Missouri’s Senate leader is praising senators in both parties for approving his legislation to increase the state’s gasoline tax by 12 cents per gallon, by 2025. Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz (pronounced like shots) says the state transportation system has billions of dollars in maintenance needs. The bill now heads to the […]
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden’s massive pandemic stimulus law pumps a welcome infusion of federal aid into state and local government coffers — but one brief section is raising questions about whether states are barred from cutting their own taxes if they accept the federal help. The Senate added language to the COVID-19 relief package […]
State health officials say about 18 percent of Missourians have received COVID vaccinations. Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth has the updated numbers. The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) says Missouri vaccinators have now administered more than one-point-seven million COVID shots, which includes the first and second doses. That’s 18-point-three percent of Missouri’s […]
State Auditor Nicole Galloway released her ninth monthly report detailing the state government’s use of federal stimulus dollars intended for the COVID-19 response. Last year, Auditor Galloway announced that her office would examine the state’s distribution and spending of funding received under the CARES Act and other federal assistance programs passed by Congress. The most […]
The final permits to begin construction on Little Otter Creek Reservoir were issued in late October 2020. Bud Motsinger, Presiding Commissioner of Caldwell County credits the success of this endeavor to the patience and support of the Citizens of Caldwell County and the hard work of present and past Commissioners, as well as elected officials […]
Governor Mike Parson announced a special cycle of the Department of Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Youth Opportunities Program (YOP), making $21.8 million available to assist nonprofit organizations and other entities providing services to at-risk youth. “Missouri nonprofits have been a lifeline for many Missourians throughout the COVID-19 crisis, providing critical services during […]
A growing southwest Missouri city is offering millions of dollars in tax incentives to General Motors (GM), in an effort to land a new GM factory. Reporter Ty Albright from our Joplin affiliate KZRG has the story. Joplin Chamber of Commerce President Toby Teeter says the city is offering a $200 Million package […]
A Kansas City, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court for engaging in a $6 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded dozens of victim investors. Matthew R. Peterson, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to eight years and one month in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Peterson to pay […]
(Missouri Independent) – Roy Blunt’s decision not to seek a third term in the U.S. Senate will have cascading effects across Missouri’s political universe. The state has no shortage of ambitious Republican officials, each of whom can make a legitimate claim at being the strongest candidate. So will the 2022 GOP primary turn into a […]
The University of Missouri System today launched Missouri Online, a new unified resource and administrative structure that supports online certificate and degree programs at all four UM System universities. The launch represents the culmination of strategic priorities made by the UM Board of Curators and UM President Mun Choi over the last three years to […]
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education March 9th approved salary schedules for the 2021-2022 school year. One thousand dollars will be added to the base for the certified salary schedule, making the base salary $34,000. This was estimated to cost the district $119,591. Superintendent Mike Stegman noted the base salary for certified staff was “pretty […]
Missouri expects to spend roughly 12.4 million dollars during the current and next state budget years to fight legal battles involving the state’s new medical marijuana program. That is money that could be going to help veterans, as spelled out in the ballot measure voters passed in 2018. During a House Budget Committee hearing, the […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt led a coalition of 12 states in filing suit against President Joe Biden’s administration over a massive expansion of federal regulations through executive order, potentially impacting nearly every aspect of the economy and Missouri household. “Manufacturing, agriculture, and energy production are essential to Missouri’s economy and employ thousands of hard-working […]
Since the first presumptive positive COVID-19 case was detected in Missouri one year ago, Governor Mike Parson and his administration have worked continuously to combat the virus, keep Missourians safe, and move Missouri’s economy forward. “Since COVID-19 struck Missouri one year ago, we have worked nonstop to take a balanced approach, fight the virus, and […]
The Federal Communications Commission has adopted 988 as a new three-digit number to be used nationwide to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. The use of this new three-digit number will begin on July 16, 2022. The FCC is implementing this new 3-digit number in an effort to simplify the hotline’s […]
Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley voted Friday against adding a minimum wage hike to the current COVID-19 relief bill in the Senate but is calling for a higher minimum wage — and a tax credit for some blue-collar workers. Hawley, in a stand-alone bill, would require companies that make more than $1 billion annually to […]
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today after voting against Democrats’ nearly $2 trillion budget reconciliation bill. The far-reaching legislation includes $1,400 stimulus checks, $300-per-week jobless benefits through the summer, a child allowance of up to $3,600 for one year, $350 billion for state aid, $34 billion to expand the Affordable Care Act subsidies, and $14 billion for vaccine distribution. […]
Missourians who were mistakenly paid coronavirus unemployment benefits might not have to return the federal portion, but they still might owe the state’s share. The Missouri House has passed a bill affecting roughly 46-thousand Missourians who received the benefits in error and have been told by the state to pay up. During debate, Nixa Republican […]
A new report says Missouri has one of the lowest coronavirus vaccination rates in the country. The New York Times reports Missouri has vaccinated more than 14 percent of the population. The newspaper says federal data shows Missouri has had about 1.7 million doses delivered here. About 81 percent of them have been […]
Legislation to eliminate Missouri’s presidential preference primary has been heard in a House committee in Jefferson City. The bill is sponsored by State Representative Peggy McGaugh of northwest Missouri’s Carrollton, who says it would save state taxpayers nine-million dollars. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft supports McGaugh’s proposal. Missouri has used the presidential preference […]
