&nbsp;USDA announced the agency would release previously obligated funding under the Rural Energy for America Program, Empowering Rural America, and Powering Affordable Clean Energy programs. Recipients will have 30 days to review and voluntarily revise their project plans to align with the “Unleashing American Energy Executive Order.” This process gives rural electric providers and small businesses the opportunity to refocus their projects on expanding American energy production while eliminating DEI and climate mandates embedded in previous proposals. 

Respondents will be asked to answer several questions and provide a short narrative description of any proposed changes. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said, “This allows us to tackle America’s energy emergence and allows energy providers and small businesses to realign their projects with that mission.”&nbsp; The broader guidance reflects a shift away from the Green New Deal and the Inflation Reduction Act and toward investments that prioritize the needs of rural communities.

By NATHAN STUEDLESt. Joseph Post&nbsp;USDA announced the agency would release previously obligated funding under the Rural Energy for America Program, Empowering Rural America, and Powering Affordable Clean Energy programs. Recipients will have 30 days to review and voluntarily revise their project plans to align with the “Unleashing American Energy Executive Order.” This process gives rural electric providers and small businesses the opportunity to refocus their projects on expanding American energy production while eliminating DEI and climate mandates embedded in previous proposals. Respondents will be asked to answer several questions and provide a short narrative description of any proposed changes. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said, “This allows us to tackle America’s energy emergence and allows energy providers and small businesses to realign their projects with that mission.”&nbsp; The broader guidance reflects a shift away from the Green New Deal and the Inflation Reduction Act and toward investments that prioritize the needs of rural communities.

USDA delivers on rural energy commitments

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association member Robby Kirkland testified before the House Ways and Means Committee about the association’s trade priorities. He spoke at a hearing titled “American Trade Negotiation Priorities” and highlighted the benefits of past trade agreements for U.S. cattle producers and the need for greater access to foreign markets. 

“Unfortunately, the previous administration stepped back from market access negotiations while our competitors negotiated robust trade agreements and gained advantages in overseas markets,” he said. “It’s past time to re-engage in trade talks to secure preferential and expanded access with our allies in the United Kingdom and key markets in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.” He also told the committee that any country granted access to the U.S. doesn’t put America’s consumers and cattle herds at risk. “There’s a major concern with countries like Brazil and Paraguay, who have a history of Foot-and-Mouth Infection.” 

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association member Robby Kirkland testified before the House Ways and Means Committee about the association’s trade priorities. He spoke at a hearing titled “American Trade Negotiation Priorities” and highlighted the benefits of past trade agreements for U.S. cattle producers and the need for greater access to foreign markets. “Unfortunately, the previous administration stepped back from market access negotiations while our competitors negotiated robust trade agreements and gained advantages in overseas markets,” he said. “It’s past time to re-engage in trade talks to secure preferential and expanded access with our allies in the United Kingdom and key markets in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.” He also told the committee that any country granted access to the U.S. doesn’t put America’s consumers and cattle herds at risk. “There’s a major concern with countries like Brazil and Paraguay, who have a history of Foot-and-Mouth Infection.” NAFB

NCBA outlines trade priorities in hearing

Volunteers
are being sought to bring a big part of St. Joseph history to life.

The
Patee House Museum and the Jesse James Home are looking for volunteers.
Officials with the museums say just a few hours a week can make a difference,
not just to preserve the past, but to ensure the future.

“We rely on dedicated
volunteers to keep these historic sites open and engaging for visitors,” Patee
House Museum &amp; Jesse James Home Board President, Liby Waltemath, said in a
written statement. “It’s a rewarding way to give back and share our town’s
incredible history.”

Volunteers will greet guests, share stories, and assist with
museum operations. No prior experience is necessary. The museums say the only
qualification they require are an interest in history and community service.

The Patee House Museum is located at 202 Penn Street in St. Joseph. Click <a href="http://www.ponyexpressjessejames.com/">HERE</a> for more.

You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743093373574.jpeg" alt="The Patee House/file photo" />
 <figcaption>The Patee House/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostVolunteers
are being sought to bring a big part of St. Joseph history to life.The
Patee House Museum and the Jesse James Home are looking for volunteers.
Officials with the museums say just a few hours a week can make a difference,
not just to preserve the past, but to ensure the future.“We rely on dedicated
volunteers to keep these historic sites open and engaging for visitors,” Patee
House Museum &amp; Jesse James Home Board President, Liby Waltemath, said in a
written statement. “It’s a rewarding way to give back and share our town’s
incredible history.”Volunteers will greet guests, share stories, and assist with
museum operations. No prior experience is necessary. The museums say the only
qualification they require are an interest in history and community service.The Patee House Museum is located at 202 Penn Street in St. Joseph. Click <a href="http://www.ponyexpressjessejames.com/">HERE</a> for more.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743093465849.jpeg" alt="Jesse James Home/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Jesse James Home/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Patee House - Jesse James museums seek volunteers

(Radio Iowa) - Forecasters say much of Iowa can expect high temperatures in the 60s, 70s and even near 80 Thursday and tomorrow, which will prompt some Iowans to pull out their kayaks and canoes.

 Sure, it's spring, but Iowa D-N-R conservation officer Nate Carr says having warm air temperatures doesn't necessarily mean warm water temperatures, so dress appropriately. 

There's a general rule that if the water and air temperatures combined don't equal at least 120 degrees, anyone who ends up dumped in the water is at risk for hyperthermia, and water temperatures are still quite chilly. Carr says to pack extra clothes in a dry bag and always wear a life jacket.

(Radio Iowa) - Forecasters say much of Iowa can expect high temperatures in the 60s, 70s and even near 80 Thursday and tomorrow, which will prompt some Iowans to pull out their kayaks and canoes. Sure, it's spring, but Iowa D-N-R conservation officer Nate Carr says having warm air temperatures doesn't necessarily mean warm water temperatures, so dress appropriately. There's a general rule that if the water and air temperatures combined don't equal at least 120 degrees, anyone who ends up dumped in the water is at risk for hyperthermia, and water temperatures are still quite chilly. Carr says to pack extra clothes in a dry bag and always wear a life jacket.

Paddlers need to stay patient as water temps are still chilly

(Radio Iowa) - A federal judge has blocked Iowa for the second time from enforcing a law that seeks to keep books with sexual content out of school libraries. 

Attorney Dan Novack says a broad ban on books with sex acts would deny students information. Penguin Random House joined other major publishing houses in arguing against the library restrictions. Supporters of the law, like Attorney General Brenna Bird, say it's a critical law that ensures the books in K-12 schools are age-appropriate. 

The judge’s opinion says school library collections are already curated by local officials for age-appropriate reading.

(Radio Iowa) - A federal judge has blocked Iowa for the second time from enforcing a law that seeks to keep books with sexual content out of school libraries. Attorney Dan Novack says a broad ban on books with sex acts would deny students information. Penguin Random House joined other major publishing houses in arguing against the library restrictions. Supporters of the law, like Attorney General Brenna Bird, say it's a critical law that ensures the books in K-12 schools are age-appropriate. The judge’s opinion says school library collections are already curated by local officials for age-appropriate reading.

Law Restricting Books With Sexual Content From School Libraries Blocked

Sen. Stephen Webber said during floor debate that ‘powerful people’ are protecting the accused but he could not reveal the name because of a promise to victims

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Accusations that a sexual predator is working in the Missouri Capitol Building with protection from “powerful people” abruptly ended state Senate debate Wednesday on a bill adding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=314" target="_blank">physician assistants and emergency medical personnel</a>&nbsp;to medical providers covered by a peer review process.

The Senate had just defeated an amendment to the bill offered by state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance, to make some records from peer review proceedings available for lawsuits alleging deliberate acts against patients.

The amendment was needed, he said, to open up records of sexual assaults and other criminal acts.

Defeat of the amendment offended Democratic state Sen. Tracy McCreery of Olivette, and she was discussing the defeat with state Sen. Stephen Webber of Columbia when he dropped the accusation.

“There are sexual predators who work in this building,” Webber said. “There are powerful people who know who those people are and are protecting them. That is happening right now.”

