Missouri
Judge weighs Missouri GOP dispute over estimated cost of allowing abortions
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Two top Republican state officials argued Wednesday over how much it would cost Missouri to restore the right to abortion, with the state attorney general insisting that the figure should account for lost revenue that wouldn’t be collected from people who otherwise would be born.
The issue came up during a trial over a proposed ballot measure that would let voters decide in 2024 whether to amend the state constitution to guarantee abortion rights.
Abortions were almost completely banned in Missouri following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. There are exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for cases of rape or incest.
Supporters are trying to put a proposed amendment before voters next year that would protect abortion rights and pregnant women, as well as access to birth control.
But the effort stalled in April because of a spat between Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick and newly appointed Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who argues that the cost could be far greater than what his Republican peer estimated.
ACLU of Missouri lawyer Tony Rothert told Beetem on Wednesday that his clients at the abortion rights campaign are stuck in limbo because the two officeholders are at an impasse, and that the campaign can’t begin collecting voter signatures without an official fiscal note.
“If we sit around and wait indefinitely, then that defeats the right of initiative,” Rothert said.
Fitzpatrick’s office in March found that the proposal would have no known impact on state funds and an estimated cost of at least $51,000 annually in reduced local tax revenues, although “opponents estimate a potentially significant loss to state revenue.”
Bailey contends that the cost would be closer to between $12.5 billion and $51 billion because of potential violations of federal Medicaid laws and lost tax revenue from fewer citizens — people who would be born if abortion weren’t an option — and he directed Fitzpatrick to change the cost estimate to reflect that.
But Fitzpatrick refused, arguing that a multibillion-dollar projection for the initiative petition is inaccurate, despite Fitzpatrick’s personal opposition to abortion.
“As much as I would prefer to be able to say this IP would result in a loss to the state of Missouri of $12.5 billion in federal funds, it wouldn’t,” Fitzpatrick wrote in an April 21 letter to Bailey. “To submit a fiscal note summary that I know contains inaccurate information would violate my duty as State Auditor to produce an accurate fiscal note summary.”
In the past, Missouri auditors have analyzed potential costs of ballot measures and attorneys general have approved those estimates without issue.
Lawyers for Fitzpatrick argued on Wednesday that the attorney general does not have the authority to second-guess the auditor’s financial expertise and that allowing the attorney general to demand changes could theoretically result in “a never-ending cycle” of revisions.
The attorney general’s office argued that Bailey’s role goes beyond approving whatever price tag the auditor calculates.
“There’s no rubber-stamping involved,” said Jason Lewis, of the attorney general’s office. “Otherwise, why have the process at all?”
Cole County Presiding Judge Jon Beetem is not expected to rule on the case until June 14 at the earliest.
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Between January 6, 2025, and January 8, 2025, the Missouri State Highway Patrol made a total of eight arrests across north Missouri. The charges ranged from driving while intoxicated to felony parole violations.
It is important to note that, while all the individuals listed below have been reported as arrested, they may not have been physically transported to jail. Depending on the circumstances, an individual may be issued a summons, which includes a court date. When the Missouri State Highway Patrol issues a summons with a court date, it is considered an arrest, even if the individual is not physically taken to jail.
Paul C. Schuetz, 53, of Savannah, Missouri
On January 6, 2025, at 7:05 PM, Paul C. Schuetz was arrested in Andrew County. Schuetz was charged with failing to drive on the right half of the roadway and driving while intoxicated (alcohol). He was held at the Andrew County Law Enforcement Center on a 12-hour hold.
Roberto Lopez-Vargas, 31, of Des Moines, Iowa
Roberto Lopez-Vargas was arrested in Clinton County on January 8, 2025, at 5:37 PM. He faced charges of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, a felony, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, a misdemeanor. Lopez-Vargas was held at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office on a 24-hour hold.
Derrick A. Woodruff, 41, of Kahoka, Missouri
On January 6, 2025, at 12:50 PM, Derrick A. Woodruff was arrested in Scotland County. His charges included driving while intoxicated (first offense), failure to maintain the right half of the roadway, and driving without insurance. Woodruff was held at the Clark County Jail on a 12-hour hold.
John W. Snell, 38, of Knox City, Missouri
John W. Snell was arrested in Lewis County on January 7, 2025, at 1:16 AM. He was taken into custody on a Shelby County warrant for a moving traffic violation. Snell was held at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and was bondable.
Peggy A. Stepuszek, 67, of Lockport, Illinois
On January 7, 2025, at 11:50 AM, Peggy A. Stepuszek was arrested in Macon County. She was charged with driving while intoxicated (alcohol) and speeding. Stepuszek was held at the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and later released.
Dillion S. Levings, 38, of Paris, Missouri
At 2:11 PM on January 7, 2025, Dillion S. Levings was arrested in Randolph County. He faced charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving without a valid license, and failure to register a motor vehicle. Levings was held at the Randolph County Jail and was bondable.
Anthony R. Miller, 39, of Arbela, Missouri
On January 7, 2025, at 4:40 PM, Anthony R. Miller was arrested in Clark County. Miller faced charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from the Clark County facility.
Jeffrey L. Kimbal, 45, of Brookfield, Missouri
Jeffrey L. Kimbal was arrested on January 7, 2025, at 6:44 PM in Linn County. Kimbal faced a felony charge for a parole violation warrant. He was held at the Linn County Jail without bond.
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Missouri
Firebug sentenced to 12 years in prison for torching occupied Missouri home using Takis chips
She took the meaning of Takis Fuego literally.
A Missouri woman was sentenced to 12 years behind bars after she intentionally torched a home full of people using a bag of Takis tortilla chips.
Patricia Williams, 44, was handed her sentence Tuesday after pleading guilty to first-degree arson for sparking the Aug. 11, 2023, blaze in Greene County, multiple outlets reported.
Williams admitted to authorities that she used the spicy snack to start the fire knowing it would combust due to its high grease content, according to court documents.
The convicted arsonist was captured on surveillance footage purchasing $2 of gasoline at a nearby gas station before entering a home and pouring the petrol from a soda bottle onto a pile of clothes and all over the laundry room floor.
The firebug then ignited the Takis chips and tossed the flaming bag onto the gasoline-soaked garments, setting the house ablaze, according to court documents.
Three people managed to escape the home without injury and reported Williams to the police after witnessing her brazen deed.
The pyro was later discovered with soot still on her face and was booked at Greene County Jail, local outlets reported.
Police also found Williams had several warrants out for her arrest, court documents show.
The relationship between Williams and the victims remains unclear.
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