By Michael Doudna, Wes Duplantier and Luke Lyddon
(MDN News) -- Missouri's Department of Revenue found itself under fire from Republicans who say drivers' license offices have been gathering data on the state's gun owners and illegally feeding that information into a federal security database.
Lawmakers and the state's lieutenant governor all said the license offices have been installing new equipment that scans information from concealed carry permits and drivers' licenses and then transmits that information to third-party companies who then forward it to the federal Department of Homeland Security.
That practice, they all say, is in direct violation of a Missouri state law that makes a person's concealed-carry status a part of private personal information.
The first volleys in the controversy sounded March 4 when Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder held a rare press conference to throw his support behind a lawsuit filed in Stoddard County that seeks to stop the data collection. The lawsuit alleges that a man there was denied a concealed-carry endorsement on his driver's license when he refused to allow staff at the local license office to scan documents related to his permit into their database.
On Wednesday, March 6, state Rep. Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, filed legislation to explicitly bar the Department of Revenue from scanning and transmitting the information. House Speaker Tim Jones said he plans on "fast-tracking" the measure, assigning it to committee within the next week.
Rep. Casey Guernsey, R-Bethany, and Rep. Paul Curtman, R-Pacific, piled on, saying the actions of the license offices support a federal gun control agenda being pushed by the administration of Democratic President Barack Obama.
"Being able to store all of us in a national database, I think it is an issue of deeply intrusive government going way too far," said Curtman.
It is still unclear whether the information gathering is happening as Republicans say it is and to what extent. Multiple phone messages left for the revenue department, which oversees the license offices, were unreturned as of late Thursday.
Showing posts with label Peter Kinder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peter Kinder. Show all posts
Friday, March 8, 2013
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Gov. Nixon voices support for Medicaid expansion
By Matt Evans, Eric Stoyanov and Nick Thompson
(MDN News) -- Gov. Jay Nixon announced his support for expansion of the state's Medicaid program under the new federal health care law.
But his proposal for one of the state's largest Medicaid expansions in history came under immediate attack from top Republican leaders.
At a series of news conferences across the state, Nixon pointed to the federal law that would provide full federal funding for the health care coverage of up to 300,000 recipients for the first three years.
After that, however, the state would have to begin picking up a part of the expense at a cost to the state's budget estimated to exceed $100 million per year.
Republican critics, including the House Speaker and lieutenant governor, argued the state could not afford that cost. Nixon, however cited a University of Missouri study that predicts more than 24,000 jobs can be created in 2014 if the state takes part in the expansion.
While Republicans criticized Nixon's welfare expansion proposal, a slight opening emerged for agreement.
The Republican-leaning Missouri Chamber of Commerce endorsed the expansion, and the Senate's Appropriations Committee chair said he wanted to wait on a decision until he got more information from the administration.
"We support the expansion," chamber spokeswomen Karen Buschmann said. "While we do not support the Affordable Care Act, we are supporting this expansion as part of it. It is the law of the land. We do not feel that we should leave the federal money on the table."
Under the Affordable Care Act, states must expand the Medicaid program to cover people with incomes below 138 percent of the federal poverty line. In upholding the federal law, The U.S. Supreme Court gave states the option to expand the program or not.
Under the expansion proposal, the federal government would foot the bill of expanding the program for the first three years. In 2017, the state would pay 5 percent of the costs and by 2020 the state would pay up to 10 percent.
"Congress passed it, the President signed it, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it. It is the law of the land," Nixon said during his series of news conferences in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield.
Nixon's Republican critics charged the governor was expanding the state's largest welfare program, which already costs Missouri $8 billion a year.
"Overwhelming majorities of the legislature are opposed to this and will not go along with a gigantic expansion of welfare," Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder said. "I think those that do support it in the legislature are overwhelmingly outnumbered and that it will not come to a vote in either the House or the Senate."
House Speaker Tim Jones, R-St. Louis County, could not be reached for comment but said in a statement that he is concerned where the funding will come from for the Medicaid expansion.
"Now is not the time to put our state on the end of yet another big-government program that will only increase the burden on future taxpayers," Jones said.
A study commissioned by the Missouri Hospital Association and the Missouri Foundation for Health predicts as many as 220,000 Missourians would be eligible for the expanded program. Other studies, however, project as many as 300,000 people would be eligible in the state.
