A release from Governor Nixon’s office:

Gov. Nixon sets Nov. 3 as date for special elections to fill House seats for 29th District, 36th District and 89th District

July 28, 2015

Jefferson City, MO

Gov. Jay Nixon has set Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, as the date for special elections to fill vacant House seats in the 29th District, the 36th District and the 89th District.

The seat in the 29th District, located in Jackson County, became vacant after state Rep. Noel Torpey resigned. The seat in the 36th District, located in Kansas City, became vacant after state Rep. Kevin McManus resigned due to his election to the City Council of Kansas City. The seat in the 89th District, located in St. Louis County, became vacant when state Rep. John Diehl Jr. resigned.

These are currently the only vacant seats in the General Assembly.

At the request of Missouri Boys State we have deleted a previous post (Missouri Boys State is a private entity).  

On Tuesday evening State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D) spoke at Missouri Boys State in Hendricks Hall on the campus of the University of Central Missouri. She addressed the audience for about twenty minutes and then took questions for approximately a half hour.

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D) speaking at Missouri Boys State in Hendricks Hall

on the campus of the University of Central Missouri – June 16, 2015.

Question:  ….When you inherited the State Auditor position early this year, after the passing of Tom Schweich, what were some of the challenges you faced from inheriting it so suddenly and how did you overcome them?

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D): That’s a great question.  And, uh, I mean, I think first thing of that question is to recognize the great auditor and public servant that, uh, Auditor Schweich was. I mean, I truly believe he did a great job and cared deeply about what he did. Yes, he did. [applause]

I completely recognize that I came into this position in a unique and, uh, difficult circumstances. And, um, you know, I have been in difficult transitions and circumstances before. And I think treating people, again, with respect, professionally, and listening to them, that went a long way, just providing the support that people needed.

Um, because I’m a CPA and a certified fraud examiner I understand what an audit is. I’ve audited large organizations, small organizations and so working the professional staff that has been there for a long time, um, we speak the same language, ’cause I know what an audit is. And so that transition into the type of work we were doing, um, was, was pretty smooth. [applause]

Question: …Are you planning to obtain a higher position in our government?

State Auditor Nicole Galloway (D): Well, um, I will run for election in two thousand eighteen and, yeah, and it wouldn’t…[applause] Future voters, you guys will be able to vote then. [applause]

I would not have accepted this position or want to be in this position if it wasn’t something I was serious about and that I wanted to do for a long time….

Previously:

Nicole Galloway (D) appointed State Auditor (April 14, 2015)

Campaign Finance: getting a start on 2018 (June 6, 2015)

Missouri Boys State – 2015 (June 14, 2015)

Missouri Boys State: Lt. General Martin Steele – June 14, 2015 (June 15, 2015)

Missouri Boys State: Legislative School – June 15, 2015 (June 15, 2015)

The 76th annual session of Missouri Boys State sponsored by the American Legion is being held in Warrensburg on the campus of the University of Central Missouri this week. 983 high school boys from close to four hundred high schools across the state are attending the session. Registration started after noon on Saturday:

Logistics.

A Boys State counselor speaks with parents during Saturday’s afternoon registration.

Leading a town cheer before the start of the evening assembly.

Missouri Boys State Director Mike Plunkett.

Lowry Finley-Jackson, Adjutant for the American Legion Department of Missouri.

University of Central Missouri President Chuck Ambrose took a selfie with Boys Staters

behind him in the audience from the stage of Hendricks Hall during last night’s opening assembly.

And, we’ll be covering as many speakers as we can this week:

LT. GENERAL MARTIN R. STEELE

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Lt. Gen. Martin Steele rose from Marine Corps private to three-star general, culminating his military career as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies, and Operations at Headquarters, US Marine Corps. Upon his retirement from active duty he served as President & CEO of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum. Lt. Gen. Steele currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Veterans Research, Executive Director of Military Partnerships, and Co-Chair of the Veterans Reintegration Committee at the University of South Florida.

KARL ROVE

Monday, June 15, 2015

Karl Rove will accept the 27th Annual George W. Lehr Memorial Speaker’s Chair on Monday evening at Hendricks Hall. Rove served as Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush from 2000-2007 and Deputy Chief of Staff from 2004-2007. At the White House he oversaw the Offices of Strategic Initiatives, Political Affairs, Public Liaison, and Intergovernmental Affairs and was Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, coordinating the White House policy-making process. Before Karl Rove became known as “The Architect” of President Bush’s 2000 and 2004 campaigns, he was president of Karl Rove + Company, an Austin-based public affairs firm that worked for Republican candidates, non-partisan causes, and non-profit groups. His clients included over 75 Republican U.S. Senate, Congressional, and gubernatorial candidates in 24 states.

WARNER BAXTER

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Warner Baxter is chairman, president and chief executive officer of St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation, parent company of utilities that serve more than 2.4 million electric and nearly 900,000 natural gas customers. Additionally, Baxter serves on the boards of UMB Financial Corporation, Edison Electric Institute, Barnes Jewish Hospital, the Electric Power Research Institute, and The Muny.

