Rudi Keller
@rudikellermi.bsky.social
Deputy editor at Missouri Independent; former news editor at Columbia Daily Tribune. I also write Civil War history.
The #moleg committee studying property taxes holds its final hearing away from the Capitol tomorrow night in Macon. In my latest Rudi 'splains it, a look at the factors controlling property tax rates
missouriindependent.com/2025/08/26/r...
missouriindependent.com/2025/08/26/r...
Rudi ’splains it: Missouri property tax rates and how they are set • Missouri Independent
Rising property values are pushing Missouri lawmakers to dig into property tax levies. Here's a primer on how rates are set.
missouriindependent.com
August 26, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The #moleg committee studying property taxes holds its final hearing away from the Capitol tomorrow night in Macon. In my latest Rudi 'splains it, a look at the factors controlling property tax rates
missouriindependent.com/2025/08/26/r...
missouriindependent.com/2025/08/26/r...
Missouri “is IN” for redrawing the state’s congressional districts in a special legislative session, President Donald Trump proclaimed Thursday on his social media platform.
#moleg #redistricting
missouriindependent.com/2025/08/21/m...
#moleg #redistricting
missouriindependent.com/2025/08/21/m...
Trump says Missouri will revise congressional districts to favor Republicans • Missouri Independent
Missouri "is IN" for redrawing the state's congressional districts, President Donald Trump proclaimed Thursday on social media.
missouriindependent.com
August 21, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Missouri “is IN” for redrawing the state’s congressional districts in a special legislative session, President Donald Trump proclaimed Thursday on his social media platform.
#moleg #redistricting
missouriindependent.com/2025/08/21/m...
#moleg #redistricting
missouriindependent.com/2025/08/21/m...
When Deandre Pointer was re-sentenced in 2023 to 23 years, he thought it meant he was going home after 20 years in a Missouri prison. Instead, he was told he would have to serve 21 more years. #moleg #mogov
missouriindependent.com/2025/08/08/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/08/08/m...
Missouri math: How a 23-year sentence adds up to more than 40 years in prison • Missouri Independent
A man being held in a Missouri prison received a 23-year sentence when his case was reviewed by the courts but must serve 40 years.
missouriindependent.com
August 8, 2025 at 3:48 PM
When Deandre Pointer was re-sentenced in 2023 to 23 years, he thought it meant he was going home after 20 years in a Missouri prison. Instead, he was told he would have to serve 21 more years. #moleg #mogov
missouriindependent.com/2025/08/08/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/08/08/m...
Reposted by Rudi Keller
The grand jury indictment, secured by Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office acting as special prosecutor, accuses St. Louis County Executive Sam Page of spending public funds on a flyer and direct mail postcard for the vote on a proposal that would have curbed his power. #moleg #mogov
Grand jury indicts top Democrat in St. Louis County government on felony charges • Missouri Independent
Sam Page, the top elected official in Missouri’s largest county, was indicted on four criminal charges, accused of misusing public money.
missouriindependent.com
July 30, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Reposted by Rudi Keller
Trump White House pressing Missouri Republicans to redraw congressional map
Missouri House Speaker pro Tem Chad Perkins said Trump staffers called him after The Independent published his negative comments about the idea. #moleg #mogov via
@rudikellermi.bsky.social
Missouri House Speaker pro Tem Chad Perkins said Trump staffers called him after The Independent published his negative comments about the idea. #moleg #mogov via
@rudikellermi.bsky.social
Trump White House pressing Missouri Republicans to redraw congressional map • Missouri Independent
The Trump White House is ratcheting up pressure on Missouri Republicans for a new round of Congressional redistricting to favor the GOP.
missouriindependent.com
July 25, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Trump White House pressing Missouri Republicans to redraw congressional map
Missouri House Speaker pro Tem Chad Perkins said Trump staffers called him after The Independent published his negative comments about the idea. #moleg #mogov via
@rudikellermi.bsky.social
Missouri House Speaker pro Tem Chad Perkins said Trump staffers called him after The Independent published his negative comments about the idea. #moleg #mogov via
@rudikellermi.bsky.social
There are political and constitutional obstacles to drawing a new Congressional district map for Missouri...not the least is avoiding another factional fight in #moleg
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/24/w...
