Week in Review
Mask Confusion, Gas Tax, Medicaid Expansion - May 21, 2021
Season 28 Episode 38 | 26m 47sVideo has Closed Captions
Nick Haines discusses mask rule confusion, raising the gas tax and Medicaid expansion.
Nick Haines, Emily Manley, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss confusion about mask rules in the wake of the CDC lifting mask requirements for the fully vaccinated, efforts to raise the Missouri gas tax, protests over Missouri legislature's failure to implement voter approved Medicaid expansion, debates over gun laws and police residency, Sharice Davids endorsement impact & MO Senate candidates.
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Week in Review is a local public television program presented by Kansas City PBS
Week in Review
Mask Confusion, Gas Tax, Medicaid Expansion - May 21, 2021
Season 28 Episode 38 | 26m 47sVideo has Closed Captions
Nick Haines, Emily Manley, Eric Wesson and Dave Helling discuss confusion about mask rules in the wake of the CDC lifting mask requirements for the fully vaccinated, efforts to raise the Missouri gas tax, protests over Missouri legislature's failure to implement voter approved Medicaid expansion, debates over gun laws and police residency, Sharice Davids endorsement impact & MO Senate candidates.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>>> PRETTY MUCH OVERNIGHT, OUR METRO NOW UNMASKED.
ARE YOU STILL WEARING YOURS?
TODAY HAS BEEN A HAPPY DAY LIKE A BUTTERFLY COMING OUT OF ITS COCOON IN THIS WEEK OF NEWS, WE LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
>> MASKING CHILDREN IS CHILD ABUSE.
>> NICK: PLUS FROM GAS TAX HIKES, ISSUES, MOMENTS AND NEWS MAKERS OF OUR WEEK STRAIGHT AHEAD.
>> WEEK IN REVIEW IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF DAVE AND JAMIE CUMMINGS, BOB AND MARLEY SCORELY, JOHN H. MIZE AND BANK OF AMERICA NA, COTRUSTEES, AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
THANK YOU.
>> NICK: HELLO, EVERYONE.
I'M NICK HAINES, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AS WE DISSECT THE MOST IMPACTFUL LOCAL NEWS STORIES OF OUR WEEK.
ON THAT JOURNEY WITH US, IN COLUMBIA, MISSOURI RIGHT NOW, MISSOURI CAPITOL BUREAU CHIEF EMILY MANLEY WHO KEEPS ABREAST OF ALL THINGS MISSOURI POLITICS FOR FOX 2 NEWS IN ST. LOUIS, AND FOX 4 NEWS RIGHT HERE IN KANSAS CITY.
ALSO WITH US, ERIC WESSON WHO LEADS KANSAS CITY'S AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER, THE CALL.
AND FROM THE PAGES OF YOUR KANSAS CITY STAR, DAVE HELLING.
WITH RARE EXCEPTION NOW, ALMOST EVERY PLACE IN OUR METRO IS UNMASKED.
KAUFFMAN STADIUM NOW JOINING MOST BARS, RESTAURANTS AND STORES IN DITCHING THEIR MASK POLICY, AND BY THE WAY, ELIMINATING ALL CAPACITY LIMITS.
THEY'RE NOW FILLING UP EVERY SEAT.
WYANDOTTE COUNTY, THE SINGLE HOLDOUT IN THE METRO STILL REQUIRING FACE COVERINGS.
AT THIS POINT, IT'S QUICKER TO LOOK AT THE PLACES STILL IMPOSING A MASK POLICY THAN THOSE WHO AREN'T.
>> WE'RE BASICALLY WORKING ON THE HONOR SYSTEM RIGHT NOW.
SO I GUESS THE TERM HAS BEEN THROWN AROUND A LITTLE BIT.
SO LEAVING IT UP TO OUR CUSTOMERS IF THEY WANT TO WEAR ONE, THEY CAN.
IF THEY DON'T WANT TO, THEY DON'T HAVE TO.
>> I ALSO NOTICE, THOUGH, THAT SINCE THE MANDATE HAS BEEN LIFTED, MOST OF OUR GUESTS DO WEAR THE MASKS, WHICH WE REALLY APPRECIATE.
>> NICK: THAT SURPRISED ME TOO.
I WAS AT THE TARGET STORE THAT DROPPED ITS MASK POLICY, AND STILL EVERYBODY WAS WEARING THEIR MASK THERE.
BY THE HOUR, IT SEEMS MORE LOCAL BUSINESS OR NATIONAL CHAIN IS DROPPING THEIR REQUIREMENT.
DO YOU EXPECT THE DOMINOS, DAVE HELLING, TO DROP SO SOON?
>> IT'S SURPRISING, PERHAPS THAT BUSINESSES ARE GOING AWAY FROM MASKS SO QUICKLY, BUT AS YOU POINT OUT, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL WEARING THEM.
