State Auditor Tom Schweich [2013 file photo].

Our condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of State Auditor Tom Schweich.

From Governor Jay Nixon:

Gov. Nixon statement on the passing of Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich

February 26, 2015

Jefferson City, MO

Gov. Jay Nixon today released the following statement upon the death of Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich. The Governor also has ordered flags at all Missouri state facilities to be immediately lowered to half-staff to honor his passing.

“I join all Missourians in mourning the passing of State Auditor Tom Schweich, a brilliant, devoted and accomplished public servant who dedicated his career to making Missouri and the world a better place,” Gov. Nixon said. “From his courageous work to combat the illegal drug trade abroad in Afghanistan to his tireless efforts to protect the interests of taxpayers here in Missouri, Tom Schweich’s exceptional intellect and unwavering dedication to public service left a legacy that will endure for many years to come.  The First Lady and I send our most heartfelt condolences to Tom’s wife Kathy and two children, Emilie and Thomas, Jr.”

From Attorney General Chris Koster:

AG Koster’s statement regarding State Auditor Tom Schweich

Feb 26, 2015, 13:49 PM

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster today released the following statement:

“Tom Schweich was a lifelong public servant for our state and country. I am deeply saddened by his sudden loss, and extend my heartfelt sympathy to his family. I ask all Missourians to keep his family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

From Secretary of State Jason Kander:

Kander Statement on the Passing of Auditor Tom Schweich

Jefferson City, Mo. – Secretary of State Jason Kander released the following statement on the passing of Auditor Tom Schweich:

“Tom Schweich was a devoted public servant that I feel fortunate to have gotten to know as a friend and colleague over the past few years. Whether he was serving as our State Auditor, the U.S. Coordinator for Counternarcotics and Justice Reform in Afghanistan, or working at the State Department, Tom always fought tirelessly for the people he was serving. Anyone who had a conversation with Tom knew how dedicated he was to his service. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Kathy and his children Emilie and Thomas, Jr.”

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C151053 02/25/2015 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Eric and Sheena Greitens 4522 Maryland Ave St Louis MO 63108 The Greitens Group CEO 2/24/2015 $50,000.00

[emphasis added]

Personal commitment.

Another republican in the 2016 gubernatorial race?:

C151053: Greitens For Missouri

4579 Laclede Ave #138 Committee Type: Exploratory

St Louis Mo 63108

[….] Established Date: 02/24/2015

[….]

[emphasis added]

It’s actually an exploratory committee for “Statewide Office” in 2016.

…this could be considered irrefutable proof of a deity with a sense of humor. Or that she’s really pissed. That would depend on the outcome.

Former Representative Todd Akin (r) [2012 file photo].

Via Twitter:

Tony Messenger ‏@tonymess

#RunToddRun 4:23 PM – 25 Feb 2015

Close your eyes and make a wish:

February 25, 2015, 05:14 pm

The return of Todd Akin?

By Jonathan Easley

Todd Akin is considering a primary challenge to Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) in 2016.

“I have not ruled anything out,” the former congressman and 2012 GOP Senate nominee told The Hill in a phone interview on Wednesday….

Oh, this could get really interesting.

Fundraising in the 2016 gubernatorial contest.

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C031159 02/25/2015 MISSOURIANS FOR KOSTER Strong Garner Bauer, PC 415 E. Chestnut Expressway Springfield MO 65802 2/23/2015 $25,000.00

C031159 02/25/2015 MISSOURIANS FOR KOSTER Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP 460 Nichols Road Suite 200 Kansas City MO 64112 2/23/2015 $25,000.00

C031159 02/25/2015 MISSOURIANS FOR KOSTER Operating Engineers Local 101 Political Action Committee 6601 Winchester Suite 280 Kansas City MO 64133 2/23/2015 $10,000.00

C031159 02/25/2015 MISSOURIANS FOR KOSTER Agxplore International, LLC PO Box 638 Parma MO 63870 2/23/2015 $10,000.00

C031159 02/25/2015 MISSOURIANS FOR KOSTER Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. 3980 Howard Hughes Parkway Las Vegas NV 89169 2/23/2015 $10,000.00

C031159 02/25/2015 MISSOURIANS FOR KOSTER August Busch III 1 Mid Rivers Mall Drive Suite 210 Saint Peters MO 63376 Retired Retired 2/23/2015 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

That’s a somewhat diverse group. Fear can be a strong motivator.