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/24/w...
'We've already done that': Missouri lawmakers show little enthusiasm for new congressional maps • Missouri Independent
Missouri legislative leaders aren't ready to redo Congressional redistricting, an idea being pushed by President Trump to gain a GOP seat.
missouriindependent.com
July 24, 2025 at 10:30 PM
There are political and constitutional obstacles to drawing a new Congressional district map for Missouri...not the least is avoiding another factional fight in #moleg
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/24/w...
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/24/w...
Missouri workers who started accruing paid sick leave on May 1 will lose it Aug. 28 under legislation signed Thursday by Gov. Mike Kehoe. #moleg
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/10/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/10/m...
Missouri Gov. Kehoe signs bill repealing paid sick leave • Missouri Independent
Missouri workers who started accruing paid sick leave on May 1 will lose it Aug. 28 under legislation signed Thursday by Gov. Mike Kehoe.
missouriindependent.com
July 10, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Missouri workers who started accruing paid sick leave on May 1 will lose it Aug. 28 under legislation signed Thursday by Gov. Mike Kehoe. #moleg
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/10/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/10/m...
There could be more retired teachers returning as substitutes and more home-schooled students participating in sports and other activities, thanks to a stack of bipartisan education bills signed Wednesday by Gov. Mike Kehoe. via @anneliseh.bsky.social #moleg
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
Missouri Governor signs bipartisan education legislation into law • Missouri Independent
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signs bipartisan education into law, including a ban on cell phones during the school day.
missouriindependent.com
July 9, 2025 at 8:39 PM
There could be more retired teachers returning as substitutes and more home-schooled students participating in sports and other activities, thanks to a stack of bipartisan education bills signed Wednesday by Gov. Mike Kehoe. via @anneliseh.bsky.social #moleg
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
Older children in foster care would have their own attorneys and a commission will study how to improve legal representation throughout the foster care system under a bill signed Wednesday by Gov. Mike Kehoe. via @clarabates.bsky.social #moleg
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
Missouri bill designed to bolster family legal defense signed into law • Missouri Independent
Older children in foster care would have attorneys and a commission will study legal representation in Missouri's foster care system.
missouriindependent.com
July 9, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Older children in foster care would have their own attorneys and a commission will study how to improve legal representation throughout the foster care system under a bill signed Wednesday by Gov. Mike Kehoe. via @clarabates.bsky.social #moleg
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
After Aug. 28, Missouri will end the state’s longstanding practice of seizing foster children’s Social Security benefits to cover the cost of foster care. via @clarabates.bsky.social #moleg
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
Missouri governor signs bill banning state from seizing foster kids’ benefits • Missouri Independent
After Aug. 28, Missouri will end the state’s longstanding practice of seizing foster children’s benefits to cover the cost of foster care.
missouriindependent.com
July 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
After Aug. 28, Missouri will end the state’s longstanding practice of seizing foster children’s Social Security benefits to cover the cost of foster care. via @clarabates.bsky.social #moleg
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
MU Health Care confirmed Tuesday that it is reviewing a new offer from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield that could restore insurance coverage to an estimated 90,000 Missourians.
via Columbia Missourian
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
via Columbia Missourian
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
MU Health Care mulls new coverage offer from Anthem • Missouri Independent
MU Health Care is reviewing an offer from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield that could restore coverage to an estimated 90,000 people.
missouriindependent.com
July 9, 2025 at 2:30 PM
MU Health Care confirmed Tuesday that it is reviewing a new offer from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield that could restore insurance coverage to an estimated 90,000 Missourians.
via Columbia Missourian
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
via Columbia Missourian
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/09/m...
ICYMI: ‘In the sun’: St. Louis radioactive waste activists find hope in new federal law
The budget bill passed in Congress included U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley’s language extending compensation for radiation-caused cancers to Missouri, New Mexico & six other states
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/08/i...
The budget bill passed in Congress included U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley’s language extending compensation for radiation-caused cancers to Missouri, New Mexico & six other states
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/08/i...