Webber said he could not reveal the identity of the person he was accusing nor could he reveal any details of where in the Capitol the person worked or the position of the person who told him of the problem.

He had promised the victims confidentiality, he said.

McCreery said she, too, was aware of the problem, and understood the desire of the victim to remain anonymous.

“I am respectful of that as well,” McCreery said. “But I’m also very careful with my group of people.”

Interviewed after the Senate adjourned, Webber said he could not give any more details. When lawmakers are in session, there are executive branch officials and staff, legislators and staff, lobbyists, contract cleaning crews and representatives of the media working in the Capitol Building.

“If the victims wanted me to say something, I would,” Webber said. “If they wanted me to name names, I would. The victims don’t want me to, so I’m not going to.”

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Rusty Black, a Republican from Chillicothe, would create new training requirements for ambulance district board members in addition to making emergency medical personnel subject to the peer review process.

Schroer said the peer review process, which is completely confidential under state law, is being used to hide sexual mistreatment of patients and the response of employers.

“They are using this old, archaic statute that was meant for good, and finding that if they put anything into the system they can conceal it,” Schroer said after the Senate adjourned for the day.

Schroer said he was not aware of the accusations discussed by McCreery and Webber.

In her discussion with Webber, McCreery noted that victims of sexual assault had been visiting with lawmakers during the day to advocate for stronger laws.

The review process is being used to conceal too much, she said.

“When this process, this formal peer review process, has been worked and twisted enough that it’s now being used to hide allegations of sexual assault and sexual abuse, that is wrong,” she said. “Why are we willing to protect abusers?”

Webber said he had no answer to that question. That is when he began discussing the problem in the Missouri Capitol.

“I will say there’s certainly people, powerful people in this building,” Webber said, “who, beyond any doubt, I’m not alleging, I know for a fact, of powerful people in this building who are currently protecting sexual predators.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743080521384.png" alt=" State Sen. Stephen Webber, a Democrat from Columbia, begins his tenure in the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session in January (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Stephen Webber, a Democrat from Columbia, begins his tenure in the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session in January (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Sen. Stephen Webber said during floor debate that ‘powerful people’ are protecting the accused but he could not reveal the name because of a promise to victims</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Accusations that a sexual predator is working in the Missouri Capitol Building with protection from “powerful people” abruptly ended state Senate debate Wednesday on a bill adding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=314" target="_blank">physician assistants and emergency medical personnel</a>&nbsp;to medical providers covered by a peer review process.The Senate had just defeated an amendment to the bill offered by state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance, to make some records from peer review proceedings available for lawsuits alleging deliberate acts against patients.The amendment was needed, he said, to open up records of sexual assaults and other criminal acts.Defeat of the amendment offended Democratic state Sen. Tracy McCreery of Olivette, and she was discussing the defeat with state Sen. Stephen Webber of Columbia when he dropped the accusation.“There are sexual predators who work in this building,” Webber said. “There are powerful people who know who those people are and are protecting them. That is happening right now.”Webber said he could not reveal the identity of the person he was accusing nor could he reveal any details of where in the Capitol the person worked or the position of the person who told him of the problem.He had promised the victims confidentiality, he said.McCreery said she, too, was aware of the problem, and understood the desire of the victim to remain anonymous.“I am respectful of that as well,” McCreery said. “But I’m also very careful with my group of people.”Interviewed after the Senate adjourned, Webber said he could not give any more details. When lawmakers are in session, there are executive branch officials and staff, legislators and staff, lobbyists, contract cleaning crews and representatives of the media working in the Capitol Building.“If the victims wanted me to say something, I would,” Webber said. “If they wanted me to name names, I would. The victims don’t want me to, so I’m not going to.”The bill, sponsored by Sen. Rusty Black, a Republican from Chillicothe, would create new training requirements for ambulance district board members in addition to making emergency medical personnel subject to the peer review process.Schroer said the peer review process, which is completely confidential under state law, is being used to hide sexual mistreatment of patients and the response of employers.“They are using this old, archaic statute that was meant for good, and finding that if they put anything into the system they can conceal it,” Schroer said after the Senate adjourned for the day.Schroer said he was not aware of the accusations discussed by McCreery and Webber.In her discussion with Webber, McCreery noted that victims of sexual assault had been visiting with lawmakers during the day to advocate for stronger laws.The review process is being used to conceal too much, she said.“When this process, this formal peer review process, has been worked and twisted enough that it’s now being used to hide allegations of sexual assault and sexual abuse, that is wrong,” she said. “Why are we willing to protect abusers?”Webber said he had no answer to that question. That is when he began discussing the problem in the Missouri Capitol.“I will say there’s certainly people, powerful people in this building,” Webber said, “who, beyond any doubt, I’m not alleging, I know for a fact, of powerful people in this building who are currently protecting sexual predators.”

Missouri state senator says a ‘sexual predator’ works in the Capitol Building

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

A Republican-led push to overturn the paid sick leave law adopted by Missouri voters last year was debated and approved Wednesday by a state Senate committee.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB567&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Sherri Gallick of Belton, was passed by the House earlier this month and would gut Proposition A,&nbsp;a voter-approved law requiring most employers starting May 1 to provide paid sick time off for hundreds of thousands of qualifying workers.

Gallick called the law, which also increased the state’s minimum wage, a “one-two punch for Missouri businesses” that will increase the cost of goods and services and have an adverse impact on small businesses in rural parts of the state.&nbsp;

She&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/20/new-paid-sick-leave-requirement-targeted-by-missouri-republicans/">has said</a>&nbsp;workers will “abuse” the leave.

Gallick’s bill would also modify the minimum wage law by removing the requirement that it be indexed to inflation.

The bill was passed out of committee Wednesday on a 5 to 2 vote party-line immediately following a contentious public hearing, with Democrats opposing.&nbsp;

The committee chair, state Sen. Curtis Trent of Springfield, said that although usually there is at least one week between the public hearing and committee vote, it’s “extremely clear…there is not really an opportunity for further deliberation by the committee” and that pushing the bill forward immediately would allow “robust debate and consideration” by the full Senate.&nbsp;

If approved by the Senate without changes, the bill would go to Gov. Mike Kehoe, who has voiced support for the proposal. There is no emergency clause, so it wouldn’t go into effect until Aug. 28 — months after the sick leave law goes into effect.&nbsp;

Richard Von Glahn, policy director for Missouri Jobs with Justice, the organization that helped lead the campaign for Proposition A, said it was modeled on paid sick leave policies in 18 other states. The initiative petition passed in rural, suburban and urban counties across the state and received 58% of the vote statewide.

“Opponents made their argument, we made our argument and the voters spoke,” Von Glahn said.

Gallick’s bill is “refutation of the public will,” he added. “It will make Missouri workers more likely to have to go to work while sick, jeopardizing their own health, the health of their coworkers and of Missouri workplaces.”&nbsp;

Many of the same industry groups who are&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/12/missouri-sick-leave-law-minimum-wage-hike-face-rollback-in-legislature-supreme-court/">challenging Proposition A in the state Supreme Court&nbsp;</a>testified in support of the bill Wednesday.

Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called the law, especially paid sick leave, a “job killer.”

“We believe that this one size fits all approach to paid sick leave is unworkable,” Corches said.

Buddy Lahl, from the Missouri Restaurant Association, called the requirements on businesses “extremely cumbersome” and said the law is a “slippery slope” for what businesses will be required to provide.

“Fixing Proposition A is not even an option, fixing the sick pay. It just needs to be eliminated. It’s just too erroneous. And I only listed some of the bigger issues. Every line in there is a problem for a small business,” Lahl said.

When Lahl said the only fix is to eliminate the law, state Sen. Stephen Webber, a Columbia Democrat, responded: “That’s not happening, The only path you have is to maybe make some small changes.”

State Sen. Tracy McCreery, an Olivette Democrat, said restaurant workers without sick time who go to work because they need a paycheck for public health.

