Alisa Nelson, Author at Missourinet

Missouri Attorney General’s office joins FBI efforts to fight human trafficking, exploiting children

May 21, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force has added a powerful law enforcement force – Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office. During a press conference Monday in Kansas City, Schmitt says human trafficking is an epidemic.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt

“Human trafficking remains one of the top priorities of my office, and we will continually work to build partnerships and compile resources to combat this horrific practice. Whether you’re aware of it or not, human trafficking is happening in Missouri,” he says. “It’s my duty, as attorney general, to do everything we can to combat this practice – these horrible schemes to profit from our most vulnerable and the defenseless.”

The FBI’s task force is made up of eight departments, including the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Joplin Police Department, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Kansas City Missouri Police Department, Overland Park Police Department, Springfield Missouri Police Department, Topeka Police Department and Wichita Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Office also has resources to show citizens how to spot human trafficking and how to report it, as well as hotline numbers. Trafficking reports can be made at Makemofree.com or by calling the FBI.

Major disaster declaration approved for 13 Missouri counties

May 20, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Some Missouri communities, farmers and ranchers are breathing a sigh of relief. Governor Mike Parson says President Donald Trump has approved his major disaster declaration request in response to historic spring flooding this year. The governor’s April 24 request said $25 million in qualifying expenses had already been identified.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson is given an aerial tour of the flooding damage near northwest Missouri’s St. Joseph on March 15, 2019 (photo courtesy of the governor’s office)

The declaration makes federal assistance available for local governments and nonprofit agencies in 13 Missouri counties to recover from the storms and flooding. The aid can be used to repair damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure, along with emergency response costs associated with the weather events.

On March 21, Parson declared a state of emergency due to worsening conditions along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers as a result of excessive rainfall, releases from upstream reservoirs, and snow melt.

“This disaster declaration means millions of dollars in vitally important federal reimbursements will be available for communities that are hurting because of damaged and destroyed roads, bridges, and other vitally important infrastructure,” Parson said in a press release. “I appreciate President Trump making the federal assistance available and all those who are already working to help our Missouri communities recover.”

The counties in the President’s Public Assistance disaster declaration include Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Carroll, Chariton, Holt, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Platte, Ray, and Ste. Genevieve.

U.S. Representative Sam Graves released a statement after the approval of the disaster declaration. Graves, a Republican from northern Missouri’s Tarkio, has a massive district that covers both the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.

“President Trump’s approval of public assistance is welcome news for Northwest Missouri counties impacted by the recent flooding and I’m grateful that we have gotten this disaster declaration. It will go a long way towards helping our communities as they rebuild damaged infrastructure and remove flood debris. I’m hopeful we’ll also hear soon on Missouri’s request for individual assistance so individuals devastated by this flooding can receive the help they need as well.”

The President’s declaration also makes available assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Program to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property due to natural hazards.

Parson said the state expects to request the Public Assistance disaster declaration to be expanded to include additional counties as joint teams can fully assess damage in other counties. The federal government is continuing to review Parson’s request for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance to individual residents in Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Holt, and Platte counties.

Missourinet 5 p.m. Newscast for 5-20-2019

May 20, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Drones are one signature away from being banned near Missouri prisons, mental hospitals

May 20, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg

The Missouri Legislature has passed a bill that includes a no drone fly zone near state prisons and mental hospitals. The issue was championed by Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, and is a priority for the state Corrections Department.

His district includes the Chillicothe Correctional Center in northwest Missouri.

Department officials say banning the aircraft near institutions could help to fight security threats and illegal smuggling of goods into the prison system.

The fate of the proposal is in the hands of Republican Governor Mike Parson.

The helmets could soon come off for many motorcyclists in Missouri

May 20, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Many motorcycle riders could soon cruise down Missouri’s roads without a helmet and not get in trouble with the law. On Friday – the last day of the regular session – Missouri lawmakers sent to Republican Governor Mike Parson a proposal that would let motorcyclists ride without a helmet if they are at least 18 years old and have health insurance.

Sen. Eric Burlison (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

Sen. Eric Burlison, R-Springfield says he’s been working on the issue for several years.

“We hear about veterans – folks who have fought for their rights. Many of them enjoy riding motorcycles and this is an issue that we are able to give them a little bit of their freedom back,” Burlison says.

Opponents of a helmet repeal say it could lead to more deaths and major injuries and will drive up medical expenses for the parties involved and the state.

