]
Audio: Missouri Representative intends to file proposal to ban texting while driving
State Representative Jim Hansen of northeast Missouri’s Frankford plans to ask the legislature to pass a total ban on texting while driving. Missouri is one of the only states in the country without a total ban on texting while driving. Hansen hopes his proposed ban on texting while driving will get some traction […]
Audio: Pre-filed bill in Missouri legislature would be among the most restrictive abortion measures in the nation
Missouri lawmakers could be considering a far-reaching abortion restriction in the upcoming legislative session. Republican state Representative Nick Schroer of O’Fallon pre-filed a bill this week that would prohibit doctors from performing abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. The measure, which allows for exceptions in medical emergencies, would ban most abortions after […]
Audio: Missouri State Representative Holly Rehder to Pre-file Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Legislation
A southeast Missouri lawmaker who has championed prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) legislation for years thinks it will “make it over the finish line” in 2019. Sikeston State Representative Holly Rehder tells Missourinet that she and State Senator-Elect Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville will pre-file the same bill today (Monday). Rehder notes Missouri is […]
Audio: New state lawmaker from Shelbina wants colleagues to be more responsible with spending
State Senator-elect Cindy O’Laughlin thinks citizens have a mistrust of Missouri’s government because departments are poorly managed. She says it’s predictable that they would oppose propositions like the gas tax that failed in November’s election. The Shelbina Republican says lawmakers don’t have confidence that lawmakers are spending money wisely. She says […]
Audio: Missouri House Majority Caucus Chair is disappointed about transportation vote
One of the top GOP lawmakers in the Missouri House is disappointed that voters rejected a ten-cent gasoline tax increase this month. Odessa State Representative Glen Kolkmeyer, who serves as the House Majority Caucus Chair, tells Missourinet talks are happening “behind the scenes”: Kolkmeyer says he’s “very disappointed” that voters rejected a ten-cent […]
Audio: Missouri House Ethics Committee meets behind closed doors again
The Missouri House Ethics Committee met yesterday (Wednesday) for the second time this month, but it’s still unclear what they discussed. Brian Hauswirth was at the Capitol for the meeting. The Missouri House Ethics Committee met Wednesday morning at the Statehouse in Jefferson City. After a roll call vote, the committee met for […]
Audio: Federal law to block Missouri medical marijuana users from owning a gun
Missouri voters passed medical marijuana use by nearly 66% this month. But federal law will prevent those who obtain a medical marijuana card from owning a gun. John Ham with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives notes pot is still considered a schedule 1 controlled substance. Ham says his agency simply […]
Audio: Missouri Republican lawmakers lavish praise on Governor Parson’s Attorney General appointment
Republican lawmakers have been rallying around Governor Mike Parson’s appointment of GOP state Treasurer Eric Schmitt as state attorney general. Senator Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg says he’s had productive collaborations with Schmitt. Senator Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg is impressed by Schmitt’s skills as a lawyer. Hoskins of Warrensburg says Schmitt will […]
Audio: Missouri becoming more isolated with state’s refusal to expand Medicaid
There’s strong opposition among Missouri Republican lawmakers to expanding Medicaid, even after voters in three red states passed ballot measures to do so in the recent election. Newly elected House Majority Speaker Pro-Tem John Wiemann of O’Fallon told Missourinet earlier this year that more states would be retreating from Medicaid expansion. Missouri Republican […]
Audio: GOP state lawmaker looks to represent all voters, renew fight for legislative priorities
A Missouri state representative is pledging to work for all his constituents, even those who opposed him. Republican Chuck Basye of Rocheport, who serves an area near Democratic-leaning Columbia in mid-Missouri, says it’s a privilege to represent his district. Basye, who serves an area near Democratic-leaning Columbia, says he’ll listen to all his […]
Audio: Term-limited southwest Missouri lawmaker reacts to gasoline tax ballot proposal’s defeat
A southwest Missouri lawmaker who’s leaving Jefferson City because of term limits says he’s “shocked” that voters rejected a ten-cent gasoline tax increase last Tuesday. Webb City GOP State Representative Charlie Davis has a lot of truckers in his district. While he’s shocked at the vote, Webb City GOP State Representative Charlie Davis […]