NODAWAY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 11a.m. Sunday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Taylor C. Hager, 18, Maryville, was northbound on State Route F two miles east of Maryville.&nbsp;

The driver was unable to stop on the snow covered road at U.S. 136. The Jeep slid through the intersection and into the path of a westbound 2016 Ford F250 driven by Nathan R. Noble, 39, Albany. The pickup struck the passenger side of the Jeep.

A private vehicle transported the drivers to Mosaic in Maryville. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 11a.m. Sunday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Taylor C. Hager, 18, Maryville, was northbound on State Route F two miles east of Maryville.&nbsp; The driver was unable to stop on the snow covered road at U.S. 136. The Jeep slid through the intersection and into the path of a westbound 2016 Ford F250 driven by Nathan R. Noble, 39, Albany. The pickup struck the passenger side of the Jeep.A private vehicle transported the drivers to Mosaic in Maryville. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Two injured after 2-vehicle crash on snowy Nodaway Co. highway

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Saturday in Livingston County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Silverado driven by a 17-year-old Brookfield girl was westbound on U.S. 36 four miles west of Chillicothe.

The driver lost control of the pickup on the snow covered road. The pickup struck a bridge railing.

Chillicothe EMS transported the teen to Hedrick Medical Center. She was&nbsp; properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Saturday in Livingston County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Silverado driven by a 17-year-old Brookfield girl was westbound on U.S. 36 four miles west of Chillicothe.The driver lost control of the pickup on the snow covered road. The pickup struck a bridge railing.Chillicothe EMS transported the teen to Hedrick Medical Center. She was&nbsp; properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Mo. teen hospitalized after pickup strikes bridge railing

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Saturday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Born Free Van driven by Terry A. Koethe, Algona, Iowa, was&nbsp; northbound on Interstate 35 four miles north of Winston.

The driver lost control of the vehicle on the snow covered road. The van traveled off the right side of the road and overturned.

Daviess County EMS transported a passenger Kathy Koethe, 63, Algona, Iowa, to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The driver was not injured.&nbsp;

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Saturday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Born Free Van driven by Terry A. Koethe, Algona, Iowa, was&nbsp; northbound on Interstate 35 four miles north of Winston.The driver lost control of the vehicle on the snow covered road. The van traveled off the right side of the road and overturned.Daviess County EMS transported a passenger Kathy Koethe, 63, Algona, Iowa, to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The driver was not injured.&nbsp;

Woman injured after van overturns in the snow

CALDWELL COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Saturday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 GMC Canyon driven by Jon L. Harman, 63, Chillicothe, was eastbound on U.S. 36 two miles east of Cameron. The pickup began to slide, traveled off the north side of the road and overturned.

Cameron Ambulance transported&nbsp; a passenger Karen L. Wood, 64, Hale, to North Kansas City Hospital. Harman was not injured. Wood was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Saturday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 GMC Canyon driven by Jon L. Harman, 63, Chillicothe, was eastbound on U.S. 36 two miles east of Cameron. The pickup began to slide, traveled off the north side of the road and overturned.Cameron Ambulance transported&nbsp; a passenger Karen L. Wood, 64, Hale, to North Kansas City Hospital. Harman was not injured. Wood was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman injured after pickup overturns

NODAWAY COUNTY —Four people were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Saturday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 GMC Safari Van driven by Carla E. Munoz Jativa, 27, Maryille, was southbound on U.S. 71 at 220th Street one mile north of Wilcox.&nbsp;

The driver lost control on a snow covered roadway. The van traveled off the west side of the road and struck a tree.

&nbsp;Nodaway County ambulance transported Munoz Jativa, two adults and a baby boy all from Maryville to Mosaic in Maryville. All four were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY —Four people were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Saturday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 GMC Safari Van driven by Carla E. Munoz Jativa, 27, Maryille, was southbound on U.S. 71 at 220th Street one mile north of Wilcox.&nbsp;The driver lost control on a snow covered roadway. The van traveled off the west side of the road and struck a tree.&nbsp;Nodaway County ambulance transported Munoz Jativa, two adults and a baby boy all from Maryville to Mosaic in Maryville. All four were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

3 adults, infant injured after van strikes a tree

GENTRY COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Friday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Lincoln MKZ driven by Clay T. McClanahan, 37, Lansing, was northbound on U.S. 169 three miles north of King City.

The car crossed the center line, off the west side of the road and struck an embankment.

Grand River EMS transported McClanahan and passengers Stormy M. McClanahan, 33, and an infant to Mosaic in St. Joseph. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

GENTRY COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Friday in Gentry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Lincoln MKZ driven by Clay T. McClanahan, 37, Lansing, was northbound on U.S. 169 three miles north of King City.The car crossed the center line, off the west side of the road and struck an embankment.Grand River EMS transported McClanahan and passengers Stormy M. McClanahan, 33, and an infant to Mosaic in St. Joseph. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 adults, infant hospitalized in St. Joe after crash

With Thanksgiving in the rear-view window, downtown St. Joseph is turning its attention to Christmas as the holiday spirit comes alive this weekend.  

Filmmaker Jason Hudson says year after year they see many of the same families come downtown for Christmas making it a tradition for many. 

"For St. Joe residents to come out and participate, just like it is to see the lights down at Krug Park, a lot of families are making it a holiday tradition to come and see Santa, see the festivities downtown, and make it a part of their family tradition each year," Hudson tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. 

Downtown Liaison for Mosaic Life Care Christy George says the special part about many of the event's downtown is that they are free.  

"The carriage rides are free, we just encourage that while you're downtown that you visit all of the shops and merchants because those local businesses really depend on your local dollars and shopping local," George says. "So, most of the events that are downtown are free." 

The festivities begin tomorrow with the annual lighting ceremony, where new Police Chief Paul Luster will flip the switch, starting at 5:30pm. 

It's also Small Business Saturday featuring several specials at shops and restaurants.  

George says one more unique feature of the festivities downtown will be several pop-up shops.  

"A lot of the pop-up shops are local merchants who don't have an official brick and mortar but are crafting and ready to sell," George explains. "I know last year we had a lot of handmade jewelry, handmade candles, there was a sign making girl that I saw everybody coming out with these handmade signs that she made." 