THERE IS SOME CONFUSION AS TO WHAT THE CDC WAS ACTUALLY SAYING.
THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE GUY STANDING NEXT TO YOU HAS BEEN INOCULATED OR NOT.
SO I THINK THERE IS SOME CONFUSION.
I DO THINK THERE IS ENORMOUS WEARINESS WITH COVID-19, AND THAT MAY EXPLAIN WHY SO MANY PEOPLE ARE SO ANXIOUS TO GET RID OF THESE MANDATES.
>> NICK: BUT IT'S GOING TO BE VERY HARD TO PUT THE GENIE BACK IN THE BOTTLE, ISN'T IT?
RIGHT NOW IF THERE WERE TO BE AN UPTICK IN CASES, NEW VIRUS STRAINS, IS IT GOING TO BE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL PEOPLE TO COME BACK TO WEARING MASKS?
>> IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO GET THEM TO DO THAT.
I SAW A CONFRONTATION BETWEEN A CUSTOMER IN A STORE.
THE CUSTOMER DIDN'T WANT TO WEAR A MASK, BUT THE EMPLOYEE WAS SAYING, WELL, IT'S OUR STORE POLICY, AND THEY WENT BACK AND FORTH FOR A GOOD 5 MINUTES DEBATING THE ISSUE UNTIL FINALLY THE CUSTOMER WENT AND GOT ONE OF THE DISPOSAL MASKS.
I THINK IT'S JUST GOING TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WEAR IT.
I WEAR MINE.
>> NICK: IT'S INTERESTING ONE IN THREE KANSAS RESIDENTS AND ONLY ONE IN THREE MISSOURI RENTS ARE CURRENTLY VACCINATE -- RESIDENTS ARE CURRENTLY VACCINATED.
IN BOTH STATES, KANSAS AND MISSOURI, THEY FAILED TO PASS ANY RULES THAT BLOCKED BUSINESSES FROM REQUIRING PROOF OF VACCINATIONS.
GIVEN THAT THEY HAVE SUPER MAJORITIES IN KANSAS AND MISSOURI FOR REPUBLICANS, WHAT HAPPENED THERE?
>> WELL, ACTUALLY IN MISSOURI, THEY DID GET A VACCINE PASSPORT TO MIKE PARSON'S DESK.
COUNTIES, CITIES, TOWNS, THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO USE VACCINE PASSPORTS TO STOP PEOPLE FROM USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OR EVEN ACCOMMODATIONS.
>> BUT NOT BUSINESSES, THOUGH.
THEY'RE STILL FREE TO ACT, AND THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY LIKE.
ISN'T THAT STILL THE CASE?
>> THAT IS STILL THE CASE.
LOCAL BUSINESSES STILL CAN DO AS THEY PLEASE.
THEY CAN REQUIRE PEOPLE TO SHOW THEIR VACCINE PASSPORT BEFORE THEY WALK INTO THE STORE IF THEY WANT.
>> ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS TO WATCH UNFOLD, THOUGH, IS WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET VACCINATED.
, BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF LIKE, IF YOU'RE IN CERTAIN AREAS AND YOU LISTEN TO PEOPLE, IT'S LIKE, OKAY, WE'RE OUT OF THE WOODS WITH THIS THING, SO DO WE STILL NEED TO GET VACCINES.
SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO WATCH IF THOSE NUMBERS GO DOWN AS PEOPLE STOP WEARING THEIR MASK.
>> DID YOU SEE THE GOVERNOR OF OHIO IS TRYING TO GET MORE TO GET THE SHOT BY HOSTING A COVID LOTTERY.
5 LUCKY OHIOANS CAN WIN A MILLION DOLLARS EACH.
YOUNGER BUCKEYES WON'T HAVE TO MISS OUT.
THE STATE IS ALSO CHOOSING FIVE VACCINATED TEENAGERS TO RECEIVE FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO ONE OF OHIO'S PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.
THE GOVERNOR MIKE DEWINE IS A REPUBLICAN.
SO WHAT ABOUT MIKE PARSON?
>> I ASKED HIM BASED OFF OF SOUTH CAROLINA WHERE THAT STATE ACTUALLY OFFERED SAVINGS BONDS TO PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 16 TO 30 TO SHOW THAT THEY ARE FULLY VACCINATED.
I SAID, IS IT GOING TO BE SAVINGS BONDS?
AND HE SAID NO.
I ASKED THE QUESTION, WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE.
ALL HE SAID IS THE STATE IS WORKING ON SOME SORT OF INCENTIVE, SOME SORT OF PLAN TO GET MISSOURIANS FULLY VACCINATED TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THAT CARD TO SAY, YES, WE'RE VACCINATED TO KEEP THOSE CASES DOWN HERE IN THE STATE.
