We’ve previously covered this issue:
Brett Penrose: they really do have the power…
The Cass County power plant saga continues in the Missouri House:
Posted on Thu, Apr. 10, 2008 10:15 PM
Help for Aquila advances in Missouri House
By KIT WAGAR
The Star’s Jefferson City correspondentJEFFERSON CITY | A House panel voted 6-5 Thursday to approve legislation that would let Aquila avoid dismantling the Cass County power plant it built in violation of local zoning laws.
The vote, which sends the bill to the full House, came one day after the House Special Committee on Utilities heard from a wide range of witnesses who ripped Aquila and the very idea of rewarding a company that flouted a court order against building the plant.
The winning margin was provided by Rep. Mike Parson, a Bolivar Republican, who was attending his first meeting, having been appointed to the committee late Wednesday. The position had been open all year…
[emphasis added] tiny URL
What is their actual charge?:
Special Committee on Utilities
The Special Committee on Utilities may consider and report upon bills and matters referred to it relating to the development, uses and regulation of utilities, communications and technology and the development, use and conservation of energy and other energy-related concerns, environmental impact and pollution and public health and safety as it relates to the issue of energy.
Nothing in there about being corporate lap dogs or enablers of corporate arrogance. Hmmm.
Who is on that committee?:
Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON UTILITIESCommittee Members
Emery, Edgar G. H., Chair
Kraus, Will, Vice Chair
George, Tony
Lampe, Sara
Parson, Michael
Schoeller, Shane
Skaggs, Trent
Smith, Joe
Viebrock, Jim
Walsh, Regina
Wright, Billy Pat
Zimmerman, Jake
The vote was 6-5 on party lines with the republicans voting for the retroactive “bail out” bill. That’s chair Ed Emery, Michael Parson [the “brand new” member of the committee], Shane Schoeller, Joe Smith, Jim Viebrock, Billy Pat Wright. Vice chair Will Krause, also a republican, did not vote. The Democrats voting “no” were Tony George, Sara Lampe, Trent Skaggs, Regina Walsh, and Jake Zimmerman.
Democrats George, Lampe, Skaggs, Walsh, and Zimmerman were co-sponsors of the bill.
Let’s take a look at those republicans on the committee:
Rep. Edgar G. H. Emery
94th General AssemblyRep. Ed Emery, a Republican, represents Barton and Dade counties and portions of Jasper and Polk counties (District 126) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to the House in November 2002.
In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Emery provides character education and Character First! training materials to businesses and institutions through his small business called Character Returns! He also has a small cattle operation at his home in Southwest Missouri. He previously worked as a petroleum engineer in Louisiana, Texas and New York and has done some engineering consulting since moving back to Missouri.
Rep. Emery…is a member of the Barton County Farm Bureau and Barton County Excel II.
A 1968 graduate of Nevada High School, Rep. Emery received a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1972…
Let’s see who filed to run in the 126th Legislative District:
State Representative – District 126
Republican
Ed Emery Lamar MO 2/26/2008Democratic
Linda Marie Crane Greenfield MO 3/20/2008
Let’s look at the populist club Linda Marie Crane of Greenfield, Missouri should be using in her campaign for the seat:
Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received
Committee: CITIZENS FOR ED EMERY
Report Date: 1/11/2008Missouri Public Utility Alliance Columbia, MO 65203 10/13/2007 $325.00
Aquilla Inc. Employee PAC Kansas City, MO 64105 12/19/2007 $325.00
Empire District Electric PAC Joplin, MO 64802 11/09/2007 $325.00
And, the newest member of the committee:
Rep. Michael Parson
94th General AssemblyRep. Mike Parson, a Republican, represents Polk and Cedar Counties (District 133) in the Missouri House of Representatives. Elected to the House in 2004, Rep. Parson is the former Polk County Sheriff. He served six years in the United States Army.
In addition to his legislative duties Rep. Parson is a member of the American Legion, Optimist Club, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Sheriffs Association, the Missouri Association of Counties for Budget Procedure, the U.S. Department of Justice Advisory Committee for, C.J.I.S. and the National Sheriffs Association. He has also served as a board member of the Bolivar Chamber of Commerce and he started the D.A.R.E. Scholarship for each school in Polk County. Rep. Parson and the Missouri Sheriffs Association played an important role in the passage of four law enforcement related bills in the Missouri General Assembly.
A 1973 graduate of Wheatland High School in Wheatland, Missouri, Rep. Parson attended the University of Maryland and the University of Hawaii…
Let’s see who filed to run in the 133rd Legislative District:
State Representative – District 133
Republican
Mike Parson Bolivar MO 2/26/2008
Well, no one filed to run against him. Do you now see why it’s so important to challenge these folks? It’s called accountability. Do you wonder why he got appointed to the committee? Maybe because he wouldn’t have to be held accountable to the voters for this particular vote – and he doesn’t have a challenger in either the primary or the general election.
Here’s Parson’s first quarter 2008 campaign finance filing with the Missouri Ethics Commission:
Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report
Committe[e]: PARSON FOR STATE REP9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $34,515.00
20. TOTAL ALL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE THIS ELECTION (SUM 16B + 19A) $18,395.00
28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $7,285.14
[emphasis added]
You see, when they’re not challenged they spread that money around to everyone else in their party.
