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Diversity initiatives within Missouri agencies run into GOP attack on ‘woke’ government
High employee turnover has plagued Missouri’s Department of Social Services for years. The department’s staffing woes have contributed to a range of problems — from foster children languishing in state care for longer than they should be to disabled residents waiting months to receive federal food benefits to investigators unable to keep up with child […]
Missouri’s Department of Social Services sued for alleged Sunshine Law violations
A software company that successfully sued the state and was awarded $23 million last year has filed a new lawsuit against Missouri’s Department of Social Services, alleging the agency “knowingly and purposefully” violated open records law. According to the lawsuit filed Thursday in Cole County, Florida-based HHS Technology submitted a request for records to the […]
Disability-rights advocates decry planned cuts to transit service in St. Louis County
The St. Louis region’s public transit agency plans to “improve customer service” by making cuts to its paratransit system serving those with disabilities. It’s a move disability rights advocates have decried as a “cruel” solution to a real problem. Metro Transit’s paratransit system, which is called Call-A-Ride, provides services for those with disabilities in St. […]
Proposals to eliminate Missouri sales tax on groceries in limbo
Missouri is one of just 13 states that levies a sales tax on grocery food items. Citing the hefty burden on low-income shoppers and rising cost of food, several other states have moved to reduce the burden of the grocery sales tax. Kansas began phasing it out this year and Illinois suspended the tax for […]
Federal lawsuit over Missouri’s ‘dysfunctional’ SNAP call center adds two new plaintiffs
For more than three months, Denise Davis waited to receive federal food benefits in Missouri. Health issues late last year left Davis unable to work. She is also experiencing homelessness, has no income or savings and has significant medical debt. But she could not get through to Missouri’s call center to receive the required interview […]
Mizzou students launch project to provide bilingual news to state’s Latino communities
Their project, called De Veras, aims to increase the accessibility of information about immigration legal services, education and health to Missouri’s Latino community, among other services.
Federal approval of Missouri postpartum extension could be at risk over abortion amendment
A push to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage in Missouri could face hurdles to federal approval after an abortion-related provision was added by Senate conservatives. The bill, which would extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to one year, seeks to lower Missouri’s maternal mortality rate. The state had the 12th highest maternal mortality in the […]
Missouri legislator proposes tax credits aimed at mitigating child care ‘crisis’
A Missouri House committee on Tuesday debated legislation that would establish several tax credits designed to improve access to affordable child care and stabilize the industry.
Missouri Senate advances bill to prevent loss of public benefits over small pay bump
A bill that aims to soften the steep drop-off in public benefits that low-income Missourians face when their earnings increase won initial approval in the Missouri Senate Monday evening after pushback from conservative Republicans. The Senate still needs to vote one more time before the bill is sent to the House for consideration. Sponsored by […]
Kanakuk abuse survivors urge Missouri lawmakers to extend statute of limitations
Several survivors of childhood sexual abuse, including from Kanakuk and Boy Scouts of America, testified at a House judiciary hearing Monday night in support of a bill that would extend the civil statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Missouri child care providers say their industry is in crisis. We want to hear from parents and providers
We want to hear from families and providers about Missouri’s child care crisis, so we’re launching a form that you can use to tell us about your experiences working in or sending your children to child care programs in the state.
Still no timeline for Missouri families awaiting summer 2022 food assistance
Missouri has made progress toward gathering the necessary eligibility data to begin distributing the benefits, but state officials still will not provide a timeline for when benefits will be disbursed.