Until recently, I’ve only had to worry about threats in their immediate environment – how they are being treated by classmates, what movies they are going to see at the theater, who they are going to meet in the park. Now, the ever-growing number of online apps that exist in my children’s lives creates threats that I cannot always anticipate, and the reality is that I can only do so much to keep my children safe. 

Parental controls and limiting our kids’ screen time only work for so long. Every kid looks for a way around the rules – I know mine did. And, as any parent will tell you, children will only let themselves be contained so much before they actively push back. Unlimited access to the internet means children can find ways around parental locks or age restrictions published by individual app developers. Once those barriers are breached, parents lose oversight on what their kids are doing online. That is why parents need more powerful tools in our parental tool belts and why we need better partners in our mission to protect our kids.

As a parent, I’ve personally shut down the App Store altogether for my child. While this has been a temporary fix, I know that this is not a permanent solution, and I do want my child to be able to interact with their friends online in a healthy way, through apps, games and devices that I approve.

Luckily, Michigan Congressman John James and Utah Senator Mike Lee have come together to reintroduce legislation that gives parents control over what our kids can and can’t download on the app store and implements a standard process for age verification online. 

Currently, children with web-connected devices have full access to app stores such as the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, and it is only after they have installed an app that they go through an age verification process, if the app has an age verification at all. The responsibility of creating age verifications is left entirely up to individual developers, and parents only have a say in what apps their children can access if they have physically accessed their child’s device and checked what apps are installed. Parents can only control the apps their children use through asking their children not to download certain apps or by deleting the app after their children have already accessed them, neither of which is a strong solution to stopping their children from accessing harmful content to begin with.

Under the App Store Accountability Act, instead of age verification being determined by individual app developers, it would happen through the app stores. First, app developers will have to put appropriate age ratings on all apps that they upload to popular app stores. App stores will then have to verify the ages of users and will be required to receive parents’ permission before allowing minors to download an app or make a purchase. This is a major win for parents seeking stronger tools in protecting their children’s online safety.

It is no longer enough to teach our kids about stranger danger in public, check in on what material they are consuming through books or television, and secure our small, physical environment against threats. Through the internet, our kids have access to the whole world and the world has access to them. I am grateful that we as parents may have the opportunity to truly secure our children’s safety online, and I hope our legislators continue to support legislation like the App Store Accountability Act to empower parents like me.

Wendy Weller

Mom of two, and a small business owner from St. Louis.

The post Opinion: Parents Need The App Store Accountability Act appeared first on The Missouri Times.

Atlanta is one of several new program sites that will be launching this summer. CAN now has eight locations across three states (Kansas and Oklahoma, in addition to Missouri). The program operates exclusively in rural Midwest communities, which are typically underserved by high-quality summer learning programs.

CAN supplements the education students receive during the school year, helping them to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and prevent summer learning loss. Stacie McVey, superintendent of Atlanta C-3 School District, saw the partnership as a great way to engage students. “This four-week July program will offer a unique opportunity for our district and community,” she said. “It is designed to enrich the educational experience of our high-performing junior high students, while also welcoming students from outside our district, including those in homeschool, private, and traditional school settings. We are excited to partner with Compass Academy Network to make this possible and to expand learning in new ways as part of our Hornet Family.”

Debra Humphreys, founder and CEO of Compass Academy Network, called the expansion “a great step forward for the program,” and noted that she looks forward to seeing its positive impact on the community. “These additional locations mean more enrichment opportunities for students, and more paid internships for college students interested in education.”

About the CAN Program

CAN’s mission is to support education in rural communities by providing free summer enrichment programs for middle school students, with continued year-round support, to foster a love of learning, promote intellectual curiosity, develop engaged citizens, create a foundation for academic success, and cultivate a strong moral compass. CAN also provides college students who are aspiring educators with paid internship opportunities working with veteran rural school teachers to create a strengthened network of inspirational rural educators who become leaders in their classrooms and communities.

The entire 4-week Compass Academy Network program is free for eligible students, including all materials, supplies, healthy lunches and snacks, and transportation to and from a central location. Upon completing the program, students also receive a $45 Walmart gift card for school supplies. School districts with 15 or more students who complete the summer session are eligible to receive a CAN Partner Grant of $5,000 for middle school needs.

