We wonder why?

The retail price of gas in west central Missouri today:

Interestingly, no one is still hyping Ebola either. Was there an election in November? Just asking.

Previously:

Holiday price gouging – part 2 (November 30, 2014)

Holiday price gouging (November 29, 2014)

President Newt Gingrich (r) keeps a campaign promise (November 24, 2014)

Supply and demand, supply and demand (November 15, 2014)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): shifting tar sands (November 15, 2014)

We need the Keystone XL pipeline because? – part 3 (November 15, 2014)

We need the Keystone XL pipeline because? – part 2 (November 14, 2014)

Charles P. Pierce is meaner (November 14, 2014)

And then all hell broke loose (November 13, 2014)

We need the Keystone XL pipeline because? (November 13, 2014)

Darn that President Obama and his totally misguided national energy policy… (September 29, 2014)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r) – in Warrensburg – August 22, 2014 (August 23, 2014)

Sounds of silence (gasoline) (December 16, 2013)

What cost, you say? (November 15, 2013)

Still going down… (November 7, 2013)

It upsets right wingnuts… (November 4, 2013)

Thank goodness that Keystone pipeline is up and running (October 28, 2013)

We’re on an express elevator to…going down (October 14, 2013)

Water is wet (October 9, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): we don’t need no stinkin’ objective reality (January 21, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): not especially prescient (January 9, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): strange silence, still (December 19, 2012)

Quick, blame Obama! – part 3 – trickle down (December 8, 2012)

Quick, blame Obama! – part 2 (December 5, 2012)

Quick, blame Obama! (December 1, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): make it stop… (November 18, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): the price keeps dropping and we’re running out of gas puns (November 15, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): on an express elevator… (November 12, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): wait, wait, don’t tell me (November 8, 2012)

Vicky Hartzler (r): it’s so quiet when the price keeps dropping (October 31, 2012)

Vicky Hartzler (r): What’s that? Did you say something? Apparently not. (October 29, 2012)

Vicky Hartzler (r): the sound of silence (October 23, 2012)

The past, the gas, and isms (September 24, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): let’s pass the gas – part 2 (June 6, 2012)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): let’s pass the gas (May 27, 2012)

Our friends at Progress Missouri (no, that’s not us) sponsored a progressive summit in Columbia, Missouri on December 5th and 6th. There were a number of workshops and panels over the course of the two day event. We participated in a panel on new media on Saturday morning (more on that later) and also attended several of the other sessions.

The first panel session on Saturday morning titled “How to Not Be a Terrible Advocate: Advocacy from Targets’ Perspectives” (when you go to Jefferson City to talk to someone in the capitol) included Violet Marcel, Representative Randy Dunn (D), Greta Bax, and Representative Tracy McCreery (D).

(left to right) Violet Marcel, Rep. Randy Dunn (D), and Greta Bax.

Representative Tracy McCreery (D).

The short answer: know your stuff and don’t be a jerk.

Michelle Trupianao spoke on Medicaid Expansion on behalf of the Missouri Medicaid Coalition in early afternoon sessions.

Michelle Trupiano.

The organizer watched the proceedings:

Sean Soendker Nicholson, Executive Director of Progress Missouri.

One of the late afternoon sessions was “Rehabilitation or Incarceration: Drug Policy Reform as a Social Justice Issue”. Former NPR affiliate reporter LeShea Agnew recounted her chilling story.

Former NPR affiliate reporter LeShea Agnew.

Mustafa Abdullah, ACLU Program Associate.

Previously:

I <3 Columbia (December 6, 2014)

I <3 Columbia – part 2 (December 6, 2014)

Representative Karla May (D) [2013 file photo].

There’s this, from Representative Linda Black (r) (her bio still lists her as a “Democrat”, that’ll possibly reassure her constituents):

HB 124 Requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to create a video that contains all of the information that must be provided to a woman considering an abortion

Sponsor: Black, Linda (117)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2015

LR Number: 0532H.01I

Last Action: 12/03/2014 – Prefiled (H)

Bill String: HB 124

[…]

Representative Linda Black (r) [2013 file photo].

Election Results: 117th Legislative District (November 5, 2014)

….Still, Linda Black (r) is now free to cosponsor any legislation on Agenda 21, Sharia law, or nullification that she’d like.

