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Missouri Senate President Pro Tem focused on aging I-70 Rocheport bridge (AUDIO)

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Missouri’s governor has signed a $29.7 billion state operating budget, which takes effect on Monday. It includes $301 million in bridge bonding funding, contingent upon the awarding of a federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant.

A crew member inspects the aging I-70 Rocheport bridge in mid-Missouri (2018 file photo courtesy of MoDOT’s Sally Oxenhandler)

The bridge bonding measure is a top priority for Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, who sponsored the legislation. He tells Missourinet that U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R) is now working to obtain federal grant funding for a new I-70 bridge in mid-Missouri’s Rocheport.

“The effects it’s going to have on commerce and traffic and people and the ancillary roads that are going to be affected by the traffic that goes to them, it’s extremely important,” Schatz says.

State Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Director Patrick McKenna has warned that rehabilitation of the bridge will cause three to eight-hour backups, including 25-mile backups to Kingdom City “on a bad day.”

“Now it’s up to Senator Blunt to go to work for us, go to bat for Missouri and try to bring home some of that grant funding that will help us get that Rocheport bridge done,” says Schatz.

MoDOT says it would cost about $200 million to replace the bridge, which was built in 1960. The bridge is more than 3,000 feet long.

Columbia Chamber of Commerce President Matt McCormick has described I-70 as a focal point of business, as well as moving goods and services across the nation.

Meantime, Pro Tem Schatz is disappointed lawmakers didn’t approve prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) legislation this year. He’s already looking ahead to 2020.

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz (R-Sullivan) visits the House chamber on May 17, 2019 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

“But I will tell you that we will come back next year and I have three more years in this chamber (Missouri Senate). And I will work every year until we get that thing accomplished,” Schatz says.

Missouri is the only state in the nation without a PDMP, which is an electronic database that collects data on controlled substance prescriptions within a state.

The House approved PDMP legislation from State Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Scott City, by a 103-53 vote in February but the bill died in the Senate, primarily because of opposition from the Senate Conservative Caucus.

Senator Blunt has also called on lawmakers to pass PDMP, saying drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in Missouri and the nation.

Blunt addressed the Missouri House in Jefferson City in April, noting that firefighters in the St. Louis suburb of Maryland Heights tell him they’re ten times as likely to respond to a drug overdose as a fire.

Overall, Schatz says the 2019 session was successful, also citing passage of anti-abortion legislation and a bill aimed at attracting a $1 billion expansion at the sprawling General Motors (GM) plant in eastern Missouri’s Wentzville.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s full three-minute interview with Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, which was recorded on May 17, 2019 at the Statehouse in Jefferson City:

Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet

Is flooding a problem for a potential Hyperloop in Missouri?

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A state group continues to search for ways to speed up the building of a proposed Hyperloop route. Massive flooding has led to major roadblocks in Missouri’s transportation network this year – ruining several roads and closing some bridges. Andrew Smith, the vice chair of the group, says flooding should not be a big issue for an ultra-fast tube transportation network, like a Hyperloop.

Photo courtesy of Hyperloop

“You’re talking about elevating it 10, 20, 30 feet. It’s not as if it’s just sitting a couple of feet above ground. It’s built on pylons. It’s not really affecting the watershed in a way that high-speed rail would or even a highway,” he says. “The other thing is, it’s enclosed. You are creating your own atmosphere inside this tube and it won’t be raining.”

He says a study completed by Kansas City engineering firm Black & Veatch takes into account the impact of various climate zones.

The Hyperloop could lug travelers from St. Louis to Kansas City in 28 minutes with a stop halfway in Columbia. A study says building a 240-mile Hyperloop track along I-70 from St. Louis to Kansas City would cost about $10 billion.

Smith says a Hyperloop track would largely be funded through private donations and federal funding.

“The cost to build the Hyperloop is about 40% less than high-speed rail, and it’s three times faster,” Smith says. “The operating costs of this system, because it’s so energy efficient, is about five cents per passenger mile – lower than any other existing form of transportation.”

So how much would a ticket price be for a trip from Kansas City to St. Louis? He says less than a tank of gas.

