State Representative Ben Baker, R-Neosho, wants to ban drag queen storytime at public libraries. About 300 people, including queens dressed in full drag and LGBT supporters, rallied Saturday at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City against Baker’s bill. Missouri Capitol Police provided security and crowd control. The event included many holding signs like “Knowledge is […]
Tag: Missouri House
Missouri Health and Senior Services Director testifies that the state is well-prepared for Coronavirus
Missouri’s health director testified Monday afternoon in Jefferson City that he’s hoping for the best and preparing for the worst regarding the coronavirus. State Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams appeared before the newly-created Missouri House Special Committee on Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Williams testifies there have been no confirmed […]
Audio: Missouri Legislature asked to reduce paperwork required for federal safety net programs
A Missouri House committee has voted unanimously in favor of shrinking the amount of paperwork that Missourians must fill out to enroll or renew in federal safety net programs. The state’s paperwork to apply for things like food stamps, WIC, Medicaid or temporary assistance, can reach as many as 63 pages. Bill sponsor Mary Elizabeth […]
Missouri House passes bill that could allow private and religious schools to cut wages of hourly workers
In 2018, Missouri voters gave their blessing to incrementally raising the minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2023. The state House has passed a bill that would exempt private and religious school workers from the state’s minimum wage law. The proposal would open the door for these schools to reduce the pay of hourly […]
Audio: Missouri House gives preliminary approval to proposed changes to medical marijuana industry
The Missouri House has given preliminary approval to proposed changes to the state’s medical marijuana industry. Missouri patients asking to use medical marijuana could be required to meet in-person with a doctor, not through the internet or telephone. Joplin Republican Lane Roberts attached the condition to his bill getting initial approval Thursday. He’s […]
Missouri Bill to notify parents if class material, guest speakers in school mention sexual orientation or gender identity
State law could be changed to require that Missouri public school districts tell parents if class material, guest speakers, or displays in school mention sexual orientation or gender identity. The Missouri House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee is debating State Representative Chuck Basye’s bill that would let parents have their kids removed from class if […]
Audio: Missouri House committee could vote this week on measure targeting trans athletes
A Missouri House committee could vote this week on a proposed public vote targeting transgender high school athletes. If approved by voters, transgender athletes would have to participate in sports based on their biological sex and females could no longer play football with their male teammates, for instance. During a public hearing, Yukon State Representative […]
Audio: Missouri House committee considers lottery-related legislation allowing winners to not have names published
Legislation that would give Missouri Lottery winners the OPTION of not having their names published by the Lottery has been heard by a House committee. The bill sponsor, Florissant State Representative Jay Mosley, tells Missourinet it’s a safety issue. You would be able to keep your identity secret if you win the Missouri […]
Audio: Missouri Representative wants to change state’s legal definition of marriage to domestic union
State Representative Adam Schnelting of eastern Missouri’s St. Charles wants to change the legal definition of marriage to a domestic union. During a Missouri House committee hearing today, Schnelting, a licensed minister and former pastor, says he’s sponsoring a bill because he says marriage is not the government’s business. Speaking on behalf of […]
Missouri House gives initial approval to bill creating statewide prescription drug monitoring program
The Missouri House has given preliminary approval to a bill that would require the creation of a statewide prescription drug monitoring program. Representatives voted 95-56 in favor of the legislation. The GOP House Speaker and the House Democratic Leader both voted in favor of the bill. Missouri is the only state in the nation without […]
Audio: Missouri House Speaker prioritizes eminent domain legislation
Legislation aimed at preventing private entities like the Grain Belt Express from using eminent domain could hit the Missouri Senate floor soon. Frankford State Representative Jim Hansen’s bill was the first bill sent by the House to the Senate earlier this year. Hansen and House Speaker Elijah Haahr briefed Capitol reporters on Thursday, […]
Audio: Missouri House considers whether to strengthen charge against suspects who fuel high-speed chase
The Missouri Legislature is being asked to strengthen the charge against suspects who fuel a high-speed chase with law enforcement. During a House committee hearing, Van Buren Police Chief Alonzo Bradwell says his department has experienced an increase in pursuits in southeast Missouri. Under Poplar Bluff State Representative Jeff Shawan’s bill, suspects would […]
Audio: Missouri Medicaid Director Richardson to present budget this week
The state’s Medicaid director will present his budget to the Missouri House Budget Committee Tuesday morning in Jefferson City. The hearing is set for 8:15. During his January State of the State Address, Governor Mike Parson (R) credited former House Speaker and current Medicaid director Todd Richardson for finding $84 million in savings, in the Medicaid […]
Audio: Micah Landes on events at Great Northwest Day in Jefferson City
Grundy and other 18 other counties will be represented at the state capitol when Great Northwest Day is held next Tuesday, February 4th and Wednesday, February 5th. Grundy County’s coordinator, Micah Landes, says those interested in attending should contact her as soon as possible. Great Northwest Day includes a luncheon Tuesday with Governor […]
Call to Missouri Department of Conservation’s Operation Game Thief leads to arrest
The Missouri Department of Conservation credits public cooperation, investigative work, and an anonymous tip for a major poaching arrest near the Lake of the Ozarks. Throughout the month of October, conservation agents who work the area near the Lake of the Ozarks responded to multiple complaints of dead deer with only the heads, tenderloins, and […]
Audio: Missouri lawmaker hopes to pass prescription drug monitoring program
A southeast Missouri state lawmaker who has championed prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) legislation hopes to pass it in her final year in the Missouri House. Missouri is the only state in the nation without a PDMP, which is an electronic database that collects data on controlled substance prescriptions within a state. Scott […]
Audio: Missouri House Subcommittee to discuss Medicaid expansion
A Missouri House subcommittee will hear testimony on the issue of Medicaid expansion on Tuesday in Jefferson City. The House Subcommittee on Health Care Reform will hold a hearing on Tuesday afternoon at 12:30. Subcommittee chairman Steve Helms of Springfield tells Missourinet his committee’s aim is to improve access to healthcare and reduce […]
Audio: State denies application for proposed Sedalia daycare near sex offenders
The state has denied an application from a proposed Sedalia daycare that would have been 12 feet from a nursing home with sex offenders. A daycare facility called Lil Mouse wanted to open next to a Sedalia nursing home with 17 registered sex offenders. State Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) spokeswoman […]
Audio: Missouri House Speaker says Medicaid expansion would “Blow Hole” in state budget
The Missouri House Speaker and House Democrats view the issue of Medicaid expansion differently. GOP Speaker Elijah Haahr of Springfield says Medicaid expansion would hurt education, by taking dollars out of the classroom. Statistics provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) show the number of Missourians on Medicaid has dropped from […]
Audio: Missouri House Committee on gaming expects large crowd for October public hearing
Missouri House officials are expecting a large crowd to attend an October public hearing at the Statehouse in Jefferson City about alleged illegal slot machines, and are urging those who want to testify to call ahead. House Special Interim Committee on Gaming Chairman Dan Shaul tells Missourinet the committee will take public testimony on October […]