The pop-up shops will be in the downtown concession building next to Coleman Hawkins Park every Saturday until December 23rd. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post With Thanksgiving in the rear-view window, downtown St. Joseph is turning its attention to Christmas as the holiday spirit comes alive this weekend. Filmmaker Jason Hudson says year after year they see many of the same families come downtown for Christmas making it a tradition for many. "For St. Joe residents to come out and participate, just like it is to see the lights down at Krug Park, a lot of families are making it a holiday tradition to come and see Santa, see the festivities downtown, and make it a part of their family tradition each year," Hudson tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. Downtown Liaison for Mosaic Life Care Christy George says the special part about many of the event's downtown is that they are free. "The carriage rides are free, we just encourage that while you're downtown that you visit all of the shops and merchants because those local businesses really depend on your local dollars and shopping local," George says. "So, most of the events that are downtown are free." The festivities begin tomorrow with the annual lighting ceremony, where new Police Chief Paul Luster will flip the switch, starting at 5:30pm. It's also Small Business Saturday featuring several specials at shops and restaurants. George says one more unique feature of the festivities downtown will be several pop-up shops. "A lot of the pop-up shops are local merchants who don't have an official brick and mortar but are crafting and ready to sell," George explains. "I know last year we had a lot of handmade jewelry, handmade candles, there was a sign making girl that I saw everybody coming out with these handmade signs that she made." The pop-up shops will be in the downtown concession building next to Coleman Hawkins Park every Saturday until December 23rd.

Christmas is coming to downtown St. Joseph this weekend

Missouri Governor Mike Parson has a tale to tell and he does
so in his forthcoming book, No Turnin’ Back.

Parson believes there’s something unique to his story.

“I don’t know that there’s ever going to be another one that
kind of comes from the ranks like I did,” Parson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “My
mom and dad were sharecroppers. I come from a little town. We didn’t have a lot
when I grew up.”

Parson, a Republican, grew up in the small town of Wheatland
in southwest Missouri.

Parson’s move to become governor is a story in and of itself.

Parson became governor in mid-2018, when, while serving as Lt.
Governor, he took over the office upon the resignation of then-Governor Eric
Greitens, who stepped down due to scandal.

Parson&nbsp; says he
tried to be honest in the book.

“As I went back through it, there’s some fun times in there,
some funny stories in there, there’s probably some stories in there once you
read it, you’ll think, why did I ever vote for that guy?” Parson says. “It
tells all about my life history and I’m pretty honest about it, even the times
I wasn’t a model citizen.”

Parson served as Polk County Sheriff before being elected to
the Missouri House of Representative, then the Missouri Senate. Parson won election
at the 47th Lieutenant Governor of Missouri in 2016. It would prove
pivotal. Parson, who had flirted with running for governor that year, became the state’s 57th Governor, sworn in June 1st of 2018, replacing
the disgraced Greitens.

Parson hopes his journey from poverty to the top office in the
state inspires others.

“I hope it turns out to be where people look at, look at that
story, and say, you know if that guy got to be governor, there’s no telling
what I could do, either.”

Parson wants Missourians to see the opportunities available
when they read about his life story.

“But the main thing I want people to realize (is) that no
matter where you come from, no matter what the beginnings were like, you can do
whatever you want to do if you, and for me, if you are willing to try it and have
the faith to believe you can,” Parson says.

Parson reflects on his faith in the book as well, declaring only God
can be the true author of the story of Mike Parson.

Net earnings from the sale of&nbsp;No Turnin' Back&nbsp;will go to
the Moving Missouri Forward Foundation, a nonprofit&nbsp;that supports Jobs for
America's&nbsp;Graduates–Missouri, children with special needs, and other
programs focused on children across Missouri.&nbsp;

No Turnin' Back&nbsp;will
be released in March 2024. You can find out more at&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.safeordering.com/G57__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Hhc2HmM5Vps1_nq1NQEEeATIYEiTOZYmMDaKXuSCXG825oRQGJqbFUWBIQSbAZi3GwhgNJNHLMsn8OXlrCHaH2P9cJyQpsluXAP_lQ%24" target="_blank">https://www.safeordering.com/G57</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700840571568.jpeg" alt="Gov. Mike Parson speaks during a visit to St. Joseph/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Mike Parson speaks during a visit to St. Joseph/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Governor Mike Parson has a tale to tell and he does
so in his forthcoming book, No Turnin’ Back.Parson believes there’s something unique to his story.“I don’t know that there’s ever going to be another one that
kind of comes from the ranks like I did,” Parson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “My
mom and dad were sharecroppers. I come from a little town. We didn’t have a lot
when I grew up.”Parson, a Republican, grew up in the small town of Wheatland
in southwest Missouri.Parson’s move to become governor is a story in and of itself.Parson became governor in mid-2018, when, while serving as Lt.
Governor, he took over the office upon the resignation of then-Governor Eric
Greitens, who stepped down due to scandal.Parson&nbsp; says he
tried to be honest in the book.“As I went back through it, there’s some fun times in there,
some funny stories in there, there’s probably some stories in there once you
read it, you’ll think, why did I ever vote for that guy?” Parson says. “It
tells all about my life history and I’m pretty honest about it, even the times
I wasn’t a model citizen.”Parson served as Polk County Sheriff before being elected to
the Missouri House of Representative, then the Missouri Senate. Parson won election
at the 47th Lieutenant Governor of Missouri in 2016. It would prove
pivotal. Parson, who had flirted with running for governor that year, became the state’s 57th Governor, sworn in June 1st of 2018, replacing
the disgraced Greitens.Parson hopes his journey from poverty to the top office in the
state inspires others.“I hope it turns out to be where people look at, look at that
story, and say, you know if that guy got to be governor, there’s no telling
what I could do, either.”Parson wants Missourians to see the opportunities available
when they read about his life story.“But the main thing I want people to realize (is) that no
matter where you come from, no matter what the beginnings were like, you can do
whatever you want to do if you, and for me, if you are willing to try it and have
the faith to believe you can,” Parson says.Parson reflects on his faith in the book as well, declaring only God
can be the true author of the story of Mike Parson.Net earnings from the sale of&nbsp;No Turnin' Back&nbsp;will go to
the Moving Missouri Forward Foundation, a nonprofit&nbsp;that supports Jobs for
America's&nbsp;Graduates–Missouri, children with special needs, and other
programs focused on children across Missouri.&nbsp;No Turnin' Back&nbsp;will
be released in March 2024. You can find out more at&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.safeordering.com/G57__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!Hhc2HmM5Vps1_nq1NQEEeATIYEiTOZYmMDaKXuSCXG825oRQGJqbFUWBIQSbAZi3GwhgNJNHLMsn8OXlrCHaH2P9cJyQpsluXAP_lQ%24" target="_blank">https://www.safeordering.com/G57</a>

Gov. Parson to tell his story in "No Turnin' Back"

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 2a.m. Friday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Dodge Ram driven by Andreti G. Bryant, 22, Cameron, was westbound on U.S. 36 at Sharp Road one mile west of Stewartsville.

The pickup traveled off the south side of the road and struck a ditch. DeKalb-Clinton ambulance transported Bryant to Cameron Regional Medical Center. The MSHP did not have seat belt usage details.

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 2a.m. Friday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Dodge Ram driven by Andreti G. Bryant, 22, Cameron, was westbound on U.S. 36 at Sharp Road one mile west of Stewartsville.The pickup traveled off the south side of the road and struck a ditch. DeKalb-Clinton ambulance transported Bryant to Cameron Regional Medical Center. The MSHP did not have seat belt usage details.

