St. Joseph
Christian School is growing, both its physical plant and its enrollment.

The school has
more than 500 students; pre-school to high school. It soon will add 28,000
square feet to its footprint in east St. Joseph.

Co-Superintendent,
Danny Maggart, says while school officials are excited about the expansion, the
school is never going to be about a building.

“It is always
going to be about what goes on inside that building,” Maggart tells KFEQmmunity.
“You know, I’ve been at the school for 28 years. This school started on the
corner of 14th and Olive at the old Everett Elementary School. I
just love the fact that from that time that the school has started from where
it is now that those foundational truths, those foundational biblical truths that
are statements are built upon, have not changed.”

Director of
Development, Glory Fagan, has been writing the history of the school, learning
a few surprises along the way.

“I guess the
surprise has been the personal sacrifice of many, many people over the years;
people who’ve invested not only their time, but their resources and just how
God has multiplied that,” Fagan says during their joint appearance on
KFEQmmunity. “It really is an incredible story and I’ve really been enjoying doing
that research.”

St. Joseph Christian
has grown over the years. Its student population of 515 could grow to 700 once
the expansion is completed, expected by the end of the year.

Fagan says the
school first had a goal to raise $9.3 million. The
goal was raised to $10 million to include the cost of an elevator to make the second story accessible. The building campaign is about $500,000 short of
that goal.

The building expansion,
known as Nehemiah 2.0, centers around a 1,000-seat gymnasium. It also will include
a new commons area, flex-space classrooms, restrooms, offices, and a
second-level mezzanine with a walking track.

Maggart says school
officials have been astounded by the support.

“It is truly nothing
short of a God thing. &nbsp;I know that that can
sound kind of generic at times, but it’s very true. There is no doubt in my
mind, being involved in all the things behind the scenes,” Maggart says. “Ultimately,
this is God’s school. We’re just thankful He saw fit for us to have this fantastic
facility that is truly nothing short of a miracle.”

This article has been updated since first published to clarify why the fund raising goal was increased.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746038751586.jpeg" alt="A 28,000 square foot expansion underway at the St. Joseph Christian School/Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Christian School" />
 <figcaption>A 28,000 square foot expansion underway at the St. Joseph Christian School/Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Christian School</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph
Christian School is growing, both its physical plant and its enrollment.The school has
more than 500 students; pre-school to high school. It soon will add 28,000
square feet to its footprint in east St. Joseph.Co-Superintendent,
Danny Maggart, says while school officials are excited about the expansion, the
school is never going to be about a building.“It is always
going to be about what goes on inside that building,” Maggart tells KFEQmmunity.
“You know, I’ve been at the school for 28 years. This school started on the
corner of 14th and Olive at the old Everett Elementary School. I
just love the fact that from that time that the school has started from where
it is now that those foundational truths, those foundational biblical truths that
are statements are built upon, have not changed.”Director of
Development, Glory Fagan, has been writing the history of the school, learning
a few surprises along the way.“I guess the
surprise has been the personal sacrifice of many, many people over the years;
people who’ve invested not only their time, but their resources and just how
God has multiplied that,” Fagan says during their joint appearance on
KFEQmmunity. “It really is an incredible story and I’ve really been enjoying doing
that research.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746038955617.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Christian School" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Christian School</figcaption>
 </figure>St. Joseph Christian
has grown over the years. Its student population of 515 could grow to 700 once
the expansion is completed, expected by the end of the year.Fagan says the
school first had a goal to raise $9.3 million. The
goal was raised to $10 million to include the cost of an elevator to make the second story accessible. The building campaign is about $500,000 short of
that goal.The building expansion,
known as Nehemiah 2.0, centers around a 1,000-seat gymnasium. It also will include
a new commons area, flex-space classrooms, restrooms, offices, and a
second-level mezzanine with a walking track.Maggart says school
officials have been astounded by the support.“It is truly nothing
short of a God thing. &nbsp;I know that that can
sound kind of generic at times, but it’s very true. There is no doubt in my
mind, being involved in all the things behind the scenes,” Maggart says. “Ultimately,
this is God’s school. We’re just thankful He saw fit for us to have this fantastic
facility that is truly nothing short of a miracle.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746039011845.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Christian School" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Christian School</figcaption>
 </figure>This article has been updated since first published to clarify why the fund raising goal was increased.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph Christian School continues to grow, expand

St. Joseph Board
of Education members continue to review the election results from April 8th
in an attempt to understand what led to the defeat of the $157 million bond
issue.

The St. Joseph
School District is asking community members to take a brief survey to provide
feedback to the board.

St. Joseph School
Board member, Mike Moore, says individual board members have heard from the
public, but want more through a formal survey.

“To kind of go
straight to the public and just ask, hey, why didn’t you want what Prop 2 had
to offer?” Moore relates during an appearance on <a>KFEQmmunity</a>.
“And so, I think you’ll see some of that happen and we’ll continue to seek the
community’s feedback.”

St. Joseph voters
soundly rejected the proposal April 8th. Only 5,262 voted in favor
of it, according to unofficial results released by the Buchanan County Clerk’s office,
with 6,081 voting against; a split of 53.61% against to 46.39%. The issue, which would have increased
the St. Joseph school levy by 60 cents, needed a 57% majority to pass.

Moore says the
board is waiting on the administration to propose a path forward to address the
district’s four key areas:&nbsp; high school
academic inequality, the school feeder system, middle school inconsistency, and
operational inefficiency.

“So we had a
pretty solid plan, well laid out, well detailed if the bond passed. And, you
know, we thought we’re going to act like winners and we’re going to put the
eggs in that basket,” Moore says. “And so now, we are having to take a few
minutes to come back and say, hey, knowing now that we don’t have a new high
school on the horizon, how can we take care of these four concerns?”

The St. Joseph
School District is soliciting public comment online. You can click <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8286197/a233e2fbe7b3">HERE</a> to
access the survey. The survey asks 10 questions. The district estimates it
would take two minutes to complete. The survey closes May 7th.

Also, the board is
asking for candidates to fill the remaining year of Rick Gehring’s term in wake
of his abrupt resignation from the board.

Interested
residents can apply with the St. Joseph School District.

Moore says the
board could choose among the applicants, but wants to interview each first.

“Board indicates
that we want to go a little further than that and actually talk to folks, which
I generally agree with,” Moore says. “We’re going to spend that little bit of extra
time. And yes, it’s the board that makes that decision and it’s a majority
decision, right? You might wonder well what happens if we come down 3-to-3 on a
candidate?&nbsp; Well, we’ll work it out,
because we have to make a decision, we have to make an appointment.”

Those interested
in applying can click <a href="https://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/districtnews?post_category_id=77">HERE</a> for more information. Applications can also be
picked up at the district’s Central Office at 1415 N 26th Street, St. Joseph,
MO 64506. Please enter Door #5.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph Board
of Education members continue to review the election results from April 8th
in an attempt to understand what led to the defeat of the $157 million bond
issue.The St. Joseph
School District is asking community members to take a brief survey to provide
feedback to the board.St. Joseph School
Board member, Mike Moore, says individual board members have heard from the
public, but want more through a formal survey.“To kind of go
straight to the public and just ask, hey, why didn’t you want what Prop 2 had
to offer?” Moore relates during an appearance on <a>KFEQmmunity</a>.
“And so, I think you’ll see some of that happen and we’ll continue to seek the
community’s feedback.”St. Joseph voters
soundly rejected the proposal April 8th. Only 5,262 voted in favor
of it, according to unofficial results released by the Buchanan County Clerk’s office,
with 6,081 voting against; a split of 53.61% against to 46.39%. The issue, which would have increased
the St. Joseph school levy by 60 cents, needed a 57% majority to pass.Moore says the
board is waiting on the administration to propose a path forward to address the
district’s four key areas:&nbsp; high school
academic inequality, the school feeder system, middle school inconsistency, and
operational inefficiency.“So we had a
pretty solid plan, well laid out, well detailed if the bond passed. And, you
know, we thought we’re going to act like winners and we’re going to put the
eggs in that basket,” Moore says. “And so now, we are having to take a few
minutes to come back and say, hey, knowing now that we don’t have a new high
school on the horizon, how can we take care of these four concerns?”The St. Joseph
School District is soliciting public comment online. You can click <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8286197/a233e2fbe7b3">HERE</a> to
access the survey. The survey asks 10 questions. The district estimates it
would take two minutes to complete. The survey closes May 7th.Also, the board is
asking for candidates to fill the remaining year of Rick Gehring’s term in wake
of his abrupt resignation from the board.Interested
residents can apply with the St. Joseph School District.Moore says the
board could choose among the applicants, but wants to interview each first.“Board indicates
that we want to go a little further than that and actually talk to folks, which
I generally agree with,” Moore says. “We’re going to spend that little bit of extra
time. And yes, it’s the board that makes that decision and it’s a majority
decision, right? You might wonder well what happens if we come down 3-to-3 on a
candidate?&nbsp; Well, we’ll work it out,
because we have to make a decision, we have to make an appointment.”Those interested
in applying can click <a href="https://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/districtnews?post_category_id=77">HERE</a> for more information. Applications can also be
picked up at the district’s Central Office at 1415 N 26th Street, St. Joseph,
MO 64506. Please enter Door #5.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph School Board:  wants input, asks for applications

