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by Linda Geist, University of Missouri Extension A century ago, poinsettia was added to Santa’s “naughty” list, but the plant’s reputation for being poisonous is unfortunate, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Its pretty bracts and leaves pose no danger to people and pets, other than possible allergic reactions. The myth that poinsettia is toxic can be traced back to a 1919 incident in Hawaii involving the death of a 2-year-old child, presumably after eating poinsettia leaves. Later, it was revealed that the child died from other causes and poinsettia was not involved. However, the damage to poinsettia’s reputation was done and word of its toxicity spread quickly. “You cannot un-ring a bell,” Trinklein said. “Once a myth gains traction, dispelling it becomes quite a challenge.” Modern-day media unfortunately often continue to include poinsettia on lists of toxic holiday plants, he said. In a 1971 study funded by the Society of American Florists, scientists at Ohio State University fed lab rats “extraordinarily high doses of various portions of the poinsettia.” A human would have to devour several pounds of poinsettia to get an equivalent dose. Yet the rats appeared to be fine. Scientists observed “no mortality, no symptoms of toxicity nor any changes in dietary intake or general behavior pattern.” In the 1990s, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh analyzed almost 23,000 cases of poinsettia ingestion reported by poison control centers. More than 92% of patients showed no ill effects at all, and no one died or became critically ill. However, Trinklein notes that poinsettia’s sap, which has several proteins in common with natural latex rubber, can cause allergic skin reactions. Therefore, the plants should be kept out of the reach of children. Of bracts and cyathia Poinsettia remains the nation’s top-selling potted flowering plant. The fact they are sold only in a narrow span of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is testimony to Americans’ admiration for the plant, Trinklein said. The colorful part of the poinsettia that we enjoy isn’t a flower. What look like petals are specialized leaves called bracts. The true flowers, called cyathia (from the Greek for “cup”), are the small, yellow structures in the center of the bracts. When choosing a poinsettia plant, look closely at the cyathia. Their presence indicates the plant is still young. If the cyathia are missing, it’s likely the plant is past its prime. Also, check leaves and bracts for wilting, which could indicate root problems, Trinklein said. Examine the underside of the leaves for insect infestation or damage. Sun, little water Proper care helps the poinsettia stay vibrant throughout the holiday season. Two things are key: Place them in bright, indirect light and avoid overwatering. If your plants came wrapped in decorative foil, make sure there’s a hole in the foil so water can drain. Water if the pot feels light when you pick it up. If the soil’s surface is clammy or moist to the touch, wait to water. Fertilizer and plant food are unnecessary. Poinsettia plants can bloom another holiday season for those up to the challenge, said Trinklein. For information on how to save and rebloom a poinsettia plant, visit- https://extension.missouri.edu/news/poinsettias-can-bloom-again-next-year-with-tlc-2966 The poinsettia's small flowers are surrounded by colorful leaves called bracts. Photo by Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service.