Missouri man injured after pickup crash

It's Black Friday, and that means it's also the final day of the 22nd annual Gregg Lynn's Christmas for Kids Toy Drive

JoeTown 107.5's Gregg Lynn says typically there is an uptick of donations on Black Friday

"People are out shopping and they'll bring in a couple of bags of stuff from Walmart or wherever they've been," Lynn tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And that's what we're looking for, if you're out shopping, buy an extra toy, buy an extra couple of toys it can be something on sale it's fine, and bring them out to us and we'll make sure to find it a home under a tree."

Lynn says he'll be live from the JoeTown studios all day today. 

"Encouraging you just to come to the radio station and drop off your toys and we'll have some folks set up in the front lobby, I'll be up there off and on throughout the entire day too, and just bring them out here to the radio station and you can drop them off here to us," Lynn explains. 

Donations of toys and money will help benefit Adopt-A-Family, the YWCA, the Noyes Home, and St. Joseph children in foster care. 

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostIt's Black Friday, and that means it's also the final day of the 22nd annual Gregg Lynn's Christmas for Kids Toy DriveJoeTown 107.5's Gregg Lynn says typically there is an uptick of donations on Black Friday"People are out shopping and they'll bring in a couple of bags of stuff from Walmart or wherever they've been," Lynn tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And that's what we're looking for, if you're out shopping, buy an extra toy, buy an extra couple of toys it can be something on sale it's fine, and bring them out to us and we'll make sure to find it a home under a tree."Lynn says he'll be live from the JoeTown studios all day today. "Encouraging you just to come to the radio station and drop off your toys and we'll have some folks set up in the front lobby, I'll be up there off and on throughout the entire day too, and just bring them out here to the radio station and you can drop them off here to us," Lynn explains. Donations of toys and money will help benefit Adopt-A-Family, the YWCA, the Noyes Home, and St. Joseph children in foster care.

Black Friday means the final day of the Gregg Lynn Christmas for Kids Toy Drive

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations.

On Tuesday, police arrested 43-year-old John D. Moman III of Kansas City, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He is being held on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court. He has previous convictions for drugs and obstruction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Moman was also jailed in 2014 and 2015 for failure to appear, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700663706047.png" alt="Moman" />
 <figcaption>Moman</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations.On Tuesday, police arrested 43-year-old John D. Moman III of Kansas City, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.He is being held on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court. He has previous convictions for drugs and obstruction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Moman was also jailed in 2014 and 2015 for failure to appear, according to online jail records.

Kansas felon jailed for allegedly skipping court

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

Economic headwinds, political actions of Chinese government make the country a bad investment, Malek contends

The board overseeing Missouri’s state employee pension plan voted down a proposal by state Treasurer Vivek Malek to sell off any investments in Chinese stocks and other securities.&nbsp;

On a voice vote last week, the 11-member board of the Missouri State Employees Retirement System rejected Malek’s call to punish the Asian economic powerhouse for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/Declassified-Assessment-on-COVID-19-Origins.pdf">COVID-19</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3288543/f-22-safely-shoots-down-chinese-spy-balloon-off-south-carolina-coast/">spy balloons</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-eight-indictments-against-china-based-chemical-manufacturing">the fentanyl crisis</a>&nbsp;by pulling its pension investments in the Asian economic powerhouse.

China has become a bad investment in recent years as its economy suffers from deflation, low population growth and an overbuilt housing market, Malek said in a Friday interview with The Independent. He also said China’s threatening posture towards Taiwan, and friendship with Russia, make investments there a bad choice.

“Given the economic decisions, and the economic projections, it is very clear that we should not be investing in China,” Malek said.

Doing business with China has become a political sore spot in the past few years. It was one of the first issues raised in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/09/29/china-becomes-the-first-flashpoint-of-missouri-gop-senate-primary/">2022 Republican Senate primary</a>&nbsp;in Missouri and this year, the Missouri House passed a bill to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/senate-committee-debates-bills-to-limit-foreign-ownership-of-missouri-farmland/">limit the sale of farmland</a>&nbsp;to investors from China and a handful of other countries. The bill died in the state Senate.

And the U.S. Senate in July voted to prohibit China, Iran, North Korea and Russia&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/26/u-s-senate-votes-to-curb-farmland-purchases-by-china-iran-north-korea-russia/">from purchasing U.S. farmland</a>.

MOSERS provides pensions to most of the state government workforce. It is supported by contributions from the state treasury, employee payroll deductions and investment income. In recent years, returns on the system’s portfolio, valued at $8.8 billion in June 2022, have not kept pace with growing liabilities.

In 2001, Missouri contributed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/08/27/new-cio-for-missouri-retirement-plan-arrives-under-cloud-of-kentucky-lawsuit/">12.3% of the state’s covered payroll</a>&nbsp;to MOSERS. The state contribution rate for fiscal 2022 was 23.51% and the trustees have asked that it be set at 28.75% for the coming fiscal year.

Investments in China represent about $200 million of MOSERS’s investment portfolio, Malek said.

Many of the issues between the U.S. and China were topics for a meeting this week in San Francisco between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi agreed to help curb fentanyl production, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-xi-jinping-takeaways-c8384d40661a32aa276ec8ca97f35003">Associated Press reported</a>, with Biden pressing Xi to refrain from sending military support to Russia and promise not to invade Taiwan.

“Those are issues of national interest for the United States and we should be looking at national interests” in state investments, Malek said.

Malek took office as treasurer in January after his appointment by Gov. Mike Parson and is seeking election to a full term in 2024. Two lawmakers, House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, and state Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, are also campaigning for the GOP nomination.

Malek has a seat on the 11-member MOSERS board because of his office, as does Commissioner of Administration Ken Zellers. The others are legislators, members of the pension system elected by other members, and appointees of the governor.

Two legislators reached for comment on Thursday’s vote were split. Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, anIndependence Democrat, voted against divestment, while Rep. Don Mayhew, a Crocker Republican, voted for it.

The MOSERS board should wait for guidance from the General Assembly on investments in China, Rizzo said.

“It was clearly being done for political purposes,” Rizzo said. “If this decision is going to be made, it should be done by the legislature.”

Mayhew said he supported Malek’s proposal and thinks it will be revisited at a future meeting.

“We were provided data that would tend to indicate that, at best, investing in China is a break even proposition, but recent history kind of indicates it’s probably a bad choice,” Mayhew said.

Soon after Russia invaded Ukraine, the MOSERS board voted to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/03/mosers-board-votes-to-divest-pension-fund-of-russia-linked-investments/">dump investments tied to Russia</a>&nbsp;and bar investment managers from making future purchases of Russian securities.

Chinese investments have similar issues, Malek said.

