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NewsBook: Missouri Government News for the Week of December 15, 2003

 

. Missouri's economy on the rebound. (12/19/03)

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's Economic Development Department director reported an economic upswing for Missouri Friday.

Joe Driskill reported the state had gained more than 25,000 jobs between July to October -- claiming one-tenth of all the new jobs in the state.

At the same time, Missouri's Revenue Department has been reporting tax collection gains. Republican lawmakers have argued tax collections are healthy enough that the governor can release money he has withheld from public schools.

. A second Missouri lawmaker gets called up. (12/19/03)

JEFFERSON CITY - The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Friday that Rep. Jim Avery -- a St. Louis County Republican -- has been called up for active duty with the National Guard.

Avery becomes the second legislator who will miss the legislative session because of military duty. Earlier, Sen. Jon Dolan, R-St. Charles, was activated for service in Cuba.

Avery, a former Marine, told the Post-Dispatch he expects to be in Iraq.

. The state administration blocks the state auditor from personnel information (12/18/03)

JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's state auditor charges the administration of Bob Holden is refusing to turn over information on state employees hired by the administration.

Claire McCaskill charged Holden with a deliberate effort to block her audit on the salary levels of top-level state government managers.

McCaskill is challening Holden for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2004.

In the meantime, McCaskill also charges that the resignation of one manager was sought after she made a contribution to McCaskill's campaing. The governor's office denied any such employee interference.

  • Get the radio story.
    . Speaker of the House Catherine Hanaway in race for Secretary of State (12/16/03)

    JEFFERSON CITY - Speaker of the House Catherine Hanaway, R-St. Louis County, announced Tuesday that she will be running for the office of secretary of state. Hanaway was the first woman elected speaker of the house in Missouri. Robin Carnahan, daughter of late Gov. Mel Carnahan and former Sen. Jean Carnahan, is opposing her on the Democratic ticket.

  • Get the newspaper story
    . State leaders voice opinions on state economy (12/15/03)

    JEFFERSON CITY - State Budget Director Linda Luebbering says the governor is going to make another run at tax increases.

    Meanwhile, Republican House Budget Chairman Carl Bearden says the state is looking at a shortfall in the next fiscal year, but says Gov. Bob Holden is overestimating the fiscal year 2005 deficit by almost $700 million.

  • Get the radio story on the House Budget chairman's prediction.
  • Get the radio story on the budget director's prediction.
    . Missouri Democratic Party is targeting female voters during the 2004 election (12/15/03)

    JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Democratic Party has initiated Women's Coalitions across the state to start and sustain female political activism. The coalitions are designed to provide women an outlet to discuss political issues and actively participate in Missouri politics.

  • Get the newspaper story.
    . Rep. Catherine Hanaway will announce her candidacy in the 2004 race for Secretary of State Tuesday (12/15/03)

    JEFFERSON CITY - Speaker of the House Catherine Hanaway will announce Tuesday her intent to run for Secretary of State in the 2004 election. The announcement will take place at 2:15 p.m. at the Missouri Republican Party's headquarters.

  • Get the radio story.
    . Released money not enough, superintendents say (12/15/03)

    JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Bob Holden will release $75 million of the $197 million withheld from education in July. Columbia is set to receive the most of any Boone County school district, while Sturgeon will receive the least.

    Get the newspaper story.

    . Stamp tax proposed on illegal drugs (12/15/03)

    JEFFERSON CITY - An act to go before the 2004 state legislatue proposes taxing illegal drugs bought and sold in Missouri. Twenty-three states have already enacted similar laws.

    Get the newspaper story.