by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
Portions of this article are taken from an article in “The Voice,” an on-line monthly newsletter I write for the Grain Valley Historical Society. So, if you think you’ve already read it, maybe you have! While it may not be “the history of Grain Valley,” hopefully it will cause you to “look back” on your own growing up days. November 27th was the first day of Advent. Since I was a young girl growing up in the Grain Valley Methodist Church, we have celebrated Advent on the four Sundays before Christmas. Each Sunday we light a candle to remind us of the four advent themes —The Candle of Hope, The Candle of Peace, The Candle of Love and The Candle of Joy. On Christmas the fifth and final candle, called the Christ candle, is lit to remind Christians of the light Jesus brings to the world. On the secular side (activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis) the Sunday after Thanksgiving is usually set aside by me to begin my annual Christmas baking! Since I love to cook and bake, I do not consider this to be working on the Sabbath, thus my Sunday afternoon baking has begun. In a sermon last year, Pastor Mike reminded me of the kids table and the grownup table at holiday gathering. Did your family have separate tables? My family never had two tables as there were only 17 of us —2 aunts, 2 uncles, 3 cousins, and three sets of grandparents, which included the Napiers, Rumbos and Fristoes. A big table leaf and two people at each end of the table and we were good! We did, however, have food for the kids and food for the grownups. After all, what child among us liked rutabagas, plum pudding, pecan pie, and fruitcake? Certainly not fruitcake! While the kids feasted on mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese (the old-fashioned kind with real cheese that was baked in the oven with crushed crackers on top) and corn, the “old folks” ate turnips, stuffing flavored with sage, and squash! So why do I now enjoy shortbread instead of chocolate-chip cookies, chocolate fudge instead of peppermint sticks, rutabagas instead of green beans, stuffing instead of potatoes, and cranberries? I guess I’ve officially moved to the big people’s table (food). I now prepare the rutabagas and I sometimes bake the pecan pie. And you cannot have turkey without cranberries! If you are part of the “big people’s table,” perhaps you would enjoy Grandmother Napier’s shortbread or Aunt Opal’s Ice Box Cookies. Grandma Napier’s Shortbread Recipe 1 lb. unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 1 cup cornstarch 4 cups flour Pinch of salt Soften butter. Add sugar, cornstarch and salt. Mix well with electric mixer. Add the flour, 1 cup at a time and mix thoroughly after each addition. Divide dough into 3 parts. Knead separately and roll into logs (1 1/2-inch circumference) Refrigerate until ready to bake, up to 1 week. Cut into 1/4 to 3/8-inch slices and place on baking sheet. Bake at 250-degrees for 2 hours. Aunt Opal’s Ice Box Cookies 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup white sugar 1 1/2 cups melted shortening 3 eggs 1 teaspoon salt 4 1/2 cups flour 2 teaspoons soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon each-cloves and nutmeg 1 cup nuts Mix and shape into a log about 1 1/2 by 2 1/2 - inches. Place in ice box overnight. Slice in thin slices and bake in hot oven. (It’s an old recipe, so maybe you will want to “refrigerate” overnight. I cook at 375-degrees for about 8-10 minutes) The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of November 30 – December 6, 2022.
November 30, 2022 1000 Block of NW Dogwood Stealing from Auto PHQ Citizen Contact PHQ Citizen Contact 500 Block of Oakwood Ct Noise Complaint PHQ Citizen Contact 500 Block of Oakwood Ct Noise Complaint PHQ Citizen Contact PHQ Contact Outside Agency 100 Block of Lindsey Ln CJCFPD Assist Greystone and Mary Noise Complaint Lindsey and Creekland Citizen Contact 1200 Block of NW Long Car Alarm December 1, 2022 600 Block of Ryan Rd Check Well Being 500 Block of Woodbury Suspicious Vehicle PHQ Citizen Contact 100 Block of Lee Ann 9-1-1 Hangup PHQ Citizen Contact 600 Block of Brome Standby to Prevent PHQ Contact Outside Agency PHQ ID Theft 600 Block of Brome Standby to Prevent Duncan and Buckner-Tarsney Suspicious Person Main and I-70 Motor Vehicle Accident 300 Block of SW Eagles Found Puppy PHQ Citizen Contact 800 Block of SW Highland Ave Careless Driving 40 Hwy and Main Motor Vehicle Accident 200 Block of Eagles Pkwy Area Check for Suspicious Person December 2, 2022 900 Block of SW Ryan Rd Area Check Water Break 1100 Block of Woodbury Alarm PHQ Contact Outside Agency PHQ Citizen Contact 100 Block of SW Cross Creek Dr CJCFPD Assist Eagles Ridge and Chrisman