Missouri residents
62 and older could see their property taxes frozen under a bill passing the
Missouri Senate and moving to the House.

State Sen. Tony
Luetkemeyer sponsors the bill which is a clean-up of legislation approved last
year. Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville, says the legislation responds
to recent hikes in property taxes.

“The purpose
behind that is we’ve seen, particularly in a lot of the metropolitan areas in
and around Kansas City and St. Louis, huge increases in the assessed valuations
for real estate property,” Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “It’s caused
many seniors who are on fixed incomes to be put in the spot of potentially being
taxed out of their home.”

Luetkemeyer
succeeded in getting his measure through the legislature last year and signed
into law. But that legislation restricted the tax break to those receiving
Social Security. The follow up legislation expands the measure to any Missouri
property owner 62 and older.

“There are a lot
of seniors that are not eligible for Social Security, because they receive
public pensions,” Luetkemeyer explains. “So, for example, school teachers, firefighters,
police officers. And so, one of the things that I did this year is I filed a clean-up
bill that would expand the eligibility to all seniors who are age 62 and older
rather than seniors who just qualify for Social Security.”

The measure has
passed the Senate and been sent to the House.

Luetkemeyer has
asked House leadership to pick up the measure and send it on to the governor
rather than risk amending it and returning it to the Senate.

“The Senate has
been a little touch and go, to say the least, this session,” says Luetkemeyer. “This
is probably the slowest start to a legislative session we’ve had in the six
years that I’ve been in the Senate and there’s a host of different reasons for
that. My fear is if the House were to amend the bill and send it back to the
Senate during the last couple of weeks of session, it might be difficult for me
to get it passed and to the governor’s desk.”

A property tax
freeze for senior citizens is up to each county to enact. It can be done with a
vote of the county commission or placed on the ballot through initiative
petition.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712675664918.jpeg" alt="Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer/Missouri Senate photo" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer/Missouri Senate photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri residents
62 and older could see their property taxes frozen under a bill passing the
Missouri Senate and moving to the House.State Sen. Tony
Luetkemeyer sponsors the bill which is a clean-up of legislation approved last
year. Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville, says the legislation responds
to recent hikes in property taxes.“The purpose
behind that is we’ve seen, particularly in a lot of the metropolitan areas in
and around Kansas City and St. Louis, huge increases in the assessed valuations
for real estate property,” Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “It’s caused
many seniors who are on fixed incomes to be put in the spot of potentially being
taxed out of their home.”Luetkemeyer
succeeded in getting his measure through the legislature last year and signed
into law. But that legislation restricted the tax break to those receiving
Social Security. The follow up legislation expands the measure to any Missouri
property owner 62 and older.“There are a lot
of seniors that are not eligible for Social Security, because they receive
public pensions,” Luetkemeyer explains. “So, for example, school teachers, firefighters,
police officers. And so, one of the things that I did this year is I filed a clean-up
bill that would expand the eligibility to all seniors who are age 62 and older
rather than seniors who just qualify for Social Security.”The measure has
passed the Senate and been sent to the House.Luetkemeyer has
asked House leadership to pick up the measure and send it on to the governor
rather than risk amending it and returning it to the Senate.“The Senate has
been a little touch and go, to say the least, this session,” says Luetkemeyer. “This
is probably the slowest start to a legislative session we’ve had in the six
years that I’ve been in the Senate and there’s a host of different reasons for
that. My fear is if the House were to amend the bill and send it back to the
Senate during the last couple of weeks of session, it might be difficult for me
to get it passed and to the governor’s desk.”A property tax
freeze for senior citizens is up to each county to enact. It can be done with a
vote of the county commission or placed on the ballot through initiative
petition.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri senior citizens property tax break could be expanded

After a win in the U.S. Supreme Court last year, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a new lawsuit challenging the Department of Education’s second attempt at loan forgiveness

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

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is seeking to squash a nearly eight-month-old program that has waived&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/02/21/fact-sheet-president-biden-cancels-student-debt-for-more-than-150000-student-loan-borrowers-ahead-of-schedule/">$1.2 billion in student loans</a>&nbsp;for 153,000 borrowers and limited the payment amounts for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/04/08/president-joe-biden-outlines-new-plans-to-deliver-student-debt-relief-to-over-30-million-americans-under-the-biden-harris-administration/">8 million</a>&nbsp;others.&nbsp;

He is joined by the attorneys general from Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio and Oklahoma in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=e718efc6ea&amp;e=0708f36fa1">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;filed Tuesday in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s SAVE Plan, an income-driven repayment plan launched in August of last year and is set to be fully implemented in July.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach filed his own legal challenge of the SAVE Plan at the end of March alongside 10 other states. Bailey said at the time that he was “extremely pleased” to see Kobach’s lawsuit, announcing the same day that he intended to file a similar motion.

He followed through on the promise Tuesday.&nbsp;

“Between our two coalitions of states, we will get this matter in front of a judge even more quickly to deliver a win for the American people,” he said in a news release.

Bailey was part of a legal challenge of an earlier program for student-loan forgiveness, which culminated in the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the federal government’s plan last June.

In that lawsuit, the Department of Education had proposed using the Heroes Act to give widespread relief during the pandemic.

Included in Bailey’s argument in that lawsuit was that debt relief would hurt the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, or MOHELA.&nbsp;

The quasi-governmental nonprofit did not consent to be part of the original lawsuit, and internal communications released last year showed some of the company’s employees expressing apprehension about being involved. .

Bailey’s latest lawsuit also claims harm against MOHELA.

“By accelerating the forgiveness timeline for the typical borrower by as much as 15 years, the final rule imposes financial harm on MOHELA, and thus the State of Missouri, by depriving MOHELA of up to 15 years in servicing fees,” the attorneys general wrote in the lawsuit.

MOHELA did not respond to a request for comment.

Although some of the arguments remain, the department has used a different federal law to justify the SAVE Plan. This time around, the department is pulling its authority from the Higher Education Act, which was first enacted in 1965 but has been amended since.

The Higher Education Act authorizes need-based financial aid for college students, among other provisions.

Bailey argues that, when Congress passed the Higher Education Act, they didn’t intend for it to be used as the SAVE Plan does.

The SAVE Plan, when fully implemented, would cap borrowers’ loan payments at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/02/21/fact-sheet-president-biden-cancels-student-debt-for-more-than-150000-student-loan-borrowers-ahead-of-schedule/">5% of their discretionary income</a>. In February, the Department of Education announced that of the 7.5 million people that had enrolled in the program, 4.3 million had a $0 monthly payment.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-plan">SAVE Plan</a>&nbsp;also promises loan forgiveness within 10 years for those who borrowed $12,000 or less. For those who initially borrowed over $12,000, the department says it will relieve debts with an additional year for each $1,000 beyond $12,000 borrowed.

Bailey argues in Tuesday’s lawsuit that the 10-year period is problematic because of another federal program, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or PSLF, which forgives student debt for those who have worked in public service for 10 years and made payments on their loans during that period.

“PSLF is so important for government agencies because, before the Final Rule, PSLF was comparatively much more generous than any other federal loan repayment program. That gave borrowers a sizeable incentive to work for public service employers,” the lawsuit says.

Bailey repeatedly refers to the 10-year cost of loan forgiveness citing both the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2023-03/58983-IDR.pdf">Congressional Budget Office’s estimate of $276 billion</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2023/7/17/biden-income-driven-repayment-budget-update">Penn-Wharton Budget Model’s $475 billion</a>&nbsp;prediction.

The lawsuit mentions a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/in-wisconsin-biden-underlines-plans-to-help-college-students-with-unsustainable-debts/">debt-relief plan announced Monday by President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;but does not appear to explicitly challenge it.&nbsp;

The SAVE Plan is a component of the latest plan, which also relies on the Higher Education Act.

