Politics

Supporters of raising Missouri's minimum wage and limiting payday loans have submitted petitions to get the measures on the November ballot.

House and Senate budget negotiators remain at an impasse on what’s become the main barrier to reaching an agreement: finding a way to fund veterans’ homes.

The House this week passed legislation that would fund veterans homes with gaming revenues currently designated for early childhood programs, and replace it with money from a tobacco settlement.  The Senate has so far refused to take up the measure.  House Budget Chair Ryan Silvey accuses Senate President Pro-tem Rob Mayer of playing games:

Supporters of a ballot initiative to raise Missouri’s cigarette tax turned in signatures today.

 A Missouri senator has successfully killed a bill that would have authorized a government database to track people's prescription drug purchases.

The Missouri House passed legislation yesterday that would bar school administrators from using teacher seniority in layoffs. Under the bill, teachers' performance would need to be the most important factor in those decisions.

May 3 is World Press Freedom Day. The annual celebration began with a proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993.