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Missouri Digital News
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Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
Our Last Weekly Posting
Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon put a job-creation package and reforms to the state's tax credits on the schedule Monday for a Sept. 6 special session of the Missouri General Assembly.
"I appreciate the work the General Assembly has already done to achieve broad consensus on these priorities, and I look forward to continuing to work with legislators on both sides of the aisle during an efficient, focused and productive session," Nixon stated in a press release calling the session.
Missing from the agenda is the roughly $150 million that the governor has pulled from the budget and reallocated for disaster relief in areas such as Joplin — an item Nixon promised in July he would put on the agenda. However, Republican State Auditor Tom Schweich released an audit last week contesting Nixon's action.
The governor's office said Monday that the state is already spending out of that pool of funds. In a the statement on the special session, Nixon said the topic wouldn't be formally addressed because the damage assessments are still in progress.
Other items that made the agenda for the special session include:
The Business Manager for the St. Louis Police Association, Jeff Roorda, told Missouri Digital News that his organization believes local police control will be part of next month's legislative special session.
"We have no reason to believe that it won't be," Roorda said.
He also said there is a near perfect consensus on the issue of local control and that he believes it will go smoothly through the Missouri legislature.
While Governor Nixon has yet to announce the agenda for next month's legislative special session, Roorda said his office and the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police have been in constant communication with Governor Nixon's office throughout the summer.
"You know, sharing where we are on the compromise and encouraging them that this is a win-win situation for everyone involved," Roorda said.
A spokesperson for the Governor said the special session agenda will be announced in the near future.
Although MDN is on summer hiatus, we would be remiss if we did not make note of the death of one of Missouri's great journalists and a former dean of our school -- Elmer Lower, who passed away at the age of 98 on July 26.
Mr. Lower is best known around the world as a former executive of all three national broadcast networks at the time - CBS, NBC and ABC. As ABC news president, he became a national journalism leader, establishing the nation's first journalism collaborative organization for reporting national presidential election returns -- after the election-night reporting confusions in 1960.
But Elmer Lower has a very deep Missouri connection -- a Missouri native, graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism and long-term supporter of the school.
After his retirement from ABC, Mr. Lower regularly traveled to Columbia to teach a seminar course at the Missouri School of Journalism each semester. In 1982, Mr. Fisher agreed to serve as dean of the Missouri School of Journalism, insisting his term be for just one year while the school continued its search for a longer-term replacement. And, to his word, he left exactly at the end of that year.
On his last day as dean (he insisted the position be "dean" rather than "interim dean"), Mr. Lower and his college roommate, the late Jack Hackethorn, spent the day in Missouri's statehouse were they both began their journalism careers decades earlier. The two had lodged together as JSchool students in the early 1930s. They remained close friends throughout the decades with Elmer staying at Jack and Betty's home whenever he was in Columbia.
This author, Phill Brooks, has a deep personal connection to this story. Along with his friend Jack Hackethorn, Elmer Lower was one of my long-time mentors. In fact, he sought to recruit me to ABC News when I was an undergraduate journalism student. As the years went on, he taught me the importance of toughness and skepticism to be a journalist. And the friendship I saw through the decades between Elmer and Jack taught me something about personal loyalty and commitment within our profession.
Mr. Lower spent his last day as Missouri School of Journalism dean in Missouri's statehouse, where his career in journalism began. It was one of my students who put together the schedule for Mr. Lower and his buddy Mr. Hackethorn, to meet with their old friends who still were around and teach we "youngsters" how it used to be in covering the statehouse.
There was in Elmer Lower an almost limitless passion for commitment and integrity in journalism -- coupled with a toughness that continues to inspire me to this day (a toughness that despite Elmer's smiles sometimes intimidated me).
I miss him, deeply, along with his friend Jack.
They both are a reflection of what had been great about journalism in an earlier era that I fear we are losing in the current era.
Phill Brooks
For the summer, we will be out of service. We will return the first f September. However, our various data services automatically will be updated during the summer.
For news across Missouri, please check News Now, which will have hourly updated headlines by the state's top news services.
Some of the biggest issues for the legislature's final day died from inaction on Friday.
The closest to passage was a measure to let Ameren Missouri charge rate payers for the costs of seeking a federal permit for a new nuclear plant.
But senators objected that the agreement was presented to them with less than an hour to review the bill.
Private negotiations went on throughout the day without success to try to reach an agreement on a package bill that would cut back on tax credits, but also award tax breaks to businesses for development of an air cargo transport hub in St. Louis.
Failure on that measure killed a measure to grant St. Louis City control over its police department. Senate leaders had refused to allow a vote on that bill pushed by the House speaker if the House would not agree to cuts in tax credits that cost the state more than $500 million per year.
Gov. Jay Nixon, who had pushed for the tax credit cuts as well as the nuclear power plant told reporters he would not grade his performance in failing to secure legislative approval.