MISSOURI AUDITOR NICOLE GALLOWAY

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Nicole Galloway is the 38th State Auditor of Missouri. As State Auditor, Nicole brings her expertise to work for all Missourians to be their watchdog holding government accountable. Prior to becoming State Auditor Nicole was Treasurer of Boone County for four years. She was Secretary/Treasurer of the Missouri Technology Corporation, investing in entrepreneurs to help create jobs, and she served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Missouri County Employees’ Retirement Fund, protecting the retirement benefits of nearly 16,000 participants in 111 counties.

MISSOURI GOVERNOR JAY NIXON

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Jay Nixon is serving his second term as governor of Missouri. As Governor, Jay Nixon has worked to make government more efficient, effective and responsive to the needs of Missouri families. He is committed to maintaining fiscal discipline, creating jobs, growing the economy and investing in public education. Prior to becoming Governor, Jay Nixon was elected to a record four terms as Missouri’s Attorney General. In 1986, he was elected to his first term in the Missouri State Senate, where he would represent the people of Jefferson County for six years.

WHITE HOUSE FELLOW AND NAVY SEAL COMMANDER ERIC GREITENS

Friday, June 19, 2015

A Navy SEAL, Rhodes Scholar, boxing champion, and humanitarian leader, Eric is the founder of The Mission Continues, a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Missouri that challenges veterans to serve and inspire in communities across America, and the author of the New York Times best-seller The Heart and The Fist. Eric was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a White House Fellow, and in 2011 the Association of the United States Navy named him the Navy Reserve Junior Line Officer of the Year. In 2014, Eric stepped down as CEO of The Mission Continues but continues to serve as an ambassador and member of the Board.

Well, for some.

Catherine Hanaway (r) [August 2014 file photo].

Catherine Hanaway’s gubernatorial campaign has not taken in a contribution over $5,000.00 (to be reported to the Missouri Ethics Commission within forty-eight hours) in over a month.

Meanwhile, yesterday at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C031159 03/20/2015 MISSOURIANS FOR KOSTER Missouri Drive Fund 1850 E Division Street Springfield MO 65803 3/20/2015 $25,000.00

C031159 03/20/2015 MISSOURIANS FOR KOSTER Vehicle Protection Association, Inc. P.O. Box 39491 St Louis MO 63139 3/20/2015 $10,000.00

[emphasis added]

And:

C151053 03/20/2015 GREITENS FOR MISSOURI Kathleen Harbaugh 789 Backhaus Rd. Pipe Creek TX 78063 Triple H Equitherapy 3/19/2015 $5,500.00

[emphasis added]

It’s still an exploratory committee for “statewide office”.

Previously:

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

=====

Campaign Finance: continuing… (March 1, 2015)

Campaign Finance: steady wins the race (March 4, 2015)

Campaign Finance: steady wins the race – part 2 (March 5, 2015)

Campaign Finance: from the four corners of Missouri (March 7, 2015)

Campaign Finance: from a different crowd (March 12, 2015)

Campaign Finance: steady (March 17, 2015)

Campaign Finance: still steady (March 20, 2015)

=====

Campaign Finance: There is another? (February 25, 2015)

Campaign Finance: a little bit more (February 26, 2015)

Campaign Finance: A new bandwagon? (March 6, 2015)

Campaign Finance: but wait, there’s more (March 10, 2015)

Campaign Finance: that’ll help finance a whole lot of exploring (March 12, 2015)

Campaign Finance: it’s going to be a good quarter (March 16, 2015)

Campaign Finance: still exploring (March 17, 2015)

* headline courtesy of Sean Nicholson

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

A141325 01/14/2015 CITIZENS TO ELECT ROBIN HARRIS Missourians for Tim Jones P.O. Box 434 Eureka MO 63025 1/14/2015 $15,000.00

A141325 01/14/2015 CITIZENS TO ELECT ROBIN HARRIS Cunningham Campaign Committee 1602 Timberlake Manor Pkwy Chesterfield MO 63017 1/13/2015 $8,000.00

A141325 01/14/2015 CITIZENS TO ELECT ROBIN HARRIS Robin Harris 14570 Bexhill Ct. Chesterfield MO 63017 Delta Airlines Pilot 1/14/2015 $7,000.00

A141325 01/14/2015 CITIZENS TO ELECT ROBIN HARRIS Richard Gans 14202 Cobble Hill Ct. Chesterfield MO 63017 Businessman National Education Acceptance 1/14/2015 $7,000.00

[emphasis added]

A141325: Citizens To Elect Robin Harris

14570 Bexhill Court Committee Type: Candidate

Chesterfield Mo 63017 Party Affiliation: Republican

[….] Established Date: 12/19/2014

  Termination Date:

[….]

Election Year Primary Outcome General Outcome Political Office

2015 Board Member Monach [sic] Fire Protection District

That’s a lot of money just to run for reelection. Or not.

