Alisa Nelson, Author at Missourinet

Missouri Secretary of State approves Medicaid expansion ballot measure

May 22, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri voters will get to decide whether to expand Medicaid eligibility. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has certified an initiative petition intended to expand government-funded health coverage and put the question on the election ballot.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (file photo courtesy of the Secretary of State’s office)

Ashcroft left Gov. Mike Parson a little time to choose whether to switch the ballot measure from the November general election to the lower turnout primary election in August. The deadline is Tuesday for Missouri’s chief executive to make that decision.

In a press release, Ashcroft says his office verified signatures using random sampling – a quicker way – instead of the usual method of sending them to local election authorities. He says he used the approach because local election authorities are busy preparing for the June 2 municipal election.

“After visiting all 116 election officials in the state over the last two weeks, I know we made the right decision,” he says. “It would have created a tremendous amount of work for them at the same time they prepare for, conduct and certify their local election.”

Ashcroft cites state law giving him the ability to use random sampling.

Pursuant to Section 116.120, RSMo., the secretary of state performed the approval of petition signatures by congressional district. Per state law, “the secretary of state may verify the signatures on the petition by use of random sampling.” The law states that “the process for establishing the random sample and determining the statistically valid result shall be established by the secretary of state. Such a random sampling shall include an examination of five percent of the signatures.”

The Healthcare for Missouri campaign wants to put another 230,000 low-income adults on Medicaid. If approved by voters, those earning up to $18,000 annually could qualify.

Missouri is one of 14 states without Medicaid expansion.

Missouri to ramp up COVID-19 testing next week but who’s paying for it?

May 21, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

State officials hope to complete about 7,500 coronavirus tests daily starting next week. During today’s briefing, Gov. Mike Parson says the plan will focus on three main testing strategies – box-in outbreaks, sentinel testing, and community sampling.

“This will allow us to keep the virus contained by identifying and isolating additional positive cases as quickly as possible,” says Parson. “Once our testing numbers are up, we will be able to re-evaluate and determine what is needed moving forward. The more testing we do, the more knowledge we have on what the situation in Missouri actually looks like and the better equipped we are to move forward.”

Gov. Mike Parson

The box-in approach will target long-term care sites, including nursing homes and assisted living centers for senior citizens, by testing staff and residents facility-wide. The goal with this strategy is to identify and isolate additional positive cases as quickly as possible. By “boxing-in” outbreaks in these places, this strategy aims to keep the virus contained and prevent further spreading.

Parson says 163 Missouri long-term care centers have had at least one COVID-19 case.

Sentinel testing is planned for next week at state-operated veterans nursing homes, prisons, and mental health centers in 28 counties over a ten-day period. Performing the periodic testing helps to identify and isolate not only symptomatic individuals but also asymptomatic individuals to keep them from unknowingly spreading the virus within the facility.

Community test sampling is also planned next week in six counties over ten days, including in Boone, Cape Girardeau, Greene, Jackson, Jefferson, and St. Charles. State Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams says election for community sampling is based on locations with the ability to draw participants from a broader region as well as locations that have expressed a need for additional testing resources. It is not based on the number of COVID-19 cases in these counties.

Community sampling is intended to give the state a better sense of COVID-19 prevalence in a given area to help guide its response and ease uncertainty. Parson says if prevalence is low, this will help reassure citizens that it is safe to begin re-engaging in the community and returning to somewhat normal operations. If prevalence is higher, Parson says steps will be taken to keep the virus from spreading further in the community but did not elaborate on what this would look like.

How’s the testing being paid for?

“All the testing is pretty well right now going to be paid out of the CARES Act for COVID-19,” says Parson. “There’s a lot of money on the local levels for testing – that’s what we’re really emphasizing that money they’re sending out. So the local levels are going to be responsible too. The state is not going to come in and do their testing for them for free. If they have the funds and the resources to do it, whether it be the counties or the health departments, they’re going to have to help with that. Number two, when we go looking kind of in the private sector when we’re going around there, if the companies have the ability to pay for it through the insurance companies, they’re going to have to pay for that also.”

