State briefs 4/25/03

House panel alters nursing home bill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Nursing homes could receive millions of dollars in additional government payments under a new version of a nursing home regulatory bill.

The House Special Committee on General Laws voted Thursday to send the altered bill to the House floor for debate.

A version previously passed by the Senate sought stiffer penalties and more oversight for Missouri nursing homes. The House committee added a requirement to adjust the state's Medicaid reimbursements for nursing homes each year to keep up with inflation.

The bill now is estimated to cost more than $55 million when fully implemented in three years.

"That is a problem and we realize that," Rep. Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, said of the bill's estimated cost. "But I feel this is something we need to start looking at."

Opponents of the revised bill said the costly changes were designed to kill the legislation when it gets to the floor.

Farm Bureau president gets federal appointment

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Charles Kruse, president of the Missouri Farm Bureau, has been appointed to a two-year term on a national advisory board.

Kruse's appointment to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations was announced Thursday.

Members of the committee provide U.S. trade representatives with advice on objectives and bargaining positions before entering into a trade agreement.

The 36-member committee also provides policy advice concerning the operation of any trade agreement and other matters arising in U.S. trade policy.

Kruse, a farmer from Dexter Mo., has served on several other federal boards involved with agriculture.

Senator proposes to help budget by taxing porn, pot

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A state senator is proposing new taxes on pornography, sex shows and illegal drugs in an attempt to raise more than $5 million for the state budget.

Sen. Charlie Shields said Thursday his plan would impose an extra 5 percent gross receipts tax on pornographic materials and live performances of actual or simulated sexual activities. The bill lists activities whose depiction would constitute pornography.

Shields, R-St. Joseph, said he expected the pornography tax would raise about $5 million, but he did not have an estimate of how much the state might net by taxing marijuana and other illegal drugs.

Drug dealers would have to buy stamps as proof that they had paid the tax, to be set at $3.50 per gram of marijuana, somewhat less per raw marijuana plant and $200 per gram of all other controlled substances.

Violators would be penalized at a twice the tax they should have paid. Failure to pay the fine could result in the seizure and sale of the offender's personal property, to raise the money owed.

Nixa man charged with child endangerment

NIXA, Mo. -- Prosecutors on Thursday charged a Nixa man with child endangerment, alleging he left a noose within reach of a teenager found hanged outside the man's trailer.

John Barker, 30, was jailed on $7,000 bond after being charged in connection with the death earlier this month of Timothy Holtzclaw, 13.

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek said the noose was hanging from rafters above the porch on Barker's trailer, with a chair underneath that made it possible for children to reach the noose.

-- From wire reports