According to the University of Missouri study, the federal government would pay about $8.2 billion through 2019 while the state would spend about $332.9 million and about $100 million per year after 2019 to cover new enrollees. A report released earlier this week by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Urban Institute projected the federal government's cost at $17.8 billion and with the state's share at $1.6 billion from 2013 to 2022.
Missouri hospitals are also advocating for the expansion, citing losses in federal payments that reimburse hospitals serving large numbers of low-income patients.
A provision of the federal health care law cuts Disproportionate Share Hospital Adjustment Payments (DSH) in half by 2020. Those federal payments go to hospitals that treat large numbers of low-income patients without health coverage. Missouri received the seventh highest DSH funding in the country in 2011.
Dave Dillon, a spokesman for the Missouri Hospital Association, said Missouri hospitals provide $1 billion worth of uncompensated care in any given year.
Dillon said without the expansion, some Missouri hospitals may suffer when the reimbursement payments are cut. The expansion would allow those low-income patients without insurance to enroll in Medicaid, making DSH payments obsolete.
"If they disappear or are substantially reduced and we don't see an increase in Medicaid, or folks enrolling in an exchange, the hospital and health care infrastructure in the state will be significantly hurt by this," Dillon said.
(MDN News) -- Gov. Jay Nixon announced his support for expansion of the state's Medicaid program under the new federal health care law.
But his proposal for one of the state's largest Medicaid expansions in history came under immediate attack from top Republican leaders.
At a series of news conferences across the state, Nixon pointed to the federal law that would provide full federal funding for the health care coverage of up to 300,000 recipients for the first three years.
After that, however, the state would have to begin picking up a part of the expense at a cost to the state's budget estimated to exceed $100 million per year.
Republican critics, including the House Speaker and lieutenant governor, argued the state could not afford that cost. Nixon, however cited a University of Missouri study that predicts more than 24,000 jobs can be created in 2014 if the state takes part in the expansion.
While Republicans criticized Nixon's welfare expansion proposal, a slight opening emerged for agreement.
The Republican-leaning Missouri Chamber of Commerce endorsed the expansion, and the Senate's Appropriations Committee chair said he wanted to wait on a decision until he got more information from the administration.
"We support the expansion," chamber spokeswomen Karen Buschmann said. "While we do not support the Affordable Care Act, we are supporting this expansion as part of it. It is the law of the land. We do not feel that we should leave the federal money on the table."
Under the Affordable Care Act, states must expand the Medicaid program to cover people with incomes below 138 percent of the federal poverty line. In upholding the federal law, The U.S. Supreme Court gave states the option to expand the program or not.
Under the expansion proposal, the federal government would foot the bill of expanding the program for the first three years. In 2017, the state would pay 5 percent of the costs and by 2020 the state would pay up to 10 percent.
"Congress passed it, the President signed it, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it. It is the law of the land," Nixon said during his series of news conferences in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield.
Nixon's Republican critics charged the governor was expanding the state's largest welfare program, which already costs Missouri $8 billion a year.
"Overwhelming majorities of the legislature are opposed to this and will not go along with a gigantic expansion of welfare," Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder said. "I think those that do support it in the legislature are overwhelmingly outnumbered and that it will not come to a vote in either the House or the Senate."
House Speaker Tim Jones, R-St. Louis County, could not be reached for comment but said in a statement that he is concerned where the funding will come from for the Medicaid expansion.
"Now is not the time to put our state on the end of yet another big-government program that will only increase the burden on future taxpayers," Jones said.
A study commissioned by the Missouri Hospital Association and the Missouri Foundation for Health predicts as many as 220,000 Missourians would be eligible for the expanded program. Other studies, however, project as many as 300,000 people would be eligible in the state.
According to the University of Missouri study, the federal government would pay about $8.2 billion through 2019 while the state would spend about $332.9 million and about $100 million per year after 2019 to cover new enrollees. A report released earlier this week by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Urban Institute projected the federal government's cost at $17.8 billion and with the state's share at $1.6 billion from 2013 to 2022.
Missouri hospitals are also advocating for the expansion, citing losses in federal payments that reimburse hospitals serving large numbers of low-income patients.
A provision of the federal health care law cuts Disproportionate Share Hospital Adjustment Payments (DSH) in half by 2020. Those federal payments go to hospitals that treat large numbers of low-income patients without health coverage. Missouri received the seventh highest DSH funding in the country in 2011.
Dave Dillon, a spokesman for the Missouri Hospital Association, said Missouri hospitals provide $1 billion worth of uncompensated care in any given year.