“The truth of the matter is that investing in Russia was not safe for us,” he said. “And so it’s not for China.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700664142952.png" alt="Vivek Malek speaks Dec. 20 after being announced as the next Missouri State Treasurer by Gov. Mike Parson (Photo courtesy Missouri Governor’s Office)." />
 <figcaption>Vivek Malek speaks Dec. 20 after being announced as the next Missouri State Treasurer by Gov. Mike Parson (Photo courtesy Missouri Governor’s Office).</figcaption>
 </figure>By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>Economic headwinds, political actions of Chinese government make the country a bad investment, Malek contends</h2>The board overseeing Missouri’s state employee pension plan voted down a proposal by state Treasurer Vivek Malek to sell off any investments in Chinese stocks and other securities.&nbsp;On a voice vote last week, the 11-member board of the Missouri State Employees Retirement System rejected Malek’s call to punish the Asian economic powerhouse for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/Declassified-Assessment-on-COVID-19-Origins.pdf">COVID-19</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3288543/f-22-safely-shoots-down-chinese-spy-balloon-off-south-carolina-coast/">spy balloons</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-eight-indictments-against-china-based-chemical-manufacturing">the fentanyl crisis</a>&nbsp;by pulling its pension investments in the Asian economic powerhouse.China has become a bad investment in recent years as its economy suffers from deflation, low population growth and an overbuilt housing market, Malek said in a Friday interview with The Independent. He also said China’s threatening posture towards Taiwan, and friendship with Russia, make investments there a bad choice.“Given the economic decisions, and the economic projections, it is very clear that we should not be investing in China,” Malek said.Doing business with China has become a political sore spot in the past few years. It was one of the first issues raised in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/09/29/china-becomes-the-first-flashpoint-of-missouri-gop-senate-primary/">2022 Republican Senate primary</a>&nbsp;in Missouri and this year, the Missouri House passed a bill to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/senate-committee-debates-bills-to-limit-foreign-ownership-of-missouri-farmland/">limit the sale of farmland</a>&nbsp;to investors from China and a handful of other countries. The bill died in the state Senate.And the U.S. Senate in July voted to prohibit China, Iran, North Korea and Russia&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/26/u-s-senate-votes-to-curb-farmland-purchases-by-china-iran-north-korea-russia/">from purchasing U.S. farmland</a>.MOSERS provides pensions to most of the state government workforce. It is supported by contributions from the state treasury, employee payroll deductions and investment income. In recent years, returns on the system’s portfolio, valued at $8.8 billion in June 2022, have not kept pace with growing liabilities.In 2001, Missouri contributed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/08/27/new-cio-for-missouri-retirement-plan-arrives-under-cloud-of-kentucky-lawsuit/">12.3% of the state’s covered payroll</a>&nbsp;to MOSERS. The state contribution rate for fiscal 2022 was 23.51% and the trustees have asked that it be set at 28.75% for the coming fiscal year.Investments in China represent about $200 million of MOSERS’s investment portfolio, Malek said.Many of the issues between the U.S. and China were topics for a meeting this week in San Francisco between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi agreed to help curb fentanyl production, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-xi-jinping-takeaways-c8384d40661a32aa276ec8ca97f35003">Associated Press reported</a>, with Biden pressing Xi to refrain from sending military support to Russia and promise not to invade Taiwan.“Those are issues of national interest for the United States and we should be looking at national interests” in state investments, Malek said.Malek took office as treasurer in January after his appointment by Gov. Mike Parson and is seeking election to a full term in 2024. Two lawmakers, House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, and state Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, are also campaigning for the GOP nomination.Malek has a seat on the 11-member MOSERS board because of his office, as does Commissioner of Administration Ken Zellers. The others are legislators, members of the pension system elected by other members, and appointees of the governor.Two legislators reached for comment on Thursday’s vote were split. Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, anIndependence Democrat, voted against divestment, while Rep. Don Mayhew, a Crocker Republican, voted for it.The MOSERS board should wait for guidance from the General Assembly on investments in China, Rizzo said.“It was clearly being done for political purposes,” Rizzo said. “If this decision is going to be made, it should be done by the legislature.”Mayhew said he supported Malek’s proposal and thinks it will be revisited at a future meeting.“We were provided data that would tend to indicate that, at best, investing in China is a break even proposition, but recent history kind of indicates it’s probably a bad choice,” Mayhew said.Soon after Russia invaded Ukraine, the MOSERS board voted to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/03/mosers-board-votes-to-divest-pension-fund-of-russia-linked-investments/">dump investments tied to Russia</a>&nbsp;and bar investment managers from making future purchases of Russian securities.Chinese investments have similar issues, Malek said.“The truth of the matter is that investing in Russia was not safe for us,” he said. “And so it’s not for China.”

Missouri pension board rejects push by Vivek Malek for China divestment

What to do with Lake Contrary, a question before the Buchanan
County Commission, which is trying to decide whether restoring the lake would
be worth the cost and effort.

Presiding Commissioner Scott Nelson says a company has bid $118,000
to kill the weeds covering the 350 acres of what used to be a lake. Spraying
would be necessary before dredging could begin.

“To dredge the entire lake, if, again if we were to do that,
it’s a three-year project,” Nelson tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “The
dredging season runs from April 1st to, I believe, the end of
November and it’s going to take three seasons to do that.”

Dredging is the big “if” in the discussion.

Dredging would take time and cost millions. There is no
dredging bid before the commission, but Nelson says it would take three seasons
and cost up to $9 million. Dredging, though, cannot begin until the overgrowth is
tackled. Vegetation, or weeds if you prefer, cover the 350 acres of what once
was a lake. A South Carolina company has submitted a bid of $118,000 to kill
the weeds, right down to their roots. The commission has 90 days to decide
whether it wants to accept the bid. A few days have passed since the company
submitted the bid.

Nelson says if the commission accepts the bid, it is committed
to seeing the project through.

“You don’t just use that and not dredge,” Nelson says. “You’re
not going to use that and not dredge. So, that’s why I say we have an 85-ish day
window to determine whether to accept that bid.”

Talk of Lake Contrary always reflects on its glorious past and
bemoans years, perhaps decades, of neglect.

Though it never will be what it once was, Lake Contrary could
provide something Buchanan County needs, according to Nelson.

