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2004 Politics Stories

• 12/13/2004: Newspaper Story - After a long battle not to publish a rule allowing organized labor to collect union fees from non-union workers, Secretary of State Matt Blunt will publish the rule in the Missouri Register Dec. 15. Blunt has said he will rescind the order once he becomes governor.
• 12/10/2004: Newspaper Story - The reorganization of state legislative offices follows every election year.
• 12/ 9/2004: Radio Story - Attorney General Jay Nixon says he wants judges to hear from crime victims before felons can be released early from prison.
• 12/ 8/2004: Newspaper Story - After presenting her latest audit finding, McCaskill said she wants to continue being Missouri's state auditor after the 2006 election. She said she is unsure about running again for governor.
• 12/ 7/2004: Newspaper Story - Governor-elect Matt Blunt has selected his former Sunday school teacher, Ken McClure to be his chief of staff.
• 12/ 7/2004: Radio Story - Matt Blunt named Springfield, Mo., native Ken McClure as his joint chief of staff on Tuesday. Blunt also named four other gubernatorial appointments including John Russell, as the deputy chief of staff for administration, and Rob Monsees as the deputy chief of staff for policy.
• 12/ 6/2004: Newspaper Story - After a hearing in Cole County Circuit Court last week, the lawsuit against the state's school funding system will proceed.
• 12/ 6/2004: Newspaper Story - After a court decision to delay the trial of Missouri's school funding formula, the attorney general's office has 15 days to decide whether the formula violates the Missouri constitution by not providing equal and adequate funding to the state's public schools.
• 12/ 3/2004: Newspaper Story - There will be at least two different invitations printed up for Governor-elect Matt Blunt's inauguration, though neither will be required to gain admission.
• 12/ 3/2004: Radio Story - Democrats are putting together their own version of tickets to Missouri's Jan. 10 inaguration.
• 12/ 1/2004: Newspaper Story - Blunt appoints Senate Administrator Michael Keathley as commissioner of the Office of Administration and Deputy Secretary of State Dan Ross as chief information officer. The two will work to consolidate state government's information technology systems and services.
• 12/ 1/2004: Newspaper Story - With a Republican controlled legistor and governor, state employers now have a clear road to passing liability lawsuits limits and to restructure worker compensation laws.
• 11/30/2004: Radio Story - Missourians cast 8,183 provisional ballots on November 2nd, but only 3,292 could be verified. Secretary of State and governer-elect Matt Blunt is scheduled to certify the official election results on Wednesday.
• 11/30/2004: Newspaper Story - Among Missouri's certified votes, there will be more than 3,000 provisional ballots. However, that's less than half of the more than 8,000 provisional ballots cast.
• 11/23/2004: Newspaper Story - Missouri top Democratic leaders met Tuesday to discuss the future of the Democratic Party.
• 11/22/2004: Newspaper Story - Democratic Chairman Roger Wilson will meet with some of Missouri's top Democratic leaders to discuss the future of the party.
• 11/16/2004: Radio Story - The Joint Committe on Hazardous Waste met today to discuss options for funding the program.
• 11/15/2004: Newspaper Story - With statewide elections over, the losing candidates are unsure of their future. They claim there are no immediate plans for now.
• 11/15/2004: Radio Story - A spokesperson for Gov. Bob Holden said the governor did not join in on the open of deer hunting which began this Saturday. Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell also skipped out on tracking deer this weekend.
• 11/12/2004: Newspaper Story - Ken McClure, who led Blunt's transition team when he was elected secretary of state in 2000, worked for the state of Missouri for 23 years from 1974 to 1997.
• 11/10/2004: Newspaper Story - MoDot said it will use new revenue from Amendment 3 to improve 2,200 miles of highway.
• 11/10/2004: Newspaper Story - The state filed for a motion to postpone any further action on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Missouri's school funding formula.
• 11/10/2004: Newspaper Story - Governor-elect Matt Blunt announced that Missouri Senate Administrator Michael Keathley is the budget adviser for his transition team.
• 11/ 9/2004: Newspaper Story - Based on estimates from the secretary of state's office, provisional ballots in Missouri will not impact the final outcome of the 2004 statewide office elections.
• 11/ 9/2004: Radio Story - Ken McClure, Matt Blunt's transition director, says that he and other aides chosen by Blunt will reflect a desire to use experienced staff.
• 11/ 9/2004: Newspaper Story - The latest edition of the "Official Manual of the State of Missouri" gives two conflicting birth dates for U.S. Sen. Kit Bond.
• 11/ 8/2004: Newspaper Story - For the first time in over 80 years the Republican party controls both the legislative and executive branches of Missouri government.
• 11/ 5/2004: Newspaper Story - Columbia Rep. Jeff Harris was named the new House minority floor leader in a close-door caucus Friday.