Proposition A&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missourians-vote-to-increase-minimum-wage-require-paid-sick-leave/">passed</a>&nbsp;with the support of numerous unions, workers’ advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights organizations, as well as over 500 business owners. It guarantees sick leave for hundreds of thousands of workers and gradually hikes the minimum wage to $15. The measure won by a margin of over 400,000 votes.&nbsp;

Under the law, beginning May 1, the law requires employers with business receipts greater than $500,000 a year to provide at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers with fewer than 15 workers must allow workers to earn at least 40 hours per year, with larger employers mandated to allow at least 56 hours. The law also gradually increases the minimum wage.

Under Gallick’s bill, the minimum wage would still increase to $15 per hour in 2026, as voters approved, but it would not be adjusted for inflation thereafter — a policy that has been<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/20/new-paid-sick-leave-requirement-targeted-by-missouri-republicans/">&nbsp;in place since 2007</a>. The sick leave provisions would be repealed entirely.

Because the measure changed state law and not the constitution, the legislature can modify or overturn it without returning for a new vote of the people.

The bill&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB567&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">passed</a>&nbsp;out of the House&nbsp;on a&nbsp;vote&nbsp;of 96 to 51 earlier this month.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743071838478.png" alt=" State Rep. Sherri Gallick, a Republican from Belton, speaks in March during Missouri House debate. (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)" />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Sherri Gallick, a Republican from Belton, speaks in March during Missouri House debate. (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>A Republican-led push to overturn the paid sick leave law adopted by Missouri voters last year was debated and approved Wednesday by a state Senate committee.The&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB567&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Sherri Gallick of Belton, was passed by the House earlier this month and would gut Proposition A,&nbsp;a voter-approved law requiring most employers starting May 1 to provide paid sick time off for hundreds of thousands of qualifying workers.Gallick called the law, which also increased the state’s minimum wage, a “one-two punch for Missouri businesses” that will increase the cost of goods and services and have an adverse impact on small businesses in rural parts of the state.&nbsp;She&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/20/new-paid-sick-leave-requirement-targeted-by-missouri-republicans/">has said</a>&nbsp;workers will “abuse” the leave.Gallick’s bill would also modify the minimum wage law by removing the requirement that it be indexed to inflation.The bill was passed out of committee Wednesday on a 5 to 2 vote party-line immediately following a contentious public hearing, with Democrats opposing.&nbsp;The committee chair, state Sen. Curtis Trent of Springfield, said that although usually there is at least one week between the public hearing and committee vote, it’s “extremely clear…there is not really an opportunity for further deliberation by the committee” and that pushing the bill forward immediately would allow “robust debate and consideration” by the full Senate.&nbsp;If approved by the Senate without changes, the bill would go to Gov. Mike Kehoe, who has voiced support for the proposal. There is no emergency clause, so it wouldn’t go into effect until Aug. 28 — months after the sick leave law goes into effect.&nbsp;Richard Von Glahn, policy director for Missouri Jobs with Justice, the organization that helped lead the campaign for Proposition A, said it was modeled on paid sick leave policies in 18 other states. The initiative petition passed in rural, suburban and urban counties across the state and received 58% of the vote statewide.“Opponents made their argument, we made our argument and the voters spoke,” Von Glahn said.Gallick’s bill is “refutation of the public will,” he added. “It will make Missouri workers more likely to have to go to work while sick, jeopardizing their own health, the health of their coworkers and of Missouri workplaces.”&nbsp;Many of the same industry groups who are&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/12/missouri-sick-leave-law-minimum-wage-hike-face-rollback-in-legislature-supreme-court/">challenging Proposition A in the state Supreme Court&nbsp;</a>testified in support of the bill Wednesday.Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called the law, especially paid sick leave, a “job killer.”“We believe that this one size fits all approach to paid sick leave is unworkable,” Corches said.Buddy Lahl, from the Missouri Restaurant Association, called the requirements on businesses “extremely cumbersome” and said the law is a “slippery slope” for what businesses will be required to provide.“Fixing Proposition A is not even an option, fixing the sick pay. It just needs to be eliminated. It’s just too erroneous. And I only listed some of the bigger issues. Every line in there is a problem for a small business,” Lahl said.When Lahl said the only fix is to eliminate the law, state Sen. Stephen Webber, a Columbia Democrat, responded: “That’s not happening, The only path you have is to maybe make some small changes.”State Sen. Tracy McCreery, an Olivette Democrat, said restaurant workers without sick time who go to work because they need a paycheck for public health.Proposition A&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missourians-vote-to-increase-minimum-wage-require-paid-sick-leave/">passed</a>&nbsp;with the support of numerous unions, workers’ advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights organizations, as well as over 500 business owners. It guarantees sick leave for hundreds of thousands of workers and gradually hikes the minimum wage to $15. The measure won by a margin of over 400,000 votes.&nbsp;Under the law, beginning May 1, the law requires employers with business receipts greater than $500,000 a year to provide at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers with fewer than 15 workers must allow workers to earn at least 40 hours per year, with larger employers mandated to allow at least 56 hours. The law also gradually increases the minimum wage.Under Gallick’s bill, the minimum wage would still increase to $15 per hour in 2026, as voters approved, but it would not be adjusted for inflation thereafter — a policy that has been<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/20/new-paid-sick-leave-requirement-targeted-by-missouri-republicans/">&nbsp;in place since 2007</a>. The sick leave provisions would be repealed entirely.Because the measure changed state law and not the constitution, the legislature can modify or overturn it without returning for a new vote of the people.The bill&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB567&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">passed</a>&nbsp;out of the House&nbsp;on a&nbsp;vote&nbsp;of 96 to 51 earlier this month.

Missouri bill to overturn voter-approved paid sick leave clears Senate committee

KANSAS CITY, Kan.&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) agents were involved in a shooting while serving an arrest warrant just before 9p.m. Wednesday at the El Rio Bravo Supermarket at 11 S. 10th&nbsp;St. in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release from the agency.

While KBI agents attempted to make the arrest, the 25-year-old male subject was shot. The man was transported to an area hospital where he is being treated for his injury and is expected to recover. KBI agents were not injured during the incident, however, following the shooting the involved agent was medically evaluated and then released.

As is standard procedure, the special agent who fired will be placed on paid administrative leave pending further investigation.

The KBI asked the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) to investigate this shooting. Further information related to this investigation is expected to come from KCKPD.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY, Kan.&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) agents were involved in a shooting while serving an arrest warrant just before 9p.m. Wednesday at the El Rio Bravo Supermarket at 11 S. 10th&nbsp;St. in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release from the agency.While KBI agents attempted to make the arrest, the 25-year-old male subject was shot. The man was transported to an area hospital where he is being treated for his injury and is expected to recover. KBI agents were not injured during the incident, however, following the shooting the involved agent was medically evaluated and then released.As is standard procedure, the special agent who fired will be placed on paid administrative leave pending further investigation.The KBI asked the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) to investigate this shooting. Further information related to this investigation is expected to come from KCKPD.&nbsp;

KBI special agent shot man while serving a warrant 

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa House has passed a bill that would lower the legal age for carrying a handgun in the state to 18. 

Under current law, people who do not have a professional permit must be at least 21 years old in order to possess a handgun. Republican Representative Steven Holt of Denison says the idea that young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 are not mature enough to possession a handgun is being rejected by the courts. And Holt says young adults should have the same right to keep and bear arms as older adults. 

The bill passed on a 79 to 18 vote. One critic of the bill pointed to federal data indicating death by gun is the second leading cause of death among children and teens.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa House has passed a bill that would lower the legal age for carrying a handgun in the state to 18. Under current law, people who do not have a professional permit must be at least 21 years old in order to possess a handgun. Republican Representative Steven Holt of Denison says the idea that young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 are not mature enough to possession a handgun is being rejected by the courts. And Holt says young adults should have the same right to keep and bear arms as older adults. The bill passed on a 79 to 18 vote. One critic of the bill pointed to federal data indicating death by gun is the second leading cause of death among children and teens.

Iowa House votes to lower age to possess a handgun

Kansas lawmakers
are taking a few approaches to lowering property taxes.

State Sen. Craig
Bowser, a freshman Republican from Holton, says he has a few priorities this
legislative session, but one stands out.

“Number one on the
top of that list and the number one issue that I heard while campaigning was we’ve
really got to have property tax reform here in Kansas,” Bowser tells KFEQ/St.
Joseph Post.

