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Monthly Archives: January 2018

You don’t mess with the Claire

27 Saturday Jan 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Claire McCaskill, Missouri Governor, social media, US Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

affair, Claire McCaskill, Eric Greitens, governor, missouri, social media, Twitter, U.S.Senate

When the opposition is drowning…

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) [2017 file photo].

…you throw them an anvil.

Rudi Keller‏ @CDTCivilWar
Here’s the clip of @clairecmc delivering a burn to @GovGreitensMO at the @BooneCountyDems chili supper: “He was going to do things that literally no other governor had done. Little did we know it would be sex in the basement.” #MOSen
[….]
11:02 PM – 26 Jan 2018

Scott Charton‏ @ScottCharton
At Democratic Party chili supper in Columbia, Mo., @clairecmc lights up GOP Gov. Eric #Greitens: “He was going to do things that literally no other governor had ever done – little did we know it was sex in the basement.” #mogov #mosen #moleg
[….]
11:33 PM – 26 Jan 2018

“Rules? In a knife fight? No rules!”

Previously:

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) – town hall in Warrensburg – Press Q and A – August 17, 2017 (August 17, 2017)

Campaign Finance: Where to?

26 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

campaign finance, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, PAC, RSLC

Eventually.

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C051039 01/26/2018 RSLC-MISSOURI PAC Republican State Leadership Committee 1201 F Street, NW Suite 675 Washington DC 20004 1/24/2018 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

Previously:

Tinker to Evers to Chance, from PAC to PAC, from billionaire to PAC… (December 5, 2014)

Campaign Finance: just passing through (November 3, 2016)

Campaign Finance: Eh, what’s up doc? (July 20, 2017)

Campaign Finance: You were expecting anything else? (July 24, 2017)

Chuck Ambrose: investing in higher education

25 Thursday Jan 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

budget, Budget cuts, Chuck Ambrose, Eric Greitens, General Assembly, governor, higher education, missouri, University of Central Missouri

University of Central Missouri President Chuck Ambrose [2016 file photo].

The following is an op-ed written by Chuck Ambrose, the President of the University of Central Missouri:

State Support for Higher Education an Investment in Missouri’s Economic Future

As Missourians, we all have a stake in our state’s economic success. As such, we should be cognizant of critical factors that contribute to stronger communities which also mean better public schools for our children and services to improve the quality of our lives. While our state faces budget challenges, higher education continues to be an exceptional asset in helping to meet economic as well as social goals, and citizens deserve a strong public policy in support of colleges and universities as an investment in the public good required to drive Missouri’s future forward. Continued reductions in appropriations for higher education are only hindering the opportunity to maximize the potential these institutions provide the state, and most importantly, directly to its people.

Growing jobs and creating an environment that stimulates the economy for all Missouri residents is the goal. Studies show the value of a college degree includes an enhanced lifetime earning potential of $1 million more for graduates versus those without a degree. Additionally, a well-educated workforce is good for local businesses seeking to broaden their consumer base. Amidst a growing need for the state to be more competitive on a global level, we must consider who is going to provide training for a workforce that is well prepared to seek out new markets for home-grown goods and services overseas. Evidence of Missouri’s desire to enter this realm includes a recent bid to bring Amazon’s second headquarters to Kansas City. A globally competitive environment for business requires a globally competitive commitment to higher education, and public higher education institutions are ready to respond.

Some 359,492 students are currently served by post-secondary education throughout the state. Collectively, we must ask ourselves how do we value these students’ place and the impact 27 public and 25 private campuses hold within Missouri’s public policy agenda? If they are important, then the current divestment trend must be reversed.

In order for higher education to achieve its full potential as an economic driver, there must be a stronger commitment to funding Missouri’s colleges and universities to ensure that students are not priced out of the opportunity to earn a degree. Institutions themselves also have a role in exploring and implementing new initiatives to help meet accessibility and affordability goals so that students do not bear the burden of rising educational costs and an escalating college debt load. But higher education institutions can’t do this alone.

