Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (r): ….The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president….

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administers the oath of office to President Barack Obama during the official swearing-in ceremony in the Blue Room of the White House on Inauguration Day, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. First Lady Michelle Obama, holding the Robinson family Bible, along with daughters Malia and Sasha, stand with the President. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

That would be a spectacular fail on the part of obstructionist republicans. Good for us.

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C001135 01/20/2013 A BETTER MISSOURI WITH GOVERNOR JAY NIXON JE Dunn Construction Company 1001 Locust Street Kansas City MO 64106 1/18/2013 $10,000.00

C001135 01/20/2013 A BETTER MISSOURI WITH GOVERNOR JAY NIXON Aetna, Inc. 151 Farmington Avenue Hartford CT 06156 1/18/2013 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]]

That’s $210,000.00 in three weeks. What else is new?

Campaign Finance: tell us, already… (January 18, 2013)

Campaign Finance: we’ve got the power (January 15, 2013)

Campaign Finance: oh, they see (January 13, 2012)

Campaign Finance: Who’s next? (January 11, 2012)

Campaign Finance: jumping on that bandwagon to who knows where (January 6, 2013)

Campaign Finance: it’s not a Hemi (January 2, 2013)

Campaign Finance: dialing for dollars (December 30, 2012)

Campaign Finance: no difference, then? (December 23, 2012)

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

CONTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $5,000.00 RECEIVED BY ANY COMMITTEE FROM ANY

SINGLE DONOR – TO BE FILED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF RECEIVING THE CONTRIBUTION

C031159 MISSOURIANS FOR KOSTER [pdf] 1/19/2013

William F McGeehan

114 E. Main Street Apt. C

Sedalia, MO 65301

McDonald’s Licensee

1/17/2013

$25,000.00

William F McGeehan

114 E. Main Street Apt. C

Sedalia, MO 65301

McDonald’s Licensee

1/17/2013

$25,000.00

[emphasis added]

The report lists two separate contributions.

Isn’t this special?:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 224

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES BERRY (Sponsor), KELLEY (127), SHULL, NETH, WILSON, LAUER, CIERPIOT, BROWN, WIELAND, LANT, SOLON, FREDERICK, SWEARINGEN, MCNEIL, MUNTZEL, LOVE, DAVIS, WHITE, CRAWFORD, WOOD, REIBOLDT, ROWDEN, CURTMAN, RICHARDSON AND HOUGHTON (Co-sponsors).

0597L.02I     D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 171, RSMo, by adding thereto three new sections relating to school bus advertisements.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

           Section A. Chapter 171, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto three new sections, to be known as sections 171.400, 171.402, and 171.404, to read as follows:

           171.400. 1. The state board of education shall promulgate rules and regulations authorizing local school boards to lease advertising space on the interior and exterior of school buses. The regulations shall include provisions that:

           (1) Prohibit advertising that contains obscenity, sexual material, gambling, tobacco products, alcohol, political campaigns or causes, public advocacy or lobbying regarding any matters before the legislature or any state agency or governing authority of any local, state or federal political division, or religion;

           (2) Prohibit advertising that promotes the use of drugs or any illegal activity or antisocial behavior;

           (3) Prohibit advertising that contains general content that is harmful, discriminatory, false, misleading or deceptive, not age appropriate or otherwise appropriate for school buses, as determined by the school board of a local school district; and

           (4) Prohibit advertising containing an endorsement, whether actual or implied, by a school district for a product or service.

           2. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2013, shall be invalid and void.

           171.402. 1. The school board of a local school district, in its discretion, may adopt a policy for advertising on the school buses operated in the district, which policy shall comply with the rules and regulations adopted by the state board of education under section 171.400.

           2. All school bus private owners that have legal title to school buses used and operated pursuant to an existing bus service contract with a school district may lease space on their school buses to the school district for the purpose of selling commercial advertisements. In exchange for leasing the space, the school bus owner-operators shall receive ten percent of the total value of the amount of the contract between the school district and the commercial advertiser.

           3. A school district may solicit offers from commercial advertisers for the use of space on the school buses that services its school district. The school district may enter into a lease agreement with a commercial advertiser for the use of any designated advertising space on a school bus that services the school district.

           4. Any contract for advertising shall include the time schedule permitted for placement and removal of the advertisement, the term of the agreement, the rental amount, and the signatures of authorized parties. Such advertising agreements shall be kept on file for a period of five years from the expiration date of the advertisement contract.

           5. In a lease agreement with a commercial advertiser, the school district shall establish the rental amount, schedule, and term. The term of any lease agreement shall not be for a period longer than the time remaining on the school district’s bus service contract with a school bus operator who owns the bus that is the subject of the lease agreement.

           6. A school district shall not enter into a lease agreement with a commercial advertiser that seeks to display an advertisement prohibited by local school board guidelines or section 171.400.

