November 07, 2009
Alyson E. Raletz - State House Reporter
Service to halt until Monday
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009
Monday, Sept. 7, 2009
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009
Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009
Monday, Aug. 24, 2009
Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009
Friday, Aug. 14, 2009
Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009
Monday, Aug. 10, 2009
Monday, Aug. 10, 2009
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Nixon signs energy bill during St. Joseph visit
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Nixon signs energy bill in St. Joseph
Monday, July 13, 2009
City waits to learn fate of tour
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
10-year deal ironed out
Friday, June 19, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Lawmakers pass budget
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009
The line of less-than-ecstatic customers at St. Joseph’s motor vehicle license office next week will have a new place to realize they forgot their property tax receipts.
But they won’t be able to pick up designer jeans, Chinese take-out or diamond rings in the same stop anymore.
The license office at the East Hills Shopping Center permanently closes its doors at 5 p.m. today.
Monday, Sept. 7, 2009
Candidates in local Statehouse races are beginning to emerge, but Republicans have yet to come to the table with their full lineup.
Conway seeks new challengeTuesday, Sept. 1, 2009
A mainstay in Buchanan County Courthouse politics for nearly three decades sees a window, but it’s more than three hours away in Jefferson City. Buchanan County Clerk Pat Conway over the weekend announced he would seek the 27th House District seat in the November 2010 election, ending a tenure he began in the early 1980s. “It’s a tough decision, but I think it’s time and I think the opportunity is there because of term limits,” the St. Joseph Democrat said. “If I don’t take advantage of it now, I’d probably never be able to take advantage of it.”
Region’s water patrol officer spared in cutsSunday, Aug. 30, 2009
Northwest Missouri’s only dedicated water patrol officer steered clear of a layoff in Gov. Jay Nixon’s recent round of state budget withholdings.
New license office scheduled to open in SeptemberMonday, Aug. 24, 2009
The St. Joseph license office at East Hills Shopping Center is set to close in about two weeks. The new office, under prominent St. Joseph attorney James Montee, will open its doors on the North Belt Highway next to Rod’s Hallmark on Sept. 14, according to the Missouri Department of Revenue. The state selected a proposal from Mr. Montee’s Saint Joseph License, a limited liability corporation, over three other competitive bids, and on July 30 began a contract with him to run a second motor vehicle license office in Missouri. Also this summer, the state awarded him the contract to operate the Lee’s Summit office.
Missouri misses out on $133 millionThursday, Aug. 20, 2009
Missouri lost out on $133 million toward unemployment benefits because the federal government deemed a legislative compromise unacceptable, the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announced Wednesday.
“We’re probably going to have to go back and revisit the issue,” said Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph. “It may be one of the issues that raises to the level of a special session.”
The Missouri General Assembly in May approved a controversial proposal to expand eligibility for the benefits in order to qualify for the influx of federal recovery money for the state’s unemployment fund. That came with a caveat that state law wouldn’t change permanently — future legislatures would have to renew the loosened requirements.
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009
No news was good news for Buchanan County government Friday.
Third school fails to meet markFriday, Aug. 14, 2009
Parents at one more local school can request a transfer because it didn’t meet No Child Left Behind Act standards, the St. Joseph School District learned Thursday.
Hall Elementary School joined Edison and Noyes elementary schools on the district’s list of buildings whose students’ MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) test scores fell below federal math and communication arts thresholds. At least 51 parents from Noyes and Edison had requested school transfers by Thursday afternoon.
Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009
A local doctor and legislator is behind a citizen effort to keep patients from having to switch physicians when their employers change health insurance carriers.
County gets some good newsTuesday, Aug. 11, 2009
Buchanan County officeholders and sales tax revenue are looking up this month. The August reporting period for July is the first one this year when the county took in more general fund sales tax revenue than the same recording period in 2008 — nearly 9 percent. County officials were elated at the news given the state of the economy and this year’s trend of lagging sales taxes.
Buchanan County audit beginsTuesday, Aug. 11, 2009
A team of out-of-towners started poring over Buchanan County’s books Monday, part of a week-long independent audit of the county’s finances.
Small loan program off to rocky startMonday, Aug. 10, 2009
Question marks surround a state loan program intended to provide some relief to small businesses.