'In the sun': St. Louis radioactive waste activists find hope in new federal law • Missouri Independent
Sen. Josh Hawley got the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act expanded in the federal budget bill, bringing help to Missouri and seven other states.
missouriindependent.com
July 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM
ICYMI: ‘In the sun’: St. Louis radioactive waste activists find hope in new federal law
The budget bill passed in Congress included U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley’s language extending compensation for radiation-caused cancers to Missouri, New Mexico & six other states
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/08/i...
The budget bill passed in Congress included U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley’s language extending compensation for radiation-caused cancers to Missouri, New Mexico & six other states
missouriindependent.com/2025/07/08/i...
Reposted by Rudi Keller
Missouri or Kansas? Business leaders don’t care as long as Chiefs and Royals stay near KC | via @rudikellermi.bsky.social #ksleg
Missouri or Kansas? Business leaders don’t care as long as Chiefs and Royals stay near KC • Kansas Reflector
Kansas City regional business leaders don’t care whether the Chiefs or the Royals play in Missouri or Kansas as long as they don’t leave the metropolitan area.
kansasreflector.com
June 26, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Missouri or Kansas? Business leaders don’t care as long as Chiefs and Royals stay near KC | via @rudikellermi.bsky.social #ksleg
Reposted by Rudi Keller
Missouri or Kansas? Business leaders don’t care as long as Chiefs and Royals stay near Kansas City #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Missouri or Kansas? Business leaders don’t care as long as Chiefs and Royals stay near KC • Missouri Independent
Kansas City regional business leaders don’t care where the Chiefs or the Royals play as long as they don’t leave the metro area.
missouriindependent.com
June 26, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Missouri or Kansas? Business leaders don’t care as long as Chiefs and Royals stay near Kansas City #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Reposted by Rudi Keller
“Does the regional business and civic community have a preference for which side of the state line or which specific location the teams land? No. As long as the teams land within the KC region, we’re going to support their decision, full stop.” #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Missouri or Kansas? Business leaders don’t care as long as Chiefs and Royals stay near KC • Missouri Independent
Kansas City regional business leaders don’t care where the Chiefs or the Royals play as long as they don’t leave the metro area.
missouriindependent.com
June 26, 2025 at 12:13 PM
“Does the regional business and civic community have a preference for which side of the state line or which specific location the teams land? No. As long as the teams land within the KC region, we’re going to support their decision, full stop.” #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
In the 1870s, Missouri taxes for railroad debt were more than all of state government. A new Constitution in 1875 banned aid to private interests so no future #moleg would fall for "this delusive talk, to this cuckoo song" of economic development promoters
missouriindependent.com/2025/06/13/r...
missouriindependent.com/2025/06/13/r...
Rudi ’splains it: How Kansas City stadium funding clears state constitutional hurdles • Missouri Independent
The 19th century default on Missouri railroad bonds led to a ban on state funds for private enterprise, raising questions about stadium funding plans.
missouriindependent.com
June 13, 2025 at 3:58 PM
In the 1870s, Missouri taxes for railroad debt were more than all of state government. A new Constitution in 1875 banned aid to private interests so no future #moleg would fall for "this delusive talk, to this cuckoo song" of economic development promoters
missouriindependent.com/2025/06/13/r...
missouriindependent.com/2025/06/13/r...
Reposted by Rudi Keller
Since 1875, the Missouri Constitution has banned state or local governments from granting public money or credit for the benefit of private interests. How does the stadium bill passed this week get around that prohibition?
@rudikellermi.bsky.social 'splains it. #moleg #mogov
@rudikellermi.bsky.social 'splains it. #moleg #mogov
Rudi ’splains it: How Kansas City stadium funding clears state constitutional hurdles • Missouri Independent
The 19th century default on Missouri railroad bonds led to a ban on state funds for private enterprise, raising questions about stadium funding plans.
missouriindependent.com
June 13, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Since 1875, the Missouri Constitution has banned state or local governments from granting public money or credit for the benefit of private interests. How does the stadium bill passed this week get around that prohibition?
@rudikellermi.bsky.social 'splains it. #moleg #mogov
@rudikellermi.bsky.social 'splains it. #moleg #mogov
FEMA response to Missouri disasters is much slower under President Trump than any other administration over the last 15 years
#moleg #disaster
missouriindependent.com/2025/06/04/s...