During the past two decades, state support for public higher education has decreased dramatically, from 65 percent of Missouri public institutions’ total revenue to about 35 percent currently. Using the University of Central Missouri as an example, the net state appropriation for Fiscal Year 2018 was $52.7 million, considerably below the $57.9 million budgeted net appropriation for FY17. This is almost a $400 decline in funding per student in one year. Unfortunately, maintaining an accessible, affordable education will not get easier as the Missouri governor’s recommendation for FY19 funding dips to the 2004 state appropriations level.

While the decline in state funding presents a financial challenge, at UCM the focus on student success has meant finding ways to keep students from shouldering the impact of these revenue declines. This means keeping tuition below the consumer price index while still maintaining a quality education; an aggressive completion agenda; maximizing opportunities to create public K-12-higher educationbusiness partnerships such as The Missouri Innovation Campus and Innovation Track programs that reduce the time to degree completion and students’ debt; and becoming the first institution to implement the 15-to-Finish Scholarship concept to keep students on track for timely degree completion.

By contributing to a better economy, higher education can help break the cycle of poverty across the state. Meeting this goal also includes serving many first-generation, low-income students who are pioneering the education trail for their families.

Considering the benefits of a higher education, it is hoped that future public policy will recognize the value proposition Missouri colleges and universities represent for the state. Public institutions are positioned to deliver opportunities that will drive local economies, but more state support is needed to ensure costs are not passed onto Missouri families and that access to college and its affordability remain attainable goals.

Dr. Chuck Ambrose, President University of Central Missouri

Not that Eric Greitens (r) particularly cares.

Campaign Finance: Tinker to Evers…

24 Wednesday Jan 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, Misouri Ethics Commission, missouri, PACs

It ain’t chess.

Yesterday at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C000953 01/23/2018 MO Republican Party American Democracy Alliance – Ridgely PAC 1100 Main Street Suite 2700 Kansas City MO 64105 1/22/2018 $25,000.00

Gee, what else is new?

Previously:

Campaign Finance: it’s in their nature (July 15, 2017)

Campaign Finance: following the money (August 8, 2017)

Offered without comment

23 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist, social media

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#resist, pitchforks and torches, poverty, social media, Twitter, wealth

“Kill Fascim, Destroy Capitalism” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

TIME‏ @TIME
The 3 richest Americans have as much money as the bottom 50%
[….]
7:30 PM – 22 Jan 2018

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D): Now what?

22 Monday Jan 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Claire McCaskill, social media, US Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

capitulation, Claire McCaskill, DACA, missouri, social media, Trump, Twitter, U.S. Senate

As if anyone can trust Mitch McConnell (r)? Really?

Autocracy: Rules for Survival
Masha Gessen
[….]
Rule #5: Don’t make compromises. [….] Democrats in Congress will begin to make the case for cooperation, for the sake of getting anything done—or at least, they will say, minimizing the damage. [….] This will be fruitless—damage cannot be minimized, much less reversed, when mobilization is the goal—but worse, it will be soul-destroying. In an autocracy, politics as the art of the possible is in fact utterly amoral. [….]

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) [2017 file photo].

Today, from Senator Claire McCaskill (D), via Twitter:

Claire McCaskill‏ @clairecmc
Shut down is over and we will now have the opportunity to have immigration issues come to the floor. And I am so encouraged that a large bipartisan group of Senators worked TOGETHER to help make it happen. Proud to be a part of that.
11:30 AM – 22 Jan 2018

Some of the responses:

See you at the next shutdown in 3 weeks. Hope you choose to be on the right side of history *then.*

Way to cave, Claire. Do you not pay attention to your base?

#NoDACANoDeal

Don’t back down.

I like and respect you, and hope you win. But the surest path to your own defeat is showing the mobilized and motivated mass of voters that you won’t fight for them. I fear that’s what you’ve done.

So disappointing that you all caved and actually trust McConnell. Shows a total lack of leadership and strength.