The administrator of Gov. Jay Nixon’s $2 million small loan program is under review for reportedly questionable business practices with another state agency, The Associated Press reported.
And a local economic development official questions how much of the loan pool will find its way to Northwest Missouri after a state commission selected the nonprofit group from St. Louis to administrate the loans.
Monday, Aug. 10, 2009
Legislative budget leaders in June notified Dr. Bert Schulte, commissioner of education, that the Career Ladder Program likely wouldn’t be funded after the 2009-10 school year.
The program offers financial rewards to teachers who do extra work in addition to their contracted duties.
“The General Assembly cannot assure that participants in the Career Ladder Program for the 2009-2010 school year and beyond will be supported by state appropriation, and these potential participants should be notified of these changes,” House Budget Chairman Allen Icet and Senate Appropriations Chairman Gary Nodler wrote.
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009
CAMERON, Mo. — State transportation officials heard about traffic pileups on U.S. Highway 36 and deteriorating rural routes during a first-ever meeting Wednesday in Cameron.
Girl testifies in molestation trialTuesday, Aug. 4, 2009
Testimony from a 6-year-old girl wrapped up the first day of a child molestation trial in Buchanan County Monday.
Tour of Missouri releases official race routeFriday, July 31, 2009
Don’t discount a bicycle race to St. Joseph this September, the Tour of Missouri’s technical director warned Thursday.
“(It’s) deceptively difficult,” said Chuck Hodge, a main architect of the seven routes that make up the 2009 Tour of Missouri.
Race organizers divulged route details Thursday during a conference call with media.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
St. Joseph showcased its avenue of the animal health science corridor Monday to a dozen state lawmakers in hopes that they will remember the region come the 2010 legislative session.
License office to leave East HillsSaturday, July 25, 2009
A prominent St. Joseph attorney and ex-husband of a Democratic statewide officeholder soon will run St. Joseph’s motor vehicle license office.
3 Missouri House seats open in 2010Thursday, July 23, 2009
Aspiring politicians run aplenty in St. Joseph this summer, with three Missouri House seats open for the taking.
Region’s only Water Patrol officer may be cutWednesday, July 22, 2009
Northwest Missouri could lose its only dedicated officer from the Missouri State Water Patrol.
Rucker announces state Senate plansFriday, July 17, 2009
State Rep. Martin Rucker divulged intentions to run for the Missouri Senate Wednesday on the heels of another St. Joseph Democrat’s decision to bypass a bid for the 2010 election.
Mr. Rucker long has eyed the 34th Senatorial District seat, which a term-limited Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, now occupies.
But another term-limited colleague, state Rep. Ed Wildberger, D-St. Joseph, also was considering a run, and the two had agreed they wouldn’t face each other in a primary.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Put the dobbers back in their bags: The dwindling bingo scene in Missouri could be on its way to a blackout.
Nixon: Tour must go onWednesday, July 15, 2009
Tour of Missouri organizers in St. Joseph and Chillicothe can stop holding their breath. Gov. Jay Nixon approved the release of $1.5 million for the professional bicycle race, despite a recommendation from the Department of Economic Development to cut that amount from the Division of Tourism budget. “Outstanding,” exclaimed Dick Sipe, chairman of the St. Joseph Local Organizing Committee.
Nixon signs energy bill during St. Joseph visit
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Gov. Jay Nixon attempted to shed some light on new energy efficiency legislation in St. Joseph on Monday. He toured the campus of Altec Industries, which already is participating in a program with KCP&L to replace old overhead lighting with greener bulbs.
Nixon signs energy bill in St. Joseph
Monday, July 13, 2009
Gov. Jay Nixon toured Altec Industries in St. Joseph Monday morning before signing legislation into law aimed at increasing energy efficiency in Missouri.
City waits to learn fate of tour
Saturday, July 11, 2009
An internationally acclaimed bicycle race that is set to roll through St. Joseph and Chillicothe in September could come to a quick halt, depending on Gov. Jay Nixon’s next move.
Less than two months away from the Tour of Missouri’s Sept. 7 gun start in St. Louis, the Department of Economic Development is recommending a cut of $1.5 million to the race. If Mr. Nixon agrees, the financial blow could seriously jeopardize the race and likely result in a cancellation.