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/1txuzhOeDNqXiXFaF3IR9r?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/5OEUDnEWgjZLXR2i471Elo?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning News

The Kansas City Royals bounced back from a series ending loss to Houston on Sunday, opening a road trip with the Tampa Bay Rays with a 3-1 win on Tuesday night at&nbsp;George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The Royals built their lead early in the game, scoring a run in the first on an RBI double by Salvador Perez, driving in Jonathan India who led the inning off with a single, before adding another run in the second inning with a sacrifice fly by Kyle Isbel to score Drew Waters, building an early 2-0 lead through the first two innings.&nbsp;

Tampa Bay did cut the lead to one in the fourth inning on a leadoff home run by&nbsp;Junior Caminero, but after that the Rays were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, and Kansas City put the final insurance run needed in the top of the ninth when Freddy Fermin singled to drive in Maikel Garcia, putting the Royals up 3-1.&nbsp;&nbsp;Carlos Estévez allowed a single in the bottom of the nintb, but went on to record his eighth save.&nbsp;

Michael Lorenzen earned the win, moving to 3-3 on the season, pitching six innings and giving up four hits and one run, striking out four and walking two.&nbsp; &nbsp;Fermin led the way at the plate going 3-4 with one RBI.&nbsp; Bobby Witt Jr singled in the eighth inning to salvage his hit streak, extending it to 20 games.

As the Royals and Rays continue their series on Wednesday, it will be a special day for St. Joseph's Noah Cameron.&nbsp; Cameron, the Royals number five prospect, will make his major league debut in a spot start for the injured Cole Ragans.&nbsp; Ragans&nbsp;continues to recover from the mild left groin strain that he suffered Thursday against the Rockies.

Cameron has a 3.22 ERA in five starts, across 22.1 innings in Triple-A Omaha so far this season. In 2024, he posted a 3.08 ERA in Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A with 149 strikeouts and just 36 walks across 128.2 innings. The Royals added Cameron to the 40-man roster this past offseason, and he competed for a spot on the pitching staff in Spring Training.

Cameron will face off with&nbsp;Drew Rasmussen on the mound for the Rays.&nbsp; First pitch on Wednesday will be at 6:05pm, pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).

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

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe Kansas City Royals bounced back from a series ending loss to Houston on Sunday, opening a road trip with the Tampa Bay Rays with a 3-1 win on Tuesday night at&nbsp;George M. Steinbrenner Field.The Royals built their lead early in the game, scoring a run in the first on an RBI double by Salvador Perez, driving in Jonathan India who led the inning off with a single, before adding another run in the second inning with a sacrifice fly by Kyle Isbel to score Drew Waters, building an early 2-0 lead through the first two innings.&nbsp;Tampa Bay did cut the lead to one in the fourth inning on a leadoff home run by&nbsp;Junior Caminero, but after that the Rays were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, and Kansas City put the final insurance run needed in the top of the ninth when Freddy Fermin singled to drive in Maikel Garcia, putting the Royals up 3-1.&nbsp;&nbsp;Carlos Estévez allowed a single in the bottom of the nintb, but went on to record his eighth save.&nbsp;Michael Lorenzen earned the win, moving to 3-3 on the season, pitching six innings and giving up four hits and one run, striking out four and walking two.&nbsp; &nbsp;Fermin led the way at the plate going 3-4 with one RBI.&nbsp; Bobby Witt Jr singled in the eighth inning to salvage his hit streak, extending it to 20 games.As the Royals and Rays continue their series on Wednesday, it will be a special day for St. Joseph's Noah Cameron.&nbsp; Cameron, the Royals number five prospect, will make his major league debut in a spot start for the injured Cole Ragans.&nbsp; Ragans&nbsp;continues to recover from the mild left groin strain that he suffered Thursday against the Rockies.Cameron has a 3.22 ERA in five starts, across 22.1 innings in Triple-A Omaha so far this season. In 2024, he posted a 3.08 ERA in Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A with 149 strikeouts and just 36 walks across 128.2 innings. The Royals added Cameron to the 40-man roster this past offseason, and he competed for a spot on the pitching staff in Spring Training.Cameron will face off with&nbsp;Drew Rasmussen on the mound for the Rays.&nbsp; First pitch on Wednesday will be at 6:05pm, pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Royals open road trip with 3-1 win over Rays; Cameron makes MLB debut tonight

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

A&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=4958086" target="_blank">sweeping child welfare bill</a>&nbsp;that would ban child marriage and prohibit the state from seizing foster children’s Social Security benefits is headed to the governor’s desk, after the Missouri Senate gave it final approval Tuesday on a 32 to 1 vote.

The sole no vote was Republican state Sen. Mike Moon of Ash Grove.&nbsp;

The bill garnered little opposition when it cleared the House&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB737&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">last week 129 to 14</a>, though a group of Republican lawmakers condemned the provision making it illegal for anyone under 18 years old to marry.&nbsp;

“There are legitimate reasons for people 16, 17 to become married,” said state Rep. Dean van Schoiack, a Savannah Republican, who was also vocal in his opposition to the idea last year. “A pregnancy could be a legitimate reason to become married, for one thing.”&nbsp;

He said he knows many couples who were married at 16 or 17 who are still together.

State Rep. Hardy Billington, a Poplar Bluff Republican, said “more babies will die” if the bill passes.&nbsp;

“People at 16, 17 years old will have more abortions because they can’t get married,” he said.

Both Billington and Van Schoiack left the House chamber during a roll call on the legislation, and thus did not record a vote.

House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, said the Platte County recorder of deeds shared with her “how horrifying his experience is when he has to assist a young woman with a marriage certificate, the look in her eyes when he knows that this is against her will.”&nbsp;

She then turned her comments to Van Schoiack.

“And for you to stand up here and advocate for young women to be married off, it is disgusting,” Aune said. “Honestly, I can’t believe it. It’s indefensible. I can’t believe you would stand up in a microphone and say it out loud.”&nbsp;

Under current Missouri law, anyone under 16 is prohibited from getting married. But 16 and 17 year olds can get married with parental consent to anyone under 21.&nbsp;

Marriage would be banned for anyone under 18 under the bill that passed Tuesday.&nbsp;

There was no discussion before Tuesday’s vote, but in 2023 Moon’s opposition to the child marriage ban garnered national attention when he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article274244525.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">said</a>: “Do you know any kids who have been married at age 12? I do. And guess what? They’re still married.”

The ban on child marriage almost passed last year but&nbsp;was stalled by a small group of Republican critics.

The underlying bill, dealing with foster children, was sponsored by Republican state Rep. Melissa Schmidt of Eldridge, and handled by Republican Sen. Jamie Burger of Benton. Most of the provisions were added on by other members as amendments.

Among its many provisions is a ban on Missouri’s social services agency from seizing Social Security benefits from foster kids.&nbsp;

Missouri’s child welfare agency takes millions of dollars each year in foster children’s benefits and uses the money to help pay for foster care. In fiscal year 2024, the Children’s Division spent over&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/fiscal-note/1974-h.04-p.-o-r-g-hb737.pdf?c=87301" target="_blank">$10.6 million</a>&nbsp;in children’s benefits.&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/fiscal-note/1974-h.04-p.-o-r-g-hb737.pdf?c=87301" target="_blank">Over 1,200 foster kids</a>&nbsp;were receiving benefits in Missouri of late last year, or just over 10% of all kids in care.

As a result, kids who are orphaned or have disabilities are responsible for paying toward the cost of their care in state custody.&nbsp;

The bill would ban the state from using those benefits to pay itself back for routine foster care expenses. Instead, the division could use the funds for the child’s “unmet needs” beyond what the division is obligated to pay, such as housing as the child prepares to age out of foster care.

The effort to ban the practice won bipartisan support during last year’s session and was on the precipice of passing. But it&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/23/lawmakers-adjourn-without-banning-state-from-seizing-benefits-from-missouri-foster-kids/">died when GOP infighting</a>&nbsp;forced the state Senate to adjourn early.&nbsp;

House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/23/lawmakers-try-again-to-stop-missouri-from-seizing-benefits-owed-to-foster-kids/">pledged earlier this year</a>&nbsp;that this legislation would be the first bill sent to the Senate, highlighting the issue as legislation that “should have been passed but fell victim to our inaction and politics.”

The bill also&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/22/missouri-bill-to-void-ndas-in-child-sex-abuse-cases-approved-by-house/">voids nondisclosure agreements in childhood sexual abuse</a>&nbsp;cases.&nbsp;

And it includes a proposal by Republican state Sen. Travis&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/07/missouri-senate-approves-massive-child-welfare-bill-aimed-at-foster-care-system/">Fitzwater</a>&nbsp;of Holts Summit that would assign foster children 14 and older to client-directed attorneys, meaning they would be required to act based on the goals of the children. Currently, foster children have guardians ad litem, who are attorneys tasked with acting in what they view as the child’s best interest.&nbsp;

The shift, which would be subject to appropriation, goes into effect in 2028 unless a county opts into a pilot program. The judge in each case would still have the discretion to continue the guardian ad litem appointment. The bill also creates a commission appointed by the chief justice of the state Supreme Court to review family legal representation throughout the state, and make recommendations to bolster its uniformity and quality.