WHEN do the “immigration issues” come to the floor? #NoDACANoDeal

Good job caving, and getting the same smoke and mirrors Senator Collins got, in 18 days when we are back here will you just cave again on what the majority of democrats around the country want?

Claire, as one of your avid supporters, please believe me that this does not look good. If you lose the dreamers it will come back to haunt you. Bad, bad move.

Save your pride, please. You can be proud when DACA is safe.

You’ve earned a lot of credit with me over the years, Claire, so I’m going to cross my fingers and pray to God that you’re right about this. I know your intentions are good, I just hope you haven’t severely misread the situation. #TrumpShutdown

Now you have nothing ! You got the can kicked again on more broken promises

If you believe that mcconnell will keep his word and the spell that miller and kelly have over trump will somehow magically break, you are no smarter than the trump voters we criticize.

Literally pride before the fall. What a disappointment.

Lucy took the football again from Charlie Brown. The GOP will never fulfill it’s promise. The WH will keep retreading any deal that’s struck. February is too late—Many DACA recipients will lose their status in the meantime.

I guarantee you the Republicans won’t do anything on DACA next month.

If you have a feeling that Democrats got nothing from this deal, your feelings would be correct. Schumer even used the term “good faith.” Oh Lord. Has he MET Mitch McConnell? #WeakKnees

Here’s to another 17 years of healthy, bipartisan debate while my brothers and sisters are deported every single day. Proud to be a part fo that, amirite

Respectfully senator you voted against the dreamers on Friday and now you want to claim immigration is a priority for you? I’m a big fan of yours, but do better. You owe it to the dreamers regardless of the midterms. #disappointed #dobetter

I hear McConnell is talking “illegal immigration” now. We made promises to OUR dreamers and we must keep that promise.

Don’t give me any more talk about bipartisan agreement. You all have, once again, jerked honest American citizens around, this time for three days. All of you should be ashamed.

Trump won. He’ll be taking a victory lap.

So, you’ve learned absolutely nothing. Got it.

I’m very skeptical that McConnell will keep his word. This feels like just another Democratic cave-in.

If you believe Paul & Mitch will keep their word, I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. #TrumpShutdown

And what if Paul Ryan never brings it up for a vote in the House?

Ok well your base is none too impressed – nor do we think the GOP will act in good faith & do the right thing about the dreamers

McConnell is lying. You know it, we know it.

I don’t share your enthusiasm Senator. February 8 we will in all likelihood be right where we are now. Hopefully then you will stand up and fight instead of trying to appease these Republicans and our President.#ProtectDreamers

We will see. Remember, The Republicans, in Congress, are in the untenable position of trying to figure out what Steve Miller would be willing to approve.

Not gonna happen.

You got played again.

How can you be so sure? You trust @SenateMajLdr ? I don’t as far as I can throw him and his little buddy @SpeakerRyan too.

Color me skeptical. McConnell is a liar, and it amazes me that anyone is taking him at his word. If past is prologue, he’s gonna pull the football right before you kick. Again.

Charlie Brown. Football. Lucille van Pelt.

Let’s see…three weeks from now you all will be huffing and puffing about broken promises. McConnell has proven he can’t be trusted.

Yeah.. too bad you’ve all been had. I’ll be very surprised if the Republicans give you 1/100th of what you’re asking for. Sad day for Democrats.

Senator, if McConnell betrays you(and unfortunately I believe WHEN he betrays you), will you then realize that you have to protect these young people? Or are you going to stand by and let them be treated cruelly?
Just wondering.

You can’t represent all Missourians if you don’t represent the people who want our promises to the DREAMers to be kept. There is bipartisan legislation with broad support in Congress and in the country. #DreamActNow

“have the opportunity” right

Make no mistake, your constituents are NOT encouraged, just disappointed.

why did you back down?! I’m so disappointed in you.

The only thing the GOP agreed to was debating DACA, you all just burned the DREAMERS because the GOPs record of following through on “deals” is as shady as a note lot car salesman

You trust McConnell? Lol try asking Senator Collins what happens when McConnell makes promises….