• 11/ 4/2004: Radio Story - Now that Republicans control the Missouri house, senate, and governorship, they aren't afraid to make major reforms.
• 11/ 4/2004: Radio Story - Governor elect Matt Blunt announced that his Transition Director will be Ken McClure, his high school Suncday school teacher.
• 11/ 4/2004: Radio Story - Sen. Maida Coleman, D-St. Louis, will lead the Senate minority. She beat out soon-to-be senior legislative member, Sen. Pat Dougherty, D-St. Louis. However, Dougherty will serve as caucus chair.
• 11/ 3/2004: Newspaper Story - Matt Blunt and Rod Jetton will be the second youngest politicians in 40 years elected to serve in their respective positions as governor and speaker of the house.
• 11/ 3/2004: Newspaper Story - On Wednesday at his home in Springfield, governor-elect Matt Blunt discussed some of his plans for transition into office. Among his top prirorities are announcing a transition team, meeting with legislative leaders and establishing his government reorganization task force.
• 11/ 3/2004: Newspaper Story - At least 3 senatorial seats vacated by democrats will be filled by republicans. The turnover gives republicans a two thirds majority in the states upper chamber.
• 11/ 3/2004: Newspaper Story - Robin Carnahan, daughter of former Gov. Mel Carnahan will be Missouri's next secretary of state. Sarah Steelman has been elected Missouri's new treasurer and Jay Nixon has been voted to his fourth term as Attorney General. As of this writing, the lieutenant governor's race between Sen. Peter Kinder and Bekki Cook has yet to be decided.
• 11/ 3/2004: Newspaper Story - Former Secretary of State Bekki Cook decided not to contest the lieutenant general's race after losing a by a nail-biting margin to Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Giradeau. Cook conceded to Kinder on the morning after elections.
• 11/ 3/2004: Newspaper Story - Sec. of State Matt Blunt defeated Claire McCaskill in the race for governor. Blunt becomes the first conservative governor in more than 10 years.
• 11/ 1/2004: Newspaper Story - In the battle to win a governor's race that two recent newspaper polls placed within the margin of error, both major parties said they have a staff of lawyers and poll watchers ready and on the lookout against dirty tricks this Election Day.
• 11/ 1/2004: Newspaper Story - Feature description of how Missouri votes are counted -- both officially and on election night.
• 10/28/2004: Radio Story - As thousands of Missourians cast absentee ballots, St. Louis City planned to count the ballots of people who died before election day.
• 10/26/2004: Radio Story - Gov. Holden will meet with the governor of Illinois this week to discuss importing flu vaccines from British wholesalers. The Illinois governor has asked for FDA approval to import the vaccines.
• 10/26/2004: Newspaper Story - Russ and Robin Carnahan are both running for public office under Missouri's Democratic ticket this year. They follow a string of family members in political office, the peak being the late Gov. Mel Carnahan.
• 10/25/2004: Newspaper Story - First time Republican candidate Chris Byrd faces off with third-term incumbent Jay Nixon in the race for the attorney general's office
• 10/22/2004: Newspaper Story - When Missourians step into the voting booth on Nov. 2, most will be using the same paper ballot they used in 2002.
• 10/22/2004: Radio Story - Mid-Missouri Counties Report Record Numbers of Absentee Ballots
• 10/21/2004: Radio Story - A national election monitor singled out Missouri as one of three potential trouble states on election day. But St. Louis City's elections director is not concerned.
• 10/21/2004: Radio Story - Monday's debate between Claire McCaskill and Matt Blunt was the result of weeks of heated discussion between the two campaigns
• 10/20/2004: Newspaper Story - Eighteen years separate the ages of Missouri Gubernatorial Candidates Matt Blunt and Claire McCaskill. The issues of age and experience have become central to the debate of who is better qualified to occupy the governor's office.
• 10/20/2004: Newspaper Story - The candidates for the Sect. of State tout experience in elective office one of the issues of contention in this year's race
• 10/19/2004: Newspaper Story - The office of Missouri state treasurer has become somewhat of a poltitical stepping stone in recent years. This years candidates are State Senator Sarah Steelman and Arnold Mayor Mark Powell.
• 10/18/2004: Newspaper Story - A profile on the Libertarian candidate for governor, John Swenson.
• 10/18/2004: Newspaper Story - Sen. Peter Kinder and former Secretary Bekki Cook have a couple things in common -- their hometown, their chosen profession -- but more than a few things that set them apart.
• 10/15/2004: Newspaper Story - Initial reactions to the new proposal that would charge commuters $20 for a round trip between Kansas City and St. Louis
• 10/15/2004: Radio Story - The proposal would make a round trip from St. Louis to Kansas City $20.
• 10/12/2004: Radio Story - Citing Missouri's lead in the nation in the number of meth labs busted, the Kerry campaign announced a new plan to fight the drug.