It would also require the state Department of Social Services to build a program of residential care for youth with severe behavioral challenges currently being held in inappropriate placements, by contracting with qualified service providers. This, too, would likely require funding by the legislature.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746008384481.jpeg" alt=" A view of the Missouri Senate chamber from the visitors gallery (photo courtesy of the Missouri Senate)." />
 <figcaption> A view of the Missouri Senate chamber from the visitors gallery (photo courtesy of the Missouri Senate).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>A&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=4958086" target="_blank">sweeping child welfare bill</a>&nbsp;that would ban child marriage and prohibit the state from seizing foster children’s Social Security benefits is headed to the governor’s desk, after the Missouri Senate gave it final approval Tuesday on a 32 to 1 vote.The sole no vote was Republican state Sen. Mike Moon of Ash Grove.&nbsp;The bill garnered little opposition when it cleared the House&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB737&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">last week 129 to 14</a>, though a group of Republican lawmakers condemned the provision making it illegal for anyone under 18 years old to marry.&nbsp;“There are legitimate reasons for people 16, 17 to become married,” said state Rep. Dean van Schoiack, a Savannah Republican, who was also vocal in his opposition to the idea last year. “A pregnancy could be a legitimate reason to become married, for one thing.”&nbsp;He said he knows many couples who were married at 16 or 17 who are still together.State Rep. Hardy Billington, a Poplar Bluff Republican, said “more babies will die” if the bill passes.&nbsp;“People at 16, 17 years old will have more abortions because they can’t get married,” he said.Both Billington and Van Schoiack left the House chamber during a roll call on the legislation, and thus did not record a vote.House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, said the Platte County recorder of deeds shared with her “how horrifying his experience is when he has to assist a young woman with a marriage certificate, the look in her eyes when he knows that this is against her will.”&nbsp;She then turned her comments to Van Schoiack.“And for you to stand up here and advocate for young women to be married off, it is disgusting,” Aune said. “Honestly, I can’t believe it. It’s indefensible. I can’t believe you would stand up in a microphone and say it out loud.”&nbsp;Under current Missouri law, anyone under 16 is prohibited from getting married. But 16 and 17 year olds can get married with parental consent to anyone under 21.&nbsp;Marriage would be banned for anyone under 18 under the bill that passed Tuesday.&nbsp;There was no discussion before Tuesday’s vote, but in 2023 Moon’s opposition to the child marriage ban garnered national attention when he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article274244525.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">said</a>: “Do you know any kids who have been married at age 12? I do. And guess what? They’re still married.”The ban on child marriage almost passed last year but&nbsp;was stalled by a small group of Republican critics.The underlying bill, dealing with foster children, was sponsored by Republican state Rep. Melissa Schmidt of Eldridge, and handled by Republican Sen. Jamie Burger of Benton. Most of the provisions were added on by other members as amendments.Among its many provisions is a ban on Missouri’s social services agency from seizing Social Security benefits from foster kids.&nbsp;Missouri’s child welfare agency takes millions of dollars each year in foster children’s benefits and uses the money to help pay for foster care. In fiscal year 2024, the Children’s Division spent over&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/fiscal-note/1974-h.04-p.-o-r-g-hb737.pdf?c=87301" target="_blank">$10.6 million</a>&nbsp;in children’s benefits.&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/fiscal-note/1974-h.04-p.-o-r-g-hb737.pdf?c=87301" target="_blank">Over 1,200 foster kids</a>&nbsp;were receiving benefits in Missouri of late last year, or just over 10% of all kids in care.As a result, kids who are orphaned or have disabilities are responsible for paying toward the cost of their care in state custody.&nbsp;The bill would ban the state from using those benefits to pay itself back for routine foster care expenses. Instead, the division could use the funds for the child’s “unmet needs” beyond what the division is obligated to pay, such as housing as the child prepares to age out of foster care.The effort to ban the practice won bipartisan support during last year’s session and was on the precipice of passing. But it&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/23/lawmakers-adjourn-without-banning-state-from-seizing-benefits-from-missouri-foster-kids/">died when GOP infighting</a>&nbsp;forced the state Senate to adjourn early.&nbsp;House Speaker Jon Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/23/lawmakers-try-again-to-stop-missouri-from-seizing-benefits-owed-to-foster-kids/">pledged earlier this year</a>&nbsp;that this legislation would be the first bill sent to the Senate, highlighting the issue as legislation that “should have been passed but fell victim to our inaction and politics.”The bill also&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/22/missouri-bill-to-void-ndas-in-child-sex-abuse-cases-approved-by-house/">voids nondisclosure agreements in childhood sexual abuse</a>&nbsp;cases.&nbsp;And it includes a proposal by Republican state Sen. Travis&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/07/missouri-senate-approves-massive-child-welfare-bill-aimed-at-foster-care-system/">Fitzwater</a>&nbsp;of Holts Summit that would assign foster children 14 and older to client-directed attorneys, meaning they would be required to act based on the goals of the children. Currently, foster children have guardians ad litem, who are attorneys tasked with acting in what they view as the child’s best interest.&nbsp;The shift, which would be subject to appropriation, goes into effect in 2028 unless a county opts into a pilot program. The judge in each case would still have the discretion to continue the guardian ad litem appointment. The bill also creates a commission appointed by the chief justice of the state Supreme Court to review family legal representation throughout the state, and make recommendations to bolster its uniformity and quality.It would also require the state Department of Social Services to build a program of residential care for youth with severe behavioral challenges currently being held in inappropriate placements, by contracting with qualified service providers. This, too, would likely require funding by the legislature.&nbsp;Other provisions include:<ul>
 <li>Increasing a tax credit for donations to certain youth programs.</li><li>Clarifying that parents allowing children to engage in appropriate independent activities without supervision would not be considered abuse or neglect.</li><li>Stating that the state Children’s Division cannot hold itself harmless in contracts with private service providers when there are issues resulting from the state’s negligence.</li><li>Requiring Children’s Division caseworkers to present identification of themselves when conducting investigations of child abuse and neglect, and inform parents of their rights.</li><li>Requiring the Children’s Division to take into consideration the religion of the foster child when determining placement, in order to ensure children are in households of a similar religion to their families’ when practicable.</li><li>Modifying the Amber Alert system to add that the system will aid in finding not only an abducted child but an “abducted or missing African American youth.”</li><li>Changing the criminal offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, by raising the age of a child from “under 17” to “under 18.”</li>
 </ul>

Sweeping Missouri child welfare bill, including child marriage ban, heads to governor’s desk

The fate of the law remains uncertain as Republican state legislators continue working to weaken it before the session concludes on May 16

Missouri’s Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld Proposition A, the voter-approved law expanding paid sick leave set to go into effect Thursday.

It was a unanimous&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=220173" target="_blank">opinion</a>&nbsp;but one judge dissented on the reasoning.&nbsp;

“This court finds there was no election irregularity and the election results are valid,” Chief Justice Mary Russell&nbsp;wrote in the opinion.

Business groups have been fighting on two fronts to gut the law since it passed in November. Tuesday’s decision marks the failure of one front, but efforts to convince Republican lawmakers to overturn the law remain in play.&nbsp;

A bill that cleared the House and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/17/missouri-democrats-filibuster-gop-effort-to-overturn-voter-approved-paid-sick-leave/">awaits action in the Senate</a>&nbsp;would repeal the sick leave provisions. Negotiations between Senate Democrats and Republicans on that legislation appear to have stalled.&nbsp;

“In light of today’s decision, it is now imperative that the Missouri General Assembly pass HB 567,” Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in a press release, referring to the bill to seeking to void the paid sick leave law.

The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments last month seeking to strike down the law,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/12/09/business-groups-file-legal-challenge-to-voter-approved-minimum-wage-hike-sick-leave/">filed by a coalition of business groups and individuals.</a>&nbsp;The lawsuit argued the law should be thrown out for violating constitutional rules on ballot initiatives,&nbsp;including violations of the state constitution’s&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++50&amp;bid=31808&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">single-subject requirement&nbsp;</a>and a lack of a clear title, which the court ruled it lacks jurisdiction over.&nbsp;

“Workers like me have spent over a decade fighting across race and place to strengthen our rights, and the Supreme Court decision today proves that when we fight, we win,” said Terrence Wise, a Stand Up KC and Missouri Workers Center leader who has worked in the fast food industry for two decades, in a press release. “…We will continue to stand up for our right to the dignified benefits and wages we deserve — from the shop floor to the halls of government.”

Prop A&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missourians-vote-to-increase-minimum-wage-require-paid-sick-leave/">passed</a>&nbsp;with nearly 58% of the vote and had the support of numerous unions, workers’ advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights organizations, as well as over 500 business owners.

Senate Democrats have spent two nights this month&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/17/missouri-democrats-filibuster-gop-effort-to-overturn-voter-approved-paid-sick-leave/">blocking Republican efforts to overturn the law</a>. They have worked on reaching a compromise regarding implementation details.

Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Republican from Shelbina, has been an especially loud voice urging full repeal. She&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cindy.olaughlin/posts/pfbid02tRXyUDT4oA9FKGQu5VQZDwrw73DkDoTHyK8aC5TcYBEABzePb9chxVJcvdVcbCbPl" target="_blank">has said</a>&nbsp;that even though requirements go into effect May 1, the Senate could continue working to weaken the law until the end of session on May 16.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/bts_web/bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=9171446" target="_blank">bill sponsored by state Sen. Mike Bernskoetter,</a>&nbsp;a Republican from Jefferson City, and state Rep. Sherri Gallick, a Republican from Belton, would overturn the law requiring most employers to provide paid sick time off for hundreds of thousands of qualifying workers. It would also modify the minimum wage law by removing the requirement that it be indexed to inflation.

State Sen. Brian Williams, a Democrat from University City, spent over two hours blocking action in the chamber with a filibuster Tuesday morning, saying some had been acting in bad faith during negotiations.

“This year, there’s been again, people going back on negotiation, bad faith efforts, distrust, people feeling deceived and members of the body feeling disrespected,” he said. “But most importantly, all in the name of disregarding voters. The very same voters that have sent us here.”&nbsp;

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

“It is financially burdensome, just short of devastating, and its regulatory requirements are extremely difficult for single unit operators,”&nbsp;Buddy Lahl, CEO of the Missouri Restaurant Association, told The Independent Tuesday.

The bill would allow the minimum wage to increase to $15 per hour in 2026, as voters approved, but it would not be adjusted for inflation thereafter — a policy that has been in place since 2007. The sick leave provisions would be repealed entirely.

Prop A would make sick leave guaranteed for around 728,000 workers who currently lack it statewide, or over 1 in 3 Missouri workers, according to an analysis from the progressive nonprofit the Missouri Budget Project.

&nbsp;The Independent’s Rudi Keller contributed reporting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745958479546.png" alt=" The Missouri Supreme Court takes the bench on Sept. 10, 2024, in Jefferson City to hear a case questioning whether an amendment to overturn the state’s abortion ban will remain on the state’s November ballot. From left are Judges Kelly C. Broniec, Robin Ransom, W. Brent Powell, Chief Justice Mary R. Russell, Zel. M. Fischer, Paul C. Wilson and Ginger K. Gooch (Pool photo by Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch)." />
 <figcaption> The Missouri Supreme Court takes the bench on Sept. 10, 2024, in Jefferson City to hear a case questioning whether an amendment to overturn the state’s abortion ban will remain on the state’s November ballot. From left are Judges Kelly C. Broniec, Robin Ransom, W. Brent Powell, Chief Justice Mary R. Russell, Zel. M. Fischer, Paul C. Wilson and Ginger K. Gooch (Pool photo by Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The fate of the law remains uncertain as Republican state legislators continue working to weaken it before the session concludes on May 16</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri’s Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld Proposition A, the voter-approved law expanding paid sick leave set to go into effect Thursday.It was a unanimous&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=220173" target="_blank">opinion</a>&nbsp;but one judge dissented on the reasoning.&nbsp;“This court finds there was no election irregularity and the election results are valid,” Chief Justice Mary Russell&nbsp;wrote in the opinion.Business groups have been fighting on two fronts to gut the law since it passed in November. Tuesday’s decision marks the failure of one front, but efforts to convince Republican lawmakers to overturn the law remain in play.&nbsp;A bill that cleared the House and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/17/missouri-democrats-filibuster-gop-effort-to-overturn-voter-approved-paid-sick-leave/">awaits action in the Senate</a>&nbsp;would repeal the sick leave provisions. Negotiations between Senate Democrats and Republicans on that legislation appear to have stalled.&nbsp;“In light of today’s decision, it is now imperative that the Missouri General Assembly pass HB 567,” Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in a press release, referring to the bill to seeking to void the paid sick leave law.The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments last month seeking to strike down the law,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/12/09/business-groups-file-legal-challenge-to-voter-approved-minimum-wage-hike-sick-leave/">filed by a coalition of business groups and individuals.</a>&nbsp;The lawsuit argued the law should be thrown out for violating constitutional rules on ballot initiatives,&nbsp;including violations of the state constitution’s&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++50&amp;bid=31808&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">single-subject requirement&nbsp;</a>and a lack of a clear title, which the court ruled it lacks jurisdiction over.&nbsp;“Workers like me have spent over a decade fighting across race and place to strengthen our rights, and the Supreme Court decision today proves that when we fight, we win,” said Terrence Wise, a Stand Up KC and Missouri Workers Center leader who has worked in the fast food industry for two decades, in a press release. “…We will continue to stand up for our right to the dignified benefits and wages we deserve — from the shop floor to the halls of government.”Prop A&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/05/missourians-vote-to-increase-minimum-wage-require-paid-sick-leave/">passed</a>&nbsp;with nearly 58% of the vote and had the support of numerous unions, workers’ advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights organizations, as well as over 500 business owners.Senate Democrats have spent two nights this month&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/17/missouri-democrats-filibuster-gop-effort-to-overturn-voter-approved-paid-sick-leave/">blocking Republican efforts to overturn the law</a>. They have worked on reaching a compromise regarding implementation details.Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Republican from Shelbina, has been an especially loud voice urging full repeal. She&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cindy.olaughlin/posts/pfbid02tRXyUDT4oA9FKGQu5VQZDwrw73DkDoTHyK8aC5TcYBEABzePb9chxVJcvdVcbCbPl" target="_blank">has said</a>&nbsp;that even though requirements go into effect May 1, the Senate could continue working to weaken the law until the end of session on May 16.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/bts_web/bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=9171446" target="_blank">bill sponsored by state Sen. Mike Bernskoetter,</a>&nbsp;a Republican from Jefferson City, and state Rep. Sherri Gallick, a Republican from Belton, would overturn the law requiring most employers to provide paid sick time off for hundreds of thousands of qualifying workers. It would also modify the minimum wage law by removing the requirement that it be indexed to inflation.State Sen. Brian Williams, a Democrat from University City, spent over two hours blocking action in the chamber with a filibuster Tuesday morning, saying some had been acting in bad faith during negotiations.“This year, there’s been again, people going back on negotiation, bad faith efforts, distrust, people feeling deceived and members of the body feeling disrespected,” he said. “But most importantly, all in the name of disregarding voters. The very same voters that have sent us here.”&nbsp;Under the law, beginning May 1 employers with business receipts greater than $500,000 a year must provide at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers with fewer than 15 workers must allow workers to earn at least 40 hours per year, with larger employers mandated to allow at least 56 hours. The law also gradually increases the minimum wage.“It is financially burdensome, just short of devastating, and its regulatory requirements are extremely difficult for single unit operators,”&nbsp;Buddy Lahl, CEO of the Missouri Restaurant Association, told The Independent Tuesday.The bill would allow the minimum wage to increase to $15 per hour in 2026, as voters approved, but it would not be adjusted for inflation thereafter — a policy that has been in place since 2007. The sick leave provisions would be repealed entirely.Prop A would make sick leave guaranteed for around 728,000 workers who currently lack it statewide, or over 1 in 3 Missouri workers, according to an analysis from the progressive nonprofit the Missouri Budget Project.&nbsp;The Independent’s Rudi Keller contributed reporting.

Missouri Supreme Court upholds voter-approved paid sick leave law

Local law
enforcement doesn’t see it letting up anytime soon.

Buchanan County
Sheriff, Bill Puett, says many times a con artist will claim to be from the
sheriff’s office and state if the person doesn’t hand over cash right now, they
or a loved one will be thrown in jail. Puett says don’t fall for it.

“A governmental
entity, the sheriff’s office, court administrator, anybody like that; number
one, we don’t threaten anybody in lieu of giving us money,” Puett says during
an appearance on KFEQmmunity.

The same goes for
the St. Joseph Police Department.

St. Joseph Police
Chief, Paul Luster, gives the same answer:&nbsp;
the department will not threaten you or a loved one with jail time or
try to pry money from you during a phone call.

“That’s not going
to happen. We’re not going to do that. That’s a scam,” Luster says during a
separate appearance on KFEQmmunity. “I like to put that information out there a
lot. That that is 100% every time a scam, because we’re not ever going to call
you or text you and ask for money.”

Both Luster and
Puett says any resident who has questions should call their department
immediately to verify.

Also, never give
personal or financial information over the phone. Never quick on the link
provided in a text.

A Georgia man has
been sentenced for fraud after using a romance scheme on Facebook to defraud
elderly residents in three states, including Missouri, out of more than
$300,000.

Puett says con
artists often target the elderly.

“There are
horrific examples of large amounts of money that have been scammed off people because
of these romance (scams); $316,000 is not that much compared to some of the
cases that I’ve seen,” Puett says.

Puett says loses can
total in the millions.

Luster, says
pressure tactics can even trip up the suspicious.

“We’ll talk to a
lot of the victims after the fact and they’ll say, ‘I knew it. I knew this wasn’t
legit, but I did it anyways,’” according to Luster. “It’s because of that
high-pressure tactic that they kind of feel forced into it.”

Technology has made
it even more difficult to spot a scam. Luster says residents often receive spoof
phone calls, claiming to be from law enforcement, often stating you better fork
over money or you or a loved one will end up in jail.

