NODAWAY COUNTY —A Missouri man was injured in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Sunday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by John J. Donlan, 73, Waverly, Nebraska, was eastbound on MO 46 twelve miles west of Maryville. The driver lost control of the motorcycle as it traveled off the south side of the road. The motorcycle overturned and the driver was ejected.

Nodaway County ambulance transported Donlan to Mosaic in Maryville. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY —A Missouri man was injured in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Sunday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by John J. Donlan, 73, Waverly, Nebraska, was eastbound on MO 46 twelve miles west of Maryville. The driver lost control of the motorcycle as it traveled off the south side of the road. The motorcycle overturned and the driver was ejected.Nodaway County ambulance transported Donlan to Mosaic in Maryville. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Man hospitalized after Nodaway Co. motorcycle accident

Planned Parenthood says they will continue offsetting the costs of seeing patients on Medicaid despite a bill signed into law Thursday

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

Missouri’s Planned Parenthood clinics say they will continue serving patients on Medicaid, even after Gov. Mike Parson signed legislation Thursday&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB%202634">blocking state and federal funds from going to the organization.&nbsp;</a>

The new law, which goes into effect Aug. 28, is the third — and Republicans hope final — attempt to end Medicaid reimbursements to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/28/missouri-looks-to-mirror-arkansas-law-that-forced-planned-parenthood-to-turn-away-patients/">any health centers affiliated with abortion providers.&nbsp;</a>

Despite this, Planned Parenthood announced Thursday its clinics will remain “open to all.”&nbsp;

Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri no longer perform abortions; their affiliates in Illinois and Kansas do. In Missouri, clinics continue to provide services such as contraceptive care, STI testing, cancer screenings and wellness checks.

“Experts have been clear there are not enough providers in the system to absorb the thousands of patients that Planned Parenthood health centers serve,” Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri said in a joint statement Thursday.

Parson was flanked by Republican state Rep. Cody Smith of Carthage and Republican state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold as he signed the legislation Thursday morning.

“We’ve ended all elective abortions in this state, approved new support for mothers, expecting mothers and children and, with this bill, ensured that we are not sending taxpayer dollars to abortion providers for any purpose,” Parson said in a statement.

Nearly one in five Planned Parenthood patients in Missouri are insured through MO HealthNet, the state’s Medicaid program that serves low-income and disabled citizens and has long banned funding for abortion.&nbsp;

Planned Parenthood also sees more than half of Missouri’s low-income patients seeking family planning services, according to the Missouri Family Health Council Inc.

Democrats argued the legislation would primarily harm low-income Missourians who could be forced to find a new provider through the state’s already strained public health safety net if Planned Parenthood cannot foot the bill for these patients long-term. This could delay critical and potentially life-saving care.

In Missouri,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/data/pamr/pdf/2020-annual-report.pdf">women on Medicaid are 10 times more likely to die within one year of pregnancy&nbsp;</a>than those on private insurance, according to an August multi-year report on maternal mortality published by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.&nbsp;

Missouri is also fighting<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/emergencies/ert/alertsadvisories/pdf/update022724-1.pdf">&nbsp;rising congenital syphilis rates</a>. In the majority of these cases, pregnant mothers had little to no prenatal care, highlighting a larger issue of maternal health care access, the health department noted.

Through an informal survey, the Missouri Family Health Council Inc. found that over the past two years, the wait list for new patients at public health safety net clinics can be weeks or months, and that’s if the provider is taking new patients at all.&nbsp;Meanwhile, wait times at the state’s Planned Parenthood clinics averaged between the same day and three days to get an appointment.&nbsp;

“Other providers cannot absorb the thousands of patients impacted by this ‘defunding’ attack,” Planned Parenthood said in a statement. “For this reason, Planned Parenthood health centers have worked to keep serving MO HealthNet patients at no cost though it is an unsustainable model for a state’s health care system.”

Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri have been without Medicaid reimbursements for more than two years as<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-supreme-court-again-says-state-cant-deny-medicaid-funds-to-planned-parenthood/">&nbsp;prior attempts by Republicans to pass similar restrictions&nbsp;</a>through the state budget were litigated and later struck down in court.&nbsp;

Emily Wales, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said her organization offset the cost of care for Missouri Medicaid patients during this time through private fundraising.&nbsp;

Both Planned Parenthood affiliates in Missouri have said they plan to continue seeing patients on Medicaid “no matter what.” They have not elaborated on how they plan to afford to do so.&nbsp;

Planned Parenthood on Thursday continues to argue that the latest law is also unconstitutional, and is in violation of federal Medicaid law, which states patients have a right to choose their provider.

A similar law that went into effect in Arkansas several years ago was ultimately upheld by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis. Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which oversees that state’s clinics, stopped seeing Arkansas Medicaid patients immediately.&nbsp;

Parson signed the bill near the end of the 15 days he had to do so despite a group of Republican lawmakers attempting to strong-arm him into doing so sooner.

Last month, Senate members of the<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/22/senate-battle-over-taxes-that-fund-missouri-medicaid-leaves-state-budget-in-limbo/">&nbsp;Missouri Freedom Caucus promised to filibuster the renewal of&nbsp;Medicaid taxes</a>, known as the federal reimbursement allowance,&nbsp;until Parson signed the defund Planned Parenthood bill and until the General Assembly approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/13/missouri-initiative-petition-reform-elections/">more difficult to pass constitutional amendments</a>&nbsp;proposed by voter-led initiatives.