The bill would also require inspections for vehicles more than 10 years old or with more than 150,000 miles. Current law requires every other year inspections for vehicles more than five years old to renew a vehicle license.

Under the legislation, nearly 1.2 million Missouri vehicles would no longer be required to get safety inspections.

The provisions are included in Senate Bill 147, sponsored by Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville.

‘Nathan’s Law’ to restrict capacity at in-home daycares goes to Missouri governor’s desk

May 20, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

After ten years in the making, “Nathan’s Law” is on the verge of becoming the real deal. The Missouri Legislature has passed a measure that would fix a loophole in state law allowing in-home day cares, which are not licensed, to watch four kids, but an unlimited number of relatives.

Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, is named after Nathan Blecha, who died from suffocation in 2007 at a Jefferson County in-home daycare serving 10 children.

The legislation headed to the governor would limit the total number of children to six with no more than three under the age of 2. Violators would face a misdemeanor and potential fines. If they continue to break the law, they could go to prison.

“It’s really going to save kids’ lives. We put together a great big group to make sure that we got the law right,” says Schupp. “This does not force anyone into licensure, as long as they’re following the law. If they want to watch more than six kids, they need to get licensed, if they want subsidies to help with the cost of childcare.”

Schupp credits former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Nancy Cambria with exposing the problem of unregulated day cares in Missouri.

“Nathan’s Law” was added to House Bill 397.

What bills did the Missouri Legislature pass this year? See the list of top proposals.

May 17, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

The Missouri Legislature’s regular session has come to a close and so has the hustle and bustle over the past five months in Jefferson City. Lawmakers passed 102 pieces of legislation this session and the fate of the proposals lies in the hands of Republican Governor Mike Parson.

Missouri House does the annual toss of the papers to celebrate the end of the 2019 legislative session (Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications)

Here is a list of the top measures passed this session:

House Bill 192 would reduce the number of offenders being locked up in local jails and state prisons. The proposal would scrap mandatory minimum sentences for some nonviolent crimes and require the Missouri parole board to evaluate those currently serving mandatory minimums to decide if they should be released. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Bruce DeGroot, R-Chesterfield, would block people from getting thrown back in jail for not paying for their previous jail bills.

Senate Bill 391 would ban Missouri counties from enforcing stricter local health regulations than the state for large animal feed lots. Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, sponsored the measure for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, otherwise known as CAFOs. The proposal would bar counties from limiting where CAFOs can be built and adopting tougher environmental regulations.

After shutting down Senate work for 26 hours this week, the Missouri Senate Conservative Caucus budged and let the chamber pass Senate Bill 68 – legislation largely inspired by General Motors. The compromise reached on the incentive package championed by fellow Republican Governor Mike Parson and Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, is meant to woo GM for a potential expansion in Wentzville. The plan would give $50 million in tax credits to automakers that invest at least $750 million in plant improvements. It would also provide tax credits earlier in a business expansion and financial aid for people seeking high demand jobs.

House Bill 126 would ban doctors from giving women abortions if they are eight weeks into their pregnancy. Physicians who violate the ban would face 5 to 15 years in prison. The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, would also prohibit physicians from providing an abortion if the baby would have Down syndrome and abortions sought because of the sex or race of the child. It does not have exemptions for victims of human trafficking, rape or incest. The measure would also require both parents to be told if a minor child wants an abortion.

On the final day of the session, the House passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, which is designed to pay for the repairs of 215 Missouri bridges. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, lets the Highways and Transportation Commission issue $301 million in bonds and pay the total amount back within seven years. The proposal would use about $50 million in general state revenue annually for seven years with an additional $35 million for a cost-share program for local infrastructure upgrades. The loan will amount to about $22.6 million in interest. Under the plan, the state would only be allowed to issue the bonds if Missouri gets a federal infrastructure grant.

Senate Bill 7 would shut down lawsuits with out-of-state defendants from filing court cases in St. Louis. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, would also add restrictions on plaintiffs who attempt to join together in the same court case.

Senate Bill 1 would expand some nonviolent offenses to a list of possible crimes that could be erased from a person’s criminal record. Sen. Kiki Curls, D-Kansas City, is the sponsor of the legislation that would add property damage, fraudulent use of a credit or debit card, and stealing to the list crimes that could be deleted.