To qualify, students must have a grade point average equivalent to a “B” average (3.0) or better as well as a recommendation from a current teacher or administrator. Preference is given to students whose families qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced lunch program.

Applications for Compass Academy Network’s summer programs are currently being accepted online. Space is limited, so interested students and families are encouraged to apply soon. For more information, please visit our website at www.compassacademynetwork.org.

The post Press Release: Compass Academy Network Announces New Program Location in Atlanta, MO appeared first on The Missouri Times.

There is legislation on the table, the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), which is a game-changer for families in Missouri and across the country. This legislation would allow individuals and businesses to donate to non-profit scholarships so parents can send their children to the public, private, or technical trade school of their choice, and that best meets their needs, including homeschool. It would even allow parents of kids in public schools to use these scholarships for tutoring.

I believe K-12 parents should have the power to choose the best education options for their own children. This legislation would expand education freedom for more students in Missouri and across all states by providing $10 billion in annual tax credits to be made available to taxpayers. Allotment of these credits to individuals would be administered by the Treasury Department.

It’s estimated that up to two million students could benefit from these scholarships, which can be used for tuition, books, fees, supplies and more. This legislation isn’t about politics, it is about freedom. It’s about giving parents the power to decide where and how their children learn. And it’s about making sure that families, especially low- and middle-income families who cannot afford to move to a better school district or pay for private education out of pocket, still have real options. 

In Missouri, we’ve made significant strides toward expanding school choice. Lawmakers have introduced several bills this session to increase education options, and many of them have gained momentum – but unfortunately, at the same time, there are also bills in the legislature that are working to push back against that progress. Some politicians still believe that a one-size-fits-all education is the only way, but it is clear that is not the case. 

That is why action at the federal level is so important. The ECCA would strengthen and compliment Missouri’s efforts to expand school choice, while also helping families in states where the legislature hasn’t acted – or worse, is moving backwards. The ECCA does not increase any government control or bureaucracy or require any government funding. It is built on voluntary contributions and local nonprofit partnerships. It empowers communities and supports parents. This is the solution that we should all be rallying behind. 

We have momentum on our side. School choice has become a priority for Republicans across the country. President Trump has already shared his support and said that he would sign the ECCA into law. The only thing standing in the way right now is Congress, and this year, we have a real opportunity to get it done through the budget reconciliation process. 

That makes Chairman Smith’s leadership absolutely critical. He has a unique opportunity to champion this bill, work with his colleagues in both the House and Senate, and make sure that the ECCA becomes law. He has voiced his support for school choice in the past, and I believe that he will do it again. 

I hope that our leaders in D.C. will seize this opportunity and give families the freedom to choose the best path for their children’s future. Passing the ECCA will give every child a chance to succeed, and every parent the right to choose. 

Ashley Lawson

GOP grassroots influencer

The post Opinion: Congress Must Pass the Educational Choice for Children Act This Year appeared first on The Missouri Times.

HB 544 is designed to align Missouri law with federal standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Specifically, the bill affirms that any pesticide or herbicide registered with the EPA, and labeled in accordance with EPA guidelines, should be deemed compliant with both state and federal safety and health regulations. This would ensure that products like RoundUp, a widely used glyphosate-based herbicide, can continue to be sold and used in Missouri without conflicting regulatory mandates.

“Legislation like HB 544 in Missouri clarifies and affirms that any pesticide registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and sold under an EPA-approved label, is sufficient to meet all federal and state health and safety warning requirements,” the letter stated.

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in RoundUp, is a cornerstone of modern agriculture in Missouri. It plays a critical role in weed control, improving crop yields, and reducing the need for tillage, which can contribute to soil erosion. According to recent data, approximately 91% of soybean farmers and 66% of corn farmers in Missouri rely on glyphosate to manage their fields effectively.

However, the use of glyphosate has been the subject of controversy since a 2015 report by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified the chemical as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” That conclusion was based on “limited evidence” linking glyphosate to cancer in humans and “sufficient evidence” in experimental animals. Despite this, regulatory bodies such as the EPA, the European Food Safety Authority, and other international agencies have maintained that glyphosate, when used as directed, does not pose a significant health risk to humans.