>> NICK: ON THIS PROGRAM BEFORE, DAVE HELLING, YOU'VE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT LAURA KELLY'S REELECTION CHANCES IN THE STATE OF KANSAS.
COULD THIS BE A WINNER FOR HER?
START OFFERING MONEY, A LOTTERY FOR PEOPLE IN KANSAS, AS SHE SEEKS REELECTION?
>> IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE STATE LEGISLATURE WOULD REACT TO THAT IF THE GOVERNOR WOULD OFFER ANY KIND OF INCENTIVE.
YOU KNOW, NICK, THE INCENTIVE FOR MOST PEOPLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE END OF THE MASK MANDATE.
THE IDEA FROM CDC WAS, HEY, YOU CAN TAKE OFF YOUR MASK IF YOU'VE GOTTEN THE SHOT.
BUT THE REALITY IS THAT MOST PEOPLE NOW JUST THINK THE MASK ORDERS HAVE BEEN LIFTED, DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH VACCINATIONS, AND SO THAT INCENTIVE HAS DISAPPEARED.
>> MIKE: WITH GAS PRICES AT THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL IN 7 YEARS, MISSOURI IS GETTING READY TO RAISE THOSE PRICES SOME MORE.
STATE LAWMAKERS APPROVING A 12-CENT HIKE IN THE GAS TAX.
IT WILL BE PHASED IN STARTING IN OCTOBER.
IT'S EXPECTED TO BRING IN $500 MILLION MORE A YEAR TO IMPROVE OUR HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
MISSOURI CURRENTLY HAS THE SECOND LOWEST GAS TAX IN THE NATION AFTER ALASKA, SO IT MAY MAKE SENSE WHY THEY WOULD WANT TO RAISE IT.
BUT I THOUGHT REPUBLICANS HATED TAX HIKES.
SO WHY IMPOSE, EMILY, WHAT IS GOING TO BE AN UNPOPULAR TAX AT A TIME WHEN PRICES ARE ALREADY RISING SO FAST?
>> I AGREE WITH YOU.
I WAS KIND OF SURPRISED WITH HOW MANY REPUBLICANS WERE ACTUALLY FOR THIS GAS TAX.
NOW THERE WAS KIND OF A ROAD BUMP, NO PUN INTENDED, ON THE FLOOR, WHEN IT CAME TO THIS IN THE HOUSE THAT HAD TO DO WITH THIS SHOULD GO TO THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.
AND THAT AMENDMENT DIDN'T PASS.
>> THERE IS AN EFFORT TO PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT, NICK.
AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY HAS SAID IT WANTS TO GATHER PETITION SIGNATURES.
IT'S FILED PAPERWORK WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
SO THERE YET COULD BE AN ELECTION ON THIS TAX, AND AS WE KNOW, GAS TAX HAS NOT BEEN POPULAR AT THE BALLOT BOX, SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
THE OTHER THING IS, AND EMILY MIGHT BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THIS AS WELL.
THE BILL THAT RAISES THE GAS TAX HAS A WEIRD REBATE PROVISION IN IT WHERE YOU CAN KIND OF GET YOUR MONEY BACK IF YOU KEEP RECEIPTS.
THAT'S VERY STRANGE.
IT ENABLES REPUBLICANS TO GO BACK AND SAY, HEY, WE DIDN'T RAISE YOUR TACKLES.
SO THERE ARE A COUPLE OF WRINKLES.
>> I WANT TO BRING IN ERIC.
IT IS INTERESTING.
YOU CAN PAY NOT ONE EXTRA TIME IN TAXES BASED ON THIS GAS TAX HIKE IF YOU KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS.
IS THAT BASED ON THE NOTION MOST PEOPLE WON'T DO THAT SO THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY ANYWAY.
>> WHO WANTS TO KEEP A YEAR'S WORTH OF GAS RECEIPTS IN THEIR POCKET.
THEY FIGURE MOST PEOPLE WON'T DO THAT.
USUALLY WHEN I BUY GAS, IF IT ASKS ME FOR A RECEIPT, I ALWAYS SAY NO.
IT'S JUST MORE CLUTTERING IN YOUR CAR.
ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS I FOUND IN THERE, WHERE THEY WERE PENALIZING PEOPLE MORE FOR ELECTRIC CARS, BECAUSE I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT AN ELECTRIC CAR, AND I LOOK AT THIS, AND IT'S A 20% TAX.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO GET A 20% INCREASE ON HYBRID ELECTRIC CARS.
THAT WOULD BE A DIS INCENTIVE TO YOU, ERIC?
>> YEAH.
I WOULD RATHER JUST GO AHEAD AND PAY FOR THE GAS AND BE DONE WITH IT.
>> EMILY, LET ME UNDERSTAND BETTER HOW THIS REBATE ACTUALLY WORKS.
YOU DO LITERALLY JUST KEEP THOSE RECEIPTS AND SEND THEM TO THE STATEHOUSE, OR HOW DOES THAT WORK?
