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After making little progress for weeks, public negotiations on taxes have continued in the Kansas Statehouse. Legislative leaders and the governor had been meeting behind closed doors, but this week it appeared those talks had stalled. House and Senate negotiators held a public meeting Wednesday, and House members offered a new compromise.

A bill is on its way to Governor Jay Nixon that would forbid the Missouri Department of Revenue from scanning and storing source documents of driver’s license and non-driver’s license applicants. 

Last month, Governor Nixon ordered the agency to cease scanning documents of conceal carry weapons applicants, but scanning for other license applicants continues. 

The bill approved Wednesday was sponsored in the Senate by Republican Will Kraus of Lee’s Summit.  He says he thinks the Nixon will sign the bill.

The nature of methamphetamine labs in the area is changing.  A council committee advances a proposal to update Kansas City’s ethics code.  Missouri’s Medicaid director leaves but no is saying whether he was fired or resigning.

Ethics bills continue to stumble in the state capitols, but Kansas City, Missouri's ethics code is about to get an update.

Some of those who fight the making of methamphetamine in Kansas City don’t think the perils are clearly understood, by the public or by those who are manufacturing it.

Physicians Assistants, or PAs, may soon have more opportunities to practice in Missouri. A bill headed to the Governor’s desk would provide more flexibility in how and where they provide care.Physicians Assistants are trained health workers who practice medicine under the supervision of a doctor. Their training is shorter than that of a doctor, but they do exams, prescribe drugs and diagnose and treat illnesses.

Dr. Gary Yarbrough has practiced family medicine in small towns for 30 years.  In that time he's met some memorable people.

The director of Missouri’s Medicaid program, Dr. Ian McCaslin, has left. 

Legislation to redefine the relationship between liquor distributors, wholesalers and retailers has stalled in the Missouri Senate.

Kansas Senators Tuesday gave first round approval for new spending in support of a controversial federal animal disease lab Manhattan.

Some Democrats as well as some in Gov. Brownback’s own party have questioned whether the state should commit an additional $202 million in bonds, on top of $145 million already spent in support of the federal lab.

Doubters in the legislature worry the state will be on the hook for cost overruns as the project continues.

The chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court and a prominent legislator are butting heads. At issue are allegations made the the justice. He says the legislator, who's an attorney, tried to make a deal tying a pay raise for court workers to a constitutional amendment.

Early this morning, the Missouri Senate passed legislation that would fix the state's ailing Second Injury Fund.

The fund is designed to help disabled workers who suffer a second work-related injury.  It began running out of money after lawmakers eight years ago capped the surcharge businesses have to pay into it.  Senate Bill 1, sponsored by State Senator Scott Rupp, a Republican from Wentzville, would temporarily increase the surcharge.

A group of Republicans in the Missouri Senate has blocked a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a one-cent sales tax to help fund the state’s transportation needs.

The tax would require voter approval and would expire after 10 years unless voters renew it. Five percent of revenues raised would be designated for cities and another five percent for counties to pay for local transportation needs.  Those factors were not enough to sway several Republicans, including Rob Schaaf of St. Joseph, who conducted a filibuster Tuesday night.