#moleg #disaster
missouriindependent.com/2025/06/04/s...
St. Louis waits for aid as FEMA response to Missouri disasters is slowest in 15 years • Missouri Independent
Federal disaster response has slowed under President Donald Trump, leaving Missouri waiting for help after the May 16 tornado in St. Louis.
missouriindependent.com
June 4, 2025 at 10:31 PM
FEMA response to Missouri disasters is much slower under President Trump than any other administration over the last 15 years
#moleg #disaster
missouriindependent.com/2025/06/04/s...
#moleg #disaster
missouriindependent.com/2025/06/04/s...
Reposted by Rudi Keller
Missouri lawmakers return to work this week to tackle tax breaks for sports stadiums against a backdrop of sluggish revenues and a declining budget surplus. #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Proposed federal tax changes could mean $170M or more cut to Missouri state revenues • Missouri Independent
An analysis of the budget bill backed by Congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump shows it would also cut Missouri state revenues.
missouriindependent.com
June 2, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Missouri lawmakers return to work this week to tackle tax breaks for sports stadiums against a backdrop of sluggish revenues and a declining budget surplus. #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Reposted by Rudi Keller
Proposed federal tax changes could mean $170M or more cut to Missouri state revenues #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Proposed federal tax changes could mean $170M or more cut to Missouri state revenues • Missouri Independent
An analysis of the budget bill backed by Congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump shows it would also cut Missouri state revenues.
missouriindependent.com
June 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Proposed federal tax changes could mean $170M or more cut to Missouri state revenues #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Reposted by Rudi Keller
Failure of Missouri construction budget bill shocks communities, enrages state Senate #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Failure of Missouri construction budget bill shocks communities, enrages state Senate • Missouri Independent
Missouri House Republicans' decision to kill a construction spending bill sent communities in shock and created a rift with the state Senate.
missouriindependent.com
May 13, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Failure of Missouri construction budget bill shocks communities, enrages state Senate #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Reposted by Rudi Keller
Lawmakers negotiating Missouri budget add $300M to public schools spending #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Lawmakers negotiating Missouri budget add $300M to public schools spending • Missouri Independent
Missouri's public schools would be fully funded, legislative budget negotiators decided Wednesday night as they worked through spending bills.
missouriindependent.com
May 8, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Lawmakers negotiating Missouri budget add $300M to public schools spending #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Reposted by Rudi Keller
The change, which was added by the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee without any public debate, would open the door for lottery courier services — companies that charge fees to buy lottery tickets on behalf of customers. #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Push to allow online lottery ticket sales in Missouri adds new issue to budget talks • Missouri Independent
A provision tucked into the Missouri budget to allow online purchase of lottery tickets through couriers set off a flurry of lobbying.
missouriindependent.com
May 6, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The change, which was added by the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee without any public debate, would open the door for lottery courier services — companies that charge fees to buy lottery tickets on behalf of customers. #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Reposted by Rudi Keller
Missouri House Republicans muscled their biggest tax-cut priority of the year across the finish line on Wednesday, sending a bill exempting capital gains from income tax to Gov. Mike Kehoe. #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Missouri bill exempting capital gains from income tax sent to governor • Missouri Independent
Missouri House Republicans on Wednesday sent a top-priority bill exempting capital gains from income tax to Gov. Mike Kehoe.
missouriindependent.com
May 7, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Missouri House Republicans muscled their biggest tax-cut priority of the year across the finish line on Wednesday, sending a bill exempting capital gains from income tax to Gov. Mike Kehoe. #moleg #mogov via @rudikellermi.bsky.social
Reposted by Rudi Keller
In the week since a teen mom in foster care went public about her struggles with Missouri’s social services agency to keep her baby, she’s faced renewed threats of being separated from her 9-week-old daughter. #moleg #mogov
‘Really horrifying’: Missouri draws scorn over treatment of teen mom in foster care • Missouri Independent
The story of a Missouri foster teen fighting to stay with her baby highlights systemic issues lawmakers say they've spent years trying to fix.
missouriindependent.com
May 5, 2025 at 12:04 PM