“We’re looking at a ticket price between $30 and $40,” says Smith.

The group, chosen by Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, plans to have its recommendations ready in September.

Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet

Missouri House Minority Whip to be sworn-in as Kansas City Councilman August 1 (AUDIO)

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One of the top Democrats in the Missouri House will be leaving the chamber this summer, shortly before he’s sworn-in as a Kansas City Council member.

Missouri House Minority Whip Brandon Ellington, D-Kansas City, addresses Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on January 28, 2019, as House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, looks on (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

House Minority Whip Brandon Ellington, D-Kansas City, is a senior House member in Jefferson City. He was first elected in 2011.

“I would just like to thank the people of the state of Missouri for allowing me to serve as a State Rep. and I would like to thank the citizens of Kansas City for bringing me home to actually engage the constituency on a whole different level,” Ellington says.

Ellington, who will be sworn-in to the Kansas City Council on August 1, says his Council win last week against Pastor Wallace Hartsfield was a tough race and one of the closest in his career.

Ellington tells Missourinet his biggest House accomplishment involves protection of crime victims.

“Removal of the statute of limitations for victims of child abuse and sexual molestation,” says Ellington. “That was a piece of legislation that was given to me in 2011 by a constituent.”

Ellington says he worked closely with former State Rep. Kevin Corlew, R-Kansas City, to pass the bill, which is now law.

Ellington also carried a bill in 2019 which would have allowed a victim or witness of a crime to be granted an automatic full order of protection, if the victim or witness was fearful of his or her safety.

Representative Ellington says his biggest House disappointment is criminal justice reform. He says while it’s talked about a lot, the Missouri Legislature hasn’t shown the will to pass significant reform across-the-board.

The Legislature did approve three criminal justice reforms in 2019, but Ellington wanted lawmakers to go further.

While he’s a progressive, Whip Ellington has worked closely with House Republicans on several key issues over the years, including crime victim protection and jobs issues. Ellington says that bipartisan cooperation helped him win last week’s Council race.

“I did fairly good, not fairly I won Platte and Clay counties, and I think that’s due to a lot of the work that I do across the aisle,” Ellington says.

During GOP Governor Mike Parson’s January State of the State Address, State Reps. Bruce Franks, D-St. Louis, and Ellington were the first lawmakers to stand up and applaud the governor when he said he’s not interested in building more prisons.

Governor Parson received a standing ovation from both sides when he said that in January. Ellington was also a vocal supporter of the governor’s plan to close the maximum-security Crossroads Correctional Center in northwest Missouri’s Cameron and consolidate it with Western Missouri Correctional Center, which is also in Cameron.

Ellington and State Reps. Barbara Washington, D-Kansas City, and Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, heard testimony from family members of Crossroads inmates during the September veto session. Those family members alleged inhumane treatment.

Ellington will be sworn-in to the Council on August 1, the same day Kansas City Mayor-Elect Quinton Lucas will be sworn-in.

Click here to listen to the full five-minute interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and House Minority Whip Brandon Ellington, D-Kansas City, which was recorded on June 24, 2019:

Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet

Lieutenant Governor makes Missouri’s second request for federal disaster declaration

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Missouri has requested today its second federal disaster declaration this year stemming from flooding and tornadoes. Acting on behalf of Governor Mike Parson, Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe says the state is asking for individual federal help in 41 Missouri counties. Individual assistance would give eligible residents federal support with temporary housing, housing repairs, replacement of damaged belongings, vehicles, and other expenses.

Brunswick flooding (Photos by Spc. Christopher Saunders and Capt. Phil Fountain)

Initial damage assessments reviewed 1,650 homes and 953 have been destroyed or heavily damaged. The assessments also show that 125 of 251 businesses have been destroyed or have major damage.

The state requests individual assistance for the counties of Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Barton, Boone, Buchanan, Callaway, Carroll, Chariton, Christian, Clark, Cole, Cooper, Dallas, Douglas, Gasconade, Greene, Grundy, Harrison, Hickory, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lafayette, Lewis, Lincoln, Livingston, Macon, Miller, Osage, Pike, Platte, Polk, Pulaski, Saline, St. Charles, St. Louis, and Ste. Genevieve.

