Education Archives - Missourinet

Missouri professor resigns amid accusations of using students as servants

January 17, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Photo courtesy of the University of Missouri-Kansas City

A University of Missouri-Kansas City professor has resigned – two months after accusations surfaced about some of his international students being used as personal servants. The Kansas City Star reports nearly one dozen former students say Dr. Ashim Mitra hinted and threatened to have their visas revoked if they did not do things like mow his lawn, care for his dog, serve at his social gatherings and water his plants.

The newspaper says allegations in pending litigation show the university not only knew about Mitra’s behavior but administrators ignored complaints for years because Mitra was among the most successful faculty members to get millions in research dollars for the school.

Mitra, who joined the UMKC School of Pharmacy faculty in 1994, was put on paid suspension in November while the school investigated the allegations. A final hearing scheduled for today was intended to decide his future with the university.

Missouri lawmakers on both sides react to State of State Address (AUDIO)

January 16, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri Republican Governor Mike Parson received several bipartisan standing ovations during Wednesday’s State of the State Address in Jefferson City, and there were other instances where only Republicans applauded. Governor Parson is proposing about a $29 billion state operating budget. The Missouri Constitution requires state lawmakers to approve a balanced budget by early May.

Governor Mike Parson waves to Missouri lawmakers during his State of the State Address on January 16, 2019. House Speaker Elijah Haahr (left) and Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe are behind the governor (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Missourinet interviewed State Reps. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, Kip Kendrick, D-Columbia, and Deb Lavender, D-Kirkwood, after the governor’s address. You can listen to the full interview at the end of this article.

Governor Parson’s proposal to provide $22 million for a program to allow Missourians to receive advanced training in high-demand areas gets a thumbs-up from Schroer.

“We don’t need more college degrees, we need more people that can work and bring money back to their families,” Schroer says.

Representative Schroer is referring to a program called “Fast Track”, which the governor says will primarily be taught at community colleges, technical schools and colleges and universities.

Parson says the program will benefit “tens of thousands of Missourians” from every corner of the state.

Meantime, a state lawmaker from mid-Missouri’s Rocheport is praising the governor’s call to advance autism research. Representative Basye has filed bipartisan legislation that’s aimed at providing more insurance coverage for those with disabilities.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Honor Guard presents the flags before the governor’s State of the State Address on January 16, 2019 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

“I had a short talk with our new (House) Insurance Policy (Committee) Chair Noel Shull, and hopefully we can get that moving very quickly,” says Basye.

Shull, R-Kansas City, is in his final House term.

Basye’s bill would enhance existing insurance coverage for those with developmental disabilities, outside of the autism spectrum. It’s similar to legislation Basye filed in 2018. During the State of the State Address, Parson proposed $1 million in funding to ensure that families and parents impacted by autism have access to proper resources.

On the Democratic side, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee is worried about the state’s budget. State Rep. Kip Kendrick, D-Columbia, tells Missourinet state revenues are down.

“We’re currently down 8.76 percent year-to-date right now,” Kendrick says. “Middle class surprise tax bills are coming, that’s a very real thing with the withholding error.”

Kendrick is referring to the state Department of Revenue’s inaccurate tax estimations. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, has filed legislation that would grant taxpayers who owe less than $200 an extra two months to pay, without penalties or interest charges.

Quade tells Capitol reporters that Governor Parson should have addressed the Revenue mistake, during the address.

The governor also addressed Medicaid during the State of the State Address. About one million Missourians are currently on Medicaid, which provides low-income families and individuals with health care coverage.

Parson says safeguarding the integrity of the Medicaid program is crucial, noting that about one-third of Missouri’s $29 billion budget is devoted to the program. State Rep. Deb Lavender, D-Kirkwood, who serves on the House Budget Committee, has filed legislation to expand Medicaid.

“We want workforce development, you have to have good, healthy people to be able to provide you that job to provide the work to be able to take care of their families,” says Lavender.

Lavender’s bill would send the Medicaid expansion issue to a statewide vote.

Basye says he supports Governor Parson’s emphasis on infrastructure and workforce development.

And Schroer, Kendrick and Lavender express support for the governor’s call for criminal justice reform.