The mistake is in thinking Susan Collins (r) cared.

Disappointed. Dreamers wait nervously till the next #shutdown . Thx.

They’ve pulled the wool over your eyes….again. Thanks for nothing.

I simply cannot believe you people have an ounce of trust for Mitch McConnell. Why do you think he’s suddenly going to change???

So glad you’re happy. The rest of us, not so much.

Cue Trump victory lap in 3…. 2….

You caved. Once again disappointing your base. All while Trump and his zombies pander to theirs with talk of victory. Shameful, Senator. From a vet and military spouse of over 23 years.

don’t be scared b/c trump won Missouri in 2016. You need to always stand for what is right – not what is expedient. There is no reason to trust the GOP and @SenateMajLdr.

So it comes to the floor in the Senate and then Paul Ryan doesn’t bring it to the House floor. Then what?

We’re not gonna change our headline.

You really believe this will happen? When has it recently?

I’m as conservative as they come. But I like you.

Says it all, eh? He has never voted for you. He will never vote for you.

When have McConnell and the GOP ever shown themselves to be trustworthy? We’ll have another shutdown in 3 weeks and immigration issues will still be in limbo! But good job working TOGETHER, I guess….

Not a bang, but a whimper.

That didn’t go well.

Rally and March in Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018 – part 2

21 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

#resist, Columbia, missouri, protest, Trump

“Resist” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

On Saturday afternoon in Columbia somewhere close to two thousand people (the organizers’ head count was over 1600) gathered at the amphitheater in the Courthouse Square in Columbia, Missouri for a rally and march to commemorate last year’s Women’s March and to protest Donald Trump, his administration, and his republican enablers.

At the rally:

Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“ReSisters” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

Teach your children well:

“Vision” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“Don’t do bad anymore” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“Future” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“Peace” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“Unfit” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“Trust Women” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“Love your neighbor” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“Blind” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“End the war on the poor” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“Cadence” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“Love trumps hate”- Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“Generations” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“Working” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

Previously:

Rally and March in Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018 (January 20, 2018)

Rally and March in Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018 – Valérie Berta-Torales (January 21, 2018)

Rally and March in Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018 – Valérie Berta-Torales

21 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Columbia, missouri, Resist, Trump, Valérie Berta-Torales

Valérie Berta-Torales – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

Valérie Berta-Torales spoke in Columbia, Missouri at yesterday’s rally and march to commemorate last year’s Women’s March and to protest Donald Trump, his administration, and his republican enablers.

Just watch the whole thing:

[Video by Jerry Schmidt]

Previously:

Rally and March in Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018 (January 20, 2017)

Campaign Finance: look who’s back…

21 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, HRCC, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, Rex Sinquefield

Yesterday at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the HRCC:

C091068 01/20/2018 HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, INC Rex Sinquefield 244 Bent Walnut Lane Westphalia MO 65085 Retired Retired 1/18/2018 $30,000.00

[emphasis added]

Almost like clockwork.

Rally and March in Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018

20 Saturday Jan 2018

Posted by Michael Bersin in Resist

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

#resist, #WomensMarch2018, Columbia, missouri, protest, Trump

One year later.

“Marching” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

This afternoon in Columbia somewhere close to two thousand people (the organizers’ head count was over 1600) gathered at the amphitheater in the Courthouse Square in Columbia, Missouri for a rally and march to commemorate last year’s Women’s March and to protest Donald Trump, his administration, and his republican enablers.

After live music (quite good) and a few speeches the crowd marched through downtown Columbia with a significant police escort. Intersections were shut down with several police vehicles and officers blocking traffic. On Walnut (a main drag) a heavy plow truck was positioned to block the intersection.

“Make America Sane Again” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

Individuals came out of downtown shops and others leaned out of second story apartment windows to take photos with their smart phones. A few passersby joined the march, matching pace to join the stream of people.

“Tsunami” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“If I make my uterus a corporation will you stop trying to regulate it?” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

“Your Silence is Deafening” – Columbia, Missouri – January 20, 2018.

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