U.S. Senator Roy Blunt’s staff will host a Listening Post Meeting on Thursday, March 7, 2013 from 9:30a.m. to 10:30a.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse. Listening Posts are intended for Missourians to share their questions and concerns during meetings with members of Senator Blunt’s staff. Senator Blunt’s Jefferson City office…
Congress returned to Washington, DC from a week-long recess this week, but news sources say they are no closer to averting the March 1 across-the-board cuts called the sequester. Staff members representing the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging (SMOA) are once again asking citizens to write or call their congressmen…
Greetings from your State Capitol. The forecast of winter weather prompted the leadership of the House to cancel Thursday’s session. With the promise of freezing rain forecast for home, I headed that direction early on Wednesday after session. The House took up three bills this week: HB 55 authorizes an…
Over the past week I have received numerous e-mails and phone calls regarding House Bill 545 filed by Representative Emery. As many have you have mentioned HB 545, which would make it class C felony to manufacture, import, possess, purchase, sell, or transfer any assault weapon or large capacity magazine…
Our founding fathers envisioned a government that worked for the people, not against them. Needless to say, they would probably not be too satisfied with the mess that is the Washington, D.C. of today. As Washington insiders and career politicians continue to lose touch with what the people really desire…
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) announced today that he was named to the Airland; Personnel; and Readiness and Management Support Subcommittees for the Senate Committee on Armed Services. Blunt is one of two Republican senators to serve on both the defense authorizing and appropriations full committees in…
JEFFERSON CITY – Legislation sponsored by Sen. Mike Cunningham, R-Rogersville, to require the Division of Workers’ Compensation to maintain a claims database was today approved by the Missouri Senate and sent to the House for consideration. Senate Bill 34 would, specifically, require a workers’ compensation claims database that would be…
Taking Care of Our Military and Addressing Workers’ Compensation Our country is known as “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” It is thanks to the service of our military members throughout history that has preserved this designation. I proudly served our country during the Vietnam…
The Missouri House had a short but busy week. The Capitol was abuzz with activity from the Governor’s annual State of the State Address on Monday evening to several committee hearings throughout the week. As things speed-up in Jefferson City, I wanted to make you aware of an online survey…
Greetings from your State Capitol. This week the Governor released his budget. The Governor’s budget is based on four pieces of legislation that have never passed the legislature, totaling nearly $165 million in ‘new’ money for him to spend. These yet to be passed enhancements are a $1.8 million increase…
The Douglas County Democrats met on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the Krazy Daze restaurant. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Teresa Tost at 6 p.m. A treasurer’s report was given by Chaz Franzke. He provided the names of everyone who had paid their 2013 dues and collected…
A primary concern amongst Missourians — and all Americans — is figuring out the best possible solutions to protect our constitutional right to keep and bear arms and to keep our children safe. We are still mourning the tragic loss of life from the school shooting in Connecticut last December.…
Though it is cold outside, things have started to heat up in Jefferson City. Bills have been filed, committees have started to meet, and legislation has already been debated in the House chamber. Session is in full swing. Earlier this week, the Missouri House voted on its first piece of…
By U.S. Senator Roy Blunt “Show me your budget, and I will tell you what you value.” That’s what Joe Biden said last summer, and he meant it as a criticism of Republicans. The vice president’s comment raises a question: Where are the Democrats’ values? They’re in hiding, judging from…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) Tuesday morning sent a letter of resignation to Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and notified the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives that it would be her last day serving in Congress. “I am honored to serve the people of the Eighth…
Approximately 70 people, including 10 members of the 8th Congressional Committee, attended the Republican candidate forum that featured 11 contenders for Jo Ann Emerson’s congressional seat on Tuesday, Jan. 15. The successful forum was put on by the Douglas County Republican Committee. Ross McElvain opened the meeting, Bill Cardin gave…
The 97th General Assembly has officially commenced. New members have been sworn in and inaugural ceremonies, celebrations are behind us. Now, the task at hand is the work of the people. Personally, this moment is bittersweet. For the past four years I have had the privilege to serve the fine…
Last week, I stood in the magnificent Missouri Senate chamber and took an oath to represent my constituents in the 33rd District to the best of my ability, and to uphold the principles and values of the Missouri Constitution. It was one of the proudest moments of my career, and…
I officially began my service as state representative of the 155th District after being sworn in during a ceremony Wednesday, January 9 in the Missouri State Capitol. I joined 160 other state representatives who were administered the oath of office during opening day proceedings in the Missouri House of Representatives.…
JEFFERSON CITY – Rep. Tony Dugger, R-Hartville, has been named chairman of the House Committee on Financial Institutions. Selected by the Speaker of the House Timothy Jones, Rep. Dugger will play a key role in the development of legislation assigned to the House Committee on Financial Institutions. “It is a…
Elizabeth Bock was sworn in Monday morning as Douglas County Associate Circuit Judge. Judge Bock was installed by 44th Judicial Circuit Judge Craig Carter whose election created the vacancy. Bock, a former assistant attorney general, was appointed associate circuit judge by Gov. Jay Nixon.…
JEFFERSON CITY—Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced that four initiative petitions relating to minimum wage and one petition relating to payday, title, installment, and consumer credit loans met state standards for circulation. The official ballot title for the first petition relating to minimum wage reads: Shall Missouri law be…
JEFFERSON CITY — On Wednesday, Jan. 9, Sen. Mike Cunningham, R-Rogersville, was officially sworn in to represent the 33rd Senatorial District in the Missouri Senate. This district includes Texas, Wright, Webster, Douglas, Ozark Howell, Oregon, and Ripley counties. “This morning, I was humbled by the presence of my loved ones…
A New Year for the Nation America starts the New Year with challenges ahead of us. We need leadership to match. No one is more frustrated than I am at the way negotiations over the fiscal cliff first stalled and then fizzled. At an hour where the common good of…
JEFFERSON CITY –– The Missouri Republican State Committee voted on Satuday, Jan. 5 to elect Ed Martin as Chairman. “Todays competition was the sign of a vibrant and mature Party. Our success in electing Republicans across the state in widening the tent has created an influx of new ideas and…
What’s Over the Edge of the Fiscal Cliff The fiscal cliff has passed, and it should be clear now that the driving force behind it was always taxes. Ronald Reagan said that a person who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is not a 20 percent traitor, and…
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) announced today that he will serve as a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, which has jurisdiction over the study and review of matters relating to the nation’s defense policies. Missouri is home to almost 18,000 active duty servicemen…
Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase was reelected by a significant margin in the only county race at Tuesday’s general election. Degase, a Republican, received 4,293 votes to 2,107 for challenger, independent candidate W.G. “Bill” Rowe. Not surprisingly, Douglas County voters supported the Republican ticket down the line, although the overall…
By Jordan Shapiro State Capitol Bureau Employees of the Missouri House of Representatives received three pay raises in one year, according to a report by the Jefferson City News Tribune. House employees received two “House-only” pay increases in addition to a 2 percent raise given to all state workers making…
On Oct. 16, the Douglas County Republican Committee hosted an educational presentation for the public. The main topic was Agenda 21 – short for “United Nations Agenda for the 21st Century.” State Representative Lyle Rowland spoke about his proposed bill to prohibit Agenda 21 in Missouri based on a similar…
On Tuesday, Oct. 2, Vice Chair Teresa Tost called the Douglas County Democrats meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and welcomed members to the meeting. Members were told that the chair, Gene Cherry, is home from the hospital and doing well after his fall from the roof of his house. …
The Douglas County Republican Women’s Club met on Sept. 18. Their guests were Lyle Roland, newly elected representative for the 155th Missouri Congressional District and Alexandria Zumsteg, representing Shane Schoeller’s as his Southwest Regional Director. Rep. Roland talked about the recent House Bills that were passed and not passed. He…
Missouri candidates for governor and U.S. senator participated in forums Friday in Columbia sponsored by the Missouri Press Association (MPA). Candidates for governor — incumbent Democrat Jay Nixon, Republican Dave Spence and Libertarian Jim Higgins — gave statements and answered questions during the first forum at the Holiday Inn Executive…
Deadly Distractions Texting and talking while driving are really getting out of control, and the results are catastrophic. Two years ago, more than 3,000 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. Some 416,000 more were injured. For fatal accidents involving drivers under the age of 20, 11 percent…