The initiative petition bill and the FRA require a final vote in the Senate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/08/key-lawmakers-say-missouri-budget-talks-close-to-completion-as-deadline-approaches/">before the legislative session ends at 6 p.m. on May 17.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648771341385.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Planned Parenthood says they will continue offsetting the costs of seeing patients on Medicaid despite a bill signed into law Thursday</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri’s Planned Parenthood clinics say they will continue serving patients on Medicaid, even after Gov. Mike Parson signed legislation Thursday&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB%202634">blocking state and federal funds from going to the organization.&nbsp;</a>The new law, which goes into effect Aug. 28, is the third — and Republicans hope final — attempt to end Medicaid reimbursements to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/28/missouri-looks-to-mirror-arkansas-law-that-forced-planned-parenthood-to-turn-away-patients/">any health centers affiliated with abortion providers.&nbsp;</a>Despite this, Planned Parenthood announced Thursday its clinics will remain “open to all.”&nbsp;Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri no longer perform abortions; their affiliates in Illinois and Kansas do. In Missouri, clinics continue to provide services such as contraceptive care, STI testing, cancer screenings and wellness checks.“Experts have been clear there are not enough providers in the system to absorb the thousands of patients that Planned Parenthood health centers serve,” Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri said in a joint statement Thursday.Parson was flanked by Republican state Rep. Cody Smith of Carthage and Republican state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold as he signed the legislation Thursday morning.“We’ve ended all elective abortions in this state, approved new support for mothers, expecting mothers and children and, with this bill, ensured that we are not sending taxpayer dollars to abortion providers for any purpose,” Parson said in a statement.Nearly one in five Planned Parenthood patients in Missouri are insured through MO HealthNet, the state’s Medicaid program that serves low-income and disabled citizens and has long banned funding for abortion.&nbsp;Planned Parenthood also sees more than half of Missouri’s low-income patients seeking family planning services, according to the Missouri Family Health Council Inc.Democrats argued the legislation would primarily harm low-income Missourians who could be forced to find a new provider through the state’s already strained public health safety net if Planned Parenthood cannot foot the bill for these patients long-term. This could delay critical and potentially life-saving care.In Missouri,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/data/pamr/pdf/2020-annual-report.pdf">women on Medicaid are 10 times more likely to die within one year of pregnancy&nbsp;</a>than those on private insurance, according to an August multi-year report on maternal mortality published by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.&nbsp;Missouri is also fighting<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/emergencies/ert/alertsadvisories/pdf/update022724-1.pdf">&nbsp;rising congenital syphilis rates</a>. In the majority of these cases, pregnant mothers had little to no prenatal care, highlighting a larger issue of maternal health care access, the health department noted.Through an informal survey, the Missouri Family Health Council Inc. found that over the past two years, the wait list for new patients at public health safety net clinics can be weeks or months, and that’s if the provider is taking new patients at all.&nbsp;Meanwhile, wait times at the state’s Planned Parenthood clinics averaged between the same day and three days to get an appointment.&nbsp;“Other providers cannot absorb the thousands of patients impacted by this ‘defunding’ attack,” Planned Parenthood said in a statement. “For this reason, Planned Parenthood health centers have worked to keep serving MO HealthNet patients at no cost though it is an unsustainable model for a state’s health care system.”Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri have been without Medicaid reimbursements for more than two years as<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-supreme-court-again-says-state-cant-deny-medicaid-funds-to-planned-parenthood/">&nbsp;prior attempts by Republicans to pass similar restrictions&nbsp;</a>through the state budget were litigated and later struck down in court.&nbsp;Emily Wales, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said her organization offset the cost of care for Missouri Medicaid patients during this time through private fundraising.&nbsp;Both Planned Parenthood affiliates in Missouri have said they plan to continue seeing patients on Medicaid “no matter what.” They have not elaborated on how they plan to afford to do so.&nbsp;Planned Parenthood on Thursday continues to argue that the latest law is also unconstitutional, and is in violation of federal Medicaid law, which states patients have a right to choose their provider.A similar law that went into effect in Arkansas several years ago was ultimately upheld by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis. Planned Parenthood Great Plains, which oversees that state’s clinics, stopped seeing Arkansas Medicaid patients immediately.&nbsp;Parson signed the bill near the end of the 15 days he had to do so despite a group of Republican lawmakers attempting to strong-arm him into doing so sooner.Last month, Senate members of the<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/22/senate-battle-over-taxes-that-fund-missouri-medicaid-leaves-state-budget-in-limbo/">&nbsp;Missouri Freedom Caucus promised to filibuster the renewal of&nbsp;Medicaid taxes</a>, known as the federal reimbursement allowance,&nbsp;until Parson signed the defund Planned Parenthood bill and until the General Assembly approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/13/missouri-initiative-petition-reform-elections/">more difficult to pass constitutional amendments</a>&nbsp;proposed by voter-led initiatives.The initiative petition bill and the FRA require a final vote in the Senate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/08/key-lawmakers-say-missouri-budget-talks-close-to-completion-as-deadline-approaches/">before the legislative session ends at 6 p.m. on May 17.</a>

Missouri Planned Parenthood clinics remain ‘open to all’ despite new Medicaid restrictions

ANDREW COUNTY —Four people were injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Saturday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Toyota Avalon driven by Karla R. Koontz, 58, Mound City, Missouri, was southbound on Interstate 29 just south of the I-229 interchange.

The car was behind another vehicle that brake checked the Toyota. Koontz lost control of the Toyota as she changed lanes. The car traveled off the west side of the road and struck a guard rail. After impact, the car returned to the road and traveled off the east side of the road.

Andrew County EMS transported Koontz and passengers Fern K. Hamm, 80, Mound City, a 14-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy, both from Branson, to Mosaic Life Care. Koontz and the teens were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY —Four people were injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Saturday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Toyota Avalon driven by Karla R. Koontz, 58, Mound City, Missouri, was southbound on Interstate 29 just south of the I-229 interchange.The car was behind another vehicle that brake checked the Toyota. Koontz lost control of the Toyota as she changed lanes. The car traveled off the west side of the road and struck a guard rail. After impact, the car returned to the road and traveled off the east side of the road.Andrew County EMS transported Koontz and passengers Fern K. Hamm, 80, Mound City, a 14-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy, both from Branson, to Mosaic Life Care. Koontz and the teens were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

2 adults, 2 teens hospitalized after Andrew County crash

CALDWELL COUNTY — A Missouri man was injured in an accident and later arrested just before 2:30a.m. Saturday in&nbsp; Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Silverado driven by Luke B. Carr, 20,&nbsp; Polo, was northbound on Route B one and one half miles south of Cowgill.

The pickup crossed the center line, traveled off the west side of the road up an embankment and returned to the road.&nbsp; The pickup then traveled off the east side of the road, through a fence, struck a tree and came to rest in a creek bed.

He was arrested on requested charges of DUI and minor in possession of alcohol and he was also not wearing a seat,&nbsp; according to the MSHP. Caldwell County EMS later transported&nbsp; Carr to Liberty Hospital.

CALDWELL COUNTY — A Missouri man was injured in an accident and later arrested just before 2:30a.m. Saturday in&nbsp; Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Silverado driven by Luke B. Carr, 20,&nbsp; Polo, was northbound on Route B one and one half miles south of Cowgill.The pickup crossed the center line, traveled off the west side of the road up an embankment and returned to the road.&nbsp; The pickup then traveled off the east side of the road, through a fence, struck a tree and came to rest in a creek bed.He was arrested on requested charges of DUI and minor in possession of alcohol and he was also not wearing a seat,&nbsp; according to the MSHP. Caldwell County EMS later transported&nbsp; Carr to Liberty Hospital.

NW Missouri man accused of DUI after pickup crash

The $51.7 billion budget on the way to Gov. Mike Parson cuts more than $800 million from his request for health and social services programs, funds $2 billion in new earmarks

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

When the final budget votes were over Friday and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/09/missouri-senate-avoids-impasse-over-budget-to-make-constitutional-deadline/">constitutional deadline was met</a>, Missouri House Republicans crowed about holding the line on spending while Democrats accused the GOP of failing the state’s most vulnerable citizens.

A budget process that had the least public input in years — with just a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/13/missouri-house-to-hold-public-hearing-on-governors-52-7-billion-budget-proposal/">pro-forma public hearing</a>&nbsp;in the House and no calls for public testimony by Senate budget writers — left no one pleased with the process. But House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith said he was proud of the $51.7 billion plan that spent less than the $52.7 billion Gov. Mike Parson proposed in January.

“While we have a very good final product, the process left something to be desired,” Smith said at a news conference with other Republicans.

The final votes were taken with about three hours to go before the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++25&amp;bid=31765&amp;constit=y">constitutional deadline</a>&nbsp;for passing a budget. The details of the final 17 spending bills — one to fund programs through June and the remainder to fund next year’s operations and construction — only emerged Thursday when the Senate began voting.

Factional&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/02/freedom-caucus-ends-filibuster-in-missouri-senate-without-action-on-its-demands/">warfare among Senate Republicans</a>&nbsp;meant that chamber never debated the bills produced by the Senate Appropriations Committee. There was no formally appointed bipartisan, bicameral conference committee to negotiate differences between the chambers.&nbsp;

Instead, Smith and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough ironed out the details in days of private negotiations. There are usually preliminary talks like that before the conference committee, but the decisions are then aired one at a time and other members can question the result or seek a change.

“This year’s budget process was a complete disaster and a terrible precedent to be set,” House Democratic Leader Crystal Quade of Springfield said at a news conference after the House adjourned. “We cannot allow the new normal for spending taxpayer money to become just two guys writing a budget and secret and then jamming it through the process at the very last minute, full of pork and appeasing lobbyists, but the most vulnerable among us are everyday citizens not being included.”

The budget plan taps the state’s accumulated surplus to spend $15.3 billion in general revenue. By putting a “one-time” designation on $1.35 billion of the $14.6 billion allocated for state operations in the coming year, Smith was able to say the budget uses no more for ongoing programs than the state expects in tax receipts.

The designation is on the $363.7 in general revenue that will be put in a fund for improving Interstate 44, a project Smith, a Carthage Republican running for state treasurer, inserted into the budget. It is also on $336.2 million that funds the Medicaid managed care program.

