Missouri Politics Archives

Missouri governor says speech venue change disrespected him

February 1, 2021 3:30 PM Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says lawmakers disrespected him when House leaders told him he couldn’t give his State of the State address in that chamber because of coronavirus concerns. The Republican wrote a letter Friday accusing GOP lawmakers of a “disgusting scheme” to embarrass him. The governor traditionally delivers an annual

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should businesses be protected from coronavirus-related lawsuits?

February 1, 2021 2:32 AM ABC 17 News Team

The Missouri General Assembly is working on a bill this session to protect businesses from being targets of coronavirus-related lawsuits.

Sedalia health leaders aim to vaccinate 2,200 in drive-thru event

January 30, 2021 7:43 AM Ben Fein

Some Missourians will be receiving their COVID-19 vaccine today in Pettis County as the state continues to roll out mass vaccination sites across the state.

Some Missouri lawmakers get vaccine doses meant for others

January 28, 2021 11:23 AM Matthew Sanders

A spokesman for the Missouri Democratic Party confirmed that lawmakers from both major parties got in line for the shots, which were intended for other state workers.

Parson backs tax breaks for Missouri stores ordered closed

January 28, 2021 4:43 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says businesses forced to temporarily shut down because of local COVID-19 mandates should get tax breaks. Parson on Thursday told Missouri Press Association members and reporters that restaurants and other businesses shouldn’t have to pay property taxes for times when they were ordered closed because of

WATCH: Gov. Parson unveils Office of Childhood

January 28, 2021 2:37 PM ABC 17 News Team

Watch the news conference live at 3 p.m.

Raise for Missouri lawmakers inches closer to taking effect

January 28, 2021 3:35 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — An attempt to block pay raises for Missouri statewide elected officials has failed. The state House on Thursday came short of getting the two-thirds majority needed to stop the raises. That means state lawmakers, the governor and other statewide elected officers likely will get a pay bump. In Missouri, an

State of the State address comes amid COVID-19 concerns in capitol, increased vaccines across Missouri

January 27, 2021 7:42 PM Connor Hirsch

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Governor Mike Parson began the annual State of the State address by touting Missouri’s success in fighting COVID-19, but some were opposed to even having the address in person. Just hours before the 3 p.m. address, the venue was changed from the House Chambers to the Senate Chambers across the capitol.

Gov. Parson to lay out legislative agenda during state of the state address

January 27, 2021 2:15 PM ABC 17 News Team

You can watch live coverage from the address when it starts at 3 p.m.

Gov. Parson says “Missouri has prevailed” in first State of the State of the pandemic

January 27, 2021 3:14 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) – Gov. Mike Parson touted the ways government was able to work despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor’s State of the State address, the first such address since the start of the pandemic in March, discussed many of the challenges the state has seen in recent years, including

Missouri bill would allow deadly force against demonstrators

January 25, 2021 7:07 PM Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri senator is trying to pass a bill that would allow the use of deadly force against protesters on private property. Members of a state Senate committee on Monday debated the change. The legislation also would give immunity to people who run over protesters blocking traffic. It would make demonstrations

Hawley wants investigation of Dems who want him investigated

January 25, 2021 10:54 AM Associated Press

Sen. Josh Hawley on Monday filed a “counter-complaint” against seven Senate Democrats who are seeking an ethics investigation of the Missouri Republican.

House Democrats expel Rep. Wiley Price from caucus

January 24, 2021 6:16 PM Sydney Olsen

House Democrats voted Sunday to expel Rep. Wiley Price from their caucus.

Missouri State Senate to remain in session after senator tests positive for COVID-19

January 22, 2021 4:38 PM Karl Wehmhoener

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Senate is planning to be in session next week as scheduled even after State Senator Andrew Koenig tested positive for the coronavirus. Senate Majority Floor Leader Caleb Rowden tweeted out that “We are following CDC guidance relating to “close contacts” and contact tracing recommendations. I encourage my colleagues to

Virus test clinic planned at Missouri Capitol after outbreak

January 21, 2021 6:14 PM Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri Legislature is planning to open a rapid testing clinic for potential COVID-19 cases in the Capitol building, after the session began with an outbreak of the disease caused by the coronavirus. Chief House Clerk Dana Rademan Miller said Thursday that she hopes to open the testing site within

Democrats ask ethics panel to investigate Sens. Cruz, Hawley

January 21, 2021 5:11 PM Associated Press

Seven Democratic senators have asked the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley “to fully understand their role” in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump.

David Tyson Smith nominated by Boone County Democrats for House District 45 special election

January 20, 2021 7:21 PM Karl Wehmhoener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Boone County Democratic Legislative Committee for House District 45 has chosen their nominee for the upcoming special election. “We were presented with three really strong candidates to choose from (Scott Cristal, Caleb Hall, and David Tyson Smith) and no matter who we picked, we know that person would represent the district

Missouri National Guard to help staff mass coronavirus vaccination sites

January 20, 2021 2:26 PM Matthew Sanders

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Wednesday that the Guard will send teams to each of the state’s nine highway patrol regions to set up the clinics. The first is being created now in southeast Missouri, Parson said.