KANAAS CITY -A teenager was injured in a Thursday crash in Wyandotte County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Kia Optima driven by Madeline Elanor Mcauliffe, 19, Prairie Village, was westbound on I-70 at mile post 423-Minnesota Avenue driving too fast. The driver lost control of the vehicle and struck the bridge rails.
Mcauliffe was transported to KU Medical Center.
The KHP reported she was properly restrained.
ST. LOUIS , MO—During a visit to the Gateway/Hubert Wheeler School for the Disabled in St. Louis today, Gov. Jay Nixon announced that he would veto Senate Bill 509, calling the bill an unaffordable, unfair and dangerous scheme that would drain funding from public services and do nothing to help working families.
“Senate Bill 509 is an unfair, unaffordable and dangerous scheme that would defund our schools, weaken our economy, and destabilize the strong foundation of fiscal discipline that we’ve worked so long and hard to build,” Gov. Nixon said. “Instead of helping middle-class families get ahead, the money this bill would drain from our classrooms and college campuses would go to line the pockets of lawyers, lobbyists and other wealthy individuals – while an average family would get just 32 bucks. Weakening support for vital public services like those provided here at Hubert Wheeler in order to shower windfalls on the well-heeled is wrong and would take our state backward.”
According to the fiscal estimate produced by the legislature, Senate Bill 509 would reduce state revenues by more than $620 million annually when fully implemented. Data released by the Missouri School Boards Association showed that Senate Bill 509 would reduce state support for K-12 school districts by $223 million annually.
Senate Bill 509 also contains a dangerous provision that would increase the bill’s cost by $4.8 billion annually by eliminating all income taxes on Missourians with greater than $9,000 in income. The provision would eliminate 97 percent of all individual income tax collections and wipe out 65 percent of the state’s general revenue budget.
“Now there are legitimate disagreements to be had about what policies our state should pursue,” Gov. Nixon said. “But when it comes to our most basic, fundamental obligation to provide vulnerable children a fair shot to live up to their God-given potential, that’s just not up for debate. This fiscally irresponsible legislation would permanently undermine support for education and the vital public services that strengthen our economy and support our quality of life, and it cannot become law.”
Senate Bill 509 includes a 25 percent tax deduction for what is called “pass-through” business-income. This type of income is often reported by wealthier individuals, such as lawyers, lobbyists and even gambling establishments organized as LLCs or corporate partnerships.
In fact, 52 percent of the tax savings from Senate Bill 509 would go to the top seven percent of taxpayers. For example, under Senate Bill 509, the owner of a casino with $1 million in business income could write off $250,000 of income and receive a tax cut worth more than $18,000. By contrast, a family making Missouri’s median income of $44,000 a year would receive a tax cut of only $32 when the legislation is fully implemented in 2022.
The business income exemption in the bill would also result in workers paying higher taxes than their employer, even if the worker and the employer reported exactly the same taxable income. For example, under this bill an owner of a pass-through business with $40,000 in Missouri adjusted gross income would pay $704 in tax, while their employee reporting the same amount would pay $1,123 in tax.
Instead of the unaffordable approach taken by Senate Bill 509, Gov. Nixon has laid out a proposal to fully fund the K-12 foundation formula and give working families a responsible tax cut by reining in wasteful tax credit expenditures. Gov. Nixon has also signed four tax cuts as Governor. In 2009, he signed legislation to phase out state income taxes on military pensions. In 2011, the Governor signed Senate Bill 19 to phase out Missouri’s corporate franchise tax, which will save Missouri businesses $70 million this year alone. In 2012, Gov. Nixon signed a targeted tax deduction for small businesses that create jobs. And last year, Gov. Nixon signed House Bill 128, which benefits Missouri manufacturers with significant out-of-state sales.
According to the Congressional Quarterly’s State Rankings 2013, Missouri has the 6th lowest per capita taxes in the nation. In addition, a report from the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University shows Missouri as one of only five states to receive an ‘A’ grade for its tax climate and economic diversity, and the only state among its neighbors to receive the top score in these areas.
Last year, employment in Missouri grew faster than our neighboring states of Kansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Illinois, Nebraska, and Arkansas, and Missouri has been the fastest-growing state in the nation for technology job growth for two years running. Missouri has also led the rebirth of the American auto industry and attracted historic investments in biosciences, information technology, and advanced manufacturing throughout state.
A link to the breakdown of district funding levels if Senate Bill 509 becomes law is available here. The data was generated using the same methodology used by education groups in assessing the impact of House Bill 253 last year.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s Republican-led House has defeated legislation that would have charged a panel of medical professionals with developing streamlined standards for newborn care.
