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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