Motor Vehicle Accident PHQ Stealing 100 Block of Sunny Lane Drug Possession Duncan and Buckner-Tarsney Area Check for Careless Driving Buckner-Tarsney East of BB Tree in Roadway 700 Block of Main Check Well Being Buckner-Tarsney and Greystone Motor Vehicle Accident 800 Block of SW Hilltop Ct Open Garage Door 1400 Block NW Golfview Dr Burglary 1100 Block SW Christie Ln Parking Complaint SW Eagles Pkwy / Minter Motor Vehicle Accident PHQ Walk-in Report - Harassment December 3, 2022 1100 Block of NW Baytree Dr Citizen Contact 1000 Block of NW Stone Brook Dr Stolen Packages 1000 Block of SW Christie Ln Area Check for Go Cart on Roadway 200 Block of Royer Ln Verbal Disturbance 1400 Block of SW Eagles Pkwy Lost Dog 100 Block of Sunny Lane Warrant Arrest 100 Block of Sunny Lane Stealing - Outside Agency 300 Block of SW Eagles Pkwy Noise Complaint 800 Block of San Kar Theft PHQ Citizen Contact 400 Block of Cross Creek Suspicious Vehicle December 4, 2022 600 Block of SW Montana Ridge Unattended Death 1100 Block of NW Bush Burglary Eagles Pkwy to Adams Dairy Area Check Noise Complaint PHQ Missing Property PHQ Citizen Contact 200 Block of Aaron Animal at Large 600 Block of SW Montana Ridge Unattended Death PHQ Property Issues 700 Block of Main Citizen Contact 900 Block W Jefferson Agency Assist - Blue Springs PD 200 Block W Walnut Agency Assist - CJC Fire/EMS I-70 / Adams Dairy Agency Assist - KCPD and IPD 800 Block of Country Hill Suspicious Vehicle December 5, 2022 600 Block of Brome Citizen Contact 1200 Block of Willow Disturbance PHQ Stealing Sni -a-Bar and Montana Ridge Motor Vehicle Accident 1000 Block of NW Sycamore Alarm PHQ Citizen Contact 1200 Block of Long Dr Disturbance 1100 Block of Main Motor Vehicle Accident 700 Block of Main Shoplifting Main and I-70 Motorist Assist 300 Block Old US 40 Hwy Burglary 1200 Block of Phelps Dr Check Well Being Main and McQuerry Motorist Assist 1100 Block of Bush Alarm December 6, 2022 1400 Block of SW Eagles Pkwy Check Well Being 700 Block of Main Prisoner Transport PHQ Citizen Contact 200 Block of NW Jefferson Alarm 1200 Block of SW Eagles Pkwy Check Well Being 1000 Block of Dean Dr Citizen Contact Meadow and R D Mize Suspicious Vehicle 1400 Block of Willow Suspicious Person 600 Block of Montana Ridge Stolen Vehicle Additional calls for service: Suicidal subject: 2 Order of protection: 1 The holiday season is here, and homes everywhere are filling up with friends and family. But things like clogged drains, burned out light bulbs, leaking toilets, unwelcome guests like mice, and slick sidewalks are a fact of life – and it can happen at the worst times. Westlake Ace Hardware suggests these simple tips and products to keep on hand to make household repairs quick and simple – and let you get back to enjoying the holidays!
by Michael Smith Grain Valley senior Grace Slaughter is one of the toughest, if not the toughest high girls basketball players to defend. That was evident in the Eagles’ Suburban White Conference matchup Monday at Fort Osage High School. At 6-foot-2 she was already a great low post scorer and she could take any defender off the dribble and score while driving to the cup. She also always has been a solid 3-point shooter but if she keeps shooting from behind the arc like she did against the Indians, she will be even more un-guardable than she already is. Against Fort Osage, the senior made 11 of 20 shots (55 percent) from the floor and sank 9 of 12 attempts from 3-point range (75 percent) while scoring a game-high 38 points in a 66-38 rout of Fort Osage. During the same, Slaughter displayed superior off-ball movement, often faking like she was going to post up or make a cut to the basket, then popping out behind the arc for an open three. “Coach (Randy) Draper helps by drawing plays that help us move the ball,” Slaughter said. “I look for the seal or look to get open for a three. This year, I am really looking to seek good opportunities. If that means a three, that’s good.” Slaughter said her 3-point shot was something that she had been working on after she recovered from the ACL injury she suffered last February in a regular season game against Blue Springs. “Having nine months off with my injury, I was able to spend time getting the (basketball shooting machine) out and work on getting stronger and pulling my range out three wise,” Slaughter said. “I think that is contributing to how I am scoring this year.” Hitting that shot on a consistent basis will make her even tougher to guard as she already dominates the paint almost every night. On Monday, it didn’t matter if it was a catch and shoot, a pull up or step-back 3-pointer, Slaughter was draining most shots she took from deep. Draper credited Slaughter’s tireless work ethic for her ability to