There are also one-time designations on $580 million in spending from federal and other funds. The smallest is $1,613 for the expense and equipment needs of the Department of Social Services’s Division of Legal Services, paid from federal funds.

“The designation of anything one time is just a signal to the world that we’re paying for it this year and we may not be doing it next year,” Smith said.

Democrats, however, said in many instances it is a false economy.

“Several lawmakers running in Republican primaries for statewide office want to be able to claim credit for imposing big cuts in state spending,” said Quade, a candidate for governor. “But all they really did was lowball the estimated costs of several state programs that everyone who is being honest about the situation knows will require substantially more spending authority to fully fund.”

Before&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/09/missouri-senate-avoids-impasse-over-budget-to-make-constitutional-deadline/">Senate votes on the budget</a>&nbsp;began Thursday, Parson said his budget staff had no idea what was in the final budget crafted by Smith and Hough. If the budget fails to adequately fund state operations, Parson said he would not leave it to his successor to fill in the gaps.

The majority of the cuts to Parson’s January budget proposal were in three departments – Health and Senior Services, Mental Health and Social Services. Total funding for those agencies is $829 million below the amounts requested by Parson.&nbsp;

One cut was to funding for personal care assistance intended to help elderly people and people with disabilities remain in their home, reduced by $86 million. Another was to the overall managed care budget, which is about $500 million below Parson’s request.

While those cuts were being made, the budget includes almost 300 new earmarked items, costing more than $2 billion, sprinkled throughout the 16 appropriation bills for the coming year. The largest is $727.5 million Smith inserted for I-44 improvements

“Lobbyists got paid and poor people got screwed,” said the House’s second ranking Democrat, Rep. Richard Brown of Kansas City.

On many of the bills, large numbers of Democrats voted “present” to protest the process that produced the budget.

On the floor, state Rep. Deb Lavender said cuts to those departments – and the rejection of increases included in the bills never debated in the Senate – will hurt people with developmental disabilities, leaving many stranded on waiting lists or housed in hospitals and jails.

“You offer to pay $17 an hour to someone and you can’t find anyone to do the work,” she said.

When the budget debate opened, state Rep. Peter Merideth, ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said it was the worst process in his eight years in the House.&nbsp;

“We’ve seen the budget process get worse and worse,” Merideth said. “We’ve put in less hours each year. When I started we were here all through the session till midnight or later working on the budget.”

Smith said he agreed the process used this year should not be repeated, but he defended his openness, saying he never heard from any Democrats while he was in talks with Hough.

“I detect that the other side of the aisle is very grumpy about the way that this has unfolded,” Smith said. “And that’s something I understand from their perspective.”

The votes on all bills were concluded in about four hours. The motion to shut off debate, used regularly in the House, was called for on nine of the bills. On one, Lavender, the ranking Democrat on the appropriations subcommittee for the three departments with the deepest cuts, was left at the microphone without a chance to speak.

On the next bill, state Rep. Patty Lewis of Kansas City summed up the feelings of many Democrats.

“Grumpy is an understatement,” Lewis said. “Frankly, I am outraged.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715428823820.png" alt="House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, speaks Friday at a news conference after passage of the $51.7 billion state budget, accompanied by House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith, R-Carthage, speaks Friday at a news conference after passage of the $51.7 billion state budget, accompanied by House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The $51.7 billion budget on the way to Gov. Mike Parson cuts more than $800 million from his request for health and social services programs, funds $2 billion in new earmarks</h2>By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>When the final budget votes were over Friday and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/09/missouri-senate-avoids-impasse-over-budget-to-make-constitutional-deadline/">constitutional deadline was met</a>, Missouri House Republicans crowed about holding the line on spending while Democrats accused the GOP of failing the state’s most vulnerable citizens.A budget process that had the least public input in years — with just a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/13/missouri-house-to-hold-public-hearing-on-governors-52-7-billion-budget-proposal/">pro-forma public hearing</a>&nbsp;in the House and no calls for public testimony by Senate budget writers — left no one pleased with the process. But House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith said he was proud of the $51.7 billion plan that spent less than the $52.7 billion Gov. Mike Parson proposed in January.“While we have a very good final product, the process left something to be desired,” Smith said at a news conference with other Republicans.The final votes were taken with about three hours to go before the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++25&amp;bid=31765&amp;constit=y">constitutional deadline</a>&nbsp;for passing a budget. The details of the final 17 spending bills — one to fund programs through June and the remainder to fund next year’s operations and construction — only emerged Thursday when the Senate began voting.Factional&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/02/freedom-caucus-ends-filibuster-in-missouri-senate-without-action-on-its-demands/">warfare among Senate Republicans</a>&nbsp;meant that chamber never debated the bills produced by the Senate Appropriations Committee. There was no formally appointed bipartisan, bicameral conference committee to negotiate differences between the chambers.&nbsp;Instead, Smith and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough ironed out the details in days of private negotiations. There are usually preliminary talks like that before the conference committee, but the decisions are then aired one at a time and other members can question the result or seek a change.“This year’s budget process was a complete disaster and a terrible precedent to be set,” House Democratic Leader Crystal Quade of Springfield said at a news conference after the House adjourned. “We cannot allow the new normal for spending taxpayer money to become just two guys writing a budget and secret and then jamming it through the process at the very last minute, full of pork and appeasing lobbyists, but the most vulnerable among us are everyday citizens not being included.”The budget plan taps the state’s accumulated surplus to spend $15.3 billion in general revenue. By putting a “one-time” designation on $1.35 billion of the $14.6 billion allocated for state operations in the coming year, Smith was able to say the budget uses no more for ongoing programs than the state expects in tax receipts.The designation is on the $363.7 in general revenue that will be put in a fund for improving Interstate 44, a project Smith, a Carthage Republican running for state treasurer, inserted into the budget. It is also on $336.2 million that funds the Medicaid managed care program.There are also one-time designations on $580 million in spending from federal and other funds. The smallest is $1,613 for the expense and equipment needs of the Department of Social Services’s Division of Legal Services, paid from federal funds.“The designation of anything one time is just a signal to the world that we’re paying for it this year and we may not be doing it next year,” Smith said.Democrats, however, said in many instances it is a false economy.“Several lawmakers running in Republican primaries for statewide office want to be able to claim credit for imposing big cuts in state spending,” said Quade, a candidate for governor. “But all they really did was lowball the estimated costs of several state programs that everyone who is being honest about the situation knows will require substantially more spending authority to fully fund.”Before&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/09/missouri-senate-avoids-impasse-over-budget-to-make-constitutional-deadline/">Senate votes on the budget</a>&nbsp;began Thursday, Parson said his budget staff had no idea what was in the final budget crafted by Smith and Hough. If the budget fails to adequately fund state operations, Parson said he would not leave it to his successor to fill in the gaps.The majority of the cuts to Parson’s January budget proposal were in three departments – Health and Senior Services, Mental Health and Social Services. Total funding for those agencies is $829 million below the amounts requested by Parson.&nbsp;One cut was to funding for personal care assistance intended to help elderly people and people with disabilities remain in their home, reduced by $86 million. Another was to the overall managed care budget, which is about $500 million below Parson’s request.While those cuts were being made, the budget includes almost 300 new earmarked items, costing more than $2 billion, sprinkled throughout the 16 appropriation bills for the coming year. The largest is $727.5 million Smith inserted for I-44 improvements“Lobbyists got paid and poor people got screwed,” said the House’s second ranking Democrat, Rep. Richard Brown of Kansas City.On many of the bills, large numbers of Democrats voted “present” to protest the process that produced the budget.On the floor, state Rep. Deb Lavender said cuts to those departments – and the rejection of increases included in the bills never debated in the Senate – will hurt people with developmental disabilities, leaving many stranded on waiting lists or housed in hospitals and jails.“You offer to pay $17 an hour to someone and you can’t find anyone to do the work,” she said.When the budget debate opened, state Rep. Peter Merideth, ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said it was the worst process in his eight years in the House.&nbsp;“We’ve seen the budget process get worse and worse,” Merideth said. “We’ve put in less hours each year. When I started we were here all through the session till midnight or later working on the budget.”Smith said he agreed the process used this year should not be repeated, but he defended his openness, saying he never heard from any Democrats while he was in talks with Hough.“I detect that the other side of the aisle is very grumpy about the way that this has unfolded,” Smith said. “And that’s something I understand from their perspective.”The votes on all bills were concluded in about four hours. The motion to shut off debate, used regularly in the House, was called for on nine of the bills. On one, Lavender, the ranking Democrat on the appropriations subcommittee for the three departments with the deepest cuts, was left at the microphone without a chance to speak.On the next bill, state Rep. Patty Lewis of Kansas City summed up the feelings of many Democrats.“Grumpy is an understatement,” Lewis said. “Frankly, I am outraged.”

