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Missouri House narrowly sends private-school tax credit, charter expansion to governor’s desk • Missouri Independent

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Missouri House narrowly sends private-school tax credit, charter expansion to governor’s desk • Missouri Independent


A massive education bill that expands a private school scholarship program and opens up Boone County to charter schools squeaked out of the Missouri House and to the governor’s desk on Thursday, winning the bare minimum number of votes needed for passage. 

The 153-page bill, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Andrew Koenig of Manchester, is estimated to cost taxpayers $468 million when fully implemented. It passed 82-69 and heads to Gov. Mike Parson. Three Democrats joined with 79 Republicans in support of the bill, with 45 Democrats and 24 Republicans voting against. 

State Rep. Phil Christofanelli, a St. Peters Republican, carried the Senate bill and sponsored the legislation in 2021 that created the tax-credit scholarships, called MOScholars.

He said during Thursday’s debate that the bill combines his interest in the MOScholars program with investment in rural schools.

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“We put together a package that serves all the diverse interests in education,” Christofanelli said.

The original bill was 12 pages, but negotiations in the Senate led to the inclusion of over a hundred pages of education legislation.

“We’re all going to take a step together,” Christofanelli said Thursday. “This is the most substantive investment in public education that this state has ever seen.”

Lawmakers filed 53 amendments prior to the vote, but none were allowed by GOP leadership  to offer them for consideration. 

Rep. Paula Brown, a Democrat from Hazelwood, said during debate that the Senate was controlling the process. 

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“This is an esteemed chamber, and we’re acting like we don’t matter,” she said.

Christofanelli said the Senate had listened to concerns, and amendments were made to another bill Wednesday to smooth over issues with the larger package.

“My concern was that if I did those changes on this bill and sent it back into the Senate, it would get caught in the abyss and we would never have a law at the end,” he said.

He gathered input from key lawmakers, and delivered suggestions to the Senate. Then, Wednesday evening, the Senate introduced and passed a new version of Christofanelli’s bill on full-time virtual schools.

The House passed this second bill, with the fixes, after approving the larger education package.

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Although the bill has measures to boost teacher salaries and school-district funding, Democrats had concerns. Many focused on the estimated cost.

“This is a bill that has some great, shiny things that we like in exchange for some really bad (things),” said House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat. “But as we’ve talked about, the real problem with this bill is the amount of money we have.”

Democrats from Boone County also spoke against the addition of charter schools in their community.

State Rep. David Tyson Smith, a Democrat from Columbia, called the bill “poison” to Boone County.

“Our schools are accredited. We don’t need this bill,” he said. “We are hanging on by a razor’s edge financially already. You bring charter schools into Boone County, which is what this bill specifically does, and it hurts us.”

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As the final votes rolled in and the bill’s passage was assured, Koenig sat on the House dais, smiling as the bill he has called his top legislative priority made it across the finish line.

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Illinois vs. Missouri Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Sunday, December 22

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Illinois vs. Missouri Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Sunday, December 22


Illinois and Missouri meet in a semi-neutral floor meeting on Sunday with each team looking for a strong non-conference victory. 

The Tigers are enjoying a bounceback campaign this season that already features a win against Kansas. Can the team score another victory against a team with Final Four aspirations in Illinois? The Fighting Illini have thrived on the defensive end, but are still searching for consistency on offense around star freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis. Can the team find it against Missouri? 

Here’s our betting preview. 

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Moneyline

Total: 154.5 (Over -108/Under -112)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Illinois

Kasparas Jakucionis: The 6’6” point guard has thrived to start his college career, averaging 16 points, six rebounds and nearly six assists per game. Jakucionis is a deft three-point shooter as well, hitting 42% of his threes for the perimeter oriented Fighting Illini offense. 

Missouri

Mark Mitchell: The Duke transfer has thrived in the new setting, averaging 13 points with five rebounds per game while also providing strong defense as an interior presence with more than a block per game to go with a steal.

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Missouri’s heavy ball pressure defense will be a test for Jakucionis, who does have a near-27% turnover rate, but overall this Illinois offense rates out as a strong unit at protecting the ball, ranking top 60 in turnover rate. 

With the Tigers aggressive defense, it is vulnerable to letting up second chances, bottom 30 in the country in defensive rebounding rate, which is impactful with the Illinois’ offense elite at generating offensive rebounds, top 30 in the nation. 