>> SO JUST LIKE ERIC SAID, KEEPING RECEIPTS FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR, WOW.
THAT'S A LOT.
AND IT HAS TO DO WITH LAWMAKERS THAT WERE FOR THIS, EXPLAINING MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE FLOOR THAT YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO KEEP THE RECEIPT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO.
YOU CAN TAKE A PICTURE.
>> OKAY.
DO I WANT MY PHONE CLUTTERED WITH PICTURES OF RECEIPTS FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR?
PROBABLY NOT.
SO IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY STRENUOUS FOR A MISSOURIAN TO KEEP ALL THOSE RECEIPTS.
>> IMAGINE HAVING TO DOWNLOAD ALL OF THOSE RECEIPTS FROM YOUR CELL PHONE.
LOOKS GOOD AND SOUNDS GOOD.
>> NICK: WE, OF COURSE, ARE ON THE STATE LINE, DAVE HELLING.
THAT MEANS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN KANSAS GO TO MISSOURI TO GET THEIR TAX, BECAUSE THE GAS TAX IS CHEAPER, BUT BY THE END OF THIS, IT WILL BE 5 CENTS MORE.
WILL WE SEE THE OPPOSITE HAPPENING AT THAT POINT OR WILL THE PRESSURE BE ON KANSAS TO RAISE ITS GAKS GAS TAX.
>> KANSAS COULD CERTAINLY DO SO.
THEIR HIGHWAYS ARE UNDERFUNDED.
AMIDST THIS WEIRD TALK ABOUT REBATES AND GAS TAXES, THERE IS AN IMPORTANT POINT HERE, AND THAT THAT RELYING ON GASOLINE AND FUEL TAXES TO PAY FOR ROAD REPAIRS IS INCREASINGLY PROBLEMATIC IN A WORLD WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND WITH GASOLINE POWERED CARS THAT GET MUCH BETTER MILEAGE THAN THEY USED TO.
IT USED TO BE 20 MILES TO THE GALLON.
NOW SOME CARS GET 40 OR 50.
THAT HAS REDUCED REVENUE TO BOTH STATES, NOT TO MENTION THAT THE EXPENSES TO HIGHWAY REPAIRS HAVE GONE UP.
THERE NEEDS TO BE A REAL RECKONING ON HOW WE PAY FOR HIGHWAYS AND HOW MUCH WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE.
>> THIS WAS A BIG WEEK OF PROTESTS IN KANSAS CITY.
AMONG THOSE TAKING TO THE STREETS WERE KANSAS CITIANS UNHAPPY THAT LAWMAKERS LEFT FOR HOME WITHOUT FINDING ANY CASH TO IMPLEMENT LAST YEAR'S VOTER APPROVED MEDICAID EXPANSION MEASURE.
THAT IS DUE TO GO INTO EFFECT ON JULY 1st, WHICH IS JUST SIX WEEKS AWAY.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW, DAVE HELLING?
>> THERE WILL BE A LAWSUIT FILED.
IT MAY BE SOONER THAN JULY 1st.
THERE IS SOME CHATTER THAT BECAUSE GOVERNOR MIKE PARSON HAS DECIDED TO WITHDRAW THE STATE'S APPLICATION TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR NEW MEDICAID REGULATIONS THAT A LAWSUIT COULD COME MORE QUICKLY THAN THAT, BUT ALMOST CERTAINLY ON JULY 1 SOMEONE WILL BE GOING TO A COURTHOUSE SOMEWHERE IN MISSOURI TO TRY AND FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO ENROLL THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW UNDERSTAND THE CONSTITUTION ELIGIBLE FOR EXPANDED MEDICAID, AND THEN WE'LL SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES THE COURTS TO DECIDE WHETHER THE LEGISLATURE WANTS TO REVISIT THIS, YOU KNOW, THEY MESSED UP AT THE END OF THE SESSION AND FAILED TO PASS THE MEDICAID TAX FOR REGULAR MEDICAID, SO THEY ARE ABOUT $2 BILLION IN CHANGE SHORT OF WHAT THEY NEED TO DO FOR THAT.
THEY'LL HAVE TO COME BACK ON A SPECIAL SESSION.
THIS QUESTION REMAINS VERY OPEN.
>> LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE HAVE TOLD ME THEY'RE PREPARED TO COME BACK HERE TO JEFFERSON CITY.
THEY HAVE TO PASS THE FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT ALLOWANCE PROGRAM TAX.
IT FUNDS THE MEDICAID PROGRAM HERE IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
THERE'S NO WAY AROUND IT.
IT HAS TO BE DONE, AND IT HAS TO BE DONE BY SEPTEMBER 30th, AND THEY DIDN'T ACCOMPLISH THAT HERE IN SESSION, SO I THINK THAT WE WILL SEE LAWMAKERS MAKE THEIR WAY BACK HERE TO JEFFERSON CITY THIS SUMMER.