Solicitor General Josh Divine, who signed Tuesday’s lawsuit on behalf of Bailey’s office, was part of a rulemaking committee that shapes the latest debt-relief plan announced Monday. He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9gYK34sUSs">stepped down from the committee</a>&nbsp;after his peers rejected his proposal to bring in business leaders as a constituency group.

“There’s essentially no program for small business owners, people who didn’t go to college, people who went to trade schools or went through alternative career processes,” Divine told the committee in December.

Bailey, who was appointed to his position by Gov. Mike Parson, is running for a full term in office this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712591036531.png" alt="White House image" />
 <figcaption>White House image</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>After a win in the U.S. Supreme Court last year, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a new lawsuit challenging the Department of Education’s second attempt at loan forgiveness</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">ANNELISE HANSHAW</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is seeking to squash a nearly eight-month-old program that has waived&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/02/21/fact-sheet-president-biden-cancels-student-debt-for-more-than-150000-student-loan-borrowers-ahead-of-schedule/">$1.2 billion in student loans</a>&nbsp;for 153,000 borrowers and limited the payment amounts for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/04/08/president-joe-biden-outlines-new-plans-to-deliver-student-debt-relief-to-over-30-million-americans-under-the-biden-harris-administration/">8 million</a>&nbsp;others.&nbsp;He is joined by the attorneys general from Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio and Oklahoma in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=e718efc6ea&amp;e=0708f36fa1">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;filed Tuesday in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s SAVE Plan, an income-driven repayment plan launched in August of last year and is set to be fully implemented in July.Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach filed his own legal challenge of the SAVE Plan at the end of March alongside 10 other states. Bailey said at the time that he was “extremely pleased” to see Kobach’s lawsuit, announcing the same day that he intended to file a similar motion.He followed through on the promise Tuesday.&nbsp;“Between our two coalitions of states, we will get this matter in front of a judge even more quickly to deliver a win for the American people,” he said in a news release.Bailey was part of a legal challenge of an earlier program for student-loan forgiveness, which culminated in the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the federal government’s plan last June.In that lawsuit, the Department of Education had proposed using the Heroes Act to give widespread relief during the pandemic.Included in Bailey’s argument in that lawsuit was that debt relief would hurt the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, or MOHELA.&nbsp;The quasi-governmental nonprofit did not consent to be part of the original lawsuit, and internal communications released last year showed some of the company’s employees expressing apprehension about being involved. .Bailey’s latest lawsuit also claims harm against MOHELA.“By accelerating the forgiveness timeline for the typical borrower by as much as 15 years, the final rule imposes financial harm on MOHELA, and thus the State of Missouri, by depriving MOHELA of up to 15 years in servicing fees,” the attorneys general wrote in the lawsuit.MOHELA did not respond to a request for comment.Although some of the arguments remain, the department has used a different federal law to justify the SAVE Plan. This time around, the department is pulling its authority from the Higher Education Act, which was first enacted in 1965 but has been amended since.The Higher Education Act authorizes need-based financial aid for college students, among other provisions.Bailey argues that, when Congress passed the Higher Education Act, they didn’t intend for it to be used as the SAVE Plan does.The SAVE Plan, when fully implemented, would cap borrowers’ loan payments at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/02/21/fact-sheet-president-biden-cancels-student-debt-for-more-than-150000-student-loan-borrowers-ahead-of-schedule/">5% of their discretionary income</a>. In February, the Department of Education announced that of the 7.5 million people that had enrolled in the program, 4.3 million had a $0 monthly payment.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-plan">SAVE Plan</a>&nbsp;also promises loan forgiveness within 10 years for those who borrowed $12,000 or less. For those who initially borrowed over $12,000, the department says it will relieve debts with an additional year for each $1,000 beyond $12,000 borrowed.Bailey argues in Tuesday’s lawsuit that the 10-year period is problematic because of another federal program, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or PSLF, which forgives student debt for those who have worked in public service for 10 years and made payments on their loans during that period.“PSLF is so important for government agencies because, before the Final Rule, PSLF was comparatively much more generous than any other federal loan repayment program. That gave borrowers a sizeable incentive to work for public service employers,” the lawsuit says.Bailey repeatedly refers to the 10-year cost of loan forgiveness citing both the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2023-03/58983-IDR.pdf">Congressional Budget Office’s estimate of $276 billion</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2023/7/17/biden-income-driven-repayment-budget-update">Penn-Wharton Budget Model’s $475 billion</a>&nbsp;prediction.The lawsuit mentions a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/in-wisconsin-biden-underlines-plans-to-help-college-students-with-unsustainable-debts/">debt-relief plan announced Monday by President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;but does not appear to explicitly challenge it.&nbsp;The SAVE Plan is a component of the latest plan, which also relies on the Higher Education Act.Solicitor General Josh Divine, who signed Tuesday’s lawsuit on behalf of Bailey’s office, was part of a rulemaking committee that shapes the latest debt-relief plan announced Monday. He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9gYK34sUSs">stepped down from the committee</a>&nbsp;after his peers rejected his proposal to bring in business leaders as a constituency group.“There’s essentially no program for small business owners, people who didn’t go to college, people who went to trade schools or went through alternative career processes,” Divine told the committee in December.Bailey, who was appointed to his position by Gov. Mike Parson, is running for a full term in office this year.

Missouri AG leads coalition challenging Biden student debt relief

A special fund in St. Joseph helps provide money to arts programs and projects.   

The Allied Arts Council Arts Fund gathers money through the community to fund an array of arts programs, such as the downtown Sculpture Walk and Artists in Schools.  

A campaign to raise the funds is currently underway, and Co-Chair Terri Modlin says the committee has set a pretty lofty goal 

"We've been in the low $200,000's the last couple of years and we had a great opportunity with a jumpstart on our campaign, and we set the goal at $300,000 for this year," Modlin tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr.  

Modlin says the campaign is off to a good start, already raising more than $200,000 dollars.  

Modlin says the arts fund helps fund several of these programs throughout the year 

"Last year the arts fund helped support over 331 events in our community," Modlin says. 

Area businesses help fund these events and Modlin says that helps make St. Joseph a more enjoyable place to be 

"This makes this community more fun to be in, we know it's a great outlet for people maybe struggling with mental health or anxiety, but it's also just a a fun way to get together," Modlin explains. 

Campaign Co Chair Allison Schieber says St. Joseph has a great arts community to help the fund 

"It's strong, it's good, and that your donation really helps a lot of people to explore the arts, even if you don't your neighbors will, and it will enhance their lives in our community," Schieber says.  

The campaign runs through April 30th, but the Allied Arts Council will accept donations for this year’s arts fund through the end of June. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A special fund in St. Joseph helps provide money to arts programs and projects. The Allied Arts Council Arts Fund gathers money through the community to fund an array of arts programs, such as the downtown Sculpture Walk and Artists in Schools. A campaign to raise the funds is currently underway, and Co-Chair Terri Modlin says the committee has set a pretty lofty goal "We've been in the low $200,000's the last couple of years and we had a great opportunity with a jumpstart on our campaign, and we set the goal at $300,000 for this year," Modlin tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. Modlin says the campaign is off to a good start, already raising more than $200,000 dollars. Modlin says the arts fund helps fund several of these programs throughout the year "Last year the arts fund helped support over 331 events in our community," Modlin says. Area businesses help fund these events and Modlin says that helps make St. Joseph a more enjoyable place to be "This makes this community more fun to be in, we know it's a great outlet for people maybe struggling with mental health or anxiety, but it's also just a a fun way to get together," Modlin explains. Campaign Co Chair Allison Schieber says St. Joseph has a great arts community to help the fund "It's strong, it's good, and that your donation really helps a lot of people to explore the arts, even if you don't your neighbors will, and it will enhance their lives in our community," Schieber says. The campaign runs through April 30th, but the Allied Arts Council will accept donations for this year’s arts fund through the end of June.