The House voted 80-72 in opposition to the legislation Thursday. The vote comes one day after the proposal was successfully amended onto a Senate bill being considered by the House.
Under the legislation, an advisory council appointed by the governor with Senate confirmation would have created guidelines for hospitals to follow. The standards would have addressed staffing, transportation, reporting and care for high-risk patients.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) co-sponsored the “Russian Aggression Prevention Act of 2014” in an effort to deter Russian aggression in Europe, which threatens regional security and prosperity that is critical for maintaining economic growth in the United States. Blunt serves as a member of both defense authorizing and appropriations committees in the Senate.
The bill was introduced by U.S. Senator Bob Corker (Tenn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and is co-sponsored by 19 of their colleagues.
“As the situation in Ukraine continues to escalate with little hope that the Russians will work towards a peaceful resolution, this legislation sends a strong message to Ukraine and our allies that the U.S. will not tolerate Russian aggression,” said Blunt. “This legislation will give our allies in NATO and Eastern Europe the military and economic resources they need to deter future attempts by Russia to topple free, sovereign nations.”
The Russian Aggression Prevention Act of 2014 is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (Fla.), Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), John Hoeven (N.D.), John McCain (Ariz.), John Cornyn (Texas), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), John Barrasso (Wyo.), Jim Risch (Idaho), Dan Coats (Ind.), Pat Roberts (Kan.), Johnny Isakson (Ga.), Jim Inhofe (Okla.), Rob Portman (Ohio), Orrin Hatch (Utah), John Thune (S.D.), and Jeff Flake (Ariz.).
Key Provisions Of The Russian Aggression Prevention Act:
Strengthen NATO
Increases substantially U.S. and NATO support for the armed forces of Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, as well as other countries determined appropriate by the president.
Requires the president to accelerate implementation of missile defense in Europe and provide other missile defense support for our NATO allies.
Deter Russian aggression
Places immediate new sanctions on any Russian officials and agents involved in the illegal occupation of Crimea, as well as on corrupt Russian officials and their supporters, and broadens and solidifies the sanctions already imposed by the administration.
Imposes immediate new sanctions tied to the destabilization of eastern Ukraine on four key Russian banks: Sberbank, VTB Bank, VEB Bank, Gazprombank, as well as on the Gazprom, Novatek, Rosneft energy monopolies, and Rosoboronexport, the major Russian arms dealer.
If Russian armed forces cross further into, or Russia further annexes, the sovereign territory of Ukraine or any other country, even tougher sanctions would (1) cut all senior Russian officials, their companies, and their supporters off from the world’s financial system; (2) target any Russian entities owned by the Russian government or sanctioned individuals across the arms, defense, energy, financial services, metals, or mining sectors in Russia; (3) and cut Russian banks off from the U.S. banking system.
Harden our non-NATO allies
Authorizes the president to provide $100 million worth of direct military assistance to Ukraine, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons and small arms, based on a needs and capabilities assessment of the Ukrainian armed forces. It also encourages the sharing of intelligence with Ukraine.
Provides authority for exports of U.S. natural gas to all WTO members, including key countries in Europe, and provides support to encourage the U.S. private sector to invest in energy projects in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova.
Imposes significant diplomatic measures on Russia, limits Russia’s access to advanced U.S. oil and gas technologies, provides support for Russian civil society, and focuses U.S. attention on corruption in Russia, potential treaty violations, and other strategically important matters.
Provides Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia with major non-NATO ally status to facilitate their access to military equipment and expands U.S. and NATO military exercises and training with key non-NATO states. It also prohibits U.S. recognition of the annexation of Crimea and provides support for civil society activities in former Soviet countries, as well as expands U.S. government counter-propaganda efforts in such countries.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate supporters of the long-delayed Keystone XL pipeline have introduced legislation authorizing its immediate construction and say they expect the measure will come to a vote in the coming days.
The legislation was introduced by Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Republican Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota.
In a statement, they said it has the support of all 45 Senate Republicans and 10 Democrats.
The legislation is the latest response in Congress to the Obama administration’s recent announcement that it was delaying a decision on the pipeline indefinitely, citing a Nebraska court case relating to the project.
The House has voted previously to approve construction of the pipeline, which would carry oil from Canada to the United States, where it eventually would reach Gulf Coast states.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — After a program to offer free admission to the Kansas City Zoo drew such big crowds that fights broke out zoo officials are offering a new plan designed to disperse the customers.
Zoo officials plan to mail a postcard to every household in Jackson and Clay counties that will allow residents to choose one free day to visit the zoo in July, September or November this year. The Kansas City Star reports the free days will be randomly assigned on Monday through Thursday.
The promotion proved too popular. On March 18, fights and gunfire broke out when about 19,000 people showed up.