House Bill 499 aims to keep struggling state license offices open. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Aaron Griesheimer, R-Washington, would boost fees by about $2.50 to $3, depending on the type of service. The fee increases would be for vehicle licenses, operators’ licenses and vehicle title transfers, which have not been raised since 1999. The 174 license offices employ about 1,700 Missourians.

Senate Bill 336 would fix a loophole in state law that allows in-home daycare providers to care for four children but watch an unlimited number of relatives. Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, has championed the legislation for 10 years. “Nathan’s Law” would limit the number of children to six with no more than three can be under the age of 2. Violators would face a misdemeanor and potential fines.

The Missouri Legislature has given its stamp of approval to a $29.7 billion state budget for the fiscal year beginning in July. The financial outline includes:

*$50 million in general revenue for a $301 million bond for bridge repairs and another $35 million for a cost-share program with local municipalities to fund road repairs.

*A 3% pay raise for state employees and another 1% salary boost for Department of Corrections workers

*$3.55 billion to fully fund the formula used to finance Missouri’s K-12 public schools – an increase of about $60 million from the current state budget year.

*$108 million to fund K-12 public school bus transportation costs – a $5 million increase from the current fiscal year.

*Core funding increased for all of Missouri’s public universities by $1 million with some, including Missouri State University, receiving as much as a $10 million boost. State Technical College received a $500,000 core increase and $500,000 for deferred maintenance.

*Prevents undocumented immigrants from receiving in-state college tuition

*$5 million for alternatives to jail program for pre-trail electronic ankle bracelets

*$5 million for rural broadband grants

*$8 million in flood recovery aid

*1.5% rate increases to Medicaid providers

Missouri Senate passes eight-week abortion ban bill

May 16, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

After about 15 hours of stalling and negotiating, the Missouri Senate has passed a bill that would ban abortions at eight weeks of pregnancy. During the wee hours this morning, the chamber endorsed the measure along party lines that includes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest cases. Under the plan, abortion doctors would face five to 15 years in prison for violating the eight-week limit.

State Senator Bob Onder

Lake St. Louis Republican Bob Onder, who was visibly outraged, does not think the legislation is tough enough. He says many things were stripped out of the original version.

“What in the world was the justification for why we can’t protect babies born alive after abortions,” he asks. “This should be entitled not the ‘Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act’ but ‘Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act – sort of kind of only after the minority party and the smartest Planned Parenthood lawyers in the country were done with the bill’. We should be ashamed of ourselves. This bill, yes, is better than nothing but is a shadow of what it once was.”

Onder also made a serious allegation about the trafficking of fetal tissue.

“They removed the ban on fetal tissue trafficking. Right now, I’ve become very convinced for a number of reasons, that there is active trafficking of aborted fetal tissue from the abortion clinic on Forest Park Avenue in St. Louis to Washington University School of Medicine,” he says.

Creve Coeur Democrat Jill Schupp disputes the claim.

“It’s already illegal and it’s simply untrue,” Schupp says. “It’s disappointing to me to hear the Senator speak that way.”

Sen. Jill Schupp (D-Creve Coeur)

M’Evie Mead with Planned Parenthood says the “rhetoric” is blatantly false and irresponsible.

Schupp goes on to say it is outrageous the bill does not contain exemptions for victims of human trafficking, rape or incest.

“House Bill 126 is still an extreme and egregious piece of legislation that puts women’s health at risk,” she says. “It is unconstitutional. It is dangerous.”

She says the proposal would also cap tax credits to pro-life pregnancy resource centers at a 70% return rate.

“This is an irresponsible move. We don’t know what the fiscal note from year to year will end up being,” Schupp says.

The proposal would also ban doctors from providing an abortion if the baby would have Down syndrome and abortions sought because of the sex or race of the child. The measure would require both parents to be notified if a minor child is seeking an abortion.

With two days to go in the legislative session, House Bill 126 heads back to the House.

Missouri Senate deadlock is over with deal reached on GM bill

May 14, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Governor Mike Parson and members of his own party have budged – ending a 26-hour protest about an incentive package inspired by General Motors. The compromise reached on the $50 million tax credits plan championed by Parson is meant to woo GM for a potential expansion in Wentzville.

The General Motors plant in Wentzville has about 4,600 employees, according to GM’s website (photo courtesy of GM website)

So what’s the deal? The six-member Senate Conservative Caucus ultimately gave up its fight in exchange for a promise that further abortion regulations would come up for debate next. On the Senate floor Tuesday, Sen. Bob Onder said the “protection of human life was leveraged against them”.