>> IN KANSAS, LAWMAKERS LOWERED THE AGE TO CARRY A CONCEALED WEAPON TO 18 IN THEIR SESSION.
MISSOURI PASSED A MEASURE BLOCKING LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS FROM ENFORCING ANY NEW FEDERAL GUN LAWS.
SO IF PRESIDENT BIDEN WERE TO PASS ANY NEW EXECUTIVE ORDERS LIMITING CERTAIN WEAPONS OR GETS CONGRESS TO APPROVE NEW WAITING LIMITS AND MORE RESTRICTIVE BACKGROUND CHECKS, ERIC, THE KANSAS CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE LEE'S SUMMIT POLICE DEPARTMENT WOULD JUST STAND DOWN?
IS THAT THE DEAL?
>> THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY TOUCHY.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO PROBABLY BE DECIDED IN THE COURTS, BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE CITIES COULD OR THE STATES COULD DO SOMETHING CONTRARY TO WHAT THE FEDS ARE DOING, ESPECIALLY WITH GUN CONTROL.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL PROBABLY PLAY ITSELF OUT IN THE COURT IF THE KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI POLICE STOP YOU AND SOMEBODY IS IN VIOLATION OF A GUN LAW, FOR EXAMPLE, FELONY IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM KIND OF SITUATION, THAT'S GOING TO BE AN ISSUE THAT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE SETTLED IN THE COURTS.
>> NICK: BUT DON'T CITIES AND STATES ALREADY DO THAT AND GO AGAINST FEDERAL GUN LAWS AND FEDERAL LAWS OF ALL KINDS, DAVE.
FOR INSTANCE, YOU THINK ABOUT MARIJUANA, WHICH IS STILL IN EFFECT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, YET BEING DECRIMINALIZED LOCALLY, AND IMMIGRATION, WHERE THEY SAY THEY'RE NOT WORKING WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AGENTS, FOR INSTANCE.
>> THERE ARE SOME SIMILARITIES, NICK, BUT THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES, TOO, IN TERMS OF WHAT CITIES DO OR DON'T DO OR STATES DO OR DON'T DO, PARTICULARLY ON MARIJUANA.
YOU'RE RIGHT, IT'S STILL ILLEGAL AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD THEORETICALLY COME IN AND START ARRESTING PEOPLE IN MISSOURI WHERE MEDICAL CANNABIS IS ALLOWED.
SO IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN A NULLIFICATION BILL, WHICH IS WHAT THE SECOND AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT TRULY IS.
IT IN ESSENCE SAYS WHATEVER THE FEDS DO, WE DON'T HAVE TO FOLLOW IT.
THAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED FOR SOME TIME IN THIS COUNTRY, AND THE GENERAL FEELING IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SUPERIORITY IN THOSE LAWS OVER STATES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
>> EMILY.
>> I WANT TO ADD THIS PART, BECAUSE I THINK THIS SECOND AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT NOT ONLY NULLIFIES THE STATE FROM GUNS, BUT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT POLICE DEPARTMENTS HERE, AND HERE'S A PART OF THE BILL THAT SOME LAWMAKERS WERE SAYING IT DEFUNDS POLICE, BECAUSE IF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, IF A POLICE DEPARTMENT GOES AND VIOLATES YOUR SECOND AMOUNT RIGHTS, TAKES AWAY YOUR GUN, THEY CAN BE FINED UP TO $50,000.
THAT IS IN THIS LEGISLATION, THAT, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY, GUESS WHAT, HERE IN MISSOURI, YOU CAN HAVE YOUR GUNS NO MATTER WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS, BUT NOW POLICE DEPARTMENTS CAN BE FINED FOR THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IF THEY GO AND VIOLATE SOMEONE'S SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS.
SO I THINK THIS IS FAR FROM OVER, AND JUST LIKE ERIC SAID, I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE IN COURT.
>> NICK: MISSOURI LAWMAKERS ALSO MAKING IT OFFICIAL.
KANSAS CITY POLICE OFFICERS NO LONGER HAVE TO LIVE IN THE CITY IN WHICH THEY SERVE.
THAT DECADE LONG POLICY IS NOW GONE.
SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
IN THIS LAST WEEK, ERIC WESSON, DID WE SEE HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS PUT OUT THAT FOR SALE SIGN ON THEIR HOMES?
>> NO.
BUT YOU KNOW, I WAS THINKING OF A POLITICALLY CORRECT TERM TO USE FOR THIS, AND THE ONLY I COULD COME UP WITH IS ASININE, BECAUSE WE LOOK AT ALL THE ISSUES IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI, AND LAWMAKERS SPENT HOURS, WEEKS, MONTHS, PUTTING THIS BILL TOGETHER.