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt’s staff will host a Listening Post Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 4, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse (basement). Listening Posts are intended for Missourians to share their questions and concerns during meetings with members of Senator Blunt’s staff. Senator Blunt’s Jefferson City…
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced that absentee ballots are available for the November 6, 2012 general election. Missourians may cast an absentee ballot at the office of their local election authority or request an absentee ballot by mail or fax. The absentee ballot application…
Chairman, Ross McElvain called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. There were 28 voting committee members present. Douglas County Republicans are making a show in the Missouri Re-publican Party. Douglas County’s own Richland Township Commit-teeman, Kaleb Luna, and Jackson Township Committeewoman, Joan Follis, were elected chairman and vice chair…
This week my colleagues and I joined the members of the Missouri Senate in overriding the veto of Governor Nixon on a piece of legislation designed to protect Missouri businesses from the overreach of federal government. The override motion was supported by both Republicans and Democrats in both the House…
My name is W. G. (Bill) Rowe and I am asking for the honor of serving you as the sheriff of Douglas County. I am a veteran of 35 years law enforcement experience. As a voter you have the right to ask why I am qualified to be your sheriff.…
A large crowd of potential voters attended the political forum at the Ava Community Center last Thursday night, sponsored by C.H.A.R.T. Some 16 Republican candidates for county, district and state races attended and took a turn speaking to the crowd and answering questions posed to them by program emcee Joe…
Lots of Red Tape to Cut How do we get our economy back to work? There is no better way to get started than to renew our American spirit of free enterprise. First, we’re going to have to cut some red tape. We’re going to have to cut a lot…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today introduced legislation to renew three agricultural relief programs which expired at the end of Fiscal Year 2011 and expand eligibility on an emergency basis. Combined, the three programs address grazing losses and livestock deaths due to drought, as well as losses…
Tilley cites cost and timing as reasons for his objection JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri House Speaker Steven Tilley turned down the request of Lieutenant Governor candidate Brad Lager to call a special session regarding the Obamacare mandates. “With all due respect to Senator Lager, I cannot support a special…
JEFFERSON CITY – Several measures carried through the Missouri Senate by Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, received the governor’s executive approval today on Tuesday, adding these to the list of legislation that will take effect on Aug. 28. House Bill 1323, which contains a provision found in Senate Bill 758, sponsored…
Wright County Farm Bureau will host a political forum on Thursday, July 19, at the Wright County Courthouse in Hartville. The program will begin at 7 p.m., and all candidates for county offices have been invited to attend. The list of candidates includes candidates for circuit judge of the 44th…
Bad Taxes & Downright Dangerous Taxes I hate taxes. They pull resources from our families, from our small businesses and from our local economy, putting hard-earned dollars into the hands of federal bureaucrats. Every dollar the government takes from us is a dollar less we can invest in our children’s…
The Douglas County Democrats will meet July 10 at Krazy Daze’s Kitchen & Steakhouse at 5 p.m. in their meeting room. Teresa Tost will give an update on the Democratic Convention she attended at Lake of the Ozarks on June 8 and 9, candidate updates and information on upcoming events.…
The End of the Wall “Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” These resolute words of President Ronald Reagan rang through West Berlin and echoed around the globe 25 years ago this week. To a world divided into free and not free, the President’s demand went…
Our Badge of Citizenship A month ago, I stood by as a few proud men and women of Southern Missouri raised their right hands, swore their allegiance to our Constitution, and became naturalized American citizens. For this honor, they studied, they served in our communities, and they proved their loyalty…
The $494 Billion Tax Hike The American economy is on the edge of a precipice that few Americans will realize until we are even closer to the cliff. Some 200 federal tax provisions are set to expire at the end of this year, which would directly lead to a $494…
You can always accomplish more if you have a plan. It gives you a sense of direction and a distinct goal to work toward as you move forward. And, when we started this session, we laid out our plan for the session in our Blueprint for Missouri. Now, as this…
Greetings from your State Capitol. I was excited to hear we get to keep our Post Offices. The hours of operation may change but at least they will remain open. This has been a very tense week here in Jefferson City with the deadline of the budget approval on…
Congress Is On Guard Against a Regulatory Legacy The regulatory reach of the federal bureaucracy has reached disturbing levels. In Southern Missouri, we know the interest of federal agencies in regulating our lives includes dust on farms, milk storage on dairies, the freedom of our children to work in agriculture,…
The Other Case at the Supreme Court All the attention at the Supreme Court this spring has been focused on the challenge to the 2010 health care reform law, but there is another important case before the highest court in the nation with considerable consequences for immigration policy. The federal…
The 2nd Regular Session of the 96th General Assembly is coming to a close. Just a mere two weeks remain for the legislature to wrap up the business of the state for the year before returning to the district for the summer months. As the debates get heated during the…
Greetings from your State Capitol. This week saw some progress from the Senate as the budget was passed out early Wednesday morning (around 3 a.m.). We have some differences that hopefully we will be able to work out in a conference committee. The bills passed this week to the Senate…
Senate Passes State Spending Plan After two days of lengthy debate, the Senate passed its version of the state’s budget this week. Crafting the state’s spending plan is one of the most important tasks we face each year; it’s also one of the hardest. The Senate is made up of…
When Snow Falls on Pike’s Peak There is no end to the appetite of this administration to regulate the lives, livelihoods, private decisions and private property of the American people. The latest example of the aggressive agenda of the federal bureaucracy is, not surprisingly, by the Environmental Protection Agency. Together…
It seems harmless enough on the surface; you are walking along when an individual approaches you with a clipboard and asks you to sign a petition to save helpless animals or the elderly. Who wouldn’t want to help a cause like that? Moreover, who wouldn’t want the ability to petition…
By U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill So often, it’s tough to see how votes taken in Congress will actually affect the day-to-day lives of folks outside of Washington. But having been born and raised in rural Missouri, I know there’s at least one issue being debated right now that hits home…
Senate Passes “Sam Pratt’s Law” William “Sam” Pratt was a young boy who died from alleged child abuse in 2009 at an unlicensed daycare in Missouri. The child care provider, who was charged with child abuse resulting in death and involuntary manslaughter, continued to care for children. Police requested she…
Greetings from your State Capitol. We were excited this week to learn that Rockaway Beach placed second in the “Great American Water Taste Test”. This test was to determine the best tasting water in Missouri. Congratulations to Mayor Cline and Mr. Terry King for providing the area with quality water.…
The Case for Cuts at GSA The General Services Administration (GSA) is like many government agencies – it is tough to figure out what they do by their name. GSA manages buildings, leases, vehicles and office supplies for the federal bureaucracy. It doesn’t do very much of its job well.…
Our Constitution is the sacred document outlining the powers vested in our federal government. However, in the past few years, it seems our federal officials have overstepped the boundaries laid out by our founding fathers so many years ago. The Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly called Obamacare,…
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), along with U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) introduced a bipartisan amendment to the “21st Century Postal Service Act” last week that would provide rural communities facing post office or postal processing facility closures with an advocate in the process. Senator Blunt released…
Alarmed at the growing reach of government and the job-killing regulation that are stifling Missouri farmers and small business owners, retired Marshfield businessman Mike Cunningham, a former State Representative, recently announced his intention to run as a conservative Republican for the Missouri State Senate in the 33rd District. The new…
Helping Missouri Farmers Last December, the State Tax Commission voted to raise taxes on the most productive farms in Missouri by approving new productivity values. These values represent a land’s potential earnings and are used to calculate a farm’s property taxes. By voting to increase the values, the commission was…
Greetings from your State Capitol. Had a visit from some of the students attending College of the Ozarks this week. It is always a pleasure to have people from the district here to tour the capitol and stop by for a visit. This week the House passed the following bills…
Privacy We Can All Understand It is difficult to agree to use pretty much anything on the Internet these days without first agreeing to pages of legal mumbo-jumbo that describes the privacy policy of a certain website or web service. From Facebook to shopping online to perusing the online newspaper,…
Our founding fathers witnessed first-hand the oppressive nature of a tyrannical government. For years they saw their wants and desires be ignored by a king an ocean away until the point that it became “necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another.” In…