“As Governor, I am not interested in building more prisons,” Parson tells lawmakers.

He received one of the loudest standing ovations of the day from both sides when he said that. State Reps. Bruce Franks, D-St. Louis, and Brandon Ellington, D-Kansas City, were the first to stand up and applaud that comment.

Republicans control the Missouri House 115-47.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and State Reps. Nick Schroer, R-O’Fallon, Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, Kip Kendrick, D-Columbia and Deb Lavender, D-Kirkwood, which was recorded on January 16, 2019 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

Fitzpatrick: “Government works for the people, not the other way around” (AUDIO)

January 15, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

A three-term Missouri House member was sworn-in as the 47th state treasurer during a Monday ceremony at the Statehouse in Jefferson City.

Missouri Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick (left) is sworn-in by Barry County Judge Johnnie Cox on January 14, 2019. Fitzpatrick’s wife, Mallory, holds the Bible (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Shell Knob Republican Scott Fitzpatrick, who’s been serving as the House Budget Committee Chairman, delivered brief remarks after he was sworn-in by Barry County Judge Johnnie Cox. Fitzpatrick emphasizes the importance of making strong decisions, planning and responsibility.

“And that’s how I view the role of state treasurer,” Fitzpatrick told the audience. “A protector of state funds so Missouri schools can continue to be fully funded, Missouri businesses can continue to grow and Missouri families can continue to prosper.”

The audience included Republicans Governor Mike Parson, Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz and House Speaker Elijah Haahr. Democrats attending include State Auditor Nicole Galloway, Senate Minority Leader Gina Walsh and numerous other lawmakers from both chambers and parties.

Fitzpatrick says he’s humbled and honored about his new opportunity. Fitzpatrick, who helped to build boat dock manufacturer MariCorp US into a multi-million dollar enterprise, says government must work for the people.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson (left), Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe and other officials listen to new State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick on January 14, 2019 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

“I witnessed our government standing in the way of my ability (at Maricorp US) to keep people working due to the inability or unwillingness of bureaucrats to sign off on permits,” says Fitzpatrick.

During his remarks, Fitzpatrick also emphasized fiscal restraint and support for small business.

Governor Parson announced the Fitzpatrick appointment during a December 19th press conference at the Capitol. Fitzpatrick replaces Schmitt, who was appointed attorney general to replace Republican Josh Hawley, who was elected to the U.S. Senate in November.

The state treasurer serves as Missouri’s chief financial officer and safeguards more than $988 million in unclaimed property.

Fitzpatrick tells Missourinet his resignation from the House took effect Monday afternoon at 3:30.

Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-O’Fallon, is praising the governor’s selection of Fitzpatrick as treasurer. Wiemann tells Missourinet that Parson made an outstanding choice.

“I served with Scott for four years (in the House), had an opportunity to see him first-hand, his leadership, his abilities,” Wiemann says. “He’s certainly a young man but he’s very accomplished, even at his young age.”

Fitzpatrick is 31 years old. The governor says Fitzpatrick has more experience and knowledge of the state budget than any other elected official.

Former Republican State Treasurers Wendell Bailey and Sarah Steelman also attended the ceremony.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and House Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann, R-O’Fallon, which was recorded on January 14, 2019 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

MoDOT brings in extra crews for Monday; Missouri troopers assist about 1,800 stranded motorists (AUDIO)

January 13, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

With 20 inches of snowfall reported on the ground in some places, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is bringing in extra crews for Monday morning’s commute in many parts of the state.

MoDOT senior maintenance worker James Pletka finishes a plowing shift in southeast Missouri’s Jackson on January 11, 2019 (photo courtesy of MoDOT)

MoDOT traffic communications specialist Joe Moore says many extra crew members will also be coming in overnight.

“Just to make sure that the early-morning commute is safer for all of the travelers here in Missouri,” Moore says.

MoDOT is also warning you to be careful Monday morning while driving, noting that roads could freeze overnight.

Moore says crews were able to “get ahead of the storm” on Friday.

“Working with our partners and getting the message out really helped us reduce the amount of travelers on the road, which then allowed us to get out there and keep it safe for those who needed to be out and about,” says Moore.