IF A REQUIREMENT TO WORK IN A JOB IS THAT YOU LIVE THERE AND YOU DON'T WANT TO LIVE THERE, DON'T WORK THERE.
GO WORK FOR LEE'S SUMMIT.
GO WORK FOR BLUE SPRINGS.
GO WORK FOR GRANDVIEW, BUT I THINK WITH ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN KANSAS CITY OR THE STATE OF MISSOURI AS A WHOLE, WHY SPEND TIME ARGUING THIS.
WHY SPENT LEGISLATIVE TIME PUTTING THIS BILL TOGETHER?
THEY SHOULD PAY TAX IN THE CITY THAT THEY WORK.
>> HE MENTIONED, DAVE, EARLIER ON IN THIS DEBATE THAT IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, AND NOW IT IS, THEN THE CITY MIGHT BE FORCED TO REQUIRE OTHER WORKERS, DROP THE REQUIREMENT ON, SEA, A WATER DEPARTMENT WORKER OR PARKS DEPARTMENT WORKER AS A RESULT OF THIS, AS WELL.
>> RIGHT.
OR A FIRE DEPARTMENT WORKER, AND THEY'RE IN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.
THIS MIGHT BE AN ISSUE THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WOULD WANT TO RAISE AND OTHER CITY WORKERS AS WELL.
A COUPLE OF OTHER NOTES, NICK, THERE IS CHATTER IN CITY HALL THAT SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S TAKE HOME POLICY THAT ALLOWS OFFICERS TO DRIVE THEIR POLICE VEHICLES HOME AT NIGHT.
THERE'S CONCERN THAT IF YOU ALLOW SOMEONE TO DRIVE HOME TO A RESIDENTS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS THAT, A IS BAD, AND B, HAS SOME INSURANCE IMPLICATIONS.
SO LOOK FOR SOME CHATTER ON THAT.
WE EXPECT MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS TO ANNOUNCE PRETTY FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN THE WAY THE CITY FUNDS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AT LEAST PART OF THAT IS THE REACTION BY THIS DECISION HE WAS STRONGLY OPPOSED TO.
>> NICK: I DID AN ANALYSIS THIS WEEK, BY THE WAY, BUT IN LEE'S SUMMIT, PLEASE DON'T HAVE TO LIVE IN THE CITY, IN INDEPENDENCE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO.
ON THE KANSAS SIDE, OVERLAND PARK POLICE DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN THE CITY IN WHICH THEY SERVE.
MANY POLICE DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDE LEAWOOD, DON'T MAKE YOU LIVE IN THE CITY.
ON THE THIS PARTICULAR BILL, THE POLICE STILL HAVE RESTRICTIONS.
THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITHIN 30 MILES OF CITY LIMITS.
THEY CAN'T GO OVER TO KANSAS, BUT 30 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS.
IN A SENSE, WERE THEY REALLY PATROLLING THE AREAS THAT THEY WERE POLICING ANYWAY?
COULDN'T YOU BE SEVERAL MILES NORTH OF KCI AIRPORT AND COMING IN 30, 35 DRIVE TO GET TO THE PATROL AREA THAT YOU WERE SERVING.
SO HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE DOES THIS REALLY MAKE?
>> YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE, BUT FUNDAMENTALLY, IT DOES.
AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
THERE'S VERY FEW OFFICERS THAT I KNOW THAT LIVE ON 35th AND BELL FOUNTAIN OR 27th AND WOODLAND.
THERE'S VERY FEW OFFICERS THAT LIVE THERE.
BUT IT'S A SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY, AND IN DOING SO, IT'S LIKE YOU SAID, THEY ALL LIVE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN ANYWAY.
I HAD A FRIEND OF MINE WHO WORKED FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WAS REQUIRED TO LIVE THERE.
HIS WIFE WORKED FOR THE INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND SHE HAD TO LIVE IN INDEPENDENCE FOR THE RESIDENCY RULE.
SO THEY HAD TWO DIFFERENT HOUSEHOLDS.
YOU HAD SITUATIONS WHERE POLICE WERE RENTING TRAILERS IN ORDER TO MEET THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT, BUT THEY WERE LIVING WITH THEIR FAMILIES SOMEWHERE ELSE, SO IT'S KIND OF LIKE, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO LIVE HERE, DON'T WORK HERE, DON'T APPLY TO WORK FOR KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WHERE ARE OUR CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE GOING TO COME FROM NOW?
>> THEY CAN COME FROM OVERLAND PARK, AS WELL.
WE SHOULDN'T HAVE A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT THERE EITHER.
TWO INTERESTING POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS WORTH MENTIONING IN BOTH KANSAS AND MISSOURI.
LAST YEAR KANSAS DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSWOMAN SHARICE DAVIDS GOT A BIG BOOST IN HER RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN WHEN SHE WAS BEING INDORSED BY THE NATION'S BIGGEST BUSINESS GROUP.