           171.404. 1. All school bus advertisements shall be painted or affixed by decal on a school bus in a manner that does not interfere with state and federal requirements for school bus markings, lights, signs, emergency exits, service doors, windows, and the ventilation area of rear engines.

           2. The commercial advertiser that contracts with the school district for the use of the space for advertising shall be required to pay the cost of placing an advertisement on a bus and for the removal of the advertisement upon expiration of the term of the contract.

           3. No advertisements shall be placed on the front or rear of the school bus.

           4. The amount of space permitted for commercial advertisements on the exterior portion of a school bus shall be limited to eighteen inches from the rearmost portion of the bus and six inches from the window base line, service door or doors, wheel well opening, required lettering, or bus body reflectors. Advertisements will be permitted above the window drip rail leading toward the roof of the school bus.

           5. The amount of space permitted for commercial advertisements on the interior portion of school buses shall be limited to the area above every other window, not to exceed twenty-four inches wide by twelve inches in height. Interior advertisements shall be limited to health and safety-related messages.

[emphasis in original]

You think they’ll run gun ads? Just asking.

The January 19, 2013 weekly address from President Obama:

The transcript:

Weekly Address: Now Is The Time to Take Action Against Gun Violence

Hi, everybody. This week, I announced a series of concrete steps we should take to protect our children and our communities from gun violence.

These proposals grew out of meetings Vice President Biden and his task force held over the last month with more than 200 different groups – from parents and teachers; to law enforcement and sportsmen; to religious leaders and mental health professionals.

And in the weeks ahead, I will do everything in my power to make them a reality. Because while we may not be able to prevent every senseless act of violence in this country, if there is even one thing we can do to reduce it – if even one life can be saved – we’ve got an obligation to try.

My administration is taking a series of actions right away – from strengthening our background check system, to helping schools hire more resource officers if they want them, to directing the Centers for Disease Control to study the best ways to reduce gun violence.

But the truth is, making a real and lasting difference also requires Congress to act – and act soon.

First, it’s time for Congress to require a universal background check for anyone trying to buy a gun. The law already requires licensed gun dealers to perform these checks, but as many as 40% of all gun purchases are conducted without one. That’s not safe, it’s not smart, and it’s not fair to responsible gun buyers or sellers. An overwhelming majority of Americans agree that anyone trying to buy a gun should at least have to prove they’re not a felon, or someone legally prohibited from owning one. That’s just common sense.

Second, Congress should restore a ban on military-style assault weapons, and a 10-round limit for magazines. Many assault rifles, when combined with high-capacity magazines, have one purpose and one purpose only: to fire as many bullets as possible as quickly as possible. These weapons have no place in our communities. And a majority of the American people agree with me.

Finally, Congress needs to make it easier, rather than harder, for law enforcement to do its job. We should get tougher on people who buy guns only to turn around and sell them to criminals. And at a time when many communities have been forced to make cuts to their police force, we should put more cops back on the job and back on the street.

Like most Americans, I believe the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to bear arms. We have a strong tradition of gun ownership in this country, and the vast majority of gun owners act responsibly.

But I also believe most gun owners agree that we can respect the Second Amendment while keeping an irresponsible, law-breaking few from causing harm on a massive scale. That’s what these reforms are designed to do.

None of this will be easy. Already, we’re seeing pundits, politicians, and special-interest lobbyists calling any attempt at commonsense reform an all-out assault on liberty – not because that’s true, but because that’s how they get higher ratings and make more money. And behind the scenes, they’re doing everything they can to protect the status quo.

But this time, it can’t be up to them. It’s got to be up to you. If, like me, you want this time to be different, then I need your help to make it different. Ask your Member of Congress if they support universal background checks and renewing a ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.  And if the answer is no, ask them why not. Ask them why an A-grade from the gun lobby is more important than keeping kids safe in a first grade classroom.

Since the tragedy in Newtown, I’ve gotten letters from all over the country – including many from our young people. One of them was from 8-year-old Rachel, who lives in Brooklyn, New York. She wrote: “Please do something so that bad people cannot get guns to kill other people. Children should be safe, especially in school.”

Rachel is counting on us. Let’s get this done for her, and let’s make this country a safer place for all our children to learn and grow.

Thanks, and have a great weekend.

In the United States Constitution:

Amendment XXVII

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

Today, via Twitter:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

It’s time to get serious about getting our fiscal house in order. #NoBudgetNoPay is what I am going to support. 9:50 AM – 18 Jan 13

Evidently reading comprehension isn’t a strong suit.

