The University of Central Missouri held its Homecoming parade this morning in Warrensburg. The sky was overcast and the temperature was in the low 50s. Johnson County Democrats entered a trailer in the parade. Walkers passed out candidate literature and voter registration information along the parade route.

The weather forecast was dismal (cool, overcast, and rain), so that may have suppressed the turnout.

The Democratic Party entry received an enthusiastic response along the route.

Compared to the previous year the turnout was lower. We looked for MAGA hats.

Out of thousands of individuals, we only spotted one, near the end of the parade:

Not that he cares.

“….the University of Central Missouri and public education and the rest of the State of Missouri could not withstand fulfilling all the responsibilities that you fulfill every day and lose this much support and us sustain the requirements of what it takes to build a future….”

The constituents of Representative Denny Hoskins (r), the Speaker Pro Tem-elect of the Missouri House, know who he sold out for that leadership position.

Dr. Chuck Ambrose, President of the University of Central Missouri, spoke about the impact of a veto override of HB 253 on the institution.

Dr. Chuck Ambrose, President of the University of Central Missouri, speaking in Warrensburg

on the “State of the University” – July 26, 2013.

“….I do think it’s really important to note, that all the things that we are doing, to be as efficient and effective as you’ve been, there is a limit….”

The transcript:

[….]

President Chuck Ambrose, University of Central Missouri: ….But there are storm clouds, right, that, uh, have not left us. Matter of fact, uh, this would be the third consecutive fiscal year that we’ve entered in to thinking about where we are and where we can go. And, and certainly, the consideration, this lists the Senate bill, but now the House bill [HB 253] that will be considered, uh, most likely, uh, in veto session. Uh, at some estimates, could disrupt the state revenue, uh, and this is more the best case, by six hundred million dollars. At worst case, uh, it could disrupt funding for the University of Central Missouri and all of the other state agencies by one point two billion dollars.

Uh, and, I want to give specific appreciation, uh, because we have a strong board, uh, who supports us, uh, and engages in those things that are most important. Uh, but on Friday, uh, our board President, [Marvin] “Bunky” Wright, uh, made certain that both the Senate and House delegates here on our local district knew that the University of Central Missouri and public education and the rest of the State of Missouri could not withstand fulfilling all the responsibilities that you fulfill every day and lose this much support and us sustain the requirements of what it takes to build a future. And, uh, Governor Wright, I, I want to thank you, uh, for that because [applause] I was [inaudible].

And let me just say, he said it in a way that was very clear. Uh, I probably would have batted around a bit. Uh, but, uh, I do think it’s really important to note, that all the things that we are doing, to be as efficient and effective as you’ve been, there is a limit. Uh, and the consideration [veto override vote on HB 253] that’s moving forward here in the next couple weeks and, and happens at September the, uh, eleventh and twelfth in Jefferson City, uh, could be, uh, a, as the Governor [Jay Nixon] has indicated to me, debilitating for the momentum that we have currently if we lose that much revenue.

And, so, uh, needless to say, uh, and, and I would like to, to make this a very firm transition point in our thinking, uh, institutional decision making today, uh, has gotten to be quite simple. Matter of fact, the number of decisions, uh, it takes to drive this institution forward are basically these: How many students do we have? How much are they not, not only how much can they pay, but how much are they willing to pay? How much is the state going to provide us in state appropriations? How much is our health care going to cost? And after those decisions, some of which, which we have no control over whatsoever, how much money do we have left to help us do what we do every day and care for those in our community?….

[….]

Who in their right mind would vote to cripple one of the largest employers and productive public institution in their own district?

Previously:

New Missouri Rule: if the governor governs right of center you can’t call him a “liberal” (July 1, 2013)

Bill signing Kabuki (July 12, 2013)

Rep. Chris Kelly (D): HB 253 – “I’d like to know what your opinion is.” (July 19, 2013)

Rep. Denny Hoskins (r): probably not gonna sustain the Governor’s veto of HB 253 (August 19, 2013)

Sec. of State Jason Kander (D) to Texas Gov. Rick Perry (r): You forgot about that Medicaid thing? (August 23, 2013)

Rep. Denny Hoskins (r) to UCM on HB 253: I don’t care, I’d rather be the new Speaker Pro Tem (August 24, 2013)

Yesterday morning Representative Denny Hoskins (r) appeared with Senator David Pearce (r) before the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors meeting on campus in Warrensburg. The effect of a veto override of HB 253 was the main subject of the conversation.  

And, we may have an idea of the latest whip count.

“….Um, you know, my personal opinion on, on 253, currently I, I do not believe the votes are there for a override of the Governor veto. Uh, could that change? Yes, it could change….”