THE U.S.
CAME BETTER OF COMMERCE USUALLY SUPPORTS REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.
NOW IT'S PAY BACK TIME.
THE KANSAS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NOW DROPPING ITS MEMBERSHIP IN THE U.S. CHAMBER.
THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES SO FAR EVEN THOUGH TOP REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS ARE NOW CLAIMING IT HAS BECOME A FRONT SERVICE FOR WOKE CORPORATIONS.
WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES THIS MAKE?
>> IT MAY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND MAKES FOR A GOOD NEWSPAPER STORY ONCE IN A WHILE OR EVEN TV STORY, BUT AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, ENDORSEMENTS MEAN LESS AND LESS AND LESS, PARTICULARLY IN HIGH PROFILE RACES LIKE CONGRESSIONAL RACES.
PEOPLE MAKE UP THEIR MINDS ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
WHETHER OR NOT THE CHAMBER HAS ENDORSED SHARICE DAVIDS OR NOT IS PROBABLY LESSEN FORCEMENT.
>> SO IT DOES NOT MEAN WE'RE GOING TO LOSE ALL OF THESE COMPANIES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE STATE OF KANSAS?
>> NO, THAT'S NOT MY VIEW.
I THINK THIS IS A POLITICAL TIF BETWEEN THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS BUT WON'T HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON BUSINESS OR POLITICS ON THE STATE.
>> NICK: IN MISSOURI, ANOTHER CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE HAS ENTERED THE RACE TO SUCCEED RETIRING SENATOR ROY BLUNT.
ST. LOUIS ATTORNEY MARK MCCLOSKEY MADE HEADLINES LAST THERE WHEN HE AND HIS WIFE DREW THEIR GUNS AND CONFRONTED BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTORS OUTSIDE THEIR HOME.
HE ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY ON THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM TUCKER CARLSON TONIGHT.
>> WHAT I'VE LEARNED IS THE PEOPLE OUT IN THIS COUNTRY ARE SICK AND TIRED OF CANCEL CULTURE.
>> I THOUGHT HE WAS SLAPPED WITH A FEDERAL FELONY GUN CHARGE LAST YEAR AS A RESULT OF THAT.
THAT DOESN'T PRECLUDE HIM FROM RUNNING FOR THIS U.S. SENATE RACE?
>> I GUESS NOT.
MOST INTERESTING PART HERE IS, HERE IN MISSOURI, AFTER ALL OF THIS WENT DOWN, GOVERNOR MIKE PARSON MADE IT VERY CLEAR IN MULTIPLE PRESS CONFERENCES THAT HE WOULD PARDON THE MCCLOSKEY'S NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE THEY WERE PROTECTING THEMSELVES IN THEIR OWN YARD.
SO I'M VERY INTERESTED IN THIS RACE NOW THAT WE HAVE MARK MCCLOSKEY RUNNING AGAINST ERIC SCHMIDT AND ERIC SCHMIDT AND GOVERNOR PARSON ARE PRETTY TIGHT.
NOT ONLY DO THEY OBVIOUSLY LEAD THE STATE TOGETHER, BUT THEY ARE ALSO FRIENDS OUTSIDE OF WORK.
SO I'M VERY INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT STAND GOVERNOR MIKE PARSON WOULD TAKE WHEN IT COMES TO THIS SENATE RACE.
>> THE OTHER THING, NIK, IS THAT THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IS FAR TOO ST. LOUIS HEAVY.
RIGHT, EMILY?
GREITENS FROM ST. LOUIS, MCCLOSKEY FROM ST. LOUIS.
ERIC SCHMIDT, I THINK HE WANTS TO BE THE MAYOR OF ST. LOUIS.
WE NEED TO GET FOLKS ON THIS SIDE OF THE STATE INVOLVED.
LOOK FOR VICKI HARTZLER.
SHE MAY GIVE IT A GO.
>> NICK: LAST WEEK WE HAD MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS ON THE PROGRAM.
I THOUGHT AFTER HAVING A BABY, GETTING MARRIED THAT HE WOULD HAVE NO INTEREST ANY LONGER IN THIS RACE, AND HE SAID NO, IF THERE IS NO BIG STANDARD BEARER FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, HE WILL ASK HIS WIFE'S APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS AND RUN FOR THIS.
BUT IS THERE ANY HOPE, IN I PROSPECT, ANY EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER BIG NAME DEMOCRAT GETTING INTO THIS RACE?
>> FOR ME, I KEEP AN EYE ON JAY NEXT ON, THE FORMER GOVERNOR.