consistently hit outside shots. “She can get you in a lot of ways,” Draper said. “You have to guard the whole floor against her. We all know how hard she works. It's great to see it get rewarded. It’s fun to see how good she is. She sets the bar high for herself. She keeps extending her range and keeps getting better.” In the first period, the senior hit five 3-pointers and scored 21 points to help the Eagles (4-0) 26-11 lead. In the second period, she made another three and was 6-for-6 from the free throw line as Grain Valley went into halftime up 39-14. Meanwhile the defense was making things difficult for the Indians as the Grain Valley defense held them to just 6-for-24 shooting from the floor (25 percent). Slaughter knocked down two more 3-pointers in the third period and rested the entire fourth period. Juniors Finley LaForge and McKenah Sears also each hit one 3-point for the Eagles as they totaled 11 as a team. Draper said he would like to see improvement in that area from the others aside from Slaughter. “We need to shoot it better than we are shooting right now,” Draper said. “Grace is shooting a good percentage. As a team it’s not good enough, but it will be. We are just working on shooting good threes.” “We have other ways to score aside from Grace and we just have to maximize that.” Junior Meghan Knust was the next highest scorer for Grain Valley with six points. Grain Valley senior Grace Slaughter dribbles the ball up court during a 66-38 win over Fort Osage. Slaughter scored a game-high 38 points. Photo credit: Michael Smith Grain Valley senior Ella Clyman, right, guards a Fort Osage player. Photo credit: Michael Smith
Jackson County will once again offer extended weekend hours for tax collection at the historic courthouse in Independence on two Saturdays in December.
The Historic Truman Courthouse, located at 112 W. Lexington in Independence, will be open from 8 a.m. – Noon on December 10 and December 17. Taxpayers can visit the Truman Courthouse during those times to make in-person tax payments, obtain a copy of their bill, make changes to their account, or ask questions of the Assessment and Collection Departments. These functions can also be completed online. “This is the busiest time of year for the Collection Department and they continue to go the extra mile to help taxpayers take care of business as quickly and as safely as possible,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said. “Staff work very hard to provide good customer service which is a core value of Jackson County. They are essential to the successful operation of this County, and I hope taxpayers appreciate their service as much as I do.” Taxpayers can also make quick and easy payments through the mobile and web-based application called myJacksonCounty. The program allows taxpayers to make a secure payment with a credit card, debit card or e-check with or without setting up an account. The free app, myJacksonCounty, is available for download on Apple and Android devices via the iTunes App Store or Google Play App Store. It can also be found online at https://payments.jacksongov.org. “Paying online is strongly encouraged to limit crowd sizes, but we know we have taxpayers who prefer to conduct business in person,” Department of Collection Director Whitney Miller said. “As a result, it is important for us to continue to provide extended weekend hours for taxpayers to make payments. Many taxpayers have taken advantage of this opportunity over the years, and we expect that to be the case again.” The Department of Collection mailed tax bills during the month of November. Individuals who don’t receive a bill are still responsible for paying their taxes, which are due by the end of the year. Those who haven’t received a bill by December 10 should check their account online or call the Department of Collection at (816) 881-3232 to find out the amount due. Other contactless payment options: Exterior drop boxes for property tax payments are located at the west door of the Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City (415 E. 12th St.) and at the south door of the Historic Truman Courthouse in Independence (112 W. Lexington). Taxpayers can also mail their payment to the address on their bill. Payments must be received or USPS postmarked by December 31 to avoid penalty. Making account changes: Taxpayers needing to make changes to their accounts prior to paying their taxes are strongly encouraged to do so via email or phone. Simply contact the County at the email addresses below. Questions or changes related to:
As a reminder, all County locations and the online payment vendor’s offices will be closed on December 26. The Board of Aldermen met briefly Monday, November 28th for a regularly scheduled meeting.