Bowser says he hasn’t
just heard the refrain from campaigning. He has heard complaints from others
throughout the state since joining the legislature in January.

“I talked to a gentleman
in another part of the state. His property taxes, three years in a row, they
went up 15% one year, 15% the next year, and 8% the next year. So, in a three-year
period, he had a 38% property tax increase in a three-year period,” according
to Bowser. “That’s just unacceptable, especially if you’re an elderly citizen,
an older citizen on a fixed income. That’s just not doable.”

Three main ideas
have emerged in Topeka this legislative session. One would exempt personal
all-terrain-vehicles, watercrafts, and personal trailers from the state
personal property tax. Another would remove the one-and-a-half mill property
tax used to fund college campus maintenance. A third would cap increases to the
property tax rate by tying it to the rate of inflation.

Bowser says the
issue goes beyond simply providing tax relief to Kansas citizens. He says the
legislature must do something to stimulate the Kansas economy.

“We’ve got to make
our state more competitive,” Bowser says. “Our state’s really been in sort of
an economic stagnation here for decades now. I really want to take a look at
how we can simplify our tax code.”

Yet, the main
reason to tackle property tax relief is the importance Kansas residents place
on the issue, according to Bowser.

“We heard the voters
and we’re taking action to do some property tax reform here in the state.”

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostKansas lawmakers
are taking a few approaches to lowering property taxes.State Sen. Craig
Bowser, a freshman Republican from Holton, says he has a few priorities this
legislative session, but one stands out.“Number one on the
top of that list and the number one issue that I heard while campaigning was we’ve
really got to have property tax reform here in Kansas,” Bowser tells KFEQ/St.
Joseph Post.Bowser says he hasn’t
just heard the refrain from campaigning. He has heard complaints from others
throughout the state since joining the legislature in January.“I talked to a gentleman
in another part of the state. His property taxes, three years in a row, they
went up 15% one year, 15% the next year, and 8% the next year. So, in a three-year
period, he had a 38% property tax increase in a three-year period,” according
to Bowser. “That’s just unacceptable, especially if you’re an elderly citizen,
an older citizen on a fixed income. That’s just not doable.”Three main ideas
have emerged in Topeka this legislative session. One would exempt personal
all-terrain-vehicles, watercrafts, and personal trailers from the state
personal property tax. Another would remove the one-and-a-half mill property
tax used to fund college campus maintenance. A third would cap increases to the
property tax rate by tying it to the rate of inflation.Bowser says the
issue goes beyond simply providing tax relief to Kansas citizens. He says the
legislature must do something to stimulate the Kansas economy.“We’ve got to make
our state more competitive,” Bowser says. “Our state’s really been in sort of
an economic stagnation here for decades now. I really want to take a look at
how we can simplify our tax code.”Yet, the main
reason to tackle property tax relief is the importance Kansas residents place
on the issue, according to Bowser.“We heard the voters
and we’re taking action to do some property tax reform here in the state.”You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Sen. Bowser:  property tax reform #1 issue in Kansas legislature

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa House has passed a bill that would give the secretary of state authority to hire a vendor to check for non-citizens on Iowa voter registration lists. 

The bill, which passed on a party-line vote, does a number of other things. It would ban ranked choice voting AND make it harder for a political party to gain "major party status" alongside Democrats and Republicans. 

The bill also would prohibit so-called "spoiler" candidates who lose in the primary election in June, then run in the General Election as an independent candidate or the nominee of another party. The House approved another election-related bill that would set new guidelines for election recounts.

(Radio Iowa) - The Iowa House has passed a bill that would give the secretary of state authority to hire a vendor to check for non-citizens on Iowa voter registration lists. The bill, which passed on a party-line vote, does a number of other things. It would ban ranked choice voting AND make it harder for a political party to gain "major party status" alongside Democrats and Republicans. The bill also would prohibit so-called "spoiler" candidates who lose in the primary election in June, then run in the General Election as an independent candidate or the nominee of another party. The House approved another election-related bill that would set new guidelines for election recounts.

Election-related bills pass Iowa House

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Wilson will retire, effective July 4, following a recent amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Wilson’s letter of resignation submitted Monday to Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly began: “Life changes, so plans change.”&nbsp;

She wrote in the letter that the diagnosis has progressed to such a point that her ability to perform the job is “no longer at the level of excellence sufficient to suit me.” Wilson, 65, added she intends to stay in her position until July 4 to see unfinished projects through.

Wilson has served on the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/03/newest-kansas-supreme-court-justice-promises-tenure-free-of-external-influences/">since 2020</a>. Kelly appointed Wilson in 2019. She served as a Shawnee County district judge beginning in 2004, and the final five of those years before her appointment to the Supreme Court were spent as the district’s chief judge. Before the bench, Wilson practiced law in Topeka and northwest Kansas, and she graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg and Washburn University School of Law. She is from Smith Center.

The vacancy will mean a fourth state Supreme Court appointment for Kelly, a Democrat, which will occur through a vetting process by a nominating commission made up of five lawyers and four people appointed by the governor. The nominating commission selects three names from a group of applicants to forward to the governor, who selects one appointee. Justices undergo retention votes after their first year on the Supreme Court and every six years after.

“I know from experience the Supreme Court Nominating Commission, and the KBI, will investigate any applicant for my position as thoroughly and vigorously as they investigated me,” Wilson wrote in her letter to Kelly. “And so will you.”

Kansans are set to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/19/kansas-house-endorses-plan-to-elect-supreme-court-justices-placing-question-on-august-2026-ballot/">vote in August 2026</a>&nbsp;on whether the process ought to change. Republican legislators pushed a resolution through the Legislature earlier this month that will create a ballot question asking voters if justices should be elected by popular vote instead of&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/18/plan-to-elect-kansas-supreme-court-justices-scrutinized-by-critics-including-courts-former-chief/">the merit-based current process</a>.&nbsp;

Chief Justice Marla Luckert, who also served as a district judge in Shawnee County, called Wilson a valued colleague and a “dear friend.”

“My high esteem for her has risen to new heights as I’ve observed her courage facing her health challenges,” Luckert said in a Monday news release. “We will miss her presence on our court, but we understand and support her decision to focus on her health.”

Wilson described the job “as extremely and unrelentingly difficult as it is rewarding.” She said her time on the Supreme Court has been “a rare gift.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743002890644.png" alt="Kansas Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Wilson, pictured here in May 2022, will retire from the bench in July following a Lou Gehrig's disease diagnosis. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Wilson, pictured here in May 2022, will retire from the bench in July following a Lou Gehrig's disease diagnosis. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Wilson will retire, effective July 4, following a recent amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.Wilson’s letter of resignation submitted Monday to Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly began: “Life changes, so plans change.”&nbsp;She wrote in the letter that the diagnosis has progressed to such a point that her ability to perform the job is “no longer at the level of excellence sufficient to suit me.” Wilson, 65, added she intends to stay in her position until July 4 to see unfinished projects through.Wilson has served on the Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/03/newest-kansas-supreme-court-justice-promises-tenure-free-of-external-influences/">since 2020</a>. Kelly appointed Wilson in 2019. She served as a Shawnee County district judge beginning in 2004, and the final five of those years before her appointment to the Supreme Court were spent as the district’s chief judge. Before the bench, Wilson practiced law in Topeka and northwest Kansas, and she graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg and Washburn University School of Law. She is from Smith Center.The vacancy will mean a fourth state Supreme Court appointment for Kelly, a Democrat, which will occur through a vetting process by a nominating commission made up of five lawyers and four people appointed by the governor. The nominating commission selects three names from a group of applicants to forward to the governor, who selects one appointee. Justices undergo retention votes after their first year on the Supreme Court and every six years after.“I know from experience the Supreme Court Nominating Commission, and the KBI, will investigate any applicant for my position as thoroughly and vigorously as they investigated me,” Wilson wrote in her letter to Kelly. “And so will you.”Kansans are set to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/19/kansas-house-endorses-plan-to-elect-supreme-court-justices-placing-question-on-august-2026-ballot/">vote in August 2026</a>&nbsp;on whether the process ought to change. Republican legislators pushed a resolution through the Legislature earlier this month that will create a ballot question asking voters if justices should be elected by popular vote instead of&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/03/18/plan-to-elect-kansas-supreme-court-justices-scrutinized-by-critics-including-courts-former-chief/">the merit-based current process</a>.&nbsp;Chief Justice Marla Luckert, who also served as a district judge in Shawnee County, called Wilson a valued colleague and a “dear friend.”“My high esteem for her has risen to new heights as I’ve observed her courage facing her health challenges,” Luckert said in a Monday news release. “We will miss her presence on our court, but we understand and support her decision to focus on her health.”Wilson described the job “as extremely and unrelentingly difficult as it is rewarding.” She said her time on the Supreme Court has been “a rare gift.”