“So, you’re
sitting at home, your caller ID says St. Joseph Police Department. My name’s
even been on them:&nbsp; Chief Paul Luster is
calling you and then it’s this, you need to give us money because your loved
ones in jail or you’re behind on your taxes and we’re going to come and arrest
you,” Luster says.

“I always tell
everybody, go with that gut instinct. If it doesn’t seem right, hang up the
phone and call us.”

Luster says those
who suspect they have received a scam call should call the St. Joseph
non-emergency number 271-4777 to either verify the call or report the scam.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostScams continue to
plague area residents.Local law
enforcement doesn’t see it letting up anytime soon.Buchanan County
Sheriff, Bill Puett, says many times a con artist will claim to be from the
sheriff’s office and state if the person doesn’t hand over cash right now, they
or a loved one will be thrown in jail. Puett says don’t fall for it.“A governmental
entity, the sheriff’s office, court administrator, anybody like that; number
one, we don’t threaten anybody in lieu of giving us money,” Puett says during
an appearance on KFEQmmunity.The same goes for
the St. Joseph Police Department.St. Joseph Police
Chief, Paul Luster, gives the same answer:&nbsp;
the department will not threaten you or a loved one with jail time or
try to pry money from you during a phone call.“That’s not going
to happen. We’re not going to do that. That’s a scam,” Luster says during a
separate appearance on KFEQmmunity. “I like to put that information out there a
lot. That that is 100% every time a scam, because we’re not ever going to call
you or text you and ask for money.”Both Luster and
Puett says any resident who has questions should call their department
immediately to verify.Also, never give
personal or financial information over the phone. Never quick on the link
provided in a text.A Georgia man has
been sentenced for fraud after using a romance scheme on Facebook to defraud
elderly residents in three states, including Missouri, out of more than
$300,000.Puett says con
artists often target the elderly.“There are
horrific examples of large amounts of money that have been scammed off people because
of these romance (scams); $316,000 is not that much compared to some of the
cases that I’ve seen,” Puett says.Puett says loses can
total in the millions.Luster, says
pressure tactics can even trip up the suspicious.“We’ll talk to a
lot of the victims after the fact and they’ll say, ‘I knew it. I knew this wasn’t
legit, but I did it anyways,’” according to Luster. “It’s because of that
high-pressure tactic that they kind of feel forced into it.”Technology has made
it even more difficult to spot a scam. Luster says residents often receive spoof
phone calls, claiming to be from law enforcement, often stating you better fork
over money or you or a loved one will end up in jail.“So, you’re
sitting at home, your caller ID says St. Joseph Police Department. My name’s
even been on them:&nbsp; Chief Paul Luster is
calling you and then it’s this, you need to give us money because your loved
ones in jail or you’re behind on your taxes and we’re going to come and arrest
you,” Luster says.Luster cautions
residents to beware.“I always tell
everybody, go with that gut instinct. If it doesn’t seem right, hang up the
phone and call us.”Luster says those
who suspect they have received a scam call should call the St. Joseph
non-emergency number 271-4777 to either verify the call or report the scam.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Local law enforcement caution against growing threat of scams

One person had to
be hospitalized for a moderate wound from a shooting at a St. Joseph residence Monday
afternoon.

St. Joseph police
report officers arrived at the house at the intersection of Calhoun and North
23rd Street around 3:30 Monday afternoon. Police say one person
suffered a moderate wound to the pelvic area and had to be taken to the hospital.

The shooting was
contained within the residence, according to police.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostOne person had to
be hospitalized for a moderate wound from a shooting at a St. Joseph residence Monday
afternoon.St. Joseph police
report officers arrived at the house at the intersection of Calhoun and North
23rd Street around 3:30 Monday afternoon. Police say one person
suffered a moderate wound to the pelvic area and had to be taken to the hospital.The shooting was
contained within the residence, according to police.The investigation
continues.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

One person wounded in St. Joseph shooting

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

Missouri lawmakers are playing tax cut tennis, and on Monday the state House served its latest offering when it narrowed the differences with the state Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=421" target="_blank">in a bill</a>&nbsp;that helps wealthy taxpayers and some who are at the bottom of the income scale.

The proposal is the smallest, in terms of revenue reductions, of several bills intended to cut taxes this year. It exempts long-term capital gains — profits on investments or property held for more than a year — from state income tax.

It also boosts the income limits and credit amounts for the refundable tax credit known as the circuit breaker, which helps defer the cost of property taxes for low-income seniors and people with disabilities.

Those provisions mirror the language&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?year=2025&amp;bill=HB594&amp;code=R%20&amp;cal=1" target="_blank">in a bill</a>&nbsp;that has already passed the Senate but has not received a final House vote. One key difference is that the Senate-passed version would adjust the circuit breaker credit amounts for inflation starting in 2027, while the bill approved Monday does not.

It also does not include the sales tax exemption for diapers and feminine hygiene products included in the Senate-passed bill.

House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins, a Republican from Bowling Green, said the latest plan was intended to send the Senate something it could accept.

“We feel like the Senate will be able to pass our language on this as is,” Perkins said.

The bill began as a proposal to allow the Department of Revenue to forgive interest and penalties when it has to prorate tax credits because claims exceed the annual allowance. For the past three years, people claiming Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-taxpayers-hit-with-penalties-interest-after-claims-exceed-cap-on-food-pantry-tax-credit/">food pantry tax credit</a>&nbsp;found they didn’t get the full value when the state Department of Revenue reviewed their returns.

The bill passed by a 92-58 vote, with 11 Republicans voting against it along with all Democrats. The bill needs only a final Senate vote to send it to Gov. Mike Kehoe.

During debate, Democrats warned that big tax cuts now are a mistake because of uncertainty, both in future support from federal funding and the possibility of an economic recession due to tariff and other policy shifts under President Donald Trump.

“Wait for another year. Let’s see what happens with the U.S. economy before we cut another tax,” said state Rep. Steve Butz, a Democrat fromSt. Louis. “We need to go slow, because you can’t reverse this decision.”

The tax limitations in the Missouri Constitution would require a statewide vote if, in a year or two, lawmakers decided they had cut taxes too much.

The fiscal note for the bill, which gives the official estimate of whether it will increase or decrease state revenue, states that exempting capital gains would reduce revenue from the individual income tax by about $110 million annually, with another $180 million reduction with the corporate cut kicks in.

Outside observers question that estimate, with the left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimating that the revenue reduction&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/07/missouri-lawmakers-set-to-pass-capital-gains-tax-cut-with-questions-about-its-total-cost/">could be $600 million or more</a>.

Since 2014, when lawmakers enacted a tax cut over the veto of then-Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, Missouri’s top income tax rate has fallen from 6% to 4.7%. Two future tax cuts, to a 4.5% rate, are already in state law and will take effect if general revenue growth hits targets.

The changes in the circuit breaker credit would reduce state revenue by about $75 million annually.&nbsp;

People 65 and older and those with a qualifying disability are eligible for a credit against property taxes on their residence. Since 2008 the maximum credit for homeowners has been $1,100, while for people who rent their home the maximum credit is $750.

The legislation would increase the credit for homeowners to $1,550 and for renters to $1,055.

The proposal would also increase the maximum income for claiming the credit from $27,500 for single taxpayers who rent to $38,200 and for single taxpayers who own their home from $30,000 to $42,200. For married couples, the limit would be $41,000 for renters and $48,000 for homeowners.

Most of the debate Monday focused on whether the circuit breaker changes were enough to balance the benefits being provided to wealthy taxpayers.

“This is an amendment that our senior citizens need for us to do, as it truly helps those in the lowest income brackets,” said state Rep. Mark Matthiesen, a Republican from O’Fallon. “Also those with disabilities need our help.”

Democrats said the circuit breaker changes were designed to mask the problems that would be created by additional large income tax cuts.

