A state senator who says the state constitution’s guarantee of religious freedom is not enough avoid lawsuits runs into a couple of colleagues who say the state constitution is just fine. The constitution guarantees the natural rights of Missourians to worship God according to their own consciences and says no human authority can interfere with that right. That’s not enough for Senator Delbert Scott of Lowry City who wants to guarantee that people can pray wherever they want to as long as they don’t disturb the peace. His proposal bars establishment of a state religion, bans forced participation in religious activities, says students can express faith in their assignments, and won’t be required to take part in assignments that violate their beliefs. [Read more...]
State Ag Dept working with SW MO bio-diesel plant that suspends operations
A bio-diesel plant in southwest Missouri is no longer buying grain after the State Agriculture Department suspended its grain dealer’s license.
State Agriculture Director Jon Hagler assures farmers this isn’t the same as problems experienced last year.
“Again, this is not a fraud situation. This is not anything of that nature,” Hagler tells the Missourinet, referring to the T. J. Gieseker Farms and Trucking Company fraud case in Martinsburg and the bankruptcy of the Gallatin Grain Company.
Hagler says the department has been working with the Prairie Pride board of directors prior to suspending the grain dealer’s license. Hagler says he is hopeful the company will be able to regain its license and continue its bio-diesel operations in Deerfield.
“And, hopefully we’ll be able to do that and accomplish that and move forward, but that remains to be seen. Our role at the department, of course, is to make sure we protect those farmers and grain sellers.”
The State Agriculture Department has been named trustee of Prairie Pride after court documents filed in Vernon County disclosed a $2.4 million dollar debt against a bond of only $300,000. The court has authorized the department to seize the grain and grain-related assets of the company. An audit is being conducted and Hagler is confident the assets of the company are sufficient to pay farmers and grain dealers.
The company voluntarily quit buying grain earlier in the month, stating it didn’t have the resources necessary to make prompt payment. Company officials blame the loss of biodiesel incentives from Congress. They voluntarily stopped buying grain. Company officials informed state agriculture officials they couldn’t honor contracts to buy grain in March and April. Prairie Farms began production in late 2007, a $72 million plant, completely owned by producers with a goal of producing 30 million gallons of biodiesel annually.
The financial difficulties in Deerfield came to light even as United States Attorney’s Office in St. Louis announced that Cathy Gieseker had been sentenced to nine years in prison for a $27 million dollar grain fraud scheme in north-eastern Missouri. Gieseker operated a trucking and grain marketing business from her home in Martinsburg. Her “Ponzi” scheme collapsed in February of last year, defrauding approximately 180 farmers who contracted with her to market their grain. Gieseker, who is 45, pleaded guilty in November.
The Gallatin Grain Company, located in northwest Missouri, went bankrupt in February of last year as well.
Senate approves prompt pay insurance bill
When we get a medical treatment, we present our insurance card, sometimes make a co-pay, and walk out the door. It’s up to the provider of that treatment to collect from the insurance company. Sometimes the providers have trouble getting our insurance company to pay in a timely fashion. [Read more...]
Proposal to cap home health care hours withdrawn in House
A legislative proposal to cap the number of hours of home care disabled folks could receive has been withdrawn.
Consumers, home-care attendants and advocates rallied at the Capitol last week to protest the measure, which Missouri Home Care Union spokesman Joe Lawrence says would have put thousands of Missourians in harm’s way.
Gov. Nixon declares today Jamie McMurray day
Jamie McMurray cruised the streets of Jeff City and made a pit stop at the Capitol
What a great idea! Have Jamie McMurray drive his #1 car from the Jefferson City airport to the South Lawn of the Capitol steps. So, I perched myself up on the steps on the west side of the Capitol and caught McMurray coming off Highway 54 heading east on Main Street. Click here to see the video.