The transcript:

[….]

Representative Denny Hoskins (r) : ….And I want to commend UCM [University of Central Missouri], uh, professors, staff, Board of Governors that, uh, we are a, a shining star, uh, among the state universities. And a lot of the different things that we’re doing, um, are models for a lot of the other state schools. And so I’m going to commend, uh, the Board of Governors and professors and staff on that.

And one of those items that, that, uh, President Obama talked about was the Senate Bill 381. We did have the [inaudible] Nixon come in and sign that bill earlier this year.  Uh, it really, that’s, uh, a great bill, a great law that’s , will go into effect August twenty-eighth. And so I want to commend the University for supporting us on that. As well as, uh, commend the House sponsor and as well the Senate sponsor, as that gone through to create that fund in order to further the innovation campus.

Um, in other news, and before I turn it over to Senator [David] Pearce [r], uh, we did have the Speaker Pro Tem election this past, uh,  weekend and I’m glad to report that I am the new Speaker Pro Tem of the Missouri State House of Representatives. So that is the number two leadership spot in the Missouri State House of Representatives. I’m excited about, uh, the opportunity that will afford me for, to help out UCM as well as, uh, 54th District and the State of Missouri. So, I’m transitioning into that new role, uh, in leadership and therefore I, I will be giving up my, uh, chairmanship of the Appropriations for Economic Development and, [inaudible] five other ones on there, Department of Revenue, Department of Insurance, Department of Labor, and, uh, MoDOT. So, it’s, uh, kind of a transition period for us as we lead up to veto session on September eleventh….

[….]

Chuck Ambrose, President, University of Central Missouri: ….and, of course, this has been in, in, very, uh, specific spotlight across the state, uh, both from the Governor and the legislature going into veto section, session. I think, uh, for us, just specifically focusing that on the impact on the University of Central Missouri. We’re, we’re at a point where we’re educating the most students, graduating the most students, maintaining a high level of performance, and done everything, uh, as diligent as we possibly can to be good stewards of our resources.  Um, and, uh, [Senator] David {Pearce], as you mentioned the, the funding formula, and this appropriation cycle, even though we got an appropriations increase, uh, it did not meet the requirements of just our MOSER mandate, uh, to keep up with our retirement. And, uh, as best as we understand it, uh, the range of potential, uh, negative impact on general revenue could range from six hundred million dollars, uh, kind of in a best case, uh, to maybe as much as one point two billion [dollars], uh, in a worst case. And then of course anywhere, as you know as appropriators, anywhere in that kind of loss of revenue would, would mean, as the Governor said, the very difficult, uh, time that even thinking about running state government they way we’re currently running it. Certainly, we continue to be more efficient. Um, but, with his tack of maintaining the state’s triple A bond rating by, uh, putting the withhold, uh, in place currently, at two hundred thousand dollars a month [for UCM] and a projected two and a half million dollar loss off, uh, appropriations in this fiscal year, uh, without passing significant costs on students, which we know one of the best things that we collectively have done together is hold our increases in costs down, uh, it would be catastrophic for the University of Central Missouri. And there would be no way for us to meet this fiscal challenge, uh, without reducing workforce, uh, or significant, and when I say significant, it would be major double digit tuition increases passed on to our students. And we all know that they simply just can’t afford it. Uh, and we’ve heard from, you know, all of the public sector, and, of course, K-12 has been very direct in its impact with resolutions from board, you know, school boards and, uh, but we would ask, uh, especially at a time when we are trying to, to run as a, as high performers to meet the state’s needs, and as you said, trying to, to create the, the future from here, uh, it, it would not just slow our momentum, uh, it, it would take it away from us. Um, so, I, I would like to just ask, you know, where is it, uh, what you would suggest for us to do, uh, to underlie its impact not just on Central Missouri and our students, uh, but across the state, uh, across education, uh, and, and certainly, uh, within scarce resources? Uh, and if we look across the border to our west, there’s no demonstration that, that that tax experiment done, has done anything to, to strengthen, uh, resources to, to put into, to teaching. So, I, I just ask, what can we do, where are we, uh, and, uh?

Representative Denny Hoskins (r): I get, I guess, uh, the first question I have, I know that we ended up with four hundred million dollar surplus over, um, this past fiscal year and the Governor decided to withhold that. So, had the board taken any position on asking the Governor to release the withholds?

Chuck Ambrose, President, University of Central Missouri: Well, we talked to the Governor about releasing the withhold.

Representative Denny Hoskins (r): Great.