Senate Prepares for Budget Debate There are six weeks left in this year’s legislative session. As we approach the homestretch, the Senate will begin working on what I believe is the most important task we undertake each year: balancing the state’s budget. It is also the only duty the Legislature…
Greetings from your State Capitol. We are now down to the last six weeks of the 2012 Legislative Session. There are a lot of bills now moving through the process. This past week in the House the following bills were passed on to the Senate. HB 1593 changes the laws…
A Helping Hand for Immigration Enforcement Ronald Reagan said, “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation.” But immigration policy is not just enforced at the U.S. border. With millions of illegal aliens already in the country, every community in every state is vulnerable to the problems…
Broadband is the lifeblood of the modern world. Access to high-speed internet is essential for business, education, and personal communication. As the world around us becomes more and more technologically driven it is vital that we ensure that all, whether urban or rural, have the ability to access reliable, affordable…
Craig Cunningham, of the Arno area in western Douglas County, formally announces he is a Republican candidate for District 1 County Commissioner. Cunningham, 52, is a third generation Douglas County resident, farmer and small business owner for 24 years. He is also an Ava High School graduate and is currently…
Preventing Child Abuse In Missouri On Tuesday, the Senate Health, Mental Health, Seniors and Families Committee conducted a hearing on Senate Bill 758, which would change the laws regarding hotline calls and investigations of child abuse and neglect to the Children’s Division of the Department of Social Services. During the…
Greetings from your State Capitol. It was great seeing the 8th graders from Bakersfield this week here at the capitol. They joined the list of students from Thornfield and Kirbyville that visited last week. Seeing the capitol and government in action is hopefully a time that they will remember for…
The Douglas County Democratic mass meeting was held Thursday, March 29, at the Douglas County Courthouse at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Teresa Tost, chair of the Douglas County Democrat Party, and followed the procedures for electing a meeting chair, delegates and alternates for the 8th…
15 (More) Reasons to Repeal the ACA Tax increases, an individual mandate to carry health insurance, frustrating disincentives for employers to offer private coverage – there are plenty of reasons to roll back and replace the 2010 health care law. But each of the 15 members of the new Independent…
Our founding fathers were deeply spiritual men. Their fervent religiosity and faith in God gave them guidance; especially while drafting our country’s founding documents. Throughout the history of America, these beliefs have often come under attack in the media and in the political arena. Despite these attacks, there are key…
Court Finds Ballot Language to be Misleading to Voters JEFFERSON CITY – Cole County Circuit Court Judge Patricia S. Joyce ruled on Tuesday last week, in a legal challenge brought by the Advancement Project, Fair Elections Legal Network, American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri, and the American Civil Liberties…
Archie Daily, of the Vanzant area in eastern Douglas County, formally announces this week that he is a candidate for District 2 County Commissioner. Daily, 64, has lived in Douglas County 22 years. He retired in 2011 after working 17 years for MoDOT and is currently working part time at…
Expanding Protections For the Elderly This week in the Missouri Senate, we passed Senate Bill 689, legislation that would go far in increasing protections for the elderly and disabled. I have always believed we have a duty to protect the most vulnerable members of our society, and this bill would…
Greetings from your State Capitol. Work began in full swing upon returning from last weeks’ spring break. Budget bills were introduced, discussed and then finally passed out of the House on Thursday. Here is the list of bills approved this week: HB 1466 creates the Math & Science Tutoring Act…
Americans feel the absence of a national energy policy right in our pocketbooks. High and climbing prices for gas affect families every day. Not only do energy costs force us to make tough budget choices in the present, they also dampen our hope for the future. And as I have…
Next Tuesday, April 3, is municipal and school election day across the state. But in Douglas County, there are few ballot issues to be decided. In the City of Ava, voters will elect two members to the City Council. In the East Ward of the city incumbent Ric Engelhardt is…
When the Missouri Legislature reconvened this January, we knew one of the biggest obstacles facing the state in the upcoming year would be balancing the budget with increasingly limited funds. Unfortunately, federal stimulus dollars, which in years past had been used to balance the budget, were no longer available, and…
Buddy Irby has announced that he is a Republican candidate for Douglas County Assessor. Buddy and his wife, Beth, have owned and operated the Hiland Dairy distributorship for the past 18 years. Before Hiland, Buddy worked for Missouri Farm Bureau where he was district manager over eight counties. There he…
JEFFERSON CITY –– Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced that 576 candidates have filed for state and federal offices for the 2012 election as the filing period ended yesterday, March 27, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. Candidates running for the five statewide offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state,…
A few more candidates filed for county offices during the past week, beating the filing deadline on Tuesday. The latest to file included Craig Cunningham, candidate for county commissioner in District 1 to oppose incumbent Richard Mitchell. Filing this week for District 2 county commissioner is Archie D. Daily. He…
I, Danny Givans, would like to take this opportunity to announce my candidacy for the position of District 2 Commissioner of Douglas County. I am a life long resident of Douglas County and know first hand what it takes to make things work. I have owned and operated Givans Garage…
Dan Wade has announced that he is a candidate for judge of the 44th Circuit over Ozark, Douglas, and Wright counties. The current judge, John Moody, is retiring. Wade is the son of the late Howard and Lou Anna Wade of Gainesville. He attended the University of Missouri and after…
A Health Care Bait-and-Switch Americans puzzling over what happened to “if you like your health insurance plan, you can keep it” are about to start wondering how a health care proposal promised to save us money ends up costing us so much. President Obama assured the public that the Affordable…
Scott Dinwiddie has announced his candidacy for Douglas County Sheriff and in doing so promises positive change for the county. Scott is a 2000 graduate of Drury University Law Enforcement Academy and has 12 years law enforcement experience. “My experience includes patrol, jail operations, investigations, civil process serving and administration,”…
The mass meeting of Douglas County Democrats will be held Thursday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the main courtroom at the Douglas County courthouse. Those attending will be electing two delegates and two alternates. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Your voter registration card and forms of identification will…
The State Senate Reapportionment Commission filed finalized district maps with Secretary of State Robin Carnahan on Tuesday. After receiving the maps, Carnahan released the following statement regarding district boundaries and filing for office within those boundaries: “Today, the State Senate Reapportionment Commission filed finalized district maps with the Secretary of…
Greetings from your State Capitol. Spring Break is upon us and I believe everyone is ready to take a short break from all the stress that has been building since we started this session in January. The great weather has also caused a stir in most of us to “get…
Getting Back to Baseball The few signs of spring in southern Missouri are welcome reminders that baseball is nearly back again. Nothing embodies the hope of springtime like the prospect of taking your favorite team to the playoffs, or even to the World Series. Well, I can think of one…
It is hard to believe that the Second Regular Session of the 96th General Assembly is already halfway done. Since reconvening in January, the Missouri House has diligently worked to make Missouri a better place to work, live, and raise a family. We have centered our legislative work around four…
Should there be a price to pay for voicing an opinion and speaking out? By Sue Curry Jones Last week our newspaper ran an anonymous ad submitted by a group of parents who are concerned about actions of the Ava School Board. The ad posed questions about recent budget decisions…
Giving Homeowners a Choice A sinkhole, also known as a doline, is a depressed area in the ground, usually caused by the dissolution of bedrock from subterranean water or the collapse of underlying caves. Basically, it’s a hole below the surface covered by a layer of soil. Some are shallow,…
Robert Robertson announces this week that he is a candidate for Douglas County Commissioner District 2. Robert is a lifelong resident of Douglas County. Robert states: “Being a farmer and business man within our county, I understand the concerns and difficulties we face with our county roads. I myself live…
Greetings from your State Capitol. It was a tragic week in part of my district last week. A tornado whipped out its destructive force on the landscape and structures that stood in its path. I observed the sites on Thursday when returning to the district from Jefferson City and am…
Who Could Love High Gas Prices? High gas prices put a serious dent in our family budgets. When gas prices go up, getting to work or to school is more expensive, and so is everything on our store shelves that moves by truck…and that’s everything on our store shelves. When…
Earlier this week, mother nature provided us with a stark reminder of how in an instant one’s life can change. So often, in the hustle and bustle of life, it is easy to forget just how precious life is, and how truly blessed we are. As we continue to pray…
Sheriff Chris Degase is publicly announcing his candidacy for reelection this week. Degase made the following statement in announcing his candidacy. “I am Chris Degase and I’m running on the Republican ticket for Douglas County Sheriff. As your current Douglas County Sheriff, I would first like to thank the Citizens…