“Historic long-term flooding continues to devastate families, businesses, and communities across Missouri,” Parson said in a press release. “As I’ve traveled across the state, I’ve seen families battling to clean up flood-damaged homes, and others struggling because their homes are still under water. Communities and volunteers are working hard to help their neighbors, but there’s a clear need for federal assistance to help Missouri families recover.”

Seven teams began conducting joint damage assessments today for public assistance, which would let local governments and qualifying nonprofit agencies to pursue federal support for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs, including repair and replacement costs for damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.

The state expects to request public assistance once joint preliminary damage assessments are completed in 64 counties. Those counties are Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Barry, Barton, Bates, Bollinger, Buchanan, Caldwell, Camden, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Clark, Cole, Dade, Dallas, Daviess, Douglas, Dunklin, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Jasper, Knox, Laclede, Lafayette, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Maries, Marion, Mercer, Miller, Mississippi, Monroe, New Madrid, Nodaway, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, Putnam, Ralls, Ray, St. Clair, Ste. Genevieve, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shannon, Shelby, Stoddard, Sullivan, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Webster, and Wright.

Additional joint damage assessments for public assistance may be done in more Missouri counties as additional information is gathered locally when floodwaters recede.

To assist families impacted by flooding and severe storms, several Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs) are being organized across the state. MARCs are one-stop shops that pull together recovery resources in communities impacted by disasters. Among the agencies participating are SEMA, the American Red Cross, Missouri Department of Social Services, Missouri Department of Mental Health, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri Department of Insurance, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, local public health agencies, and faith-based and volunteer agencies.

Three MARCs scheduled this week, in Independence, northern Missouri’s Brunswick, and central Missouri’s Boonville:

Tuesday, June 25
Silverstein Eye Centers Arena
19100 E. Valley Pkwy | Independence, MO 64055
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Wednesday, June 26
Brunswick R-2 High School
1008 County Road | Brunswick, MO 65236
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Friday, June 28
Open Bible Praise Center
16991 Hwy 87 | Boonville, MO 65233
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Push for Hyperloop certification track in Missouri

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A group of Missouri elected officials and business leaders continues to study how to fast-track the construction of a potential Hyperloop route. The Hyperloop, a futuristic ultra-fast tube travel system, could carry passengers from St. Louis to Kansas City in 28 minutes with a stop halfway in Columbia. A study says building a Hyperloop track along I-70 from St. Louis to Kansas City would cost about $10 billion.

Photo courtesy of Hyperloop

Andrew Smith is the vice chair of the state group. He says building a 12 to 15-mile Hyperloop certification track in Missouri is a solid next step.

“The certification track would be built on that commercial route,” he says. “If we get the certification track, we’re going to get the route. It’s going to come through Missouri.”

Smith says a Hyperloop test track is in Las Vegas, but it’s only about one mile, goes about half as fast and is not commercial sized. He says the technology has made a couple of major leaps forward since then.

“If this is going to be a mode of transportation that is accessible to U.S. consumers and that is used to move light freight within the United States, we actually have to have a physical track that is operating at full speed and it has to be reviewed and certified by regulators,” Smith says.

The Hyperloop One track would largely be funded through private donations – similar to what is currently being done to bring the technology in India to connect the cities of Mumbai and Pune. Funding will most likely also come from federal funds.

“The cost to build the Hyperloop is about 40% less than high-speed rail, and it’s three times faster,” Smith said. “The operating costs of this system, because it’s so energy efficient, is about five cents per passenger mile – lower than any other existing form of transportation. We’re looking at a ticket price between $30 and $40 between Kansas City and St. Louis, less than a tank of gas.”

Smith said the Missouri Hyperloop Coalition he co-founded is also working to partner with universities in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky and other neighboring states that have the resources and incentives to create a multi-state system.

The group, selected by Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, plans to have its recommendations ready in September.

Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet

Missouri denies license renewal of state’s lone abortion clinic

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Photo courtesy of Planned Parenthood

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has rejected the license renewal application of the St. Louis Planned Parenthood to provide abortions. The move puts Missouri on track to be the only state in the nation without a clinic offering abortions since 1973’s landmark Roe v. Wade court ruling to legalize abortions nationwide.

Last month, Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against the state claiming Missouri is weaponizing the licensing process. President Leana Wen says the state “refuses to renew its license” at the St. Louis clinic by “insisting seven of its doctors be interrogated – putting their licenses on the line and potential criminal prosecution.” In an earlier decision, St. Louis Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer blocked the state’s attempt to subpoena Planned Parenthood’s doctors to testify.

At a press conference today at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, Director Randall Williams addressed the media about the St. Louis Planned Parenthood. Watch today’s press conference below:

 

Missouri county health board pauses proposed CAFO ordinance

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The Moniteau County health board in mid-Missouri has delayed a vote on a proposed ordinance that would further restrict confined animal feed lots, known as CAFOs.

Missouri County health board pauses proposed CAFO ordinance

Cattle producer Andy Clay says the board’s decision is a step in the right direction.
“It does kind of feel like a win,” he says. “We did not get a “no” vote on the ordinance tonight but we did get it tabled and it was not a “yes” vote. So, therefore, we are feeling confident, or better, about that.”

County environmental health specialist Darrell Hendrickson says he met with farmers since introducing the ordinance and is glad the board has decided to add farmers to the study group about the proposed rules.

“I think we’ve made the right decision to slow the process down a little bit and to bring more people involved that are directly affected by this rule,” he says.

Hendrickson says they sought the ordinance before the new state law, Senate Bill 391, takes effect August 29th prohibiting county regulations that are stricter than state law. If the ordinance IS adopted, he suggests that would give counties leverage to sue the state.

“That’s going to probably be litigated no matter what I do,” he says. “You’ve got a number of counties that already have ordinances.”

The proposed Moniteau County health ordinance is identical to Howard County’s. Opponents of Senate Bill 391 says it unfairly takes the power to regulate CAFOs away from counties.

Missouri Congressman says USDA move to Kansas City region isn’t a done deal

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The Kansas City region has been chosen as the future sites of two USDA research agencies – along with about 700 federal jobs. The move from the Washington, D.C., region to Kansas City is for the department’s Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agricultural Policy offices.

Missouri Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver tells Missourinet the Virginia and Maryland Congressional delegations will fight the move, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland.

“If Virginia and Maryland are successful in stopping the funding, then for all practical purposes, they stop the project. Then Congress is not going to pay for the move – and Congress does have the power of the power – then I don’t think it’s going to go anywhere,” says Cleaver. “There are all kinds of little political maneuvering and economic maneuvering that could in fact halt this move.”

Cleaver says the Missouri and Kansas delegations are getting prepared for a fight.

“We’ve got to figure out how they’re going to do it,” he says. “If I lived in Maryland, if I represented Maryland I’d be fighting as well. I don’t blame them. We’re going to fight also.”

A statement from Hoyer says he vows to fight the move.

“I worked to include language in the Fiscal Year 2020 Agriculture Appropriations bill that would prohibit USDA from using any funds for this relocation. It is alarming that the Administration is rushing ahead with this relocation in order to circumvent Congress. I will continue to explore all options to reverse this decision,” said Hoyer.

Cleaver says the jobs are expected to pay an average of $80,000 to $100,000 annually. He says the USDA wants the move to happen this fall and the Missouri side is better equipped with appropriate office space for a quick move.

The Kansas City Star reports Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said the relocation will save the USDA $300 million over 15 years and that state and local governments had offered $26 million in incentives to move to the region.

Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet

Governor Parson says Missouri and Kansas have both spent more than $100 million on border war

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Legislation aimed at ending the economic “border war” between Missouri and Kansas has been signed into law this week by Governor Mike Parson (R) in Kansas City.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson signs SB 182 into law on June 11, 2019 at Kansas City’s Union Station (photo courtesy of Governor Parson’s office)

The Bolivar Republican notes the legislation, which is Senate bill 182, will only take effect if the Sunflower State passes a reciprocal agreement.