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C001135 01/18/2013 A BETTER MISSOURI WITH GOVERNOR JAY NIXON Archer Daniels Midland Company PO Box 1470 Decatur IL 62525 1/16/2013 $10,000.00

C001135 01/18/2013 A BETTER MISSOURI WITH GOVERNOR JAY NIXON Burns & McDonnell PO Box 419173 Kansas City MO 64141 1/16/2013 $25,000.00

C001135 01/18/2013 A BETTER MISSOURI WITH GOVERNOR JAY NIXON Bridgeway Health Solutions Arizona, LLC 7711 Carondelet Avenue Suite 800 Saint Louis MO 63105 1/16/2013 $20,000.00

[emphasis added]

Yawn. The suspense is killing us.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: we’ve got the power (January 15, 2013)

Campaign Finance: oh, they see (January 13, 2012)

Campaign Finance: Who’s next? (January 11, 2012)

Campaign Finance: jumping on that bandwagon to who knows where (January 6, 2013)

Campaign Finance: it’s not a Hemi (January 2, 2013)

Campaign Finance: dialing for dollars (December 30, 2012)

Campaign Finance: no difference, then? (December 23, 2012)  

And the past result hasn’t been particularly rational.

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C091068 01/18/2013 HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE INC Friends Of Todd Richardson PO Box 1226 Poplar Bluff MO 63902 1/17/2013 $10,000.00

C091068 01/18/2013 HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE INC Drury Development Corporation 721 Emerson Road Suite 200 St Louis MO 63141 1/17/2013 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

They’ll always have all the money they need.

From Representative Chrissy Sommer (r), a bill filed on January 16th:

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 181

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES SOMMER (Sponsor), SPENCER, FITZPATRICK AND FRANKLIN (Co-sponsors).

0820L.01I        D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 21, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to states rights to limit the commerce clause from controlling goods produced or manufactured in Missouri.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

           Section A. Chapter 21, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 21.950, to read as follows:

           21.950. 1. This section shall be called and may be known as the “Intrastate Commerce Act”.

           2. The general assembly declares that the authority for this section is the following:

           (1) Amendment X of the Constitution of the United States codifies in law that the only powers which the federal government may exercise are those that have been delegated to it in the Constitution;

           (2) Amendment IX of the Constitution of the United States guarantees to the people rights not enumerated in the Constitution and reserves to the people those rights;

           (3) The regulation of intrastate commerce is vested in the states under Amendments IX and X of the Constitution of the United States.

           3. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms mean:

           (1) “Basic materials or parts”, raw materials physically and directly associated with the finished product in the manufacturing process;

           (2) “Goods”, all real or personal, tangible or intangible property;

           (3) “Produced”, grown, mined, extracted, or created.

           4. All goods produced or manufactured, whether commercially or privately, within the boundaries of this state that are held, maintained, or retained within the boundaries of this state shall not be deemed to have traveled in interstate commerce and shall not be subject to federal law, federal regulation, or the authority of the Congress of the United States under its constitutional power to regulate commerce. This section shall apply to goods that are manufactured within this state from basic materials or parts. The authority of the Congress of the United States to regulate interstate commerce in basic materials or parts shall not include the authority to regulate goods manufactured within this state from such materials or parts.

           5. This section shall not apply to the following:

           (1) Goods manufactured within this state unless the words “Made in Missouri” are clearly stamped or marked on an integral part of the good;

           (2) Goods produced within this state unless the words “Product of Missouri” are clearly stamped or marked on the container or packaging;

           (3) Goods ordered, procured, or purchased by the United States government or by any contractor under an agreement with the United States government.

[emphasis in original]

When nullification is outlawed, only outlaws will be able to nullify. Or paranoid people. Or something.

Give it a rest already.

Previously:

HB 162: Tenthers and guns, what could go wrong? (January 15, 2012)

HB 137: symptom of the universe (January 9, 2013)

SB 119: a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds (January 9, 2013)

Your republican controlled Missouri House in action.

Not one here:

HCR 9

Strongly urgres the U.S. Congress to pass the Federal Reserve Transparency Act to require a complete audit of the Federal Reserve Bank

Sponsor: Curtman, Paul (109)

Co-Sponsor: Wood, David (058) … et al.

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2013

LR Number: 850H.02I

Last Action: 1/16/2013 – Offered (H)

[….]

Nope, not here either:

HCR 8

A resolution against the adoption of a United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

Sponsor: Parkinson, Mark (105)

Co-Sponsor: Kelley, Mike (127) … et al.

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2013

LR Number: 150H.03I

Last Action: 1/15/2013 – Read Second Time (H)

[….]

Like you were expecting one here?:

HCR 6

Claims sovereignty for the states under the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution for all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government under the Constitution

Sponsor: Sommer, Chrissy (106)

Co-Sponsor: Kelley, Mike (127) … et al.

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2013

LR Number: 632L.01I

Last Action: 1/10/2013 – Offered (H)

[….]

That last one is evidently a byproduct of the original mandate.