• 10/11/2004: Newspaper Story - In a press conference Monday, Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell defended Democratic gubernatorial candidate Claire McCaskill's record on nursing home reform.
• 10/ 6/2004: Newspaper Story - Gubernatorial candidates differ in their reactions to St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke telling Catholics not to vote for abortion rights supporting candidates.
• 10/ 5/2004: Radio Story - Wednesday is the last day people in Missouri can register to vote.
• 10/ 5/2004: Radio Story - Across the state, many local officials are struggling to find people to work polling places on election day.
• 10/ 5/2004: Newspaper Story - Several Missouri statewide candidates will be avoiding the spotlight of the presidential debate in St. Louis.
• 10/ 5/2004: Newspaper Story - Political experts offer conflicting thoughts on the effect John Kerry's abandonment of TV advertising in Missouri will have on the state's gubernatorial race.
• 10/ 5/2004: Radio Story - State-wide politicians are attending debate watch parties with voters instead of showing up at the town hall forum debate. Some political analysts say it is because the debate is too risky for Missouri candidates.
• 10/ 4/2004: Newspaper Story - With less than one month remaining before Election Day, local officials say they are having difficulity staffing Missouri's polling places and fear many positions will go unfilled.
• 10/ 4/2004: Radio Story - Spokesman for Republican candidate Matt Blunt says the arch bishop's statement are in-line with Blunt's campaign. But, spokesman for Democratic candidate Claire McCaskill says moral issues are not the central issues in this year's race.
• 9/30/2004: Radio Story - Scammers try to get personal information by posing as election officials
• 9/30/2004: Radio Story - Missouri's director of homeland security says schools may not receive federal help in combating the threat of terrorism.
• 9/23/2004: Radio Story - Missouri Gubernatorial Candidate Matt Blunt says Claire McCaskill is dodging television debates. But, Blunt is doing the dodging.
• 9/23/2004: Radio Story - International elections officials say partisan Secretary of State is bad choice for voters
• 9/22/2004: Newspaper Story - Trends show rural Democrats are losing votes and possibly Senatorial seats to Republicans due to the GAG issues, Guns, Abortion, and Gay Marriage.
• 9/21/2004: Newspaper Story - Mary Rhodes Russell became the second woman to be appointed to the state's highest court Monday.
• 9/21/2004: Radio Story - Kerry has recently reduced funding for TV ads in Missouri. He is redirecting money to Ohio and Florida. Some politicans and analysts argue this will hurt the Democratic candidates in the state-wide races.
• 9/21/2004: Radio Story - With Kerry pulling back ads in Missouri, the Blunt and McCaskill campaigns offer differing interpretations about how this might affect turnout.
• 9/21/2004: Radio Story - Burke will release a letter on October 1st on voting and the Roman Catholic church.
• 9/16/2004: Radio Story - An unprecedented number of women are running for statewide office in Missouri. Voters have the power to elect women to five out of six statewide offices. Bente Birkeland examines what impact this could have on Missouri politics.
• 9/16/2004: Radio Story - Missouri's Democratic Party accused Republicans of felony violations of Missouri election law.
• 9/15/2004: Newspaper Story - A veto session in the Missouri Senate today upheld a veto for legislation that would make homebuilders more accountable for faulty construction. The attempt to override a largely bipartisan piece of legislation failed by two votes.
• 9/14/2004: Radio Story - State lawmakers will meet for their annual veto session. Lawmakers expect minimal activity.
• 9/14/2004: Newspaper Story - There are more women on the statewide ballot than at anytime in the history of Missouri. One campaign is capitalizing on the appeal of female candidates.
• 9/ 9/2004: Radio Story - The high number of women running for top state offices is not expected to influence voters.
• 9/ 9/2004: Radio Story - Missouri's director of homeland security says he cannot guarantee state schools will receive federal terror prevention money.
• 9/ 3/2004: Newspaper Story - A profile on the man Bob Holden bested four years ago who now takes over the Democratic Party.
• 9/ 2/2004: Radio Story - The House Speaker appointed a special interim committee to study the early voting issue
• 9/ 2/2004: Radio Story - Top gay leaders announced they are not giving up their fight for rights on the same day a state constitutional ban on gay marriage took effect.
• 9/ 2/2004: Radio Story - Govenor Holden will replace conservative supreme court justice Duane Benton.
• 9/ 1/2004: Newspaper Story - Gov. Holden unsure of whether convening a special session this month is necessary.
• 9/ 1/2004: Radio Story - Gov. Bob Holden is unsure whether he will call a special session. He says there are many issues that could be addressed. But, Holden said there is not a large interest for a special session from other legislative leaders.
• 8/31/2004: Radio Story - The Missouri Senior Rx program is set to end in December 2005 and begin again in July 2006 leaving a six month gap in prescription healthcare coverage.