“I’m very positive, very optimistic right now that we’re going to come to some sort of an agreement between Missouri and Kansas on this,” Parson says.

Governor Parson signed the bill this week at Kansas City’s historic Union Station, telling reporters he has a good working relationship with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly (D) and that additional meetings will take place. He says he’s met with Kelly and has also spoken to her on the phone.

Parson tells reporters that incentivizing companies to move a few miles does not result in new jobs for Missouri or Kansas.

“We’re spending a lot of taxpayer money to do initiatives for businesses on the border of Kansas and Missouri and sometimes we’re not getting very much gain for that,” says Parson.

The legislation, which is sponsored by State Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lee’s Summit, impacts companies moving between Johnson, Miami and Wyandotte counties in eastern Kansas and Missouri’s Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties.

The Kansas City-based Hall Family Foundation says more than 10,000 jobs moved between Missouri and Kansas during the past decade, with an incentive cost of $330 million. The jobs all moved in the Kansas City region.

“I think Missouri has spent well over $100 million on this, Kansas has spent well over $100 million,” Parson says. “There’s no reason we can’t be using that money for a lot better purposes than just jumping from one side of the state (line) to the other.”

Governor Parson tells reporters he’s optimistic he’ll reach an agreement with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly on this.

As for Governor Kelly, she’s issued a statement echoing Governor Parson’s comments about the irresponsible spending by both states, “with little actual job growth for either state.”

Kelly also emphasizes that the two states must work together to attract business and jobs.

“We’re encouraged by the renewed spirit of cooperation and collaboration between the two states. The recent joint proposal to attract United States Department of Agriculture operations to the Kansas City metro area is a prime example of progress on that front,” Kelly’s statement reads, in part.

This issue has been debated for years in the Missouri Legislature, with former House Speaker Tim Jones, R-Eureka, and former State Rep. Kevin McManus, D-Kansas City, leading an unsuccessful effort in 2014.

Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet

Ashcroft rejects third attempt to overturn Missouri abortion bill

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Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has turned down a third referendum petition trying to reverse course on legislation that would strengthen abortion regulations. At the state Capitol, he responded to Missourinet about a court hearing Tuesday involving the first two requests he has denied. Ashcroft, a Republican, says all three are unconstitutional because part of the bill has already become law.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft

“I obviously don’t know what the judge will hold. I know what the law says. The law is very clear that I have to certify something before it goes to the people as to whether or not it can be put on the ballot,” says Ashcroft. “I felt that as soon as I knew that there was a Constitutional problem, I should make that known, so there was a chance that the individuals that had filed it with us, might be able to cure that. That’s what I do. I try to treat everyone fairly and equitably and follow the law.”

Lawmakers passed the House Bill 126 with a parental notification requirement designating the provision as an emergency – making that part take effect immediately after the governor’s signature. Lowell Pearson, the attorney for Joplin businessman and Republican megadonor David Humphreys, says the third referendum application attempted to clear up the part of the law that has already taken effect.

Under the bill, both parents are required to be notified if a minor child wants an abortion. Doctors would face prison time if they do abortions on women with a fetal heartbeat. It also makes medical emergencies an exception for getting an abortion, but not for rape or incest. The measure would ban doctors from doing abortions if the baby would have Down syndrome or for sex or race-selective abortions.

Humphreys has said he’s opposed to abortion, but he supports a woman’s right to choose, particularly in rape or incest cases. Pearson says Humphreys is suing to try to let voters decide on the issue.

“This referendum procedure that we have invoked is a very fundamental Constitutional right. The courts have said time after time that these rights of the citizens to the initiative and referendum should be zealously guarded,” he says. “This is a reservation of the right of the people to establish what they want the law to be. There is nothing more important in our Constitution than the ability to use the referendum process.”

Meanwhile, another hearing on the first two requests is scheduled for Monday at 1:30 p.m. in Cole County Circuit Court before Judge Daniel Green.

Copyright © 2019 · Missourinet