Dillon said without the expansion, some Missouri hospitals may suffer when the reimbursement payments are cut. The expansion would allow those low-income patients without insurance to enroll in Medicaid, making DSH payments obsolete.
"If they disappear or are substantially reduced and we don't see an increase in Medicaid, or folks enrolling in an exchange, the hospital and health care infrastructure in the state will be significantly hurt by this," Dillon said.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Lt. Governor Peter Kinder -- True Spirit of Memorial Day
By Lt.
Governor Peter Kinder
For
many people, Memorial Day is the official start of summer. The three-day
weekend will include a backyard barbeque, a campout or a trip to the lake. If
the forecast calls for sunshine and fair skies, all’s well in the world.
There
is a lot to be said for enjoying an extended weekend with family and friends, but
it shouldn’t replace the true meaning and traditions of Memorial Day.
It
originally was called Decoration Day, after the way in which graves of those
who had fallen in the Civil War were decorated with flowers and flags. A
federal holiday since 1971, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who
died in our nation’s service in the armed forces.
On
Veterans Day, we rightfully recognize all those who have made the sacrifice to
serve their country, but Memorial Day is reserved for those who gave all – the ultimate
sacrifice.
And
yet many towns and cities no longer hold Memorial Day parades or special
ceremonies, which once were a mainstay on the holiday. There are some notable exceptions.
Since
the late 1950s, on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the
3rd U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more
than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24
hours a day during the weekend to ensure each flag remains standing.
In
1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the
150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, a practice that
continues today. Since 1998, on the Saturday before Memorial Day, the Boy
Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of the 15,000 or so grave sites of
soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.
These acts
embody the true spirit of Memorial Day. I wish that everyone would embrace the
original purpose of this holiday. Is it too much to ask to set aside one day
out of the year for the nation to unite to remember, reflect on and honor those
who gave all in their service to their country?
I encourage
my fellow Missourians to enjoy the three-day weekend, but I ask that they also embrace
the true solemn spirit of Memorial Day.
If Independence
Day is the patriot’s equivalent of Christmas Day, full of celebration, joy and
hope for the future, Memorial Day is more akin to Good Friday, the day
Christians commemorate Christ’s death – sacrificing Himself for the sins of
all.
Memorial Day
should be a holiday in the literal “holy day” sense, as a reverent commemoration
of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of freedom for Americans
and millions of people around the world.
In
the words of the country singer Billy Ray Cyrus:
Love your
country and live with pride
And don’t forget those who died
America, can’t you see?
And don’t forget those who died
America, can’t you see?
All gave
some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave
all
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Republican Calls on Kinder to Step Down over Adult Club Allegations
The call came from Nixa Republican House member Kevin Elmer.
The southwest Missouri legislator said that Kinder's behavior in which he admitted to attending a club with scantily clad women was not in keeping with Republican values.
"It is the type of behavior that does not speak well for what it is that we stand for," Elmer said.
"It does not bode well for what it is our party stands for and the integrity of the people that we want to represent our state and community.
Elmer is the second Republican from southwest Missouri to abandon Kinder's campaign. Earlier a major contributor was reported to have asked for return of his contributions to Kinder.
Elmer said he had talked with other Republicans before announcing his position. He said none sought to discourage him and that he expected other Republicans to join his call for Kinder to step aside.
There was no immediate response from Kinder's spokespersons.
The southwest Missouri legislator said that Kinder's behavior in which he admitted to attending a club with scantily clad women was not in keeping with Republican values.
"It is the type of behavior that does not speak well for what it is that we stand for," Elmer said.
"It does not bode well for what it is our party stands for and the integrity of the people that we want to represent our state and community.
Elmer is the second Republican from southwest Missouri to abandon Kinder's campaign. Earlier a major contributor was reported to have asked for return of his contributions to Kinder.
Elmer said he had talked with other Republicans before announcing his position. He said none sought to discourage him and that he expected other Republicans to join his call for Kinder to step aside.
There was no immediate response from Kinder's spokespersons.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Missouri attorney general rebukes federal health care law
Despite his party's support for President Barack Obama's health care plan, Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster filed a "friend of the court" brief Monday that aims to remove the mandate requiring most Americans to obtain health insurance.
Koster wrote in the brief that upholding the individual mandate would "imbue Congress with police powers rejected by the Founding Fathers and never before permitted by the Supreme Court."
The brief was filed in response to resolutions passed in the statehouse in January that called on the attorney general to challenge the constitutionality of the health care law and to defend Proposition C.
