Government

Legislative Wrap-up: Missouri General Assembly

Beth Lipoff and Steve Kraske — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:25:31 +0000

The Missouri General Assembly wraps up today. Will your income taxes be cut? Will sales taxes jump to pay for highways?

Kansas Lawmakers May Return to Topeka Next Week

Stephen Koranda — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:17:59 +0000

It's looking more like Kansas lawmakers may not work through the weekend to finish the legislative session and could instead leave and return next week. It's getting to the point where lawmakers may not be able to finish by the end of the weekend, even if agreements on taxes and the budget are reached soon.

After a budget compromise is formed, there's a delay to prepare the bill before the chambers can vote on it. Senate President Susan Wagle, a Republican from Wichita, says it would be a stretch to wrap up the session this weekend.

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.

Fresh Petition Attempt To Save Current KCI

Dan Verbeck — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:51:00 +0000

An ad hoc group trying to preserve the current building layout at KCI Airport is trying another tack to halt major changes at the complex.

Kansas Conference Committee Continues Tax Talks

Stephen Koranda — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:30:33 +0000

After making little progress for weeks, public negotiations on taxes have continued in the Kansas Statehouse. Legislative leaders and the governor had been meeting behind closed doors, but this week it appeared those talks had stalled. House and Senate negotiators held a public meeting Wednesday, and House members offered a new compromise.

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.

City Ethics Update Advances

Steve Bell — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:47:17 +0000

Ethics bills continue to stumble in the state capitols, but Kansas City, Missouri's ethics code is about to get an update.

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.

Kansas Supreme Court Justice And Lawmaker Butt Heads

Stephen Koranda — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:29:28 +0000

The chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court and a prominent legislator are butting heads. At issue are allegations made the the justice. He says the legislator, who's an attorney, tried to make a deal tying a pay raise for court workers to a constitutional amendment.

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.

Top Of The Morning News: May 15, 2013

Maria Carter — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:37:27 +0000

Liberty Hospital will layoff more than a 100 workers. Kansas City Mayor Sly James appoints an advisory group on the airport, including critics of a one-terminal proposal. The Kansas Senate gives initial approval to bonds for NBAF.

Critic Of One-Terminal KCI Airport On Mayoral Panel

Dan Verbeck — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:06:31 +0000

The “beginning” of a long process, is the way Kansas City Mayor Sly James describes work of a panel he has set up to study future use of KCI Airport.

The group includes a strong critic of the current plan for a single terminal.