MoDOT used about 1,500 trucks and about 3,000 operators during the storm, primarily on Friday and Saturday.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it responded to at least four fatalities and more than 875 crashes during the blizzard, as of Saturday afternoon. State troopers say they responded to about 1,800 stranded motorists this weekend and about 4,000 calls for service.

A St. Louis city employee uses a brush machine to clear snow off sidewalks in downtown St. Louis on January 12, 2019 (photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI)

The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis says mid-Missouri saw the highest snowfall totals this weekend. East-central Missouri’s Montgomery City received more than 20 inches of snow, while Columbia received about 16 inches. Ashland and Fulton reported 17 inches, while Audrain County’s Mexico had more than 19 inches.

The St. Louis metropolitan region received about 11 inches of snowfall. While that’s less than Columbia and Montgomery City, MoDOT’s Moore says the timing of Friday’s snowstorm in St. Louis made it worse.

“That was the worst in St. Louis trying to work with the snow compacted with the rush hour traffic,” says Moore.

The NWS says the west St. Louis County suburb of Ballwin received about 12 inches of snow, while eastern Missouri’s Troy had 11 inches. Troy is located in Lincoln County, and many people who live there commute to St. Louis for work.

The blizzard has also forced the University of Missouri to close Columbia’s Mizzou campus and UM System offices again on Monday.

“This is one of the worst snowstorms we’ve experienced,” Mizzou vice chancellor Gary Ward says. All MU Health Care hospitals will remain open.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and MoDOT traffic communications specialist Joe Moore, which was recorded on January 13, 2019:

Mid-Missouri police chief named ‘America’s favorite crossing guard’

January 11, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

Ashland Police Chief Lyn Woolford

The Safe Kids Worldwide Organization has named Ashland Police Chief Lyn Woolford as America’s favorite crossing guard. Woolford’s love of wearing funny hats while helping folks cross the street might have helped him to secure the top honor.

The Southern Boone school district gets $10,000 and Woolford gets $500 as part of the online contest.

Brad Tregnago of Missourinet affiliate KSSZ in Columbia contributed to this story

Missouri House Democrats focusing on education, health care and criminal justice reform

January 11, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri House Democrats are outnumbered by Republicans 116-47, but they say they’re excited and energized about the 2019 session.

The 163 newly-elected Missouri state representatives take the oath of office on January 9, 2019 in Jefferson City (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, spoke to Capitol reporters after Wednesday’s opening day session in Jefferson City.

“Though few in numbers, we are bold and strong in our convictions. We are determined to act in the best interests of all Missourians,” Quade said.

She is also focused on expanding health care access for all Missourians and fighting legislative right to work efforts. Leader Quade said Democrats want to strengthen K-12 education and Missouri’s public colleges, along with health care issues.

“Access to affordable and quality health care for all Missourians and defending rights for all workers throughout Missouri,” said Quade.

She’s also filed legislation to protect taxpayers from a mistake made by the state Department of Revenue last year, that she said resulted in inaccurate withholdings from Missourians’ paychecks.

Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Steven Roberts, D-St. Louis, praised new House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, for calling for additional criminal justice reform. Representative Roberts said public safety increases when ex-prisoners find employment.

“I mean I think a priority of our state needs to be helping ex-felons, people who deserve that second chance to have the employment opportunities that they so desire,” Roberts said.

More than 90 percent of Missouri prisoners will be released to the community, at some point. Speaker Haahr told the House on Wednesday that the criminal justice system is “broken.”

Roberts notes state lawmakers overwhelmingly approved bipartisan legislation to expand Missouri’s treatment court system to all counties, during September’s special session. Treatment courts include DWI and veterans treatment courts.

Missouri native selected for U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame

January 10, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

A Missouri native and astronaut has been nominated for induction into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Dr. Janet Kavandi was born in southwest Missouri’s Springfield and grew up in Cassville and Carthage.

Dr. Janet Kavandi

Kavandi was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1994 as a member of the 15th class of U.S. astronauts. She has served on three space flights, logging more than 33 days in space and orbiting the Earth 535 times. During her time in the astronaut office, she supported the International Space Station payload integration, capsule communications and robotics and served as deputy chief.