Critics of HB 544 argue that the bill could provide blanket immunity to chemical manufacturers, particularly Bayer, the company that acquired Monsanto, the original producer of RoundUp. They contend that such legislation could prevent consumers from holding companies accountable for alleged health risks associated with herbicide exposure.

However, the organizations supporting the bill strongly reject this interpretation.

“Importantly, this legislation does not create blanket immunity for manufacturers, nor would it shield companies from liability in cases of fraud, misrepresentation, misuse, or noncompliance with EPA regulations,” the letter clarified. “Consumers have multiple legal pathways. Instead, HB 544 ensures that compliance with EPA-approved labeling is recognized as legally sufficient, upholding the authority of the federal regulatory framework and preventing conflicting mandates from undermining it.”

The debate over RoundUp has already led to extensive litigation. Bayer has agreed to pay approximately $10.9 billion to settle tens of thousands of lawsuits related to the product. As of now, around 165,000 cases have been filed, with more than 60,000 still pending. One high-profile case in Cole County, Missouri, resulted in a staggering jury verdict: each of the three plaintiffs was awarded $500 million in punitive damages, along with $5.6 million and $38 million in compensatory damages. In total, Bayer was ordered to pay $1.56 billion in that case alone.

The letter of support for HB 544 was signed by a number of influential organizations, including the National Taxpayers Union, Innovation Economy Alliance, American Consumer Institute, Center for Individual Freedom, Taxpayers Protection Alliance, Independent Women’s Forum, Market Institute, Consumer Action for a Strong Economy, Missouri Century Foundation, and the Institute for Policy Innovation.

As the Missouri legislature considers HB 544, supporters continue to argue that the bill is essential for safeguarding regulatory clarity, reinforcing federal standards, and supporting the state’s agricultural economy. 

The post Conservative Organizations Voice Support for HB 544 appeared first on The Missouri Times.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have had while serving Missouri’s soybean farmers and working alongside dedicated staff,” Wheeler said. “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the board and all the staff who have poured their sweat and tears into this endeavor. I look forward to the next chapter in my career.”

The Missouri Soybeans Joint Oversight Committee has appointed Casey Wasser, deputy executive director and chief operating officer, as interim CEO.

“Missouri Soybean is powered by our members, our Board of Directors, and our dedicated team,” said Wasser. “I’m honored to serve as interim CEO and carry out our strategic plan to build demand and foster innovation to meet the present and future needs of Missouri’s dedicated soybean producers.”

On behalf of the Missouri Soybeans’ Joint Oversight Committee, Chairman Matt Wright said, “The Joint Oversight Committee unanimously chose Casey to lead our organization as we determine the next steps. Casey’s proven leadership and tenure representing the interests of our members give us complete confidence that we will be stronger than ever as we position our organizations to deliver on our strategic goals.”

Missouri Soybeans remains committed to advancing its mission of growing opportunities for soybean farmers through leadership in research, market expansion, and political advocacy. The organization’s strategic priorities include strengthening farm profitability, driving innovation through research investments, and growing domestic and international markets for Missouri soybeans.

The Board of Directors emphasized that its focus remains on delivering results for Missouri soybean producers and ensuring the organization’s long-term strength and success.

The post Press Release: Gary Wheeler Resigns as CEO and Executive Director of Missouri Soybeans appeared first on The Missouri Times.

This transition not only threatens the economic stability of farmers in a state where corn is a key agricultural product, but also raises concerns about the broader implications for rural economies that depend on this industry. 

Corn isn’t just a crop; it’s a lifeline for countless families. It feeds livestock, becomes an essential ingredient in our favorite foods, and, most importantly, fuels the ethanol industry. With Ford planning to abandon flex-fuel options, the impact could be significant, putting not only farmers’ livelihoods at risk but also shaking up the entire agricultural landscape that many rural communities depend on.

The Ford F-150 is the single most popular truck in America with 2024 marking it as being the best-selling vehicle in the country for 42 years. Missouri is also home to Ford’s F-150 manufacturing plant in Claycomo. 

Ford’s 2023 F-150 model is expected to be the last to use corn-based ethanol flex-fuel by changing from a Flex Fuel option for the F-150’s V8 engine to electric. 

Ford is moving away from ethanol flex-fuel options for its F-150 trucks as part of a broader strategy to enhance fuel efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and transition towards more sustainable technologies. 

