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COVID forces change in Missouri Gov. Parson’s State of the State address
A COVID-19 outbreak among lawmakers and staff has forced Missouri Gov. Mike Parson to forgo plans to deliver his State of the State address in the House chamber to a joint session of the General Assembly. Instead he will speak in the Missouri Senate at 3 p.m. Parson’s decision comes after the House cancelled last […]
Conservative caucus staffer tests positive for COVID; Two Missouri senators in quarantine
A staffer for the Missouri Senate’s conservative caucus has tested positive for COVID-19, and two state senators announced that they will quarantine because of possible exposure. Republican Sen. Bill Eigel will self isolate after coming into close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, he announced Tuesday afternoon. Eigel participated in a committee hearing […]
Amid legislative COVID outbreak, Missouri Gov. Parson set to deliver annual address
When Gov. Mike Parson delivers his annual State of the State address to a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly on Wednesday afternoon, it will look slightly different than usual. Because of COVID-19, the 34 members of the Senate, along with the state Supreme Court judges, will be seated in the upper gallery of […]
Lawmaker accused of retaliation, harassment expelled from House Democratic caucus
Rep. Wiley Price, a St. Louis Democrat accused of having sex with an intern and then threatening an employee to cover it up, has been expelled from the House Democratic caucus. Price was censured by the House earlier this month. In a statement released Sunday night, House Minority Leader Crystal Quade said the vote to […]
Missouri House Democrats face criticism from staff over handling of ethics complaint
In a rare sign of rebellion, legislative aides who work for Missouri House Democrats are accusing their party’s leaders of doing more to protect a fellow lawmaker than employees. The group of staffers, who requested The Independent withhold their identities for fear of retribution, are upset with how Democrats handled a House Ethics Committee report […]
Lawmakers renew effort to crack down on illegal gaming machines in Missouri
Missouri law is clear that it is illegal to have gambling machines outside of a casino. Yet in bars, gas stations and other gathering spots around the state, games similar to slot machines have been popping up for years. So why, despite outcry from some lawmakers, law enforcement and state regulators, has Missouri been hesitant […]
Josh Hawley says accusation that he incited Capitol insurrection is ‘corrosive and dangerous’
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley penned an op-ed in the Southeast Missourian Wednesday defending his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and calling accusations that he helped incite the mob who stormed the U.S. Capitol “corrosive and dangerous.” The op-ed is the first time he’s publicly addressed the recent wave of criticism. His only other […]
Legislators concerned with Missouri Capitol security as FBI warns of armed protests
With images of insurrection in the U.S. Capitol still fresh — and the FBI warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals — Missouri lawmakers on Tuesday expressed concern that statehouse security needs to be improved. Rep. Ron Hicks, R-St. Charles County, said issues with Missouri Capitol security have existed for years, […]
Hallmark wants Josh Hawley to return contributions the company’s PAC made to his campaign
Kansas City-based Hallmark Cards Inc. is demanding Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Roger Marshall of Kansas return donations its PAC has made to their campaigns, citing their efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Hawley was the first senator to commit to objecting to the certification of electoral votes declaring Joe […]
With rioting mob driven from Capitol, Congress certifies Biden win over Josh Hawley’s objections
After a day of insurrection and deadly violence at the U.S. Capitol, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley continued his push on Wednesday to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. But his efforts were for naught, as lawmakers early Thursday certified Electoral College votes declaring Joe Biden the winner. Hawley, who became the public […]
Trump should ‘absolutely not’ be blamed for U.S. Capitol riots, Gov. Parson says
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson expressed dismay on Wednesday at news that a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol to derail the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. But he said people should “absolutely not” place the blame for the violence on President Donald Trump or the Republicans who were trying to block certification of the […]
Missouri lawmakers return to tackle Medicaid, education, budget amid COVID
With COVID-19 continuing to spread across the state, Missouri lawmakers convene at noon on Wednesday to begin the 101st General Assembly. It is certain to be a session like no other. Questions surrounding the state budget, funding for roads and bridges, education, local control and a myriad of other issues are on the agenda. But […]