Attorney General candidate, Senator Chris Koster's win in the Democratic primary over Representative Margaret Donnelly was confirmed Thursday by a recount performed by Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.  The recount revealed Koster received even more votes than had initially been believed.

Representative Donnelly demanded the recount after her initial loss in the primary.  Two State Senate races were also recounted.  The recount confirmed the victory of Representative Robin Wright-Jones over Representative Rodney Hubbard and also win of James Trout over Steve Eagleton in the Senate District 15 race.

In a press conference after Thursday's gubernatorial debate, Democratic candidate Jay Nixon said if elected governor he would establish a better relationship with democrats and republicans alike.

As the longest running Missouri Attorney General, Nixon says he has experience and will use it when establishing these relationships.

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Gubernatorial candidates said they would remain congenial during their first debate in Columbia today, but Attorney General Jay Nixon stirred up the debate when he brought up campaign contribution limits.

Nixon attacked Hulsholf's support of ending contribution limits.  

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Senators Mike Gibbons and Chris Koster declared their opposition to the use of political automated calls, during the first attorney general candidate campaign after the August primaries.

Koster admitted to using automated calls before the primaries, but said he would cease if the legislature called for an end to them.

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House Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, became emotional as he gave his final speech from the dais.

Jetton has been speaker since 2005.

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Republican candidate for governor Kenny Hulshof proposed to create a higher education funding formula that would increase along with the rate of inflation.

Democratic candidate for governor  Jay Nixon immediately responded to Hulshof's plan by stating Hulshof "failed to reject Gov. Matt Blunt's gutting of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority."

Hulshof also proposed to put $50 million into existing degree programs over the next five years. His plan is dependent on schools to attract 2-1 matching funds from businesses or charities. 

Sen. Chuck Graham, D- Columbia, said he plans to run for Democratic Floor Leader of the State Senate if he wins re-election in November.

Graham would be running against Sen. Victor Callahan, D- Independence. The outgoing floor leader said Callahan represents the diversity of views within the Democratic party.

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.	UM-System Student Curator Bill fails to get necessary votes in Senate for an over-ride (09/10/2008)

Despite efforts by Columbia Senator and Democrat Chuck Graham to change legislator's minds the Senate voted 16-17 not to over-ride the veto of a bill that would have created a voting position for the student curator on the UM-System Board of Curators.

It takes 109 votes in the House and 23 votes in the Senate to override a veto, which has not been done in Missouri since 2003.

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Senator Scott Muschany resigned from his seat today after being indicted for sexual assault of a minor.

Interviews with fellow Republicans as well as an impending court case put Muschany under pressure to give up his seat. 

.	St. Louis funeral provider has accepted funeral costs from Missourians but cannot provide the services. (09/09/2008)

A Senate joint committee held a hearing Tuesday concerning the St. Louis-based funeral provider, National Prearranged Services Inc., which has insufficient funds to provide funeral services.

Witnesses addressed the committee with concerns and recommendations on how to check on companies in the future to avoid such problems.

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The Missouri state capitol was the center of a debate on Mo HealthNet rates this Tuesday.

Director of Missouri Health and Senior Services, Jane Drummond said the committee should look at providers on an individual basis.

The Senate committee on Mo HealthNet Provider Rate Equalization met with Missouri groups and providers to decide where government funds will be allocated.

Directors from Missouri Heath and Senior Services and Missouri Department of Mental health testified, along with Director of Missouri Health Net, Dr. Ian Caslin.

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Less than a month after being filed for placement on the November ballot, the Missouri Clean Energy Initiative has been certified and will appear on the ballot.

The initiative would require investor-owned utilities to produce or buy 15 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2021, and retain a 1 percent limit on consumer rate increases.

Two of the state's largest utilities took a neutral stance on the issue.

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John McCain's statements at the Republican National Convention that Governor Palin is being treated unfairly by the media because of her gender prompt a bi-partisan investigation into the media's coverage of women in this presidential election. Democrats and Republican's alike believe that the media's focus on such things as aesthetics and her parenting skills are unfounded, and would never have been an issue had she been a man.

This piece uses statements from Missouri legislators which cross-reference questions asked of male and female candidates and of the suitability of the attention Palin has received.

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Three years after Hurricane Katrina, Missouri National Guard troops are back in Louisiana preparing the state for hurricane season.

Troops have been in the state since August 31, 2008 and are expected to return before Hurricane Gustav hits.

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Republican State Senator Delbert Scott says it is to difficult for Representative Muschany to remain in office.

Senator Scott says that Muschany's resignation would be a good thing especially because he is not running for re-election.

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Missouri state candidates are utilizing social networking sites such as Facebook and YouTube to organize grassroots support.

What effect this will have on voters in November is still not known.

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Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Jack Cardetti wans Representative Scott Muschany out of office.

Cardetti is troubled by Muschany's alleged act and hopes that he does the best thing for himself and give up his seat.

The Democratic Party Head also said the situation with Muschany is far too serious to let him keep his job as a lawmaker.

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Community leaders ask Congressman and current Republican Gubernatorial candidate Kenny Hulshof to explanation his support for trade deals with China.

A spokesperson for Hulshof denies the accusation of the Missouri Democratic Party, and calls it an act of desperation from Attorney General Jay Nixon.

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