This shift isn’t just about creating cleaner vehicles; it’s also a response to stricter environmental regulations and a growing consumer push for greener alternatives. While these efforts are laudable on a global scale, they could leave local economies, especially those tied closely to agriculture, in a tough spot.

“If Missouri’s farm families want to buy a new American-made Ford F-150 FFV that runs on American-made fuel, they can’t,” said Brad Schad the CEO of the Missouri Corn Growers Association “Ford no longer offers this option on any vehicle. If, as the Ford slogan claims, their trucks are Built For America, the company is turning away from its roots and ignoring the largest group of Americans that buy them.” 

Ford Motor Company’s decision to transition away from ethanol flex-fuel vehicles poses a significant threat to Missouri’s vital corn industry, which ranks among the top corn-producing states in the U.S., generating approximately 600 million bushels annually. Corn is not only the most widely cultivated crop in Missouri but also accounts for about 30% of the state’s total agricultural revenue, underscoring its importance to both local farmers and the broader economy. 

Moreover, Ford’s shift away from flex fuel could reduce demand for Missouri corn, jeopardizing thousands of agricultural jobs and harming the economic stability of rural communities that depend on this critical crop.

The change could also deter investment in Missouri’s agriculture. As the company focuses on alternative fuels and electric vehicles, reduced emphasis on flex-fuel options may lead to less investment in ethanol-related infrastructure and production. 

This transition could undermine the viability of corn farming in Missouri, limiting resources and funding for corn cultivation and distilleries. Consequently, the shrinking ethanol market could hinder growth in the local agricultural economy, adversely affecting thousands of farmers and their livelihoods.

“Ford’s shift from FFV to the lackluster sales of electric vehicles (EVs) doesn’t fit with a farming model,” added Schad “Coincidentally, while California has passed vigorous EV standards, it leads the nation in E85 sales. The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, along with corn checkoff programs from Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa, are leveraging resources to build ethanol demand in the fastest-growing market for E85. This coalition has partnered with Pearson Fuels, the largest E85 distributor in California, since 2021. And efforts are paying off. Sales of E85 have exploded from just over 40 million gallons in 2020 to a record-setting 118.5 million gallons in 2023. Consumers in California are proving the demand is there when E85 is competitively priced.” 

Schad and Missouri corn have been working to address this issue before it begins to take a serious toll on the state’s corn growers. 

​​”We are asking Ford Motor Company to stand with today’s farm families and renew its support for Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs),” Schad said. “We are ready and willing to collaborate with Congress to reinstate key FFV incentives that continue to harness the potential of today’s biofuels. At a time when this country is focused on building domestic demand, increasing biofuels production will help our rural, state, and national economies.”

While it is uncertain if Ford will reverse its decision or if a deal can be reached in the next Farm Bill proposed by Congress it is clear that Missouri Corn and many rural communities will see a negative impact from this choice. The stakes are high. A decline in the corn market isn’t just a hit to farmers; it’s a blow to the rural communities that thrive on agriculture.

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

themissouritimes.com

The post Ford’s New F-150 Leaves Missouri Corn Farmers in the Dust appeared first on The Missouri Times.

Then Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe promised the people of this state that if they elected him Governor he would take control of the St. Louis Police Department as part of a plan to bring crime in St. Louis under control.

It was a decision that I assume had to be born out of political courage and an honest desire to tackle this problem because for the life of me I can’t see a political upside to diving into this mess.

In that election our Starbucks drinking purple haired friends in St. Louis who voted for Bill Eigel. While the entire rest of state including southeast Missouri, central Missouri, Hannibal, Springfield, St. Joseph, Joplin, and Kansas City media markets that all voted for Kehoe last summer.

Now Governor Kehoe has made good on that promise.

So why would a Kehoe voter in Dexter care about what happens on Delmar? Well I’ll give you two simple hillbilly reasons:

#1 It is not particularly fun to admit, but if the St. Louis area’s economic output increases just a smidge it equates to a larger increase in our state’s economy than if a dozen counties in southern or northern Missouri increase 20%.

As a hick I don’t like to admit it, but it’s just a fact that if a road is built, or a school is funded (for now at least), or state service is rendered in rural Missourah our friends in St. Louis pay a little of the freight on that.