Drive seeks to raise money for the arts in St. Joseph

A 77-year-old St. Joseph man has pleaded guilty to his part in
an $8 million scheme to cheat hundreds in the guise of a Christian health
care sharing ministry.

James McGinnis pleaded guilty before federal District Judge
Greg Kays to avoid a trial.

McGinnis founded Medical Cost Sharing along with 62-year-old Craig
Anthony Reynolds of St. Joseph in 2014. Reynolds, who acted as president,
pleaded guilty to similar charges late last year.

McGinnis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit
wire fraud and one count of making false statements on a tax return.

The two promoted Medical Cost Sharing, a tax-exempt
organization, as a Christian health care sharing ministry. The two collected
more than $8 million in member contributions and paid out only three
percent in health care claims.

Federal prosecutors say McGinnis and Reynolds pocketed more
than five million dollars from member contributions from December 2015 through
December 2022.

The two marketed Medical Cost Sharing widely, stating that
while it wasn’t an insurance company, it would share members’ healthcare costs
with other Christians enrolled in the plan. Medical Cost Sharing rarely paid
members’ health care claims. In fact, prosecutors say it didn’t pay any claims
from early 2021 through the end of 2022 even though it collected nearly $1.2
million dues during that time.

On December 13th of 2022, federal agents served
search warrants on the Medical Cost Sharing business location as well as the
residences of both McGinnis and Reynolds, seizing property obtained through the
scheme. Later that month the court entered a restraining order against Medical
Cost Sharing, because it continued to collect membership dues after the search
and seizure warrants were served.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, McGinnis must make
restitution to Medical Cost Sharing members and to the IRS. McGinnis also has
been ordered to forfeit property obtained from the wire fraud conspiracy.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 77-year-old St. Joseph man has pleaded guilty to his part in
an $8 million scheme to cheat hundreds in the guise of a Christian health
care sharing ministry.James McGinnis pleaded guilty before federal District Judge
Greg Kays to avoid a trial.McGinnis founded Medical Cost Sharing along with 62-year-old Craig
Anthony Reynolds of St. Joseph in 2014. Reynolds, who acted as president,
pleaded guilty to similar charges late last year.McGinnis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit
wire fraud and one count of making false statements on a tax return.The two promoted Medical Cost Sharing, a tax-exempt
organization, as a Christian health care sharing ministry. The two collected
more than $8 million in member contributions and paid out only three
percent in health care claims.Federal prosecutors say McGinnis and Reynolds pocketed more
than five million dollars from member contributions from December 2015 through
December 2022.The two marketed Medical Cost Sharing widely, stating that
while it wasn’t an insurance company, it would share members’ healthcare costs
with other Christians enrolled in the plan. Medical Cost Sharing rarely paid
members’ health care claims. In fact, prosecutors say it didn’t pay any claims
from early 2021 through the end of 2022 even though it collected nearly $1.2
million dues during that time.On December 13th of 2022, federal agents served
search warrants on the Medical Cost Sharing business location as well as the
residences of both McGinnis and Reynolds, seizing property obtained through the
scheme. Later that month the court entered a restraining order against Medical
Cost Sharing, because it continued to collect membership dues after the search
and seizure warrants were served.Under the terms of the plea agreement, McGinnis must make
restitution to Medical Cost Sharing members and to the IRS. McGinnis also has
been ordered to forfeit property obtained from the wire fraud conspiracy.McGinnis will be sentenced later.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph man pleads guilty in fraudulent Christian health care scheme 

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for leaving the scene of an accident and other allegations.

Just after 10:30p.m. Monday, a Mercury Sable driven by Jesse Ferris, 34, Atchison, was northbound in the 800 Block of 9th Street in Atchison, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The car&nbsp;struck the utility pole on the west side of the street. The pole fell on top of the vehicle and the driver fled the area. Officers found Ferris, a short time later at a residence and he was accused of leaving the scene of the accident and driving while suspended and issued a notice to appear in court. He was not injured. 

Some residents were without power until Evergy replaced the utility pole and restored power, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712671388610.png" alt="Photos Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for leaving the scene of an accident and other allegations.Just after 10:30p.m. Monday, a Mercury Sable driven by Jesse Ferris, 34, Atchison, was northbound in the 800 Block of 9th Street in Atchison, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712671368253.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The car&nbsp;struck the utility pole on the west side of the street. The pole fell on top of the vehicle and the driver fled the area. Officers found Ferris, a short time later at a residence and he was accused of leaving the scene of the accident and driving while suspended and issued a notice to appear in court. He was not injured. Some residents were without power until Evergy replaced the utility pole and restored power, according to Wilson.

Kansas man fled after crash into utility pole

The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation’s guidance comes two weeks after it revoked nine licenses linked to out-of-state groups

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

Veterans John and Kara Grady received a Facebook message last week from a man who was, “looking for a female veteran to be part of our dispensary license.”&nbsp;

Being a veteran is one of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/28/missouri-holds-outreach-events-in-run-up-to-lottery-for-cannabis-microbusiness-licenses/">seven categories</a>&nbsp;that makes people eligible to win one of the state’s social-equity marijuana licenses, called “microbusiness licenses.” The other categories range from having a lower income or living in an area considered impoverished to having past arrests or incarcerations related to marijuana offenses.&nbsp;

When the Gradys — who run&nbsp;Slaphappy Beverage Co. that sells hemp-derived THC drinks — turned him down, the man began attacking them on their social media pages.

“I was like, ‘What kind of tactics are these?’” John Grady said in an interview with The Independent. “You have to ask yourself — if it’s that competitive on the microbusiness licenses, then really what’s going on?”&nbsp;

Just hours before Grady received that message, the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation issued a warning about “predatory practices” in social-equity marijuana licensing throughout the country.

And those tactics are likely escalating, with the<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/90081ba8-2280-4ce4-872f-fa09bed0b296/timeline-for-second-round-of-cannabis-microbusiness-licensing-announced">&nbsp;next round</a>&nbsp;of applications running April 15 to 29.&nbsp;

“(The Division of Cannabis Regulation) has become aware of solicitation efforts by companies to apply for microbusiness licenses on behalf of qualified individuals with promises of future ownership in the license,” the agency said in a press release last week.&nbsp;

The division warned that some groups are scamming eligible people by giving them, “no agreements in place that would actually result in the eligible individuals being the owners of the license.”

The division recently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/27/missouri-revokes-nine-social-equity-cannabis-business-licenses-for-out-of-state-companies/">revoked nine of the 48 social-equity cannabis licenses</a>&nbsp;issued in October — following an investigation by The Independent that found some&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/26/applicants-recruited-on-craigslist-competed-for-missouri-social-equity-cannabis-licenses/">applicants thought they were partnering with the Michigan investor</a>&nbsp;but in reality signed agreements requiring them to relinquish all control and profits of the business.&nbsp;

The revocations came just as the division was gearing up for the second round of microbusiness applications, and now the state is urging applicants to be extra careful regarding who they partner with.

“Eligible individuals should exercise caution in accepting such arrangements as some of the solicitations may be predatory in nature,” the division’s Thursday press release states.&nbsp;

Because only 39 of the 48 microbusiness licenses were ultimately issued from the first round, the division will award one additional wholesale license and eight additional dispensary licenses in the upcoming round.

The owners of the revoked licenses have vowed to appeal, though nothing has been filed as of yet.&nbsp;

The microbusiness program is meant to boost opportunities in the industry for businesses in disadvantaged communities, and it was part of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana that voters passed in November 2022.&nbsp;

The program was designed for these licensees to hopefully develop their businesses, so it will put them in a good position to obtain regular licenses, or what the state calls comprehensive licenses.

By law, the state cannot issue any new comprehensive licenses until June 2024. If the state decides to allow for more regular licenses at that point, then 50% of them must go to microbusiness license holders.&nbsp;

“The clear intent [of the constitution] is that a microbusiness license should provide a path to facility ownership for individuals who might not otherwise easily access that opportunity,” the division’s press release states.