Sometimes it easy to become overwhelmed by complexity of the problems we face on a day-to-day basis. It seems as if every day the prices on the items we use the most continue to rise with seemingly no relief is sight. Missourians from all across this great state are struggling,…
JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Secretary of State’s office today announced that two initiative petitions met state standards for circulation. The ballot title for the petition relating to teachers and certificated staff reads: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to: • deny any state or local funds for school districts…
Protecting Missouri’s Workers On Thursday, the Senate passed Senate Bill 572, which modifies the law relating to workers’ compensation. Under the legislation, co-workers could no longer be found personally liable for honest workplace accidents. The bill would also mandate civil actions from workplace injury or death cannot proceed in court…
I am writing this column later than usual as the House was not in session last Thursday and I had no committee meetings on Thursday. This week looks to be great weather all across Missouri. Spring surely can’t be that for off. Noticed some large flocks of geese headed back…
Filing opens next Tuesday for the Aug. 7 primary election. In county elections, voters will be electing two county district commissioners, sheriff, assessor, public administrator, coroner, surveyor, and township committeemen and committeewomen. Voters in Douglas, Ozark and Wright counties will also elect a circuit judge for the 44th Circuit. In…
A President Who Refuses to Budge The president’s budget is really just a stack of paper. It is only as serious as the administration offering it. That said, the budget proposal offered President Obama an important opportunity to turn away from irresponsible deficit spending, trim the size of federal government,…
In Jefferson City, state legislators try to look at how Washington’s operating and do the opposite. During the contentious debate over the President’s healthcare law in Washington, former U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi reminded folks that ‘we have to pass the bill so you can find out what’s…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) this evening voted in favor of a measure to prohibit a pay increase for members of Congress. Emerson has consistently and repeatedly voted against such pay increases in the past. “Members of Congress ought to be focused on doing their jobs and…
Teresa Tost, chair of the Douglas County Democratic Committee said this week that the county mass meeting will be held on March 29 and the Congressional Delegation Caucuses will be held on April 26. Tost said the location of the county meeting has not been set at this time but…
“No” Is Still Not an Energy Policy Not many of the policies coming out of the White House make a whole lot of sense these days, but the Obama Administration’s decision to block a major new pipeline of oil from Canada to the United States runs counter to our economic…
JEFFERSON CITY – Secretary of State Robin Carnahan has announced that five initiative petitions met state standards for circulation. The ballot title for one petition relating to cigarette and other tobacco product taxation reads: Shall Missouri law be amended to: • create the Health and Education Trust Fund with proceeds of…
The new congressional districts came under fire Thursday, Jan. 12, as the Missouri Supreme Court considered a challenge to the new district lines. The state’s high court heard oral arguments questioning the legality of the districts drawn last year by the Missouri General Assembly. The newly drawn map essentially eliminated…
The General Assembly returned to the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 4, for the start of the new legislative session. This is my second year in the Missouri Senate, and I’m looking forward to a productive session. There is much to be done as we work to create a job-friendly atmosphere…
Greetings from your State Capitol. The second session of the 96th General Assembly started this week. The opening session was more along the lines of business as usual. The Speaker, Steve Tilley, gave his opening session speech and the formalities of getting the session going were quickly handled. Speaker Tilley…
Taxes the IRS Doesn’t Even Understand At the beginning of the New Year our thoughts turn from the happy holidays to more mundane things, not the least of which is taxes. Forms start arriving in the mail, folders of receipts emerge from the filing cabinet, and we commence an annual…
With the New Year comes a new legislative session in Jefferson City. The second regular session of the 96th General Assembly was called to order on Jan. 4 by Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives, Steven Tilley. With his opening remarks, Speaker Tilley outlined his “Blueprint for Missouri.” The…
“A Child Is Born” In the Old Testament, the Book of Isaiah says, “For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given.” Isaiah’s words foretold the birth of Christ, and they hold special meaning for all Christians during this blessed season. But, taken more broadly, the…
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) strongly condemned the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed rule today, which would restrict youth from performing some duties on farms. “Having grown up working on my family’s dairy farm, I am outraged by the Department of Labor’s ridiculous attempts to restrict other…
By Matt Evans State Capitol Bureau JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Legislature finally has new district maps beginning in 2012. The saga of the redistricting Missouri’s House and Senate began when the federal census data was released almost a year ago. Missouri’s constitution requires legislative districts be redrawn to reflect the population…
The Fuss About Dust The folks at the Environmental Protection Agency are different from the rest of us, that’s for sure. Where you and I drive down a county road and kick up a little dust, they see a cloud of “coarse particulate matter” – and they can barely resist…
As our nation’s economy struggles to rebound, one of the best ways to jumpstart job creation is through good energy policies. Unfortunately, President Obama has delayed one of the largest domestic shovel-ready projects until after his reelection bid in 2012 – stalling the creation of thousands of potential private sector…
There was little political activity here Tuesday as filing for the April elections got under way. In the City of Ava, East Ward Alderman Ric Engelhardt filed for re-election and David Norman filed for alderman of the West Ward. County Clerk Karry Davis reported that James Stafford has filed for…
What was billed as the “first annual” Legislative Gathering was held in Ava last Thursday morning at the MOCH Wellness Center. The meeting was hosted by the Douglas County Interagency Council, involving some 23 different community agencies and organizations. Cindy Rains, of White River Valley Electric Cooperative, spearheaded the meeting…
A Date in Infamy Seventy years ago, our nation was attacked at Pearl Harbor. In Southern Missouri, many citizens remain among us who lived through that day and the war that followed. They are a present part of our history. They served and sacrificed so that our nation might survive…
With the holiday season upon us, Americans have officially kicked off their seasonal shopping and families are eagerly searching for the best bargains and discounts – including through online retailers. Smart phones, tablets, laptops and other technologies make it simple and convenient for consumers to purchase their holiday wish lists…
If you have an interest in helping shape the future, then you should consider serving on your local school board. The Missouri School Boards’ Association reminds all interested citizens that the first day of candidate filing for the April school board elections is December 13 for most school districts in…
The Missouri Appellate Apportionment Commission has filed new state Senate and House of Representatives redistricting plans and maps with the Missouri Secretary of State. The Commission was appointed by the Supreme Court of Missouri as prescribed by the state constitution when bipartisan citizen apportionment commissions failed to reach agreement on…
A Veteran Presence This Veterans Day, on 11-11-11, communities all over America will pause in appreciation of the men and women who have served our country in uniform. Our freedom depends on the Americans who are willing to defend it, and we are very fortunate in Missouri to have veterans…
Bipartisan Initiatives To Help Veterans, Job Creators Are A Step In The Right Direction On the heels of the passage of the free trade agreements and recent bipartisan funding packages for agriculture and disaster relief, congressional leaders have demonstrated an ability to reach across the aisle and work together to…
In an attempt to sell Americans on his second stimulus proposal, President Obama staged yet another campaign-style speech this week – this time, in front of a Washington, D.C. bridge in need of repairs just like so many other bridges and roadways nationwide.x Unfortunately, what the President conveniently failed to…
Adoption Is a Family Value A family is never closer (or more challenged) than when a new family member enters the picture. For millions of Americans, this means bringing an adopted child into the warm, caring environment of a new home. November is National Adoption Month, and it is also…
Greetings from your State Capitol. Once again we have arrived at the Capitol to continue the Special Session. The House of Representatives have tried to complete the items that the Governor wanted to accomplish during this Special Session. We have accomplished all of the proposals and have sent them to…
A Check on the Debt One of the worst things that can happen from a heated national debate over our national spending and debt is… nothing. We cannot afford to let this opportunity go to waste as a chance to reform the fiscal position of the United States. Our children…
Key Agriculture Investments Are Vital To Job Creation Nationwide With the nation focused on private sector job creation and looking for Washington to pass policies that will help spur economic development, one of the key areas for continued growth and opportunity in Missouri is the state’s number one industry –…
JEFFERSON CITY – Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced that candidates could begin filing for Feb. 7, 2012, Presidential Preference Primary ballot at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011. Filing will remain open for one month until November 22, 2011. “State law requires that Missouri begin the filing process…