“That is inappropriate. Our colleagues were faced with a decision,” he said. “We have been assured the next order of business in this body will be picking up the defense of innocent human life. We will do that. We will protect unborn children capable of feeling pain. We will protect babies with heart beats. We will pass the heartbeat bill.”

Democrats are expected to go to great lengths to shut down Senate work for as long as possible on the measure.

Some members of the Conservative Caucus were not in Parson’s corner about components of the bill he says GM wants, including ones that would provide tax credits earlier in a business expansion and financial aid for people seeking high demand jobs. Sens. Onder and Bill Eigel, who live in Lake St. Louis and Weldon Spring near the Wentzville plant, have argued that GM wants $50 million in tax credits – not the additional measures.

Eigel used a loaf of bread to make his point about compromise.

“You can’t get the full loaf,” he said. “If you expect to get a full loaf in a deal each time, you’re going to end up incredibly disappointed.”

Shortly after Senators voted 25-8 in favor of the proposal, the governor released a statement.

“Today’s final vote is a complete victory for Missourians and jobs in every corner of the state. We are sending a powerful message to the nation that we are ready to compete with every state for more jobs,” said Parson. “From day one, I’ve talked about the importance of workforce development and infrastructure – and thanks to House and Senate Leadership, State Representatives Kathy Swan and Nick Schroer, and State Senator Lincoln Hough, we now have the necessary economic development tools to make an important investment in the skills of Missouri workers. We are now on track to be one of the most pro-growth, pro-jobs administrations in Missouri’s history.”

Tick tock – lawmakers have three days left in the session to pass other bills.

Missouri Senate deadlocks on governor’s General Motors bill

May 14, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

The state Senate went into total stall mode Monday afternoon to block an incentives package for General Motors from making it to the floor. During this final week of the legislative session, the delay tactics have sidelined many other bills awaiting action.

Governor Mike Parson addresses firefighters during the Missouri State Firefighters Day in Jefferson City on March 6, 2019 (file photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI}

Members of Governor Mike Parson’s own party who live near the GM plant in Wentzville do not see eye to eye with him about legislation aimed at a potential expansion there. The six-member Conservative Caucus led the way with Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, encouraging his fellow Republicans to find compromise on the $50 million tax credit bill. He’s not crazy about providing tax credits earlier in a business expansion and financial aid for people pursuing high demand jobs.

“In conversations directly with General Motors, in conversations that some of my colleagues have had, that neither of those provisions are necessary for us to put our best foot forward when it comes to the possible expansion in Wentzville. I want to make sure that we’re not passing anything that I philosophically have a lot of problems with that aren’t actually required to get this through,” says Eigel.

During floor debate, Lake St. Louis Sen. Bob Onder says he would support $50 million in tax credits, but not the other two components. Senate President Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, says GM wants the whole package – not just the $50 million. Onder does not buy Schatz’s remark. He says he talked to local officials in the Wentzville area.

State Senator Bob Onder

“They told me that it’s not as black and white as the governor has been making it. The governor has been making it sound like the GM deal doesn’t happen unless his whole Christmas tree package is approved,” says Onder. “It’s clear that that’s not the case.”

Sen. Eric Burlison, R-Springfield, questions what GM has a problem with.

“I’m still kind of waiting to hear what is the hang-up,” asks Burlison. “If we are at a place where we have a bill that meets the needs of General Motors and the outlier issues are the issues that have controversy and have had controversy for months, then what is it that we really care about? Do we really care about getting this issue resolved, getting this bill done for GM? Is that the real care? Or, it makes you wonder has the real desire all along been these outlier issues? Maybe the tail is wagging the dog – I don’t know.”

The Conservative Caucus had a glimmer of hope when the Missouri House took the unprecedented move of passing a scaled-down version of the package with $50 million in tax credits. Missouri Senate Republican leadership didn’t budge and refused to accept the alternative bill – sending the chamber back into a standoff.

The Conservative Caucus does not appear to be growing tired.

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz (R-Sullivan) speaks to Capitol reporters on February 21, 2019 (photo courtesy of Senate Communications)

“We’re not in a place yet where we can say that there’s a path forward but we’re taking a look at that,” says Eigel. “It’s kind of a take it or leave it choice right now and right now we’re leaving it.”

Senate Democrats are sitting back and watching Republicans squabble in hopes of other controversial measures not passing.

Under the Missouri Constitution, the Legislature must adjourn its regular session by 6 p.m. on Friday.

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