Missouri’s defense is a bit of a boom-or-bust unit, and I also believe the offense is due to regress after starting the season posting a top three effective field goal percentage in the country at nearly 60% while posting a top three free throw rate. 

Illinois’ defense has a ton of length and shuts off the perimeter for opponents, allowing a bottom 40 three-point rate while ranking top five in effective field goal percentage allowed. 

This may be an up-and-down affair, but I like this matchup for Illinois to hand Missouri a well overdue loss. 

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PICK: Illinois -3.5

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.



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Patrol reports 8 individuals arrested in north Missouri from Dec. 19 to Dec. 21, 2024

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Patrol reports 8 individuals arrested in north Missouri from Dec. 19 to Dec. 21, 2024


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Between December 19, 2024, and December 21, 2024, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported eight arrests in north Missouri. The charges ranged from driving while intoxicated (DWI) to vehicle theft and traffic violations. Below is a detailed account of each individual arrested during this period.

Rodney L. Crosby, 43, Council Bluffs, Iowa
On December 19, 2024, at 1:58 p.m., Rodney L. Crosby was arrested in Atchison County. Crosby was charged with vehicle theft under an Emmet County, Iowa, warrant. He was held at the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office with no bond.

Michael L. McMillan, 51, Kansas City, Missouri
On December 19, 2024, at 9:12 p.m., Michael L. McMillan was arrested in Andrew County. He faced charges for driving while intoxicated (DWI), a misdemeanor, speeding, and failing to properly affix a display plate. McMillan was held at the Andrew County Jail on a 12-hour hold.

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Denny B. Wiley, 36, Stanberry, Missouri
On December 20, 2024, at 2:33 p.m., Denny B. Wiley was arrested in Gentry County. Wiley was charged with failing to display valid plates on a motor vehicle and misdemeanor DWI. He was held at the Gentry County Sheriff’s Office on a 12-hour hold.

Donita D. Shields, 48, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
On December 20, 2024, at 6:29 p.m., Donita D. Shields was arrested in Clinton County. She was charged with failure to appear (FTA) for a moving traffic violation under a Morgan County warrant. Shields was held at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and was bondable.

Bryan J. Castellon Rivas, 22, Omaha, Nebraska
On December 20, 2024, at 10:54 p.m., Bryan J. Castellon Rivas was arrested in Holt County. His charges included exceeding the posted speed limit by 26 mph or more, operating a vehicle without a valid license (first offense), misdemeanor DWI (alcohol), and consuming alcohol while driving. He was held at the Holt County Sheriff’s Office on a 12-hour hold.

Curt J. Batt, 65, Sidney, Nebraska
On December 19, 2024, at 1:15 p.m., Curt J. Batt was arrested in Macon County. Batt was charged with excessive blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .04 or higher while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). He was held at the Macon County Sheriff’s Department and later released.

George A. Garber, 62, Unionville, Missouri
On December 19, 2024, at 7:13 p.m., George A. Garber was arrested in Putnam County. He was charged with felony DWI (alcohol) as an aggravated offender. Garber was held at the Putnam County Jail and later released.

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Jose I. Molina-Argueta, 40, Milan, Missouri
On December 21, 2024, at 12:03 a.m., Jose I. Molina-Argueta was arrested in Sullivan County. He faced a charge of DWI (alcohol) and was held at the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department before being released.

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Both Missouri River bridges now open at Rocheport, MoDOT announces

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Both Missouri River bridges now open at Rocheport, MoDOT announces


Both east- and westbound Lance Cpl. Leon Deraps Interstate 70 Missouri River bridges now are open to traffic.

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced the full opening of both bridges Friday. A ribbon-cutting marking the occasion was held Dec. 10 on the eastbound bridge. Prior to the eastbound bridge opening, all traffic, regardless of travel direction, was on the westbound bridge.

The westbound bridge was constructed first, all traffic was shifted to it and then the prior metal girder bridge was demolished. The new eastbound bridge was built in same location as the old bridge. The dual-bridge construction was forward looking in preparation for I-70’s expansion to six lanes statewide.

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While the eastbound bridge is open, final touches still are needed and all work should finish by the spring.

“These twin new bridges would not have been possible without the foresight, cooperation and contributions of our federal and state elected leaders as well as the local communities who recognized the long-term value of investing in a bridge that connects their region, the state and the nation,” said Dustin Boatwright, Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission chair at the ribbon-cutting. “This project is a testimony to what’s possible when we work together at all levels.”



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