Latest news with #Puett
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Missouri eyes free college tuition for public safety personnel and dependents
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — New legislation headed for the governor's desk would provide free tuition in Missouri for a wide-range of public safety personnel if approved, a new tool designed to address staffing shortages and boost recruitment. Senate Bill 71, sponsored by Sen. David Gregory, R-St. Louis, would provide college tuition awards for public safety personnel such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, telecommunicators, first responders, emergency medical technicians or advanced emergency medical technicians. Public safety personnel with at least six years of service shall be entitled to an award worth up to 100% of the resident tuition charges, including fees, for an institution of higher education located in Missouri. The legal dependent of public safety personnel with at least ten years of service is also eligible for a tuition award if he or she executes an agreement with the institution of higher education outlining the terms and conditions of the tuition award, including the legal dependent's commitment to reside in Missouri for the next five years. Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett called the measure a new and innovative" tool that would not only benefit public safety personnel and the departments they work for, but the communities they serve by offering new ways to recruit and retain valuable officers in Missouri. "This is a good hand in glove kind of concept because the more we train, the more we educate our staff, the better they serve the community," he said. "It's a win-win. It keeps our folks here in the state of Missouri and it allows our universities that have really quality programs to continue to prosper." Puett said the measure would focus on degree programs designed specifically for public safety and public safety-oriented fields. Individuals who have already earned a baccalaureate degree are ineligible to use the tuition award to earn another degree. The measure passed both the Missouri House and Senate this legislative session and now awaits approval from Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe. The governor has identified fighting crime and enhancing public safety as a top priority. "Kudos to the governor, Department of Public Safety and the legislature because the governor came in with a law enforcement priority and he is holding true to those values," Puett said. "This is one of the planks in that effort to recruit and retain good law enforcement officers for our state. Puett said if the measure is ultimately approved, the department would look to utilize it immediately, helping them save local tax dollars that are currently used for tuition assistance. According to a fiscal analysis, the measure would lead to a decrease of roughly $3.4 million in general revenue funding. Four St. Joseph Police officers talk at the scene of a shooting at 16th and Grand streets in 2024 in St. Joseph. Cameron Montemayor | News-Press NOW
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Missouri eyes free college tuition for public safety personnel and dependents
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — New legislation headed for the governor's desk would provide free tuition in Missouri for a wide-range of public safety personnel if approved, a new tool designed to address staffing shortages and boost recruitment. Senate Bill 71, sponsored by Sen. David Gregory, R-St. Louis, would provide college tuition awards for public safety personnel such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, telecommunicators, first responders, emergency medical technicians or advanced emergency medical technicians. Public safety personnel with at least six years of service shall be entitled to an award worth up to 100% of the resident tuition charges, including fees, for an institution of higher education located in Missouri. The legal dependent of public safety personnel with at least ten years of service is also eligible for a tuition award if he or she executes an agreement with the institution of higher education outlining the terms and conditions of the tuition award, including the legal dependent's commitment to reside in Missouri for the next five years. Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett called the measure a new and innovative" tool that would not only benefit public safety personnel and the departments they work for, but the communities they serve by offering new ways to recruit and retain valuable officers in Missouri. "This is a good hand in glove kind of concept because the more we train, the more we educate our staff, the better they serve the community," he said. "It's a win-win. It keeps our folks here in the state of Missouri and it allows our universities that have really quality programs to continue to prosper." Puett said the measure would focus on degree programs designed specifically for public safety and public safety-oriented fields. Individuals who have already earned a baccalaureate degree are ineligible to use the tuition award to earn another degree. The measure passed both the Missouri House and Senate this legislative session and now awaits approval from Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe. The governor has identified fighting crime and enhancing public safety as a top priority. "Kudos to the governor, Department of Public Safety and the legislature because the governor came in with a law enforcement priority and he is holding true to those values," Puett said. "This is one of the planks in that effort to recruit and retain good law enforcement officers for our state. Puett said if the measure is ultimately approved, the department would look to utilize it immediately, helping them save local tax dollars that are currently used for tuition assistance. According to a fiscal analysis, the measure would lead to a decrease of roughly $3.4 million in general revenue funding. Four St. Joseph Police officers talk at the scene of a shooting at 16th and Grand streets in 2024 in St. Joseph. Cameron Montemayor | News-Press NOW
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Missouri's Truth-in-Sentencing Laws Stall in Legislation
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Truth-in-Sentencing laws require people to serve a certain percentage of their sentence behind bars. In the past few years, Missouri has seen several bills related to Truth-in-Sentencing, some aiming to strengthen these laws and others focusing on reducing incarceration periods. Despite stalled bills and mixed opinions on whether longer sentences improve public safety, the Buchanan County Sheriff says they still support keeping the policy in place locally to keep criminals off the streets. 'When a judge says, 'I'm giving you X sentence,' then that's what should be served—not just a fraction of it,' said Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett. 'It's just not fair to the victims.' Opponents argue that Truth-in-Sentencing laws could increase prison populations and limit opportunities for rehabilitation or early release based on good behavior, while Missouri HB 728 seeks to establish programs that allow offenders to earn 50 or more days of good time credit. Additionally, some also argue that longer jail and prison sentences fail to deter crime or enhance public safety. 'It's important to consider circumstances from all angles,' said Puett. 'Simply put, when criminals are incarcerated, they can't commit crimes. While others may still be committing crimes, those in jail or prison are held accountable and no longer able to offend.' Puett also emphasized the importance of criminals serving their full sentence, particularly in cases involving violent or abusive partners. Missouri HB 862, which focuses on Truth-in-Sentencing, would require offenders with one or two prior felony convictions to serve 50% of their sentence, and those with three or more to serve 80%, keeping them incarcerated much longer. While these bills show little promise in the legislature, Puett says the Buchanan County jail will continue housing criminals as long as possible. Historically, when someone's sentenced to county jail, they serve most of their time,' Puett said. 'It's usually the full sentence or around 75%. Compared to prison, people in county jail tend to serve more of what the judge actually gave them and again, the importance in this is holding them accountable.'