Due to a glitch, Kansas City has been left empty-handed when it comes to federal coronavirus funding and its corresponding counties don’t seem to want to play ball and share the aid Washington sent to them. Parson says he’s willing to help with testing in Kansas City, but he doesn’t want to open up a can of worms.

“We’re not going to get in the middle of turf battles up there. I mean that’s an issue up there between the counties and the city and that region,” says Parson. “So I’m not sure if that’s my place to fight that battle. We’re here in a support role to help them. I don’t think the state is here to take over the local levels and tell them what to do and what not to do.”

On Thursday, an informal group appointed by the governor to advise him how to spend CARES Act funding coming into the state held a public meeting. State Representative David Wood, R-Versailles, takes issue with local health departments footing the bill for testing services through local CARES ACT funding.

“Basically, you have no plans of sending money down, even though they are doing your work and they are funded through you, you’re having them compete for the dollars that are sent to the county,” asks Wood. “I’ve made that point in budget committee numbers of times that if Health and Senior Services is receiving additional funds from COVID money, whatever pot it’s coming from and they are not passing on to the people doing the work, that to me is … (mumbled expletive).”

State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick says Missouri has about $1.5 billion in federal funding to work with after buying personal protective equipment for state health and frontline workers.

Northwest Missouri manufacturer could lay off 85 workers by end of July

May 21, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

A northwest Missouri manufacturer has notified the state that it may reduce its workforce this summer. Battery maker Exide Technologies has started Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings while trying to arrange the sale of the company. Exide’s plant in Forest City is hoping to avoid laying off 85 workers.

“If the Company does not enter into an agreement with a purchaser to sell the business, the Company currently expects that it will be forced to conduct reductions-in-force or plant closings. Alternatively, if the Company does enter into an agreement with a purchaser to sell the business, the purchaser may elect not to continue to operate the business as a going concern or to offer employment to all of the Company’s employees,” the letter to the state says.

The notice from Exide to the mayor of Forest City and the state says that if layoffs do occur, they could be permanent and happen towards the end of July.

The company has also notified the union representing the workers.

Forest City is a town of about 250 people.

Missouri Chamber calls on governor to deal with ‘opportunistic COVID-19 lawsuits’

May 21, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants Gov. Mike Parson to call a special session to put an end to “opportunistic COVID-19 lawsuits”. In a press release, the Chamber says coronavirus liability is an emerging problem in Missouri involving those who believe they might have contracted the virus at a business and wants to sue the organization.

Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan

President Dan Mehan says the Chamber is not calling for protections for businesses that defy government orders and ignore public health recommendations. He wants companies protected that are making a good faith effort and taking the necessary precautions.

During Wednesday’s coronavirus briefing, the governor appeared open to the idea of a special session to deal with coronavirus liability.

“It’s quite apparent we’re going to have to deal with the legal challenges that goes along with COVID-19,” says Parson. “Whatever we need to do – calling the legislators back but it won’t be for one individual thing if I call them back. We’ll have some things in place that we need to do. There are still some issues that are very important to the state that need to be addressed. We’re not going to let attorneys go out here and sue everybody because they was doing their jobs of COVID-19. So, whatever it takes to kind of even that playing field, we’re planning on doing it in Missouri.”

Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys President Brett Emison issued a response:

“Missouri already has laws in place to protect health workers during extraordinary circumstances like the COVID-19 crisis. Missourians need not surrender fundamental constitutional rights – including 7th Amendment rights – during a pandemic. If anything, such rights are even more critical. Businesses should take all reasonable precautions as they reopen to protect customers and employees. For our economy to fully reopen, employees and customers must be safe to engage with businesses. If businesses have no accountability, how can employees and customers feel safe? If no one is responsible, no one is safe,” he says.

