Local Independence Politics

The Independence City Council had a lengthy first meeting of the month as the primary issue on the agenda was approvals needed for the Eastgate Commerce Center project being proposed by Northpoint Development.  The various zoning changes, comprehensive plan change, and development agreement were all included on the agenda.  An attempt was made to delay the vote for 30 days but that motion failed and the final vote was approved 4-2.  Read more from KMBC 9

The Council also took action to authorize a special election to fill the seat of the late Council woman Karen DeLuccie. Petition packets were available immediately following the meeting and within 24 hours, 3 persons had picked up packets.  Those indicating interest include former Council woman Marcie Gragg, Dr. Bridget McCandless, and Anita Champion.  Filing will close on May 18th and the last day to withdraw is May 23rd.  An election will be held on August 2nd but will be a primary election if more than two candidates’ petitions are certified.  The top two candidates from the primary would advance to a general election on November 8th. Read more

News from Jefferson City

The countdown is underway to the close of the session on May 13th.  The Missouri Senate pulled an all nighter on Wednesday debating an eminent domain bill aimed at halting the Grainbelt Express electric transmission line.  Earlier in the day on Wednesday, the conference committee to work on budget differences met to settle differences on the $47 billion dollar budget.  The biggest news from the budget discussion related to education where a compromise was reached to set minimum teacher starting salaries at $38,000, with 70% coming from local districts and 30% from the state.  The conference committee also agreed to fully fund the transportation formula for the first time since 1991.  The estimated cost of fully funding the formula is $214 million dollars.  Senate appropriations Chair Dan Hegeman warned that this was one time money and there are no guarantees this will continue in the future.   The budget has to be on Governor Parson’s desk by 6 pm on Friday (May 6th). Read more

In the Missouri House, members went back to work to try and find a compromise with the Missouri Senate on a revised congressional redistricting map.  The new map approved maintains the 6-2 split and is likely to get a house vote early next week before it heads back to the Senate for consideration. Read more