Missourinet
The Missouri Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday morning in Jefferson City in one of the biggest cases the court has faced in recent memory: Missouri’s Medicaid expansion lawsuit case. Oral arguments will begin Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Edward Beetem views a slide presentation from attorney Chuck Hatfield during a June 21st hearing in Jefferson City on Missouri’s Medicaid expansion lawsuit (file photo courtesy of News-Tribune” pool photographer Julie Smith)
It’s a high-profile case that impacts about 275,000 potential new Medicaid recipients. At least ten friend of the Court briefs have been filed, by groups that support and oppose Judge Beetem’s decision.
by John Haughey, The Center Square | July 09, 2021 05:00 PM Print this article
Missouri lawmakers agreed to raise the state’s gas tax for the first time in 25 years during their 2021 session, but Gov. Mike Parson has not signed the bill amid concerns about its constitutionality under the state’s Hancock Amendment.
The 1980 Hancock Amendment requires Missouri to refund money to income tax payers when a new tax or fee exceeds a percentage of total state revenues unless approved by voters in a statewide referendum.
Named after the late Taxpayer Survival Association founder and four-term Republican U.S. Rep. Mel Hancock, under amendment, lawmakers set that percentage. During fiscal year 2022 (FY22) budget deliberations, it was 1%, about $111 million.
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office confirmed that the petition’s form has been approved. It will be sent to State Auditor Nicole Galloway to write a fiscal note.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) - The Missouri Attorney General turned down a request Friday morning to put the legislature-approved gas tax hike to a statewide vote, which has since been refiled. Attorney general Eric Schmitt first rejected the request on a technicality. However, advocacy group Americans for Prosperity immediately turned in another request to start circulating petitions. Schmitt says he has since reapproved a referendum that could.