Go figure, a member of the Missouri General Assembly introduces a seventy-hour waiting period AND a mandatory requirement to watch a video before, oh, wait…

A bill, pre-filed by Representative Karla May (D):

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 176 [pdf]

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MAY.

0353L.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 571, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the purchase of a

firearm, with penalty provisions.

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

Section A. Chapter 571, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 571.084, to read as follows:

571.084. 1. Beginning January 1, 2016, there shall be a mandatory three-day waiting period, excluding weekends and legal holidays, between the purchase and the delivery at retail of any firearm. Such three-day waiting period shall not apply to firearms being purchased by concealed carry permit holders under sections 571.101 to 571.126.

2. Prior to the sale of any firearm at retail, a purchaser of a firearm shall be required to view a video on gun violence prior to any sale of a firearm. The retailer shall make such video available to the purchaser for viewing. Such video shall be approved by the department of public safety. The department may promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this subsection. 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, 2015, shall be invalid and void.

3. Records of all firearms sales at retail shall be available for inspection by any law enforcement agency during normal business hours of the retailer to ensure compliance with the provisions of this section.

4. Any retailer, or any employee or agent of a retailer, who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a class D felony.

5. Any purchaser who obtains delivery of a firearm at retail by fraud, misrepresentation, or false pretense is guilty of a class D felony until December 31, 2016, and a class E felony beginning January 1, 2017.

[emphasis in original]

Nicely done. Heh.

Previously:

SB 519, HB 1307, HB 1313: wait, wait, wait (January 12, 2014)

Sen. David Pearce (r): fundamentally, a useful idiot (August 30, 2014)

Sen. David Pearce (r): poor, poor, pitiful me (August 30, 2014)

Until tomorrow (September 9, 2014)

Oh, wait…

A bill, pre-filed by Representative Craig Redmon (r):

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 115 [pdf]

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE REDMON.

0356H.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 303, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to liability insurance requirements for non-motor vehicles, with penalty provisions.

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

Section A. Chapter 303, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 303.450, to read as follows:

303.450. 1. As used in this section, the term “non-motor vehicle” shall mean a mechanical device on wheels that regularly travels on state highways and is not self-propelled by use of a motor including, but not limited to, a bicycle or horse-drawn buggy or carriage.

2. No owner of a non-motor vehicle shall operate or permit another person to operate such non-motor vehicle on a state highway unless the owner possesses liability insurance in an amount not to exceed the liability requirements for motor vehicles under this chapter. The liability insurance requirement under this section may be met if the owner of a non-motor vehicle possesses homeowners’ or other insurance coverage that substantially covers damages from accidents involving non-motor vehicles.

3. The department of revenue may prescribe rules and regulations for the implementation of the provisions of this section. 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 under 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, 2015, shall be invalid and void.

4. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. A first violation of this section shall be punishable as a class D misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation of this section shall be punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed fifteen days or a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars.

[emphasis in original]

Would that requirement apply to people who ride bicycles in a race across the state? Just asking.

Darn, it looks like this complicates my request for a street luge from Santa…

This evening on the street in downtown Columbia, Missouri:

…on the walk back to the parking garage after the Progress Missouri Progressive Summit.

Previously:

I <3 Columbia (December 6, 2014)

This evening on the street in downtown Columbia, Missouri:

Aaargh, there be pirates nearby.

…on the walk back to the parking garage after the Progress Missouri Progressive Summit.

Today, at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C061248 12/05/2014 FRIENDS OF RICK STREAM Friends of John Diehl 2404 White Stable Rd Town and Country MO 63131 12/5/2014 $65,000.00

[emphasis added]

What on earth for?

C061248: Friends Of Rick Stream

1229 Lockett Lane Committee Type: Candidate

Kirkwood Mo 63122 Party Affiliation: Republican

[….] Established Date: 04/07/2006

  Termination Date:

Information Reported On: 2014 – 30 Day After General Election-11/4/2014

Beginning Money on Hand $77,151.42

Monetary Receipts + $266,450.00

Monetary Expenditures – $303,058.46

Contributions Made – $0.00

Other Disbursements – $0.00

Subtotal     ($36,608.46)

Ending Money On Hand   $40,542.96

[emphasis added]

Previously:

Campaign Finance: the recharging continues (August 20, 2014)

Campaign Finance: they’re fixin’ to spend a lot of money (August 21, 2014)

Campaign Finance: move along, nothing new to see here (September 26, 2014)

Can you balance political harakiri against the satisfaction of slapping a fool in the face? (October 3, 2014)

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D): on Rick Stream (r) running for St. Louis County Executive (October 14, 2014)

Campaign Finance: welcome to Missouri, St. Louis County edition (October 30, 2014)

Election Results: St. Louis County Executive (November 5, 2014)  

Follow the money.