“We had no idea there was any hint this was a possibility, so yeah, this was a shock,” said Dick Sipe, chairman of the St. Joseph Local Organizing Committee for Stage 6 of the tour, which is scheduled to run from Chillicothe to St. Joseph on Sept. 12. The full tour ends Sept. 13 in Kansas City.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Tyler Wilson was supposed to grow three more inches in his lifetime, fill a vacancy on an award-winning trapshooting team and pick up a paycheck.
GOP braces for state Senate battleFriday, July 3, 2009
The Republican primary for a local state Senate seat already is turning into a contentious race, more than a year before the 2010 election.
A St. Joseph doctor and an Iraq war veteran from Platte City are actively fundraising and campaigning for the spot.
Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, a St. Joseph Republican, vacates the 34th Senatorial District seat at the end of 2010 and he is “extremely interested” in his replacement — so much so that he has endorsed Rep. Jason Brown of Platte City.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
State Sen. Charlie Shields described Missouri as a 30-something state to St. Joseph’s business and community leaders Friday.
Bills crowding governor’s deskFriday, June 26, 2009
Northwest Missouri steered clear of most of Gov. Jay Nixon’s $105 million in budget withholdings Thursday.
The governor said his first vetoes were a move to balance the 2009-2010 state budget the General Assembly approved in May because of updated revenue figures that came in lower than expected. He slashed nearly $23 million from the operating budget and roughly $82 million in capital improvements and other projects.
Fully axed was $16.5 million in projects from former Gov. Matt Blunt’s Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative, while roughly $91 million in projects were restricted, or delayed.
10-year deal ironed out
Friday, June 19, 2009
State and local university officials on Thursday announced — again — that St. Joseph would serve as the 2010 home of the Kansas City Chiefs summer training camp.
Five months after a similar lineup of stakeholders announced they’d clinched a five-year deal with five one-year renewable options between Missouri Western State University and the Chiefs, the Missouri Development Finance Board Thursday morning unanimously approved a second agreement.
This one holds the camp to Missouri for 10 years, specifically at Western’s campus for five.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Gov. Jay Nixon tours the state this week to sign into law a jobs bill with implications on two things there are no shortage of here — animal health companies and old houses. He’s set to visit St. Joseph for a ceremonial signing of legislation state politicians wrangled with all session. The controversy stemmed primarily from a call for tax credit reform from state senators, including Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah. The meat of the bill expands a state tax credit for employers who pay high wages and provide health benefits to their workers, known as the Quality Jobs program. The bill raises Quality Jobs’ existing cap of $60 million to $80 million and broadens the definition to include certain technology companies.
Local reps still weighing racesFriday, June 5, 2009
“Jeopardy” music plays in the heads of St. Joseph Democrats as two politicians deliberate over which one will go after a high-profile state Senate seat.
State Reps. Ed Wildberger and Martin Rucker sometime this summer plan to announce who will attempt to fill the upcoming vacancy of Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph.
They divulged interest in the 34th Senatorial District early this winter, but the pair agreed that they wanted to avoid a bloody primary and would decide among themselves who’d file for the position.
The Democratic primary could be bloody enough, as Rep. Jason Grill, D-Kansas City, also could put his hat in the ring.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Gov. Jay Nixon is banking on a batch of $2 million in small business loans to kick start the state’s economy.
Clock ticking on Chiefs contractSunday, May 31, 2009
The game of chicken between the Kansas City Chiefs and state government has yet to scare away potential builders of a summer training camp facility in St. Joseph.
Contractors are lining up for the project at Missouri Western State University, even though the funding could remain frozen at the groundbreaking, which is a month away.
“There has been an incredible amount of interest in the plans,” said Dave Williams, Western’s athletic director.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Gov. Jay Nixon pushed a new $40 million plan to train health care professionals Thursday that will fund the first nursing program at Northwest Missouri State University since the late 1980s.
The launch of the governor’s “Caring for Missourians” program at two Missouri universities came just as critical lawmakers predicted three weeks ago, when the Legislature approved the 2009-10 state budget.
“We are facing a critical shortage of health care workers in the state of Missouri today,” Mr. Nixon said while at the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus, the Associated Press reported. “These are high-paying, high-demand careers in which motivated students willing to go the extra mile are necessary to stand up to the training.”
