MO Statehouse

A state legislative committee heard testimony today on what options should be considered for students enrolled at unaccredited schools in Missouri.  It’s part of another effort to address a recent State Supreme Court ruling.

Turner v. Clayton affirmed that students not only have the right to transfer away from an unaccredited school district, but that the failing district has to pick up the tab.  State and local officials fear it could lead to a mass exodus from schools in St. Louis, Kansas City and Riverview Gardens.

Missouri appears ready to hold its presidential primary in February - a move that trigger more confusion in the 2012 election calendar and prompt other states to elbow to the front of the campaign line.

Rules set by the Republican and Democratic parties dictate that only Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada should hold contests in February; all other states are supposed to wait until March or later. National party leaders have threatened to reduce the national convention delegates for any states that jump the line.

State senators plan to investigate an unfulfilled central Missouri project that used public incentives and was to employ several hundred people to manufacture artificial sweetener.

The project by Mamtek U.S. Inc. was backed by $39 million in industrial development bonds issued by Moberly, and the state offered more than $17 million worth of incentives. But the plant remains under construction, Mamtek has laid off its employees and the company missed its first bond payment.