Further, as some of our city slicker friends don’t like to admit, it’s very hard to see St. Louis ending their decline without addressing the crime problem. For that reason alone it’s in the rest of the state’s own self interest to start to pull for St. Louis.

#2 Governor Kehoe now owns the St. Louis police department and the issue of crime in St. Louis.

It’s one of the most complicated problems facing our state. It’s going to be very difficult, some would say impossible to solve.

However, if you believe in Mike Kehoe, if you believe in his judgment then the rest of the state is going to have to choose to trust him and to get behind his efforts that will ultimately, if successful, benefit the rest of the state. Even if that means finding something to like about St. Louis.

I think there are two sides to tackling this problem. One, there is no way around that fact that Governor Kehoe’s police department is going to have to bring down the number of murders in St. Louis. If he does then I think it’s only fair for the rest of the state to compliment and highlight his and the St. Louis community’s success.

Then I think there is another, maybe the more important part of changing the impression of St. Louis to one of a safe place that is ready for investment: the public relations portion.

Outside of the murder count I simply no longer believe the statistics that are produced, and I don’t think I’m alone there. The car break ins, the muggings that are frankly too common in St. Louis for people to feel safe visiting or investing there. There has to be a full public relations campaign to show that Missourians feel St. Louis is safe before we are going to convince anyone else to move their company’s jobs there. 

I think it’s going to be crucial to see images in the media of the Governor and the First Lady having dinner downtown, maybe walking around downtown without security in the photo. No, this isn’t just an idea to see David Wasinger become Governor this summer, I think the leader has to show he has confidence that St. Louis is safe before anyone else is going to buy in. 

One benchmark that makes sense to me isn’t just reducing the murders. It will make people feel safe walking around downtown similar to how I and others feel safe walking around downtown Kansas City. If you go to a Cardinals game and after you have a few beers at Paddy O’s would you walk to the Magnolia Hotel up on Washington Avenue or would you get an Uber?

If folks are being honest, I think right now they would take an Uber because they just don’t feel safe walking those 9 blocks. Until they do, I think there is still work to be done…not just by the Governor elected by rural Missourah over the objections of St. Louisans, but by rural Missourahians too.  

With that in mind I’ve decided to take the first step put together a list of 10 things for a person from rural Missourah about St. Louis that don’t suck.

#1 The St. Louis Cardinals. The greatest franchise in the history of organized sport. Yes they are terrible right now, but by next summer hope springs eternal that they will return to form. 

#2 The Anheuser Busch Brewery. The German-American Disneyland it’s really a celebration of German culture for the entire family, complete with some of the freshest beer this side of Bavaria. Take a tour of what the height of civilization was like, you will leave a changed man. 

#3 The Chase Park Plaza Hotel. Whatever you feel about St. Louis, the former home of Chris Koster is just an incredible hotel. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out. 

#4 Stan’s Bar. Located at 5007 Macklind Ave. in south city its a damn near perfect bar. You would think you are in Sedalia, or Taos, but nope it’s a jewel right there in St. Louis.

#5 The office at the Kelley Group. It’s a great place for a meeting, or a party, or just to sit and bullshit with folks. Might be the best office space in St. Louis. 

#6 Gregg Keller’s hair. A Ladue institution, the slicked back timeless look of the silver tongued devil is a must see on your trip to St. Louis. 

#7 Frontier Park. Located at 500 S Riverside Drive in St Charles its one of the best parks in the state complete with the top Oktoberfest in Missouri. I know what the folks in St. Charles are saying…we aren’t in St. Louis. While that’s cute, you can think whatever you would like but to the rest of civilization everywhere from Arnold to Wentzville is St. Louis. 

#8 Missouri History Museum. Located in Forest Park (which ain’t bad either) is a terrific, if not a little St. Louis focused, museum on the history of the greatest state in the union. 

#9 Grant’s Farm. Another gift to the people of the world from the Busch family, Grant’s Farm is a family friendly triumph of German culture that to this day is still free to the public. 

#10 Walnut Park. Located in North City, it is where Governor Kehoe was raised. I took my son Gussie there once while on the F150 tour visiting Senator May. It will make you proud to be a Missourian when you see that a kid from Walnut Park could become Governor of the Great State of Missouri. 