The microlicenses must always be majority owned and operated by people who meet the eligibility criteria.

&nbsp;The division gave examples of behaviors that may indicate predatory arrangements:

&nbsp;“A purported owner with little to no knowledge, control, agency or decision-making authority in an application or license does not meet the intent or meaning of the requirement,” in the constitution, the guidance states.&nbsp;

John Grady said he hasn’t heard of any other veterans who were targeted as he and his wife were. However, he said the commander of their Veterans of Foreign Wars post is aware of the issue now.&nbsp;

“So we can tell any of our guys who are looking at that industry,” Grady said. “Or if somebody sends them a note saying ‘Hey, we need a veteran,’ they can be aware that they’re probably going to get taken advantage of.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712620068900.png" alt=" Amy Moore, (right) director of the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, speaks at the National Cannabis Industry Association’s summit on March 28, 2024 in St. Louis. At left is Mitch Meyers, partner at BeLeaf Medical marijuana company. (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Amy Moore, (right) director of the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, speaks at the National Cannabis Industry Association’s summit on March 28, 2024 in St. Louis. At left is Mitch Meyers, partner at BeLeaf Medical marijuana company. (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation’s guidance comes two weeks after it revoked nine licenses linked to out-of-state groups</h2>By REBECCA RIVAS,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Veterans John and Kara Grady received a Facebook message last week from a man who was, “looking for a female veteran to be part of our dispensary license.”&nbsp;Being a veteran is one of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/28/missouri-holds-outreach-events-in-run-up-to-lottery-for-cannabis-microbusiness-licenses/">seven categories</a>&nbsp;that makes people eligible to win one of the state’s social-equity marijuana licenses, called “microbusiness licenses.” The other categories range from having a lower income or living in an area considered impoverished to having past arrests or incarcerations related to marijuana offenses.&nbsp;When the Gradys — who run&nbsp;Slaphappy Beverage Co. that sells hemp-derived THC drinks — turned him down, the man began attacking them on their social media pages.“I was like, ‘What kind of tactics are these?’” John Grady said in an interview with The Independent. “You have to ask yourself — if it’s that competitive on the microbusiness licenses, then really what’s going on?”&nbsp;Just hours before Grady received that message, the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation issued a warning about “predatory practices” in social-equity marijuana licensing throughout the country.And those tactics are likely escalating, with the<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/90081ba8-2280-4ce4-872f-fa09bed0b296/timeline-for-second-round-of-cannabis-microbusiness-licensing-announced">&nbsp;next round</a>&nbsp;of applications running April 15 to 29.&nbsp;“(The Division of Cannabis Regulation) has become aware of solicitation efforts by companies to apply for microbusiness licenses on behalf of qualified individuals with promises of future ownership in the license,” the agency said in a press release last week.&nbsp;The division warned that some groups are scamming eligible people by giving them, “no agreements in place that would actually result in the eligible individuals being the owners of the license.”The division recently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/27/missouri-revokes-nine-social-equity-cannabis-business-licenses-for-out-of-state-companies/">revoked nine of the 48 social-equity cannabis licenses</a>&nbsp;issued in October — following an investigation by The Independent that found some&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/26/applicants-recruited-on-craigslist-competed-for-missouri-social-equity-cannabis-licenses/">applicants thought they were partnering with the Michigan investor</a>&nbsp;but in reality signed agreements requiring them to relinquish all control and profits of the business.&nbsp;The revocations came just as the division was gearing up for the second round of microbusiness applications, and now the state is urging applicants to be extra careful regarding who they partner with.“Eligible individuals should exercise caution in accepting such arrangements as some of the solicitations may be predatory in nature,” the division’s Thursday press release states.&nbsp;Because only 39 of the 48 microbusiness licenses were ultimately issued from the first round, the division will award one additional wholesale license and eight additional dispensary licenses in the upcoming round.The owners of the revoked licenses have vowed to appeal, though nothing has been filed as of yet.&nbsp;<h2>Guidance from state regulators</h2>The microbusiness program is meant to boost opportunities in the industry for businesses in disadvantaged communities, and it was part of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana that voters passed in November 2022.&nbsp;The program was designed for these licensees to hopefully develop their businesses, so it will put them in a good position to obtain regular licenses, or what the state calls comprehensive licenses.By law, the state cannot issue any new comprehensive licenses until June 2024. If the state decides to allow for more regular licenses at that point, then 50% of them must go to microbusiness license holders.&nbsp;“The clear intent [of the constitution] is that a microbusiness license should provide a path to facility ownership for individuals who might not otherwise easily access that opportunity,” the division’s press release states.The microlicenses must always be majority owned and operated by people who meet the eligibility criteria.&nbsp;The division gave examples of behaviors that may indicate predatory arrangements:<ul>
 <li>Applicants are promised a 51% ownership stake of the license and a fair market value buyout for that 51%.</li><li>Applicants are promised a payment when the license is initially issued, then receive a salary for 3-5 years that is equal to the remaining 51% of the license value or some other payment arrangement.</li><li>Solicitor does not ask for any payment and offers to pay for upfront application and business costs.</li><li>Solicitor informs the potential applicant that if they want to actually own and operate an awarded license, they should apply on their own.</li><li>Solicitor promises they will provide their own money, resources, and time to run the day-to-day business operations so that the applicant owner does not need to invest their own money, resources or time.</li>
 </ul>&nbsp;“A purported owner with little to no knowledge, control, agency or decision-making authority in an application or license does not meet the intent or meaning of the requirement,” in the constitution, the guidance states.&nbsp;John Grady said he hasn’t heard of any other veterans who were targeted as he and his wife were. However, he said the commander of their Veterans of Foreign Wars post is aware of the issue now.&nbsp;“So we can tell any of our guys who are looking at that industry,” Grady said. “Or if somebody sends them a note saying ‘Hey, we need a veteran,’ they can be aware that they’re probably going to get taken advantage of.”

State warns social-equity marijuana license applicants of ‘predatory practices’

HARRISON COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Monday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford F150 driven by Johnathan M. Kelley, 26, Bethany, was northbound on U.S. 69 six miles southwest of Bethany.

The pickup traveled off the east side of the road, began to skid and slide, and the driver overcorrected. The pickup returned to the road, crossed the center of the road and traveled off the west side. The undercarriage of the pickup struck an embankment and caused the vehicle to roll and strike a tree.

A private vehicle transported Kelley and Jillian K. Kelley, 22, Pattonsburg, and a 3-year-old Bethany boy to Harrison County Community Hospital.&nbsp; All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

HARRISON COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Monday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford F150 driven by Johnathan M. Kelley, 26, Bethany, was northbound on U.S. 69 six miles southwest of Bethany.The pickup traveled off the east side of the road, began to skid and slide, and the driver overcorrected. The pickup returned to the road, crossed the center of the road and traveled off the west side. The undercarriage of the pickup struck an embankment and caused the vehicle to roll and strike a tree.A private vehicle transported Kelley and Jillian K. Kelley, 22, Pattonsburg, and a 3-year-old Bethany boy to Harrison County Community Hospital.&nbsp; All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 adults, 3-year-old hospitalized after pickup strikes a tree

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged violent crime.

On April 6, police arrested 24-year-old Brenden R. Griffin of Atchison in the 600 block Main Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He remains jailed on a $2500 bond on requested charges of for domestic battery.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712620322458.png" alt="Griffin-photo Atchson Co." />
 <figcaption>Griffin-photo Atchson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged violent crime.On April 6, police arrested 24-year-old Brenden R. Griffin of Atchison in the 600 block Main Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.He remains jailed on a $2500 bond on requested charges of for domestic battery.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Kansas man accused of domestic violence

St. Joseph school administrators promise to move
quickly on promised projects in wake of voter approval of the $20 million bond
issue.

School Superintendent Gabe Edgar says the vote
demonstrates the community’s support for the school district.