Unlike filing suit, the amicus brief filed by the attorney general merely serves as a secondary opinion; it does not hold the weight of being a plaintiff or defendent. Rep. Tim Jones, R-St. Louis County, defined an amicus brief as not very significant.
"They don't carry that much water to be honest with you," he said. "It's like somebody saying, 'Yeah, me too.'"
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder released a disatisfied statement in response to Koster's action. In it, he said Koster does not effectively advocate for the interests of Missouri citizens.
"Koster’s amicus brief in the Florida case, while welcome, is a day late and a dollar short," Kinder said.
Kinder went on to say that the mandate is not severable from the act, and thus Koster's wish of keeping the act intact without the central provision is not a feasible option. His statement called on Koster to take on more direct action. It is, however, too late for Missouri to join the lawsuit because it is already in the appeals process.
"It is crucial that leaders of our state are willing to get in the battle for Missourians' constitutional rights and freedoms, and not just comment from the sideline," Kinder said.
House Speaker Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, disapproved of the fact that Koster pinpointed only one issue in the act.
"His involvement in the process is political in nature, and he has taken a political calculation," Tilley said. "And I would say his political calculation is incorrect if he's identifying just one provision of the bill that's unconstitutional."
Koster's office offered no additional comments and said the document speaks for itself.
Obama's plan, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, mandates that an individual should maintain a minimum amount of coverage or pay a fine. Missouri voters responded to the act in August 2010, when they voted to pass Proposition C, a referendum prohibiting mandatory participation in the health care system.
Koster's brief was filed as an addition to a case filed in Pensacola, Fla., by Republican attorneys general and governors from 26 states. Koster is technically the only Democrat who is directly involved in the case. The Attorney General of Wyoming is a Democrat, but the lawsuit was an action taken by the Republican governor. The Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta is hearing the litigation. So far, three lower court judges have upheld the act, while two, including U.S. District Court Judge Roger Vinson, have taken issue with the central provision of the health care act and ruled it unconstitutional.
The mandate for health insurance is the act's central provision. Koster said he would support the act if legislators cut out that mandate.
House Democratic Floor Leader Mike Talboy, D-Jackson County, said he does not agree with Koster's reasoning in the brief but acknowledged that Koster did what he felt was necessary.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Missouri's lieutenant governor delivers a stinging response to the governor's State of the State.
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder leveled a series of charges against Gov. Jay Nixon in the formal GOP response to Nixon's State of the State address Wednesday night.
While the governor described an economy in recovery, Kinder said, "Our state's unemployment rate is higher than the national average, too many Missourians can't find work and the state is facing yet another round of severe budget cuts and reductions in basic services."
Kinder accused the governor of failing to take a leadership role in bringing jobs to the Missouri -- and of spending his time instead on traveling around the state.
"Enough of the silence. Enough of the unnecessary trips on the state plane. Enough of the showboating and grandstanding. It's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work," Kinder said.
In his formal State of the State address, Nixon proclaimed Missouri's economy had begun to turn around.
"There are already signs that our hard work and fiscal discipline are paying off. The number of Missourians filing new unemployment claims is down 17 percent, year over year. Personal income grew last year, and is expected to keep on growing this year. November and December revenues were up, indicating that people are cautiously beginning to spend," Nixon said to a joint session of the legislature.
While the governor described an economy in recovery, Kinder said, "Our state's unemployment rate is higher than the national average, too many Missourians can't find work and the state is facing yet another round of severe budget cuts and reductions in basic services."
Kinder accused the governor of failing to take a leadership role in bringing jobs to the Missouri -- and of spending his time instead on traveling around the state.
"Enough of the silence. Enough of the unnecessary trips on the state plane. Enough of the showboating and grandstanding. It's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work," Kinder said.
In his formal State of the State address, Nixon proclaimed Missouri's economy had begun to turn around.
"There are already signs that our hard work and fiscal discipline are paying off. The number of Missourians filing new unemployment claims is down 17 percent, year over year. Personal income grew last year, and is expected to keep on growing this year. November and December revenues were up, indicating that people are cautiously beginning to spend," Nixon said to a joint session of the legislature.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Lt. Governor Protests Budget Cuts for Area Agencies on Aging
Lt. Governor Peter Kinder today called on state lawmakers to restore $1 million in funding for the vital senior services programs administered through the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s). The funds were stripped from the 2009 state budget by the House and Senate budget committees.
