State briefs 4/12/16

Schnucks to cut 190 union jobs

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Regional grocery-store chain Schnuck Markets plans to lay off 190 union-backed warehouse workers when its new suburban St. Louis distribution center opens. Mike Goebel is secretary and treasurer of Teamsters Local 688. He said Schnuck chairman and CEO Todd Schnuck told the union April 4 of the planned changes. He said the 190 workers receive benefits and are paid between $14 and $22 an hour, and their replacements will earn $10 to $11 an hour without benefits. Goebel said Local 688 has filed a grievance. Maryland Heights-based Schnuck Markets stated the new 915,000 square-foot distribution center opening in July in Kinloch is more efficient and will be run by a third-party logistics company.

Mizzou to close 2 more residence halls

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The University of Missouri stated it plans to close two more dorms on the Columbia campus because of a drop in residency. A decrease in the number of students requiring housing at the campus led to the decision no longer to offer space at the Respect or Excellence residence halls. The university stated it can reopen those dorms later if demand requires. The university announced in March it would close two residence halls slated for demolition ahead of schedule because of declining enrollment. The Respect and Excellence halls opened in 2004 and together house more than 300 students.

Panel to hear input on objections bill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The public has a chance to give Missouri lawmakers feedback on a proposed constitutional amendment to protect some businesses that object to same-sex marriage. The Missouri House Emerging Issues Committee today is set to hear testimony on the measure after the House breaks for the evening. The hearing is the first since Senate Democrats staged a failed filibuster against the legislation for 37 hours. Since then, some top business groups and Missouri companies have criticized the measure. The proposal would allow voters to decide whether to amend the Missouri Constitution to prohibit government penalties against those who cite religious beliefs while declining to provide wedding-related services to same-sex couples. The religious protections would apply to clergy, religious organizations and some businesses, such as florists and photographers.

State senators trim Medicaid spending

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State senators have trimmed about $28 million of Medicaid spending from a mid-year increase to Missouri's budget. The Senate appropriations committee lowered the planned funding boosts for Medicaid's hospital care, medicine and physician services. Most of the nearly $500 million supplemental budget still would go to health care for people with low incomes. The adjustment to Missouri's current $26 billion budget reflects higher health-care costs than officials estimated last year. Growing drug prices have been the biggest factor driving costs, and caseloads have increased. The state legally is required to fund Medicaid, but many Republicans say the program is growing at an unsustainable rate. The Senate's lead budget writer, Kurt Schaefer, has said Missouri needs more flexibility from the federal government to hold down costs.

-- From wire reports