“I think it shows us that the community does want
to see the school district succeed,” Edgar tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We have
a long way to go, but we’re going to do our best to get there.”

Edgar says the overwhelming vote in favor of the
issue gives the district hope.

“I’ve said all along, in several conversations,
that I really do believe that we’re at a crossroads here in St. Joseph School
District,” Edgar says. “We do need to move things forward. Big change is coming
and it looks like people are going to support that change.”

Edgar says meetings about implementing the
projects financed by the bonds began the day after the vote with teachers and
staff excited about the future.

“I did receive a lot of text messages, a lot of
phone calls and a lot of that excitement was coming directly from the people
that work within the walls of the St. Joseph School District every day.”

Turf fields will replace grass fields at the high
school football stadiums with aging tracks replaced at a cost of $6.5 million.
The district will spend $3.2 million on fine arts programs, such as upgrades to
all high school theatres. Elementary schools will receive new stage sound
systems and screen equipment. Seven elementary schools will receive kilns for
their art rooms. A district-wide intercom system will be installed at an
estimated cost of $2 million. A bit more than $2 million will be used to make
heating and cooling improvements to Robidoux, Pershing, Edison, Mark Twain,
Spring Garden, Pickett, and Field elementary schools. Hosea Elementary will get
three new classrooms. New roadways will be built for Oak Grove and Carden Park
elementary schools. Sidewalk repairs are scheduled for Spring Garden.

Edgar says the biggest challenge facing the bond
issue was explaining complicated, often confusing, public school financing. The
school district placed the issue on the ballot in part to protect the current
levy. Under Missouri public school financing, if the district didn’t tap its
bonding potential, the levy would drop, requiring a vote of the people to raise
it.

Edgar says he made explaining school financing
part of his presentation during the 50-to-60 meetings he attended during the
campaign.

“I really think that the long-range plan probably
would’ve been put to a halt if this did not pass just for the fact that our
ability to get enough dollars of no-tax increase money would’ve been very limited.”

Edgar says discussions on getting projects off
the ground began the day after the election. Administrators met with
representatives of L. J. Hart &amp; Company, the district’s financial adviser,
last week.

This article has been edited since first published.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712597861410.jpeg" alt="Hosea Elementary School/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Hosea Elementary School/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph school administrators promise to move
quickly on promised projects in wake of voter approval of the $20 million bond
issue.School Superintendent Gabe Edgar says the vote
demonstrates the community’s support for the school district.“I think it shows us that the community does want
to see the school district succeed,” Edgar tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “We have
a long way to go, but we’re going to do our best to get there.”Edgar says the overwhelming vote in favor of the
issue gives the district hope.“I’ve said all along, in several conversations,
that I really do believe that we’re at a crossroads here in St. Joseph School
District,” Edgar says. “We do need to move things forward. Big change is coming
and it looks like people are going to support that change.”Edgar says meetings about implementing the
projects financed by the bonds began the day after the vote with teachers and
staff excited about the future.“I did receive a lot of text messages, a lot of
phone calls and a lot of that excitement was coming directly from the people
that work within the walls of the St. Joseph School District every day.”Turf fields will replace grass fields at the high
school football stadiums with aging tracks replaced at a cost of $6.5 million.
The district will spend $3.2 million on fine arts programs, such as upgrades to
all high school theatres. Elementary schools will receive new stage sound
systems and screen equipment. Seven elementary schools will receive kilns for
their art rooms. A district-wide intercom system will be installed at an
estimated cost of $2 million. A bit more than $2 million will be used to make
heating and cooling improvements to Robidoux, Pershing, Edison, Mark Twain,
Spring Garden, Pickett, and Field elementary schools. Hosea Elementary will get
three new classrooms. New roadways will be built for Oak Grove and Carden Park
elementary schools. Sidewalk repairs are scheduled for Spring Garden.Edgar says the biggest challenge facing the bond
issue was explaining complicated, often confusing, public school financing. The
school district placed the issue on the ballot in part to protect the current
levy. Under Missouri public school financing, if the district didn’t tap its
bonding potential, the levy would drop, requiring a vote of the people to raise
it.Edgar says he made explaining school financing
part of his presentation during the 50-to-60 meetings he attended during the
campaign.“I really think that the long-range plan probably
would’ve been put to a halt if this did not pass just for the fact that our
ability to get enough dollars of no-tax increase money would’ve been very limited.”Edgar says discussions on getting projects off
the ground began the day after the election. Administrators met with
representatives of L. J. Hart &amp; Company, the district’s financial adviser,
last week.This article has been edited since first published.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/St--Joseph-Superintendent-on-passage-of-bond-issue-e2i4ruu" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph schools wasting no time after passage of $20M bond issue

St. Joseph has a new city councilmember representing the southside.  

Jason Eslinger has been selected to fill the District II council seat following the resignation of Taylor Crouse due to moving out of the district.  

Eslinger's interest in joining the city council isn't new.  He ran six years ago for the District II seat, against former councilmember PJ Kovac. 

"Came up a little bit short, so when this opportunity came up I thought well my kids are a little bit older, have a little extra time, and I've been part of the south and southside for most of my life and if I can give back and make southside and the city a better place, that's what I'm gonna do," Eslinger tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. 

Eslinger says his hope is he can help address some of the blight he's heard people say affects the city.  

"I have people that come visit from out of town and they're like it's a nice city, nice town, but there's a lot of things that need fixed and that's houses, businesses, buildings, roads, all of the above," Eslinger explains. "So hopefully we can work together with the county and the city and then everybody else and make this a better place." 

Eslinger says as quickly as things came together Thursday, with being interviewed and being chosen for the seat, he has not even considered if he wants to run again.  

"I'm sure if everything goes well and we're making some progress I will definitely run again, but that's to be determined in two years," Eslinger says. 

Eslinger will be sworn in during a special session tomorrow.  Once sworn in he will fill the final two years of Crouse's term. 

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post St. Joseph has a new city councilmember representing the southside. Jason Eslinger has been selected to fill the District II council seat following the resignation of Taylor Crouse due to moving out of the district. Eslinger's interest in joining the city council isn't new. He ran six years ago for the District II seat, against former councilmember PJ Kovac. "Came up a little bit short, so when this opportunity came up I thought well my kids are a little bit older, have a little extra time, and I've been part of the south and southside for most of my life and if I can give back and make southside and the city a better place, that's what I'm gonna do," Eslinger tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Eslinger says his hope is he can help address some of the blight he's heard people say affects the city. "I have people that come visit from out of town and they're like it's a nice city, nice town, but there's a lot of things that need fixed and that's houses, businesses, buildings, roads, all of the above," Eslinger explains. "So hopefully we can work together with the county and the city and then everybody else and make this a better place." Eslinger says as quickly as things came together Thursday, with being interviewed and being chosen for the seat, he has not even considered if he wants to run again. "I'm sure if everything goes well and we're making some progress I will definitely run again, but that's to be determined in two years," Eslinger says. Eslinger will be sworn in during a special session tomorrow. Once sworn in he will fill the final two years of Crouse's term. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

New St. Joseph Councilmember Eslinger wants to help improve city looks

Legislation would allow one organization to return to practices banned by the Affordable Care Act, including denying coverage to those with serious medical conditions

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

The Missouri Farm Bureau would be allowed to sell health insurance plans that skirt certain federal regulations under legislation critics worry could leave consumers without proper protections or adequate coverage.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB2082&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">bill</a>, which has already cleared the Missouri House and is awaiting a committee hearing in the Senate, allows health plans that don’t follow the rules set by the the Affordable Care Act, also referred to as Obamacare.

The Farm Bureau would be permitted to deny people coverage due to pre-existing medical conditions, for example, or offer benefits that are more limited than what is allowed under federal law.

Those practices would allow also allow the organization to sell less-expensive plans.&nbsp;Many farmers and other members of the Farm Bureau, proponents say,&nbsp;are uninsured because they can’t afford to buy a federally-subsidized plan on the Affordable Care Act marketplace or make too much money to qualify.

