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Tuesday, July 2, 2024

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One million acres of forest protected under The Conservation Fund, including in OR; Trump seeks to set aside his New York hush money guilty verdict after Supreme Court immunity ruling; 'Share the Pennies' weatherization program tackles climate solutions, reduces cost; Utah feels the impact of California's ban on gestation crates.

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SCOTUS gives former President Trump a huge win in terms of immunity, which might apply to charges of election interference. A new poll finds future court appointments are crucial for voters, and President Biden continues to face post-debate calls to leave the race.

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Ugly, imperfect produce destined for the landfill is being upcycled by a California candy company, a Texas volunteer uses his Navy training to map the gaps in broadband, and Pennsylvania has a new commission tasked with reversing its shrinking rural population.

Last-minute Missouri House budget heads to governor

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Monday, May 13, 2024   

Missouri's House of Representatives approved a budget of about $51 billion just before a Friday 6 p.m. deadline.

Gov. Mike Parsons has labeled it the "largest supplemental budget in Missouri's history," and can either accept it as-is or make cuts.

Rep. Cody Smith, R-Carthage, the House budget chair, expressed satisfaction for managing to boost funding for education and infrastructure without risking budget shortfalls. He mentioned a surplus of more than $1.5 billion in general revenue, to be used for potential growth or future projects.

"We've got a balanced budget, we've got less spending than we did have last year, and we've got a healthy rainy day fund," Smith outlined. "I think that package is what I'm most proud of."

Smith is especially pleased with the infrastructure spending for Interstate 44 repairs but expressed disappointment in the budgeting process, due to the lack of a conference committee and challenges in the final weeks. Still, he described the final budget as "strong."

Sen. John Rizzo, D-Independence, the Senate Minority Leader, told reporters a special session could be needed due to the budget being "rushed" and the possibility of other issues coming up.

Rep. Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, the House Minority Leader, also shared her dissatisfaction with the budgeting process.

"We cannot allow the 'new normal' for spending taxpayer money to become just two guys writing a budget in secret and then jamming it through the process at the very last minute, full of pork and appeasing lobbyists," Quade stressed.

Quade described the budget as being completed in the "technical sense" but feels lawmakers deliberately low-balled spending, as several are competing in Republican primaries for statewide offices. She pointed out it is a strategy allowing them to claim credit for cutting overall state spending.


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There are no income or registration requirements for kids to participate in the state's Summer Meals program, which serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner to all youths up to age 18. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

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With school cafeterias closed for the summer, community groups and nonprofits are working to ensure that Colorado's one in five children who go …


Social Issues

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Former President Donald Trump has taken credit for placing three conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. On Monday, the court awarded him a …

Health and Wellness

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Connecticut advocates are distressed about the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Grants Pass v. Gloria Johnson. The ruling said public camping bans …

Environment

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The Conservation Fund says it aims to protect five million acres of forest by 2035. (Zack Frank/Adobe Stock)

Environment

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The Conservation Fund, which works to protect land and nature across the U.S. has announced it has protected more than 1 million acres of working …

Health and Wellness

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A Virginia community health center is part of a program addressing food scarcity. The National Association of Community Health Centers' 2024 …

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