Maria Chappelle-Nadal

Locations Accepting EBT Cards Would Be Strictly Limited Under Mo. Senate Bill

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:38:07 +0000

Legislation is moving through the Missouri Senate that would strictly limit where Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT cards, can be used in the state.

State Senator Will Kraus (R, Lee’s Summit) is sponsoring Senate Bill 251. He says a new federal law that just took effect will ban EBT card use in casinos, liquor stores and adult entertainment venues.

“We’re taking that federal law (and) putting (it) into state statute," Kraus said. "But we’re also adding a few places that we think these cards shouldn’t be used at: amusement parks, entertainment events, athletic events, (or) to purchase alcohol, tobacco (or) lottery tickets.”

Second Injury Fund Debate Begins In Mo. Senate

Marshall Griffin — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 06:07:15 +0000

The Missouri Senate spent more than two hours debating legislation Monday that would keep the state’s ailing Second Injury Fund alive.

The proposal being considered would raise fees that businesses across the state currently pay into the fund while placing restrictions on future claims. State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D, University City) said in floor debate that raising the cap on businesses was a good move, but expressed concern that people with pre-existing conditions would be left out.

Mo. Sen. Bill Would Require Parents To Notify Their Kids' Schools If They're Gun Owners

Marshall Griffin — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:32:39 +0000

Legislation filed in the Missouri Senate would require parents to notify their kids’ schools if they are gun owners.

If passed, parents would have to provide written notification that they own a firearm within 30 days of enrolling their child in school or within 30 days of becoming a gun owner if the child is already enrolled. Failure to do so would be an infraction and result in a $100 fine. It would also make it a Class A misdemeanor if the parent or guardian knows that their child is illegally in possession of a firearm and does nothing to stop it or does not report it to police -- and the parent or guardian would be guilty of a Class D felony if their minor child kills or wounds someone with an illegally-possessed gun. The bill’s sponsor, State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D, University City), told reporters today that their goal is to prevent minors from illegally possessing firearms and to also keep them out of the hands of gang members.

Mo. Senate supports charter school expansion bill

The Associated Press and Marshall Griffin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:46:52 +0000

The Missouri Senate has endorsed legislation that could allow charter schools to be formed outside of Kansas City and St. Louis.

In a voice vote Wednesday, the Senate backed a measure that would allow charter schools to be set up in districts that have been declared unaccredited. It would also allow charter schools in some districts that would have been provisionally accredited for three straight years, starting with next school year.

Morning headlines: Thursday, March 8, 2012

Julie Bierach, Marshall Griffin and The Associated Press — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:21:54 +0000

Mo. Senate preparing to send workplace discrimination bill to Nixon today

The Missouri Senate is preparing today to pass the House version of the workplace discrimination bill and send it to Governor Jay Nixon.

Senate Democrats, however, voiced their opposition Wednesday by blocking the bill for nearly five hours.

The filibuster was led by Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal of St. Louis County.