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The State Board of Education elected a St. Joseph accountant as its president Thursday.
Numerous legislative measures fall shortMonday, May 25, 2009
The Legislature closed with a balanced budget and a plan to revamp the economy, but it cut short strings on higher education and hazardous fertilizer that still dangled when the gavel fell last week. In addition to legislation that would have expanded state health care to 35,000 Missourians, lawmakers did not adopt a controversial income tax cut or a measure to opt more businesses out of paying minimum wages. “I’m happier about the stuff we didn’t pass,” Rep. Ed Wildberger, D-St. Joseph, said, referring to the latter two proposals when asked of the Legislature’s high points in 2009.
St. Joseph attorney bids on fee officesWednesday, May 20, 2009
James Montee is trying to check into the driver’s license business.
Bingo bill goes to governor’s deskSaturday, May 16, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Dust off the rabbits’ feet and fuzzy-haired troll dolls: Lawmakers are trying to bring back the once-prevalent bingo scene in Missouri.
Jobs bill passes by wide marginSaturday, May 16, 2009
Lawmakers endorsed a jobs-creation bill stacked with incentives for employers Friday in the last hours of the 2009 legislative session.
Earlier Friday, senators ended months of debate over whether the state’s budget could sustain the growth of tax credits and reached a compromise that capped certain credits while expanding others.
The Senate voted 26-8 to support the plan, while the House voted it up 153-2 just before 4 p.m. The General Assembly adjourned from its regular session at 6 p.m.
“This emergency jobs bill couldn’t come at a more important time,” said Gov. Jay Nixon, who in January called on the legislature to send the bill to his desk by mid-March.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — State politicians deemed the 2009 legislative session a success Friday night, touting that successful bills on economic development, crime and education were en route to the governor’s desk.
Education package heads to NixonFriday, May 15, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A legislative step away from teacher tenure protections is going to the governor’s desk.
The push toward a merit-pay system for educators only affects St. Louis City School District employees, but the move could have more far-reaching implications.
The Missouri legislature revived a comprehensive education package from Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, on Thursday despite an overwhelming defeat of a version roughly three times its size in the House earlier this week. While House members wanted to eliminate the voluntary merit-pay system, senators insisted that the measure, controversial among the statewide education community, be included.
Friday, May 15, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — State senators worked to strike a late-night compromise on tax credit reform and measures to jump-start the economy on the eve of the 2009 legislative session’s end.
Rucker wants DNR to test sludgeThursday, May 14, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A St. Joseph Democrat called on legislators Wednesday for more state scrutiny on industrial sludge in response to potential health complications in Cameron.
Guest’s anti-Real ID bill clears AssemblyThursday, May 14, 2009
Missouri lawmakers denounced a federal movement toward national driver’s licenses Wednesday.
The Senate unanimously voted to bar the Missouri Department of Revenue from ever complying with the Federal Real ID Act of 2005, which calls on states to adopt standardized driver’s license requirements by December.
Wednesday evening’s 32-0 vote sends the bill to Gov. Jay Nixon’s desk to sign into law. The House already backed the bill in April, 83-69.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Hope that a laundry list of efforts aimed at Missouri schools would make it to the governor’s desk dwindled Tuesday, but a resurrection could come in the last hours of the legislative session.
Lawmakers pass budget
Friday, May 8, 2009
State lawmakers passed a $23.1 billion operating budget Thursday night that grew $700 million from the current year, despite a lagging economy.
Federal stimulus money helped fill the holes that dips in state revenue left, which fueled heavy debate through the entire budget process. That peaked Thursday among state senators, whose approval in the evening was the last step in final passage constitutionally required by 6 p.m. tonight.
The state now operates under a $22.4 billion budget for fiscal year 2009. The upcoming fiscal year 2010 budget of $23.1 billion uses about $783 million from the federal stimulus package.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Local efforts to name a highway after a fallen Northwest Missouri soldier, dispatch more help during statewide emergencies and a push to keep tractor parades legal only need signatures from Gov. Jay Nixon to become law.
Jobs legislation in jeopardy as session winds downThursday, May 7, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Jay Nixon today travels to the state’s western side to put last-minute pressure on senators to relent and pass a jobs bill.
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