A public hearing scheduled to consider a voluntary annexation of land at 4112 and 4108 S Buckner Tarsney Road was deemed moot after one of the landowners requested his request be canceled. The Board approved the second reading of an ordinance approving the 2023 budget and fee schedule and approved a resolution to sign a contract with McCown Gordon Construction, LLC for construction management services for the new police station. City Administrator Ken Murphy reported construction costs are estimated at $12.2 million and construction is scheduled to begin March 2023. In other business, the Board approved the second reading of an ordinance to grant an easement for the sewer main that will serve the Grain Valley branch of Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL) being built on property sold to MCPL by the City. City Attorney Joe Lauber reviewed just a few of the issues the City will need to consider now that recreational marijuana has been approved in Missouri. Among those is a recommendation that the Board consider adding a ballot question to the April 2023 municipal election to add a 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana sales. Election filing begins Tuesday, December 6th for the April 2023 municipal election. Candidates will be listed in order filed. Murphy updated the Board on the police chief search. Over 20 applications were received for the position. Candidates will be pared down to no more than six candidates to move forward for testing through five different exercises to ultimately identify 2-3 candidates for final review. The City of Grain Valley's Holiday Festival will be held at 6:00pm on Thursday, December 1st at Armstrong Park. In addition to the lighting of the Mayor's Christmas tree, the Grain Valley 5th grade choir will entertain attendees. Free hot chocolate and other activities, including an outdoor showing of the movie Elf will also be featured, including a visit from Buddy the Elf.
Grain Valley senior Jackson Stewart has been selected as a Blue Springs Police Department Student Intern. Jackson and three other students from the CSI/Law Enforcement program at the CTC at Fort Osage will begin their paid internships in January after winter break. "I'm very proud of the students," CTC Director Susie Suits said. "And appreciative of our continued partnership with the Blue Springs Police Department. Their support in making this program grow and investing in our students means so much to our community." Interns will rotate through multiple divisions, including the detention center, patrol and 911 dispatch. "I'm interested in studying finance in college," Jackson said, "and possibly continuing on to become a lawyer or a financial advisor." The internship not only provides law enforcement students with industry experience, but also creates a pipeline for future employment. "We've had several graduates continue on into part-time and full-time roles in dispatch, detention and patrol," CTC Assistant Director and former CSI instructor Cory DeVaul said. "We're helping students experience the industry before they graduate and helping our community partners find talent. It makes a difference for the students seeing the organizations that are interested in helping them and supporting them as they decide what they want to do." Grain Valley senior Jackson Stewart has been selected as a Blue Springs Police Department Student Intern. Jackson and three other students from the CSI/Law Enforcement program at the CTC at Fort Osage will begin their paid internships in January after winter break. Photo credit: CTC
by Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent
For the first time in its history, the only real limit on what Missouri can buy on a cash-and-carry basis is the imagination of the people spending the money. The state treasury is bulging with more than $6 billion in surplus cash, the result of 28 months of double-digit revenue growth and federal payments tied to COVID-19 relief and recovery. If growth rates continue at current levels, general revenue in the current fiscal year could approach $15 billion. Three years ago, the general revenue fund took in $8.9 billion. Some foresee a slowdown starting next year, as inflation-fighting policies slow the economy and the state sees the actual impact of recent tax cuts. Lawmakers and Gov. Mike Parson’s administration are trying to account for those uncertainties as they negotiate the budget baseline for the coming legislative session, said Sen. Lincoln Hought, R-Springfield. “It is almost kind of a wait and see game,” said Hough, who is expected to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee next year. But the large surplus promises to smooth any downturn while also allowing for new spending initiatives. The first priority should be state agencies at or near a crisis due to staff shortages and turnover, said state Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis. Merideth is the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee. The Independent has documented staff turnover in the Children’s Division at nearly 50%, with children in foster care missing visits with parents and rushed abuse investigations. There are