JEFFERSON CITY – Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced that two initiative petitions relating to income, earnings and sales taxes have met state standards for circulation. The ballot title for the first petition reads: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to: eliminate taxes paid by individuals based on income…
Iran Is on a Fool’s Errand An Iranian military official said late last month that their navy plans to send vessels to international waters off the Atlantic coast of the United States in a clear threat to American population centers. In the minds of most Americans, there are two possibilities.…
Fast, and Really Furious When the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives (ATF) chose a name for its new border operation in 2009, they ripped it from blockbuster movie posters, calling it “Fast and Furious.” Well, the way they conducted this operation really ought to make Americans furious about…
Washington Must Work Together To Put Americans Back To Work There’s no doubt that Washington is broken. Our federal debt has reached a record high – and is growing. National unemployment is lingering above 9 percent. Home prices have plummeted nationwide. Gas prices and health care costs have skyrocketed. But…
Sea of Paper The White House Office of Management and Budget is a repository of rather dry information about the federal government. When OMB says something about how we interact with our federal government, however, it is usually wise to listen. Last week, the office put out a report quantifying…
Over the past year, Missouri and the nation have faced numerous natural disasters that devastated entire communities and the livelihoods of people nationwide. As we work to rebuild in the aftermath of those disasters, the scope of these events has placed unusual logistical and financial pressures on our nation’s funding,…
Greetings from your State Capitol. The special session continued last Friday with the House passing two of the Senate Bills that were sent to us a few days earlier. These two bills were: SB 1 – This bill was commonly referred to as the “Facebook Fix.” The fix was necessary…
Greetings from your state capitol. We started our special legislative session last Wednesday, September 7th with committee meetings. These meetings continued on Thursday and the full House took up the House Bills on Friday. We passed the following bills during Friday’s session: HB 1 – Currently, the state oversees the…
Playing Ozone Defense Against Over-Regulation For years, the Environmental Protection Agency has been striving to expand its regulatory reach, issuing standards and making rules for everything it can think of. But just recently the Obama Administration forced the agency to take a step backwards in the implementation of onerous attainment…
Last week, President Barack Obama called together a joint session of Congress in an effort to roll out his so-called “jobs plan.” While I believe the President raised the bar too high with his choice of venue, I urged him to use the opportunity to roll out a new set…
What the Economy Needs Right Now Wrapped in rhetoric, the president and congressional leaders are bringing ideas to the discussion about how to get our economy moving. Some are thoughtful ideas, some are old ideas disguised as new ones, some are workable and some are not. At least the focus…
Remembering 9/11 Just as most Americans can recall where they were at that moment, I clearly remember working in my office in the Capitol when terrorists attacked on 9/11. In a moment, the nation was shocked by tragedy – mourning loved ones who were lost, wondering how this could ever…
Missouri’s contested “Facebook law” got a makeover from legislators and education groups on Wednesday, Sept. 7, when they unanimously agreed to have local districts create their own policies regarding teachers’ communication with students via Facebook, texting and other private means. The Senate Education Committee voted 8-0 in favor of the…
A New Era of Responsibility Questions are swirling about the cuts Congress and the president have pledged to make as we begin the process of getting our federal budget under control. While the size and scope of the cuts has been agreed to in a framework that outlines $2.4 trillion…
The VA in the Modern Era The Veterans Administration has a mission unlike that of any other federal agency. Put simply, they are charged with keeping the promise America makes to the men and women who serve in uniform. They and their families enter into an agreement with our country:…
Fighting for Our Post Offices The U.S. Postal Service is a fundamental part of life in America – and especially in rural America. Unlike our counterparts in urban areas, Americans in rural places like Southern Missouri rely on the Postal Service to deliver prescription drugs, retail shipments, business mail and…
The Framework Is the Easy Part The House of Representatives arrived at an historic agreement last week to cut $2.3 trillion in spending from the federal bureaucracy. It’s historic for reasons positive and for reasons not as great. First, the good news: The legislation marks the very first time the…
It comes as no surprise to families and job creators in Missouri and across America that we are facing a critical point in our nation’s financial future. National unemployment has remained above 8 percent for 29 months. We’re borrowing 40 cents of every dollar. Washington has racked up more than…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) recently announced the nomination of nine students from the Eighth District to America’s armed service academies. Those students nominated have been accepted for the 2011-2012 school year or remain in the appointment consideration phase of the selection process. “It is a great…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) unveiled a new and updated official website today, www.Blunt.Senate.gov, featuring new and improved tools and resources for Missourians The site, which features videos, photos, and links on a variety of topics, provides Missourians with access to the latest news about legislative activities…
By Lt. Governor Peter D. Kinder A year ago, Missouri voters went to the polls and sent a clear, unequivocal message to President Obama and Congress. By approving the Health Care Freedom Act by a margin of 71-29 percent, voters told the federal government to stay out of our health…
JEFFERSON CITY – Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced that an initiative petition relating to payday, title, installment, and consumer credit loans has met state standards for circulation. The ballot title for the petition reads: Shall Missouri law be amended to limit the annual rate of interest, fees, and…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) said the agreement reached in the House of Representatives Monday will help foster a much-needed debate about restoring responsibility to spending in Washington. “We’ve changed the conversation in Washington. I can’t tell you how important that is to the future of our…
Big Debt Candy Mountains In the Big Rock Candy Mountains you’re going on a holiday/Your birthday comes around once a week and it’s Christmas every day. Turn the clock back six months. America was $13.9 trillion in debt; we had borrowed a record $4 trillion in two years. Our national…
Time To Move Forward On Job-Producing Trade Deals With the debt limit deadline looming in Washington and national unemployment still hovering above 9 percent, it’s clear that we are facing a critical moment in America’s financial future – a turning point that requires our nation’s leaders to pass policies that…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) said today that the financial situation facing the U.S. Postal Service should force many changes in the way the semi-public entity does business, but should not include service reductions that hurt rural communities. “Clearly the Postal Service needs to fix its business…
All About the Spending As debt limit discussions get closer and closer to the 11th hour in our nation’s capital, many people are left to wonder where the bargain will be struck. If the policymakers in this debate listen to the people they represent, they ought to understand that the…
WASHINGTON D.C. – Last night (Tuesday) the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill to name a new federal courthouse in Jefferson City in honor of former U.S. Senator Christopher (Kit) S. Bond. The bill, S. 846, was introduced by U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) and cosponsored by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (Mo.).…
The Status Quo Is Unsustainable By U.S. Senator Roy Blunt As America prepares to max out the federal debt limit next month, our nation’s leaders are locked in a critical debate in Washington – a debate that will require tough decisions on both sides of the aisle if we’re going…
JEFFERSON CITY — During the 2011 legislative session, Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, worked to pass a variety of legislation, including measures to reduce the size of state government, improve efficiency in state agencies, and support programs benefitting Missourians. The governor approved most of these measures before the July 14 deadline…
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Today Missouri House and Senate leaders came to an historic and comprehensive jobs agreement that includes more than $1.5 billion in savings and new accountability measures in the state’s economic development programs. “Today I am proud to announce House and Senate members have reached a consensus…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) yesterday (Tuesday) evening voted for a House proposal to balance the federal budget and to limit government spending as a first step in authorizing continued payments on federal debt obligations. “We have to match our spending with our saving,” Emerson said. “Every…
Think Before You Click Safe neighborhoods are a hallmark of our close-knit rural communities. We all work together to keep our streets free of crime and dangers that could harm us and our children. The moment any of us goes on the Internet, however, the safe conditions outside our four…
More Debt? Not Yet… Ongoing negotiations over the limits of our national debt and its reduction have all Americans questioning where we draw the credit line. At $14 trillion, every American household is responsible for nearly $80,000 of our debt. We must not add a penny to that multi-generational obligation…