“I think it would be important to have a recreational lake.
That’s, I think, what’s important,” Nelson says. “A recreational lake, define
that as maybe you have an area that you can jet ski, maybe you have an area you
can pontoon, maybe you have an area where you can ski; different areas of the
lake.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700595005392.jpeg" alt="A beach, but no water at Lake Contrary/file photo" />
 <figcaption>A beach, but no water at Lake Contrary/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostWhat to do with Lake Contrary, a question before the Buchanan
County Commission, which is trying to decide whether restoring the lake would
be worth the cost and effort.Presiding Commissioner Scott Nelson says a company has bid $118,000
to kill the weeds covering the 350 acres of what used to be a lake. Spraying
would be necessary before dredging could begin.“To dredge the entire lake, if, again if we were to do that,
it’s a three-year project,” Nelson tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “The
dredging season runs from April 1st to, I believe, the end of
November and it’s going to take three seasons to do that.”Dredging is the big “if” in the discussion.Dredging would take time and cost millions. There is no
dredging bid before the commission, but Nelson says it would take three seasons
and cost up to $9 million. Dredging, though, cannot begin until the overgrowth is
tackled. Vegetation, or weeds if you prefer, cover the 350 acres of what once
was a lake. A South Carolina company has submitted a bid of $118,000 to kill
the weeds, right down to their roots. The commission has 90 days to decide
whether it wants to accept the bid. A few days have passed since the company
submitted the bid.Nelson says if the commission accepts the bid, it is committed
to seeing the project through.“You don’t just use that and not dredge,” Nelson says. “You’re
not going to use that and not dredge. So, that’s why I say we have an 85-ish day
window to determine whether to accept that bid.”Talk of Lake Contrary always reflects on its glorious past and
bemoans years, perhaps decades, of neglect.Though it never will be what it once was, Lake Contrary could
provide something Buchanan County needs, according to Nelson.“I think it would be important to have a recreational lake.
That’s, I think, what’s important,” Nelson says. “A recreational lake, define
that as maybe you have an area that you can jet ski, maybe you have an area you
can pontoon, maybe you have an area where you can ski; different areas of the
lake.”<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/The-mysterious-case-of-what-should-be-done-with-Lake-Contrary-e2c801d" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700595062578.jpeg" alt="Lake Contrary/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Lake Contrary/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>

Buchanan County considering the future of Lake Contrary

Regional charities which feed the needy have benefited from a
donation provided by Mosaic Life Care.

As part of being presented the Servant’s Heart award by
Mosaic, Advanced Practice Provider Charles Chatfield directed a $500 donation
to area food banks.

The Open Door Food Kitchen’s Katie Burris says demand at the
downtown St. Joseph facility has been increasing.

“We see a lot of people coming in, in need of a meal,” Burris
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Our numbers have increased significantly here in
the past six months. We’ve gone up over 200 meals a day that we prepare.”

Burris says the food kitchen has not been able to determine
exactly what is causing the increase in demand, but she says the Open Door Food
Kitchen has been able to continue to meet the need.

“We are meeting the demand,” Burris says. “It was a little
scary in the beginning, because we can’t run out of food. We serve from 11 to
12:30 every day. Making sure that last half hour we have plenty of food for a
fresh person that just walks in has been a little bit of a struggle, but we’ve
been managing it.”

Money is also going to Maryville and Albany.

Tim Dean with the Ministry Center in Maryville says such
donations help a great deal.

“This goes a long way,” Dean tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Well,
we survive on that. We survive on these kinds of donations.”

Dean says the ministry in Maryville has seen steady demand.

“There is a good demand and the need for people to be able to
get this opportunity to get food and/or clothing,” according to Dean.

The food pantry in Albany will also get some of the money.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700596880632.jpeg" alt="Open Door Food Kitchen/Photo by Tommy Rezac" />
 <figcaption>Open Door Food Kitchen/Photo by Tommy Rezac</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostRegional charities which feed the needy have benefited from a
donation provided by Mosaic Life Care.As part of being presented the Servant’s Heart award by
Mosaic, Advanced Practice Provider Charles Chatfield directed a $500 donation
to area food banks.The Open Door Food Kitchen’s Katie Burris says demand at the
downtown St. Joseph facility has been increasing.“We see a lot of people coming in, in need of a meal,” Burris
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Our numbers have increased significantly here in
the past six months. We’ve gone up over 200 meals a day that we prepare.”Burris says the food kitchen has not been able to determine
exactly what is causing the increase in demand, but she says the Open Door Food
Kitchen has been able to continue to meet the need.“We are meeting the demand,” Burris says. “It was a little
scary in the beginning, because we can’t run out of food. We serve from 11 to
12:30 every day. Making sure that last half hour we have plenty of food for a
fresh person that just walks in has been a little bit of a struggle, but we’ve
been managing it.”Money is also going to Maryville and Albany.Tim Dean with the Ministry Center in Maryville says such
donations help a great deal.“This goes a long way,” Dean tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Well,
we survive on that. We survive on these kinds of donations.”Dean says the ministry in Maryville has seen steady demand.“There is a good demand and the need for people to be able to
get this opportunity to get food and/or clothing,” according to Dean.The food pantry in Albany will also get some of the money.

Donation will help feed hungry in St. Joseph, Maryville, and Albany

More than 31 rural bridges have been repaired in northern Missouri thanks to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Farm Bridge program. 

The replacements were funded by a $20.8 million Competitive Highway Bridge Program grant from the Federal Highway Administration in 2018, as well as $5.2 million from the Missouri Department of Transportation. 

Project director Jeff Gander says completing the project is big for the area as many of the bridges were in various states of deterioration.  

"A lot of them they were the old type bridge where the drainage from the bridge just drained off the edge through what we call weep holes, and that's where all that salt that we put on the road gets concentrated," Gander tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, on the overhang of the bridge, where that water runs off the edge, that's where they get really, really deteriorated on the edges." 

Gander says many of the bridges had been built between the 1930's and 1950's and were not designed for the loads being put on them these days. 

The Farm Bridge program repaired bridges focusing on four key areas: in poor condition, weight restricted, one lane bridges, and supported by timber piling.  

Gander says out of the bridges that were repaired, none stood out as more damaged than others.  

"As for some of them, if one bridge jumps out at me as being ready to fall down, not really," Gander explains. "We inspect these bridges every year or two years depending on a few other factors, so we know what shape they're in and if they were in really, really bad shape we would have already closed it." 

Gander says the grant that helped fund the bridge project was important, because MoDOT has many projects and only so much state funding.  

Now that this project is completed, Gander says MoDOT will now turn its attention to another bridge project in the northwest part of Missouri.  

"They're in their procurement process right now, I don't know exactly how many bridges they have I think it's in the neighborhood of 30, and they're working with some contractor and consultant teams right now to develop proposals to put that project in motion as well," Gander says. "So, it's kind of the same model as we used but it's using just our normal STIP funds." 

