Six companies that sell extended vehicle warranties have been accused of using unfair and deceptive practices to peddle warranties that turn out to have little or no value. [Read more...]
GOP State Rep. pays taxes, denies Democrats charges
November 12, 2009 By
A Republican state representative claims the recession caused him to fall behind in paying property taxes on rental property he owns.
Late Thursday afternoon, Rep. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg) presented a $20,317.89 check to the Johnson County Collector, paying in full taxes and penalties owed from five properties he owns and operates with his brother in Warrensburg. Hos Properties LLC owed $16,091.03 in property taxes on five rental properties in Warrensburg. The penalties for being delinquent on paying the taxes total $4,226.86.
Hoskins says there’s an easy explanation for why he fell behind
“Our rental properties business, Hos Properties LLC, is struggling just like many other Missouri businesses,” Hoskins tells the Missourinet. “When our tenants can’t pay their rent due to the economic recession, we struggle to pay our mortgage payment and property taxes on our rentals.”
The Missouri House Democratic Campaign Committee made the issue public, producing documents disclosing that Hoskins and his brother, Brian, hadn’t paid their 2008 property taxes by the December 31st deadline last year. Penalties for delay of payment piled up to total more than $4,000. Property tax statements for the current year have been sent out and are due in a little more than a month.
Hoskins, a CPA, dismisses the accusations of Democrats that he was abusing the system, because he’s a state representative.
“I have not done anything illegal,” Hoskins says, “We were late paying our 2008 property taxes on our rental properties.”
Johnson County Collector of Revenue, Ruthanne Small, reports that Hoskins presented a check to the office late Thursday afternoon. She says Hos Properties is now paid in full.
“As an elected official, I’m not immune to the economic recession and we are feeling the financial crunch just like many other Missourians,” says Hoskins.
Democrats, though, point out that it has taken Hoskins nearly a year to pay his 2008 property taxes.
Union pushes for reduction of violence at state forensic hospital
November 12, 2009 By
The union representing employees at Fulton State Hospital, Missouri’s only maximum security forensic facility, is asking the Missouri Mental Health Commission to take steps to stop the violence against staff and clients at the hospital.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is calling on the Commission to install a man-down alarm system that would allow staff to quickly be made aware of emergency situations. [Read more...]
Digging operation continues as sex charges filed
November 12, 2009 By
A delicate digging operation continues in west-central Missouri as searchers look for evidence, some of which could very well be buried in glass jars, to use against five men accused of abusing young girls in the mid-80s and 90s. [Read more...]
Secretary Carnahan says abortion shouldn’t cloud healthcare reform issue
November 12, 2009 By
U.S. Senate candidate Robin Carnahan supports healthcare reform but says she’s not sure Congress is making the right moves on some issues. Carnahan says the healthcare debate in Washington is necessary, and that reform is needed.
However, Carnahan says the Stupak Amendment – which would prevent federal funding from going to insurance companies that pay for abortions – shouldn’t be a the center of the issue.
Carnahan, a Democrat, is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Senator Bond.
Republican Congressman Roy Blunt, who is also running for the seat, voted against the healthcare measure, which passed the House despite minimal support from Missouri’s congressional delegates.
She says she has some concerns about the current bill that just passed, such as the cost, but that she’s happy it’s being debated and she’s sure it will undergo many changes in the Senate.
State Senator Chuck Purgason, also a Republican, has also thrown his hat into the ring for Bond’s seat.
The Blunt camp has said Carnahan doesn’t take firm positions on bills in Congress. Carnahan says Blunt and other Republicans are spreading misconceptions about the bill and blames that, in part, on Blunt taking campaign contributions from those connected to big insurance.