Kansas Supreme Court justice to step down, citing Lou Gehrig’s disease

The highly anticipated <a href="https://www.tonyspizzaeventscenter.com/events/60th-annual-mid-america-farm-exposition">Mid America Farm Expo</a>&nbsp;returns to Salina, Kansas, from March 26-28, 2025, bringing together farmers, agribusiness professionals, and agricultural enthusiasts for three days of cutting-edge innovation, valuable networking, and industry insights.

The Mid-America Farm Expo, held annually, is celebrating its 60th anniversary and is considered to be one of the best places for anyone involved in the farming and agricultural sectors to get connected with dealers showcasing equipment.&nbsp; This year’s Expo will offer a wide range of exhibitors, including the latest agricultural technologies, equipment, machinery, and services, designed to help the farming community improve efficiency and sustainability.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest products and services transforming the agricultural landscape, attend informative sessions featuring thought leaders and industry experts, network with fellow professionals, suppliers, and farmers, and participate in live demonstrations of advanced farming equipment and technologies.

“I think there’s a misconception that agriculture is a dying industry, when of course, here in the Midwest, we know that couldn’t be any further from the truth,” Renee Duxler, President and CEO of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, said. “The Farm Expo continues to evolve as the industry evolves with advanced technology, innovative methods, and emerging research. The Farm Expo is a great place for farmers and industry leaders to capture that knowledge.”

Special features of the Expo, in addition to the farm equipment displays, will include a variety of programs and seminars. Wednesday morning’s session will be Kansas Forage &amp; Grassland Council Talks with a panel of experts from across the region and will be held on the second floor of Tony’s Pizza Events Center. Wednesday afternoon will host a Central Kansas Irrigation Panel in the 4-H Building with a panel consisting of Dr. Johnathan Aguilar, KSU Extension Irrigation Specialist; Mark Billinger, KDA Assistant Water Commissioner; and Ryan Flickner, KFB Senior Director of Public Policy &amp; Central Kansas Farmer.

On Thursday, Washburn University’s Professor of Agricultural Law and Taxation, Roger McEowen, will discuss Hot Topics in Agricultural Law at 10:30 a.m. on the second floor of Tony’s Pizza Events Center. In addition to the morning session, McEowen will be discussing farm succession planning at 1:30 p.m. in the 4-H Building.

To conclude the 60th Annual Mid America Farm Expo, there will be a Women in Agriculture session on Friday morning at 10 a.m. at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center on the second floor.

The Expo began 60 years ago as a project of the Agriculture Committee of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce. It was named the Salina Materials Handling Show and had 44 exhibits on display at the Saline County Fairgrounds, now called the Saline County Livestock and Expo Center. With the construction of the Tony’s Pizza Events Center directly across from the Expo Center, the Farm Expo expanded and is now one of the largest spring farm shows in the Midwest, attracting a few thousand attendees over the three days.

The Expo is headquartered in the Tony’s Pizza Events Center, with additional displays in the Saline County Livestock &amp; Expo Center's Agricultural Hall. Exhibits are also located outside in front of Ag Hall and in the Events Center's west parking lot.

There is no charge for admission or parking. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 27, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. March 28. The event is sponsored by the Agriculture Committee of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743003798464.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The highly anticipated <a href="https://www.tonyspizzaeventscenter.com/events/60th-annual-mid-america-farm-exposition">Mid America Farm Expo</a>&nbsp;returns to Salina, Kansas, from March 26-28, 2025, bringing together farmers, agribusiness professionals, and agricultural enthusiasts for three days of cutting-edge innovation, valuable networking, and industry insights.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742998261596.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Mid-America Farm Expo, held annually, is celebrating its 60th anniversary and is considered to be one of the best places for anyone involved in the farming and agricultural sectors to get connected with dealers showcasing equipment.&nbsp; This year’s Expo will offer a wide range of exhibitors, including the latest agricultural technologies, equipment, machinery, and services, designed to help the farming community improve efficiency and sustainability.Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest products and services transforming the agricultural landscape, attend informative sessions featuring thought leaders and industry experts, network with fellow professionals, suppliers, and farmers, and participate in live demonstrations of advanced farming equipment and technologies.“I think there’s a misconception that agriculture is a dying industry, when of course, here in the Midwest, we know that couldn’t be any further from the truth,” Renee Duxler, President and CEO of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, said. “The Farm Expo continues to evolve as the industry evolves with advanced technology, innovative methods, and emerging research. The Farm Expo is a great place for farmers and industry leaders to capture that knowledge.”Special features of the Expo, in addition to the farm equipment displays, will include a variety of programs and seminars. Wednesday morning’s session will be Kansas Forage &amp; Grassland Council Talks with a panel of experts from across the region and will be held on the second floor of Tony’s Pizza Events Center. Wednesday afternoon will host a Central Kansas Irrigation Panel in the 4-H Building with a panel consisting of Dr. Johnathan Aguilar, KSU Extension Irrigation Specialist; Mark Billinger, KDA Assistant Water Commissioner; and Ryan Flickner, KFB Senior Director of Public Policy &amp; Central Kansas Farmer.On Thursday, Washburn University’s Professor of Agricultural Law and Taxation, Roger McEowen, will discuss Hot Topics in Agricultural Law at 10:30 a.m. on the second floor of Tony’s Pizza Events Center. In addition to the morning session, McEowen will be discussing farm succession planning at 1:30 p.m. in the 4-H Building.To conclude the 60th Annual Mid America Farm Expo, there will be a Women in Agriculture session on Friday morning at 10 a.m. at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center on the second floor.The Expo began 60 years ago as a project of the Agriculture Committee of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce. It was named the Salina Materials Handling Show and had 44 exhibits on display at the Saline County Fairgrounds, now called the Saline County Livestock and Expo Center. With the construction of the Tony’s Pizza Events Center directly across from the Expo Center, the Farm Expo expanded and is now one of the largest spring farm shows in the Midwest, attracting a few thousand attendees over the three days.The Expo is headquartered in the Tony’s Pizza Events Center, with additional displays in the Saline County Livestock &amp; Expo Center's Agricultural Hall. Exhibits are also located outside in front of Ag Hall and in the Events Center's west parking lot.There is no charge for admission or parking. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 27, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. March 28. The event is sponsored by the Agriculture Committee of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce.

Schedule for 60th Annual Mid America Farm Expo in Salina

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump Tuesday signed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/preserving-and-protecting-the-integrity-of-american-elections/" target="_blank">sweeping executive order</a>&nbsp;that overhauls the administration of U.S. elections, including requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.

It’s likely to face legal challenges from voting rights groups and Democratic state attorneys general.

The order is an extension of the president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2024/05/06/though-noncitizens-can-vote-in-few-local-elections-gop-goes-big-to-make-it-illegal/" target="_blank">rhetoric on the campaign trail</a>&nbsp;about noncitizens voting in federal elections and his crackdown on immigration since returning to office.

Trump has often pushed back against other issues in elections administration, railing against early voting and vote-by-mail. He falsely claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him through voter fraud.&nbsp;

Tuesday’s order aligns with&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/12/trump-supports-u-s-house-speaker-johnson-elections-agenda-in-joint-appearance/" target="_blank">a priority for House Republicans</a>&nbsp;to pass the&nbsp;Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/22" target="_blank">&nbsp;SAVE, Act</a>&nbsp;that would require proof of citizenship in federal elections. That bill, if signed into law, would codify parts of the executive order.

