JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – When a number of Republicans quietly raised objections to taking a vote on ‘right-to-work’ in private caucus meetings, some Republicans hoped to increase the pressure from the outside. More than a dozen Republican members – including Wanda Brown,…
General Assembly
Fair Trade Missouri taking tobacco loophole fight to a TV screen near you
by Eli Yokley •
– When Missourians go to watch the Final Four basketball games on Saturday, they should expect to hear a message from Fair Trade Missouri. The organization – which is backing legislation to close the loophole given to so-called “Little Tobacco”…
Ahead of potential vote, national conservatives join Missouri ‘right to work’ fight
by Eli Yokley •
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – As the Missouri House of Representatives inches closer to a possible vote on ‘right-to-work,’ national conservative groups are publicly piling on in hopes of getting it across the finish line. House Majority Leader John Diehl, R-St.…
‘Paycheck Protection’ bill sent to state Senate
by Eli Yokley •
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – With opposition from 20 Republicans, the Missouri House of Representatives sent legislation to the Senate on Thursday that would require annual authorization by public employee labor union members for their unions to deduct dues. The bill passed…
The Silvey Medicaid Plan
by Eli Yokley •
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Republicans in the Missouri Senate have voiced strong opposition to expanding Medicaid in Missouri. But State Sen. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City, has his own idea. Silvey has legislation that would couple long-sought reforms to the state’s…
Tight vote on ‘paycheck protection’ leaves future for ‘right to work’ uncertain
by Eli Yokley •
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – With just one vote to spare, the Missouri House of Representatives gave first-round approval to legislation aiming to restrict a labor union’s ability to automatically raise political funds from members. The legislation was perfected by a tight…
Missouri Senate panel considers photo ID requirement for voters
by Eli Yokley •
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Senate committee heard legislation Monday that would require voters to present a form of state-issued photo identification at the polls. The bill and accompanying ballot question are being sponsored by House Elections Committee Chairman Tony…
Businesses and hospitals say health care industry already taking hit from lack of Medicaid expansion
by Eli Yokley •
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and the Missouri Hospital Association on Wednesday layer out a dire case for the future of Missouri’s health care industry without Medicaid expansion in the state. At a news conference at the…
Nixon: Criminal code reform should move forward in smaller pieces
by Eli Yokley •
JOPLIN, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon said Tuesday he was not opposed to working with lawmakers on legislation to update the state’s criminal code, but was not in favor of a large, comprehensive package. Senators Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, and…
Missouri Senate on Medicaid expansion: “It’s not happening”
by Eli Yokley •
A handful of members of the Missouri Senate rose Monday to say Medicaid expansion this year is likely dead in the General Assembly’s upper chamber.