Page 3
Capitol Report
Police Blotter The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department
Representative Jeff Coleman, District 32 Lawmakers Call for Special Session for ProLife Policies One of the issues left on the table from the 2021 legislative session is the renewal of a tax on hospitals, nursing homes, and pharmacies that accounts for more than $2 billion in funding for Missouri’s Medicaid program. Now, as the governor contemplates calling a special session to address the issue, members from both chambers are asking him to include strong pro-life provisions in any bill considered by the legislature. Thirty-eight legislators from the House and Senate signed a letter asking Gov. Parson to include “a general call to protect Missouri taxpayers and others from being forced to directly or indirectly fund abortion – such as by being forced to fund abortions or abortion access, to reimburse for abortion-causing drugs and devices, or to send tax dollars to organizations that perform or induce elective abortions and their affiliates.” Missouri’s Federal Reimbursement Allowance (FRA) program began as a voluntary program, but it was expanded and enacted into law as a provider tax in 1992. Hospitals provide funds to the state, and Missouri’s Medicaid program, which is now called MO HealthNet, uses these funds to earn federal matching dollars. The FRA is typically renewed each year by the legislature, but debate this session became bogged down in the Senate as lawmakers could not reach a final agreement on the inclusion of prolife language. The state has until September 30 to approve a renewal of the FRA. The governor has stated he will not call a special session on the issue until lawmakers reach an agreement and have a plan in place to renew the tax. The House Budget Committee Chairman said, “An FRA extension is critical to funding Missouri Medicaid, our state’s most expensive program. I’m interested in working with Governor Parson and my fellow legislators to reach an amicable solution as soon as possible.” The letter from the group of pro-life
lawmakers concludes by saying, “Gov. Parson, we urge you to exercise responsible pro-life leadership by making a general call for a special session to prohibit direct and indirect funding of abortion and abortion-related services – leaving it to the Missouri General Assembly to best craft pro-life legislation to be sent to your desk for your signature. To echo the words of President Reagan from 33 years ago, let us unite as Missourians to protect the unborn with legislation that would stop all Missouri funding for abortion.”. Discussion on Critical Race Theory Continues in Missouri General Assembly Another issue that received extensive discussion but ultimately did not pass into law is a restriction on the teaching of critical race theory (CRT) in Missouri schools. Now, the chairs for education committees in the House and Senate have issued a letter asking the governor to call a special session so lawmakers can pass a measure that will prohibit CRT and materials related to the 1619 project from being taught in public schools. The letter notes that “Over the last several months many parents and public school employees have expressed concerns that their schools are actively incorporating changes to their curriculum by teaching critical race theory and/or ‘The 1619 Project’. These curriculum changes are divisive and unnecessary.” The letter also notes there were attempts during the 2021 legislative session to add language that would “prevent or curtail the teaching of these radical concepts.” It adds that none of the efforts were successful. Supporters of critical race theory say it is meant to help understand and address inequality and racism in the United States. CRT recognizes that systemic racism is part of American society and challenges the beliefs that allow it to flourish. Opponents of CRT say it poisons discussions on racism. President Trump banned federal
daily calls for service log for the week of May 26—June 1, 2021. May 26, 2021 30000 Block of E Major RD BB & McQuerry 100 Block of Sunny LN 800 Block of Highland 300 Block of Old US 40 HWY 1300 Block of Eagles 1000 Block of RD Mize 700 Block of Main 700 Block of Main 1300 Block of SW Foxtail DR 700 Block of Main 1100 Block of NE McQuerry 700 Block of Main 700 Block of Main
Agency Assist-JCSD Area Check Disturbance Agency Assist-CJC Motor Vehicle Accident Agency Assist-CJC Verbal Disturbance Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Welfare Check Citizen Contact Motor Vehicle Accident Citizen Contact Citizen Contact
May 27, 2021 1300 Block of Ashly DR 700 Block of Main 200 Block of Main 700 Block of Main Buckner Tarsney S Bound 800 Block of SW Meadowwood DR 1400 Block of Buckner Tarsney
Animal At Large Citizen Contact Trespassing Citizen Contact Motor Vehicle Accident Citizen Contact Motorist Assist
May 28, 2021 1200 Block of Phelps DR 700 Block of Main 200 Block of Hudson 1100 Block of S Sibley 900 Block of SW Ryan RD 100 Block of Nelson 24 & Blue Mills 900 Block of S Minter 900 Block of Dogwood
Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Agency Assist-BPD Agency Assist-BPD Alarm Suspicious Auto Agency Assist-JCSD Agency Assist-JCSD Motor Vehicle Accident
May 29, 2021 1400 Block of Hilltop 600 Block of Graystone 800 Block of SanKar 200 Block of Michael 1400 Block of Eagle Ridge 800 Block of SanKar
Open Door Burglary Noise Complaint Assault Fireworks Verbal Disturbance
1400 Block of S Minter Way 1000 Block of Ryan RD Main & Jefferson E B I 70 Ramp 500 Block of Hillside 1200 Block of Golfview 1000 Block of Ryan RD
Agency Assist-CJC Traffic Control Area Check Area Check Stealing Motor Vehicle Accident Alarm
May 30, 2021 300 Block of Front ST 800 Block of SW Lee Ann 800 Block of SW Mill Creek CT 200 Block of SW Nelson 1400 Block of Nolan 2100 Block of Dillingham 700 Block of Main 700 Block of Main
Suspicious Activity Citizen Contact Fireworks Noise Complaint Fireworks Area Check Citizen Contact Citizen Contact
May 31, 2021 3300 Block of S Outerbelt RD 500 Block of Gregg 1400 Block of NW Eagle Ridge DR 1400 Block of Golfview 700 Block of Main 600 Block of SW Westview DR 700 Block of Main 700 Block of Main 1300 NW Phelps Dr 1800 Block NW Rosewood Dr
Alarm Area Check Noise Complaint Alarm Warrant Confirmation Welfare Check Civil Standby Citizen Contact Agency Assist for CJC Noise Complaint
June 1, 2021 NE Amanda Jean Way 1300 NW Jefferson St 100 Block Cross Creek Dr 600 Block NW Eagle Dr 500 Block SW Eagles Pkwy US 40 Hwy / Main St 1300 Block NW Walnut Ct
Suspicious Activity Alarm Citizen Contact Agency Assist for CJC Citizen Assist Motorist Assist Citizen Contact
Additional calls for service: Suicidal subject: 2 Domestic violence: 1
see CAPITOL on page 4
Valley News Grain Valley News is a free community paper, published weekly on Thursdays online at www.grainvalleynews.com and on the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month in print. Cory Unrein | Co-Owner/Publisher John Unrein | Co-Owner/Production Manager Cathy Allie | Staff Writer, Proofreader John Overstreet | Contributing Photographer Michael Smith | Staff Writer, Sports Mail: PO Box 2972 Grain Valley MO 64029 Phone: 816.809.7984 Email: news@grainvalleynews.com
Join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @grainvalleynews Sign up at www.grainvalleynews.com to have Valley News delivered weekly to your inbox.
