The Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee held hearings on 13 different bills today relating to the special session. They primarily involve state income taxes and agriculture, the two components of Governor Mike Parson’s special session call. State Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City) joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning, telling listeners that he believes a bill will pass:
Record heat is possible Monday and Tuesday in Columbia
The National Weather Service (NWS) says record-breaking heat is expected to start the work week in mid-Missouri and in the St. Louis region.
The NWS in St. Louis says Monday’s high in Columbia and Jefferson City will be around 99 degrees. NWS St. Louis meteorologist Chris Kimble tells 939 the Eagle that the record high for today (September 19) in Columbia is 94, which was set in 2000. Kimble says the record high for tomorrow (September 20) in Columbia is 98, which was set in 1893.
A cold front will bring some needed rain to mid-Missouri by Wednesday evening or Thursday, along with fall-like temperatures.
Lincoln University’s president to be formally installed on Friday afternoon
Lincoln University (LU) students, LU alumni, state lawmakers and business leaders will be in the audience for Friday afternoon’s investiture ceremony in Jefferson City for president Dr. John Moseley.
The 2022-2023 academic year marks the first year of Dr. Moseley’s full leadership as president. He’ll be formally installed during this afternoon’s 1:30 ceremony at Lincoln’s Mitchell Auditorium. There will also be a laying of the wreath at 1 pm at Lincoln’s Soldiers Memorial Plaza.
Lincoln has seen enrollment growth under Dr. Moseley. He tells 939 the Eagle that they’ve seen a 22 percent increase in first-year students this fall.
Dr. Moseley is the 21st president in LU history. He’s been serving as interim president since May 2021.
Missouri’s GOP governor and some legislative Democrats disagree on tax cut’s impact
Missouri lawmakers will return to Jefferson City next week for a special session called by Governor Mike Parson (R). The governor wants the GOP-controlled Legislature to approve the largest tax cut in state history and to approve a six-year extension of farm tax credits.
The governor says Missouri has a record surplus, noting state general revenues are up 20 percent over last year and that sales and use tax money is up 13 percent. Missouri’s current state tax rate is 5.4 percent. It drops to 5.3 percent in January. Governor Parson is asking lawmakers to lower the state tax rate from 5.3 to 4.8 percent.
House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) says Parson’s tax cut plan is fiscally irresponsible. saying it would transform the temporary surplus into a permanent revenue loss. 939 the Eagle asked Governor Parson about Leader Quade’s concerns, during a recent Columbia visit. The governor says Quade’s comments are “political propaganda.”
“We’re funding programs at a higher level than anybody ever has on the state level. When we look at education, higher education, K-12, health care, infrastructure, workforce development, apprenticeships … at the highest levels ever. And we’ve run these numbers and we’re doing to be able to maintain all that,” Parson says.
Leader Quade also says the tax cut will primarily benefit the wealthy. The Missouri Democratic Party says the governor’s plan calls for a $6,000 tax cut to the top one percent, and a $100 tax cut for someone making less than $22,000.
Governor Parson views it differently, saying the tax cut is aimed at giving the people their money back. He says under his plan, every Missourian will earn their first $16,000 tax-free and married joint filers will earn their first $32,000 tax-free. Parson says the tax cut will benefit everyone, tells 939 the Eagle that Missouri will still be able to fund programs at their current level.
“We’re very positive about that. We’ve run the numbers on it. We believe we’re going to be able to sustain this for the long haul. So it’s going to be a great day for all Missourians no matter what class you’re in, no matter where you live. You’re going to get a tax break,” says Parson.
The special session will start on Tuesday September 6, which is the day after Labor Day. Governor Parson says a single bill will be filed in the Senate that includes the tax cut and farm tax credit extension. He hopes for quick passage. The Missouri House is expected to come in the following week.
The annual legislative veto session is Wednesday September 14 in Jefferson City.
MoDOT to close Highway 54 ramp in Jefferson City on Wednesday morning
State transportation crews will close the heavily-traveled southbound Highway 63 exit ramp to Highway 54 in Jefferson City after the morning rush hour today (Wednesday), as they begin rehabilitation work on the bridge over Oilwell road. Columbia and Ashland-area commuters heading to Jefferson City should expect some delays for the next two weeks, due to detours. …
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