The group that has been trying to keep the tobacco tax increase off the November ballot is giving up. Attorney Marc Ellinger says Missourians Against Tax Abuse will not ask for a re-hearing before the state supreme court.He says the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision means it is unlikely to change its mind. He doesn’t think the issue will pass. Ellinger thinks a federal lawsuit will be filed challenging the proposal’s medicaid-funding provisions if it does get voter approval. -bp-
Law On Investigation Open Records Varies
October 13, 2006 By
If the Mental Health Task Force does recommend making investigation reports open to the public, it will likely consider how other state departments handle sensitive information. Health Department officials handle a number of investigation reports in a number of ways. David Durbin is the director of the Division of Regulation and Licensure at the Department of Health and Senior Services. Drubin is also a member of the Mental Health Task Force. Durbin explains that state lawmakers, not department officials, decide which records are open and which are closed. State law requires reports on investigations of long-term care facilities be open. Those facilities, most notably nursing homes, are not the same, but are similar to the Mental Health Department’s habilitation centers. There are some similarities in population. The Health Department has licensed facilities for Missourians 60-years-old and older. Missourians between the ages of 18 and 59 also can be eligible for such care if they have a disability, again, not the same as those treated in habilitation centers, but similar. Investigations of community based health care are closed, except to certain officials and to the person involved or their legal guardian. Durbin notes investigations of in-home service providers are generally closed, unless the department determines disclosure is necessary to prevent further abuse, neglect, misappropriation of funds, or falsification of any documents verifying service delivery to an in-home service client. Even if records are made public, confidential information is kept secret.
Related web sites:
Mental Health Task Force
Beltran Strikes Again, Cards Drop Game 1
October 13, 2006 By
An old ghost came back to haunt the Cardinals in last night’s 2-0 loss to the Mets in Game 1 of the NLCS Thursday night.
New York center fielder Carlos Beltran – who almost single-handedly eliminated the Cardinals in the 2004 NLCS while with the Astros – continued his destruction of the Redbirds pitching staff belting a two-run homer in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference.
Mets starter Tom Glavine extended his playoffs scoreless streak to 13 innings. The Cardinals only managed four hits and no runs off Glavine in seven innings. Guillermo Mota pitched a scoreless eighth. Closer Billy Wagner shut down the Cardinals in the ninth for his third save of the postseason.
Beltran and Glavine were not the only factors in the victory; the Mets did receive some heads up defense led by two inning-ending double plays and a spectacular catch by Endy Chavez.
The Cardinals did not get any production from the heart of its lineup. Albert Pujols, Juan Encarnacion, and Scott Rolen – the team’s 3-4-5 hitters – combined to go 0-for-10 with two walks in the game. Rolen has struggled this entire postseason going 1-for-14 with a painful shoulder injury.
The Cardinals will pitch Chris Carpenter in Game 2 Friday night. John Maine, a rookie right-hander, will be on the hill for the Mets.
Related web sites:
Cardinals Official Website
Truman Atop The Division-II Polls
October 13, 2006 By
For the second year in a row, the Truman State volleybal squad reached the top of the Division-II polls. The Bulldogs spent six weeks as the No. 1 team last year before losing in the Elite Eight.
Truman lost their first match of this season, but have since won 23 straight. They haven’t piled up a bunch of wins against cupcake opponents either, eight of the 23 wins have come against nationally ranked teams.
Truman protected their #1 ranking, sweeping Missouri Western Wednesday. The Bulldogs are back on the court tonight against West Florida.
Related web sites:
Truman State Official Site
Mizzou Begins Practice Tonight
October 13, 2006 By
The Univeristy of Missouri men’s basketball team starts official practice tonight. It’ll be the first practice of new head coach Mike Anderson’s tenure. The Tigers will have an exhibition game at home Nov. 3 against Missouri-Rolla. Mizzou plays its first official game Nov. 10 at home against North Carolina A&T.
Related web sites:
Mizzou Official Website