Tradition.

“…The Department of Conservation would pay you $250.00 $500.00 to hunt deer with your car. What’s not to like?…”

A bill, pre-filed by Representative Wanda Brown (r):

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 317 [pdf]

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE BROWN (57).

0822H.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 252, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to reimbursement for automobile damage inflicted by deer.

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

Section A. Chapter 252, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 252.270, to read as follows:

252.270. The department of conservation shall reimburse any automobile owner in an amount up to five hundred dollars for damages sustained to the automobile due to hitting or being hit by a deer. The department of conservation shall establish rules and regulations to implement 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.

[emphasis in original]

It’ll probably be easy to get a sponsor in the Senate.

Today is the first day for prefiling bills for the 2015 session of the General Assembly. A bill on abortion from a republican:

HB 81 Changes the laws regarding consent for a minor to have an abortion

Sponsor: Anderson, Sonya (131)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2015

LR Number: 0531H.01I

Last Action: 12/01/2014 – Prefiled (H)

Bill String: HB 81

[….]

Go figure.

Previously:

You were expecting anything different? (December 1, 2014)

It’ll be a cold day in the General Assembly… (December 1, 2014)

…if these bills ever see the light of day.

Previously: You were expecting anything different? (December 1, 2014)

Today is the first day for prefiling bills for the 2015 session of the General Assembly. Several bills obviously prompted by issues pertinent to Ferguson, Missouri have been filed:

HB 38 Requires a peace officer to attend a training course in diversity and sensitivity and a course that teaches tactics and techniques during situations of unrest and peaceful demonstrations

Sponsor: Pace, Sharon (074)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2015

LR Number: 0036L.01I

Last Action: 12/01/2014 – Prefiled (H)

Bill String: HB 38

[….]

Can’t you just see an amendment offered by the majority exempting National Football League player introductions?

HB 39 Requires video cameras to be worn by uniformed police officers while interacting with the public and in police vehicles primarily used for traffic stops

Sponsor: Pace, Sharon (074)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2015

LR Number: 0037L.01I

Last Action: 12/01/2014 – Prefiled (H)

Bill String: HB 39

[….]

HB 40 Requires peace officers to undergo a psychological evaluation every three years

Sponsor: Pace, Sharon (074)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2015

LR Number: 0039L.01I

Last Action: 12/01/2014 – Prefiled (H)

Bill String: HB 40

[….]

A cold day indeed.

Today is the first day for prefiling bills for the 2015 session of the General Assembly. With the current right wingnut super majority in the House we’re not particularly surprised by the thumbnail sketch descriptions of many of the bills we’ve seen prefiled up to this point:

HB 30 Requires a person to submit a specified form of photo identification in order to vote in a public election with specified exemptions

Sponsor: Dugger, Tony (141)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2015

LR Number: 0227H.01I

Last Action: 12/01/2014 – Prefiled (H)

Bill String: HB 30

[….]

HJR 1 Proposes a constitutional amendment specifying that a person seeking to vote in a public election may be required by general law to provide a valid governemnt-issued photo identification

Sponsor: Dugger, Tony (141)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2015

LR Number: 0224H.01I

Last Action: 12/01/2014 – Prefiled (H)

Bill String: HJR 1

[….]

Voter photo ID. Check.

HB 32 Modifies the “Big Government Get Off My Back Act”

Sponsor: Hoskins, Denny (054)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2015

LR Number: 0508H.01I

Last Action: 12/01/2014 – Prefiled (H)

Bill String: HB 32

[….]

We can’t wait to read the full text of the bill when it becomes available to see what unintended (maybe) consequences in the original need to be “fixed”.

And, of course, there’s a string of anti-working people bills:

HB 46 Requires the State Board of Mediation to conduct an election to certify the exclusive bargaining representatives of an appropriate collective bargaining unit for certain public employees every two year

Sponsor: Lant, Bill (159)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2015

LR Number: 0548H.01I

Last Action: 12/01/2014 – Prefiled (H)

Bill String: HB 46

[….]

HB 47 Specifies that all individuals shall be guaranteed the freedom to work without being required to join or pay dues to any labor organization

Sponsor: Lant, Bill (159)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2015

LR Number: 0546H.01I

Last Action: 12/01/2014 – Prefiled (H)

Bill String: HB 47

{….]

HB 48 Prohibits any public employee from being required to pay dues or other fees to a labor organization

Sponsor: Lant, Bill (159)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2015

LR Number: 0547H.01I

Last Action: 12/01/2014 – Prefiled (H)

Bill String: HB 48

[….]

Apparently representation without individual responsibility is tyranny. Or socialism. Or something.

HJR 2 Proposes a constitutional amendment that specifies that all individuals shall be guaranteed the freedom to work without being required to join or pay dues to any labor organizations

Sponsor: Lant, Bill (159)

Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2015

LR Number: 0584H.01I

Last Action: 12/01/2014 – Prefiled (H)

Bill String: HJR 2

[….]

No surprises at all.