The top leader of Missouri's Senate expressed "little hope" and the House speaker gave no better than a 60 percent chance that the legislature could pass a package of its top priority bills before the 6 p.m. Friday adjournment.
The central issue before the legislature's final day is a Senate-passed plan to curb tax credits to businesses, developers and social programs that cost the state about $500 million per year.
For the past few years, the House has resisted efforts to impose restrictions on tax credits.
The tax credit bill includes a plan for awarding other tax breaks to businesses for development of an air cargo transport hub in St. Louis.
In addition, the Senate leadership has vowed that without agreement on tax credit reductions, it would not allow a vote on a measure that would grant St. Louis City control over its police department for the first time since the Civil War.
The "local control" measure has strong support from the House speaker.
Late Thursday night after the Senate adjourned, Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer said he held out "little hope" the legislature would pass the tax credit restrictions and break the deadlock.
Earlier in the day, House Speaker Steve Tilley expressed a bit more optimism and gave the chances of approval at five or six on a ten-point scale.
Student athletes would have to be removed from competition for at least 24 hours after suffering a suspected head injury or concussion.
In addition, the student could not return to competition until cleared by a licensed health-care provider training in concussions (a doctor or other licensed provider such as a physician's assistant).
The bill also would require that schools distribute information about concussions to student athletes each year.
The measure was handled in the Senate by the chamber's president pro tem, Sen. Rob Mayer. The Dexter Republican brought a special perspective to the issue.
Before becoming a lawyer, Mayer had worked in radio where he did sports game coverage.
He still occasionally does radio play-by-play coverage of local high school teams.
"I've seen a lot of kids take some pretty hard hits. Of course, that's part of playing football. But some of the other sports also I've seen seen pretty tough falls and head injuries."
Police arrested a 31-year-old man who they say brought a gun on the Missouri University of Science and Technology campus and then fired on police near the Fort Leonard Wood military installation.
Police say the man, Cody Wilcoxson, entered a classroom building on the Missouri S&T campus in Rolla. No shots were fired on campus, and there were no injuries to students, faculty or staff, according to a university news release. The entire university went on lockdown around 8:40 a.m.
About two hours later, the man tried to enter Fort Leonard Wood in nearby Pulaski County. When he couldn't get in, he drove his car through a gate and fired on police with an AK-47. No one was injured in the chase, although police say Wilcoxson was wounded when authorities apprehended him.
Missouri's House approved a late-term abortion ban along party lines Thursday, sending the bill to Gov. Jay Nixon after passionate debate.
The measure bans abortions occuring after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The House passed the ban 121-33, after the Senate approved the bill.
Representatives noted the schoolchildren in the House's upper galleries, saying they'd keep their pleas professional. Democrats said the government had no right to get inside a woman's body, while Republicans said abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy amounted to "barbaric" murder.
The Senate approved the plan which allows the staff of legislators to conceal and carry a gun within the Capitol building.
Sen. Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis, voted against the bill and said he would advise his staff against taking part in the program.
"People act irrationally sometimes and that's a mistake that you'll pay for for a long long time," Keavany said.
Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, said he would support his staff carrying guns as long as they take the required safety class.
"The whole idea of this is to give the law-abiding citizens the right to protect themselves against criminals," Munzlinger said.
The approved plan also lowers Missouri's minimum age for a conceal and carry permit from 23 to 21 years old.
Sen. Maria Chappell-Nadal, D-St. Louis County, spoke out against lowering the minimum age and its dangers in her urban district.
"I'd like it to stay at 23 because this is a weapon," Chappell-Nadal said.
Chappell-Nadal also said she wishes Missouri had balanced legislation to deal with the concerns of the urban and rural areas.
Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington, said the bill would help restore the rights of Missourians to protect themselves.
"Where I live, you know, it's like if you don't have a gun, it's like not having a car."
As part of the training to get a conceal and carry permit, applicants have to show proficiency with two different guns.
Nieves also volunteered to take Chappell-Nadal to the shooting range to make her more comfortable with guns.
The bill now goes to the House.
Missouri's legislature has sent the governor a measure that imposes stronger enforcement provisions against trafficking for the purpose of slavery.
Approval came Tuesday [May 10] with House approval of the final version of the measure. In both the House and Senate, the measure passed without a single negative vote.
The legislation expands the definition of human trafficking and compensates victims with a minimum $100,000 award.
Lawmakers say the victims are slaves who are forced to work or provide sexual services.
The bill's sponsor -- Rep. Anne Zerr, R-St. Charles -- said she expects Gov. Nixon to sign the bill.
Gov. Jay Nixon's signature is all a ban on synthetic drugs needs to become law after the House gave the measure final approval Tuesday [May 10].
The drugs, one a marijuana-like drug called "K'3" and another known simply as "bath salts" are dangerous, said Rep. Ward Franz, R-West Plains. These substances are available for purchase because they are labeled for non-human consumption.