“What we’re really trying to do here is get coverage options to these young farmers, potentially ranchers and members of this organization to better have care for their family and their loved ones,” state Rep. Kurtis Gregory, a Republican from Marshall and the bill’s sponsor, said in a committee hearing in January.

The Missouri Farm Bureau is a nonprofit agricultural membership organization which&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.mofbinsurance.com/Main/AboutUs">partners with</a>&nbsp;for-profit companies to sell various kinds of insurance to its members. Anyone can join, though historically the group has been primarily made up of people in farming communities.

“This is about allowing people to make choices for themselves,” state Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, a Republican from Andrew, said during House debate on the bill in March.

Missouri would join&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-23-106034.pdf">six</a>&nbsp;other states that have passed similar carve outs for Farm Bureau insurance plans: Kansas, Tennessee, Iowa, Indiana,&nbsp; Texas and South Dakota.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://bullfallsradio.com/news/2024/01/25/wisconsin-farm-health-coverage-obamacare">Several</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.brownfieldagnews.com/news/state-farm-bureaus-work-to-join-successful-health-care-coverage-program/">other</a>&nbsp;state legislatures are considering similar legislation this year.

The idea has faced opposition from some House Democrats, patient advocacy groups and other insurance companies who have raised concerns about inadequate consumer protections and coverage, as well as disrupting the market.

“I don’t want people to sign up for something that is unregulated health insurance and then fall through the cracks even further,” said state Rep. Emily Weber, a Democrat of Kansas City, during the House debate.

Emily Kalmer, a lobbyist for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, raised concern in a January committee hearing that Missourians could be “left without coverage, face large costs or denied coverage,” and lack any of the consumer protections in the law.&nbsp;

The Farm Bureau would revert to the pre-Obamacare practice of what’s called medical underwriting, carefully evaluating applicants’ medical history and risk, to determine whether to cover them and at what price.

“While we don’t have experience in Missouri with Farm Bureau plans, we do have experience in Missouri with medical underwriting,” Kalmer said. “And that was horrible for cancer patients in the past…those practices used to be allowed in the state of Missouri and they were horrible for cancer patients. So it’s not a ‘what if’? It’s a ‘what would be legally allowed here’?”&nbsp;

The Farm Bureau has argued that its members hold the organization accountable, even absent regulations, and that its enrollees in states with the program report high levels of satisfaction.

Benjamin Sanders, a lobbyist from Farm Bureau Health Plans of Tennessee, testified in committee in January that the organization’s acceptance rate for applicants is 90%.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.statnews.com/2017/11/13/health-insurance-tennessee-farm-bureau/">Tennessee</a>&nbsp;enacted a version of the law exempting the Farm Bureau from regulation in 1993.

“There are conditions that will cause someone to be denied coverage…The best way to look at it is if someone has an ongoing catastrophic health condition, they will likely be the non-covered,” Sanders said.&nbsp;

The organization uses a six month waiting period, upon enrollment, before those with certain conditions can use the benefits. It’s a “safeguard,” Sanders said, to ensure people don’t sign on for an expensive surgery then drop the plan, for instance.

Some of the Farm Bureau plans offer the 10 essential benefits the ACA requires and some do not. Sanders said 75% of members select a plan that does include all of those benefits.

Asked about whether pregnancy could be considered a pre-existing condition resulting in that six-month waiting period or denial, Sanders said it depends on the plan.

“Generally speaking, pregnancy would be considered a pre-existing condition…it depends on when they join and the length of the pregnancy,” he said, adding that someone trying to join at eight months pregnant wouldn’t be eligible but a few days pregnant, would likely be. Individual plans don’t cover maternity care but the family plans do.

State Rep. Danny Busick, a Republican of Sullivan, said opponents of the legislation were presenting a lot of “what-ifs.”

The Farm Bureau in other states doesn’t need to abide by data transparency requirements of regulated insurance companies. But the organization says internal numbers show a high retention rate.

“Why is there a 98% retention rate in the states where they have this? If they weren’t covering these things, people would be getting out of the system right and left,” Busick said.

“Just because they’re not required by law doesn’t mean they won’t do it,” Busick said. “And I think that premise is what I have a problem with.”

The plans wouldn’t be overseen by the state’s insurance department:&nbsp;Proponents have said because it’s a contract, those with grievances could go to court. Opponents argued that is not a viable option for many.

“The current system, it’s a regulated product,” said Kalmer, the American Cancer Society lobbyist, “you have appellate rights with the Department of Insurance, you can call their consumer protection hotline and go through the processes and they’ll help mediate the issues.”

There are still issues with the regulated market, Kalmer said, “but at least there is a process by which you can make sure that anything that the legislature here has required them to do, that they’re legally doing it.”&nbsp;

State Rep. Brad Pollitt, a Sedalia Republican, said the Farm Bureau “answers to their membership,” adding that if they started dropping people from their plans, for instance, “I believe their membership would hold them accountable for doing the right thing, because that’s how those folks have been raised.”&nbsp;

Other insurance companies oppose the legislation for allowing just one group to be exempt from federal rules, which they say gives the Farm Bureau an advantage over competitors.

Michael Henderson, lobbyist for the Missouri Insurance Coalition, called the proposal “unequal treatment in the marketplace.”

Henderson said insurers abide by pages of state health mandates.

“I have heard testimony that some of that coverage may be included in the plans,” Henderson said. “And Rep. Busick, I know you mentioned we’re talking a lot about what ifs. We’re also talking a lot about ‘trust us.’”

The Farm Bureau plans would be designed to help those who aren’t eligible for or can’t afford Affordable Care Act subsidies.&nbsp;

Tim McBride, a health policy analyst and professor at Washington University in St. Louis, said his concern would be that the Farm Bureau plans would attract healthier people and have a more limited benefit package.

“The purpose of the ACA was to make sure that there wasn’t cherry picking going on by the insurance companies,” McBride said, meaning some companies siphoning off healthy people and driving up the cost of coverage for others.

He said research shows people get “enticed by the low premium number,” but don’t always study the fine print, which is one reason the ACA has rules about what needs to be covered.&nbsp;

“I can certainly understand why people want to go to get low premium plans, especially farmers or their spouses or their children,” he said. “But that’s part of what the purpose of the subsidies are in the Affordable Care Act is to try to make the plans affordable.”

The federal government&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.healthinsurance.org/obamacare/beware-obamacares-subsidy-cliff/">expanded</a>&nbsp;subsidy eligibility in the Affordable Care Act marketplace through next year.

In Tennessee,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.statnews.com/2017/11/13/health-insurance-tennessee-farm-bureau/">Stat News</a>&nbsp;reported in 2017, some experts say the effect of pulling healthy people onto Farm Bureau plans has been that participants in the Affordable Care Act marketplace are sicker than in other states, which can cause market issues such as companies being less willing to participate and sell plans. The Farm Bureau has denied having any such effect.