Well I feel as though I’ve done my part. Now it might be a nice move for the First Lady to trade that pink shirt in for a red one next year at opening day.

Scott Faughn

Scott Faughn is the publisher of The Missouri Times, owner of the Clayton Times in Clayton; SEMO Times in Poplar Bluff; and host of the only statewide political television show, This Week in Missouri Politics.

The post TWMP Column: If you’re a Kehoe supporter, it’s time to find something to like about St. Louis  appeared first on The Missouri Times.

“I am so honored to receive this certification,” stated Foley. “Hard work pays off: that’s the message I want to resonate with our staff and students here in Lee’s Summit. Working for quality education isn’t about me—it’s about investing in our future.”

As an ardent champion for public education, Foley has consistently prioritized the needs of students, teachers, and the community. She is a strong supporter of literacy programs and early childhood education programs which provide families with the tools they need to support their child’s educational journey.

Foley has also advocated for staff salary increases while maintaining fiscal responsibility and pushed for policy modifications to ensure veteran educators earn credit for all prior years of service. She has travelled to both the state and federal capitols to promote public education funding.

Foley’s dedication to public education is evident in her work. She remains committed to serving the Lee’s Summit R-7 community with integrity, transparency, and a passion for education.

Jennifer Foley is running for re-election to the LSR7 school board on Tuesday, April 8th. For more information, please visit www.jenniferforlsr7.com.

The post Press Release: Jennifer Foley receives top MSBA designation ahead of April election appeared first on The Missouri Times.

The initiative, which he championed during his 2024 gubernatorial campaign, reflects his vision for effective law enforcement and aims to ensure that resources and oversight are adequately managed at the state level, ultimately fostering a more cohesive approach to crime prevention and response in St. Louis.

The history behind the State’s oversight of the St. Louis Police Department is a long one. Dating back to 1808, the department is one of the oldest in the United States and was less of a department and more a militia. Consisting of four men, the SLPD was established to protect the growing settlement of St. Louis. 

As time went on, the city grew and a larger force was needed to keep the peace. During the Civil War, the strategic importance of St. Louis was vital to both Union and Confederate forces. With Union forces ultimately controlling the city, the police department was brought under state control. 

For more than 150 years after that control, St. Louis’s Police Department had remained under state control until 2013 when a ballot initiative succeeded in handing control over to the local government. 

National and state perceptions of crime in St. Louis has been uniformly negative over time. Over the past few decades, St. Louis has consistently stayed in the top 10 of various lists ranking the most dangerous cities in the United States. In many lists, St. Louis has reached number one and stayed close to that spot over time. 

Although St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and other city officials have offered statistics that prove that violent crime has been trending down in the past decade and reports differ on their methodology and their credibility, the public perception of the city’s crime has yet to budge for many Missourians and Americans alike. 

By returning the SLPD back to state control, the legislation creates a six-member board to supervise the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, consisting of five citizens appointed by the Governor and the Mayor of St. Louis. 

Among the governor’s appointees, four will be voting members required to reside within the city, while the fifth appointee will serve as a nonvoting member and can live either in the city or nearby. 

The Mayor of St. Louis will also hold a voting position on the board.

In its final day of voting in the House, the bill also saw the addition of an emergency clause measure. This will mean that after signing it, Governor Kehoe will have 90 days to appoint the board members. 

HB 495 not only includes legislation for the creation of the board that will run the St. Louis PD but also includes increased penalties for the sex trafficking of minors, increased penalties for the distribution of fentanyl to minors, prohibition of stunt driving, and more. 

During the Democrat-led filibuster in the Senate, Senator Karla May and her colleagues managed to remove the rioting provision from the bill as well as increase the minimum funding from 22% to 25%. Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman also managed to attach an amendment that would remove shackles from pregnant female inmates. 

Earlier today, the Governor held the signing of the bill in his office in the Capitol. 

“It’s a big day for our office and our team with me today, but it’s a bigger day for Missouri citizens and a win for our law enforcement,” stated Governor Kehoe during the bill signing. “We want St. Louis and the entire region to thrive, it’s important for the rest of the state and we know that the ripple effect from this will make that happen.” 

The Governor was also joined by a slew of legislators, public safety officials, members of law enforcement, and Attorney General Andrew Bailey. 