Democrats say final Missouri budget pads special interests with state cash

ANDREW COUNTY —A Missouri man died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Friday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Victory motorcycle driven by Nathaniel T. Kuster, 34, Union Star, was northbound on U.S. 169 four miles north of St. Joseph.

The motorcycle crossed the center of the road after cresting a hill.&nbsp; The motorcycle struck the front drivers corner of a southbound 2009 Chevy Silverado driven by Robert M. West, 27, Atchison, Kansas.&nbsp;

Kuster was ejected from motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene. West was not injured. Kuster was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY —A Missouri man died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Friday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Victory motorcycle driven by Nathaniel T. Kuster, 34, Union Star, was northbound on U.S. 169 four miles north of St. Joseph.The motorcycle crossed the center of the road after cresting a hill.&nbsp; The motorcycle struck the front drivers corner of a southbound 2009 Chevy Silverado driven by Robert M. West, 27, Atchison, Kansas.&nbsp;Kuster was ejected from motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene. West was not injured. Kuster was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after motorcycle, pickup crash

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just after 11 p.m. May 4, a search warrant was conducted by the Brown County Sheriffs Office Drug Task Force at 1145 113th Drive on the Kickapoo reservation, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

 At the conclusion of the interdiction, James Blalock, 50, Horton was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession ofMarijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715353988189.png" alt="Blalock-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Blalock-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just after 11 p.m. May 4, a search warrant was conducted by the Brown County Sheriffs Office Drug Task Force at 1145 113th Drive on the Kickapoo reservation, according to Sheriff John Merchant. At the conclusion of the interdiction, James Blalock, 50, Horton was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession ofMarijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Task force makes drug bust on Kickapoo reservation

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 2p.m. Friday in Atchison County.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson,&nbsp; a Buick SUV driven by Mary Krier, 93, Effingham, was westbound in the 500 block of U.S.59.

The SUV turned north into a fence on the north side of the roadway and landed on its top in the parking lot below U.S. 59. 

Mrs. Krier was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Wilson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 2p.m. Friday in Atchison County.According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson,&nbsp; a Buick SUV driven by Mary Krier, 93, Effingham, was westbound in the 500 block of U.S.59.The SUV turned north into a fence on the north side of the roadway and landed on its top in the parking lot below U.S. 59. Mrs. Krier was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Wilson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas woman dies after SUV overturns

In honor of teacher appreciation week, Optimum is contributing money to the St. Joseph School District to help with STEM projects across the district.  

One project that will help fund was put forward by instructional coach Veronica Mueller, who wants to bring algebra tiles into the classroom.  

Mueller says these algebra tiles can be used to represent known and unknown values in algebra 

"It would allow kids to manipulate problems and to have a concrete piece to represent some of those unknown values," Mueller explains to reporters following a news conference. "Algebra is very abstract for kids and it gives them something for them to touch and play with and mess around with." 

Mueller says the project will provide these algebra tiles for teachers sixth through ninth grade. 

Mueller says projects like these are important because middle school students their brains are at a concrete level, as teachers are trying to teach abstract things.  

"If they can connect those two things, they benefit immensely, by instead of having to imagine doing an operation with two things that I don't know what they are, they have two things that they can see, that they can put together, and that transfer of knowledge is extremely important when they're moving from the levels of brain development," Mueller says. 

Director of Curriculum Stacia Studer says an emphasis on STEM learning shows that STEM really is the future 

"When we talk to businesses and companies STEM, STEAM, innovation is the key component of that," Studer explains. "Just being in the work, using manipulations, experimenting, playing with things, those are all things we want our students to do." 

Optimum, which to this point has contributed $8,000 to STEM projects, has donated $25,000 to the district. $500 per project. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715373709155.jpeg" alt="Veronica Mueller (at podium) discusses a STEM project she proposed that will be funded by a donation from Optimum, given during Teacher Appreciation Week/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Veronica Mueller (at podium) discusses a STEM project she proposed that will be funded by a donation from Optimum, given during Teacher Appreciation Week/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post In honor of teacher appreciation week, Optimum is contributing money to the St. Joseph School District to help with STEM projects across the district. One project that will help fund was put forward by instructional coach Veronica Mueller, who wants to bring algebra tiles into the classroom. Mueller says these algebra tiles can be used to represent known and unknown values in algebra "It would allow kids to manipulate problems and to have a concrete piece to represent some of those unknown values," Mueller explains to reporters following a news conference. "Algebra is very abstract for kids and it gives them something for them to touch and play with and mess around with." Mueller says the project will provide these algebra tiles for teachers sixth through ninth grade. Mueller says projects like these are important because middle school students their brains are at a concrete level, as teachers are trying to teach abstract things. "If they can connect those two things, they benefit immensely, by instead of having to imagine doing an operation with two things that I don't know what they are, they have two things that they can see, that they can put together, and that transfer of knowledge is extremely important when they're moving from the levels of brain development," Mueller says. Director of Curriculum Stacia Studer says an emphasis on STEM learning shows that STEM really is the future "When we talk to businesses and companies STEM, STEAM, innovation is the key component of that," Studer explains. "Just being in the work, using manipulations, experimenting, playing with things, those are all things we want our students to do." Optimum, which to this point has contributed $8,000 to STEM projects, has donated $25,000 to the district. $500 per project.

Optimum donates $25,000 to St. Joseph School District to help with STEM projects

Beer, walking, historic homes, and the arts all combine this Saturday
afternoon during the annual <a href="https://stjoearts.org/our-impact/beer-walk-for-the-arts.html">Beer Walk for the Arts</a> in St. Joseph.

This year, the fundraiser will be held in the historic
Harris-Kemper District.

Robbie Morton with the Allied Arts Council says this
fundraiser gives residents a chance to peek inside some of St. Joseph’s most
historic and beautiful homes. 

“We are a very lucky city to have all of our arts
organizations, but also to have this amazing architecture that still exists,”
Morton tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “We are luckier than most.”

There will be samples of beer, many local craft beers, and
food in each of the five homes on the tour. Art will be on display throughout
as well as music.

Val Jones with the Arts Council says the homes themselves are
works of art.

“And the way they’ve been decorated is so artful, where they’ve
taken the old and mixed it with the new,” Jones tells Birr. “It’ll be a beautiful
day. It’s actually inspiring.” 

The tour raises money for the arts in St. Joseph.

This year, the tour begins at the Whiskey Mansion on Francis
Street, a house built in 1885; designed by famed architect E-J Eckel.