"As the state’s official Senior Advocate, and on behalf of Missouri’s senior citizens, I am calling for this cut to be rescinded and the $1 million funding increase to be restored immediately," Lt. Governor Kinder said. "These services administered by the AAA’s save the state millions in Medicaid dollars as they help seniors remain independent rather than being forced to live prematurely in a long-term care facility. My primary responsibility as Lt. Governor is for the wellbeing of our seniors. I know my friends in the legislature share a common concern, and I am confident that they will heed my call to put this money back into the budget."
Last week, a proposed $1 million dollar funding increase was reduced to $500,000. The reduction in funding will have a serious impact on programs that not only provides nutrition to many seniors but also allows them remain in their homes independently and to live with dignity.
The cuts made by the legislative budget committee came with just days remaining before the Legislature begins debate on a final budget, which is required by the Missouri Constitution to be completed by 6 p.m. on Friday, May 9.
"The clock is ticking on Missouri’s seniors yet I am confident that lawmakers will do the right thing and restore this critical funding before it is too late," Lt. Governor Kinder said.
"As the state’s official Senior Advocate, and on behalf of Missouri’s senior citizens, I am calling for this cut to be rescinded and the $1 million funding increase to be restored immediately," Lt. Governor Kinder said. "These services administered by the AAA’s save the state millions in Medicaid dollars as they help seniors remain independent rather than being forced to live prematurely in a long-term care facility. My primary responsibility as Lt. Governor is for the wellbeing of our seniors. I know my friends in the legislature share a common concern, and I am confident that they will heed my call to put this money back into the budget."
Last week, a proposed $1 million dollar funding increase was reduced to $500,000. The reduction in funding will have a serious impact on programs that not only provides nutrition to many seniors but also allows them remain in their homes independently and to live with dignity.
The cuts made by the legislative budget committee came with just days remaining before the Legislature begins debate on a final budget, which is required by the Missouri Constitution to be completed by 6 p.m. on Friday, May 9.
"The clock is ticking on Missouri’s seniors yet I am confident that lawmakers will do the right thing and restore this critical funding before it is too late," Lt. Governor Kinder said.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Over 200 flags to be flown over Kosovo
Lt. Governor Peter Kinder today presented over 200 American and Missouri state flags to officials from the Missouri Veterans Commission. These flags will be distributed to various bases throughout Kosovo housing Missouri’s most recent National Guard deployment.
"It is my hope that these flags will serve as a constant reminder to our men and women in Kosovo of our continued gratitude and support back home in Missouri," Kinder said. "After flying in Kosovo, these flags will be sent to schools and supporters across Missouri as a gift of appreciation from our soldiers."
The deployment, nicknamed "Kosovo Force 10," is the largest deployment of Missouri National Guard soldiers since World War 1. Over 1,000 Missouri soldiers are now at Camp Atterbury in Indiana training for their pending deployment to Kosovo. The troops will begin service in Kosovo this summer and are expected to be deployed until March 2009.
Lt. Governor Kinder asked members of the Missouri Senate and the Missouri House of Representatives to join him in donating an American and Missouri state flag as a token of gratitude for the service of Missouri National Guard members.
"I am thankful for the support of my friends in the general assembly," said Kinder. "Legislators, regardless of party affiliation, have joined together in this effort to thank our men and women protecting freedom’s cause overseas."
Lt. Governor Kinder serves as chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Veterans Affairs.
"It is my hope that these flags will serve as a constant reminder to our men and women in Kosovo of our continued gratitude and support back home in Missouri," Kinder said. "After flying in Kosovo, these flags will be sent to schools and supporters across Missouri as a gift of appreciation from our soldiers."
The deployment, nicknamed "Kosovo Force 10," is the largest deployment of Missouri National Guard soldiers since World War 1. Over 1,000 Missouri soldiers are now at Camp Atterbury in Indiana training for their pending deployment to Kosovo. The troops will begin service in Kosovo this summer and are expected to be deployed until March 2009.
Lt. Governor Kinder asked members of the Missouri Senate and the Missouri House of Representatives to join him in donating an American and Missouri state flag as a token of gratitude for the service of Missouri National Guard members.
"I am thankful for the support of my friends in the general assembly," said Kinder. "Legislators, regardless of party affiliation, have joined together in this effort to thank our men and women protecting freedom’s cause overseas."
Lt. Governor Kinder serves as chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Veterans Affairs.
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