An Iraq war veteran writes his last letter after years of struggle. The Missouri House passes a budget bill but doesn’t include money for Medicaid expansion. The Kansas City council passes a $1.3 billion spending plan. 

Iraq War Veteran Tomas Young Signs Off With 'Last Letter'

Nearly two million active duty U.S. servicemen and women are due back home by the end of this year. Many have struggled to reintegrate, but few more profoundly, or more publicly, than Tomas Young of Kansas City.   Young now says he’s ready to take his own life, but not before making one more stand against the war that wrecked his body.   Read more of his story here.

Missouri House Passes $25 Billion Budget

Missouri’s budget for the next fiscal year has been passed by the State House.  While Medicaid expansion has dominated most of the debate, spending hikes were approved in other areas.  The spending plan adds $65 million for K-12 schools.  Learn more about the budget here.

Missouri Senate Holds Up Revenue Department Budget

The Missouri Senate is threatening to delay passing the budget for the Department of Revenue over the state agency’s scanning of source documents for driver’s licenses, conceal-carry endorsements and other permits.  Find out more here.

Kansas City Budget Boosts Street Repairs And Youth Programs

As the Missouri and Kansas Legislatures wrangle over budgets, the Kansas City city council has passed one yesterday with very little conflict along the way.  The most extensive debate was on long-term bus system and streetcar funding as the council passed a $1.3 billion spending plan.   Read more of the details here.