The Beer Walk for the Arts ends with a garden party.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715352726084.jpeg" alt="Photo from Harris Kemper Historic District Facebook page" />
 <figcaption>Photo from Harris Kemper Historic District Facebook page</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostBeer, walking, historic homes, and the arts all combine this Saturday
afternoon during the annual <a href="https://stjoearts.org/our-impact/beer-walk-for-the-arts.html">Beer Walk for the Arts</a> in St. Joseph.This year, the fundraiser will be held in the historic
Harris-Kemper District.Robbie Morton with the Allied Arts Council says this
fundraiser gives residents a chance to peek inside some of St. Joseph’s most
historic and beautiful homes. “We are a very lucky city to have all of our arts
organizations, but also to have this amazing architecture that still exists,”
Morton tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “We are luckier than most.”There will be samples of beer, many local craft beers, and
food in each of the five homes on the tour. Art will be on display throughout
as well as music.Val Jones with the Arts Council says the homes themselves are
works of art.“And the way they’ve been decorated is so artful, where they’ve
taken the old and mixed it with the new,” Jones tells Birr. “It’ll be a beautiful
day. It’s actually inspiring.” The tour raises money for the arts in St. Joseph.This year, the tour begins at the Whiskey Mansion on Francis
Street, a house built in 1885; designed by famed architect E-J Eckel.The Beer Walk for the Arts ends with a garden party.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Historic homes, walking, and beer...all for the arts in St. Joseph

Eagle
Communication’s Joetown 107.5 and veteran personality Greg Lynn are in the
running for a prestigious national award.

Lynn’s
“Monster Cash” broadcast on Joetown is a finalist for a<a href="https://rbr.com/latest-radio-mercury-awards-finalists-announced/"> 2024 Mercury Award</a>, a
national award presented by RAB that recognizes quality audio from creative ad
agencies, regional, and local stations.

Lynn’s
production is a finalist in the category of Broadcast Radio Single Promotional Spot: Radio
Station or Group

“It is an honor for Eagle Communications, 107.5 Joetown to be
nominated alongside of some of the best creative agencies across the country,”
Eagle St. Joseph General Manager Liby Waltemath said. “It is fun to see our
Eagle name listed right next to the big players in our industry.”

The Radio Mercury Awards winners will be
presented on June 6 at SONY Hall in New York City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715357495011.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostEagle
Communication’s Joetown 107.5 and veteran personality Greg Lynn are in the
running for a prestigious national award.Lynn’s
“Monster Cash” broadcast on Joetown is a finalist for a<a href="https://rbr.com/latest-radio-mercury-awards-finalists-announced/"> 2024 Mercury Award</a>, a
national award presented by RAB that recognizes quality audio from creative ad
agencies, regional, and local stations.Lynn’s
production is a finalist in the category of Broadcast Radio Single Promotional Spot: Radio
Station or Group“It is an honor for Eagle Communications, 107.5 Joetown to be
nominated alongside of some of the best creative agencies across the country,”
Eagle St. Joseph General Manager Liby Waltemath said. “It is fun to see our
Eagle name listed right next to the big players in our industry.”The Radio Mercury Awards winners will be
presented on June 6 at SONY Hall in New York City.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Gregg-Lynn-Monster-Cash-e2jgj3n" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Joetown 107.5 finalist for prestigious national award

Missouri Western's CJ Ravenell has dreamed about playing in the NFL since the sixth grade.  Now, that dream is reality.&nbsp;

After going undrafted in this year's NFL draft, CJ Ravenell was invited to two rookie minicamps, Baltimore and Indianapolis, he never made it to Indy though.  

On the second day of camp. Being there on a tryout basis, the Ravens signed Ravenell to a contract.  

Ravenell says when he got to sign the contract, he almost froze 

"Like is this real right now, it's a dream come true I couldn't believe it, I couldn't believe the opportunity I've dreamt about my whole life it was right there in front of me, it finally came," Ravenell tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "Just the opportunity to get to that minicamp and then not a lot of guys get signed from tryouts." 

 It's still a long road ahead for Ravenell to make that 53-man roster, but he says he's ready to put in the work to realize his dream.

Ravenell says going into the camp, his emotions were mixed.  

"They're not signing me, they didn't draft me, so it's like I'm very down low. basically, where I'm at on the list of guys that they want I'm probably all the way at the bottom right?" Ravenell says. "So, it's like, it messes with me a little bit confidence wise." 

Ravenell says a mindset shift, and messages from his father, made him leave everything he had on the field, leave with no regrets, all that culminating in an NFL contract. 

Ravenell becomes the tenth Griffon to make an NFL roster, joining the likes of Greg Zuerlien and Jonathan Owens.  

Ravenell says representing not just himself, but also Missouri Western, at the next level can be summarized with one word: pride. 

"It's so much pride that I take in being able to say I'm from DII, I'm from Missouri Western, yeah I'm in the NFL right now, I have this opportunity, it's a crazy thing because not a lot of guys get it, so it's a blessing for sure," Ravenell explains.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715351379231.jpeg" alt="Missouri Western's CJ Ravenell earned a contract with the Baltimore Ravens following rookie minicamp, achieving a dream he's had since the sixth grade/ Photo courtesy of MWSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Western's CJ Ravenell earned a contract with the Baltimore Ravens following rookie minicamp, achieving a dream he's had since the sixth grade/ Photo courtesy of MWSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Missouri Western's CJ Ravenell has dreamed about playing in the NFL since the sixth grade. Now, that dream is reality.&nbsp;After going undrafted in this year's NFL draft, CJ Ravenell was invited to two rookie minicamps, Baltimore and Indianapolis, he never made it to Indy though. On the second day of camp. Being there on a tryout basis, the Ravens signed Ravenell to a contract. Ravenell says when he got to sign the contract, he almost froze "Like is this real right now, it's a dream come true I couldn't believe it, I couldn't believe the opportunity I've dreamt about my whole life it was right there in front of me, it finally came," Ravenell tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "Just the opportunity to get to that minicamp and then not a lot of guys get signed from tryouts." It's still a long road ahead for Ravenell to make that 53-man roster, but he says he's ready to put in the work to realize his dream.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715351780506.jpeg" alt="CJ Ravenell works out for the Baltimore Ravens during rookie minicamp/ Photo courtesy of the Baltimore Ravens" />
 <figcaption>CJ Ravenell works out for the Baltimore Ravens during rookie minicamp/ Photo courtesy of the Baltimore Ravens</figcaption>
 </figure>Ravenell says going into the camp, his emotions were mixed. "They're not signing me, they didn't draft me, so it's like I'm very down low. basically, where I'm at on the list of guys that they want I'm probably all the way at the bottom right?" Ravenell says. "So, it's like, it messes with me a little bit confidence wise." Ravenell says a mindset shift, and messages from his father, made him leave everything he had on the field, leave with no regrets, all that culminating in an NFL contract. Ravenell becomes the tenth Griffon to make an NFL roster, joining the likes of Greg Zuerlien and Jonathan Owens. Ravenell says representing not just himself, but also Missouri Western, at the next level can be summarized with one word: pride. "It's so much pride that I take in being able to say I'm from DII, I'm from Missouri Western, yeah I'm in the NFL right now, I have this opportunity, it's a crazy thing because not a lot of guys get it, so it's a blessing for sure," Ravenell explains.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715351897207.jpeg" alt="CJ Ravenell speaks to media during a media event at Missouri Western after signing his contract with the Baltimore Ravens/ Photo courtesy of Missouri Western Athletics" />
 <figcaption>CJ Ravenell speaks to media during a media event at Missouri Western after signing his contract with the Baltimore Ravens/ Photo courtesy of Missouri Western Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Missouri-Westerns-CJ-Ravenells-NFL-dreams-become-reality-e2jge7n" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6oz5hYvhiw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6oz5hYvhiw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6oz5hYvhiw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by CJ (@cjravenell)</a></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Dreams come true as Missouri Western's Ravenell signs with Ravens

The $51.7 billion spending plan for the coming year is about halfway between the House-passed budget and the proposal crafted in the Senate Appropriations Committee

With passage of a $51.7 billion budget Thursday, the Missouri Senate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++25&amp;bid=31765&amp;constit=y">beat the constitutional deadline</a>&nbsp;by 24 hours after a debate that left Republican leaders exhausted but satisfied.

