Missouri House

Mo. House passes bill to stop document scanning

Associated Press — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:25:34 +0000

The Missouri House has approved legislation barring the state Revenue Department from scanning the personal documents of drivers' license applicants into a state computer system.

The House passed the measure 118-40 on Tuesday. It now returns to the Senate.

The Revenue Department began scanning documents, such as birth certificates and concealed weapons permits, in December. Agency officials say it provides more security to licensing. But Republican lawmakers objected to the procedures and argue it is an invasion of privacy.

Prevailing wage exemption for maintenance projects likely dead following Mo. Senate filibuster

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:43:33 +0000

It appears that Democrats in the Missouri Senate have successfully stopped legislation that would have redefined what constitutes a maintenance project and exempted those being done on public property from the state's prevailing wage requirement.

House Bill 409 would define "maintenance" as being routine and recurring work that does not exceed $75,000. Democrats spent most of Monday night blocking the bill. When it became apparent that an agreement w

Mo. House passes $1.2 billion bonding initiative

Person: Associated Press — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:06:45 +0000

The Missouri House has passed a $1.2 billion bonding initiative that would finance construction and repairs at public buildings across the state.

The House's 136-23 vote sends the measure to the Senate. But with only one week remaining in the legislative session, the proposed constitutional amendment appears unlikely to win final approval. If it did, the measure would go before voters in 2014.

Supporters cite a backlog of building needs at state facilities and note that low interest rates make this a good time to borrow money.

House, Senate Negotiators Approve Final Version Of FY2014 Mo. Budget

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:51:44 +0000

Missouri House and Senate budget negotiators have crafted a final version of next year's state budget.

The nearly $25 billion spending plan includes a $66 million increase for K-12 schools, and a $25 million hike for state universities and community colleges. It still does not include the Medicaid expansion proposed by Governor Jay Nixon (D), which disappointed committee member and State Senator Kiki Curls (D, Kansas City).

"There are hundreds of thousands of working Missourians that don’t have health care, and I think it was a prime opportunity for us to be ab

Mo. House panel advances gun rights amendment

Associated Press — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:48:40 +0000

A Missouri House committee has advanced a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at protecting gun rights.

The amendment approved on Tuesday would define the right to bear arms as "unalienable" and require the state to defend against any "infringement" of that right. It would also include defending one's "family" with a firearm as a guaranteed constitutional right.

Sponsoring Republican Sen. Kurt Schaefer, of Columbia, says the legislation would protect against proposed gun control laws at the state and federal level.

Mo. Gen. Assembly Sends Targeted Prevailing Wage Bill To Gov. Nixon

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:58:25 +0000

The Missouri General Assembly has sent Governor Jay Nixon (D) legislation that would provide a targeted roll back of the state's prevailing wage.

House Bill 34 would eliminate the prevailing wage in third and fourth-class rural counties, and only for school construction and other public works projects. It was sponsored by State Representative Casey Guernsey (R, Bethany), who represe

Mo. lawmakers must finalize budget this week

Associated Press — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:49:27 +0000

Missouri lawmakers have until Friday to finalize the state's roughly $25 billion operating budget.

Mo. House endorses tax break for gun manufacturers

Associated Press — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:31:04 +0000

Firearms manufacturers looking to relocate to Missouri could collect a tax credit under a bill given first-round approval by the Missouri House.

The tax incentive endorsed Tuesday would expire in six years and be capped at $3 million annually. Gun and ammunition manufacturers would be able to claim the credit on withholding taxes from creating new jobs.

Mo. House passes another gun rights bill

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:52:24 +0000

The Missouri House has passed yet another bill that would expand the rights of gun owners and reduce the role of the state Department of Revenue.

Mo. House panel OKs plan to stop document scans

Associated Press — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:58:18 +0000

A Missouri House committee has adopted a measure to stop the state Revenue Department from scanning driver's license applicants' personal documents.