Chuck Ambrose, President, University of Central Missouri: And, uh, and absolutely, uh, and as John Merrigan would put it, [inaudible], right now, uh, with his tack, uh, it is two hundred thousand dollars of, of cash, uh, withheld money which would not take us very long to feel. Uh, and I, I guess the only thing he’s come back with and said, until we get through veto session and know where that’s gonna go that he will continue [withholding]. And if it is overturned his intent would be to keep that [inaudible].

Representative Denny Hoskins (r): There are a lot of different groups out there and, and I know the Governor has, uh, his groups and his talking points, as well as what, uh, he, uh, believes to be a cat, catastrophic, uh, shortfall of revenue. I’m of, I’m of the other opinion. I don’t, I don’t believe that there, I believe that the Governor’s playing political games and, uh, he’s, he’s hitting all the right groups and withholding these funds even though that the money is right there, uh, in order to use. And I disagree with the Governor philosophically as far as what a tax cut would do for the State of Missouri, uh, on a personal side, uh, incremental tax cut of twenty-five percent over the next ten years. And that’s only happens if, uh, revenue, general revenue increase a hundred million dollars [inaudible] each year. So, uh, [inaudible]. Again, that does not happen if general revenue doesn’t, doesn’t increase at least a hundred million dollars. So, philosophically the, the Governor and I have a difference of opinion on, uh, [inaudible]. I know you mentioned Kansas, uh, our, our neighbor to the west. We’ve seen other states such as Tennessee, Oklahoma, uh, Texas. And you know, if you haven’t heard yet Governor Rick Perry is coming to Missouri next week and he’s launched a campaign to try and lure, uh, Missouri businesses to, uh, Texas, the State of Texas. And, um, you know, [inaudible] the low, the low tax state as well as, uh, a state that’s very friendly toward business and, and the economy.

So, I guess, I understand your concerns and many of my colleagues have those same concerns on both sides of the aisle. Uh, I do have, I do share some of those concerns but philosophically I believe that, that those can be overcome and I do not believe in, in the doomsday, uh, projections that, uh, Governor Nixon has, has said. Um, and I’ve gone on record and I said I, I guarantee that if House Bill 253 [veto] was  overridden education would not receive less money next year. We will not fulfill the Governor’s promise. That, that’s kind of where I stand [inaudible]. Senator [David] Pearce and I agree on a lot of things and, uh, we, we have a difference of opinion on, on this issue. So….

[….]

Chuck Ambrose, President, University of Central Missouri: ….Uh, but, you know, I, I, I’m taking the Governor on his word he’s gonna maintain the withhold if his veto is overturned.

Representative Denny Hoskins (r) : This has been a point of contention with the, uh, Missouri General Assembly as well as the Governor’s office. Um, and something will probably get [inaudible] to take to court. Constitutionally the Governor is not supposed to withhold unless the revenue’s not there. But the revenue’s there and [inaudible] he’s still deciding to withhold.

Um, you know, my personal opinion on, on 253, currently I, I do not believe the votes are there for a override of the Governor veto. Uh, could that change? Yes, it could change. I have, uh, been in discussions with, with some of the different groups, education as well as business groups. Uh, in the event that it is not overridden on September eleventh, come together [inaudible] work out a, uh, tax cut as well as, uh, provide adequate funding for education….

[….]

Marvin “Bunky” Wright, President, University of Central Missouri Board of Governors:  ….Uh, the board has discussed at great length this whole situation. You can refer to it as a difference in philosophy, frankly, I don’t care what you refer to it as. Uh, this board has got responsibility of this University. And I’ve seen President Ambrose, the faculty, the staff, everybody cut to the core budgetwise in the last three years. Uh, the last thing we need is a further crunch because of political differences. There isn’t any political difference when it comes to higher education when we’ve got responsibility. And we would ask that the two of you [Rep. Hoskins and Senator Pearce], uh, do not support the position of overriding this veto. I mean, we can’t sit back and wonder who’s right or wrong, because some money’s gonna go by the wayside. And whatever it is is gonna hurt us. So, you know, we would ask you to support this University which is in your district and the people. We think we’re one of the best universities in the state. I happen to think it is the best. A lot of it is due to the help of people like you. And we’re asking you again, and I’d like to go on record for this board as requesting that you support us, uh, in this override session. We appreciate you coming in very much. If you ever have any questions, why, give us a call. We’ll try to answer them.

Representative Denny Hoskins (r): Thank you.

[….]

Philosophically, giving tax breaks to billionaires and millionaires while increasing the burden on seniors and the poor through an added sales tax on their prescription medications is a good thing. Philosophically.

Philosophically, giving tax breaks to billionaires and millionaires while defunding the infrastructure of society and diminishing access to a quality education is a good thing. Philosophically.