“It’s the arsonist,” said Rep. Mark Boyko, a Democrat from Kirkwood, “telling us that they’ll give us 10 seconds to go rescue the grandfather clock.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745924117430.png" alt="Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins of Bowing Green speaks at a news conference Feb. 13 with state Rep. Melissa Schmidt, a Republican from Eldridge (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption>Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins of Bowing Green speaks at a news conference Feb. 13 with state Rep. Melissa Schmidt, a Republican from Eldridge (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri lawmakers are playing tax cut tennis, and on Monday the state House served its latest offering when it narrowed the differences with the state Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=421" target="_blank">in a bill</a>&nbsp;that helps wealthy taxpayers and some who are at the bottom of the income scale.The proposal is the smallest, in terms of revenue reductions, of several bills intended to cut taxes this year. It exempts long-term capital gains — profits on investments or property held for more than a year — from state income tax.It also boosts the income limits and credit amounts for the refundable tax credit known as the circuit breaker, which helps defer the cost of property taxes for low-income seniors and people with disabilities.Those provisions mirror the language&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?year=2025&amp;bill=HB594&amp;code=R%20&amp;cal=1" target="_blank">in a bill</a>&nbsp;that has already passed the Senate but has not received a final House vote. One key difference is that the Senate-passed version would adjust the circuit breaker credit amounts for inflation starting in 2027, while the bill approved Monday does not.It also does not include the sales tax exemption for diapers and feminine hygiene products included in the Senate-passed bill.House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins, a Republican from Bowling Green, said the latest plan was intended to send the Senate something it could accept.“We feel like the Senate will be able to pass our language on this as is,” Perkins said.The bill began as a proposal to allow the Department of Revenue to forgive interest and penalties when it has to prorate tax credits because claims exceed the annual allowance. For the past three years, people claiming Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-taxpayers-hit-with-penalties-interest-after-claims-exceed-cap-on-food-pantry-tax-credit/">food pantry tax credit</a>&nbsp;found they didn’t get the full value when the state Department of Revenue reviewed their returns.The bill passed by a 92-58 vote, with 11 Republicans voting against it along with all Democrats. The bill needs only a final Senate vote to send it to Gov. Mike Kehoe.During debate, Democrats warned that big tax cuts now are a mistake because of uncertainty, both in future support from federal funding and the possibility of an economic recession due to tariff and other policy shifts under President Donald Trump.“Wait for another year. Let’s see what happens with the U.S. economy before we cut another tax,” said state Rep. Steve Butz, a Democrat fromSt. Louis. “We need to go slow, because you can’t reverse this decision.”The tax limitations in the Missouri Constitution would require a statewide vote if, in a year or two, lawmakers decided they had cut taxes too much.The fiscal note for the bill, which gives the official estimate of whether it will increase or decrease state revenue, states that exempting capital gains would reduce revenue from the individual income tax by about $110 million annually, with another $180 million reduction with the corporate cut kicks in.Outside observers question that estimate, with the left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimating that the revenue reduction&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/07/missouri-lawmakers-set-to-pass-capital-gains-tax-cut-with-questions-about-its-total-cost/">could be $600 million or more</a>.Since 2014, when lawmakers enacted a tax cut over the veto of then-Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, Missouri’s top income tax rate has fallen from 6% to 4.7%. Two future tax cuts, to a 4.5% rate, are already in state law and will take effect if general revenue growth hits targets.The changes in the circuit breaker credit would reduce state revenue by about $75 million annually.&nbsp;People 65 and older and those with a qualifying disability are eligible for a credit against property taxes on their residence. Since 2008 the maximum credit for homeowners has been $1,100, while for people who rent their home the maximum credit is $750.The legislation would increase the credit for homeowners to $1,550 and for renters to $1,055.The proposal would also increase the maximum income for claiming the credit from $27,500 for single taxpayers who rent to $38,200 and for single taxpayers who own their home from $30,000 to $42,200. For married couples, the limit would be $41,000 for renters and $48,000 for homeowners.Most of the debate Monday focused on whether the circuit breaker changes were enough to balance the benefits being provided to wealthy taxpayers.“This is an amendment that our senior citizens need for us to do, as it truly helps those in the lowest income brackets,” said state Rep. Mark Matthiesen, a Republican from O’Fallon. “Also those with disabilities need our help.”Democrats said the circuit breaker changes were designed to mask the problems that would be created by additional large income tax cuts.“It’s the arsonist,” said Rep. Mark Boyko, a Democrat from Kirkwood, “telling us that they’ll give us 10 seconds to go rescue the grandfather clock.”

Missouri House again votes to eliminate income tax on capital gains

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 8:30a.m. on Sunday an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle in the 700 block South 4th Street in the city of Atchison for a traffic violation, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The driver,&nbsp; identified as 66-year-old Ivan Cushinberry, Jr., stopped the vehicle and the officer made contact with him. 

During an investigation, while the officer was getting Cushinberry out of the vehicle, Cushinberry started the vehicle and sped off. A pursuit followed to the 500 block S Street where Cushinberry stopped the vehicle and he was taken into custody.&nbsp; Police ultimately found cocaine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. He is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;fleeing and attempting to elude, transporting an open container, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interference with law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745852742708.png" alt="Cushinberry photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Cushinberry photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 8:30a.m. on Sunday an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle in the 700 block South 4th Street in the city of Atchison for a traffic violation, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The driver,&nbsp; identified as 66-year-old Ivan Cushinberry, Jr., stopped the vehicle and the officer made contact with him. During an investigation, while the officer was getting Cushinberry out of the vehicle, Cushinberry started the vehicle and sped off. A pursuit followed to the 500 block S Street where Cushinberry stopped the vehicle and he was taken into custody.&nbsp; Police ultimately found cocaine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. He is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;fleeing and attempting to elude, transporting an open container, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interference with law enforcement.

Police found cocaine in vehicle during Kansas traffic stop

A variety of music
will be presented by the <a href="https://saintjosephsymphony.org/">St. Joseph Symphony</a> during its 2025-2026 season.

It kicks off on
October 18th with Frankenstein…It’s Live. The symphony will perform
a new score by Michael Shapiro to the 1931 Frankenstein movie starring Boris
Karloff.

Conductor Chris
Kelts says the first change of the new season is when it begins.

“We have often
opened our season in September. We’re opening our season in October,” Kelts
tells KFEQmmunity. “So, we’re going to jump on the bandwagon of the fall
feeling and the festivities there. And I think people are going to be really
interested in a pretty eclectic season that we have planned for next year.”

The Holiday Cheer
concert will be held at the Missouri Theater on December 20th.

Kelts is excited
about the new season and how it be received by St. Joseph area residents.

“The people in St.
Joseph who come and hear us at the symphony, they are so appreciative. They’re
excited,” Kelts says. “And I just really love that vibe that they give off.”

Kelts says a lot
of planning went into this new season.

“It’s really easy
to fall into the trap of, ‘We’ve got to program music that everyone’s going to
like.’ That’s impossible to do. You can’t program music that everyone’s going
to like,” according to Kelts. “So you’re mission has to be about setting up an experience
for people. And everyone’s experience will be unique to their own, no matter what
we’re playing.”

The season ends
with a special finale. One of St. Joseph’s favorite “musical sons,” Anthony
Glise, will perform his concerto for Guitar and Orchestra with the St. Joseph
Symphony April 25th.

Click <a href="https://saintjosephsymphony.org/concerts/performances.html">HERE</a> for more on the upcoming St. Joseph Symphony season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745865164354.jpeg" alt="Missouri Theater/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Theater/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA variety of music
will be presented by the <a href="https://saintjosephsymphony.org/">St. Joseph Symphony</a> during its 2025-2026 season.It kicks off on
October 18th with Frankenstein…It’s Live. The symphony will perform
a new score by Michael Shapiro to the 1931 Frankenstein movie starring Boris
Karloff.Conductor Chris
Kelts says the first change of the new season is when it begins.“We have often
opened our season in September. We’re opening our season in October,” Kelts
tells KFEQmmunity. “So, we’re going to jump on the bandwagon of the fall
feeling and the festivities there. And I think people are going to be really
interested in a pretty eclectic season that we have planned for next year.”The Holiday Cheer
concert will be held at the Missouri Theater on December 20th.Kelts is excited
about the new season and how it be received by St. Joseph area residents.“The people in St.
Joseph who come and hear us at the symphony, they are so appreciative. They’re
excited,” Kelts says. “And I just really love that vibe that they give off.”Kelts says a lot
of planning went into this new season.“It’s really easy
to fall into the trap of, ‘We’ve got to program music that everyone’s going to
like.’ That’s impossible to do. You can’t program music that everyone’s going
to like,” according to Kelts. “So you’re mission has to be about setting up an experience
for people. And everyone’s experience will be unique to their own, no matter what
we’re playing.”The season ends
with a special finale. One of St. Joseph’s favorite “musical sons,” Anthony
Glise, will perform his concerto for Guitar and Orchestra with the St. Joseph
Symphony April 25th.Click <a href="https://saintjosephsymphony.org/concerts/performances.html">HERE</a> for more on the upcoming St. Joseph Symphony season.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

An eclectic season:  St. Joseph Symphony unveils 2025-2026 lineup 

Missouri Western State University is working to expand the perception the community has of the institution.  

President Elizabeth Kennedy says a community survey shows people think positively about the university 

"They see it as an asset, they see it as an economic driver, but the one piece we're working on now is they don't really know what our story is," Kennedy tells KFEQMunnity host Brent Martin.  "We need to be better about telling our story." 

Kennedy hopes a recent branding change will help with telling that story, saying the university is going back to "embracing MoWest" 

"And the reason for that is, so many people in our community, our graduates, just people who live there use it, they refer to us as MoWest, and it's done in a very affectionate way," Kennedy explains.  "So, we're talking about there really is more at MoWest, you can discover more, you can learn more, you can do more at MoWest." 

Kennedy says telling their story is making sure the university is communicating what it is, and what it is about.  

Missouri Western is also adapting to the needs of the community and its workforce.  

Several programs have been added at the university, and also new language courses as well, but while there is a growing need for these programs there is a central focus.  

Kennedy says the goal of any school, no matter what program a student is in, should be to help that student expand their mind 

"That's what we do at Missouri Western, that's what education is about," Kennedy says.  "Is it's not only knowledge creation through research and those kinds of things, but it's knowledge transmission, it's giving people information and teaching them how to critically think, how to work together in groups, how to do teamwork so that it's productive, those are the goals because that is what we do in everyday life." 