Happy 235th Birthday, America In Southern Missouri, we have tremendous Fourth of July traditions. We barbecue, we have great parades, and our towns coordinate fireworks displays to draw patriotic people from miles around. I just love the celebration of our great nation which takes place every year on Independence Day.…
Monday, we, as a country will come together to commemorate the Fourth of July. For many, this holiday weekend will be filled with numerous festivities. Families will gather for barbeques, communities will gather for parades, and of course, the night skies will be lit up with the colorful display of…
Sheriff Mack to Speak at August Conference In Mountain Grove It was announced at the June 23 meeting of the Ozarks Property Rights Congress that Sheriff Richard Mack will be the keynote speaker for the 11th Ozarks Conference on Private Property Rights. The Conference is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 6 …
JEFFERSON CITY – Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced that two initiative petitions relating to citizen initiative petitions have met state standards for circulation. The ballot title for both of the petitions reads: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to prohibit the repeal or amendment by the General Assembly…
If You Like It, You CAN’T Keep It One of the most-repeated assurances of the great health care debate was that Americans who liked their health insurance could keep it. People who viewed that promise with skepticism, like me, have a new report to confirm their suspicions. Now, a new…
Protecting Our Grand Old Flag Every June 14th, Flag Day passes without much fanfare. There is no three-day weekend, no fireworks, and no parade down Main Street. But Flag Day must be one of the most important, if overlooked, celebrations of the year. More than 20 years have passed since…
ST. LOUIS – State Treasurer Clint Zweifel (ZWY-ful) today announced he is running for re-election to a second term in 2012. Zweifel will kick off his campaign on Wednesday, June 22 in Forest Park in St. Louis.…
Get Serious About Debt For months, both sides in Congress have been pushing and pulling about spending and debt. The debate is intense because the stakes are so high. Our national debt measures in the neighborhood of $14.3 trillion, and another $2 trillion is needed to satisfy American debt obligations…
Greetings from your state capitol. This will be my last report on this session of the 96th General Assembly. It has been a year of learning; learning how the process works, learning who people are at the capitol and what job they perform, learning where to go and when to…
After a busy five months the first regular session of the 96th General Assembly has come to a close. Several vital pieces of legislation were passed this year and I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the most important bills for the 144th district that the legislature…
The Pill That Works Is the One You Can Afford Calls to improve the efficiency and accountability of our country’s health care system aren’t new, but they shouldn’t always cause political division. The political treatment yields few outcomes and precludes many – including, too often, compromise. Yet good public policy…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations; and the U.S. Senate National Security Working Group, issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s Middle East speech: “It is in…
The Missouri Conservative Coalition will sponsor the first annual Tea Party Town Hall meeting on Saturday, June 4, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The get-together will be held at the Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 1201 Fairground Rd. Jefferson City, Mo. The Missouri Conservative Coalition has planned an afternoon of legislative…
Work Continues in Final Hours At this writing, we are close to the end of the 2011 legislative session. However, until the final gavel falls at 6 p.m. on May 13, nothing is certain. Legislation can move quickly in the final days of session, with some bills passing literally within…
The Floodwaters Recede “The Mississippi River crest has passed, our rivers are slowly moving back within their banks, and the enormous task ahead of us is being revealed as the floodwaters recede. Across Missouri, federal and state officials are assessing the damage from these storms and floods. A major federal…
Legislation Sent to the Governor’s Desk With the final week of session approaching, more legislation is moving forward and being approved by the House and Senate. The deadline to finalize legislation is 6 p.m. on May 13. Several pieces of legislation that I am handling in the Senate were recently…
Big River, Little City “The floods which have ravaged the Eighth Congressional District in Missouri and the midsection of the entire country are serious business. These storms and floods have killed hundreds of people, injured hundreds more, destroyed homes and businesses, and forever changed the topography of our part of…
Redistricting – Veto Override A long process came to an end this week when the Missouri House and Senate joined together to override Governor Nixon’s veto of our legislative redistricting map. It was the first successful veto override in Missouri since 2003. Despite the fact that our map was supported…
Economic Development Measure Moves Forward Other than the budget, one of the most important pieces of legislation that we have been working on this year is a combination of economic development measures and tax credit reform. This week, the Senate gave initial approval to House Bill 116, which works to…
Proposition B, the so-called “Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act,” – was not about preventing people from operating puppy mills. Proposition B was the first step in an attempt to end animal agriculture in the state of Missouri. There are over 100,000 farmers in this state – many of them raise…
Congressional redistricting map was passed by both branches of Missouri’s legislature Wednesday, April 27, ending a week-long stalemate between House and Senate. Like the earlier versions passed by the House and Senate, the map heading to the governor’s desk eliminates the St. Louis city district of U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan,…
A statement from Senator Roy Blunt on the killing this week of Osama bin Laden: “Osama bin Laden’s death is a major victory for America. This development is the culmination of the sacrifices and dedication from our brave troops and intelligence professionals. After nearly a decade, it also brings a…
Supplemental Budget Bills Sent to Governor This week, the Senate approved House Bills 14 and 15. Both are supplemental budget bills, which address budget issues that were not passed or were not funded to the level of being sufficient for the whole year. With the governor’s signature, these bills will…
Our American Identity No one likes hearing that they must make tough choices. Whether it’s on the dinner menu at a favorite restaurant or picking one person to hire from two well-qualified candidates, tough choices are, well, tough. Our great country is founded on a history of tough choices: the…
PROPOSITION B We are still awaiting the Governor’s signature on SB 113 & 95. In addition SB 161 will be the bill that the compromise language will be carried on. Redistricting The new Congressional Districts are still being debated in the House, but we have reached no agreement at this…
Legislation to Outlaw Synthetic Cocaine Marketed as “Bath Salts” One piece of legislation making its way through the legislative process has caused some confusion. House Bill 641 recently received House approval and has moved to the Senate. The legislation would outlaw a substance being marketed as “bath salts.” However, these…
Greetings from you State Capitol. I believe this is the nicest weather week we have had since starting January 5. I probably have jinxed the weekend weather by bragging on it. We are continuing to discuss and pass out legislation to the Senate. We have not received many bills back…
JEFFERSON CITY – Rep. Lyle Rowland, R-Cedarcreek, filed HCR 53 Wednesday urging the federal government to seek long-term and short-term solutions to the rising fuel costs. Rowland said that while states have no authority over the average cost of gasoline, the federal government has many different opportunities to alleviate the…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) said today that the Clean Water Act should not be redefined to give the federal government jurisdiction over more “navigable waters” of the United States. “A change in this rule would significantly expand the reach of the federal government onto private property.…
What “Essential” Means to Obama Last week, Americans watched a negotiation over $38.5 billion in spending cuts play out under the looming shadow of a federal government shutdown. This week, the House of Representatives has moved the discussion from billions to trillions with consideration of the federal budget for Fiscal…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today joined legislation that would save $13 million by barring taxpayer funds for the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. “At a time when we ought to be thinking about every way possible to save money for the American taxpayer, I can…
PROPOSITION B Proposition B, the so-called “Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act,” – is not about preventing people from operating puppy mills. Proposition B is the first step in an attempt to end animal agriculture in the state of Missouri. There are over 100,000 farmers in this state – many of…
Honoring Our World War II Veterans On April 12, Ozarks Honor Flight will be sending WWII veterans from our area on a trip to Washington D.C. Since November 2009, the group has organized and managed the transport of veterans to see their World War II Memorial and other commemorative sites,…
Operation Shakeup Several years ago, there was little awareness at the federal level about the possible devastation that could be caused by a major earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Making that point required law enforcement and elected officials from our congressional district and others to turn back the…
“No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth!” Ronald Reagan. Redistricting Every ten years, when the Census data comes in, the Missouri Legislature is tasked with redrawing…
This week, we took up an issue that has been stewing in the Legislature for years. Tax credits are an economic development tool that offers incentives to businesses for a variety of projects — from job training to housing rehabilitation. In recent years, these credits have grown significantly, and while…