Gander says the project is called a bridge bundle project, focusing on a number of bridges, adding that bundling so many projects together provide high value.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700584148787.jpeg" alt="The Farm Bridge program repaired 31 bridges in northern rural Missouri/Photo courtesy of the office of Congressman Sam Graves" />
 <figcaption>The Farm Bridge program repaired 31 bridges in northern rural Missouri/Photo courtesy of the office of Congressman Sam Graves</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post More than 31 rural bridges have been repaired in northern Missouri thanks to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Farm Bridge program. The replacements were funded by a $20.8 million Competitive Highway Bridge Program grant from the Federal Highway Administration in 2018, as well as $5.2 million from the Missouri Department of Transportation. Project director Jeff Gander says completing the project is big for the area as many of the bridges were in various states of deterioration. "A lot of them they were the old type bridge where the drainage from the bridge just drained off the edge through what we call weep holes, and that's where all that salt that we put on the road gets concentrated," Gander tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, on the overhang of the bridge, where that water runs off the edge, that's where they get really, really deteriorated on the edges." Gander says many of the bridges had been built between the 1930's and 1950's and were not designed for the loads being put on them these days. The Farm Bridge program repaired bridges focusing on four key areas: in poor condition, weight restricted, one lane bridges, and supported by timber piling. Gander says out of the bridges that were repaired, none stood out as more damaged than others. "As for some of them, if one bridge jumps out at me as being ready to fall down, not really," Gander explains. "We inspect these bridges every year or two years depending on a few other factors, so we know what shape they're in and if they were in really, really bad shape we would have already closed it." Gander says the grant that helped fund the bridge project was important, because MoDOT has many projects and only so much state funding. Now that this project is completed, Gander says MoDOT will now turn its attention to another bridge project in the northwest part of Missouri. "They're in their procurement process right now, I don't know exactly how many bridges they have I think it's in the neighborhood of 30, and they're working with some contractor and consultant teams right now to develop proposals to put that project in motion as well," Gander says. "So, it's kind of the same model as we used but it's using just our normal STIP funds." Gander says the project is called a bridge bundle project, focusing on a number of bridges, adding that bundling so many projects together provide high value.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/MoDOT-completes-Farm-Bridge-program-on-31-Missouri-bridges-e2c7mvl" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700584215115.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Congressman Sam Graves office" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Congressman Sam Graves office</figcaption>
 </figure>

Long neglected bridges in northern Missouri get needed repairs

As advocates are eager to expand eligibility for use of public funds for private schools, MOScholars participants face months-long waits for tuition aid

By ANNELISE HANSHAW,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/30/open-enrollment-missouri-school-choice/">Missouri Independent</a>

When students returned to classrooms around Missouri in August, only 601 had secured a scholarship through the MOScholars program as a returning recipient — half as many as were in the program in May.&nbsp;

There were also 247 first-time participants.&nbsp;

Three months into the school year, MOScholars has ballooned to 829 returning students and 675 new students. Lawmakers and the Missouri Treasurer’s Office participation in the program, which is designed to use tax credits to provide scholarships for families to pay costs to attend private schools, will continue to climb until the end of January when the funding cycle is complete.

Even though demand for the scholarships is understandably highest just before the school year begins, the way the program was built by lawmakers means funding often doesn’t show up until the end of the calendar year — leaving families scrambling and private organizations trying to offset costs in the fall.

The program’s biggest proponents acknowledge a fix is needed. But even incremental changes to education policy are met with skepticism in the Missouri legislature, which barely passed MOScholars in the first place in 2021. Compounding that challenge is the goal of school-choice advocates to expand student eligibility, even as current participants and the organizations administering scholarships struggle to navigate structural issues.

“We have thousands of kids, students and families that want to participate in this program, and the resources aren’t out there through the tax credit program,” Jean Evans, Missouri state lead for the American Federation for Children, a large proponent of state funding for K-12 scholarships.

MOScholar’s K-12 scholarships are funded by donations that come with a 100% tax credit for the donor. The tax credits donors claim come out of the state’s general fund.

Six educational assistance organizations, overseen by the State Treasurer’s Office, apply for tax credits each year. Individuals and companies can donate up to half of their state taxes to the organizations and receive a tax credit.

Funding for the program follows the tax year, with many taxpayers squeezing in donations before the Dec. 31 deadline and educational assistance organizations using those funds in January.

“They are raising money and deploying it at the same time,” Evans said. “They really need enough money there so that they’re raising money for the next year.”

She said some programs wait until they have enough money to fund the rest of a student’s K-12 education before awarding a scholarship.

But Missouri’s program, passed in the 2021 legislative session, was implemented in the fall of 2022 — a quick start with little promotion other than word of mouth.

Ashlie Hand, director of communications for Bright Futures Fund, the state’s largest EAO, said the timeline of the tax credits is a barrier for some families.

The donation must be made by December 31, so the taxpayer will be out of that money until it’s time to file taxes and the credit is realized. It might be keeping some individuals from cashing in a check to the EAOs.

Some have hope that the current situation will dissipate as the tax-credit process is demystified and corporations donate to the program for a tax credit.

“The treasurer’s office has taken a vested interest in trying to promote the program,” David Masterson, MOScholars program supervisor, told The Independent. “Treasurer [Vivek] Malek actually recorded a PSA trying to raise awareness about the tax credit portion to increase donations in addition to the efforts that the EAOs are currently doing to raise those funds.”

All six EAOs have a preference for religious schools, and their strong connection to Catholic schools and parishes has landed MOScholars&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://container.parishesonline.com/bulletins/02/0939/20230226B.pdf">advertisements in church bulletins</a>&nbsp;and tabs on school webpages.

Herzog Tomorrow Foundation,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/10/nonprofit-near-kansas-city-seeks-to-become-epicenter-of-the-school-choice-movement/">an EAO in Smithville that sponsors scholarships statewide</a>, has a podcast that advocates for parents to “<a target="_blank" href="https://makingtheleap.buzzsprout.com/">make the leap</a>” to private Christian education. It also discusses the tax-credit donation process.

“A lot of taxpayers would be very interested in contributing, they just don’t necessarily know how,” state Rep. Phil Christofanelli, a Republican from St. Peters running for Missouri Senate, told The Independent.

Christofanelli sponsored the bill that created the MOScholars program.

“It costs you nothing to contribute your state income tax liability to a child in need that wants to attend a school of their choice, and a lot of parents and donors are interested in that,” he said. “We just need to get the message out about how to do it and make it as seamless for them as possible.”

Beyond advertising the program, educational assistance organizations have been using their own funds to help students obtain a MOScholars scholarship in the fall.

This year, educational assistance organizations have begun using their private funds to cover student scholarships at the beginning of the school year and pay themselves back. It allowed some EAOs to welcome more students back at the start of the school year with their full scholarship amount.

The Treasurer’s office thought only Bright Futures Fund was doing this. But,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/missouri-s-private-school-voucher-program-has-more-students-than-donors/article_d7ac30c6-78e9-11ee-9075-7f0651e39ed7.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter_stltoday">as reported in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>, Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation has said it uses its funds to front expenses.&nbsp;

The Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation also has a private scholarship program separate from MOScholars.

But not all EAOs are prefunding scholarships, leaving some students without the promised funding in the fall.

The scholarship automatically renews if the parent or student requests, but it can’t be awarded until the funds are secured. Evans said some schools are being gracious to the MOScholars students trapped between renewal and receiving funds.

“Some of the schools are letting the kids enroll and waiting for the money to come in,” she said. “Other schools are asking them to pay what they can until the money comes in, and then extra is refunded.”