Kavandi is the director of NASA’s John H. Glenn Research Center in Cleveland where she is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the activities required in accomplishing the missions assigned to the center. The Glenn staff consists of more than 3,200 civil service and support contractor employees and has an annual budget of approximately $625 million. Her center is affected by the federal government shutdown.

Kavandi was also a part of NASA’s 2017 total eclipse broadcast in Jefferson City. The Capital City was one of the communities considered as one of the best viewing places during the historic event.

Kavandi is a graduate of Missouri Southern State University in Joplin and Missouri S & T in Rolla.

New Missouri House Speaker Haahr outlines 2019 priorities

January 10, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The new Missouri House Speaker says the Show-Me State has the lowest unemployment in decades, but it does not mean that lawmakers can rest.

New Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, addresses the House on January 9, 2019 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

State Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, was formally elected Speaker by the full House during Wednesday’s opening session in Jefferson City. Haahr says the Legislature will create what he calls “bold solutions” for challenges faced by every Missourian.

“At the heart of our efforts is one of economic growth. Our message that Missouri is open for business cannot be just lip service coming from this building (the Capitol). The policies we pass must focus on cultivating employers and not controlling their businesses,” Haahr tells the House.

Republicans will control the chamber 116-47 in 2019, which Haahr notes is one of the largest majorities in state history.

Speaker Haahr’s call for criminal justice reform gets a thumbs-up from House Democratic leaders. During his address, Haahr received bipartisan applause when he mentioned “a broken criminal justice system.”

“We must provide opportunity to those in a broken criminal justice system. Last year the House unanimously passed reforms to our sentencing laws and we will again lead on those reforms,” says Haahr.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, tells reporters that Democrats have been talking about criminal justice reform for decades. Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Steven Roberts, D-St. Louis, also praises Haahr’s comments.

While Republicans have a supermajority-plus, Haahr says he’ll always listen to ideas from Democrats. Haahr describes the House as a “family with a common cause – to make Missouri a better place.”

“We won’t always agree on the policies. But, we always will agree on the goals of safer neighborhoods for our families, better education for our children and a stronger economy for Missouri,” Haahr says.

The Missouri House and Senate convene on January 9, 2019 for a joint session to commemorate the 100th General Assembly (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Quade tells Missourinet she has a “great working relationship” with Speaker Haahr, noting they have neighboring districts. She adds she and the Speaker have had preliminary discussions about funding for community colleges and for Missouri State University in Springfield, which is in her district.

Haahr also focused on conservative policies during his address, saying that “gone are the old ways of thinking that public money alone can end our problems.” He tells the House that Missouri has passed a balanced budget without raising taxes for 15 years that “that will not change on our watch.”

He also says lawmakers will fully fund the school foundation formula and says the House will “continue to lead the charge” to confront Missouri’s opioid epidemic.

Judge Jack Goodman, a former Mount Vernon state senator, administered the oath of office to Haahr on Wednesday.

Leader Quade says a top goal for House Democrats is to protect taxpayers from a mistake made by the Missouri Department of Revenue last year, which she says resulted in inaccurate withholdings from Missourians’ paychecks. Quade has filed a bill that would grant taxpayers who owe less than $200 an additional two months to pay, without incurring penalties or interest charges.

This is the historic 100th General Assembly. The House and Senate also convened a rare joint session on Wednesday, to take a photograph in the House chamber. There were 152 of the 163 state representatives and all 34 state senators in the photo, along with Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe (R).

New Missouri Senate leader gives glimpse into GOP’s direction this session

January 9, 2019 By Alisa Nelson

The wooden gavel dropped around noon today in the Missouri Senate to signal the beginning of the Legislature’s 100th session. Dave Schatz, a Republican from eastern Missouri’s Sullivan, was chosen to serve as the new Senate President Pro Tem. Schatz is the first Senate President Pro Tem in Missouri history to come from Sullivan. He replaces the term-limited Ron Richard, a Republican from Joplin.

Photo courtesy of Tim Bommel, House Communications

During an opening speech to the 34 Senators and upper chamber crammed with family, friends and lobbyists, Schatz gave Missourians a glimpse of what to expect from the Republican-dominated Legislature. In the Senate, the GOP controls that chamber 24-10.

