Senator Dan Hegeman

Audio: Some state agencies working on VERY antiquated systems, says Senate Budget chairman Dan Hegeman

Some state agencies are working with the oldest computer operating systems- and still using them, mainly because of the costs associated with upgrading and replacing these outdated programs.  That’s according to State Senate Budget Chairman Dan Hegeman.     As Missourians well know- one of those is the Missouri Department of Revenue. Some of the systems […]

Student Loans or graduation cap on money

Audio: Missouri Senate Education Committee Chair wants community colleges to get more core funding

The Missouri Legislature is making its way through the state budget process. Shelbina State Senator Cindy O’Laughlin says she would like Missouri’s community colleges to get an increase in core funding from the state. O’Laughlin is the chair of the Senate Education Committee.     O’Laughlin, of northeast Missouri’s Shelbina, uses Moberly Area Community College […]

Missouri Department of Corrections

Audio: Missouri House signs off on budget to include bigger pay raise for some corrections jobs

The Missouri House has passed a 34-point-one billion-dollar state operating budget that includes a big pay raise for some hard-to-fill Department of Corrections jobs. On top of the requested two-percent salary boost for all state workers, some Corrections food service workers, officers, sergeants, and lieutenants would get anywhere from a nearly six percent to an […]

Medicaid

Audio: Will the Missouri Senate back the House’s attempt to defund Medicaid expansion? Senate President Dave Schatz weighs in

The Missouri House has passed the next state operating budget – without funding voter-approved Medicaid expansion. The $34.1 billion budget plan is now in the hands of the Republican-controlled Senate. Missouri Senate President Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, gives his thoughts to Missourinet affiliate KTUI in Sullivan about whether he expects the upper chamber to fund the expansion.   […]

Medicaid Missouri

Missouri House plan to reject Medicaid expansion faces uncertain fate in the Senate

(Missouri Independent) – Republicans in the Missouri House finalized their plan to block funding for voter-approved Medicaid expansion on Thursday, giving final approval to its version of the state’s budget and sending it to the Senate. What happens next remains unclear. House Democratic Leader Crystal Quade said she’s confident the Senate will restore the $1.9 […]

Domestic Violence

Audio: Missouri House gives initial approval to letting domestic violence victims get lifetime orders of protection

Current Missouri law allows orders of protection for one year – potentially forcing domestic violence victims to repeatedly return to court and face their abuser. The Missouri House has given initial approval to a bill that would allow the victims to get a lifetime order of protection.     Representative Tracy McCreery, a Democrat from […]

Budget news graphic

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 […]

Coronavirus Stimulus Payment Graphic

Audio:” Missouri bill would re-direct federal stimulus checks for prisoners who owe restitution

A northwest Missouri state senator wants to re-direct federal stimulus payments which might be heading to prisoners who owe money to victims. Senator Tony Luetkemeyer, a Republican from, Parkville, sponsors the measure being considered during the legislative session in Jefferson City.     Luetkemeyer’s bill could head to the Senate floor at any time. Congress […]

Medicaid Expansion

Audio: Governor Parson responds to House’s effort to block Medicaid expansion funding

The Republican-controlled Missouri House has given initial approval to defunding a Medicaid expansion effort approved by voters last year. The chamber could vote to use the governor’s one-point-nine billion dollar budget request for the expansion to instead help seniors in nursing homes, the developmentally disabled, and expand mental health programs, among other things. Here is […]

Congressman Jason Smith (Photo Courtesy Wikipedia)

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, […]