Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) reintroduced his legislation to ban all federal employees from using TikTok on government devices. Despite reports that TikTok is a unique threat to data security, the Biden administration shelved plans by the Trump administration to force a sale of TikTok’s American operations. Text of the legislation, cosponsored by Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and […]
Tag: policy
Lawmakers introduce legislation to support U.S. manufacturers
U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.), Rob Portman (Ohio), James Lankford (Okla.), and James Inhofe (Okla.) announced that they have introduced the Permanently Preserving America’s Investment in Manufacturing Act of 2021. The bill would ensure that American manufacturers can continue to make large investments, hire workers, and produce goods in the United States. “The strength of […]
Missouri Attorney General files suit against Biden administration to reinstate Migrant Protection Protocols enacted by Trump
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against President Joe Biden, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, and several other members of President Biden’s administration to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) enacted by President Trump and work toward combating migrant trafficking, securing the border, and ending the border […]
Carroll County Memorial Hospital modifies visitor policy for outpatient care and Jefferson Medical Group
Carroll County Memorial Hospital announces effective Wednesday, April 14, one visitor will be allowed to accompany outpatient care and Jefferson Medical Group patients. “We know the restrictions that have been in place over the past year have been difficult on everyone,” said Cindy Gilman, CCMH Chief Nursing Officer. “Even though we are allowing visitors and […]
FEMA to begin providing financial assistance with funeral expenses for deaths related to COVID-19
FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020, for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. The policy was finalized today, and FEMA is now moving rapidly to implement this funeral assistance program nationwide. To be eligible […]
Grundy R-5 Board of Education to meet April 14
The Grundy R-5 Board of Education meets Wednesday evening, April 14, at 6 o’clock to consider numerous topics. The agenda includes the oath of office for two board members and the re-organization of the school board. Reports are to be provided on transportation, ESSER funding, a first reading of policy updates, and letting bids for […]
Biden Administration to suggest model ‘red flag’ gun laws for states
(Missouri Independent) – The Department of Justice will distribute model “red flag” legislation to states so they can enact laws that would allow courts to temporarily remove a firearm from an individual who is distressed, according to senior Biden administration officials. “The president will not wait for Congress to act before the administration takes our […]
Audio: “Kids Win Missouri” praises Missouri House’s $76 million Increase for foster and adoptive children
A coalition that’s dedicated to improving the well-being of Missouri children is praising the Missouri House’s bipartisan approval of a 76-million dollar increase for foster and adoptive children. Kids Win Missouri policy director Craig Stevenson says the House budget includes unprecedented support for the kinship and foster families who care for the 14,000 children in […]
Audio: Jesus’ name invoked by both parties as Missouri House approves $34 billion budget, without Medicaid expansion
After a heated floor debate that included numerous biblical references, the Missouri House voted Thursday afternoon to give final approval to a $34.1 billion state operating budget. The House budget does not contain funding for Medicaid expansion. The operating budget now heads to the Missouri Senate, and Medicaid expansion supporters hope senators will include the […]
Biden to unveil $2 trillion plan to rebuild infrastructure, move to clean energy
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden on Wednesday will unveil a nearly $2 trillion infrastructure package to rebuild highways and bridges, along with funding programs for housing, broadband, and schools and increasing U.S. manufacturing jobs over the next eight years, an administration official told reporters on Tuesday night. Alongside the expansive infrastructure plan, the president will […]
Hawley calls for Biden to extend freeze on foreign worker visas
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to extend President Donald Trump’s executive order freezing visas for certain temporary foreign workers, which will expire today, March 31, 2021, unless President Biden acts. Senator Hawley writes that the temporary freeze, issued to protect American workers during the pandemic, should be extended […]
Audio: Southern Missouri Congressman Jason Smith considering Senate run; criticizes Biden on border wall suspension
A southern Missouri congressman who serves as the ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee says he’s considering a run for the U-S Senate in 2022. Salem Congressman Jason Smith spoke to Missourinet Monday (last) evening in Jefferson City, outside the Statehouse: Former Governor Eric Greitens and Attorney General Eric Schmitt, both Republicans, […]
Missouri Attorney General files suit against Treasury Department over provision in American Rescue Plan concerning state tax cuts
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of the Treasury and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen over the interpretation of a mandate in the American Rescue Plan Act that would force states to choose between accepting COVID-19 relief funds or exercising their sovereignty over state tax policy. “As a […]
Missouri farm income saw large increase in 2020 despite pandemic
Large government payments helped 2020 Missouri net farm income match or exceed the 2014 record of $3.4 billion, according to Abigail Meffert, senior research associate with the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI). Missouri’s outlook falls in line with the U.S. Agricultural Market Outlook, a summary of 10-year baseline projections presented […]
Audio: Missouri House gives initial approval to delivering goods by robots and drones
Some items you buy could soon be delivered in Missouri by robots and drones. The Missouri House has given preliminary approval to a bill that would allow the devices mainly on sidewalks and crosswalks. Holts Summit Representative Travis Fitzwater says his bill would allow the robots to travel up to 10 miles per hour and […]
Lawmakers introduce legislation to close loophole in Child Citizenship Act preventing citizenship from those raised by American parents
U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.), Mazie K. Hirono (Hawaii), Susan Collins (Maine), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Tammy Duckworth (Ill.) announced that they have introduced the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2021. The bipartisan bill would close a loophole in the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA), which has prevented internationally-adopted children, who are […]
North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees approve tuition, fees and room and board rates
The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees March 23rd approved tuition and fees as well as room and board rates for the 2021-2022 academic year. The majority of tuition and fees increased by $5 per credit hour. The student development, facility, and technology fees increased by $1 per credit hour. Dual credit increased by […]
Biden calls on U.S. Senate to act on background checks after Colorado mass shooting
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged the U.S. Senate to immediately pass legislation to close loopholes on background checks for guns and to ban assault weapons, following a mass shooting that killed 10 at a Colorado supermarket. “This should not be a partisan issue,” Biden said. “This is an American issue.” Biden’s […]
Bill that restricts controversial use of punishment in schools passes Missouri House
A bill soon headed to the state Senate restricts a controversial use of punishment in public schools. The Missouri House has initially passed Eureka Republican Dottie Bailey’s bill to define and prohibit the use of “restraint” and “seclusion” of public school students. The bill allows the use of seclusion rooms, and restraint is […]
Rural Iowa communities urge more factory-farm regulations
Advocates for family farms, rural neighborhoods, and the environment are asking Iowa lawmakers to find a more equitable balance between the interests of factory farms and of the communities they’re in. Research has shown higher levels of nitrates and phosphorus in the water, as well as air quality issues, in communities with nearby concentrated animal feeding […]