Previously:

Not a “moderate”…never will be (February 14, 2015)

Campaign Finance: Oh, there is a difference… (February 20, 2015)

Tone deaf (February 21, 2015)

Today:

Eli Yokley ‏@eyokley

interesting: @PeterKinder has been spending a lot more time in the @MissouriSenat this week. #MOLeg 11:20 AM – 25 Feb 2015

A few of the responses:

Brian K ‏@Briligerent

@eyokley @PeterKinder I’m just going to assume he’s going to run for Lt. Gov for a 4th time despite getting incrementally impoverished. 11:21 AM – 25 Feb 2015

Housestaff M.D. ‏@c_w_morrison

@eyokley : He needs the over time. 11:40 AM – 25 Feb 2015

Sean Nicholson ‏@ssnich

@BradKetcher @eyokley @PeterKinder too poor to afford bus ticket home 11:56 AM – 25 Feb 2015

Michael Bersin ‏@MBersin

@eyokley I hear the pay is pretty good. 12:34 PM – 25 Feb 2015

Uh, isn’t that his job? Just asking.

Previously:

It’s hard to get by on $86,484.00* a year (February 19, 2015)

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission, for Stephen Webber (D) in the 2016 19th Senate District race:

C081079 02/24/2015 CITIZENS FOR STEPHEN WEBBER Robert Pugh 1411 Torrey Pines Drive Columbia MO 65203 MBS Textbook Exchange CEO 2/24/2015 $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

Not bad at all. But, the way republicans spend money he’ll need a whole lot more.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: Stephen Webber (D) in the 19th Senate District (January 14, 2015)

Campaign Finance: a lot in common (February 20, 2015)

A concurrent resolution, introduced today by Representative Bill Rieboldt (r):

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 35 [pdf]

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE REIBOLDT.

2292H.01I

WHEREAS, Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, also known as the Commerce Clause, was designed to ensure free trade between the states by preventing any state from imposing a tariff or other restriction on goods from another state; and

WHEREAS, the Commerce Clause is an enumerated power granted to Congress and is also a restriction imposed on states from enacting legislation that places an undue burden on interstate commerce; and

WHEREAS, California voters adopted Proposition 2 to their state constitution in 2008, requiring the state’s egg producers to switch to “enriched cages” or nonconfinement operations in a campaign led and funded by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS); and

WHEREAS, HSUS is a national animal rights group that has aggressively pursued an agenda intended to decrease and eventually eliminate the public’s consumption of animal protein; and

WHEREAS, forcing egg producers to switch to “enriched cages” or nonconfinement operations drove up the cost of eggs in the European Union while also leading to food shortages and the closure of countless farms; and

WHEREAS, forcing egg farmers in America to utilize “enriched cages” or nonconfinement operations will lead to the same impacts on the U.S. economy and food supply; and

WHEREAS, in 2010, at the behest of HSUS, the California legislature passed AB 1437, which was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown, prohibiting the sale of eggs from other states that do not meet the requirements of Proposition 2 of 2008; and

WHEREAS, together, California’s Proposition 2 and AB 1437 violate the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution by preventing free trade among the states; and

WHEREAS, together, California’s Proposition 2 and AB 1437 have artificially increased egg prices and restricted the availability of affordable eggs and vital animal protein to Californians, especially low-income citizens:

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-eighth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby condemn California’s anti-trade actions and call on the California legislature to repeal AB 1437 and urge the voters of California to reconsider and repeal Proposition 2.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for the majority and minority leaders of the California General Assembly, the Governor of California, and the Attorney General of California.

[emphasis in original]

“…California’s Proposition 2 and AB 1437 violate the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution by preventing free trade among the states…”

Uh, that would be determined by the federal courts if somebody actually bothered to pursue the issue. Oh, wait…

“…HSUS is a national animal rights group that has aggressively pursued an agenda intended to decrease and eventually eliminate the public’s consumption of animal protein…”

Left out the part about the “conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids”.

Irony impairment alert:

“…California’s Proposition 2 and AB 1437 have artificially increased egg prices and restricted the availability of affordable eggs and vital animal protein to Californians, especially low-income citizens…”

The concern for California’s low-income citizens from the Missouri General Assembly is touching. You know, unlike Missouri’s low-income citizens, they have better access to affordable health care.

Ladies and gentlemen, the priorities of our republican controlled Missouri General Assembly.