Budget news graphic

Lawmakers approve Missouri operating budget

Missouri foster care advocates are praising Friday’s passage of the $35.1 billion state operating budget, saying it provides unprecedented support for the foster families who care for the thousands of children in Missouri foster care. House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith (R-Carthage) tells Missourinet that the budget provides a $90 million increase for foster and adoptive […]

Protesters with stop discrimination signs and protect vote

Missourians join call to pass John Lewis Voting Rights Act

 Missouri voting-rights advocates joined a national call to action Saturday to promote the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act. The Lewis Act would require states with a history of voter discrimination to get approval from the Justice Department before making legal changes to voting rules. Julie Steiger, co-president of the League of […]

2021 City of Chillicothe website 2021

Chillicothe City Council to meet on May 10 at 6:30

The Chillicothe City Council will consider several ordinances next week regarding bids, zoning, the sale of property, and contracts. The council will meet in the Chillicothe Municipal Utilities meeting room on Tuesday, May 10, 2021, at 6:30 in the evening. Ordinances involving bids would accept them for street improvements, the demolition of 1020 Cherry Street, concession […]

Missouri Department of Social Services

Furious lawmakers demand answers from Missouri DSS for undercount of abuse reports

(Missouri Independent) – Lawmakers slammed the Department of Social Services on Thursday for underreporting the number of substantiated cases of abuse and neglect at youth residential facilities during a previous legislative hearing. For nearly an hour-and-a-half on Thursday, the House Special Committee on Government Oversight pressed DSS officials on why the number of findings of […]

Audit News Graphic

Missouri State Auditor announces audit of Ray County

State Auditor Nicole Galloway announced that her office has begun a regularly scheduled audit of Ray County, located in western Missouri. The most recent state audit of the county, issued in July 2015, resulted in a rating of “fair.” “Audits are useful tools to ensure that government uses taxpayer dollars in a way that is both efficient […]

Desks in School Room

Groups say slate of school bills would undermine public education

Advocates for public schools are urging the Missouri Legislature to bolster funding for public education rather than shift resources towards charter schools and school voucher programs. A bill pending in the House would provide tax credits for paying for private school tuition.  Another would change school funding formulas to give more resources to charter schools, specifically […]