JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Bob Holden presented his budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, using over $600 million in tax hikes to help make up for what could be a $1 billion deficit. But, Republicans quickly criticized Holden's proposal as one that overtaxes Missourians and will further damage the state economy.
JEFFERSON CITY - In the aftermath of an investigation into a 2-year-old Greene County boy's death while in foster care, Gov. Bob Holden has ordered major changes in how the state handles welfare, child abuse, child support and other issues.
Holden's ideas were met with skepticism by Sen. Bill Foster, R-Poplar Bluff, who chairs a Senate committee investigating the boy's death. Foster said he thought the move was essentially just shuffling offices without helping people and also increasing costs to the state.
JEFFERSON CITY - An executive order issued last year by Gov. Bob Holden that allowed binding arbitration to settle some disputes for state employees was legal, a state appeals court ruled Tuesday.
A three-judge panel of the Western District Appeals Court upheld a previous ruling that dismissed Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder's lawsuit against the governor.
Kinder, however, is claiming victory because the court wrote in its opinion that the governor may not set up forced unionization of state employees. Kinder said the court ruling means the executive order cannot be challenged in court.
JEFFERSON CITY - State officials said Monday they now expect another $1 billion deficit for next year's budget, with additional layoffs being unavoidable.
In addition to next year's deficit, the current year could face a deficit of $400 million, said state budget director Linda Luebbering.
JEFFERSON CITY - Credit company Household Finance will pay Missouri consumers $13.1 million as part of a settlement with the state over alleged unfair and deceptive lending practices.
This is Missouri's share of a $484 million nationwide settlement, the largest consumer restitution settlement in history.
States had alleged that Household violated state laws by misrepresenting loan terms and failing to disclose material information to borrowers. Consumers complained that Household charged far higher interest rates than promised, charged costly prepayment penalties, and deceived them about insurance policies.
JEFFERSON CITY - If a tree falls on your car, your insurance company is prohibited from raising your rates. But if it falls on your house, you risk losing your insurance altogether.
That's not fair, according to Randy McConnell of Missouri's Insurance Department, and the legislature should tighten restrictions on when insurers can cancel homeowners policies.
JEFFERSON CITY - If you're looking for work in Missouri, the two industries adding the most jobs are education and health care, according to a report from the Department of Economic Development.
Restaurants and retailers have also added jobs over the past two years, but gains in these areas have been offset by losses in others. Especially hard-hit has been the state's manufacturing sector.
JEFFERSON CITY - Attorney General Jay Nixon has asked a Morgan County judge to remove a county prosecuting attorney for soliciting sexual favors in return for legal services.
Stephen Concannon, Morgan County prosecuter, was picked up in a Wal-Mart parking lot Thursday by the Livingston County Sheriff's Department after he allegedly attempted to meet an undercover police officer for sex in return for assistance with her divorce.
Nixon said Concannon's removal was warranted because he violated Missouri law on patronizing prostitution and because he used county resources to make the solicitation.
JEFFERSON CITY - State health care and emergency response workers will be given smallpox vaccinations this January.
The Health Department's director for Emergency Response and Terrorism, Pam Walker, says health care workers are responding well to the vaccination plan.
Walker also says that vaccinating health care workers before an attack will ensure that there are enough workers to care for cases of smallpox if the United States is attacked.
JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's economy -- already lagging behind other states -- will continue to plunge into the forseeable future, state officials said Wednesday.
JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri could lose more than $1 billion in federal money if it does not update its unemployment law to conform with a new federal Labor Department rule.
The federal rule requires that states offer certain exemptions to American Indian tribes over unemployment insurance. But the penalties include losing about $990 million in tax credits to businesses, administrative costs of the unemployment program, and the ability to borrow money from the federal government to fix gaps in the state's unemployment program.
JEFFERSON CITY - The State Transportation Commission would be abolished under a bill filed Monday in the Missouri Senate.
Sen.-elect and bill sponsor Matt Bartle, R-Lee's Summit, said the governor should take on more accountability for the state's road system.
JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Association of Counties has announced plans to sue the state over roughly $5 million in budget cuts.
The counties will contend that the cuts are in violation of the Hancock Amendment to the Missouri Constitution, which prevents the state from cutting funding to programs local governments are required to provide.
JEFFERSON CITY - Stadium construction means tearing up a Highway 40 on-ramp in downtown St. Louis. A Missouri Department of Transportation spokesman says costs are planned into economic development budget.
JEFFERSON CITY - The state's plan to effectively mortgage the 1998 tobacco settlement for some quick cash is still on hold. At a meeting Thursday, the Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority was told the state could save money by selling the bonds through the state Board of Public Buildings.
By pursuing this "hybrid" plan, the state could save $100 million to $150 million over the expected 20-year life of the bonds, said Jim Carder of the state division of accounting. The bonds could be ready by February or March, Carder said.
JEFFERSON CITY - Senator Michael R. Gibbons has prefiled legislation to replace Missouri's current income tax system with a single-rate tax.
The state of Missouri presently imposes a broad-based income tax. A broad-based income tax imposes greater taxes on those with higher incomes and lower taxes on those with lower incomes. If the single-rate tax is approved all individual incomes will be taxed 4 percent.
JEFFERSON CITY - Three and a half million pounds of a herbicide that has been shown to "de-sex" male frogs is sprayed on Missouri corn every year.
With a recent study showing mid-Missouri men have much fewer sperm than their urban counter parts, the question now is: are they being "de-sexed" as well?
JEFFERSON CITY - The legislature is prohibited from raising taxes more than $75 million without voter approval. With a half billion dollar budget deficit looming, that means steep spending cuts lie ahead.
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