A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/02/freedom-caucus-ends-filibuster-in-missouri-senate-without-action-on-its-demands/">41-hour filibuster</a>&nbsp;stalled all work last week – including planned budget debates on a committee-passed spending plan. To make the deadline, Senate Appropriations Chairman Lincoln Hough began negotiating with House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith last week on what should be removed from the Senate plan, and what the House would accept from it, to get bills that would pass both chambers.

The 17 spending bills passed during Thursday’s eight-hour debate – one for the remainder of the current fiscal year, the rest for the year that begins July 1 – will be up for a vote in the House on Friday.

But even before the Senate began voting, Gov. Mike Parson said the rushed work means his budget office hasn’t had time to review it. He told reporters he will not leave large unfunded needs for his successor to cover.

The budget needs to have the money required for the coming year because he leaves office in January, Parson said.

“We’re not going to do the largest supplemental (budget) in our state’s history,” Parson said. “I just don’t plan on doing that because all you’re doing then is just passing it on to the other legislators that are going to be coming in with the next governor.”

Hough had to navigate a Senate that has been dysfunctional all year because of Republican factional fighting in order to put the upper chamber’s stamp on a spending plan that arrived from the House a week later than normal.

Most of the debate on Thursday was consumed by members of the Missouri Freedom Caucus, who argued the budget spent too much, circumvented the regular process and gave legislators little time to scrutinize it.

Hough also had to endure criticism that delays in getting the budget on the Senate floor put him in the weakest position for negotiations with the House of any recent appropriations chairman.

“This was begging by the Senate appropriations chair to the House chair to take a budget to avoid a special session,” said Sen. Bill Eigel a Weldon Spring Republican and candidate for governor. “The Senate chair realized he had no leverage.”

Hough, a candidate for lieutenant governor, defended the budget he crafted during intense talks with Smith.

“This budget is not built around the mentality you have, which is just to beat somebody into submission,” he said to Eigel.

The total budget is about halfway between the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/03/house-gop-advances-50-billion-missouri-budget-rejecting-dozens-of-democrat-amendments/">$50.7 billion spending plan</a>&nbsp;passed in the House last month and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/25/with-time-running-short-missouri-senate-set-to-debate-50-billion-state-budget-next-week/">$53 billion proposal</a>&nbsp;Hough and the Senate Appropriations Committee approved. It is also about $1 billion less than the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/24/gov-mike-parson-proposes-record-52-7-billion-missouri-state-budget/">budget proposed in January</a>&nbsp;by Parson.

The bills call for spending $15.3 billion in general revenue, with $14.6 billion for agency operations. That is about $287 million more than Parson proposed and $424 million more than the House-approved budget.

The budget for the current fiscal year, including the supplemental appropriations approved in the Senate, is $53.5 billion, with $15.8 billion in general revenue spending.

The budget includes a 3.2% pay raise for state employees, a 3% boost in funding for state colleges and universities and $727.5 million for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/14/missouri-house-budget-chairman-trims-2-billion-from-governors-proposed-spending-plan/">improvements to Interstate 44</a>, half from general revenue and half from new state debt.

Most of the money Hough added to the budget to boost salaries at agencies that provide support for adults with developmental disabilities did not survive negotiations. Instead of a $325 million boost to those programs to allow agencies to pay $17 an hour, the increase was pared back to $74 million. Whether that will allow any pay increases was unclear in the hours after the Senate votes.

There were seven to nine Republican votes against all but two of the bills. The five members of the Freedom Caucus were often joined in opposition to the spending bills by Sens. Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold, who is running for secretary of state, Jill Carter of Joplin, who quit the Freedom Caucus last week, and&nbsp; Mike Moon of Ash Grove.

That left 15 to 17 members of the Republican majority in favor of the bills, meaning none of the spending bills would have passed without the help of Democrats.

Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo was quick to note that votes from his caucus made the difference.

“They needed our votes on every single bill outside of two, and they even voted against the agriculture budget, which was pretty interesting for us,” Rizzo said. “ So Ag funding was propped up by Democrats this year, so the agricultural community, your welcome. Thank Democrats.”

Prior to the debate, members of the Freedom Caucus demanded that general revenue spending not exceed the projected revenue for the coming year of $13.2 billion. Hough insisted that there is enough money in construction and other projects, as well as in agency funding designated as one-time appropriations, to meet that.&nbsp;

The difference between the projected revenue and the planned spending will come from a massive surplus that has accumulated in the treasury. In all funds that can be spent like general revenue, it is about $6.4 billion.

During debate, Eigel said the surplus should not be used to balance the budget.

“Balance means that the revenues coming in equal the revenues going out,” Eigel said. “Cash in your savings account is not a revenue item.”

The Missouri Constitution makes it clear that accumulated surpluses can be included in the budget plan.

Demanding a budget target regardless of other resources or the needs of the state is an argument designed to win political points, not govern responsibly, Rizzo said to reporters after the budget debate.

He said he expects Parson to eventually call a special session to add money so programs can operate through the year.

