Bob Watson

Committee takes no action on House’s rewrite of criminal code

It will be next week before Missouri senators may consider a massive bill rewriting and reorganizing the state’s criminal code.

‘Crown jewel’ of Missouri

Centennial ceremony commemorates Capitol groundbreaking

No shovel was used and no dirt was turned — this time.

Criminal code rewrite still has chance for passage, leaders say

Almost two months ago, state Sen. Jolie Justus was pretty sure “the crime bill is looking more like a 2014 project” than winning passage this year.

Capital improvement funds greatly needed at the Statehouse

But revenue must be available before expenditures are made

State House officials will hold a noon ceremony Monday, marking the 100th anniversary of the groundbreaking for construction of the Missouri Capitol — the new building required after a Feb. 5, 1911, lightning strike and fire destroyed its predecessor.

New state office building planned on MSP site

Planning and design also announced for new Fulton State Hospital

Thanks to a substantial increase in Missouri government’s income, state lawmakers now are planning a new state office building in Jefferson City, repairs and improvements to the Capitol and a start to replacing the Fulton State Hospital.

Senate sends school security bill back to House

For the past four months, emergency response and security plans for schools and other public buildings have been “open records” in the state, available for review by anyone who asks to see them, because the law that made that information a closed record expired last Dec. 31.

Bills would spur economic growth in Missouri

State senators should endorse two different proposals aimed at improving economic development efforts in Missouri, witnesses said during a Wednesday afternoon committee meeting. But the Senate’s Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee took no action on the bills after the hearing.

Bill would clarify audit costs, auditor’s powers

A House-passed bill would make it clear that four Mid-Missouri counties (and 14 others around the state) would have to pay the state auditor if that agency does an “outside” audit of the county’s business.

Electric 'surcharge' proposal limping after first airing

State Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, said late Wednesday his proposal to allow Missouri's regulated electric companies to add a surcharge to customers' bills isn't dead. But it never came to a vote Wednesday.

Committee sends another ‘gun rights’ bill to full Senate

Separate bill would make daylight savings time year-round

The committee voting took longer than its hearing on a House-passed bill involving firearms. Under current law, Missourians must be at least 21 to get a concealed weapons permit, but the proposed law would drop that to 19.

Local attorney indicted in 'marriage fraud' scheme

Jefferson City lawyer James D. Barding appeared in U.S. District Court today, after being indicted by a federal grand jury for marriage fraud conspiracy.

Senators debate House abortion bill

Missouri law allows doctors and patients to communicate by video-conferencing “to improve the health status of a patient.”

Committee hears workplace discrimination bill

Although the House passed the bill two months ago, a Senate committee heard testimony Monday afternoon on the bill changing some of the language in Missouri’s human rights law, including its workplace discrimination language.

Session has three weeks left

Only three weeks to go.

Following the path

The last time a Cole County native — Henry J. Westhues — became a Missouri Supreme Court judge, Paul Wilson’s parents had been married about two years.

Senators complain about unsigned flier

Several state senators on Thursday received a black-and-white, two-sided, apparently photocopied flier questioning the politics of a company that supports a change in Missouri’s franchising law.

Linn technical college to get ‘Missouri’ in name

If Gov. Jay Nixon signs his name to the bill state senators approved Thursday morning, Linn State Technical College will get to change its name next year.

Bullying victim urges lawmakers to require school policies

A high school girl told Missouri senators Wednesday they need to require the state’s public school districts to have policies about bullying — and to do something when bullying happens.

‘School police’ bill heard in Mo. Senate committee

The Missouri House said three weeks ago it likes the idea, and Wednesday afternoon, the state Senate’s Education Committee was asked to OK a bill letting public school districts hire their own police officers.

Riddle wants to let state workers keeps guns in cars

Missouri government employees are being discriminated against, state Rep. Jeanie Riddle told a Senate committee Tuesday — and she wants to change that.

Appeals court upholds Moad case dismissal

Barring a successful appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court — or a rehearing by the appeals court in Kansas City — Jeffrey Luke Moad, now 27, Eugene, never can be tried again for manslaughter in the Feb. 14, 2006, death of Laura “Katie” Winfrey, 18, New Bloomfield.

State budget includes small state pay raise

Although the state government’s final budget won’t be written until the conference committee meetings likely to begin next week, the fate of state employees’ pay seems settled.

Senate panel hears bill changing way vacancies filled

After hearing testimony on a House-passed bill that would change election laws, members of the state Senate’s Financial & Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee were told they’ll be asked next week to approve a changed version of the bill.

Prevailing wage challenged

Both the federal and state governments require contractors to pay the “prevailing wage” on public construction projects, such as schools, municipal buildings and sewer systems.

Paul Wilson formally installed as Supreme Court judge

Paul Wilson has been working since January and, Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Teitelman noted, already has “participated in hearing or deciding more than two dozen cases.”

LU students facing higher health insurance costs

Lincoln University Curators voted Thursday to increase student testing and health insurance costs, even though they voted to hold in-state, undergraduate tuition rates at the same level as this current year.

Lincoln University raising some fees

Lincoln University students who come to Jefferson City from another state will see tuition increases this fall, but Missouri residents’ undergraduate tuition is staying the same, at $205 for each credit hour.

Health director offers her story as inspiration for students

Peoples’ perspective

Marie Peoples has been Cole County’s Health director for almost 21⁄2 years. “A defining moment (of my life) that stands out to me was when I wrote in my 6th grade essay that I wanted to become an oceanologist,” Peoples told Lincoln University students at Thursday morning’s Honors Convocation

Richter to get new trial in ‘shaken baby’ case

Trial date to be set later

Shelley Richter will get a new trial. Five weeks ago, a Cole County jury found Richter guilty of endangering the welfare of a child.

Lawmakers: Defeat of ‘water surcharge’ may not affect electric version

Several state senators said Wednesday they’re not sure if Tuesday afternoon’s defeat of a proposed law affecting investor-owned water companies will have any effect on a similar proposal for electric utilities in Missouri.

Riddle: area state employees should serve on fire district boards

Rep. Jeanie Riddle, R-Mokane, wants the Senate to join the Missouri House in passing a bill allowing Callaway, Cole and Boone counties to be exempt from the law that prohibits state employees from serving on fire district boards.

Schaefer seeks 'whistleblower' help

State Senate Appropriations Chairman Kurt Schaefer wants state employees' help in the ongoing investigation of the state Revenue department.

Rally promotes Medicaid expansion

A crowd estimated to be at least 1,000 people — and some supporters said more than 1,500 — rallied at the state Capitol Tuesday afternoon, urging lawmakers to expand Missouri’s Medicaid program.

Sheriff asks about resident outrage

Even as Gov. Jay Nixon was announcing his policy change — that the Revenue department no longer would copy and keep concealed weapons license information — Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman said several Missouri sheriffs “may be filing complaints against” the state.

House bill would protect ‘national’ holidays

Missouri public schools and governments would be allowed to observe and celebrate “Christmas” and other national holidays without trouble, under a House-passed bill heard Tuesday afternoon by the state Senate’s General Laws Committee.

Luetkemeyer: Records request unusual but legal

No law was violated when the Social Security Administration asked the Missouri Highway Patrol for state concealed-carry license information, and received it — even though things didn’t follow “normal” procedures, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer told reporters Monday.

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