Panama Canal expansion could impact Missouri ports

MODOT officials say the widened canal will open more freight shipment opportunities to Missouri.

Franklin School construction proceeds as planned

The $10 million project is being constructed next to the old school. It will open for the 2012 school year.

Dino's Pizza damaged by fire

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department estimates $250,000 in damages, but the building is not a total loss.

Mississippi River Basin nitrate pollution remains high

Nitrates flowing from the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico contribute to the formation of areas known as dead zones.

Showing posts with label Mike Parson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Parson. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Governor supports Prop B compromise

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI DIGITAL NEWS) - The Governor backed a compromise to Proposition B headlined by weaker regulations and more than one million dollars added to its budget.

Jay Nixon said in a press release the proposed legislation is a compromise among voters, animal rights groups, and Missouri's agricultural industry.

The agreement would add $1.1 million to the budget and also allow breeders to own more than 50 dogs, a reversal of the original regulations.

Senator Mike Parson sponsored the original bill. He agrees with the compromise, but says he's worried with the interference from the United States Humane Society.

"That's a disappointing fact that people from out of the state of Missouri don't even want to compromise when all the animal rights groups in Missouri are agreeing to this," Parson said.

The US Humane Society opposed the revised proposition.

Parson also says he is unsure if the compromise will have time to pass through both legislative houses by the end of the session.

Executive Director of the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation Bob Baker says he is pleased with the compromise.

“It gives the dogs much more space and room, it will entitle them to much better access. It will prohibit wire in the flooring, it will provide that they have a veterinary exam compared to veterinary inspection,” Baker said.

The amended bill will have to go through the entire legislative process.

Brian Pepoon and Meghan McGinnis, Missouri Digital News

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Prop B supporters protest changes to law

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (MISSOURI PUBLIC RADIO) - Protesters walked the halls of the Capitol, to defend the choice Missouri voters made last November when they approved Proposition B.

The bill to repeal parts of Proposition B was given first round approval by the Senate last week, a decision some Missouri dog lovers don't agree with.

The protesters say the bill would give power back to the dog breeders. Sponsor of the bill Senator Mike Parson says the protesters do not fully understand what his bill does.

"I don't agree with them. I think they're trying to say things that are really not true. They are going around saying we are trying to repeal the bill and that's their mindset that's fine, but I don't think my intent was ever to repael proposition B," Parsons said.

Parson says his bill improves on prop B, by strengthening laws against unlicensed breeders.

Protester Susan Tolliver says she is embarrassed by the state of Missouri's association with puppy millswhich have been chronicled on national television programs. The protestors hope to encourage legislators to vote aginst the bill.

Megan McGinnis, Missouri Digital News