Missouri Politics Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Is the pay raise for Missouri state workers big enough?

February 23, 2023 2:47 AM ABC 17 News Team

A bill that would implement Gov. Mike Parson’s 8.7% pay raise for state workers is now awaiting Parson’s signature.

Missouri House Democrats introduce pro-abortion rights legislation; Senate Republicans push anti-abortion bills

February 22, 2023 3:21 PM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri was the first state to ban abortions once Roe v. Wade was overturned, but the feud between Republican and Democratic lawmakers over abortion rights continues in the capital city. On Wednesday morning, a Senate committee heard three anti-abortion bills. Two aimed to defund any clinic that provides abortions. One was

‘Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure’ law considered in Missouri Senate

February 22, 2023 10:39 AM Hannah Falcon

Missouri is known among many for lax gun laws, and one Republican Missouri senator is introducing a law to pre-empt more regulations.

Missouri lawmakers approve 8.7% raise for state workers

February 22, 2023 3:13 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri state workers are in line to get an 8.7% pay raise. State lawmakers on Wednesday sent a bill authorizing the pay hike to Republican Gov. Mike Parson. Parson asked for the cost-of-living adjustment during his January State of the State address. He’s expected to sign the bill into law.

State worker pay raises advance in Missouri legislature

February 21, 2023 4:57 PM Hannah Falcon

An emergency spending budget to raise state workers’ pay unanimously passed out of a Missouri Senate committee Tuesday, putting it one step closer to the governor’s desk.

Republican lawmaker argues requiring electric charging stations limits local control

February 21, 2023 11:38 AM Hannah Falcon

A Republican lawmaker wants to block counties or cities from requiring businesses besides gas stations to have electric car charging stations.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are lawmakers spending too much time on transgender issues?

February 17, 2023 2:49 AM ABC 17 News Team

A Missouri House committee on Thursday moved two bills along to the full chamber.

Committee sends two transgender-related bills to House floor

February 16, 2023 6:58 PM Ethan Heinz

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The House General Laws Committee met in the Capitol on Thursday and voted “yes” on two bills, pushing them forward to the floor of the House of Representatives. House Bill 419 would ban gender affirming care for anyone under the age of 18. According to the bill, no doctor or healthcare

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you support legalized sports gambling in Missouri?

February 16, 2023 2:44 AM ABC 17 News Team

Missouri’s General Assembly is again working on legislation to legalize sports betting in the state.

Missouri lawmakers consider legal sports betting after quarter-million bets rejected Super Bowl weekend

February 15, 2023 11:32 AM Hannah Falcon

Attempts were made to bet on the Super Bowl from Missouri at least 250,000 times on Super Bowl weekend, according to data from GeoComply.

Missouri lawmakers again take up transgender issues as legislation impacts Columbia schools

February 14, 2023 10:08 AM Hannah Falcon

The morning after a Columbia Board of Education member left a meeting citing ongoing stress from the Missouri legislature’s continued focus on LGBTQ+ issues, lawmakers were set to meet Tuesday to discuss transgender children.

Missouri lawmakers push for legal sports betting

February 10, 2023 6:45 PM Hannah Falcon

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Around $16 million is expected to be wagered on the Super Bowl, according to the American Gaming Association. But despite Missouri being the home of one Super Bowl team, the state will receive none of the gambling revenue. Sports betting is illegal in Missouri, but lawmakers have been pushing to change

Parson orders Capitol dome to light up red and gold for Chiefs’ Super Bowl appearance

February 10, 2023 9:01 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Gov. Mike Parson has ordered the Missouri Capitol dome to shine red and gold in celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII appearance, according to a press release from his office. The dome will be lit red and gold through Sunday. The Chiefs will take on the Philadelphia Eagles at Super Bowl LVII in Arizona,

Missouri officials investigate transgender youth clinic

February 10, 2023 12:46 PM Associated Press

By SUMMER BALLENTINE Associated Press COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey wants a transgender medical center to pause medications for minors amid multiple investigations. Bailey on Friday called for physicians to stop prescribing puberty blockers and hormones to new patients at Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. A

Crowds gather at Capitol for bill hearing on teaching of sexual orientation, gender identity in schools

February 7, 2023 10:38 AM Hannah Falcon

Half an hour before the hearing for Senate Bill 134 on Tuesday morning, a crowd of over 60 was standing outside the Senate Lounge door.

Lawmakers introduce tax breaks while Missouri budget sits in surplus

February 6, 2023 11:18 AM Hannah Falcon

The Missouri budget sits with a $6 billion surplus after the state received federal pandemic relief funds. Now, lawmakers are proposing ways to take advantage of those funds through tax cuts.

Recreational marijuana sales in Columbia put on pause; awaiting City Council approval

February 5, 2023 7:55 PM Abby Landwehr

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia residents over 21 could legally buy recreational marijuana as soon as Tuesday if city regulations are approved at Monday’s council meeting. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued an emergency rule Friday, giving Missouri dispensaries the green light to legally sell marijuana with a state-wide license. But, the state-wide

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are you ready for recreational marijuana sales to start?

February 3, 2023 2:40 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on Thursday said that recreational marijuana sales could start in some places as early as Friday.

Former Columbia mayor confirmed to Highways and Transportation Commission

February 2, 2023 7:37 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The state Senate on Thursday confirmed former Columbia Mayor Brian Treece’s appointment to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission by a voice vote. The Commission approves state road construction projects. Treece works for Equipmentshare, an equipment rental company. Treece was confirmed along with other gubernatorial nominees. Treece served two terms as

Legal weed sales could begin Friday in Jefferson City but Columbia will have to wait

February 2, 2023 3:08 PM Ryan Shiner

The date Missouri residents can start buying weed – legally – has been moved up.