“Some of the Freedom Caucus members were pretty insistent on getting to a certain number,” Rizzo said, “and I think the way that they got to that certain number will probably make sure that there’s a special session sometime in the future, maybe in the fall.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715338161067.png" alt=" Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough speaks during the budget debate Thursday in the Missouri Senate. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Lincoln Hough speaks during the budget debate Thursday in the Missouri Senate. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The $51.7 billion spending plan for the coming year is about halfway between the House-passed budget and the proposal crafted in the Senate Appropriations Committee</h2>By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>With passage of a $51.7 billion budget Thursday, the Missouri Senate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++25&amp;bid=31765&amp;constit=y">beat the constitutional deadline</a>&nbsp;by 24 hours after a debate that left Republican leaders exhausted but satisfied.A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/02/freedom-caucus-ends-filibuster-in-missouri-senate-without-action-on-its-demands/">41-hour filibuster</a>&nbsp;stalled all work last week – including planned budget debates on a committee-passed spending plan. To make the deadline, Senate Appropriations Chairman Lincoln Hough began negotiating with House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith last week on what should be removed from the Senate plan, and what the House would accept from it, to get bills that would pass both chambers.The 17 spending bills passed during Thursday’s eight-hour debate – one for the remainder of the current fiscal year, the rest for the year that begins July 1 – will be up for a vote in the House on Friday.But even before the Senate began voting, Gov. Mike Parson said the rushed work means his budget office hasn’t had time to review it. He told reporters he will not leave large unfunded needs for his successor to cover.The budget needs to have the money required for the coming year because he leaves office in January, Parson said.“We’re not going to do the largest supplemental (budget) in our state’s history,” Parson said. “I just don’t plan on doing that because all you’re doing then is just passing it on to the other legislators that are going to be coming in with the next governor.”Hough had to navigate a Senate that has been dysfunctional all year because of Republican factional fighting in order to put the upper chamber’s stamp on a spending plan that arrived from the House a week later than normal.Most of the debate on Thursday was consumed by members of the Missouri Freedom Caucus, who argued the budget spent too much, circumvented the regular process and gave legislators little time to scrutinize it.Hough also had to endure criticism that delays in getting the budget on the Senate floor put him in the weakest position for negotiations with the House of any recent appropriations chairman.“This was begging by the Senate appropriations chair to the House chair to take a budget to avoid a special session,” said Sen. Bill Eigel a Weldon Spring Republican and candidate for governor. “The Senate chair realized he had no leverage.”Hough, a candidate for lieutenant governor, defended the budget he crafted during intense talks with Smith.“This budget is not built around the mentality you have, which is just to beat somebody into submission,” he said to Eigel.The total budget is about halfway between the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/03/house-gop-advances-50-billion-missouri-budget-rejecting-dozens-of-democrat-amendments/">$50.7 billion spending plan</a>&nbsp;passed in the House last month and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/25/with-time-running-short-missouri-senate-set-to-debate-50-billion-state-budget-next-week/">$53 billion proposal</a>&nbsp;Hough and the Senate Appropriations Committee approved. It is also about $1 billion less than the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/24/gov-mike-parson-proposes-record-52-7-billion-missouri-state-budget/">budget proposed in January</a>&nbsp;by Parson.The bills call for spending $15.3 billion in general revenue, with $14.6 billion for agency operations. That is about $287 million more than Parson proposed and $424 million more than the House-approved budget.The budget for the current fiscal year, including the supplemental appropriations approved in the Senate, is $53.5 billion, with $15.8 billion in general revenue spending.The budget includes a 3.2% pay raise for state employees, a 3% boost in funding for state colleges and universities and $727.5 million for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/14/missouri-house-budget-chairman-trims-2-billion-from-governors-proposed-spending-plan/">improvements to Interstate 44</a>, half from general revenue and half from new state debt.Most of the money Hough added to the budget to boost salaries at agencies that provide support for adults with developmental disabilities did not survive negotiations. Instead of a $325 million boost to those programs to allow agencies to pay $17 an hour, the increase was pared back to $74 million. Whether that will allow any pay increases was unclear in the hours after the Senate votes.There were seven to nine Republican votes against all but two of the bills. The five members of the Freedom Caucus were often joined in opposition to the spending bills by Sens. Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold, who is running for secretary of state, Jill Carter of Joplin, who quit the Freedom Caucus last week, and&nbsp; Mike Moon of Ash Grove.That left 15 to 17 members of the Republican majority in favor of the bills, meaning none of the spending bills would have passed without the help of Democrats.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715338235856.png" alt=" Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, center, speaks to reporters Thursday after the Senate approved a $51.7 billion budget. With Rizzo are, from left, Sens. Karla May, Doug Beck of Affton, Steven Roberts of St. Louis and Lauren Arthur of Kansas City. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, center, speaks to reporters Thursday after the Senate approved a $51.7 billion budget. With Rizzo are, from left, Sens. Karla May, Doug Beck of Affton, Steven Roberts of St. Louis and Lauren Arthur of Kansas City. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure>Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo was quick to note that votes from his caucus made the difference.“They needed our votes on every single bill outside of two, and they even voted against the agriculture budget, which was pretty interesting for us,” Rizzo said. “ So Ag funding was propped up by Democrats this year, so the agricultural community, your welcome. Thank Democrats.”Prior to the debate, members of the Freedom Caucus demanded that general revenue spending not exceed the projected revenue for the coming year of $13.2 billion. Hough insisted that there is enough money in construction and other projects, as well as in agency funding designated as one-time appropriations, to meet that.&nbsp;The difference between the projected revenue and the planned spending will come from a massive surplus that has accumulated in the treasury. In all funds that can be spent like general revenue, it is about $6.4 billion.During debate, Eigel said the surplus should not be used to balance the budget.“Balance means that the revenues coming in equal the revenues going out,” Eigel said. “Cash in your savings account is not a revenue item.”The Missouri Constitution makes it clear that accumulated surpluses can be included in the budget plan.Demanding a budget target regardless of other resources or the needs of the state is an argument designed to win political points, not govern responsibly, Rizzo said to reporters after the budget debate.He said he expects Parson to eventually call a special session to add money so programs can operate through the year.“Some of the Freedom Caucus members were pretty insistent on getting to a certain number,” Rizzo said, “and I think the way that they got to that certain number will probably make sure that there’s a special session sometime in the future, maybe in the fall.”

Mo. Senate avoids impasse over budget to make constitutional deadline

An area summer fireworks display could well be the best in the
country.

At least, according to current voting in the USA Today’s Top
10 Best Places to See Fireworks, the Amelia Earhart Festival “Concert in the
Sky” ranks third.

Jacque Pregont says she quite frankly was shocked when
notified the Atchison fireworks display was one of 20 nominated.

“Huge surprise and very, very excited, because the other ones
on the list are huge cities with astronomical budgets for one thing and huge
population for the other,” Pregont tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, yes, to
even be nominated and be on the list is a tremendous honor.”

The Amelia Earhart Festival display ranks behind only displays
at Navy Pier in Chicago and the Ford Fireworks show in Detroit in the latest
voting.

The fireworks show in Atchison attracts people from throughout
the region, especially the St. Joseph and Kansas City areas, but it also attracts
those from even farther distances. Pregont says some drive a long way to take
in the festival and the fireworks in Atchison.

“I’ve had people who actually live as far south as Texas
telling me that they come almost every year,” Pregont says. “We have area
people in abundance, just drive in for the day a lot of times, because we have
activities all day and then (they) just stay for the fireworks.”

Pregont contends it is amazing that the Atchison fireworks
show ranks as high as it does, considering most of the other shows are in
larger cities with much larger budgets. Yet, Pregont doesn’t consider being a
much smaller community than the others to be a disadvantage.

“We get so many complements about how people feel welcomed,
they feel like everybody’s so nice to them when they come here,” Pregont says. “And
for the city people, it pulls them out of that environment. Right? It’s just
something new. It’s a different experience. For rural people that come in, you
feel like you’re a part of the community for that time period and we want
people to feel like they’re a part of our community when they come and visit.”

The Amelia Earhart Festival will be held July 19th
and 20th this year with the “Concert in the Sky” the evening of the
20th. It is a near half hour display choreographed with music, celebrating
the hometown of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart. It is produced by Stellar
Fireworks of Wichita in front of Earhart’s childhood home overlooking the
bluffs of the Missouri River. Pregont believes it is the music and the river
that make it special. As many as 50,000 people attend.

You can go to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmeliaEarhartFestival">Amelia Earhart Festival Facebook page</a> to
vote or click <a href="https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-place-to-see-fireworks-2024/concert-in-the-sky-at-the-amelia-earhart-festival-atchison-kansas/">HERE</a> for the USA Today page on the contest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715279446091.jpeg" alt="Amelia Earhart Concert in the Sky/Photo courtesy of Amelia Earhart Festival" />
 <figcaption>Amelia Earhart Concert in the Sky/Photo courtesy of Amelia Earhart Festival</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn area summer fireworks display could well be the best in the
country.At least, according to current voting in the USA Today’s Top
10 Best Places to See Fireworks, the Amelia Earhart Festival “Concert in the
Sky” ranks third.Jacque Pregont says she quite frankly was shocked when
notified the Atchison fireworks display was one of 20 nominated.“Huge surprise and very, very excited, because the other ones
on the list are huge cities with astronomical budgets for one thing and huge
population for the other,” Pregont tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, yes, to
even be nominated and be on the list is a tremendous honor.”The Amelia Earhart Festival display ranks behind only displays
at Navy Pier in Chicago and the Ford Fireworks show in Detroit in the latest
voting.The fireworks show in Atchison attracts people from throughout
the region, especially the St. Joseph and Kansas City areas, but it also attracts
those from even farther distances. Pregont says some drive a long way to take
in the festival and the fireworks in Atchison.“I’ve had people who actually live as far south as Texas
telling me that they come almost every year,” Pregont says. “We have area
people in abundance, just drive in for the day a lot of times, because we have
activities all day and then (they) just stay for the fireworks.”Pregont contends it is amazing that the Atchison fireworks
show ranks as high as it does, considering most of the other shows are in
larger cities with much larger budgets. Yet, Pregont doesn’t consider being a
much smaller community than the others to be a disadvantage.“We get so many complements about how people feel welcomed,
they feel like everybody’s so nice to them when they come here,” Pregont says. “And
for the city people, it pulls them out of that environment. Right? It’s just
something new. It’s a different experience. For rural people that come in, you
feel like you’re a part of the community for that time period and we want
people to feel like they’re a part of our community when they come and visit.”The Amelia Earhart Festival will be held July 19th
and 20th this year with the “Concert in the Sky” the evening of the
20th. It is a near half hour display choreographed with music, celebrating
the hometown of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart. It is produced by Stellar
Fireworks of Wichita in front of Earhart’s childhood home overlooking the
bluffs of the Missouri River. Pregont believes it is the music and the river
that make it special. As many as 50,000 people attend.You can go to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmeliaEarhartFestival">Amelia Earhart Festival Facebook page</a> to
vote or click <a href="https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-place-to-see-fireworks-2024/concert-in-the-sky-at-the-amelia-earhart-festival-atchison-kansas/">HERE</a> for the USA Today page on the contest.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Concert-in-the-Sky-recognized-by-USA-Today-e2jge0f" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Atchison's "Concert in the Sky" one of the best fireworks displays in country

The Department of Social Services’ call center issues ultimately denied eligible Missourians meaningful access to benefits, a judge found

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

A federal judge&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24656781-22-4026-order-on-summary-judgment-5-9-24">ruled Thursday</a>&nbsp;that Missouri’s social services agency violated the law in the way it has administered its food assistance program.&nbsp;

U.S. District Court Judge M. Douglas Harpool ruled that the state’s practices — including long call center wait times and a lack of accommodations for those with disabilities — violate the laws governing the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Missouri Department of Social Services’ call center issues ultimately denied eligible Missourians meaningful access to benefits.

