One of Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s (R) top priorities appears to be making progress at the Statehouse in Jefferson City. The governor’s proposed 8.7 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) for all state employees is being reviewed by House Budget Committee chair Cody Smith (R-Carthage). Chairman Smith tells 939 the Eagle that he expects the pay raise proposal to start to move early next week. Governor Parson emphasized the plan’s importance during a live interview this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” The governor says he’s “not asking for the moon,” adding that it’s critical to retain good state employees in areas like corrections, mental health and in the Children’s Division, which is part of the state Department of Social Services (DSS). The governor is optimistic the measure will pass by the March 1 deadline he’s requested:
Medicaid expansion remains a top priority for Columbia state lawmaker
A key mid-Missouri Democratic state lawmaker is confident that GOP Governor Mike Parson will again fund Medicaid expansion in his proposed budget, which will be unveiled in mid-January.
Medicaid expansion has been a top priority for State Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia).
“You know so far it was funded, and it was funded last session. I’m confident that it will be funded again. I think what we have to watch out for is some of these resolutions that are being filed. So for example (House) Budget (Committee) chairman Cody Smith (of Carthage) filed it was a joint resolution 117 last year, which curtailed some of Medicaid expansion to make it more difficult. It had work requirements,” Representative Tyson Smith says.
He notes 53 percent of Missouri voters approved Medicaid expansion in August 2020.
“You know the governor’s been doing the right thing, he’s funding it. The administration is doing the right thing. You know, there was some lag going on for awhile. There was a lot of backlog, I think we’ve gotten through a lot of that. And hopefully it will continue to work and you know, people will respect the will of the voters and it will continue to get funded and people can get the health care that they need,” says Tyson Smith.
53 percent of Missouri voters approved Medicaid expansion in August 2020. However, it failed in 107 of Missouri’s 114 counties, and opposition to Medicaid expansion has primarily come from rural GOP lawmakers who represent those districts. Medicaid expansion ended up in the courts, and the Missouri Supreme Court issued a 7-0 decision that the ballot measure was constitutional.
Medicaid expansion is aimed at providing healthcare to Missourians who earn less than $18,000 annually. Supporters say the voters have spoken and that providing health care is better for the state in the long term, as some of the expanded population would have ended up in hospital emergency rooms for health issues.
GOP lawmakers who oppose Medicaid expansion say it will force other state programs to be cut. Statistics from the state Department of Social Services (DSS) show the number of Missourians on Medicaid has increased for at least 12 straight months, from 1.1 million in December 2021 to 1.4 million in November 2022.
Governor Parson will unveil his budget blueprint during his January 18 State of the State address in Jefferson City.
Nonprofit hopes to raise thousands for free services for mid-Missouri foster and adoptive children/families
Organizers of Tuesday’s Jefferson City fundraiser for the Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association (CMFCAA) say Missouri has lost almost 300 foster homes since the COVID pandemic began.
CMFCAA spokesman Gerry Tritz says Tuesday night’s gala will help the organization offer free services and programs to foster, adoptive and kinship families in 24 mid-Missouri counties.
“We offer services for kids entering the foster system, foster care system. We offer services for families who want to welcome one of these children into their homes,” Tritz says.
Tuesday’s event begins with a 5:30 reception and silent auction, followed by a 6:30 dinner and program. Tritz tells 939 the Eagle that three special guests will share their foster and adoption stories. He says one of the biggest needs is backpacks for children entering the foster care system. Many of them only have the clothes they’re wearing.
“These are backpacks that are packed with their personal hygiene items, their school supplies. There’s even a toy or two in there for the kids just to get them started so that they can have something to call their own,” says Tritz.
The state Department of Social Services (DSS) says there are 13,591 Missouri children in foster care as of September. Tritz says Missouri has lost 267 foster homes since the March 2020 pandemic began.
Tickets for Tuesday’s gala are $50 for an individual or $90 per couple. It is CMFCAA’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Missouri Republicans and Democrats view impact of tax cut bill differently
The largest tax cut in Missouri history will be signed into law Wednesday morning by Governor Mike Parson in Jefferson City.
It’s been a top priority of the special session call from the GOP governor, who says the General Assembly has answered his call to cut Missourians’ taxes and return some of their hard-earned dollars.
House Democratic Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) warns the tax cut will blow a $2-billion hole in the state budget, once fully implemented. 939 the Eagle News interviewed Governor Parson Tuesday at a statewide education conference in Columbia. We asked him about Leader Quade’s concerns.
“Crystal Quade is just more in the political scenario there. And it’s unfortunate because you’re really getting to help people (with the tax cut). And we’ll have statistics on that, but you’re getting to help everyday people here. It was unfortunate, some of the political tactics used but it’s just the arena you’re in sometimes,” Parson says.
The GOP state senator who sponsored the tax cut bill says it will help everyone. State Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield), the Senate Appropriations Committee vice chairman, says it will help low-income and high-income earners and will keep main streets open.
Leader Quade sees it differently, saying the Missouri Department of Social Services’ (DSS) Children’s Division employees are underpaid and overworked. Quade says one DSS employee sells his plasma to pay the bills.
As for Governor Parson, he tells 939 the Eagle that the tax cut will provide real relief to you and all other taxpaying Missourians.
“But I’m going to tell you this: people are going to have more money in their pocket when I sign that bill. And that’s the good news for Missourians,” Parson says.
Governor Parson says that extra money will help Missouri families purchase groceries and gasoline and deal with inflation. State Rep. Peter Merideth (D-St. Louis), the House Budget Committee’s ranking Democrat, says the tax cut will benefit the rich.
Representative Merideth says the top one percent of Missouri earners will save $15,000 per year under the plan.
Tax cut legislation heading to the Missouri House; House Democrats warn about budget impact
The Missouri Senate has given final approval to an approximately $1-billion state tax cut.
Wednesday’s vote was 24-4, sending the bill to the House for consideration. State Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) voted for the bill, saying Missouri has had record revenue growth.
“When we see those numbers, it’s my belief and I think a lot of the other Republicans up here, that we want to provide tax relief to the folks back at home,” Hough says.
Hough, the Senate Appropriations Committee vice chair, joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri.” The bill also eliminates Missouri’s lowest tax bracket, meaning earners with less than $1,000 annually would no longer have to pay state income taxes.
Senator Hough, who will chair the powerful Appropriations Committee in January, tells listeners that the tax cut would help everyone.
“This helps low-income earners, high-income earners, small businesses that employ all of our friends and neighbors and keep our main streets open,” says Hough.
House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) blasts the bill, saying it will blow a $2-billion hole in the state budget once fully implemented.
“That’s nearly triple what the governor originally claimed his election year tax giveaway for the rich would cost,” Leader Quade tweeted on Wednesday. She says Children’s Division employees at the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) are underpaid and overworked, adding that one DSS employee sells his plasma to pay the bills.
Governor Mike Parson (R) has tweeted that he’s confident the Legislature will approve an income tax cut package.
Both chambers have approved identical farm bills, which extend agricultural tax credits for six years. Governor Parson describes those votes as a huge win for agriculture. The tax credit extension has been a top priority for Missouri’s commodity groups, including the Missouri Farm Bureau and the Columbia-based Missouri Pork Association.