(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. […]
(Missourinet) – Ameren Missouri is the first of the two largest utilities in the state to drop customer rates based on savings it’s receiving from a tax reduction. Congress cut the nation’s corporate income tax rate from 35%-to-21% last December with the reduction taking effect January 1st. Ameren’s drop of customer rates to […]
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 […]
In Missouri, 70 percent of college graduates leave school with debt, and navigating the payback process for their loans isn’t easy. That could change with a bill introduced in Congress this month that has gotten support from numerous higher education and consumer groups. The Aim Higher Act (HR 1772) is intended to make institutions more accountable and […]
On the surface, “right to work” policy sounds like something beneficial to Missouri workers, but opponents say it’s a misnomer. Contrary to what the name may indicate, the policy does not aim to provide a general guarantee of employment to people seeking work. On August 7, the state’s voters will decide on Proposition A, which […]
(Missourinet) – Governor Parson has signed into law this week a bill that renews and expands tax credits for donations to food banks, soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Jennifer Rhodus with a Farmington food pantry in eastern Missouri says the legislation will do so much for her organization and Missouri’s other food pantries. […]
(Missourinet) – Governor Mike Parson has signed five bills into law since replacing Eric Greitens as head of state, but 61 other measures await his attention. Among the bills signed by Parson Friday was one dealing extensively with the Department of Natural Resources. It gives the agency the authority to establish rules and […]
(Missourinet) – A sweeping new law allows Missouri utility companies to use an accounting practice that lets them recover depreciation on investments up front. Ameren, the state’s largest power company, says it stimulates investment in long-needed infrastructure upgrades. Cara Spencer with Consumers Council considers the accounting practice a ploy on the part of utilities to […]
(Missourinet) – The new Missouri governor says he wants urban mayors to know the challenges rural Missouri is facing and wants rural mayors to know about the challenges in urban areas. GOP Governor Mike Parson will meet Tuesday with Kansas City Mayor Sly James and will meet soon with St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson who […]
There’s renewed attention to look at gun violence on campus after a gunman killed 10 students at a Texas high school last week. Missouri Republican Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler is sponsoring a bill in Congress to address the issue. She told KOLR-TV that her “Police Officers Protecting Children Act” would allow armed, off-duty or retired officers […]
The Missouri Legislature has endorsed a massive agriculture bill that would include putting restrictions on the way imitation meat products can be marketed. During House debate, Olivette Democrat Tracy McCreery and Martinsburg Republican Jay Houghton had a lengthy exchange about making manufacturers use different labeling if their meat does not come from a cow, turkey, […]
Missouri lawmakers have passed a far-reaching utility bill that satisfies the state’s largest electric companies after years of haggling in the legislature. The bill changes the way regulated utilities negotiate rates with the state by allowing them to more quickly recover the cost of infrastructure upgrades. It would give them more flexibility to change customer rates […]
Legislation declaring that the expansion of broadband service is in the best interest of Missourians is heading to Governor Eric Greitens’ desk. State Representative Curtis Trent’s bill encourages the development of fiber optic infrastructure by Missouri’s rural electric cooperatives. The Springfield Republican tells House colleagues the uses of this are “immeasurable”: Trent says […]
The Missouri House Agriculture Policy Committee has approved Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Brian Munzlinger’s legislation that would create an industrial hemp pilot program in Missouri. Tuesday’s bipartisan vote was 11-2, and the Williamstown Republican tells Missourinet he’s optimistic. Munzlinger is referring to World War II. Both chambers have already approved industrial hemp bills, […]
The Missouri House has given initial approval to a proposal to ban most abortions after a fetus is 20-weeks-old. The legislation creates the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” in which abortions are prohibited unless necessary to avoid a woman’s death or serious risk of loss of a major bodily function. A doctor who violated […]
More than eight pieces of gun legislation were discussed in one House committee hearing yesterday in Jefferson City. Republican Representative Jared Taylor of Nixa said his bill that would prohibit cities from regulating the open carry of firearms was a response to Kansa City Police forcing individuals to empty their guns of ammunition. Democratic committee […]
The Missouri House passed the first measure dealing with abortion in the current legislative session Monday. The bill would require both parents who have custody to be notified when a minor seeks an abortion. This measure would call for a consenting parent to inform any other custodial parent in writing before the physician […]
State Rep. Jered Taylor is proposing to expand the number of locations, particularly private businesses like day care centers, amusement parks, and bars, where guns can be carried without a permit. A Missouri House committee will consider today Taylor’s legislation that would also bar state, local governments and public colleges and universities from restricting the […]
A proposal before Missouri lawmakers would place the country on the threshold of incorporating the Equal Right Amendment into the U.S. Constitution. Democratic state Senator Jill Schupp of Creve Coeur is sponsoring the plan to ratify the legislation on the state level. She says passing the amendment into law is important because its language provides […]
State Representative Nate Walker has introduced legislation that would designate a portion of U. S. Highway 63 as the “Bluegrass Queen Rhonda Vincent Highway”. The “Bluegrass Queen Rhonda Vincent Highway” would go from March Road in Adair County north to State Highway Y in Schuyler County. Walker explains he introduced the legislation to honor and […]