Some state lawmakers and the governor have said a special session is likely later this year to deal with coronavirus-related issues and funding. After the Legislature adjourned Friday, Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, told reporters he expects a special session would mainly involve budget issues.

Missouri State Penitentiary ghost and history tours to resume in June

May 20, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

On June 1, the Missouri State Penitentiary will begin offering its popular ghost and history tours again at the 184-year-old prison. In a press release today from the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, it says work is underway at the historic site to launch new protocols to ensure a safe environment for all during this COVID-19 era.

The Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City’s front entrance (2019 file photo courtesy of Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau)

The popular Jefferson City tourist attraction has thousands of visitors from around the world who want to view the prison that dates back to 1836. It was the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi River until it was decommissioned in 2004.

The prison is known for paranormal activity and some of the individuals who served time there, including renowned bank robbers Pretty Boy Floyd and Adam Richetti, Martin Luther King, Jr. assassinator James Earl Ray, pro boxer Sonny Liston, President Ulysses S. Grant’s trusted ally General John McDonald and 1841 abolitionist George Thompson.

Due to limited tour capacity, guests are strongly encouraged to buy their tour tickets in advance at MissouriPenTours.com. It is also requesting individuals to bring their signed tour waiver with them to reduce contact during check-in.

The bureau says during the reopening phase, the MSP will boost disinfection procedures, abide by social distancing guidelines, and restrict tour capacities at the facility and the MSP museum. MSP’s health and safety measures include 6 feet social distancing markers placed in high-traffic areas, hand sanitizing stations positioned around the location, and staff and guests are highly encouraged to wear face coverings while in the buildings.

Metal distribution center to open in northwest Missouri

May 20, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Next month, a new metal distribution center will open in northwest Missouri’s St. Joseph. During today’s press conference, Gov. Mike Parson says O’Neal Steel is opening the 64,000 square feet site on June 1 that will support several industries statewide.

“O’Neal Steel is part of the U.S. States’ largest family-owned network of metal service centers and we are proud that they have chosen St. Joseph as the location for its next distribution center,” says Parson.

A state press release says the Alabama-based company will initially have up to eight workers and will run two shifts, five days a week in St. Joseph.

“This announcement shows that even in the midst of COVID-19, there are still good things and Missouri is still a top location for businesses,” he says. “When you look at Nucor Steel who just started operations not too long ago, it’s good that the steel manufacturers of this country are looking at Missouri and giving us opportunities.”

North Carolina-based Nucor has opened a large steel plant in west-central Missouri’s Sedalia. Southeast Missouri’s New Madrid County is also home to a smelting plant.

O’Neal Steel has 17 other U.S. locations.

Coronavirus hits Missouri hog farm

May 20, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Thirteen hog farm employees in Audrain County have tested positive for the coronavirus. Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams says the cases impact the overall food chain. Some Missouri meat processing plants have closed or reduced their output due to coronavirus outbreaks, including in Moniteau and Saline Counties.

Coronavirus hits Missouri hog farm

“We think we have to get into our about 15 food processing plants going forward and doing sentinel testing and repeat testing and just very quickly try to identify cases there before they multiply into the 13 cases you’re seeing at this hog farm and obviously the 400 plus cases you saw up at Triumph Foods in Buchanan County,” says Williams.

Williams says the farm, which has about 60 employees, is experiencing a trend that is happening at the national level.

“You take Saline County which has a high case ratio compared to the population,” says Williams. “When you look at that, they tend to be very closely-affiliated with our food processors. You look at Buchanan, and Moniteau and Saline County.”

Saline County has 253 coronavirus cases.

Missouri Revenue Department chief says no tax return backlog this year

May 20, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

The state has received and completed about 2.5 million individual income tax returns. Missouri Department of Revenue Director Ken Zellers says the figure represents a roughly 358,000 decline compared to this time last year.

