(Missouri Independent) – Legislation creating a path to citizenship for undocumented people brought to the U.S. as children face a new border crisis and old partisan objections, diminishing the chances it will become law despite full Democratic control of Congress and the White House. On Thursday, the U.S. House is poised to pass the American […]
Tag: policy
‘Vaccine passports’ that show you’re inoculated are on the way
(Missouri Independent) – More than 70 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine — and along with that shot, a small paper card with the CDC’s label detailing the timing and manufacturer of the dose. Those paper cards at the moment are the only proof readily available to Americans of […]
Senate confirms Haaland as first-ever Native American to serve in the Cabinet
(Missouri Independent) – U.S. Rep. Debra Haaland made history on Monday when she became the first Native American to ever be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to hold a position in a president’s Cabinet. In a narrow 51-40 vote, senators confirmed Haaland, a New Mexico Democrat, to serve as secretary of the interior, where she […]
States question whether new federal stimulus law rules out tax cuts
(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 agriculture officials recommend enhancements to USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farmers to Families Food Box program and recommend adjustments to improve the program’s effectiveness. “The Farmers to Families Food Box program has been a critical tool during the COVID-19 pandemic […]
Chillicothe City Council to hold public hearing and consider several ordinances at March 8 meeting
The Chillicothe City Council will hold a public hearing to consider an ordinance vacating an alley running east and west from Church Street adjoining 103 and 11 Church Street. Both properties are owned by Rhoades Repairs. The hearing will be during a teleconference meeting on March 8th at 6:30 in the evening. The public can […]
Grundy County Commission votes to revise policy on county employees residency requirement
The Grundy County Commission has voted to remove from the policy book that Grundy County employees have to live in the county to work in the county. Elected officials, by statute, must live in Grundy County for at least one year before holding an office. They must also be a registered voter.
Audio: Missouri proposal aims to limit who transgender high school athletes can compete against
A Missouri proposal aims to limit who transgender high school athletes can compete against. Rocheport Republican Chuck Basye wants to let voters decide in 2022 whether the students should be restricted to play in sex-separated sports based upon their biological sex. During a House committee hearing, a few opponents said the Missouri State […]
Who defines the Missouri GOP: Roy Blunt, Josh Hawley or Eric Greitens?
(Missouri Independent) – The eyes of the nation turned to U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley over the holidays when he became the first senator to announce an objection to the certification of presidential electors. But the eyes of local politicos turned instead to his home-state colleague, Missouri’s senior senator. How would Roy Blunt — up for […]
Governor appoints Trenton resident to Coordinating Board for Higher Education
Governor Mike Parson has appointed a Trenton resident to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education. C. Phillip Hoffman’s appointment was one of five appointments Parson announced to boards and commissions on February 24th. Hoffman worked for his family’s agriculture input supply business since 1976. GFG Agriservices acquired the family business in 2014. He and his […]
Audio: Missouri Senate puts off vote on giant K-12 education package
After about twelve hours of debate, the Missouri Senate refrained from voting overnight on a contentious K-12 public education package. There was some confusion towards the end that appeared to ultimately lead to the plan getting shelved – at least for now. Several changes were made over the course of the day and night. As […]
North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees address personnel matters at Tuesday meeting
The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees approved multiple personnel matters on Tuesday evening, February 23rd. One personnel matter involved the resignation of the Director of Admissions and Marketing Kristie Cross. Her last day on campus will be March 19th. She will then take vacation time, and her official last day will be May […]
Free farming webinar explores lessons learned from the 1980s
AEI Premium invites agricultural decision-makers to participate in a virtual event exploring lessons learned from its “Escaping 1980” podcast to be held on March 3 at 1 pm eastern. Farmers, agribusiness leaders, farm policy wonks, and students can click here to register for the free webinar. Agricultural economists Brent Gloy and David Widmar will […]
WWII Nazi concentration camp guard removed to Germany
A Tennessee resident with German citizenship was removed to Germany for participating in Nazi-sponsored acts of persecution while serving as an armed guard at a Nazi concentration camp in 1945. In February 2020, Friedrich Karl Berger, 95, was ordered removed from the U.S. based on his participation in Nazi-sponsored persecution while serving in Nazi Germany […]
Biden backs reparations study, as House Democrats push for commission
(Missouri Independent) – The White House on Wednesday indicated that President Joe Biden would support studying reparations for slavery, the same day that House Democrats held a hearing on legislation that would set up a reparations commission. But White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stopped short of saying Biden would sign the bill under consideration […]
Chillicothe City Council approves health insurance opt-out policy
The Chillicothe City Council approved ordinances authorizing an agreement with a financial advisor and adopting a health insurance opt-out policy the evening of February 8th. City Administrator Darin Chappell reports the agreement is with McLiny and Company pursuant to getting funds for the street department and street projects for this year. The health insurance opt-out […]
Audio: Robot deliveries could be coming to a Missouri neighborhood near you
Missouri could allow robots to deliver goods to your home. A bill sponsored by state Senator Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, aims to let robots cruise mainly along sidewalks and crosswalks to deliver items around the state. During a state Senate Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety Committee hearing today, Hough says the effort is a work in […]
Audio: MoDOT director Patrick McKenna says 645 MoDOT employees currently have COVID
Missouri’s transportation director says more than 600 of his employees currently have the coronavirus. State Department of Transportation (MoDOT) director Patrick McKenna testified before the Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight on Monday in Jefferson City, delivering MoDOT’s annual report. “As of this moment (Monday afternoon), we’re at about 645 cases of COVID within MoDOT, MoDOT alone,” McKenna […]
North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees tackle lengthy agenda including personnel and spring graduation
The North Central Missouri College Board of Trustees approved several personnel items on Tuesday evening, January 26th. Former Board Clerk/Secretary Vicki Weaver was granted emeritus status. She was an employee of NCMC for 36 years. She retired at the end of December. President Doctor Lenny Klaver noted in a nomination letter that Weaver “guided NCMC […]