hundreds of people waiting for beds in Department of Mental Health facilities due to a lack of staff. To maintain minimum staffing, the mental health department uses expensive contract professionals. To cover the cost, the department is asking for a $22 million supplemental appropriation through June 30. Those agencies need targeted spending to recruit staff, Merideth said. And state employees generally need a raise, he said. “I think we need a very large investment and an increase in investment in what our state workers are paid, especially those state workers that take care of our most vulnerable,” Merideth said. Last year, at the urging of Parson, lawmakers gave state employees the largest pay raise in decades, at least 5.5% for everyone on the state payroll, and approved a new base wage of $15 an hour for state jobs. State agencies have submitted their budget requests for the coming fiscal year, and the next step in crafting the state budget is an estimate of revenues. Jim Moody, a lobbyist and former state budget director under Republican Gov. John Ashcroft, said he expects recession and tax cuts to start slowing state revenue in the second quarter of 2023. “It is hard for me to imagine that in that quarter, it is going to keep pace with last year,” Moody said. Revenue buoyancy From 2016 to 2019, state revenues grew at a steady, if unspectacular, rate. Income tax and sales tax receipts mirrored inflation and grew about 6.5%. As profits increased, corporate income tax receipts rose at double the inflation rate. In the three years since, sales tax revenue has grown 50% faster than inflation, income tax receipts at double inflation and corporate income taxes at almost five times the inflation rate. Whether the current rush of revenue is high tide or a new base level will play out over the next couple of years. The top income tax rate will fall to 4.95% for 2023. Triggered steps in earlier cuts will reduce taxes on many businesses. Moody estimates the cumulative effect of those cuts will be to reduce revenue by about $680 million in 2023. By the time those cuts are taking hold, he said, the inflation-fighting interest rate hikes engineered by the Federal Reserve will be slowing economic growth. The economic slowdown, if one is coming, will be felt in the first half of next year, Moody predicted. “By April through June of next year,” he said, “you could have a confluence of things that turn things pretty quickly.” So far, the only noticeable impact of interest rate hikes on state government has been to increase the surplus. General revenue interest earnings, $50 million so far this fiscal year, are more than double the earnings for all of fiscal 2022. Tax receipts are rising faster than inflation through a combination of factors. Sales tax has been augmented by more revenue from internet retailers, while consumers are spending from savings and taking on large amounts of new debt. Income tax receipts reflect rising wages and investment gains. The state minimum wage, $11.15 an hour, is up 42% since 2018, or $7,000 more a year for full-time work. When the state set $15 an hour as a floor for its employees, large private employers near state facilities in central Missouri responded by boosting their starting pay. The Dollar General warehouse in Fulton, where the state operates a prison, a mental health hospital and the Missouri School for the Deaf, is now offering $20.50 an hour, up from $17 at the start of the year. The decline in revenue due to tax cuts is predictable. The impact of a recession is uncertain. In the mildest recession of the past 30 years, state revenues continued to grow. In the worst, starting in 2008, revenues declined for three consecutive years and took five more years to recover to pre-recession levels. When lawmakers met in special session to cut taxes, Hough negotiated higher thresholds for revenue growth to trigger future cuts. “We will see very quickly what kind of impact that really has,” Hough said. “The unknown is, where does this economy go?” Spending demands This year’s $49 billion state budget, passed by lawmakers in May, is the state’s largest in history. While state budgets generally grow from year to year, two items totaling more than $5 billion were new. The largest, at $2.9 billion, was a one-time appropriation of federal COVID-19 recovery funds. Much of the money will be used in local projects. Recipients for one big piece, $410 million in grants to improve local water systems, were announced Thursday. The second is the continuing expense for expanding Medicaid to cover lower-income adults from 18 to 64. The program budget was set at $2.5 billion this year, with no general revenue needed to cover the state’s 10% share. In the coming year, the Department of Social Services anticipates the cost of Medicaid expansion will increase by $373 million, again without needing general revenue for the state share. Public education gets the biggest portion of general revenue. Funding through the foundation formula, which is the main source of state support, has been stagnant for several years. But public schools got a boost they didn’t expect when lawmakers included $214 million to cover the full