Kennedy says college is designed to provide an opportunity for growth and development at an intellectual level 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Missouri Western State University is working to expand the perception the community has of the institution. President Elizabeth Kennedy says a community survey shows people think positively about the university "They see it as an asset, they see it as an economic driver, but the one piece we're working on now is they don't really know what our story is," Kennedy tells KFEQMunnity host Brent Martin. "We need to be better about telling our story." Kennedy hopes a recent branding change will help with telling that story, saying the university is going back to "embracing MoWest" "And the reason for that is, so many people in our community, our graduates, just people who live there use it, they refer to us as MoWest, and it's done in a very affectionate way," Kennedy explains. "So, we're talking about there really is more at MoWest, you can discover more, you can learn more, you can do more at MoWest." Kennedy says telling their story is making sure the university is communicating what it is, and what it is about. Missouri Western is also adapting to the needs of the community and its workforce. Several programs have been added at the university, and also new language courses as well, but while there is a growing need for these programs there is a central focus. Kennedy says the goal of any school, no matter what program a student is in, should be to help that student expand their mind "That's what we do at Missouri Western, that's what education is about," Kennedy says. "Is it's not only knowledge creation through research and those kinds of things, but it's knowledge transmission, it's giving people information and teaching them how to critically think, how to work together in groups, how to do teamwork so that it's productive, those are the goals because that is what we do in everyday life." Kennedy says college is designed to provide an opportunity for growth and development at an intellectual level You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Missouri Western looking to help community "Embrace MoWest"

Here’s the latest booking activity from the
Buchanan County Jail. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes
until proven guilty in a court of law. These are courtesy photos.

This information is provided by the Buchanan
County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The St Joseph Post assumes
no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this
information.

Here’s the latest booking activity from the
Buchanan County Jail. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes
until proven guilty in a court of law. These are courtesy photos.This information is provided by the Buchanan
County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The St Joseph Post assumes
no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this
information.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670975440.jpeg" alt="WILSON KAHNER STEALING MTR VEH NO BOND.JPG" />
 <figcaption>WILSON KAHNER STEALING MTR VEH NO BOND.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670948065.jpeg" alt="WEYER LESLIE BURGLARY 7500 BOND.JPG" />
 <figcaption>WEYER LESLIE BURGLARY 7500 BOND.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670929980.jpeg" alt="WERTZ HODGE DESTIN DOM ASSAULT SENT 30 DAYS.JPG" />
 <figcaption>WERTZ HODGE DESTIN DOM ASSAULT SENT 30 DAYS.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670908002.jpeg" alt="THORNTON ANTWON NON SUPPORT 500 CASH.JPG" />
 <figcaption>THORNTON ANTWON NON SUPPORT 500 CASH.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670818777.jpeg" alt="SZESNY JOHN POSS CONT SUBS NO BOND.JPG" />
 <figcaption>SZESNY JOHN POSS CONT SUBS NO BOND.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670797829.jpeg" alt="STOCKSTILL RODNEY STEALING 11000 BOND.JPG" />
 <figcaption>STOCKSTILL RODNEY STEALING 11000 BOND.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670765957.jpeg" alt="SPETH JOSHUA TRESPASSING 500 CASH.JPG" />
 <figcaption>SPETH JOSHUA TRESPASSING 500 CASH.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670747273.jpeg" alt="SHALZ LANDON STEALING 1500 CASH.JPG" />
 <figcaption>SHALZ LANDON STEALING 1500 CASH.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670733519.jpeg" alt="RICE RICKY BURGLARY NO BOND.JPG" />
 <figcaption>RICE RICKY BURGLARY NO BOND.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670718832.jpeg" alt="PHINNEY DAVID UNL POSS FIREARM NO BOND.JPG" />
 <figcaption>PHINNEY DAVID UNL POSS FIREARM NO BOND.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670703844.jpeg" alt="MOSLEY JEREMY DWI 5000 BOND.JPG" />
 <figcaption>MOSLEY JEREMY DWI 5000 BOND.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670688774.jpeg" alt="LINDER WILLIAM DOM ASSAULT NO BOND.JPG" />
 <figcaption>LINDER WILLIAM DOM ASSAULT NO BOND.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670668176.jpeg" alt="LANGLEY TREVOR STEALING 7500 CASH.JPG" />
 <figcaption>LANGLEY TREVOR STEALING 7500 CASH.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670651306.jpeg" alt="KELLEY DYLAN DWR 123.50 CASH.JPG" />
 <figcaption>KELLEY DYLAN DWR 123.50 CASH.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670632389.jpeg" alt="JOHNSON STRATON UNL POSS FIREARM 10000 BOND.JPG" />
 <figcaption>JOHNSON STRATON UNL POSS FIREARM 10000 BOND.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670616054.jpeg" alt="HARRIS BRIAN LEAV SCENE ACC 500 CASH.JPG" />
 <figcaption>HARRIS BRIAN LEAV SCENE ACC 500 CASH.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670588660.jpeg" alt="GWINN DALTON DWI 2500 BOND.JPG" />
 <figcaption>GWINN DALTON DWI 2500 BOND.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670570161.jpeg" alt="ERICKSON JEREMY RESISTING NO BOND.JPG" />
 <figcaption>ERICKSON JEREMY RESISTING NO BOND.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670536323.jpeg" alt="EDWARDS DANIEL TAMP MTR VEH 10000 CASH.JPG" />
 <figcaption>EDWARDS DANIEL TAMP MTR VEH 10000 CASH.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670518138.jpeg" alt="DEWEESE KATHERINE INV MANSLAUGHTER SENT 120 DAYS.JPG" />
 <figcaption>DEWEESE KATHERINE INV MANSLAUGHTER SENT 120 DAYS.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670503251.jpeg" alt="BURLEY BRYSON NON SUPPORT 1000 CASH.JPG" />
 <figcaption>BURLEY BRYSON NON SUPPORT 1000 CASH.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670488498.jpeg" alt="BORSKE JUDE POSS CONT SUBS SENT 2 DAYS.JPG" />
 <figcaption>BORSKE JUDE POSS CONT SUBS SENT 2 DAYS.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure>

Buchanan County Jail Activity (4/28/25)

A bill that exempted National Guard duty pay from income tax now carries a $1.7 billion price tag for tax rate cuts extending to at least 2037

Missouri House Republicans aren’t ready to give up on dual goals of enacting a flat income tax and cutting the overall rate, and have loaded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=191" target="_blank">a Senate bill</a>&nbsp;with their latest plan — flat tax and capital gains cut now, rate cuts later.

On April 7, the state Senate approved&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB594&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;exempting capital gains — profits from property or investments held for more than a year —&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-approves-tax-cuts-for-capital-gains-diapers-and-low-income-seniors/">from state income tax</a>. Individuals would get the break right away, while corporations would be allowed the exemption when revenue triggers lower the top individual income tax rate to 4.5%. The current top rate is 4.7%.

One vote and that bill, sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins, is on its way to Gov. Mike Kehoe. The House passed the original version on a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/13/missouri-house-votes-on-party-lines-to-eliminate-income-tax-on-capital-gains/">party-line vote</a>&nbsp;in February.

But there’s no rush to bring it to a vote, even though Perkins has said he is ready.

“We have been hanging on to that bill for a little while, the House bill, to preserve options as we go into these last three weeks of session,” House Majority Leader Alex Riley of Springfield said Thursday.

Next week, Riley said, the House will debate a bill loaded with property tax changes as well as the flat tax at a rate of 4.7%, an immediate capital gains exemption and a 10-step income tax rate cut. The changes made in the bill, originally passed in the Senate as a simple exemption for National Guard active duty pay during state activations, boosted the estimate cost from&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2025-1/1248S.03P.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">$47,282</a>&nbsp;to as much as $1.7 billion when fully implemented in 2037 or later.

“We just want to see what opportunities we have over these last three weeks of session,” Riley said.

State Sen. Adam Schnelting of St. Charles, the sponsor of the bill, isn’t pleased with the changes.

“We’re at that stage in the game where things aren’t moving as quickly or as often as people would like, and so when you send something to the other chamber, it’s just natural at this point for them to load it up,” Schnelting said.

Items added to Schnelting’s bill in addition to an income tax cut would:

The political stakes behind the tax cut are adding pressure to make some kind of reduction this year. During the 2024 campaign, Kehoe and his Republican primary opponents all campaigned on a promise to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/24/mike-kehoe-missouri-governor-republican-primary/">eliminate the state income tax</a>.

But revenues have declined more than 1% so far this fiscal year and the two-step test for the trigger is unlikely to be met this year or in fiscal 2026, which begins July 1, according to estimates from the Office of Budget and Planning.

The next rate cut to 4.6%, put into law in 2022, is not likely before Jan. 1, 2028, when Kehoe will be seeking re-election.

The proposal going to the full House would not speed up the steps, but it would add a new layer of cuts that would eventually take the rate to 3.4%.

The proposal is a prudent one at a time of revenue uncertainty, said state Rep. Mike McGirl, a Potosi Republican who will handle it during the House debate.

“You have to achieve a certain amount of revenue in order for a trigger to work,” McGirl said. “So whatever revenue is lost by that trigger is actually a wash. Now anything over the trigger is new revenue.”

