Marshall Griffin

MO Congressmen Speak Out On Farm Bill

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:36:00 +0000

Members of Missouri's Congressional delegation are weighing in on the U.S. House version of the Farm Bill, which could be voted on before week's end.

Democrats, including St. Louis Congressman William Lacy Clay, say the GOP-backed bill goes too far.

Clay calls the cuts "outrageous."

"The savings achieved are small when compared to the great human suffering this change would cause," Clay says. "This is targeting the least among us."

Clay says ending subsidies on sugar, corn and other crops would be a better way to save money on agriculture costs.

New Missouri House Committee Will Look At Department Of Social Services

Marshall Griffin — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:36:53 +0000

Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones, a Republican from Eureka, has created another interim committee, this time to examine how well state agencies respond to citizens who use their services.

Missouri Governor Nixon Signs Home Brewers Bill

Marshall Griffin — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:40:36 +0000

Governor Jay Nixon (D) Wednesday signed eight bills into law that were passed this year by Missouri lawmakers.

One of them will be of special interest to beer lovers: Senate Bill 121 includes language allowing beer created by home brewers to be sampled and served free of charge at beer festivals. That provision also includes an emergency clause, meaning it takes effect immediately, just in time for the annual St.

Missouri Governor Campaigns Against Vetoed Tax Credit Bill

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:55:23 +0000

Governor Jay Nixon has launched a major public effort to support his veto last week of a bill that would have cut Missouri's individual and corporate income taxes.

The Democratic Governor appeared before college and university officials Tuesday morning in Jefferson City, telling them that the GOP-backed proposal is the single greatest threat to public education he's seen in his career.

Mo. Lawmakers Form Interim Committees To Work On Issues For 2014

Marshall Griffin — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:31:45 +0000

Lawmakers in Missouri will continue working on several issues this summer and fall in preparation for next year's legislative session.

A number of interim committees have been formed to explore ideas for bills in 2014. So far, they'll examine potential reforms to Medicaid, update the state's election laws, and look for ways to combat chronic wasting disease. Conservation officials say the disease has been found in a few white tail deer in north-central Miss

Missouri Revenue Growth Slows A Bit, But Still Trending Upwards

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:21:05 +0000

Revenue collections in Missouri slowed a bit last month, but continued their overall upward trend.

From July of 2012 through the end of May, the state took in $7.3 billion in revenues, an increase of 10.4 percent from May of 2012. The year-to-date increase from April of this year, though, was 11.2 percent. Missouri Budget Director Linda Luebbering blames it on a drop in sales tax collections.

Lee's Summit Lawmaker Who Threatened Resignation Changes His Mind

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:29:19 +0000

A Missouri lawmaker who threatened to resign unless one or both of his key bills survived the last day of the 2013 legislative session is staying put, even though both bills failed to make it out by Friday's deadline.

Missouri Legislative Session Wraps Up Today

Marshall Griffin — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:14:34 +0000

The last day of this year's Missouri legislative session has arrived. Lawmakers will be pushing to get several more pieces of legislation across the finish line.

The House passed a package of tax credits on Thursday that's still awaiting action in the Senate. The two chambers still differ on where to cap the state's most widely used incentives - for historic preservation and low-income Housing. Ron Richard, the Senate's Republican Floor Leader, says he hopes to get some sort of economic development bill passed.

Missouri Legislators Send Workers’ Comp Bill To Governor’s Desk

Marshall Griffin — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:12:58 +0000

Legislation that would revive Missouri's ailing Second Injury Fund and seek to reduce the number of occupational disease lawsuits was passed Thursday by the Missouri House. It had already passed the Missouri Senate during pre-dawn hours on Wednesday.

Legislators Send Governor Nixon Bill Banning Document Scans

Marshall Griffin — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:24:37 +0000

A bill is on its way to Governor Jay Nixon that would forbid the Missouri Department of Revenue from scanning and storing source documents of driver’s license and non-driver’s license applicants.

Last month, Governor Nixon ordered the agency to cease scanning documents of conceal carry weapons applicants, but scanning for other license applicants continues.

The bill approved Wednesday was sponsored in the Senate by Republican Will Kraus of Lee’s Summit. He says he thinks the Nixon will sign the bill.

Liquor Franchise Legislation Stalls In Missouri Senate

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:05:32 +0000

Legislation to redefine the relationship between liquor distributors, wholesalers and retailers has stalled in the Missouri Senate.

Final Version Of Second Injury Fund Fix Passes Missouri Senate

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:23:36 +0000

Early this morning, the Missouri Senate passed legislation that would fix the state's ailing Second Injury Fund.

The fund is designed to help disabled workers who suffer a second work-related injury. It began running out of money after lawmakers eight years ago capped the surcharge businesses have to pay into it. Senate Bill 1, sponsored by State Senator Scott Rupp, a Republican from Wentzville, would temporarily increase the surcharge.

Missouri Senate Republicans Block 1-Cent Transportation Sales Tax

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:45:47 +0000

A group of Republicans in the Missouri Senate has blocked a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a one-cent sales tax to help fund the state’s transportation needs.

The tax would require voter approval and would expire after 10 years unless voters renew it. Five percent of revenues raised would be designated for cities and another five percent for counties to pay for local transportation needs. Those factors were not enough to sway several Republicans, including Rob Schaaf of St. Joseph, who conducted a filibuster Tuesday night.

Nixon Vetoes Bill That Would Eliminate Tax Break For Elderly Renters

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:42:00 +0000

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, a Democrat, has vetoed legislation that would eliminate a tax credit for elderly Missourians who rent their homes.

House and Senate Republicans voted to do away with the so-called "Senior Citizens Circuit Breaker" as a means of shoring up funding for the First Steps program, which aids children with developmental disabilities.

In his veto letter, Nixon voiced disapproval of using money designated for seniors for other purposes, and stated that the bill contained no tax credit reforms.

With A Week Left, What Remains For Missouri's 2013 Legislative Session?

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:08:03 +0000

The final week of Missouri's regular legislative session has arrived. The Republican-led General Assembly and Democratic Governor Jay Nixon are pushing to get several things accomplished before Friday. St. Louis Public Radio's Marshall Griffin tells us that the session, so far, has been one highlighted by partisanship and controversy.

2013 Final Week feature

Nixon vs.