Gregory estimated around 11,475 Missouri Farm Bureau members lack health insurance, and said they would be the target audience for enrolling in the Farm Bureau plans. Others could sign on, too, including members who are currently insured but switch over to the Farm Bureau plans, or people who join the Farm Bureau in order to access the insurance.&nbsp;

Sanders, with Farm Bureau Health Plans of Tennessee, said the volume wouldn’t be enough to make a difference in the market.&nbsp;

“But to the members that use these plans,” he said, “it makes a difference.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712586699980.png" alt=" State Rep. Kurtis Gregory, R-Marshall, speaks during House debate on April 27, 2022 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Kurtis Gregory, R-Marshall, speaks during House debate on April 27, 2022 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Legislation would allow one organization to return to practices banned by the Affordable Care Act, including denying coverage to those with serious medical conditions</h2>By CLARA BATES&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri Farm Bureau would be allowed to sell health insurance plans that skirt certain federal regulations under legislation critics worry could leave consumers without proper protections or adequate coverage.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB2082&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">bill</a>, which has already cleared the Missouri House and is awaiting a committee hearing in the Senate, allows health plans that don’t follow the rules set by the the Affordable Care Act, also referred to as Obamacare.The Farm Bureau would be permitted to deny people coverage due to pre-existing medical conditions, for example, or offer benefits that are more limited than what is allowed under federal law.Those practices would allow also allow the organization to sell less-expensive plans.&nbsp;Many farmers and other members of the Farm Bureau, proponents say,&nbsp;are uninsured because they can’t afford to buy a federally-subsidized plan on the Affordable Care Act marketplace or make too much money to qualify.“What we’re really trying to do here is get coverage options to these young farmers, potentially ranchers and members of this organization to better have care for their family and their loved ones,” state Rep. Kurtis Gregory, a Republican from Marshall and the bill’s sponsor, said in a committee hearing in January.The Missouri Farm Bureau is a nonprofit agricultural membership organization which&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.mofbinsurance.com/Main/AboutUs">partners with</a>&nbsp;for-profit companies to sell various kinds of insurance to its members. Anyone can join, though historically the group has been primarily made up of people in farming communities.“This is about allowing people to make choices for themselves,” state Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, a Republican from Andrew, said during House debate on the bill in March.Missouri would join&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-23-106034.pdf">six</a>&nbsp;other states that have passed similar carve outs for Farm Bureau insurance plans: Kansas, Tennessee, Iowa, Indiana,&nbsp; Texas and South Dakota.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://bullfallsradio.com/news/2024/01/25/wisconsin-farm-health-coverage-obamacare">Several</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.brownfieldagnews.com/news/state-farm-bureaus-work-to-join-successful-health-care-coverage-program/">other</a>&nbsp;state legislatures are considering similar legislation this year.The idea has faced opposition from some House Democrats, patient advocacy groups and other insurance companies who have raised concerns about inadequate consumer protections and coverage, as well as disrupting the market.“I don’t want people to sign up for something that is unregulated health insurance and then fall through the cracks even further,” said state Rep. Emily Weber, a Democrat of Kansas City, during the House debate.Emily Kalmer, a lobbyist for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, raised concern in a January committee hearing that Missourians could be “left without coverage, face large costs or denied coverage,” and lack any of the consumer protections in the law.&nbsp;The Farm Bureau would revert to the pre-Obamacare practice of what’s called medical underwriting, carefully evaluating applicants’ medical history and risk, to determine whether to cover them and at what price.“While we don’t have experience in Missouri with Farm Bureau plans, we do have experience in Missouri with medical underwriting,” Kalmer said. “And that was horrible for cancer patients in the past…those practices used to be allowed in the state of Missouri and they were horrible for cancer patients. So it’s not a ‘what if’? It’s a ‘what would be legally allowed here’?”&nbsp;<h2>Coverage concerns</h2>The Farm Bureau has argued that its members hold the organization accountable, even absent regulations, and that its enrollees in states with the program report high levels of satisfaction.Benjamin Sanders, a lobbyist from Farm Bureau Health Plans of Tennessee, testified in committee in January that the organization’s acceptance rate for applicants is 90%.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.statnews.com/2017/11/13/health-insurance-tennessee-farm-bureau/">Tennessee</a>&nbsp;enacted a version of the law exempting the Farm Bureau from regulation in 1993.“There are conditions that will cause someone to be denied coverage…The best way to look at it is if someone has an ongoing catastrophic health condition, they will likely be the non-covered,” Sanders said.&nbsp;The organization uses a six month waiting period, upon enrollment, before those with certain conditions can use the benefits. It’s a “safeguard,” Sanders said, to ensure people don’t sign on for an expensive surgery then drop the plan, for instance.Some of the Farm Bureau plans offer the 10 essential benefits the ACA requires and some do not. Sanders said 75% of members select a plan that does include all of those benefits.Asked about whether pregnancy could be considered a pre-existing condition resulting in that six-month waiting period or denial, Sanders said it depends on the plan.“Generally speaking, pregnancy would be considered a pre-existing condition…it depends on when they join and the length of the pregnancy,” he said, adding that someone trying to join at eight months pregnant wouldn’t be eligible but a few days pregnant, would likely be. Individual plans don’t cover maternity care but the family plans do.State Rep. Danny Busick, a Republican of Sullivan, said opponents of the legislation were presenting a lot of “what-ifs.”The Farm Bureau in other states doesn’t need to abide by data transparency requirements of regulated insurance companies. But the organization says internal numbers show a high retention rate.“Why is there a 98% retention rate in the states where they have this? If they weren’t covering these things, people would be getting out of the system right and left,” Busick said.“Just because they’re not required by law doesn’t mean they won’t do it,” Busick said. “And I think that premise is what I have a problem with.”The plans wouldn’t be overseen by the state’s insurance department:&nbsp;Proponents have said because it’s a contract, those with grievances could go to court. Opponents argued that is not a viable option for many.“The current system, it’s a regulated product,” said Kalmer, the American Cancer Society lobbyist, “you have appellate rights with the Department of Insurance, you can call their consumer protection hotline and go through the processes and they’ll help mediate the issues.”There are still issues with the regulated market, Kalmer said, “but at least there is a process by which you can make sure that anything that the legislature here has required them to do, that they’re legally doing it.”&nbsp;State Rep. Brad Pollitt, a Sedalia Republican, said the Farm Bureau “answers to their membership,” adding that if they started dropping people from their plans, for instance, “I believe their membership would hold them accountable for doing the right thing, because that’s how those folks have been raised.”&nbsp;<h2>Market dynamics</h2>Other insurance companies oppose the legislation for allowing just one group to be exempt from federal rules, which they say gives the Farm Bureau an advantage over competitors.Michael Henderson, lobbyist for the Missouri Insurance Coalition, called the proposal “unequal treatment in the marketplace.”Henderson said insurers abide by pages of state health mandates.“I have heard testimony that some of that coverage may be included in the plans,” Henderson said. “And Rep. Busick, I know you mentioned we’re talking a lot about what ifs. We’re also talking a lot about ‘trust us.’”The Farm Bureau plans would be designed to help those who aren’t eligible for or can’t afford Affordable Care Act subsidies.&nbsp;Tim McBride, a health policy analyst and professor at Washington University in St. Louis, said his concern would be that the Farm Bureau plans would attract healthier people and have a more limited benefit package.“The purpose of the ACA was to make sure that there wasn’t cherry picking going on by the insurance companies,” McBride said, meaning some companies siphoning off healthy people and driving up the cost of coverage for others.He said research shows people get “enticed by the low premium number,” but don’t always study the fine print, which is one reason the ACA has rules about what needs to be covered.&nbsp;“I can certainly understand why people want to go to get low premium plans, especially farmers or their spouses or their children,” he said. “But that’s part of what the purpose of the subsidies are in the Affordable Care Act is to try to make the plans affordable.”The federal government&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.healthinsurance.org/obamacare/beware-obamacares-subsidy-cliff/">expanded</a>&nbsp;subsidy eligibility in the Affordable Care Act marketplace through next year.In Tennessee,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.statnews.com/2017/11/13/health-insurance-tennessee-farm-bureau/">Stat News</a>&nbsp;reported in 2017, some experts say the effect of pulling healthy people onto Farm Bureau plans has been that participants in the Affordable Care Act marketplace are sicker than in other states, which can cause market issues such as companies being less willing to participate and sell plans. The Farm Bureau has denied having any such effect.Gregory estimated around 11,475 Missouri Farm Bureau members lack health insurance, and said they would be the target audience for enrolling in the Farm Bureau plans. Others could sign on, too, including members who are currently insured but switch over to the Farm Bureau plans, or people who join the Farm Bureau in order to access the insurance.&nbsp;Sanders, with Farm Bureau Health Plans of Tennessee, said the volume wouldn’t be enough to make a difference in the market.&nbsp;“But to the members that use these plans,” he said, “it makes a difference.”

