Statistics from the state Department of Social Services show the number of Missourians on food stamps has increased by about 120,000 since January. There were about 658,000 Missourians receiving food stamps, at the start of the year. That number increased to about 778,000 as of July, which is the latest number available from DSS’ statistics. […]
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Missouri Senate passes five special session bills to fight crime
The Missouri Senate passed five special session bills about crime in the wee hours of Thursday morning. Members spent more than 16 hours on the legislation with the most time being consumed by House Bill 2. It deals with the admissibility of certain witness statements. The slowdown came when Sen. Bob Onder, R- Lake St. […]
Missouri Senator slams state’s no-bid contract paying firm $829,000 so far
Missouri has paid a consulting firm more than $829,000 so far in federal funding for pandemic response coordination, despite Gov. Mike Parson saying a foundation was paying the tab. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports payroll records show the McChrystal Group has received the federal CARES Act funding from the state, instead of Parson saying earlier […]
Several new laws go into effect in Missouri today
Several bills become law today that the Missouri Legislature passed during the second regular session of the 100th General Assembly. Here is a snapshot of the top bills approved by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Mike Parson: Partial motorcycle helmet law repeal House Bill 1963 is a sweeping transportation bill allowing motorcycle drivers 26 years and […]
Missouri’s new motorcycle helmet law takes effect on Friday
Some Missourians will be able to ride their motorcycles without a helmet, starting Friday. Governor Mike Parson (R) signed legislation into law in July, which gives Missouri motorcyclists the option of riding without a helmet. The provision is part of a large transportation bill. Under current Missouri law, every person operating or riding on a motorcycle must […]
‘Political trailblazer for women’ inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians
America’s first female county clerk has been inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians. A bronze bust of Annie White Baxter of southwest Missouri’s Carthage joins 47 others in the esteemed hall already showcasing journalist Walter Cronkite, radio host Rush Limbaugh, and the 33rd U.S. President – Harry Truman. They line the third floor of […]
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, […]
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: Missouri’s governor signs major foster care legislation into law
Bipartisan legislation that aims to modernize Missouri’s foster care system and provides Medicaid coverage to homeless children was signed into law Monday by the governor in Jefferson City. State Rep. Sheila Solon, R-St. Joseph, who chairs the House Children and Families Committee, says it’s one of the most important bills she’s passed in her eight […]
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 motorcycle helmet legislation still under review
Missouri’s governor is still reviewing legislation that would allow some motorcyclists to ride without a helmet. The provision is included in a large transportation bill that is now on Governor Mike Parson’s desk. Parson’s spokeswoman, Kelli Jones, told Missourinet on Wednesday that the large bill is still under review. Current Missouri law requires every person operating […]
Missouri Congressman introduces legislation intended to prevent police brutality
Missouri Congressman Lacy Clay and a chorus of other lawmakers have introduced sweeping legislation designed to crack down on police brutality problems. Clay, along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional Black Caucus, want to reign in on police using deadly force and want to require an independent prosecutor for all police killings. Clay, […]
Audio: Missouri lawmakers hope to see a cattle slaughter facility in Missouri
Two state lawmakers testified Thursday in Jefferson City that an effort is underway to get a cattle slaughter facility in Missouri. State Reps. Don Rone, R-Portageville, and Dan Shaul, R-Imperial, testified before the Joint Committee on Agriculture. Rone says he and Shaul participated in a conference call this week with retailers, grocers and meat wholesalers. “This would be […]
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 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’s municipal electric utilities encouraged by General Assembly regarding Grain Belt Express
Missouri’s municipal electric utilities are encouraged by the outcome of the 2020 General Assembly Among the favorable outcomes was the reconsideration and defeat of parts of SB 782 by the Missouri Senate. Senators found a ‘hidden’ House amendment in the bill that was an attempt to kill the Grain Belt Express transmission line project (GBX). […]
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 […]