I had a great week during our spring break, visited nine schools and presented them with House Resolutions for their distinction in performance awards, visited with people in the district and enjoyed the weather. I returned to the capitol Monday and started debating budget bills. We finished this week by…
Our Missouri retirement system is in jeopardy. Public School Retirement System (PSRS) and Public Education Employee Retirement System (PEERS) is among the best in the nation and has more money in its system than all other Missouri state employee systems combined! Now it is under attack by a few state…
The Right Medicine A new report has the medical community wondering why Americans and people in other developed nations around the world aren’t taking their medicine. Missed doses, incomplete regimens and unfilled prescriptions cost the American health care system billions of dollars each year and, what’s worse, allow serious diseases…
Missouri House Offers Solutions To Healthcare Mandate The Missouri House this week took action on two initiatives aimed at protecting individual’s healthcare. HB 423 which creates a “Health Care Compact” addresses the implementation of the federal mandate, by creating a multistate compact. Compacts are legal devices that states can create…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement April 5 after voting to pass H.R. 4, the 1099 repeal bill, which would repeal the onerous mandate in President Barack Obama’s onerous health spending bill: “By passing this amendment, we have taken the first major step toward…
In light of President Obama’s address to the nation Monday evening, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt has made the following statement: “Whenever the President of the United States authorizes a military intervention, he must clearly define the goal and mission of our involvement to Congress, our men and women in uniform,…
This week was the Legislature’s Spring Recess, meaning we have reached the mid-way point of the 2011 legislative session. I thought this would be a good time to review some of the legislation moving through the process, as well as some of the tasks we will be taking on in…
School board members and Ava city aldermen will be elected at next Tuesday’s annual municipal and school elections, but the big question this year is, who will be Ava’s next mayor? Ava Mayor Leon Harris, seeking a fifth term, is opposed by four challengers: Larry Morrison, Richard “Moose” Allen, Bobby…
Prop B The senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 113&95. This bill passed the senate by a vote of 20 yes and 14 no. This Senate bill will now move to the house for approval. We will take it up in the Agriculture Policy Committee this week. I appreciate…
Douglas County Clerk Karry Davis said this week that the County Clerk’s Office in the courthouse will be open this Saturday morning, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, for voters who need to cast an absentee ballot. The annual municipal and school elections will be held next Tuesday, April 5.…
Legislature Adjourns for Spring Recess With the General Assembly adjourning for spring recess, we are now officially at the half-way point of the legislative session. Big issues like the budget and congressional redistricting are sure to come up in the weeks ahead, and many more issues will be discussed and…
Greetings from your Capitol city. I mentioned last week that winter couldn’t let go and that we had snow showers. I traveled thru a snow storm Monday morning getting to the Capitol. It snowed all day Monday with about six inches of accumulation. Today, Thursday (3.17.11), temperatures are supposed to…
Legislation Protects Dogs and Breeding Businesses This week, the Senate worked on Senate Bill 113, legislation that would make changes to Proposition B. In November, voters were presented with this legislation, which was added to the ballot by initiative petition. Ultimately, the issue passed, but by a narrow margin of…
Greetings from your capitol. Winter just can’t let go! Freezing temperatures, snow showers and cold drizzling rain has been the weather this week in Jefferson City. The good news is we are one week closer to spring. Another week of passing bills. The following is a summary of what the…
Douglas County Clerk Karry Davis said this week that absentee ballots are now available for the April 5 municipal and school elections. Anyone who will be unable to go to their regular polling place on Tuesday, April 5, to vote may cast an absentee ballot at the County Clerk’s Office…
Area legislators and representatives of the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners and the Missouri Pet Breeders Association outlined some of the proposed legislation in Missouri which would affect several areas of agriculture production at a meeting Saturday night, March 5, at Wright County Livestock, Mtn. Grove. The major portion of…
Administration Piles Up Waivers to Health Care Law WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today expressed concern that the Obama Administration has now issued more than 1,000 waivers for groups seeking exemption from the $750,000 coverage minimums established in the Affordable Care Act. “The Department of Health and…
By Jordan Shapiro State Capitol Bureau JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Nixon would no longer be able to charge his travel expenses to other state agencies under new bill language presented to the House Budget Committee Monday. Since elected, the governor has billed about $400,000 in air transportation to other departments. The presented language would prohibit this…
Legislation Would Lower Gas Prices, Streamline Boutique Fuels WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) introduced the “Gas Accessibility and Stabilization” (GAS) Act, which will help lower gas prices for Americans by improving the reliability, flexibility, and affordability of so-called “boutique fuels.” Current mandates require that special blends of…
Census Data Shows Growth in Southwest Missouri Late last week, detailed population data for Missouri was released. The numbers show that Christian County is the fastest growing county in Missouri. Over the past 10 years, Christian County’s population has increased by 43 percent, nearing 78,000 people. The 7th Congressional District,…
A Check on the Debt With so much emphasis on reducing the size, scope and cost of federal government, it is helpful from time to time to check in on our federal debt. That figure, nearly $14 trillion today, represents the total outstanding notes on which our country has borrowed.…
Greetings from your State Capitol. With the warmer weather the pace is beginning to get heated with hearing bills. It is an exciting process that will hopefully result in bettering the way of life for Missourians. This week the House discussed and passed: HCR 3 passed with overwhelming support, 127…
Keeping Critical Drug Trials in the State This week, I presented Senate Bill 284 in the Committee on Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee. The bill would exempt all drug products used in drug trials from certain state regulations. Since these pharmaceuticals are not distributed by retailers, they do…
Greetings from your State Capitol! This has been another busy week. Bills are being filed at a more rapid rate. Committees are conducting hearings on selected bills everyday. Legislation is moving some of those bills out of committee and closer to debate on the floor. This week’s results of floor…
An Urgent Case for Energy Independence Year after year, Americans look forward to the end of winter and the beginning of spring – in all respects but one. As winter’s cold diminishes, the price of fuel invariably rises. Past springtime spikes in oil and gas prices have led to $4-per-gallon…
As we wrap up our 7th week here in the house, 714 Bills have been filed in the Missouri House of Representatives. We have passed 12 of those bills out of the House, and sent them to the Senate. April 1st is the last day to file a Bill in…
Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program to Repair Six Douglas County Bridges On Thursday, Feb. 10, the Missouri Department of Transportation held a public informational meeting in Ava about bridge replacements in Douglas County. I attended the meeting to hear about the six bridges that are scheduled to be replaced…
A representative of U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) will be in Ava today (Thursday) to meet with constituents. Emerson’s Congressional Connection tour will make several stops in the area this week. A representative from Cong. Emerson’s office will be in Ava, at the Douglas County Courthouse, from 10:30 to…
No to the Mandate As the House of Representatives charts a fiscal course for the country, there is one thing I know we should not be spending taxpayers’ hard-earned money on: the health care mandate. Last week, I offered an amendment to legislation which will fund the operations of the…
Elections Committee: A lot of work was spent this week in Committee. In my Elections Committee we voted out two bills. The first would require a photographic I.D. in order to vote. The second would allow a few days of early voting. Prop. B: Agricultural Policy Committee voted out of…
I take great pride in representing Southern Missouri in the U.S. House of Representatives. It is an honor to have earned the trust of those I represent and I work hard every day to keep it. An important part of my job as a Member of Congress is traveling to…
It’s been a pleasure to get work started in the Senate. However, we began the week on a somber note. I took time on the floor of the Senate to recognize Sgt. 1st Class Robert Wayne Pharris from Seymour, who died on January 5th after an insurgent attack in Afghanistan.…
“I’ve been praying a lot for the 20 victims of the Arizona shootings, for the families of the six who died and for the many more who were wounded. One of those casualties, a woman shot in the head at point blank range, is my colleague in Congress, Gabrielle Giffords.…
Now that the legislature is back in session, get to know your state representatives and senators through their voting records from past legislative sessions, bills the legislator sponsored and his or her committees. These records are continuously updated to track what the legislators are doing during the 2011 legislative session.…
On January 5th at noon, the 2010 legislative session officially began in the Missouri Senate, and I was honored to be sworn-in as the state senator for the 20th District. I am eager to begin work on legislation that will improve our state and will benefit you-the residents I have…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) will lead the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services in the 112th Congress, it was announced today. “I’m honored to lead the subcommittee, where we have a great opportunity to curtail activities of the federal government that have a negative effect on…
