The Missouri House Transportation Committee chairwoman has filed gas tax legislation that has a new aspect: a possible rebate. Festus GOP State Representative Becky Ruth has filed a bill to raise Missouri’s gas tax by two cents annually for five years. Missouri’s 17-cent gasoline tax has stayed the same since 1996. Under her […]
Tag: Tax
VITA program offers free tax preparation services
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites offering eligible Missourians free assistance with tax return preparation are open at University of Missouri Extension sites throughout the state through April 14. “During such an extraordinary time, people will certainly have questions about their taxes,” said Andrew Zumwalt, an associate extension professor of personal financial planning. Volunteers have […]
Audio: Southwest Missouri lawmaker proposes property tax delinquency date changes
Legislation changing the delinquency date of real and personal property taxes from January 1 to March 1 has been heard today (Wednesday) by a Missouri House committee. O’Fallon GOP State Representative Tony Lovasco supports the bill. The Missouri Association of School Administrators has testified against legislation changing the delinquency date of real and […]
Missouri State Auditor begins citizen requested audit of city of Fairview
State Auditor Nicole Galloway has begun an audit of the city of Fairview, located in Newton County in southwest Missouri. Residents of the city requested the audit through the petition process. “My audits examine how public resources are used, detail any concerns about how government operates, and make recommendations on how taxpayers can be better […]
Audio: Efforts continue to boost Missouri’s gas tax over five years
Missouri Senate President Dave Schatz wants drivers to pay a little more when they get fuel. A Missouri Senate committee is considering whether to ask voters to increase the fee by two cents per year over a five-year period. During a public hearing, Schatz says an increase is necessary to pay for repairs to the […]
Audio: Mo House Oversight Committee chairman to ensure labor department handling unemployment Issue correctly
The Missouri House oversight committee chairman says the state overpaid more than 100-million dollars in unemployment benefits last year, and he’s hearing that some residents are being told they’ll have to repay up to 12-thousand dollars. House Special Committee on Government Oversight chair Jered Taylor of Nixa tells Missourinet it’s important to find out what […]
Audio: The Missouri Senate could bring up controversial education package this week
The Missouri Senate could debate this week a wide-ranging education package. Senate Bill 55, sponsored by Republican Cindy O’Laughlin of northeast Missouri’s Shelbina, is a controversial measure that could change the landscape of K-12 public education. The plan could expand charter schools to any Missouri city with a population greater than 30,000 people. […]
Audio: Missouri GOP Senate President Pro Tem pushing gasoline tax increase
Missouri’s GOP Senate leader says it’s time to increase the state’s gasoline tax. Brian Hauswirth files this report. Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz (pronounced like shots) of Sullivan will testify before the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday. He’ll present his bill, which would increase Missouri’s gasoline tax by two cents per […]
Video: Governor Parson delivers 2021 State of the State Address
Governor Mike Parson delivered the 2021 State of the State Address to the Missouri General Assembly. Governor Parson highlighted several accomplishments the state has made in combating COVID-19 as well as major successes in infrastructure and workforce development despite the challenges of the past year. Following a recap of 2020, Governor Parson’s speech focused […]
Grundy County Commission adopts deficit budget for 2021
The Grundy County Commission unanimously adopted a deficit budget for 2021 the morning of January 26th. The budget estimates total revenues of $5,736,634 and expenditures of $6,928,813. A balance deficit of $1,192,179 is expected for 2021. The county begins the year with carryover funds of $3,910,220.81. The projected ending balance is $2,718,041.81. Grundy County Clerk […]
Man pleads guilty to obtaining over $700,000 in COVID-19 relief using fraud scheme
A Washington man pleaded guilty today to perpetrating a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Nicholas L. McQuaid, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s […]
Biden immigration overhaul would open a door to citizenship for 11 million people
(Missouri Independent) – President Joe Biden is poised to send a sweeping immigration reform bill to Congress Thursday that would lay out a path for nearly 11 million undocumented people to obtain citizenship within eight years. Immigration has been one of the toughest issues for Congress to tackle, and the legislation’s fate is unclear in […]
Audio: Missouri Senate committee approves massive school choice plan
The Missouri Senate Education Committee has sent to the full Senate a comprehensive school choice package. Senate Bill 55 would allow charter schools in any school district located within a charter county as well as in any Missouri city with a population greater than 30,000 people. It would let parents use tax credits […]
Grundy County Commission approves ballot measure for April election
The Grundy County Commission has approved placing a question on the April ballot asking if the county should enforce brush control adjacent to county roads. The measure involves a Missouri statute, which states the “brush shall be cut, burned, or otherwise destroyed as often as necessary in order to keep such lands accessible for purposes […]
Computers on the Farm Conference meets February 8-9 via Zoom
With its virtual format, this year’s Computers on the Farm Conference, Feb. 8-9, will vividly underscore the increasingly vital role of computers in agriculture. “The topics are designed to simulate a hands-on experience for both beginner and advanced farm computer users,” says Kent Shannon, University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineering specialist and MU assistant teaching […]
Effort to stop charging 17-year-olds as adults has stalled in Missouri
(Missouri Independent) – Khadijah Wilson had a bully during her junior year at Francis Howell North High School in St. Charles. She told her principal and teachers about the name-calling, and how the other girl constantly threatened to beat her up. But no one intervened. It went on for several months. “I reported it more […]
Audio: Missouri Senate committee to hear about controversial K-12 education bills
Two contentious K-12 education topics will be front and center Tuesday at the state Capitol in Jefferson City. The Missouri Senate Education Committee will consider Manchester Republican Andrew Koenig’s proposal that would let parents use tax credits to pay for things like private school tuition, tutoring, and school supplies. Supporters refer to this type of […]
Audio: Missouri Cattlemen’s Association legislative agenda includes banning companies from taking private land
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association says one of its key legislative priorities this year is to prevent private companies from using eminent domain to get private land. Ag Policy Chairman Jimmie Long says the organization’s legislative progress was halted last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Missouri farmers and virtually all commodity groups […]
Carroll County Memorial Hospital Foundation purchases transport chairs for hospital
Carroll County Memorial Hospital Foundation purchased 10 patient transport chairs, called Staxis, for use around the hospital. “Staxi chairs deliver safe, secure, and quiet patient transportation,” said Megan Griffin, CCMH Safety & Risk Coordinator. “They are easy to clean, stackable; include lifting armrests, never fail brakes, and have a 600lb weight limit.” Staxi transport chairs […]