Some organizations are also waiving the administrative fees that they are allowed to take from donations. By state statute, EAOs can take 10% of the first $250,000 raised, 8% of the next $500,000 and 3% thereafter.

“Several of the CEOs took less than the maximum administrative takedown,” Masterson said. “They took less from the program to try to get this program off the ground and get these kids in schools.”

Chris Vas, senior director at the Herzog Foundation,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/10/nonprofit-near-kansas-city-seeks-to-become-epicenter-of-the-school-choice-movement/">previously told The Independent</a>&nbsp;that the foundation donated $800,000 back to the program in administrative fees after the first year.

As of early November, the Herzog Tomorrow Foundation has renewed 186 scholarships, compared to last year’s 598 total scholarships. The organization has added no new students to the program.

There could be more students in classrooms awaiting funding to be processed by foundation.

Almost $5.9 million in donations have been given to the educational assistance organizations this year. In total, the organizations requested $18 million in tax credits for 2023.

The program, cash-strapped and worn thin by an incompatible funding cycle, is seen as a beacon of opportunity for some lawmakers who speak about expanding it despite controversy in the Missouri General Assembly surrounding the policy.

Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Kansas City Democrat, told The Independent she was involved in the 2021 negotiations surrounding&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills211/hlrbillspdf/0711H.03T.pdf">the bill that created MOScholars</a>. There were two versions of the legislation — a more thoroughly vetted copy and the one some leaders thought could pass.

“This less well-vetted bill got through, and it was mostly because there were a handful of people in leadership positions that saw this as a priority” she said. They used all of their tools and their muscle to get through the version that they thought stood the best chance of passing.”&nbsp;

Christofanelli proposed in the 2023 legislative session to raise the scholarship amount for students with an individualized education plan, a document that outlines services to help disabled students’ learning.

His bill passed out of committee but was not debated in the House, and he has even bigger ideas in mind.

“​​If you look across the country, states like Iowa that surround us, Arkansas and others have been pushing towards universal school choice programs where all kids are eligible, all kids can participate if they want to,” he said. “That’s the direction I’d really like to see Missouri go.”

Currently, the MOScholars program is open to students whose families meet certain low-income thresholds and students with an individualized education plan (IEP). Just under a third of scholarship recipients are students with IEPs, according to data from the treasurer’s office.

Bills proposing to expand the number of students eligible for the scholarship do not make it far in the legislative process.

Sen. Andrew Koenig, who is running for State Treasurer in 2024, filed a bill last session to strike the income requirements and allow families of any income level to access the scholarship. It passed out of the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee, which Koenig chairs, but didn’t come up for debate in the Senate.

State Rep. Josh Hurlbert, who works for the Herzog Tomorrow Foundation as a scholarship coordinator, filed six bills proposing modifications to the program. One would have scrapped the existing educational assistance organizations and tax-credit model for a state appropriation overseen by a board.

His bills never gained any traction, and Hurlbert declined a request for comment.&nbsp;

Some, like Evans and other advocates, see a solution in adding a state appropriation to the program. Other states have taken this approach.

Arthur said a state appropriation was not part of 2021 negotiations.

“(Proponents) understood that any attempt to try and divert public dollars directly to these institutions would be met with a lot of criticism and opposition,” she said. “We all ultimately understood these are really just like vouchers that are being disguised as scholarships and that it would ultimately hurt our public schools. But this was a way that they argued that we could go around having to directly appropriate for this kind of program.”

Arthur voted against the bill’s passage in the Senate’s final vote.

Malek has not made a public statement on a change to the funding mechanism, such as adding a state appropriation, but is a proponent for opening the program to all of Missouri’s towns. MOScholars is currently limited to Missouri’s most populous areas.

