|
Dear Neighbor,
I want to encourage you to upgrade your driver's license or Missouri State Identification card if you have not already done so, to the Real ID. Beginning October 1st, your current Missouri Driver's license will not be valid to board airplanes in the U.S. You must have the new enhanced form of identification, a passport or a federally issued identification such as a military ID. In the weeks leading up to October 1, it is anticipated that there will be a large number of people applying to the Real ID and wait times and turn around times to receive the ID's could be long. I want to encourage you to get yours now and beat the rush.
Yours in Service,
Rich
|
|
|
|
Click here to read all bills that have had actions so far this legislative session
|
|
|
|
STATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA OFFICIALS FACE QUESTIONING
Members of a special House investigative committee grilled state health department officials for several hours on Feb. 19 over the agency’s controversial process for determining what businesses were awarded one of the limited number of licenses issued for various aspects of Missouri’s new medical marijuana industry.
In November 2018, two-thirds of Missouri voters ratified a constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana for medical use and granting the state Department of Health and Senior Services the authority to regulate the cultivation, manufacture, dispensing, sale, testing and transportation of medical marijuana products.
The department recently issued 338 licenses to either grow, process or distribute medical marijuana, but the licenses issued represent just a fraction of the applications submitted. Businesses that weren’t chosen have complained of an inconsistent process for evaluating applications, including cases in which identical answers on different applications received different scores. Department officials said they expect hundreds of lawsuits to be filed by rejected applicants.
The House Special Committee on Government Oversight is slated to conduct another hearing into the matter, which will be its third, on Feb. 26.
|
|
|
|
Thank you to Moms Demand Action who came to the Capitol to ask for legislation for common sense gun reform in our state.
|
|
|
|
These Moms showed up and showed out at the Missouri State Capitol.
|
|
|
|
Chat with a representative from the Department of Revenue concerning Real ID here
|
|
With the October 1, 2020 deadline getting closer, I am receiving more and more calls to my office with questions concerning Real ID and Missouri driver licenses .
In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID Act to further anti-terrorism and fraud protection efforts. The act prevents federal agencies from accepting drivers licenses and identification that does not meet security requirements. Beginning on October 1, 2020, anyone boarding a domestic flight or wanting to visit a military base must present a REAL ID.
Under Missouri law, you are not required to have a REAL ID, but not having one will limit your activity. You are now able to apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or non-driving identification. You will need this information. Your current license is valid for all the same needs for which REAL ID is required through October 1, 2020. Make plans to get this new ID so you do not run into problems.
You can go to the DMV and request a replacement for your current license with the Real ID for a $12 processing fee. If you renew your license at the time of the request you will be charged the renewal fee. (you can renew your license up to six months early).
|
|
|
|
Airports warn of chaos with looming Real ID license deadline
Without a special Real ID driver's license or card, airline passengers will be required to present a passport, military ID or Global Entry card to pass through security, even for domestic flights, starting in October.
Feb. 19, 2020, 3:31 PM CST / Updated Feb. 19, 2020, 6:17 PM CST
By Tom Costello
WASHINGTON — The nation's airports are warning of chaos for passengers if the White House doesn't postpone the looming Real ID deadline.
The law requires airline passengers to present a Real ID-compliant driver's license or ID card at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints in airports as of Oct. 1. Those licenses require more proof of identification than regular licenses and are generally marked with a star on the top.
But while states have already issued 95 million Real IDs, that represents just 34 percent of the total, leaving two-thirds of the country with about seven months to get them if they hope to use a license to board a plane.
Without a Real ID, airline passengers will be required to present a passport, military ID or Global Entry card to pass through security, even for domestic flights
.
|
|
MO Tax Filing Now Open
The Department of Revenue is now accepting electronically filed state tax returns for tax year 2019. The filing deadline for both state and federal income tax returns is April 15th.
Free Electronic Filing
Many Missourians qualify for free e-filing services through the Free File Alliance, a system which allows taxpayers to file both federal and state taxes for no cost. For more information on how to file online for free, visit the IRS Free File website or the Department of Revenue's Online Filing resource page.
|
|
|
|
Important KCMO tax updates and deadlines
Tax season is just around the corner, and the City of Kansas City, Missouri, is reminding businesses and residents about a few important 2019 tax-year updates and deadlines.
New Tax Forms are available online
The current 2019 tax information on City tax requirements is available online .
File Online
You can file and pay all required City taxes anytime using our Quick Tax system. If you use Quick Tax, you can ensure timely and accurate processing of tax returns and payments. With Quick Tax, you can also view all tax-related activity on your account including filings, payments and tax notifications.
Mark the Calendar
Feb. 29, 2020 – Deadline for business license applications and payments
April 15, 2020
2019 Wage Earner Earnings Tax and Extensions Deadline
2019 Calendar Year Profits Earnings Tax and Extensions Deadline
Media inquiries may be directed to Commissioner of Revenue Mari Ruck, 816-513-4990.
|
|
|
Republican Representative David Wood finally admitted in a budget hearing last week what the Democratic Caucus has known for almost a year: Medicaid has unfairly kicked roughly 60,000 Missouri kids off of Medicaid coverage.
120,000 people — including 100,000 children — stopped receiving Medicaid coverage in the past two years, one of the sharpest drops in the country.