Democrats, who hold fewer than one-third of the seats in the Missouri House, will be unable to defeat the proposal on their own. But they will argue that it makes permanent cuts to the state’s future revenue at a time when the fiscal needs of the next year are not clear.

Missouri is heavily dependent on federal revenue for roads, health care and education programs. Any federal changes that alter the rate for state matching funds would rapidly increase demands on the state treasury.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745754477113.png" alt=" House Majority Leader Alex Riley speaks April 10 at a news conference in the Missouri House. (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)" />
 <figcaption> House Majority Leader Alex Riley speaks April 10 at a news conference in the Missouri House. (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>A bill that exempted National Guard duty pay from income tax now carries a $1.7 billion price tag for tax rate cuts extending to at least 2037</h2>Missouri House Republicans aren’t ready to give up on dual goals of enacting a flat income tax and cutting the overall rate, and have loaded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=191" target="_blank">a Senate bill</a>&nbsp;with their latest plan — flat tax and capital gains cut now, rate cuts later.On April 7, the state Senate approved&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB594&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">a bill</a>&nbsp;exempting capital gains — profits from property or investments held for more than a year —&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-approves-tax-cuts-for-capital-gains-diapers-and-low-income-seniors/">from state income tax</a>. Individuals would get the break right away, while corporations would be allowed the exemption when revenue triggers lower the top individual income tax rate to 4.5%. The current top rate is 4.7%.One vote and that bill, sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins, is on its way to Gov. Mike Kehoe. The House passed the original version on a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/13/missouri-house-votes-on-party-lines-to-eliminate-income-tax-on-capital-gains/">party-line vote</a>&nbsp;in February.But there’s no rush to bring it to a vote, even though Perkins has said he is ready.“We have been hanging on to that bill for a little while, the House bill, to preserve options as we go into these last three weeks of session,” House Majority Leader Alex Riley of Springfield said Thursday.Next week, Riley said, the House will debate a bill loaded with property tax changes as well as the flat tax at a rate of 4.7%, an immediate capital gains exemption and a 10-step income tax rate cut. The changes made in the bill, originally passed in the Senate as a simple exemption for National Guard active duty pay during state activations, boosted the estimate cost from&nbsp;<a href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2025-1/1248S.03P.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">$47,282</a>&nbsp;to as much as $1.7 billion when fully implemented in 2037 or later.“We just want to see what opportunities we have over these last three weeks of session,” Riley said.State Sen. Adam Schnelting of St. Charles, the sponsor of the bill, isn’t pleased with the changes.“We’re at that stage in the game where things aren’t moving as quickly or as often as people would like, and so when you send something to the other chamber, it’s just natural at this point for them to load it up,” Schnelting said.Items added to Schnelting’s bill in addition to an income tax cut would:<ul>
 <li>Decrease the percentage of the value of vehicles and other personal property to 32% and remove the value of personal property from tax rate adjustments based on reassessments.&nbsp;</li><li>Increase the income tax limits and credit amounts for the refundable credit known as the circuit breaker. The credit is for property taxes paid by homeowners and renters who are 65 or older or who have a qualifying disability.</li><li>Limit new local property tax revenue from the increased value of real estate to 3% or inflation, whichever is less.</li>
 </ul>The political stakes behind the tax cut are adding pressure to make some kind of reduction this year. During the 2024 campaign, Kehoe and his Republican primary opponents all campaigned on a promise to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/24/mike-kehoe-missouri-governor-republican-primary/">eliminate the state income tax</a>.Since 2014, when lawmakers enacted a tax cut over the veto of then-Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, Missouri’s top income tax rate has fallen from 6% to 4.7%. Two future tax cuts, to a 4.5% rate, are already in state law and will take effect if general revenue growth hits targets.But revenues have declined more than 1% so far this fiscal year and the two-step test for the trigger is unlikely to be met this year or in fiscal 2026, which begins July 1, according to estimates from the Office of Budget and Planning.The next rate cut to 4.6%, put into law in 2022, is not likely before Jan. 1, 2028, when Kehoe will be seeking re-election.The proposal going to the full House would not speed up the steps, but it would add a new layer of cuts that would eventually take the rate to 3.4%.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745754441364.png" alt="State Sen. Adam Schnelting, a Republican from St. Charles, speaks in March at a Missouri Right to Life rally in the Missouri State Capitol Building (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Adam Schnelting, a Republican from St. Charles, speaks in March at a Missouri Right to Life rally in the Missouri State Capitol Building (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>The proposal is a prudent one at a time of revenue uncertainty, said state Rep. Mike McGirl, a Potosi Republican who will handle it during the House debate.“You have to achieve a certain amount of revenue in order for a trigger to work,” McGirl said. “So whatever revenue is lost by that trigger is actually a wash. Now anything over the trigger is new revenue.”Democrats, who hold fewer than one-third of the seats in the Missouri House, will be unable to defeat the proposal on their own. But they will argue that it makes permanent cuts to the state’s future revenue at a time when the fiscal needs of the next year are not clear.Missouri is heavily dependent on federal revenue for roads, health care and education programs. Any federal changes that alter the rate for state matching funds would rapidly increase demands on the state treasury.“We’re not sure what we’re going to be getting from the feds,” said state Rep. Del Taylor of St. Louis, the ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee. “We are expecting some pretty lean years, and some of it is self imposed by all these tax cuts and tax cuts on capital gains.”State Rep. Adrian Plank, a Columbia Democrat, said he likes proposals such as increasing the income limits on the circuit breaker but is dismayed it is paired with cuts that favor wealthy individuals.Most of the benefits from a cut in the capital gains rate for individuals would go to a small slice of taxpayers. The 23,800 federal income tax returns for 2022 from Missouri reporting incomes greater than $500,000 a year represent 0.8% of all returns but 65% of the capital gains income.“If I was in control, I would say, let’s give the working class tax breaks and make the people who have all that privilege pay their fair share,” Plank said.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the capital gains tax cut bill passed by the Senate, which includes numerous other tax reductions, sits idle awaiting the House to send it to the governor.&nbsp;Perkins said he’s not concerned the delay on his bill will put a tax cut in danger.&nbsp;“We’ve got a little bit of time left and it’s all over here in the House,” Perkins said. “We can make it happen quickly when the time comes.”The&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/fiscal/fispdf/1683S.04F.ORG.pdf" target="_blank">cost estimate for Perkins’ bill</a>&nbsp;forecasts it would reduce revenue by about $240 million in the coming fiscal year, with an ongoing reduction of about $350 million annually when the corporate capital gains cut kicks in.The official estimate, however, has been challenged as too low by the left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.The&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/07/missouri-lawmakers-set-to-pass-capital-gains-tax-cut-with-questions-about-its-total-cost/">institute’s estimate</a>&nbsp;is based on IRS data from 2022 that showed $13.3 billion in long-term capital gains reported on individual returns from Missouri. Using the state’s top tax rate of 4.7%, applied to taxable income more than $8,911, the institute estimated the revenue from that much income would be about $625 million.The Missouri Department of Revenue stands by its estimate that the individual capital gains cut would reduce revenue by about $110 million annually.&nbsp;The corporate capital gains cut would reduce revenue by about $180 million annually. Delaying the corporate cut until individual rates decline was one of the concessions negotiated by Democrats in the Senate. Democrats also won the tax changes targeting lower-income Missourians to balance the package.The change to the circuit breaker credit limits in the Senate-passed version of Perkins’ bill would reduce revenue by about $72 million. A sales tax exemption for adult diapers would reduce revenue by $17 million annually and a similar exemption for baby diapers would cost the state about $1.7 million a year.Missouri collected $13.4 billion in general revenue in the most recent fiscal year. Estimates published in December project $13.6 billion of general revenue in the year that starts July 1.On Tuesday, the Senate will debate a state operating budget that would spend $15.7 billion from general revenue, a plan that is balanced by using money from the accumulated surplus. There is another $770 million of general revenue dedicated to capital improvement projects in bills awaiting a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745754394380.png" alt="Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Republican from Springfield, presents the Senate-passed tax cut bill to the House Budget Committee in September 2022 during a special session (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Commuications)." />
 <figcaption>Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Republican from Springfield, presents the Senate-passed tax cut bill to the House Budget Committee in September 2022 during a special session (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Commuications).</figcaption>
 </figure>State Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Republican from Springfield and chairman of the appropriations committee, said the budget proposal leaves a healthy cash balance.&nbsp;In a 2022 tax cut bill he sponsored, Hough wrote the two-step trigger for future tax cuts. The next cut will occur when revenue in a fiscal year exceeds the highest of the previous three years by $200 million and the revenue five years previously by more than the intervening rate of inflation.“My job is not just to look at this fiscal year, but it’s really to look at that runway and what it looks like in the future,” Hough said.Hough voted for Perkins’ bill when it passed the Senate. But he’s not willing to go along with putting new rate cuts into law while the state faces both revenue and federal funds uncertainty.“It’s easy to cut taxes, or say you want to cut taxes when we still have money,” Hough said. “What happens in three or four years? What happens in two years? What happens if the federal government changes the reimbursement rate on our expanded Medicaid population?”