Bill would exempt Missouri Farm Bureau health insurance plans from federal rules

The Missouri State Highway Patrol asks the public to be aware of and plan for the total solar eclipse on Monday. The viewing path in Missouri will cover more than 115 miles of the state.

Totality enters Missouri as it will follow a diagonal line crossing over Poplar Bluff, MO, and exit Missouri at Cape Girardeau, MO, as it crosses the Mississippi River at 2:04 p.m. Thousands of visitors are expected to arrive in the days leading up to the event. This influx of additional motorists will affect traffic patterns. Please plan your trip accordingly.

To avoid the heaviest traffic when traveling for the event, it will be helpful to leave early and plan to remain at your viewing location until a period after the eclipse to avoid any congestion afterwards. For the most up-to-date information on the roads, visit the Patrol's website,&nbsp;<a href="https://notes.mshp.dps.mo.gov/si01/si01p001.nsf/9300de8f24f618a68625729800536892/www.statepatrol.dps.mo.gov">www.statepatrol.dps.mo.gov</a>, to check road conditions on MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map or download the Traveler Information Map to your smart device.The Patrol reminds every driver to pay attention, obey all traffic laws, and wear a seat belt.

&nbsp;Don’t stop along the interstate or park on the shoulder.

· Find a safe location to view the event and get there early.

· Don’t take photographs while driving.·

 Turn your headlights on and do not rely on your automatic headlights.

· Prepare for extra congestion, especially on interstates, on the day before, day of and day after the eclipse.

· Watch out for increased pedestrian traffic along smaller roads. People may randomly park and walk alongside roads in the hour before the total eclipse to get the best viewing.

· Avoid travel during the eclipse or in the area of the path of totality if you can.

· Never wear eclipse glasses when driving a car or operating a boat.

· Make sure your vehicle is in good condition and has a full tank of gas.· Bring along water and snacks in your vehicle.

If you have planned a day on the water for April 8, make sure your boat has the proper lighting if you will be on the water during the eclipse. It will become quite dark. Be aware of your surroundings and what hazards exist near your boat leading up to the eclipse, so you're prepared when the eclipse occurs. Always keep a safe distance between yourself and other boaters. Swimmers will be hard to see as the eclipse occurs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712317899499.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Missouri State Highway Patrol asks the public to be aware of and plan for the total solar eclipse on Monday. The viewing path in Missouri will cover more than 115 miles of the state.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712085263547.png" alt="Image AP" />
 <figcaption>Image AP</figcaption>
 </figure>Totality enters Missouri as it will follow a diagonal line crossing over Poplar Bluff, MO, and exit Missouri at Cape Girardeau, MO, as it crosses the Mississippi River at 2:04 p.m. Thousands of visitors are expected to arrive in the days leading up to the event. This influx of additional motorists will affect traffic patterns. Please plan your trip accordingly.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711653160174.png" alt="You can wear eclipse glasses to safely view the Sun during the partial eclipse phases of a solar eclipse, before and after totality. NASA photo by Mamta Patel Nagaraja" />
 <figcaption>You can wear eclipse glasses to safely view the Sun during the partial eclipse phases of a solar eclipse, before and after totality. NASA photo by Mamta Patel Nagaraja</figcaption>
 </figure>To avoid the heaviest traffic when traveling for the event, it will be helpful to leave early and plan to remain at your viewing location until a period after the eclipse to avoid any congestion afterwards. For the most up-to-date information on the roads, visit the Patrol's website,&nbsp;<a href="https://notes.mshp.dps.mo.gov/si01/si01p001.nsf/9300de8f24f618a68625729800536892/www.statepatrol.dps.mo.gov">www.statepatrol.dps.mo.gov</a>, to check road conditions on MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map or download the Traveler Information Map to your smart device.The Patrol reminds every driver to pay attention, obey all traffic laws, and wear a seat belt.Additional safe driving tips include:&nbsp;Don’t stop along the interstate or park on the shoulder.· Find a safe location to view the event and get there early.· Don’t take photographs while driving.· Turn your headlights on and do not rely on your automatic headlights.· Prepare for extra congestion, especially on interstates, on the day before, day of and day after the eclipse.· Watch out for increased pedestrian traffic along smaller roads. People may randomly park and walk alongside roads in the hour before the total eclipse to get the best viewing.· Avoid travel during the eclipse or in the area of the path of totality if you can.· Never wear eclipse glasses when driving a car or operating a boat.· Make sure your vehicle is in good condition and has a full tank of gas.· Bring along water and snacks in your vehicle.If you have planned a day on the water for April 8, make sure your boat has the proper lighting if you will be on the water during the eclipse. It will become quite dark. Be aware of your surroundings and what hazards exist near your boat leading up to the eclipse, so you're prepared when the eclipse occurs. Always keep a safe distance between yourself and other boaters. Swimmers will be hard to see as the eclipse occurs.

MSHP: Total solar eclipse safety reminders

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/aidanpittman/">AIDAN PITTMAN</a>

Attempts to create tax credits for child care related causes continue to be at a roadblock because of challenges from Freedom Caucus members in the Missouri Senate.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Kansas City Democrat, would create several provisions aiming to offer tax credits related to childcare services. The bill would offer the credits to individuals spending money for child care services, employers who provide child care services to their employees or reimburse them for some of those costs and to child care providers who pay employee payroll taxes and have certain construction expenses related to their services.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712400555934.png" alt="The Downtown Children’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, was able to stay open for working families during the pandemic by using federal grants (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>The Downtown Children’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, was able to stay open for working families during the pandemic by using federal grants (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/aidanpittman/">AIDAN PITTMAN</a>Attempts to create tax credits for child care related causes continue to be at a roadblock because of challenges from Freedom Caucus members in the Missouri Senate.Legislation sponsored by Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Kansas City Democrat, would create several provisions aiming to offer tax credits related to childcare services. The bill would offer the credits to individuals spending money for child care services, employers who provide child care services to their employees or reimburse them for some of those costs and to child care providers who pay employee payroll taxes and have certain construction expenses related to their services.An identical House bill, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph, passed a Senate earlier this week on a 5-0 bipartisan vote. The effort to provide tax credits for child care was championed by Gov. Mike Parson during his January State of the State address.“There are three different tax credits targeted in different areas,” Arthur said, “all with the intention of making child care more accessible and affordable.”Despite bipartisan support, senators of the Freedom Caucus have stalled the Senate version.“Generally, the tax credit programs benefit some in the population, but not everybody,” said Sen. Bill Eigel, a Weldon Spring Republican who is running for governor. “I think if we want to help everybody we can do so far more effectively.”Arthur criticized this pushback as a political stunt for senators to get their own priorities through the legislature first.“They see this as leverage as a way to get their legislation passed by trying to take this bigger priority of the Senate, of the House and of the governor and trying to derail it so that they can pass something they would rather see done,” Arthur said.As far as a strategy goes for moving the bill forward, Arthur said she will “sit down with the senators, see if they have actual changes they would like to see made to the bill.”Arthur added that this may involve a larger negotiation regarding the priorities those senators wish to pursue.“I’m always open to ideas,” Eigel said. “I would suspect that if there’s gonna be a path forward on these tax cuts, we’re going to have to see the movement of a major tax cut bill make its way in the Senate chamber.”Arthur added that the child care tax credit is a priority she wants to see completed this session.“Depending on who the next governor is, this may or may not be a priority anymore,” Arthur said.“The fact that we have a governor who is support of this legislation…gives us a strong footing,” she said, “and I think that’s all the more reason why it’s important to get it done this year.”This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/child-care-tax-credit-proposals-face-continued-freedom-caucus-opposition/article_fbda9550-f1d4-11ee-a8f4-6f05122c824c.html">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be reprinted in print or online.&nbsp;

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