At least 60,000 of those children are thought to have been kicked off unnecessarily and unjustly. A lot more of those children also could have been kicked off from Medicaid even though they’re eligible for benefits.
Further reading:
https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/2020/02/09/missouri-rep-says-kids-taken-off-medicaid-likely-still-eligible/4690143002/
|
|
|
|
The Missouri Cattlemens Association came to ask for my help to ensure eminent domain is not used as a tool to deprive citizens of their private property rights in our state. I support this cause.
|
|
|
I welcomed Raytown Mayor Pro-Tem Bonnaye Mims
back to the Capitol recently.
|
|
As of the time I have sent this mailing, there have been
28 homicides in the Kansas City metro area in 2020.
In Kansas City, Missouri, 21 people have been killed.
Click here for the Homicide Tracker.
|
|
|
|
THE CENSUS IS COMING - IT MATTERS!
Every ten years the federal government conducts the decennial census which collects basic information from every household in the United States.
You will start receiving census forms in the mail as early as March 12. Responding via mail or online is the most efficient way to have your household members counted. There are 9 total questions for you, and 7 additional questions per family member. You will not be asked to disclose anyone's social security number.
Your Census Information is PROTECTED By Law! Read the Law from the U.S. Census Bureau here.
With an accurate count of Missouri residents, we receive money back from the federal government in the amount of about $16 billion annually! That's correct, $16 billion per year for the next ten years to support our roads, our hospitals, our schools, transportation and more!
When you, your family members or neighbors do not reply to the census, we lose $1,300 per person per year! That adds up. Everyone needs to be counted: children, seniors, citizens, residents, students, documented and undocumented immigrants, homeowners and renters. Every single person in our state who gets counted helps us receive the resources we need to make Missouri's infrastructure stronger.
This is the first year the U.S. Census Bureau is accepting responses online, and you can still respond by phone or mail if you prefer. In May, the U.S. Census Bureau will begin following up in-person with households that have not yet responded. You can learn more about the 2020 Census by visiting 2020census.gov. To get additional information about the census in your specific community, please view this interactive map.
|
|
|
COMMUNITY NEWS AND HAPPENINGS
|
|
|
VOLUNTEER AT HMC-1'S FAMILY SUMMIT
Last year, we had more than 80 people sign up to volunteer for our Family Summit event. We are proud to say that with their help, we put on an award-winning event that had a positive impact on HMC-1 families.
Our next Family Summit is March 7, 2020. More than 60 local organizations will come together to help HMC-1 parents find resources for their family, home, and career.
Highlights for Family Summit 2020 include:
• Resource fair with 60+ organizations
• English Language Development resources
• Job fair with businesses looking to hire
• Dental clinic, courtesy Hope Dental
• Mammograms, courtesy Diagnostic Imaging
• Health clinic, courtesy Swope Health
• LOTS of great giveaways
• Childcare featuring MAD Science and entertainment, all provided by LINC
• And more
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are in need of volunteers to ensure Family Summit is once again a success. If you or your organization would like to assist during this major event, please sign up. Click below or call Amanda Fischer-Penner at (816) 316-7040.
|
|
The reward has been raised to
$30,000 for Dominic
|
|
GREATER KANSAS CITY CRIME STOPPERS
816-474-TIPS HOTLINE
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM: Det. Kevin Boehm, Crime Stoppers Coordinator
SUBJECT: Reward Increase – 9 Year Old Dominic Young Homicide
KANSAS CITY, MO --- The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department and the Greater KC Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline continue to seek information in the January 20, 2018 homicide of 9 year old Dominic Young Jr. at 71 Highway and Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd.
Dominic Young Jr. was apparently hit by a stray gunshot while occupying a vehicle driven by his father and died as a result of his injuries. Dominic, his father and brother were en route to Grandview at the time. The vehicle driven by Dominic’s father was hit by gunshots from other vehicles apparently engaged in a gunfight according to statements.
KCPD found a possible crime scene near the intersection where the father said the shooting happened. When the father arrived home in Grandview, Dominic was not responsive. Grandview police initially responded to the father’s home and found the boy in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
A number of community leaders and organizations including State Representative Richard Brown, Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McManus, former City Councilmen Scott Taylor, Scott Wagner, John Sharp; the City of KCMO and Concord Fortress of Hope Church (Pastor Ron Lindsay) have come forward to increase the existing reward in the case up to $30,000.00. Those leaders are available for comment in regard to the case.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Greater Kansas City TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477), TIPS may also be submitted electronically at www.KCcrimestoppers.com, or by downloading our NEW mobile app, P3TIPS, on Google Play or the Apple iOS stores for FREE. Information leading to an arrest and/or filing of charges could be eligible for up to $30,000.00 in reward money. ALL INFORMATION IS ANONYMOUS.
|
|
|
* A program of the KC Metropolitan Crime Commission
|
|
|
My office in Jefferson City is available to assist you with questions you may have about state government or legislative issues. Please call, email or write anytime. If you are unable to reach me, my assistant, Donna Gentzsch is ready to help you. If you are in Jefferson City, come by my Capitol office in room 109-G, and introduce yourself. The door is always open and I encourage you to visit.
|
|
Please forward this email to your friends and family who want to know how what is happening in Jefferson City will impact them here at home.
|
|
|
|