state obligation for student transportation. It was the first time since 1991 that the state had paid its full share. The one-time extra cash has helped but the state needs to address public education’s staffing challenge, said Melissa Randol, executive director of the Missouri School Boards Association. “We have a crisis in Missouri with our salaries impacting our teaching workforce,” Randol said. “We need more than just one-year commitments without the ability to sustain that long-term.” Missouri ranks 47th in average teacher pay and second-to-last in the nation in starting salaries at $33,234. Lawmakers also funded a program proposed by Parson to help districts boost minimum teacher pay to $38,000 and resumed state funding for the Career Ladder program, which helps districts pay more for teachers with advanced education. In its budget request for next year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking funds to implement some recommendations of the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Blue Ribbon Commission. The commission recommended changing state law to set the minimum at $38,000 a year, estimating the cost at $29.5 million per year. Increasing the average teacher pay by $1,000, the commission estimated, would cost $81 million. In its budget request for 2023, the department asked for the minimum pay funding but not the money to raise average salaries. The biggest new item in the education budget is $77 million for increasing foundation formula payments to charter schools under a law passed this year. The department has also asked for $233 million to continue fully funding transportation, up $19 million, and $31.8 million to expand the Career Ladder program. Hough and Merideth said they expect bipartisan support for continuing full transportation funding and for the requests stemming from the task force report. But Merideth said he’s skeptical how far lawmakers will go to put money into education or other needs. “I am not going to take for granted we have a huge surplus until we are doing the things our state needs to do,” Merideth said. And Randol said she’s waiting to see the money in a spending bill. “My grandfather said, ‘don’t tell me what your priorities are, show me your checkbook and I will know what your priorities are.’” For the first time in its history, the only real limit on what Missouri can buy on a cash-and-carry basis is the imagination of the people spending the money. The state treasury is bulging with more than $6 billion in surplus cash, the result of 28 months of double-digit revenue growth and federal payments tied to COVID-19 relief and recovery. If growth rates continue at current levels, general revenue in the current fiscal year could approach $15 billion. Three years ago, the general revenue fund took in $8.9 billion. Some foresee a slowdown starting next year, as inflation-fighting policies slow the economy and the state sees the actual impact of recent tax cuts. Lawmakers and Gov. Mike Parson’s administration are trying to account for those uncertainties as they negotiate the budget baseline for the coming legislative session, said Sen. Lincoln Hought, R-Springfield. “It is almost kind of a wait and see game,” said Hough, who is expected to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee next year. But the large surplus promises to smooth any downturn while also allowing for new spending initiatives. The first priority should be state agencies at or near a crisis due to staff shortages and turnover, said state Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis. Merideth is the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee. The Independent has documented staff turnover in the Children’s Division at nearly 50%, with children in foster care missing visits with parents and rushed abuse investigations. There are hundreds of people waiting for beds in Department of Mental Health facilities due to a lack of staff. To maintain minimum staffing, the mental health department uses expensive contract professionals. To cover the cost, the department is asking for a $22 million supplemental appropriation through June 30. Those agencies need targeted spending to recruit staff, Merideth said. And state employees generally need a raise, he said. “I think we need a very large investment and an increase in investment in what our state workers are paid, especially those state workers that take care of our most vulnerable,” Merideth said. Last year, at the urging of Parson, lawmakers gave state employees the largest pay raise in decades, at least 5.5% for everyone on the state payroll, and approved a new base wage of $15 an hour for state jobs. State agencies have submitted their budget requests for the coming fiscal year, and the next step in crafting the state budget is an estimate of revenues. Jim Moody, a lobbyist and former state budget director under Republican Gov. John Ashcroft, said he expects recession and tax cuts to start slowing state revenue in the second quarter of 2023. “It is hard for me to imagine that in that quarter, it is going to keep pace with last year,” Moody said. Revenue buoyancy |
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