The Missouri Legislature has passed a proposal that would boost the state’s gas and diesel tax for the first time in about 25 years. The state House of Representatives voted Tuesday night 104-52 in favor of increasing the user fee by 12.5 total cents over five years. The plan would also give most drivers a […]
Tag: million
North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees reject bid for construction of practice facility
The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees on May 11th rejected bids at this time for construction of a new Russ Derry Practice Facility for baseball and softball. The project will be put on hold until further fundraising can be done, and the cost of construction can be reviewed again. This came after Jeremy […]
More than $350 billion in federal recovery cash starts rolling out to states, cities, counties
(Missouri Independent) – States, cities, and counties can begin to tap their share of the $350 billion in federal funds intended to spur a national recovery from the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, White House officials announced Monday. Missouri will receive $2.7 billion in federal funding, with another $2.5 billion in direct aid for counties […]
Lawmakers approve Missouri operating budget
Missouri foster care advocates are praising Friday’s passage of the $35.1 billion state operating budget, saying it provides unprecedented support for the foster families who care for the thousands of children in Missouri foster care. House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith (R-Carthage) tells Missourinet that the budget provides a $90 million increase for foster and adoptive […]
Missouri State Fair officials announce first four concerts at State Fair Grandstand
The Missouri State Fair is excited to announce the first four concerts for the 2021 State Fair Grandstand presented by CFM Insurance. Trace Adkins will open the 2021 grandstand concert series on Opening Day, Thursday, Aug 12. Adkins has sold more than 11 million albums and charted more than 20 singles, including “You’re Gonna Miss This,” which won […]
Audio: Missouri Legislature passes private schooling tax credit bill
The Missouri Legislature has passed a private schooling tax credit bill. The measure would let donors provide scholarships to students to attend a private Missouri K-12 school. In return, they would get state tax credits. Senator Andrew Koenig of eastern Missouri’s Manchester carried the House bill that would prioritize special needs students and those who […]
Governor Parson announces Missouri National Guard to scale back COVID-19 vaccine support
As demand for the COVID-19 vaccine has significantly decreased in recent weeks, Governor Mike Parson announced the Missouri National Guard (MONG) has begun scaling back its involvement at mass vaccination site locations in May. The drawdown of National Guard members is set to be completed by June 1, 2021. “We are in a far different […]
GRM Networks begins fiber-to-the-premise construction in rural exchanges of Princeton, Bethany and Spickard
During the month of April, GRM Networks kicked off fiber-to-the-premise construction in three rural exchanges. Contractors working on behalf of GRM Networks began fiber construction in the rural exchanges of Bethany and Princeton, while GRM Networks’ own construction department began work in the rural Spickard exchange. “Our employees and board of directors have worked hard […]
Missouri meat and poultry processors awarded nearly $17 million toward food supply expansions
The Missouri Department of Agriculture has awarded $16,716,406 million in CARES Act funding to nearly 150 small and medium-sized businesses. As a direct result of the reimbursement grant, more than 40 businesses were assisted in initiating or expanding their level of meat processing through a new grant of inspection or custom exempt inspection status. “As a […]
Public comment period opens on Statewide Transportation Improvement Program
A draft 2022-2026 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program that focuses on taking care of the state’s existing transportation system was presented today to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. A 30-day public review and comment period began on Wednesday, May 5) Missouri Department of Transportation Planning Director Eric Curtit told commissioners the draft STIP includes 1,417 […]
Less pollution, lower bills: Missouri, Kansas move ahead on utility securitization
(Missouri Independent) – Utility providers across Kansas and Missouri may soon be able to retire coal-fired power plants faster as the energy sector accelerates its transition to renewable energy sources. Kansas already passed legislation that allows companies to shutter coal plants, which release considerable amounts of carbon dioxide, without the financial hit that would otherwise come […]
Groups say slate of school bills would undermine public education
Advocates for public schools are urging the Missouri Legislature to bolster funding for public education rather than shift resources towards charter schools and school voucher programs. A bill pending in the House would provide tax credits for paying for private school tuition. Another would change school funding formulas to give more resources to charter schools, specifically […]
Audio: Legislature passes fee collection to bring DOR computer systems up to speed for car services
The House and Senate passed an add-on to a bill to collect millions in unpaid sales tax on cars to try to update the department of revenues antiquated computer system. Rep Travis Fitzwater of Calloway County fought for the amendment and won. These fees are not always collected by car dealers, but they […]
Commentary: Family farms are the solution, corporate agriculture is the problem
DISCLAIMER: This article is a commentary. The statements and opinions contained in the article are those of the author, Tim Gibbons. The opinions expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of KTTN/KGOZ Radio, staff, management, or webmaster. (Missouri Independent) – Last month, Missouri Rural Crisis Center held a telephone town […]
Missouri hospitals lobby for changes to new Medicaid payment system
(Missouri Independent) – Missouri lawmakers must finish work on the fiscal 2022 budget by Friday. And while the biggest spending issue of the session, Medicaid expansion, is off the table, there are other big issues to resolve in the state-run health care program. One of the largest is whether to provide a cushion for hospitals that […]
Audio: Proposed Missouri budget would designate $7 million to veterans home operations
A group of Missouri House and Senate members are expected to work out their state budget differences this week. Currently, the 34-billion dollar budget plan includes seven million dollars for the state’s seven nursing homes caring for veterans. During the Missouri Senate budget debate, Creve Coeur Democrat Jill Schupp, who serves on the Missouri Veterans […]
Meet Missouri’s national spelling bee participants
In 39 days, eight Missouri students will begin competing in the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. This year’s contest will include 209 spellers all vying for the treasured championship trophy. According to the bee, spellers will begin participating virtually in the first of three rounds on June 12. The semifinals are scheduled for June 27. […]
Evergy to shutter Kansas coal plant, speed transition to renewable energy
(Missouri Independent) – Evergy, an electric supplier to about 600,000 customers in western Missouri, will retire its coal power plant in Lawrence, Kansas, by the end of 2023, the company announced on Friday. The utility revealed its plan to regulators in a filing with the Missouri Public Service Commission. The “integrated resource plan” lays out Evergy’s next […]