States are responsible for administering elections&nbsp;—&nbsp;even those at the federal level&nbsp;— but the order uses federal funding to compel states to follow it. Those&nbsp;that do not comply with the order will have federal funds revoked, according to the order.

The order directs the federal&nbsp;Election Assistance Commission, which distributes grants to states, within 30 days to start requiring people registering to vote to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport or state-issued identification that indicates citizenship.

The order also prohibits the counting of absentee or mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day. States set their own rules for ballot counting and many allow those that arrive after Election Day but postmarked before.

The order also instructs the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, along with Trump megadonor Elon Musk’s&nbsp;U.S. DOGE Service, to gain access to state voter rolls in order to ensure the voter lists are up to date. Those entities will also have access to immigration databases and states will be allowed to request DHS to verify if any noncitizen is on the state’s list of voters.

The Department of Government Efficiency, which is not actually a federal department, has come under scrutiny for the access it has been given to Americans’ private data housed in other federal departments.

The order instructs DHS Secretary Kristi Noem within 90 days to provide the attorney general “information on all foreign nationals who have indicated on any immigration form that they have registered or voted in a Federal, State, or local election, and shall also take all appropriate action to submit to relevant State or local election officials such information.”

While noncitizens are not allowed to vote in federal elections,&nbsp;certain municipalities in California, Maryland and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia, allow noncitizens to participate in local elections. If someone who is not a U.S. citizen votes, it could lead to a felony charge and subject that person to deportation.

Congressional Republicans and the president have taken aim at noncitizen voting, even though it’s extremely rare. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heritage.org/voterfraud/search?combine=citizenship&amp;state=All&amp;year=&amp;case_type=All&amp;fraud_type=24491&amp;page=0" target="_blank">conducted an analysis of election conduct</a>&nbsp;from 2003 to 2023 and found 29 instances of noncitizens voting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742940038269.png" alt="Image from White House video of the signing during a Tuesday cabinet meeting" />
 <figcaption>Image from White House video of the signing during a Tuesday cabinet meeting</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump Tuesday signed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/preserving-and-protecting-the-integrity-of-american-elections/" target="_blank">sweeping executive order</a>&nbsp;that overhauls the administration of U.S. elections, including requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.It’s likely to face legal challenges from voting rights groups and Democratic state attorneys general.The order is an extension of the president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2024/05/06/though-noncitizens-can-vote-in-few-local-elections-gop-goes-big-to-make-it-illegal/" target="_blank">rhetoric on the campaign trail</a>&nbsp;about noncitizens voting in federal elections and his crackdown on immigration since returning to office.Trump has often pushed back against other issues in elections administration, railing against early voting and vote-by-mail. He falsely claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him through voter fraud.&nbsp;Tuesday’s order aligns with&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/12/trump-supports-u-s-house-speaker-johnson-elections-agenda-in-joint-appearance/" target="_blank">a priority for House Republicans</a>&nbsp;to pass the&nbsp;Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/22" target="_blank">&nbsp;SAVE, Act</a>&nbsp;that would require proof of citizenship in federal elections. That bill, if signed into law, would codify parts of the executive order.States are responsible for administering elections&nbsp;—&nbsp;even those at the federal level&nbsp;— but the order uses federal funding to compel states to follow it. Those&nbsp;that do not comply with the order will have federal funds revoked, according to the order.The order directs the federal&nbsp;Election Assistance Commission, which distributes grants to states, within 30 days to start requiring people registering to vote to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport or state-issued identification that indicates citizenship.The order also prohibits the counting of absentee or mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day. States set their own rules for ballot counting and many allow those that arrive after Election Day but postmarked before.The order also instructs the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, along with Trump megadonor Elon Musk’s&nbsp;U.S. DOGE Service, to gain access to state voter rolls in order to ensure the voter lists are up to date. Those entities will also have access to immigration databases and states will be allowed to request DHS to verify if any noncitizen is on the state’s list of voters.The Department of Government Efficiency, which is not actually a federal department, has come under scrutiny for the access it has been given to Americans’ private data housed in other federal departments.The order instructs DHS Secretary Kristi Noem within 90 days to provide the attorney general “information on all foreign nationals who have indicated on any immigration form that they have registered or voted in a Federal, State, or local election, and shall also take all appropriate action to submit to relevant State or local election officials such information.”While noncitizens are not allowed to vote in federal elections,&nbsp;certain municipalities in California, Maryland and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia, allow noncitizens to participate in local elections. If someone who is not a U.S. citizen votes, it could lead to a felony charge and subject that person to deportation.Congressional Republicans and the president have taken aim at noncitizen voting, even though it’s extremely rare. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heritage.org/voterfraud/search?combine=citizenship&amp;state=All&amp;year=&amp;case_type=All&amp;fraud_type=24491&amp;page=0" target="_blank">conducted an analysis of election conduct</a>&nbsp;from 2003 to 2023 and found 29 instances of noncitizens voting.

Trump signs broad elections order requiring proof of citizenship

House Democrat accuses GOP leadership of trying to avoid gun-control debate

BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB416&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">School safety legislation</a>&nbsp;that requires school districts create a policy governing cell phone use by students won initial approval Monday afternoon in the Missouri House.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph, called the bill a “comprehensive approach to school safety.”

It includes provisions to equip schools with bleeding-control kits, require intruder-response training and develop emergency response plans. Public schools would be required to use bullet-proof window film and anti-intruder locks in new construction by 2029.

“School safety is much more than hardening the exterior of a building but having a safe environment for learning,” Shields said during House debate. “We know that teaching and learning does not occur if a student doesn’t feel safe.”

State Rep. Ed Lewis, a Republican from Moberly, added an amendment that would encourage schools to bar cell-phone use. Schools would be able to craft the policy to their preferences. But at a minimum, those policies must ban cell phones during instructional time.

State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, was one of three representatives to file a bill on cell phones in schools. She said safety threats can come from within the walls of the school.

“This is going to help our students be able to focus on instruction and not let things get in the way that have to do with dangerous situations in our school,” she said. “When we talk about cyber bullying and sexting, all of that really has an impact on the school itself and can lead to dangerous physical alterations as well.”

Others worried that restricting cell phones would hinder security.

State Rep. Justin Sparks, a Republican from Wildwood, said access to cell phones can help students report school shootings quickly.

“We have had students actually contact the police and be on the phone with them during the event, providing invaluable intelligence as to where the shots are occurring, where the bad guy is,” Sparks said.

Another sponsor of a cell-phone bill, Republican state Rep. Jamie Gragg of Ozark, said schools can decide whether phones can be in students’ possession or not, so long as the devices aren’t a distraction.

“This is not the legislature making the rule. This is strictly the actual districts making those rules,” he said.

Another&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/amendpdf/1498H01.04H.pdf" target="_blank">amendment</a>&nbsp;added to the bill would require schools to create a cardiac response plan.

Three amendments were filed but not discussed. State Rep. David Tyson Smith, a Columbia Democrat, said in an inquiry with another Democrat that he wanted to offer an amendment to ban the sale of semi-automatic firearms to teenagers, but he was not called upon during Monday’s debate.

“I filed an amendment, and they will not call on me because they don’t want to have the conversation. Let’s have the conversation about this,” Smith said.

State Rep. Bill Owen, a Republican from Springfield, said to leave “the rhetoric out of it.”

“Accidents happen in shop classes. Accidents happen everywhere in that building where (bleeding-control kits) would be necessary. It doesn’t take a gun to do so,” he said. “I’m going to say that the legislation isn’t about guns. It’s about taking care of the safety of our children.”

