Missourians brace for impact of just-concluded legislative session

By   /  May 24, 2013  /  Missouri, News  /  1 Comment

MISSOURI GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Back in session as of Wednesday, with voting photo ID requirements, ethics reform and reducing tax credits as top priorities.

By Mike Ferguson | For Missouri Watchdog
KANSAS CITY – A week ago state lawmakers joined together for that picturesque, bi-partisan tradition of throwing stacks of paper into the air to celebrate the legislative session’s end.

While media pundits discuss the gamesmanship of the session and choose political winners and losers, it remains to be seen how this year’s politics will impact Missourians.

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Legislative inaction ends latest ‘liquor wars’ in Missouri

By   /  May 22, 2013  /  Missouri, News  /  1 Comment

BREWERS AND MIDDLEMEN: Anheuser-Busch InBev and other beer manufacturers can't sell directly to consumers under Missouri's liquor laws.

By John K. Ross | For Missouri Watchdog

Missouri senators concluded the legislative session without voting on a bill that would have strengthened the state’s alcohol distribution cartel.

The inaction on the legislation, which would have made it more difficult for spirits suppliers to switch distributors, brings the latest round of the state’s “Liquor Wars” among producers and distributors to a close.

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MO lawmakers overwhelmingly pass legislation to stop DOR scanning

By   /  May 16, 2013  /  Featured, Missouri, News  /  No Comments

MISSOURI: Legislative pay is actually less than some bordering states with similar workloads.

It appears the Missouri Department of Revenue’s practice of scanning documents of driver’s license applicants will soon end.

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Strange bedfellows: McCaskill, Durbin side with tea party on IRS scrutiny

By   /  May 14, 2013  /  Federal Government, Illinois, Missouri, News, Power Abuse  /  1 Comment

NPR

By Johnny Kampis | Missouri Watchdog
ST. LOUIS — The tea party is gaining some unlikely allies in its clash with the Internal Revenue Service.
Two U.S. senators, Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Dick Durbin of Illinois, both Democrats, had harsh words Monday over the agency’s special tax scrutiny of conservative groups.
The IRS admitted last week that some employees [...]

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Another MO power bill increase? PSC yet to act on rate class proposal

By   /  May 13, 2013  /  Missouri  /  No Comments

AMEREN: The power company that services most of the Missouri population sparked the rate increase discussion last summer.

By Johnny Kampis | Missouri Watchdog
ST. LOUIS — Legislation that would have tacked on an infrastructure surcharge to Missouri power bills may be dead, but many customers could still see their rates increase this year.
The Missouri Public Service Commission has yet to act on a proposal that could establish a separate rate class for lower-income residents, [...]

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