MO House committee votes to require drug screening of welfare recipients
“Why are you focusing on poor people?” asked former Sen. Patrick Dougherty, D-St. Louis City, representing Catholic Charities, which opposed the originally filed bill. He said if the goal was to prevent taxpayers from subsidizing drug use, everyone, or at least a larger segment of the population, should be screened.
Elimination of state income tax discussed
Former state Budget Director Jim Moody, now a lobbyist for various businesses and health interests, said the proposed 5.11 rate would leave the state about $1.3 billion short. Health care services would have sales taxes levied on them under the proposed bill.
State auditor calls for repeal of business tax discount
Tracy King, Missouri Chamber of Commerce director of tax policy and fiscal affairs, said the repeal would amount to a tax increase and disproportionately affect small businesses. King said that tax collection costs small businesses more than 2 percent.
Lt. Gov. Kinder pushes opposition to federal health care
Senate Majority Leader Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, described the proposed health care legislation as “the biggest unfunded mandate that’s ever been sent to the states.”
Missouri’s Supreme Court says some sex offenders can hand out Halloween candy
Applying the restrictions to sex offenders sentenced before the restrictions were in place would violate a provision in the state Constitution that prohibits laws from applying retroactively.
Missouri facing cash-flow problems
State Budget Director Linda Luebbering. said she consistently monitors the state’s account to ensure that it has sufficient funds to make monthly payments to schools, Medicaid and state employees, among others, she told a House Budget Committee this week.
Lower Food Prices Bring in the New Year
Those price drops were substantial compared to a year ago. Missouri shoppers paid $42.47 for these items in the fourth quarter, a drop of $3.47 from the third quarter price of $45.94. The fourth quarter 2008 price was $49.54, a year-to-year price drop of $7.07.