The bill needs to be approved one more time in the House before it heads to the Senate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742985564468.png" alt=" Rep. Brenda Shields. a St. Joseph Republican, speaks during debate in the Missouri House during the 2021 legislative session. On Monday, the House gave initial approval to her school safety bill (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> Rep. Brenda Shields. a St. Joseph Republican, speaks during debate in the Missouri House during the 2021 legislative session. On Monday, the House gave initial approval to her school safety bill (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>House Democrat accuses GOP leadership of trying to avoid gun-control debate</h2>BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a><a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB416&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">School safety legislation</a>&nbsp;that requires school districts create a policy governing cell phone use by students won initial approval Monday afternoon in the Missouri House.The bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph, called the bill a “comprehensive approach to school safety.”It includes provisions to equip schools with bleeding-control kits, require intruder-response training and develop emergency response plans. Public schools would be required to use bullet-proof window film and anti-intruder locks in new construction by 2029.“School safety is much more than hardening the exterior of a building but having a safe environment for learning,” Shields said during House debate. “We know that teaching and learning does not occur if a student doesn’t feel safe.”State Rep. Ed Lewis, a Republican from Moberly, added an amendment that would encourage schools to bar cell-phone use. Schools would be able to craft the policy to their preferences. But at a minimum, those policies must ban cell phones during instructional time.State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, was one of three representatives to file a bill on cell phones in schools. She said safety threats can come from within the walls of the school.“This is going to help our students be able to focus on instruction and not let things get in the way that have to do with dangerous situations in our school,” she said. “When we talk about cyber bullying and sexting, all of that really has an impact on the school itself and can lead to dangerous physical alterations as well.”Others worried that restricting cell phones would hinder security.State Rep. Justin Sparks, a Republican from Wildwood, said access to cell phones can help students report school shootings quickly.“We have had students actually contact the police and be on the phone with them during the event, providing invaluable intelligence as to where the shots are occurring, where the bad guy is,” Sparks said.Another sponsor of a cell-phone bill, Republican state Rep. Jamie Gragg of Ozark, said schools can decide whether phones can be in students’ possession or not, so long as the devices aren’t a distraction.“This is not the legislature making the rule. This is strictly the actual districts making those rules,” he said.Another&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/amendpdf/1498H01.04H.pdf" target="_blank">amendment</a>&nbsp;added to the bill would require schools to create a cardiac response plan.Three amendments were filed but not discussed. State Rep. David Tyson Smith, a Columbia Democrat, said in an inquiry with another Democrat that he wanted to offer an amendment to ban the sale of semi-automatic firearms to teenagers, but he was not called upon during Monday’s debate.“I filed an amendment, and they will not call on me because they don’t want to have the conversation. Let’s have the conversation about this,” Smith said.State Rep. Bill Owen, a Republican from Springfield, said to leave “the rhetoric out of it.”“Accidents happen in shop classes. Accidents happen everywhere in that building where (bleeding-control kits) would be necessary. It doesn’t take a gun to do so,” he said. “I’m going to say that the legislation isn’t about guns. It’s about taking care of the safety of our children.”The bill needs to be approved one more time in the House before it heads to the Senate.

School safety bill advances in Missouri House with restrictions on cell phone use

(Radio Iowa) - A bill to establish a new committee to help navigate the re-alignment of high school athletic conferences is headed to the governor after passing the Senate Tuesday. 

Senator Sandy Salmon of Janesville says state education officials believe they lack the authority under current law to help Waverly-Shell Rock and Decorah find new conferences. The bill directs the Iowa High School Athletic Union and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union to establish a conference realignment committee.

 Nine superintendents and nine athletic directors would serve on the panel, evaluate a school's request to join a new conference and issue a decision. Schools could appeal that decision to the director of the Iowa Department of Education.

(Radio Iowa) - A bill to establish a new committee to help navigate the re-alignment of high school athletic conferences is headed to the governor after passing the Senate Tuesday. Senator Sandy Salmon of Janesville says state education officials believe they lack the authority under current law to help Waverly-Shell Rock and Decorah find new conferences. The bill directs the Iowa High School Athletic Union and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union to establish a conference realignment committee. Nine superintendents and nine athletic directors would serve on the panel, evaluate a school's request to join a new conference and issue a decision. Schools could appeal that decision to the director of the Iowa Department of Education.

Committee could help schools find new athletic conferences

(Radio Iowa) - A "Freedom to Garden Act" has passed the Iowa Senate unanimously. The bill would forbid state and local governments from regulating vegetable gardens on property the gardener owns or rents. 

Senator Cherielynn Westrich of Ottumwa says in some other states, heavy handed regulators have used local zoning ordinances to ban home vegetable gardens or limit what home gardeners can plant. 

The bill says Iowans have a right to grow, raise, harvest, produce and consume food they grow in their own garden -- and home gardeners would have a right to sell what they grow. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

(Radio Iowa) - A "Freedom to Garden Act" has passed the Iowa Senate unanimously. The bill would forbid state and local governments from regulating vegetable gardens on property the gardener owns or rents. Senator Cherielynn Westrich of Ottumwa says in some other states, heavy handed regulators have used local zoning ordinances to ban home vegetable gardens or limit what home gardeners can plant. The bill says Iowans have a right to grow, raise, harvest, produce and consume food they grow in their own garden -- and home gardeners would have a right to sell what they grow. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

Bill would ensure Iowans have a right to garden

Northern Missouri
Congressman Sam Graves calls talks toward a cease fire in the Ukrainian war
“very delicate negotiations.”

Graves, a
Republican, says he is cautiously optimistic discussions with Russian President
Vladimir Putin will bear fruit.

“I can’t predict
how it’s going to come out,” Graves tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. “I know
the president’s pushing very hard and is making some great strides in terms of
trying to get both sides to compromise, I guess you might say. Is Zelensky going
to have to give up some territory, cede that to Russia?&nbsp; That’s a possibility. Is Russia going to back
out what they have taken?”

Russia invaded
Ukraine in February of 2022. What some thought would be a short conflict has
turned into a slog; a grinding war that has cost countless lives as well as
staggering destruction in Ukraine.

Negotiations, led
by the Trump administration, are ongoing in Saudia Arabia. The U.S. has been
pushing for a broad ceasefire by about the middle of next month. It appears,
though, that there is a wide gap between Russia and Ukraine.

Graves says both
sides must give some if the fighting is to cease. Graves is uncertain whether
Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to concede territory Russia has
taken since attacking Ukraine three years ago, though Graves says the war
hasn’t gone the way Russia envisioned.

“Putin went into
this thing thinking that it was going to be over with in a week,” Graves says. “And
he has lost a tremendous amount of resources in this process. He’s lost 23
ships in the Black Sea.”

Graves insists the
United States has a vested interest in ending the war in Ukraine. The
Congressman worries the conflict will broaden and is wary of the ultimate aim
of Putin.

“I would rather
fight him in Ukraine and let the Ukrainians prosecute the war, rather than the
United States having to get into it if he moves into the Balkans,” Graves says.
“If he moves into Lithuania or Estonia or Lativa or Poland, for that matter, we’re
in it.”

The United States
has obligations to those countries through the alliance with NATO.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742922366254.jpeg" alt="Congressman Sam Graves/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Congressman Sam Graves/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorthern Missouri
Congressman Sam Graves calls talks toward a cease fire in the Ukrainian war
“very delicate negotiations.”Graves, a
Republican, says he is cautiously optimistic discussions with Russian President
Vladimir Putin will bear fruit.“I can’t predict
how it’s going to come out,” Graves tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. “I know
the president’s pushing very hard and is making some great strides in terms of
trying to get both sides to compromise, I guess you might say. Is Zelensky going
to have to give up some territory, cede that to Russia?&nbsp; That’s a possibility. Is Russia going to back
out what they have taken?”Russia invaded
Ukraine in February of 2022. What some thought would be a short conflict has
turned into a slog; a grinding war that has cost countless lives as well as
staggering destruction in Ukraine.Negotiations, led
by the Trump administration, are ongoing in Saudia Arabia. The U.S. has been
pushing for a broad ceasefire by about the middle of next month. It appears,
though, that there is a wide gap between Russia and Ukraine.Graves says both
sides must give some if the fighting is to cease. Graves is uncertain whether
Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to concede territory Russia has
taken since attacking Ukraine three years ago, though Graves says the war
hasn’t gone the way Russia envisioned.“Putin went into
this thing thinking that it was going to be over with in a week,” Graves says. “And
he has lost a tremendous amount of resources in this process. He’s lost 23
ships in the Black Sea.”Graves insists the
United States has a vested interest in ending the war in Ukraine. The
Congressman worries the conflict will broaden and is wary of the ultimate aim
of Putin.“I would rather
fight him in Ukraine and let the Ukrainians prosecute the war, rather than the
United States having to get into it if he moves into the Balkans,” Graves says.
“If he moves into Lithuania or Estonia or Lativa or Poland, for that matter, we’re
in it.”The United States
has obligations to those countries through the alliance with NATO.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Graves says talks for cease fire in Ukrainian war are delicate

The state budget will go to the full House next week with 96 earmarked items costing $162.2 million total added to the spending plan presented in January by Gov. Mike Kehoe

The House Budget Committee squeezed $139 million in general revenue out of the Missouri state budget for road, port and other earmarked projects Monday night, but Republicans thwarted an effort by Democrats to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/24/education-funding-child-care-subsidies-central-to-missouri-state-budget-debate/">shift $50 million into public schools</a>.

