There’s disagreement among farmers over the Clean Missouri ballot measure to redraw voting districts. The Missouri Farm Bureau opposes the proposal, claiming it would weaken the power of rural voters. Mid-Missouri cattle rancher Susan Williams says Cooper County where she lives is already disenfranchised because it’s divided into four legislative districts. Former Missouri […]
A Missouri appeals court has reversed a lower bench ruling and will allow a 2017 lawsuit against the state’s voter ID law to move forward. Tony Rothert with the ACLU, which brought the case, notes it’ll be unnecessary litigation if another more recent lawsuit is upheld. The ACLU’s Tony Rothert notes the court […]
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Josh Hawley said Thursday night that he opposed cutting Social Security and Medicare to help erase the nation’s ballooning deficits and debt. Breaking with a suggestion by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Hawley said that if cuts needed to be made, lawmakers should look at taking federal dollars from the Affordable […]
The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) director says technology is important in attracting young farmers. Brian Hauswirth with Missourinet has the story. The state Department of Agriculture says the average age of a Missouri farmer is 58. MDA Director Chris Chinn notes Governor Mike Parson’s two top priorities are workforce development and infrastructure, adding […]
Missouri farmers have taken positions on Clean Missouri, the ballot measure that changes the way voting districts are drawn up and limits campaign contributions and lobbyist gifts. Rick Oswald, a former president of the Missouri Farmers Union, favors the measure because he thinks lawmakers have been swayed by the influence of big money. […]
A Missouri lawmaker wants answers after the family of an 84-year-old woman filed a billion-dollar lawsuit, claiming she was sexually assaulted repeatedly at a nursing home. Democratic Representative Courtney Curtis of Ferguson suspects the state’s Facilities Review Committee could be exercising lax oversight because he was once asked to be a member. Democratic […]
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 […]
As it now stands, there will be three measures before voters in November to legalize medical marijuana. Eapen Thampy with Heartland Priorities says two of them would go in the books as state constitutional amendments. Voting “yes” on a state constitutional amendment makes it much harder for lawmakers to change it. […]
(Missourinet) – Missouri lawmakers and administrators are trying to figure out what has caused a $100 million budget shortfall in the first two months of the current fiscal year. Democratic State Representative Deb Lavender of Kirkwood is a member of the House Budget Committee. She notes there’s a level of uncertainty over how the federal tax […]
(Missourinet) – A longtime state lawmaker who serves on a Missouri legislative committee examining Missouri Department of Agriculture funding levels says some department divisions need fee increases, while others don’t. Martinsburg GOP State Representative Jay Houghton serves on the Joint Committee on Review of the Plant Industries Division. MDA officials have provided the […]
(Missourinet) – Missouri lawmakers are heading back to work today for a special session requested by Governor Mike Parson. The special session will coincide with the annual veto session that takes place on the first Wednesday after the second Monday in September. The veto session is held for the legislature to consider action on […]
Efforts to improve morale and change a corrosive culture among Missouri prison workers has been criticized as ineffective. Department of Corrections Director Anne Precythe says progress is being made and defends a 24-hour hotline installed for disgruntled employees to report mistreatment. The head of the Missouri Corrections Officer’s Association says the only way […]
A legislative committee examining funding levels at the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) will hold a hearing Tuesday at the Statehouse in Jefferson City. The Joint Committee on Review of the Plant Industries Division meets Tuesday afternoon at 1. Chillicothe State Representative Rusty Black, who serves on the committee, tells Missourinet the department needs additional […]
Missouri Republican Governor Mike Parson has called a special session of the state legislature to focus on proposals for STEM education and treatment courts. The special session will take place at the capitol in Jefferson City and will largely coincide with the annual September veto session in which lawmakers can override the governor’s […]
(Missourinet) – A court has dismissed a lawsuit claiming a ballot measure that would increase the state’s motor fuel tax violates the Missouri Constitution. The court decision means the 10-cent motor fuel tax will be on the November ballot as it now stands, although an appeal of the ruling will likely be attempted. […]
A state legislator cautions lawmakers to wait until all facts have been released before drafting regulations aimed at preventing additional deaths on duck boat tours. Shell Knob State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick tells Missourinet not enough information has surfaced about the boat sinking this month in Branson that killed 17 people aboard. Fitzpatrick, who […]
(Missourinet) – For the first time in more than 36 years, Missourians will be casting ballots on what’s known as a referendum. The right-to-work referendum will appear on your August 7th statewide ballot. A referendum involves a bill approved by the Missouri Legislature, which in this case is a 2017 right-to-work bill. Labor unions were […]
(Missourinet) – A U.S. Supreme Court decision issued last week means Internet sales in Missouri can be subject to state and local sales taxes. Federal estimates show that up to $13 billion was lost across the country in 2017 because those taxes weren’t imposed. Ray McCarty with Associated Industries of Missouri is skeptical the numbers […]
Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood are being stripped before Governor Parson signs a bill calling for the action. Planned Parenthood of St. Louis has confirmed to Missourinet that it received a letter last Friday stating that the reimbursements had been suspended. M’Evie Mead of Planned Parenthood says state lawmakers were making a political statement with […]
(Missourinet) – Kansas City Democratic State Rep. Greg Razer was pleased with Governor Parson’s speech last night to the legislature and Missourians. Parson’s message urged lawmakers to serve with integrity, work as a team and elevate the tone of the political discourse. About 300 people attended a reception afterward in the governor’s office […]
