U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced he will introduce new legislation to give blue-collar workers a pay raise. For nearly four decades, workers making below the median wage have experienced stagnant wages, and this past year, the problem has been made worse by unprecedented layoffs, reduced hours, and income disruptions due to the government shutting down […]
(Missouri Independent) – The plan for distributing money directly to Missouri counties in the current version of the $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus relief bill is pretty simple – each gets $195.44 per person. But for cities, instead of a formula based on population, Congress divvies up the money using the method for determining Community Development Block Grant allocations. […]
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 […]
The Jefferson City council has accepted a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to help with the redevelopment of the Missouri State Penitentiary. The penitentiary was opened in 1836 but was decommissioned in 2004. Now the plan is to turn the property into a multi-use space centered around a hotel […]
The Missouri Senate spent about two hours today debating a controversial K-12 public education package today. The plan would expand charter schools statewide and let parents use tax credits to pay for things like private school tuition, tutoring, and school supplies. The comprehensive bill would also set up a process to allow school board members […]
The Bishop Hogan Memorial School in Chillicothe is accepting donations for its annual fundraising auction. Merchandise, certificates, and services can be made for the event on April 17th. The “Together We Rise”-themed event will be held virtually for the safety and well-being of participants. Online bidding will be accessible via computers or smartphones. Bishop Hogan […]
(Missouri Independent) – Last spring, as Missouri businesses shed hundreds of thousands of jobs, Gov. Mike Parson warned that the state was headed for the worst financial crunch since the 2008 recession. Ten months later, Parson presented a budget plan that anticipates a $1.1 billion surplus on July 1, the biggest in state history. And if the $1.9 trillion pandemic […]
The Trenton City Council on Monday night tabled an ordinance, approved a resolution, accepted a bid, and agreed to buy a riding lawnmower locally. More details also were presented on TMU’s use of diesel generators during the cold weather. The council voted to table a “right of way” agreement between the city of Trenton and […]
Missouri Department of Transportation crews are focusing on pothole repair through April. When you see a MoDOT crew making repairs, motorists should slow down and move over a lane to give them room to work. Crews started working to address the pesky potholes as soon as there was a break in the weather last week. […]
(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 […]
(Missouri Independent) – Thousands of Missourians facing repayment of mistakenly paid unemployment benefits would get some relief under legislation passed with a bipartisan vote Wednesday in a Missouri House committee. The bill, which will likely be debated on the House floor next week, would forgive debts due to overpayments from federal coronavirus relief programs but would not […]
(Missouri Independent) – I’m an independent Missouri farmer and livestock producer, and JBS, the largest meatpacker in the world and a Brazilian corporation, is attempting to put a 10,500 head hog operation next to my community and the Poosey Conservation Area in Livingston County. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is in the process of giving Missourian’s […]
Missouri could soon require online retail businesses from out-of-state to pay state sales tax. State Senator Andrew Koenig, a Republican from eastern Missouri’s Manchester, is sponsoring a so-called Wayfair bill. He tells Missourinet his goal is to make the state’s businesses more competitive. Koenig says his bill could bring in roughly 80 to […]
The House Budget Committee chairman says Missourians shouldn’t be taxed on federal stimulus checks. Brian Hauswirth spoke with Committee Chairman Cody Smith. House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith of southwest Missouri’s Carthage says under the state’s tax code, federal stimulus checks related to COVID are subject to personal income tax. Smith says Missourians […]
Legislation has been filed this session that would move some local races and issues, such as fire department and tax increase proposals, from April to later in the year. During a Missouri House Budget Committee hearing this week, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft says he has not taken a position on the idea. However, he […]
U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) introduced the World Health Organization (WHO) Accountability Act to hold the WHO responsible for its role in assisting China’s cover-up of the origins and early spread of the coronavirus. The WHO Accountability Act withholds U.S. taxpayer dollars from the WHO until the organization replaces its leadership, as of January 1, […]
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 […]
A proposed fuel tax increase could come with a rebate option for drivers who fill up in Missouri. State Representative Becky Ruth, R-Festus, has filed legislation that would increase the fee by two cents annually for five years to help to pay for Missouri’s underfunded highway system. She tells Missourinet if drivers turn in their […]
Refinancing three long-term loans with the use of lower interest rates is expected to save the city of Trenton $55,000 per year or as much as $798,000 over the life of the loans. The Trenton City Council on Monday night voted seven to nothing to allow Utility Director City Administrator Ron Urton to sign disclosures […]
Trenton city sales tax receipts are up around 6% for general purposes, capital projects, and parks in the first ten months of the city’s fiscal year, which is May through February. During that same period, Trenton city sales tax revenues are up by nearly 7% for fire department needs and up 7-1/2% for transportation, which […]