“Each and every day, we owe it to the people of Missouri to remain committed to our shared priorities, that is great schools, good jobs and safe communities. We must work to reduce the burden of government by promoting reforms to our regulatory, our tort and our tax system,” he says.

Schatz went on to say that state education and infrastructure will get the funds they deserve.

“Advanced practical skills are the ticket to the middle class and economic prosperity,” Schatz says. “We need to invest in the citizens of our state by offering training opportunities, regardless of age or experience. Any Missourian who wants to better themselves through hard work and education should have their state as an ally and not as a hinderance.”

Schatz does not think a Right-to-work proposal will make it to the governor’s desk this year. In August, Missouri voters overwhelmingly opposed a measure that would have banned required union fees as a condition of employment.

He says legislators will have to find creative measures to help fund Missouri’s declining highway system. In November, voters rejected a proposal that would have increased the fuel tax 2.5 cents per year over for years to help pay for the state’s roads and bridges.

Many Republican and some Democratic lawmakers have been outspoken about their opposition to a ballot initiative known as Clean Missouri. In November, voters passed the measure that will limit campaign donations, lobbyist gifts to lawmakers and redraw legislative districts. Bills are likely to be filed that Schatz and Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, say would clarify the measure to do what voters intended it to do.

“We have to make sure what we are doing is not trying to undo the will of the voters, but there are some dynamics there and there are some changes that may need to occur in order to make that more clear and really give the voters what they actually wanted and what they thought they were voting for,” Schatz says.

Rowden says the Clean Missouri proposal was very poorly written, mainly the open records and lobbyist gift ban restrictions. He thinks most voters saw limits on lobbyist gifts and restricting legislators from becoming lobbyists soon after leaving office.

“That’s the beauty of Clean Missouri,” Rowden says. “They put the gift ban and Sunshine stuff, and all the things around it that people can really understand and get their heads around. It was all designed to kind of be a cover for this redistricting.”

He goes on to say redrawing the districts is terrible policy. Minority Leader Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, disagrees with Rowden’s assertion.

“I don’t think it’s terrible policy. I don’t know that all of it is good policy. If there are fixes that need to be done, I’m all for that. But I don’t necessarily know that we need to throw the baby out with the bath water,” she says. “I have seen other efforts where the folks in charge up here think that they know better than what the will of the people has been mandated after we’ve gone through an election process. I think that it would behoove us to listen to them.”

Of the tort measures being proposed this year, Schatz wants one known as joinder venue passed this session. It would shut down lawsuits with out-of-state defendants from filing cases in St. Louis. It would also add restrictions on plaintiffs who attempt to join together in the same court case.

Springfield will have strong clout in Missouri House in 2019

January 9, 2019 By Brian Hauswirth

The historic 100th Missouri General Assembly convened Wednesday afternoon in Jefferson City.

Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, testifies before the House Ways and Means Committee on March 5, 2018 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Republicans control the Missouri House 116-47 and control the Senate 24-10. The GOP has a supermajority-plus in both chambers.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican, helped convene the House session at noon, invoking scripture and telling House members they’ve been given great authority.

The House formally elected State Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, as Speaker today. Assistant House Minority Leader DaRon McGee, D-Kansas City, formally nominated House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, as Speaker.

Quade declined the nomination, noting that Missourians elected 116 House Republicans. But Quade also noted that Missourians rejected right-to-work and approved a minimum wage increase and medical marijuana.

While Speaker Haahr emphasized conservative philosophies such as tax relief during his opening day address, he reached out to Quade and to the House’s 47 Democrats.

“Minority Leader Quade and my Democrat colleagues, I will always value the ideas that you bring to the table. We won’t always agree on policies. But, we will always agree on the goals of safer neighborhoods to raise a family in, ensuring a better education for our children, and building a stronger economy for Missourians,” Haahr tells the House.

Speaker Haahr also emphasizes the importance of combating Missouri’s opioid epidemic. He says “hope must also extend to the Missourians trapped in the hold of opioid addictions.”

State Rep. John Wiemann, R-O’Fallon, has been formally elected as House Speaker Pro Tem.

Opening day is largely ceremonial. The House and Senate will convene later today for a joint session to take a photograph of the 100th General Assembly.

Haahr and Quade plan separate press conferences later today.