"The whole purpose is to get around the law," Franz said. "If you sell something for the purpose of not for human consumption and you put a label on it, it's legal to sell in the state of Missouri."
The measure got 90 percent support in the House on Tuesday, after already passing the Senate. But it faced some opposition from some. The ban will hurt businesses who also sell legal drugs, said Rep. Mike Colona, D-St. Louis.
"Even if you talk to law enforcement, they are two different issues," he said. "One leads to neurosis and uncontrollable activities. The other puts you to sleep."
It's the second year in a row state lawmakers have voted to ban synthetic drugs. Last year, Missouri stopped the legal sale of K-2, another form of fake marijuana.
Missouri voters will decide whether there should be a constitutional right to pray in schools.
The Missouri Senate gave final approval Tuesday [May 10] to the measure, putting it on ballot.
Although the measure encountered opposition in the House, it cleared the Senate without a single dissenting vote.
McGhee also says he was astounded that it passed unanimously in the Senate.
In the Senate, the bill handler -- Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mt. Vernon -- said the measure simply defined existing rights.
"Our Constitutional rights do not have a whole lot if meaning if our people feel afraid to exercise those rights without first getting a legal opinion or without the fear of the cost of defending a lawsuit after they've exercised their religious freedom," Goodman said to the Senate.
Earlier in the year, however, a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union warned a Senate committee that the measure would lead to more rather than fewer lawsuits.
The proposed constitutional amendment will appear on the November 2012 ballot unless the governor
The fourth time was the charm for this piece of legislation.
The previous four years it had died on the Senate floor.
Drug testing for welfare recipients heads to Gov. Nixon's desk after receiving final approval from the Missouri House of Representatives.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ellen Brandom, R-Sikeston, allows Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients to be subject to a drug test if there is a "reasonable suspicion" they are using controlled substances. If the recipient tests positive, they could lose their benefits for three years.
Brandom's original bill only called for a one year loss of benefits after a positive drug test, but the Senate changed that provision along with adding a section requiring a photo ID on a recipient's Electronic Benefit Transfer card. The House chose to adopt the Senate's changes rather than send the bill conference with only a few days left in session. Brandom said her bill sends a strong message.
"The purpose of the bill is for us to take positive stands to prevent the illegal use of controlled substances," Brandom said.
Rep. Steve Cookson, R-Fairdealing, also supported the bill and said his vote was about the children.
"For those who really care about children, anything we can do to lessen the ability of their parents to use and abuse drugs," Cookson said.
The bill could cost the state $1 million and it was a Democrat who opposed the bill based on its cost.
"Most of you don't know that I am a fiscal conservative...I am wondering about this $1 million price tag," said Rep. Clem Smith, D-St. Louis County.
Other opponents argued the bill does not solve the problems of drug use in our state.
"Until we solve the underlying problem, you can take away the money all you want, but the parents are still going to find drugs," said Rep. Genise Montecillo, D-St. Louis County.
"We're going to cost the taxpayers a million dollars, and then we are not going to treat the people we kick off those rolls, so they're going to struggle even more. Aren't we hurting the children?" questioned Democratic St. Louis City Representative Jacob Hummel.
The bill passed 113-34, enough votes to override a potential veto from the governor.
The Missouri General Assembly is giving voters the final decision on requiring government-issued photo identification to vote in an election.
The measure will appear on the statewide ballot after the Senate passed the proposed constitutional amendment the Monday of the last week of the legislative session by 25-9, which gave the measure the final approval it needed to make it out of the statehouse.
If passed, voters would need to bring a non-expired driver's license, non-driver's license, military identification or any other U.S. or Missouri document with a signature, photo and expiration date to vote. Republicans said the bill would help prevent voter fraud; Democrats said it would instead disenfranchise voters.
The Missouri Supreme Court struck down a similar law that required photo ID to vote in 2006. In their 6-1 decision, the majority wrote that the law "represents a substantial and heavy burden on Missourians' free exercise of their fundamental right to vote."
Like the unconstitutional 2006 law, the original bill indicates that those without IDs may vote with a provisional ballot that would be counted at a later time. However, the new bill also provides the option to obtain a non-driver's license at the expense of the state to those without IDs.
Sens. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, and Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, sponsored the bill arguing it would cut down on voter fraud. When the bill was still in hearings, Stouffer said they expected a precedent set in 2008 by the U.S. Supreme Court to help their case for constitutionality. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled a similar Indiana statute to be "... amply justified by the valid interest and protecting the integrity and reliability of the election process."
Democratic Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, who openly opposes requiring photo ID, has reported that roughly 230,000 voters do not have the kind of identification the measure would require.
The secretary of state's office refused to comment and Carnahan was not available for comment.
Along with the photo ID requirement, a measure for an early-voting period the nine days before an election will also be considered by the voters in 2012.