Philosophically, holding up the less than erudite Governor of another state making a political visit to poach jobs from your own state as an ideal is a good thing. Philosophically.

….Governor Perry (r) is wasting money traveling to Missouri (paid for by TexasOne) to poach jobs and advocate for a change in Missouri law (HB 253) that would ostensibly (in his opinion) make it more difficult for Texas to poach Missouri jobs? Uh, definitely not the sharpest knife in the drawer….

Philosophically, being the new Speaker Pro Tem of the Missouri House is more important than representing the interests of the voters in your district. Philosophically.

If you’re in the right wingnut majority in control of the Missouri General Assembly, that is.

Previously:

New Missouri Rule: if the governor governs right of center you can’t call him a “liberal” (July 1, 2013)

Bill signing Kabuki (July 12, 2013)

Rep. Chris Kelly (D): HB 253 – “I’d like to know what your opinion is.” (July 19, 2013)

Rep. Denny Hoskins (r): probably not gonna sustain the Governor’s veto of HB 253 (August 19, 2013)

Sec. of State Jason Kander (D) to Texas Gov. Rick Perry (r): You forgot about that Medicaid thing? (August 23, 2013)

One October event in west central Missouri which draws large crowds, and in an election year, a significant number of candidates for political office, is the annual University of Central Missouri Homecoming Parade through the streets of Warrensburg. The parade took place this morning, in a break between rain storms, with a crowd of several thousand people lining the streets to watch. In addition to the political entries, their are floats, various organization and group entries, and, of course, high school marching bands.

The Fire Fighters brought their campaign land yacht in support of Senator Claire McCaskill (D).

Lineup for the parade started at 8:30 a.m. The Democratic Party entry number was in the 170s (the republicans were a number of entries behind that), so there’s plenty of time for candidates to visit and work the crowd in the lineup area before the candidates and their volunteers hit the parade route.

Elgene Ver Dught (left), the Democratic Party candidate in the 21st Senate District.

State Treasurer Clint Zweifel (D) (left).

Jason Kander (left), the Democratic Party candidate for Secretary of State, and State Treasurer Clint Zweifel (D).

Gary Grigsby, the Democratic Party candidate in the 51st Legislative District.

Attorney General Chris Koster (D).

A volunteer for Cass County Prosecutor Teresa Hensley, the Democratic Party candidate

in the 4th Congressional District, and Attorney General Chris Koster.

(From left to right) Chris Koster, Jason Kander, Clint Zweifel.

It’s nice to have a sister who looks like you walking in a parade on your behalf if you can’t be there. You could hear people in the crowd say as she approached, “Is that Claire?” She shook hands and waved, introducing herself as Claire’s sister, Lisa.

The statewide candidates (and many of the local candidates) dive into the crowd to shake hands and introduce themselves to voters. Much of the time you hear the response, “You’ve got my vote.”

Attorney General Chris Koster (D).

State Teasurer Clint Zweifel (D).

Jason Kander, the Democratic Party candidate for Secretary of State.

Clint Zweifel (D).

Gary Grigsby (D).

Elgene Ver Dught (D) walking the parade route.

International students in the parade.

The republican presence in their parade entry, while not insignificant, appeared to be much smaller in numbers than those of the Democratic Party candidates.

Missouri Secretary of State (and U.S. Senate candidate) Robin Carnahan (D) stopped in Warrensburg this afternoon to visit with voters at the UCM homecoming football game. This was the third of four campaign stops for the day – spanning the state from east to west.

Arriving at UCM’s stadium.

The campaign bus arrived at the stadium at approximately 3:15 p.m., trailed by a car with a reporter and a photographer for the New York Times (as I understood it – I was shooting photographs and the Times folks weren’t engaging me in small talk).

Foreground, left to right, former State Representative Deleta Williams (D), Secretary of State Robin Carnahan,

Juan Carlos Antolinez, Robin Carnahan’s spouse.

Two campaign staffers (right) accompany the group to the stadium entrance.

Juan Carlos Antolinez and Robin Carnahan share a conversation with a student worker in the stadium elevator.

Robin Carnahan spent about an hour at the stadium visiting with folks attending the game. A staffer politely reminded everyone that it was time to leave for the next stop and the traveling party walked back to their campaign bus for the final leg of the trip to Kansas City.

At this stage of any campaign it’s one thing after another at breakneck speed.

The University of Central Missouri homecoming parade took place this morning in Warrensburg. As usual, during an election year, there were a significant number of candidates and their supporters in the parade.

Courtney Cole, the Democratic candidate in the 121st Legislative District at the early morning parade lineup.

Blunt (r-lobbyists) supporters at the parade lineup.