During a stop-and-go work session that stretched late into the night, the committee approved a $47.9 billion budget for state operations in the coming fiscal year. The committee reduced Gov. Mike Kehoe’s budget by $2.1 billion overall and about $750 million in general revenue.

The mark-up session boosted the total for general revenue earmarks by $20 million and the package going to the full House will have 96 earmarked items tracked by The Independent costing $162.2 million total added since Kehoe&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">proposed his budget in January</a>.

Some of the biggest general revenue earmarks — $15 million for a new state park in McDonald County and $12 million for a climbing lane on Interstate 44 — are in the southwest Missouri district of House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton.

Among the largest earmarks added Monday are $5 million for ramps and an outer road on U.S. Highway 60 in Sikeston and $4 million for the Marion County Port Authority.

While Democrats succeeded in adding a handful of earmarks, they were shot down on almost every proposal to increase or shift funding for state programs.

Two major spending proposals — one Kehoe endorsed in January and another he did not — were backed by Democrats on the committee but could not win support from Republicans.

Kehoe wants the state to spend an extra $107 million in federal funds on child care to revise how payments are calculated to one based on enrollment and change when checks arrive. Meanwhile, he does not want to spend $300 million in state general revenue to fully fund the public school foundation formula.

“Our providers have been through quite a lot this past year, to some extent from what they’ve had to deal with with the state,” state Rep. Stephanie Hein, a Democrat from Springfield, said as she sought to restore part of the child care funding. “This would help provide them stability within their budgeting process for the upcoming year.”

Republicans questioned whether the federal funding used this year will be available in the future.&nbsp;

“There’s no ongoing federal money for this,” said committee vice chairman Bishop Davidson, a Republican from Republic.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742925525368.png" alt=" State Rep. Betsy Fogle of Springfield, ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, was defeated Monday in an attempt to shift $50 million into the state public school foundation formula. Fogle is shown at a Feb. 13 news conference (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Betsy Fogle of Springfield, ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, was defeated Monday in an attempt to shift $50 million into the state public school foundation formula. Fogle is shown at a Feb. 13 news conference (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>The state budget will go to the full House next week with 96 earmarked items costing $162.2 million total added to the spending plan presented in January by Gov. Mike Kehoe</h2>The House Budget Committee squeezed $139 million in general revenue out of the Missouri state budget for road, port and other earmarked projects Monday night, but Republicans thwarted an effort by Democrats to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/24/education-funding-child-care-subsidies-central-to-missouri-state-budget-debate/">shift $50 million into public schools</a>.During a stop-and-go work session that stretched late into the night, the committee approved a $47.9 billion budget for state operations in the coming fiscal year. The committee reduced Gov. Mike Kehoe’s budget by $2.1 billion overall and about $750 million in general revenue.The mark-up session boosted the total for general revenue earmarks by $20 million and the package going to the full House will have 96 earmarked items tracked by The Independent costing $162.2 million total added since Kehoe&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/28/gov-mike-kehoe-dips-deeply-into-surplus-as-missouri-budget-grows-to-nearly-54-billion/">proposed his budget in January</a>.Some of the biggest general revenue earmarks — $15 million for a new state park in McDonald County and $12 million for a climbing lane on Interstate 44 — are in the southwest Missouri district of House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton.Among the largest earmarks added Monday are $5 million for ramps and an outer road on U.S. Highway 60 in Sikeston and $4 million for the Marion County Port Authority.While Democrats succeeded in adding a handful of earmarks, they were shot down on almost every proposal to increase or shift funding for state programs.Two major spending proposals — one Kehoe endorsed in January and another he did not — were backed by Democrats on the committee but could not win support from Republicans.Kehoe wants the state to spend an extra $107 million in federal funds on child care to revise how payments are calculated to one based on enrollment and change when checks arrive. Meanwhile, he does not want to spend $300 million in state general revenue to fully fund the public school foundation formula.“Our providers have been through quite a lot this past year, to some extent from what they’ve had to deal with with the state,” state Rep. Stephanie Hein, a Democrat from Springfield, said as she sought to restore part of the child care funding. “This would help provide them stability within their budgeting process for the upcoming year.”Republicans questioned whether the federal funding used this year will be available in the future.&nbsp;“There’s no ongoing federal money for this,” said committee vice chairman Bishop Davidson, a Republican from Republic.&nbsp;Because of a rule requiring cuts in general revenue from one line to spend it in another, Democrats did not attempt to shift the full $300 million into the school foundation formula. Instead, they tried to delete another of Kehoe’s major initiatives,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/05/major-corporations-wealthy-donors-fuel-growth-of-missouri-private-school-scholarship/">$50 million for a tax credit program</a>&nbsp;supporting private school tuition scholarships.“When I look through some of the schools that receive taxpayer dollars now through the form of the tax credit program, there are schools that are getting dollars, that wouldn’t have educated, some of us in this room and I think it’s really important that we are spending our money in the right places and fully funding the foundation formula,” said state Rep. Betsy Fogle of Springfield, ranking Democrat on the committee.Republicans said the credits are available for students who want to switch public schools as well as attend private schools.&nbsp;“One thing we lack is parental engagement,” Davidson said. “Another thing we lack are any sort of competitive forces and we get to have both of those things when it comes to the (Empowerment Scholarship Accounts) program.”The foundation formula distributes state aid on a per-pupil basis, with factors that give more money for students with disabilities or who are from low-income households. It cost $3.7 billion in the current year and the amount needed to fully fund it is determined by applying the calculation to what is called the state adequacy target.To fully fund the formula for the coming year, the adequacy target would be $7,145 per student. To keep the cost down, Kehoe and the House Budget Committee are funding a target of $6,760 per student.Kehoe wants the formula to be revised. One Republican said he wants no more money for the formula until it is changed.“We need to fix it or get rid of it,” said GOP state Rep. Don Mayhew of Crocker.&nbsp;The Democratic proposal that drew the most support from Republicans would have increased the amount paid for home-delivered meals for the elderly and disabled from $6.21 per meal to $7.14 per meal at a cost of $2.1 million, including $787,120 of general revenue.“This is a warranted increase,” said state Rep. John Voss, a Republican from Cape Girardeau. “Many of the counties surrounding my district are very, very poor. In fact, I think we have many of the top 10 poorest counties. That is a lot of food insecurity and anything that we can do to support our seniors here, I would sure be supportive of.”The full House will debate the budget next week. Democrats and Republicans will each have three hours to present their amendments and arguments.&nbsp;At the end of Monday’s meeting, Deaton asked members whether six hours was too much. Some Republicans said it was.“I don’t see that too much of the floor debate has changed my mind,” said state Rep. Mitch Boggs of LaRussell. “This is where the main meat and potatoes is done.”Democrats objected to any change, saying it was the only time for most House members to have a say on spending.&nbsp;“It doesn’t mean we have to burn all of it,” said Democratic state Rep. Del Taylor of St. Louis.Mayhew agreed and at the end, Deaton did not recommend any change.“This, folks, is really our only constitutional duty, and providing the opportunity for members who were elected to be here to make comments on that,” Mayhew said. “I’m okay with our standing normal procedure, and I don’t think it’s unfair or overly burdensome for us, especially when we’re talking about upwards of $52 billion of the taxpayers money.”

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