The Red Lily, Anatole France

…For the poor it consists in sustaining and preserving the wealthy in their power and their laziness. The poor must work for this, in presence of the majestic quality of the law which prohibits the wealthy as well as the poor from sleeping under the bridges, from begging in the streets, and from stealing bread…

In Missouri and America the majestic quality of the law allows the wealthy and the poor alike to face no limits on the amount of money they can choose to contribute to a candidate or political cause.

Via Twitter:

Sean Nicholson @ssnich

Guess who gave $300k to the RSLC in October? Hint: Rhymes with Hex Pinkfield. [….] #moleg 8:37 PM – 4 Dec 2014

Via the IRS, from the Republican State Leadership Committee IRS Form 8872 filed on December 4, 2014:

One of their many contributors:

A few of their contributions:

Gee, that was mighty independent of them.

Welcome to the world of politics in 21st century America.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: Who is getting propped up this time? (October 3, 2014)

Campaign Finance: Now we know… (October 6, 2014)

Campaign Finance: But wait, there’s more… (October 12, 2014)

Others are noticing (October 17, 2014)

Campaign Finance: topping off the tank (October 17, 2014)

What you’d get to see of a campaign finance full moon if the RSLC cut a check in Missouri (October 20, 2014)

Campaign Finance: be the judge (October 23, 2014)

Campaign Finance: a Cole County courtroom drama (October 27, 2014)

Campaign Finance: judge the details (October 30, 2014)

Campaign Finance: last minute (November 2, 2014)

Election Results: 19th Judicial Circuit – Cole County (November 5, 2014)

Yesterday, in Rosebud, Missouri.

Ferguson protestors met by hecklers

by Mark Slavit

Posted: 12.03.2014 at 6:02 PM

ROSEBUD, MO — Ferguson protestors were greeted by a large crowd of hecklers along Highway 50 in Rosebud on Wednesday afternoon as they marched to Jefferson City….

[….]

….Someone put an empty bottle of beer, a melon and some fried chicken in the path of the protestors….

“…No peace, no welfare check. Where’s Al Sharpton? Where’s the great Al Sharpton?…” – individual heckling the Journey for Justice marchers as they walked through Rosebud, Missouri.

Rosebud, Missouri is in Gasconade County.

Gasconade County, Missouri [agriculture subsidies]

$18.7 million in subsidies 1995-2012.

$11.2 million in commodity subsidies.

$3.33 million in crop insurance subsidies.

$2.70 million in conservation subsidies.

$1.48 million in disaster subsidies.

[….]

Rank Program Number of Recipients 1995-2012 Subsidy Total 1995-2012

1 Corn Subsidies** 708**   $6,843,224

2 Soybean Subsidies** 410**   $3,212,933

3 Wheat Subsidies** 678**   $2,477,156

4 Conservation Reserve Program 177   $2,261,917

5 Disaster Payments 517   $1,475,221

[….]

From the Missouri Department of Social Services:

Gasconade [County] [pdf] SFY-2013

Number of people enrolled for MO HealthNet services 1,936

MO HealthNet dollars spent in state fiscal year 20132 $18.3 mil

Estimated federal portion of MO HealthNet dollars spent $11.5 mil

MO HealthNet dollars for inpatient hospital services $1.3 mil

MO HealthNet dollars for physician services $1.0 mil

MO HealthNet dollars for nursing home services $5.3 mil

MO HealthNet dollars for pharmacy services $2.8 mil

MO HealthNet dollars for managed care payments $2.9 mil

Average monthly food stamp benefit recipients 1,980

Total food stamp benefits received $2.8 mil

Average monthly children receiving subsidized child care 58

Child care expenditures $113,439

Demographic information via the U.S. Census Bureau:

Gasconade County, Missouri

Population, 2013 estimate 14,901

White alone, percent, 2013 (a) 97.7%

Black or African American alone, percent, 2013 (a) 0.3%

Persons below poverty level, percent, 2008-2012 13.6%

Previously:

Rosebud, Missouri (December 3, 2014)