Two freight trains came through town on the parade route – slowing the progress of the parade down while everyone waited for them to pass.

Courtney Cole (D), working the parade crowd.

Denny Hoskins (r – noun, verb, CPA) waving to the crowd and getting a mixed response.

Congressman Ike Skelton (D).

Vicky Hartzler (r), the republican challenger in the 4th Congressional District. She said, “I hope I didn’t break your camera.” I kid you not.

The republican candidates didn’t work the crowd (shaking hands and talking to folks). Some of the Democratic candidates did, others just waved to the crowd.

This is the ninth post in an ongoing series as we file Sunshine requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG & MB

A scoreboard here and a scoreboard there, and pretty soon, you’re talking about serious scoreboard.

One of the rumors we heard about criticism of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky was that he was being really mean to intercollegiate athletics because he wouldn’t release money they were entitled to from the vendor agreement with a cola company. I know, I know, we never get out of junior high school.

So, back to the vendor agreement, we decided to ask. On October 19th we submitted the following as a Missouri Sunshine law request:

[….]date: Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 3:36 PM

Subject: Request for information under RSMo 610

This email serves as notice that I am asking for the following under RSMo 610, i.e. the Sunshine Law, the following :

[….]

2. The University vendor agreement with Coca Cola put in place approximately two years ago.

Any requests for athletic funds generated from the Coca Cola agreement by the UCM Athletic Director

Thank  You [….]

Sent: Wed, October 21, 2009 2:28:56 PM

Subject: Re: Request for information under RSMo 610

[….]

Pursuant to your request of October 19, 2009, I am attaching  [….]a copy of UCM’s contract with Coca Cola. [….]In regard to your request for “Any request for athletic funds generated from the Coca Cola agreement…,” UCM’s Athletics does not receive any funds generated from the Coca Cola contract.

Sincerely [….]

Okay, on first read it looks like we sort of blew that question, but when you read the contract, we really didn’t. We didn’t particularly ask if they received funds generated by the contract, we asked if they requested funds generated by the contract.

Looking at Section 5.3 of the 2006 contract, we note that the Foundation got a chunk of change earmarked for scoreboard(s). Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe theatre productions use a scoreboard.

“…UCM’s Athletics does not receive any funds generated from the Coca Cola contract…”

Another point about this allocation to the Foundation. The University President doesn’t control the Foundation. If somebody didn’t get their scoreboard money their beef should be with the Foundation, not the University president.

There’s another interesting clause in Section 14.9:

Translation: Mean people suck. If you’re mean, that’s not going be a good thing for the continuation of this contract.

Do you think that the University of Central Missouri will be contemplating a clause like that in future radio contracts?

Our previous coverage:

Three steps behind, and to the right (January 25, 2008)

Three steps behind, and to the right, part 2 – a microcosm of our universe (September 21, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”? (October 15, 2009) (transcript of a portion of the live radio broadcast)

It wasn’t just about a tree (October 21, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: I heard it on the radio (October 21, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: let’s not get cut out of the will (October 22, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: $87.75 will get you one sheet of paper (October 23, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: They’re not playing hardball, they’re playing cat and mouse  (October 23, 2009)

Selmo Park, the President’s Residence at UCM

“The thing that really upsets me, that kinda got me going originally was, for years, there was a Christmas tree lit at Selmo Park. Remember that?  . . . drive by?  He stopped that.  I mean, I think every religion should be able to celebrate – uh – in their own way, but, I mean this is Warrensburg, Missouri!  This is America!”

On October 14, KOKO radio host and minority-share station owner Greg Hassler could not help himself, he had to crow a little bit about getting Aaron Podolefsky, the University President fired for committing the unforgivable sin of putting academics over athletics at an institution of higher learning. At least that’s an unforgivable sin in the eyes of a failed golf pro turned small-market sports jock.

Hassler was indignant about, of all things, a Christmas tree.

But not just any Christmas tree – he was indignant about a non existent Christmas tree!

The tree Mr. Hassler was so seemingly verklempt about was a live cedar that was on the grounds of Selmo Park, but had not had lights on it since 1999, a good five years before Aaron Podolefsky was hired as University President.

But that isn’t all…the tree was removed from the property because it had gotten so large that it obstructed the view of the residence and there was concern that the roots would cause damage to some of the infrastructure installed on the property…and we understand that it was removed around 2000. The Podolefskys did not take up residence in Selmo Park until July 2005. Quite a trick that he stopped the lighting and drive by considering the tree was gone for years before he got there, don’t you think?

We wonder if Mr. Hassler would like to come clean about his biases, or try again? We’ll be waiting…