INDEPENDENCE (AP) – An Independence man has pleaded guilty for his role in the theft of a 6-foot bronze statue from a museum.
Thirty-seven-year-old Jeremy Ratliff will be sentenced June 13 after pleading guilty this month to felony stealing. He was one of three men charged in the June 2013 theft of the Pioneer Woman statue from the National Frontier Trails Museum.
One of the men has been sentenced to seven years in prison and the other has not yet pleaded.
The life-sized statue of a woman with a baby in one arm and a bucket in the other weighed 1,000 pounds.
The Independence Examiner reports Ratliff and another defendant tried to sell the bronze from the statue at a Kansas City recycling center but workers there refused to take it.
KANSAS CITY (AP) – Police are questioning a man who witnesses say was found naked and covered in blood after a woman was fatally wounded at a north Kansas City apartment complex.
Witnesses called police early Wednesday to say the man was running through the complex screaming. The woman was still alive when police arrived at the Northpointe apartment complex but she died a short time later.
KMBC-TV says the man was seen about 20 minutes later in another neighborhood, where he was going door-to-door saying someone had killed his girlfriend and they were coming for him. Parkville police later took the man into custody after a car crash.
No charges have been announced in the case.
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – An Olathe man pleaded guilty Wednesday to computer fraud, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
Ryan Cauble, 41, Olathe, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of computer fraud. In his plea, he admitted he committed the crime while he worked for G.E. Consumer Finance, a saving and loan holding company with an office in Merriam, Kan. Cauble sent an email to a vice president of the company claiming there was a security breach and credit card numbers of the company’s customers had been compromised. The email – sent from an address of optimuscrime44@tormail.org – included 20 credit card numbers. The email stated, “If you want to identify the person who is responsible, message me immediately to discuss compensation for the information.”
A review of the 20 account numbers confirmed that there were fraudulent ATM transactions on those accounts in New York and California. Cauble used various employee credentials to login to the company’s databases and transfer account numbers and information including customers’ names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers in exchange for Bitcoins. He told investigators he sold the account numbers in batches of 40 for $1,000. He said that over time he sold 250 to 300 account numbers.
Sentencing is set for Aug. 19. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Grissom commended the U.S. Secret Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble for their work on the case.
By Mike Sherry
KHI News Service
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is proposing that the state use federal health dollars to subsidize health insurance for low-wage workers.
Under a program he is calling Missouri Health Works, Nixon is proposing that the state pay a portion of employers’ health insurance costs for their employees that make below 138 percent of the poverty level, or $27,310 annually for a family of three.
The program would be open to businesses with fewer than 150 employees.
Under the Affordable Care Act, businesses with more than 50 employees must provide affordable health insurance coverage to their employees or pay a penalty. Missouri Health Works would pay for an estimated 60 percent of the cost of the health premium for eligible employees.
The governor presented the idea Monday during a visit to the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.
“Small businesses in Missouri are getting squeezed between sky-high health insurance costs and new requirements under the ACA,” Nixon said in a news release. “Missouri Health Works is an example of the kind of smart, business-friendly reform that is possible if we move forward and bring Missourians’ tax dollars home.”
Nixon’s plan would use additional federal Medicaid funds that would come to the state if it expanded Medicaid eligibility for families earning 138 percent of the poverty level.
The governor’s office said Nixon’s proposal is similar to those in other states, including Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Oregon.
Families can make no more than 18 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify for Medicaid in Missouri — which means, for example, a single mother of two can make no more than about $3,500 a year for assistance, according to the Missouri Medicaid Coalition.
Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government has pledged to pick up 100 percent of the costs for newly eligible Medicaid participants (in years 2014–2016) in states that raise eligibility to 138 percent of the poverty level. The federal reimbursement would gradually fall to 90 percent.
Nixon has advocated for the Medicaid expansion for more than a year. But the GOP-controlled General Assembly has thus far declined to authorize the expansion. This year’s session of the General Assembly ends May 16.
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and Republican legislative leaders also have decided to not expand Medicaid eligibility.
Nixon’s office cited an analysis by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, which said that expanding and reforming Medicaid would create 23,868 jobs, $9.9 billion in new wages and $14.6 billion in new Gross State Product from 2015 to 2022.
According to the report, Medicaid expansion also would generate $402 million in new state general revenue from 2015 to 2022.
According to The Associated Press, Republican leaders in the state House of Representatives immediately criticized Nixon’s idea.
“If he were serious about this he wouldn’t wait until there’s three weeks left in session, and he would maybe try to engage members of the General Assembly before spending state moneys on the airplane flying down to Cape Girardeau to talk about it,” House Majority Leader John Diehl, a Republican from Town and Country, told the AP.