“While call wait times fluctuate and have shown some improvement, the record demonstrates too little progress,” Harpool&nbsp;wrote. “Consequently, Missourians who suffer food insecurity have been forced to either go hungry or seek alternative sources of food when their applications are denied.”

In February 2022, a federal lawsuit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/02/22/federal-lawsuit-targets-missouris-dysfunctional-food-assistance-program/">was filed</a>&nbsp;against the social services department arguing the state’s “dysfunctional” call center deprives eligible Missourians of SNAP benefits, more commonly known as food stamps.&nbsp;

Plaintiffs&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/02/22/federal-lawsuit-targets-missouris-dysfunctional-food-assistance-program/">described</a>&nbsp;subsisting on little food while using up prepaid phone minutes waiting on hold for an interview, and, due to disability, struggling to understand the application forms but being unable to get through the call center for help.

An interview is required to sign up for or recertify SNAP benefits.

Without interviews, SNAP applications and renewals are automatically denied after 30 days — even if applicants have tried and been unable to get through. Around half of all SNAP denials in the state are due to failure to complete an interview, according to data obtained in litigation.&nbsp;The average call center wait time for the SNAP interview line, as of late last year, The Independent&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/14/records-show-call-center-wait-times-for-missouri-medicaid-food-assistance-on-the-rise/">found</a>, was over an hour.

“The high percentage of denials based on failure to interview is a direct consequence of the failed administration of defendant’s SNAP program,” Harpool wrote in his order.&nbsp;

“These denials are not based on the applicant’s eligibility but on the inadequacies of [the Department of Social Services’] process,” he wrote.

The lawsuit was filed by New York-based National Center for Law and Economic Justice, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and Stinson LLP, on behalf of individual low-income Missourians and the advocacy group Empower Missouri.

“Today’s decision is a vindication of the rights of Missourians,” said Katharine Deabler-Meadows, attorney with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice.

“The Court has recognized the immense harm that DSS is causing to people who depend on SNAP to feed themselves and their families,” she said. “We are excited that DSS will now have to implement systems that ensure all Missourians can access SNAP.”

The decision orders the social services agency to come into compliance with federal SNAP law and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and outlines several steps the agency must take, under the court’s supervision.&nbsp;

The steps the state must follow, as outlined in the order include:&nbsp;

<h2>The Department of Social Services’ call center issues ultimately denied eligible Missourians meaningful access to benefits, a judge found</h2>By CLARA BATES&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>A federal judge&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24656781-22-4026-order-on-summary-judgment-5-9-24">ruled Thursday</a>&nbsp;that Missouri’s social services agency violated the law in the way it has administered its food assistance program.&nbsp;U.S. District Court Judge M. Douglas Harpool ruled that the state’s practices — including long call center wait times and a lack of accommodations for those with disabilities — violate the laws governing the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Americans with Disabilities Act.The Missouri Department of Social Services’ call center issues ultimately denied eligible Missourians meaningful access to benefits.“While call wait times fluctuate and have shown some improvement, the record demonstrates too little progress,” Harpool&nbsp;wrote. “Consequently, Missourians who suffer food insecurity have been forced to either go hungry or seek alternative sources of food when their applications are denied.”In February 2022, a federal lawsuit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/02/22/federal-lawsuit-targets-missouris-dysfunctional-food-assistance-program/">was filed</a>&nbsp;against the social services department arguing the state’s “dysfunctional” call center deprives eligible Missourians of SNAP benefits, more commonly known as food stamps.&nbsp;Plaintiffs&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/02/22/federal-lawsuit-targets-missouris-dysfunctional-food-assistance-program/">described</a>&nbsp;subsisting on little food while using up prepaid phone minutes waiting on hold for an interview, and, due to disability, struggling to understand the application forms but being unable to get through the call center for help.An interview is required to sign up for or recertify SNAP benefits.Without interviews, SNAP applications and renewals are automatically denied after 30 days — even if applicants have tried and been unable to get through. Around half of all SNAP denials in the state are due to failure to complete an interview, according to data obtained in litigation.&nbsp;The average call center wait time for the SNAP interview line, as of late last year, The Independent&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/14/records-show-call-center-wait-times-for-missouri-medicaid-food-assistance-on-the-rise/">found</a>, was over an hour.“The high percentage of denials based on failure to interview is a direct consequence of the failed administration of defendant’s SNAP program,” Harpool wrote in his order.&nbsp;“These denials are not based on the applicant’s eligibility but on the inadequacies of [the Department of Social Services’] process,” he wrote.The lawsuit was filed by New York-based National Center for Law and Economic Justice, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and Stinson LLP, on behalf of individual low-income Missourians and the advocacy group Empower Missouri.“Today’s decision is a vindication of the rights of Missourians,” said Katharine Deabler-Meadows, attorney with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice.“The Court has recognized the immense harm that DSS is causing to people who depend on SNAP to feed themselves and their families,” she said. “We are excited that DSS will now have to implement systems that ensure all Missourians can access SNAP.”The decision orders the social services agency to come into compliance with federal SNAP law and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and outlines several steps the agency must take, under the court’s supervision.&nbsp;The steps the state must follow, as outlined in the order include:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>&nbsp;submitting a report with specific changes it will make to comply with the law within 30 days;</li><li>filing monthly reports with the court with detailed data on SNAP applications and wait times, and filing that report with several members of Missouri state government outlined in the order;</li><li>submitting a proposed plan of action and timeline of implementation “to address shortcomings in the administration of SNAP as identified” within 90 days, including a reduction in call wait times and denials based on failure to receive an interview and compliance with the ADA.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>After the state complies with the order, the court “will determine what, if any, further actions, orders, remedies, or proceedings are appropriate,” Harpool wrote.&nbsp;Harpool has been candid in previous hearings about his concerns over the state’s progress since the lawsuit was first filed.“I continue to be amazed that it’s been since this case started,” he said in a January&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24656808-holmes-motion-hearing-jan-29">motion hearing</a>, “that the state’s whole focus is how can we avoid liability rather than how can we get these benefits to our citizens.”Hardin Haynes, the attorney representing DSS, rejected that characterization, according to court transcripts.“The whole time this has been going on,” he said in the January hearing, “DSS has been doing what it can to increase its ability to do interviews throughout this process. That has never stopped.”&nbsp;A spokesperson for the Department of Social Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment.DSS has previously said it is doing all it can to hire more staff,&nbsp;&nbsp;grant overtime, move to automate assistance and contract with private call centers.&nbsp;Agency leaders pointed to resource issues and challenges getting more staff as it&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/14/records-show-call-center-wait-times-for-missouri-medicaid-food-assistance-on-the-rise/">requested $4 million this year</a>&nbsp;for a “call center bot” to increase automation and reduce the need for staff on the general call center line.

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