Rep. Shane Schoeller
94th General AssemblyRep. Shane Schoeller, a Republican, represents North Springfield and the communities of Walnut Grove, Fair Grove and Willard in the Northern half of Greene County (District 139) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to the House in November 2006.
Shane’s professional background encompasses working on behalf of the Home Builder Association of Greater Springfield as the Director of Government Affairs, Director of Development for Student
s in Free Enterprise a global, non-profit organization based on more than 1700 campuses across the world that teaches students the principles of free enterprise. He also has worked as a field representative for Senators John Ashcroft and Kit Bond; a legislative assistant for Congressman Roy Blunt and Chief Administrative Aide to Governor Matt Blunt during his time as Secretary of State.Rep. Schoeller is a member of… [the] Willard Chamber of Commerce and board member of Clear Vision Drama Company.
Rep. Schoeller graduated from Branson High School and received his B.S. from Southwest Baptist University…
Let’s see who filed to run in the 139th Legislative District:
State Representative – District 139
Republican
Shane Schoeller Willard MO 2/26/2008Democratic
Janet Adams Willard MO 3/25/2008
And, we’ve previously discussed Shane Schoeller’s campaign contributions:
Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received
Committee: FRIENDS OF SHANE SCHOELLER
Report Date: 1/15/2008Aquila Inc Employee Federal PAC KC MO 64105 11/27/2007 $325.00
KCP & L Power Pac-MO KC MO 64141 10/16/2007 $325.00
MO Energy Development Assn PAC Jefferson City MO 65101 10/26/2007 $325.00
MO Assn of Municipal Utilities Columbia MO 65203 10/19/2007 $325.00
The Empire District Electric Co Joplin MO 64802 10/25/2007 $325.00
Janet Adams of Willard, Missouri you’ve just met one of your campaign issues.
Rep. Joe Smith
94th General AssemblyRep. Joe Smith, a Republican, represents part of St. Charles County, including the cities of Weldon Spring and St. Peters, (District 14) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was first elected to the House in November 2002.
In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Smith was a driver for UPS for 11 ½ years. He is an Account Representative in the business office at Lindenwood University…He is a member of the St. Peters Chamber of Commerce and the St. Charles City Chamber of Commerce. Rep. Smith also is a member of the St. Charles County Pachyderm club and the St. Charles County Young Republicans.
A 1991 graduate of Francis Howell Senior High School, Rep. Smith received an associate of arts degree in general studies from St. Charles County Community College in 1998 and a degree in corporate communications from Lindenwood University in 2000, where he graduated cum laude. Rep. Smith currently is a candidate for a Masters in Arts in Human Service Agency Management…
Let’s see who filed to run in the 14th Legislative District:
State Representative – District 14
Republican
Joe Smith St. Charles MO 2/26/2008Democratic
Douglas R. Broste St. Peters MO 3/24/2008
Douglas Broste of St. Peters, Missouri, meet one of your campaign issues:
Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received
Committee: CITIZENS FOR JOE SMITH
Report Date: 1/15/2008Missouri Association of Municipal Utilities Columbia MO 11/16/2007 $325.00
Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received
Committee: CITIZENS FOR JOE SMITH
Report Date: 10/30/2006KCP&L Power PAC – Missouri KC MO 09/22/2006 $325.00
Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received
Committee: CITIZENS FOR JOE SMITH
Report Date: 1/17/2006Ameren UE PAC Jeff City MO 2/09/2005 $300.00
And another one of the “safe” seats in the 2008 election:
Rep. Jim Viebrock
94th General AssemblyRep. James Viebrock, a Republican, represents part of Greene County (District 134) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to the House in November 2002.
In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Viebrock is a real estate owner and developer. He previously spent 21 years in the horticulture business growing trees and shrubs.
A 1985 graduate of Republic R-III High School, Rep. Viebrock attended Southwest Missouri State University…
Let’s see who filed to run in the 134th Legislative District:
State Representative – District 134
Republican
Jim Viebrock Republic MO 2/26/2008Mark Stuppy Brookline Station MO 2/26/2008
Nope, no Democrat filed. But he does have a primary. And yes, he does accept utility contributions [pdf].
Rep. Billy Pat Wright
94th General AssemblyRep. Billy Pat Wright, a Republican, represents part of Stoddard, Cape Girardeau and Wayne Counties (District 159) in the Missouri House of Representatives. Elected to the House in 2004, Rep. Wright is a retired Southwestern Bell Telephone Company real estate agent and rancher.
Rep. Wright is a member of the Dexter Rotary Club, the Telephone Pioneers of America, and the Masonic Lodge of Dexter and Missouri Cattlemen’s Association…
Throughout his career, Rep. Wright has been awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award by the Dexter Rotary Club and served as President of the Cotton Club of the Telephone Pioneers of America. He also participated in the AT&T 1984 Olympic Torch relay in Missouri as a racerunner.
A 1957 graduate of Marmaduke High School in Marmaduke, Arkansas, Rep. Wright received a Bachelor of Arts degree from National University in 1985…
And finally, let’s see who filed in the 159th Legislative District:
State Representative – District 159
Republican
Billy Pat Wright Dexter MO 2/26/2008Democratic
Bill Burlison Advance MO 3/14/2008
Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received
Committee: WRIGHT FOR MISSOURI 2008
Report Date: 7/11/2007AMECPAC P O Box 1645 Jefferson City, MO 65102 05/30/2007 $300.00
Bill Burlison of Advance, Missouri, again, there’s your populist club for this upcoming election.