“Like Governor Kehoe, I also have significant attachments to St. Louis,” said Representative Brad Chris, who was the bills handler in the House. “Today begins the ascent of St. Louis to becoming what it once was.” 

In the Senate, Senator Nick Schroer and Senator Travis Fitzwater led the charge on this bill. 

“There was a promise that we made to voters before coming into office this year that we were going to make this state safer for Missourians,” stated Senator Schroer. “Today with the signing of this bill, we are going to make good on that promise.” 

Senator Fitzwater also added, “The loss of population and businesses in St. Louis is not sustainable,” the Senator also thanked Senate Majority Floor Leader Tony Luetkemeyer for his hard work in passing this bill. “Behind the scenes, I don’t know if anyone carried more weight without getting enough credit than Senator Tony Luetkemeyer.” 

With St. Louis soon to be added to the list of state responsibilities, Attorney General Andrew Bailey noted that his team can be counted on to continue making Missouri safe. 

“I want to thank the Governor for his leadership and for making this a priority,” Bailey noted. “I am excited to welcome the St. Louis Police Department as our new clients for the law firm of the state of Missouri. You can count on us for consistent, quality, and competent  representation.” 

With the passage and signing of HB 495, the control of St. Louis’s police department is now on its way to finally being returned back to the state. The question now will be, can Governor Kehoe’s bold plan to tackle crime in St. Louis be successful? Only time will tell, but for now, the Governor has received a major win that could shape the future of the Show-Me State.

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

themissouritimes.com

The post St. Louis Police Department Transitions Back to State Oversight appeared first on The Missouri Times.

The bill was crafted to have Jefferson City’s policies mirror federal law with federal civil rights laws, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. 

The sponsors of the bill believe that DEI programs could “deny, discredit, and undermine the traditional American values of hard work, excellence, and individual achievement in favor of an unlawful, corrosive, and pernicious identity-based spoils system.” However, they made sure to reaffirm the city’s commitment to being an equal-opportunity employer.

DEI has been seeing a serious routing in Missouri lately. Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-18 which directed all Missouri state agencies to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and also ensured compliance with the constitutional principle of equal protection under the law. The Executive Order also barred the use of state funds for any DEI programs as well as prevented agencies from using DEI methods in their hiring practices. 

The University of Missouri and Missouri State University have also chosen to discontinue their DEI departments and programs. 

On a national level, President Trump also signed an executive order taking aim at DEI programs in the federal government.

“President Trump ran on a platform of ending waste, fraud, abuse and ending DEI programs,” Scott Spencer told the  Missouri Times. “Over 66% of our community voted for Trump and that agenda. The people already have spoken on this issue. We were trying to implement a policy that the people wanted but unfortunately some on this council didn’t agree.” 

Councilman Scott Spencer is rumored to be a possible contender for the House’s 60th District, replacing current term-limited Representative Dave Griffith.   

Despite seeing serious setbacks across the state, the bill was defeated by the Jefferson City Council. The members who voted against the bill were the 5th Ward’s Mackenzie Job, the 4th Ward’s Chris Lueckel, the 3rd Ward’s Treaka Young, the 2nd Ward’s Aaron Mealy, Mike Lester and the 1st’s Ward Randy Hoselton.   

The 1st’s Ward Randy Hoselton argued that this was not the right setting to have this debate, stating “this isn’t the state legislature this is city council. And usually whenever it comes to large broad social issues those are defined by those levels of government. Your federal, your state, you know here we deal with issues that are unique to Jefferson City.”

“President Trump is exactly right. DEI programs only divide us by race, waste our money, and result in underperformance and dangerous incompetence.” Stated the 4th Ward’s Derrick Spicer. “Taxpayer Funds should never be used for divisive, political policies like DEI.” 

Councilman Derrick Spicer is currently running to replace outgoing State Senator Mike Bernskoetter in Senate District 6. 

The members who voted in favor were 5th Ward Mark Schwartz, 4th Ward Derrick Spicer, 3rd Ward Scott Spencer and 1st Ward Jeff Ahlers. 

The council is expected to hold two more council meetings before the upcoming city council elections which will be held Tuesday, April 8.

Jake Kroesen

Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri. He holds a B.S. in Political Science.

themissouritimes.com

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