A candidate has joined the trio of challengers facing off against current Ava Mayor Leon Harris in the upcoming April 5 local election. Ava Fire Chief Eddie Maggard filed for mayor Monday morning. After he filed for the position, he was terminated as fire chief and from his position in…
A candidate has joined the duo of incumbents filing for the Ava R-I Board of Education, and another has joined the three running for mayor of Ava. Filings for local elections to be held April 5 opened Dec. 14, with some races already having a handful of candidates. Dr. Dan…
By Earl Glynn, Missouri Watchdog Voter registration data shows 471,542 out of 4.1 million Missouri voters, or 11.5 percent, are “inactive” because they have not voted recently and may have invalid mailing addresses. In Douglas County, there are 620 inactive voters. That’s roughly 6 percent of the 10,341 registered voters…
The Western Historical Manuscript Collection – Columbia and The State Historical Society of Missouri will unveil the documentary, Bringing Government to the People: The Jerry Litton Dialogues, Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 6:00 p.m. in Ellis Auditorium on the University of Missouri campus. Produced by the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia, the…
Missouri Farm Bureau (MoFB) is urging voters to do their homework on Proposition B before stepping into the voting booth on Nov. 2. ––”please don’t be fooled by television ads and slick endorsements offered by Hollywood celebrities”. On Tuesday, Nov. 2, Missourians will have a chance to vote on the…
Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase said this week that he will be holding an open house at the jail this Saturday afternoon for those who wish to step inside the lock-up. This is in response to requests that have been made at the town hall meetings where the sales tax…
Audrey Moon State Capitol Bureau JEFFERSON CITY – Millions of dollars are being donated to Missouri ballot issues from out-of-state sources, according to the Missouri Ethics Commission monthly campaign finance report. Two contributions, both equaling over $1 million, went to “Vote Yes To Stop Double Taxation”, an organization advocating for…
Douglas County Clerk Karry Davis said this week that Wednesday, Oct. 6, is the last day an individual may register to vote and still be eligible to cast a ballot on Nov. 2. Whether you are registering for the first time, changing your current residential address, or changing the name…
JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced that absentee ballots are available for the Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010 General Election. Missourians may cast an absentee ballot at the office of their local election authority, or they may request an absentee ballot through the mail. The absentee…
JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon appointed paramedic Richard L. (Rick) Miller, of Ava, as the new coroner for Douglas County, effective Sept. 1. The position of coroner became vacant upon the resignation of former Douglas County coroner Mark Pearson. Miller, a Republican, is a certified paramedic for Cox Health…
“On September 11, 2001, four jet-liners, each with dozens of innocent Americans aboard, were turned into missiles by 19 terrorists. News reports said that only three of the planes found their targets. Tell that to the families of United Flight 93. Tell that to the terrorists; according to them, those…
Stacy Burks from U.S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond’s office will be in Ava next Tuesday, Sept. 14, to meet with constituents at a Listening Post Forum. Burks will be at the Ava Senior Center from 9 to 10 a.m. to meet with those who may have a concern with federal…
U.S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond announced this week that a Listening Post Forum will be held in Ava on Tuesday, Sept. 14. A representative of the senator, Stacy Burks, will be available at the Ava Senior Center from 9 to 10 a.m. to hear from constituents. “My best ideas come…
The Douglas County Commissioners and Sheriff Chris Degase have scheduled a Town Hall Meeting for tonight (Thursday) at 6:30 p.m. in the Ava Community Center, to review and discuss plans for a new County Justice Center and Jail. Notice of the meeting was only made public on Tuesday of this…
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan certified the results of the Aug. 3, Primary Election at her office in Jefferson City on Tuesday. The certified Primary Election results will be used to set the ballot for the Nov. 2, General Election. To view the official election results,…
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Farm Bureau continued its tradition of holding an election year Straw Poll at the Farm Bureau building at the Missouri State Fair. This year’s Straw Poll asked who fairgoers would support for election to the United States Senate from Missouri, Congressman Roy Blunt or Missouri’s Secretary…
Boyd Wins by 17 Votes Tina Boyd was declared the winner of the Republican nomination for Douglas County Recorder following a recount of ballots Monday. County Clerk Karry Davis said challenger Kathy Bray actually dropped one vote in the recount process, with the final tally having incumbent Boyd with 1,777…
The Douglas County Republican Central Committee met Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse for the reorganizational meeting. Chairman Bonita Stafford asked James Hathcock to lead in prayer, followed by the Pledge to the Flag. Bonita then read the names of all the committee people. There are…
Ozarks Property Rights Congress Will Host Meeting In Mtn. Grove Aug. 26 As the result of a recent announcement by the Missouri Department of Conservation that they once again are proposing stocking elk in the Ozarks, the Ozarks Property Rights Congress will host an informational meeting Aug. 26 to hear both…
“Interesting” might be the proper term to use in describing Tuesday’s primary election in Douglas County. In most county races, Tuesday’s ballot was an elective ballot. The presiding commissioner is the only county office to be decided in November. That in itself has an interesting twist, because challenger Larry Pueppke…
The Secretary of State today announced that the initiative petition that would have replaced the Non-Partisan Court Plan with partisan election of judges failed by a wide margin to get the signatures required to earn a spot on the ballot this fall. “Missourians recognize that electing appellate and metropolitan judges…
No one likes uncertainty, but Missourians who own small businesses dislike uncertainly more than most – and with good reason. Our agricultural producers detest the uncertainty of the weather; an ill-timed period of rain can keep them out of their fields for weeks and yet the ill-timed absence of rain…
JEFFERSON CITY—New ethics reform rules, among the toughest and most restrictive for utility regulators in the country, will take effect tomorrow (July 30) for the Missouri Public Service Commission. “These rules are crucial in order to ensure the public trust,” said PSC Chairman Robert M. Clayton III. “It is essential…
Douglas County Clerk Karry Davis said this week that her office will be open this Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 12 noon for absentee voting. Anyone who will be unable to go to their regular polling place on Tuesday, Aug. 3, to cast a ballot in the primary election…
The Douglas County Democratic Central Committee met Tuesday, July 20, to select an individual to be recommended for the office of coroner. The committee was charged with the task of making a recommendation to the Governor’s Office of a candidate to fulfill the vacancy, created by the resignation of Coroner…
No one has felt the heat this summer like dozens of politicians who are hoping to extend their campaigns beyond next Tuesday’s primary election. Polls will open at 6 a.m. next Tuesday morning as voters line up to cast ballots and name their party nominees in county, state and district…
Since the U.S. government doesn’t seem to be serious about closing our borders, I have been looking for examples from other places which we might be able to use. While the Department of Justice is busy filing lawsuits against U.S. states struggling to curb illegal immigration instead of enforcing U.S.…
As August primaries and November general elections near, I wanted to take a few moments to stress the importance of voting. Voting is a privilege we all share. If we want to be represented and have our values and our way of life protected we must elect people who represent…
The annual Wright County Picnic, and I Love America Rally, is Saturday, July 31, at Alumni Park in Mountain Grove, and will feature State GOP Republican Party Executive Director Lloyd Smith as main speaker. Everyone is invited to attend, meet the candidates and enjoy an evening of fellowship. Smith has…
An Unacceptable Situation At the VA “In the dental clinic at the John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis, our federal government is letting U.S. veterans down. The VA says 1,812 patients at the dental clinic in May were exposed to instruments that were improperly cleaned and sterilized by…
A group of private property rights protectors adopted a proposal for a statewide umbrella organization and endorsed two candidates for the U.S. Congress at their gathering Saturday in Cabool. They also heard speeches outlining what they could do to “make a difference” in determining rules and regulations placed on the…
July 19, 2010 After three weeks, Special Session has come to an end. In late June, the Governor called us back to the building for furthered debate of the Manufacturing Jobs Act and a bill that would make changes to state employee pension. The House got to work immediately and…
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill joined Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) in introducing legislation that would help military spouses more easily re-enter the workforce after a relocation. The Military Spouses Job Continuity Act offers a tax credit to any military spouse who has to renew or transfer a…
Greetings one more time from your state capitol. After about two weeks of meeting at different times the Senate and House met separately during the same time period and passed two pieces of legislation. House Bill 2 allows a qualified manufacturing company or qualified supplier up to ten million dollars…