<h2>As advocates are eager to expand eligibility for use of public funds for private schools, MOScholars participants face months-long waits for tuition aid</h2>By ANNELISE HANSHAW,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/30/open-enrollment-missouri-school-choice/">Missouri Independent</a>When students returned to classrooms around Missouri in August, only 601 had secured a scholarship through the MOScholars program as a returning recipient — half as many as were in the program in May.&nbsp;There were also 247 first-time participants.&nbsp;Three months into the school year, MOScholars has ballooned to 829 returning students and 675 new students. Lawmakers and the Missouri Treasurer’s Office participation in the program, which is designed to use tax credits to provide scholarships for families to pay costs to attend private schools, will continue to climb until the end of January when the funding cycle is complete.Even though demand for the scholarships is understandably highest just before the school year begins, the way the program was built by lawmakers means funding often doesn’t show up until the end of the calendar year — leaving families scrambling and private organizations trying to offset costs in the fall.The program’s biggest proponents acknowledge a fix is needed. But even incremental changes to education policy are met with skepticism in the Missouri legislature, which barely passed MOScholars in the first place in 2021. Compounding that challenge is the goal of school-choice advocates to expand student eligibility, even as current participants and the organizations administering scholarships struggle to navigate structural issues.“We have thousands of kids, students and families that want to participate in this program, and the resources aren’t out there through the tax credit program,” Jean Evans, Missouri state lead for the American Federation for Children, a large proponent of state funding for K-12 scholarships.<h2>Funding</h2>MOScholar’s K-12 scholarships are funded by donations that come with a 100% tax credit for the donor. The tax credits donors claim come out of the state’s general fund.Six educational assistance organizations, overseen by the State Treasurer’s Office, apply for tax credits each year. Individuals and companies can donate up to half of their state taxes to the organizations and receive a tax credit.Funding for the program follows the tax year, with many taxpayers squeezing in donations before the Dec. 31 deadline and educational assistance organizations using those funds in January.“They are raising money and deploying it at the same time,” Evans said. “They really need enough money there so that they’re raising money for the next year.”She said some programs wait until they have enough money to fund the rest of a student’s K-12 education before awarding a scholarship.But Missouri’s program, passed in the 2021 legislative session, was implemented in the fall of 2022 — a quick start with little promotion other than word of mouth.Ashlie Hand, director of communications for Bright Futures Fund, the state’s largest EAO, said the timeline of the tax credits is a barrier for some families.The donation must be made by December 31, so the taxpayer will be out of that money until it’s time to file taxes and the credit is realized. It might be keeping some individuals from cashing in a check to the EAOs.Some have hope that the current situation will dissipate as the tax-credit process is demystified and corporations donate to the program for a tax credit.“The treasurer’s office has taken a vested interest in trying to promote the program,” David Masterson, MOScholars program supervisor, told The Independent. “Treasurer [Vivek] Malek actually recorded a PSA trying to raise awareness about the tax credit portion to increase donations in addition to the efforts that the EAOs are currently doing to raise those funds.”All six EAOs have a preference for religious schools, and their strong connection to Catholic schools and parishes has landed MOScholars&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://container.parishesonline.com/bulletins/02/0939/20230226B.pdf">advertisements in church bulletins</a>&nbsp;and tabs on school webpages.Herzog Tomorrow Foundation,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/10/nonprofit-near-kansas-city-seeks-to-become-epicenter-of-the-school-choice-movement/">an EAO in Smithville that sponsors scholarships statewide</a>, has a podcast that advocates for parents to “<a target="_blank" href="https://makingtheleap.buzzsprout.com/">make the leap</a>” to private Christian education. It also discusses the tax-credit donation process.“A lot of taxpayers would be very interested in contributing, they just don’t necessarily know how,” state Rep. Phil Christofanelli, a Republican from St. Peters running for Missouri Senate, told The Independent.Christofanelli sponsored the bill that created the MOScholars program.“It costs you nothing to contribute your state income tax liability to a child in need that wants to attend a school of their choice, and a lot of parents and donors are interested in that,” he said. “We just need to get the message out about how to do it and make it as seamless for them as possible.”Beyond advertising the program, educational assistance organizations have been using their own funds to help students obtain a MOScholars scholarship in the fall.This year, educational assistance organizations have begun using their private funds to cover student scholarships at the beginning of the school year and pay themselves back. It allowed some EAOs to welcome more students back at the start of the school year with their full scholarship amount.The Treasurer’s office thought only Bright Futures Fund was doing this. But,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/missouri-s-private-school-voucher-program-has-more-students-than-donors/article_d7ac30c6-78e9-11ee-9075-7f0651e39ed7.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter_stltoday">as reported in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>, Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation has said it uses its funds to front expenses.&nbsp;The Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation also has a private scholarship program separate from MOScholars.But not all EAOs are prefunding scholarships, leaving some students without the promised funding in the fall.The scholarship automatically renews if the parent or student requests, but it can’t be awarded until the funds are secured. Evans said some schools are being gracious to the MOScholars students trapped between renewal and receiving funds.“Some of the schools are letting the kids enroll and waiting for the money to come in,” she said. “Other schools are asking them to pay what they can until the money comes in, and then extra is refunded.”Some organizations are also waiving the administrative fees that they are allowed to take from donations. By state statute, EAOs can take 10% of the first $250,000 raised, 8% of the next $500,000 and 3% thereafter.“Several of the CEOs took less than the maximum administrative takedown,” Masterson said. “They took less from the program to try to get this program off the ground and get these kids in schools.”Chris Vas, senior director at the Herzog Foundation,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/10/nonprofit-near-kansas-city-seeks-to-become-epicenter-of-the-school-choice-movement/">previously told The Independent</a>&nbsp;that the foundation donated $800,000 back to the program in administrative fees after the first year.As of early November, the Herzog Tomorrow Foundation has renewed 186 scholarships, compared to last year’s 598 total scholarships. The organization has added no new students to the program.There could be more students in classrooms awaiting funding to be processed by foundation.Almost $5.9 million in donations have been given to the educational assistance organizations this year. In total, the organizations requested $18 million in tax credits for 2023.<h2>Legislation</h2>The program, cash-strapped and worn thin by an incompatible funding cycle, is seen as a beacon of opportunity for some lawmakers who speak about expanding it despite controversy in the Missouri General Assembly surrounding the policy.Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Kansas City Democrat, told The Independent she was involved in the 2021 negotiations surrounding&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills211/hlrbillspdf/0711H.03T.pdf">the bill that created MOScholars</a>. There were two versions of the legislation — a more thoroughly vetted copy and the one some leaders thought could pass.“This less well-vetted bill got through, and it was mostly because there were a handful of people in leadership positions that saw this as a priority” she said. They used all of their tools and their muscle to get through the version that they thought stood the best chance of passing.”&nbsp;Christofanelli proposed in the 2023 legislative session to raise the scholarship amount for students with an individualized education plan, a document that outlines services to help disabled students’ learning.His bill passed out of committee but was not debated in the House, and he has even bigger ideas in mind.“​​If you look across the country, states like Iowa that surround us, Arkansas and others have been pushing towards universal school choice programs where all kids are eligible, all kids can participate if they want to,” he said. “That’s the direction I’d really like to see Missouri go.”Currently, the MOScholars program is open to students whose families meet certain low-income thresholds and students with an individualized education plan (IEP). Just under a third of scholarship recipients are students with IEPs, according to data from the treasurer’s office.Bills proposing to expand the number of students eligible for the scholarship do not make it far in the legislative process.Sen. Andrew Koenig, who is running for State Treasurer in 2024, filed a bill last session to strike the income requirements and allow families of any income level to access the scholarship. It passed out of the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee, which Koenig chairs, but didn’t come up for debate in the Senate.State Rep. Josh Hurlbert, who works for the Herzog Tomorrow Foundation as a scholarship coordinator, filed six bills proposing modifications to the program. One would have scrapped the existing educational assistance organizations and tax-credit model for a state appropriation overseen by a board.His bills never gained any traction, and Hurlbert declined a request for comment.&nbsp;Some, like Evans and other advocates, see a solution in adding a state appropriation to the program. Other states have taken this approach.Arthur said a state appropriation was not part of 2021 negotiations.“(Proponents) understood that any attempt to try and divert public dollars directly to these institutions would be met with a lot of criticism and opposition,” she said. “We all ultimately understood these are really just like vouchers that are being disguised as scholarships and that it would ultimately hurt our public schools. But this was a way that they argued that we could go around having to directly appropriate for this kind of program.”Arthur voted against the bill’s passage in the Senate’s final vote.Malek has not made a public statement on a change to the funding mechanism, such as adding a state appropriation, but is a proponent for opening the program to all of Missouri’s towns. MOScholars is currently limited to Missouri’s most populous areas.He recommended the legislature expand the geographic regions and allow professional examinations of disability to qualify as an IEP in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.semissourian.com/story/3015394.html">column in the Southeast Missourian</a>.“I think all Missouri kids and their families should be able to consider the MoScholars option, whether they live in Ladue or in Laddonia, or in St. Louis City or in Sikeston,” he wrote.Evans said she’s heard people in rural parts of the state desire to be included in the program.Arthur said the bill may not have passed in 2021 had it covered the whole state.“There were people who opposed the idea because they didn’t want it for their communities. But as soon as their communities were carved out, they were willing to vote for it,” she said.Arthur is skeptical any efforts to expand MOScholars will get traction, since these types of education bills must balance priorities of both school-choice and public-school advocates to stand any chance at all.“Most of the legislation dies under its own weight because there are too many things attached to it,” she said.Instead, Arthur would like to see the legislature analyze the effectiveness of the MOScholars program and look at transparency measures.“There has to be a bigger conversation about the program and is it working? Or is it money that’s being given to private religious schools for students who were already attending those schools?” she said. “It’s worth going back and evaluating it from a policy standpoint.”Changes to the program’s method of funding would have to come through the legislature. Otherwise, the Treasurer’s office controls when the funds are released.

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