I DO THINK HE FEELS LIKE, IF THERE IS NO OTHER BIG NAME HE MAY NEED TO STEP FORWARD, PARTICULARLY SINCE GREITENS COULD BE THE NOMINEE OR EVEN MARK MCCLOSKEY COULD POTENTIALLY WIN, AND THEN THE DEMOCRATS WOULD REALLY FEEL STUPID IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE A QUALITY CANDIDATE.
SO I THINK JAY NIXON -- BUT THE MAYOR, HASN'T HE, NICK, SOUNDED MORE LIKE A CANDIDATE THAN NOT, WHICH I THINK A FASCINATING.
YOU WOULD THINK HE COULD PUT THE STOP ON THIS STOP IF HE SAID HE WASN'T RUNNING.
THAT SUGGESTS HE MAY HAVE MORE INTEREST THAN WE KNOW.
>> NICK: AND HE WAS IN WASHINGTON RUBBING SHOULDERS WITH TOP POLITICAL LEADERS LAST WEEK, WASN'T HE, ERIC?
>> YES, HE WAS, AND HE SEEMED TO FIT RIGHT IN.
KNEW WHO TO TALK TO AND HOW TO SAY IT.
I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF HE THREW HIS HAT IN THE RING.
>> NICK: WHEN YOU PUT A PROGRAM LIKE THIS TOGETHER EVERY WEEK, YOU CAN'T GET TO EVERY LOCAL STORY MAKING THE HEADLINES.
WHAT WAS THE BIG LOCAL STORY WE MISSED?
ANOTHER WEEK OF PROTESTS.
THIS TIME OVER GAZA ON THE COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA, THE ISRAELI FLAG STRIPPED FROM A FLAGPOLE.
A DIFFERENT SET OF PROTESTORS IN JOHNSON COUNTY.
PARENTS DEMANDING AN END TO MASK MANDATES.
>> MASKING CHILDREN IS CHILD ABUSE.
>> THE COMPUTER CHIP SHORTAGE EVEN WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT.
KANSAS CITY'S FORD PLAN R PLANT EXTENDING ITS SHUTDOWN.
IT WON'T BRING BACK 7,000 WORKERS UNTIL JUNE 14th.
FAIRFAX SHUT DOWN THROUGH THE FIRST WEEK OF JULY.
THE KANSAS CITY MONARCHS TAKE THE FIELD AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AT LEAST 60 YEARS.
WHILE EVERYTHING IS NOW BEGINNING TO OPEN BACK UP, THE MISSION GATEWAY PROJECT STILL STALLED.
IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OPENED AT THE TAIL END OF LAST YEAR.
NO RUSH LIMBAUGH DAY AFTER ALL.
THE SPECIAL HOLIDAY TO HONOR THE RADIO PIONEER STRIPPED FROM A BILL JUST HOURS BEFORE MISSOURI LAWMAKERS HEADED FOR HOME.
BUT THEY ARE HONORING NEGRO LEAGUE'S BASEBALL WITH A NEW LICENSE PLATE.
$10 OF EACH PERSON GOES TO THE MUSEUM AT 18th AND VINE.
ERIC WESSON, DID YOU PIG ONE OF THOSE STORIES OR DID YOU PICK SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT?
>> ABSOLUTELY THE NEGRO LEAGUE'S BASEBALL LICENSE PLATE FOR CARS IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
I THINK THAT IS A VERY ADMIRAL THING TO HAVE HAPPEN TO THE STATE OF MISSOURI AND NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL.
>> DAVE HELLING.
>> GOVERNOR MIKE PARSON THIS WEEK DECIDED TO CUT OFF FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS OF $300 A WEEK FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THEM AND WERE TO HAVE RECEIVED THEM THROUGH SEPTEMBER.
HE SAYS NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR JOBS.
GOVERNOR LAURA KELLY IN KANSAS MADE THE OPPOSITE DECISION.
THOSE PAYMENTS WILL CONTINUE IN THAT STATE.
>> AND EMILY MANLEY?
>> WELL, I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY EXCITING FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES HERE IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI.
THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE AT THE VERY LAST DAY OF SESSION, THEY DECIDED TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW STUDENT ATHLETES TO BE PAID FOR THEIR NAME, LIKENESS AND IMAGE.
A LOT OF OTHER SEC SCHOOLS ALREADY ALLOW THEIR STUDENT ATHLETES TO BE PAID FOR THEIR NAME AND LIKENESS.
>> AND ON THAT, WE WILL SAY OUR WEEK HAS BEEN REVIEWED.
THANK YOU, EMILY MANLEY CONNECTING WITH US FROM COLUMBIA THIS WEEK, CHIEF OF FOX 2 NEWS IN ST. LOUIS AND FOX 4 NEWS RIGHT HERE IN KANSAS CITY.
CLOSER TO HOME, THE CALL'S ERIC WESSON AND THE STAR'S DAVE HELLING.
I'M NICK HAINES.
FROM ALL OF US HERE AT KANSAS CITY'S PBS, BE WELL, KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.
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