Missouri Department of Revenue Director Ken Zellers (Photo courtesy of Governor’s Flickr page)

“I expect it to stay pretty steady. I do not expect a backlog,” says Zellers. “Every year, we process right around 3.1 million returns and we’re at about 2.5 million this year. We have about 600,000 to go. We receive anywhere from 40,000 to 50,000 a week and we can handle that.”

During Tuesday’s coronavirus briefing, Zellers says employees are working quickly to get refunds out the door.

“We have virtually no backlog,” he says. “It’s about 24-48 hours to turn a return around. Of course, there are always those that require a little bit more attention that have to be done manually. But right now, business as usual.”

Due to the coronavirus, Missouri’s tax filing deadline has been extended to July 15. Income taxes filed by individuals, C Corporations, and trusts or estates have been given a three-month extension.

Zellers says four Missouri tax assistance offices have reopened to walk-in customers in Cape Girardeau, Joplin, Jefferson City and Springfield. The ones in Kansas City and St. Louis remain closed.

He also says 170 of the state’s 173 drivers license offices have reopened. The closed offices are in Olivette, Cape Girardeau and New London.

BREAKING: Missouri becomes first state to execute a prisoner during coronavirus outbreak

May 19, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

At 6:10 p.m. today, convicted murderer Walter Barton, 64, was pronounced dead at the state prison in southeast Missouri’s Bonne Terre. Barton was convicted of first-degree murder for the 1991 brutal stabbing death of 81-year-old Gladys Kuehler of southwest Missouri’s Ozark.

Convicted murderer Walter Barton was executed on May 19, 2020 at the maximum-security prison in Bonne Terre (undated photo courtesy of the Missouri Department of Corrections)

His death makes Missouri the first state in the nation to follow through with an execution since the coronavirus began wreaking havoc on the U.S. According to CBS News, COVID-19 concerns have led to other states postponing executions among death row inmates. The Death Penalty Information Center lists Alabama as carrying out the last execution – on March 5.

Missouri Department of Corrections spokesperson Karen Pojmann tells Missourinet social distancing measures were taken to protect those involved in the execution. She says the nine witnesses were divided into three rooms big enough for them to stay 6 feet apart. According to Pojmann, everyone who entered the prison were screened, with a temperature check, before being allowed to enter, and everyone was given a face cover and hand sanitizer.

Pojmann says no staff or inmates at the maximum-security prison have tested positive for COVID-19.

For nearly 30 years, Barton’s case has been working its way through the court system by way of five different trials. His attorneys attempted to have their client’s execution overturned by claiming the man is innocent and is also incompetent to be put to death due to a brain injury. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court denied Barton’s appeals and Gov. Mike Parson told reporters Monday that he did not foresee any reason to intervene.

Despite Parson’s comment, death penalty opponents went to Jefferson City today to urge the governor to grant clemency to Barton. A caravan of vehicles drove by the Governor’s Mansion honking and flashing their vehicle lights. A press release from the organizers says key testimony against Barton came from a jailhouse snitch with a long criminal history of crimes of dishonesty such as fraud, bad check writing, forgery, escape and the use of aliases. The release says the state agreed to drop a pending charge against that witness in exchange for her testimony against Barton.

Plane makes emergency landing on I-470 near Kansas City

May 19, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

A small twin-engine Beechcraft BE50 plane landed Tuesday afternoon on eastbound Interstate 470 in Lee’s Summit near Kansas City. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said no injuries were reported and the pilot told police he had to make an emergency landing.

Photo courtesy of Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop A Twitter Page

“At approx. 2 p.m., a pilot was making his final approach to land at the Lee’s Summit airport when he experienced sudden engine failure in one of two engines,” the MSHP says on Twitter.

The incident caused traffic problems in the area for a while. KMBC-TV in Kansas City reports the plane was taken off the I-470 around 3:30 p.m.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.