Legislation that increases penalties for witness and victim tampering will go to the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on Monday, after being approved by the Judiciary Committee on a 17-0 vote this week. The prosecutor in western Missouri’s Johnson County traveled from Warrensburg to Jefferson City to testify for the bill, saying that witness […]
Tag: legislature
Missouri panel to request temporary removal of districts serving as MOCAP gatekeeper
The Missouri Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education is drafting a letter to send to Gov. Mike Parson to request temporary removal of school districts serving as the gatekeeper of Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program, or MOCAP. Due to COVID-19, more families are choosing to move their kids to virtual learning. During a committee […]
Judge strikes down Cleaner Missouri ballot summary; state moves quickly to seek appeal
Cole County Judge Pat Joyce has ordered the ballot summary in a Cleaner Missouri legislative redistricting plan must change. In a judgment issued Monday, Joyce says the Amendment 3 ballot description is “misleading, unfair, and insufficient” and therefore in violation of state law. The Republican-dominated Missouri Legislature passed the proposed Constitutional amendment, SJR38, this year, […]
Audio: Missouri State Fair in Sedalia focusing on 4-H and FFA youth this year
The 2020 state fair in west-central Missouri’s Sedalia will be a youth livestock show only, due to COVID-19 concerns. The 11-day fair begins Thursday and runs until Sunday, August 23. State Fair Director Mark Wolfe says Missouri 4-H and FFA members will receive an invaluable agriculture education experience in Sedalia. “I think we’re going to have […]
Missouri Senate committee begins work on violent crimefighting package
A Missouri Senate committee is reviewing a plan that aims to help reduce the state’s violent crime rate. Sen. Doug Libla, the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety Committee chairman is sponsoring the bill the Legislature is tasked with passing during the special session underway. In Kansas City, at least 107 people have been murdered so […]
Audio: Beef plant that opened in March increases workforce to 175 employees
Lone Jack is a small town of about 1,000 and is southeast of Lee’s Summit. It’s located in Jackson County. State Rep. Warren Love, R-Osceola, tells Missourinet that Republic Foods started operating the plant in March. He says it is processing about 250 head of beef cows per day. Missourinet contacted the company, which confirms […]
Missouri lawmakers to hear testimony on Medicaid expansion and tax credits
Missouri lawmakers will hear testimony on Tuesday in Jefferson City about potential impacts on the state budget if voters approve Medicaid expansion in August. Medicaid, which is officially called MO HealthNet in Missouri, is a federal and state program that assists with medical costs for residents with limited incomes. Missouri voters will cast ballots on […]
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry backs Medicaid expansion
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 […]
Missouri works to avoid K-12 funding decline from coronavirus inflicted attendance drop
Some health experts predict a spike in coronavirus cases this fall – putting Missouri K-12 public schools in a potential funding dilemma. Missouri’s foundation formula – the system used to determine how much state aid to give to schools – is based on a combination of components, including student attendance figures and academic achievement. During […]
Governor Parson takes security measures to safeguard election process
Governor Mike Parson took security measures to safeguard the election process and protect Missouri voters during COVID-19 by signing SB 631 into law. “Any Missourian affected by COVID-19 should still be able to vote, including those who are sick or considered at-risk,” Governor Parson said. “I applaud Senator Dan Hegeman, Representative Dan Shaul, and the rest of […]
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 Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft: “It’s just not the most secure way to hold an election”
The Missouri Legislature has adopted a bill that would allow more mail-in voting during this year’s August and November elections. Voters could cast an absentee ballot by saying they are ill if they are 65 or older, live in a nursing home, or have certain health problems. All other voters could mail in their ballot […]
Audio: Missouri Legislature adopts medical marijuana changes
The Missouri Legislature has passed changes to the state’s new medical marijuana industry. The FBI informed the state health department, which licenses and regulates the medical marijuana industry, that the department will not have access to its national fingerprint background check database. Representative Lane Roberts, R-Joplin, says his legislation would clear up that problem. “Because […]
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 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 […]
North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees tackle busy agenda at Tuesday meeting
Multiple faculty and staff members submitted written reports for the North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday evening. One report was from Vice President of Student Affairs Doctor Kristen Alley. She said votes were taken on End of the Year Awards, and Student Senate elections were held. Student Senate officers for 2020-2021 will […]
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 […]
Missouri Supreme Court hears arguments on overtime pay case for corrections officers
The Missouri Supreme Court heard remote oral arguments on Wednesday in a high-profile case involving the Cole County circuit court’s 2018 decision to award more than $113 million in overtime pay for Missouri corrections officers. It’s a case that’s been working its way through the court system for eight years, and it’s a case that could […]
Audio: Governor Parson restricts another $47 million in current state budget
Governor Parson is freezing another 47 million dollars in the current state budget to help Missouri fight the coronavirus. The largest chunks of funding being withheld are nearly 16 million dollars to K through 12 education and 7.1 million in school bus transportation. During Monday’s virtual briefing, Parson says the restrictions will be felt by […]
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 […]