• 8/31/2004: Radio Story - A senior senator says there may be issues to warrent a special session to extend a prescription drug plan
• 8/31/2004: Radio Story - Since 2003 Missouri borrowed nearly $300 million from the federal government for unemployment compensation.
• 8/31/2004: Radio Story - The Missouri Education Department reports that 50 percent more students took Advanced Placement tests than five years ago.
• 8/27/2004: Newspaper Story - Former Missouri Governor Roger Wilson criticized GOP gubernatorial nonimee Matt Blunt's record on education at a press conference Friday.
• 8/27/2004: Radio Story - Former Gov. Roger Wilson held his first press conference as the chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party.
• 8/26/2004: Radio Story - A Cole County Circuit judge heard arguements in St. Louis City's lawsuit to allow early, provisional voting.
• 8/ 5/2004: Radio Story - Almost half of the State Capitol grounds were roped off to the public for John Kerry's visit. The only way on the public land was to get a ticket from the Democratic Party.
• 8/ 2/2004: Radio Story - After repeated requests for Governor Holden's flight records, the Office of Administration released only part of the data. Using the data, it was found that Holden visited one Missouri city more often.
• 7/29/2004: Radio Story - The Missouri State Parks Reservation Center is run by a South Dakota firm. The center employs about 20 South Dakotans to reserve camp sites for Missouri State Parks.
• 7/ 8/2004: Radio Story - Governor Holden signed almost 180 bills, but only 31 were signed in public. Senate President Pro Temp Peter Kinder says that number is very low compared to past years.
• 6/29/2004: Radio Story - Governor Holden's campaign accuses gubernatorial opponent Claire McCaskill of illegally receiving donations from her husband. But Holden has not officially filed a complaint with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
• 6/24/2004: Radio Story - State officlas gather at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Jefferson City Correctional Center... the replacement to the nation's oldest state penitentiary west of the Mississippi
• 6/14/2004: Radio Story - Gubernatorial Candidate Claire McCaskill says rural Missouri has been ignored and proposes an eight-point plan to revamp the area.
• 6/ 8/2004: Radio Story - Circuit Judge Thomas Brown delayed the hearing on the state's gun control law because Attorney General Jay Nixon asked him to dismiss the suit altogether.
• 6/ 3/2004: Radio Story - The state's Supreme Court held that the Secretary of State has the dut to place the proposed amendment to ban gay marriage on the August 3, 2004, ballot.
• 6/ 1/2004: Radio Story - The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case involving when Missourians will vote on a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
• 6/ 1/2004: Radio Story - The state constitution automatically places proposed amendments on the November ballot, unless the governor sets a special election earlier. The Secretary of State feels election officials won't have enough time to prepare the ballot for an August election.
• 5/14/2004: Newspaper Story - Gay marriages, child abuse and the lieutenant governor dominated the last day of the Missouri legislature's 2004 regular session.
• 5/14/2004: Newspaper Story - Administrative officials in Missour's House and Senate estimated that the two branches of government combined used roughly six million sheets of paper during the session. That number, though, pales in comparison to the yearly totals.
• 5/14/2004: Newspaper Story - A mathematical misunderstanding became the center of one of the biggest political disputes in the Missouri legislature's 2004 session.
• 5/14/2004: Radio Story - Lawmakers ended the session.
• 5/13/2004: Radio Story - The House was 12 votes shy of overriding the governor's veto of legislation limiting liability lawsuits.
• 5/13/2004: Radio Story - We take a closer look at the issues involved in changing Medicaid, and through one woman's experience see how those issues affect the people Medicaid serves.
• 5/13/2004: Newspaper Story - Gov. Holden received a stripped down version of his "Jobs Now" initiative Thursday afternoon after the measure was approved unanimously by the General Assembly.
• 5/12/2004: Radio Story - Democratic Governor Bob Holden sent President Bush a letter raising concerns about how some Missouri National Guard Troops are being used in Iraq.
• 5/12/2004: Newspaper Story - Last September, UM system president Elson Floyd added a new system-level position that Knorr was asked to fill. Previously, Knorr's focus was on lobbying the federal government in Washington, D.C. Now, in his current $95,900 per year job, he oversees all UM system lobbying efforts -- federal and state.
• 5/11/2004: Radio Story - The senate bill allowing officers to pull over a driver for not wearing a seat belt was sent back to committee.
• 5/10/2004: Radio Story - A proposed constituional amendment banning gay marriage stalled in the Senate.
• 5/10/2004: Radio Story - Jobs Now was meant to create new jobs in Missouri by targeting industries able to offer high-wage jobs in the future. The governor's package was stalled in the Senate because of a long list of amendments.
• 5/ 7/2004: Newspaper Story - Legislators say Holden's lack of involvement with his proposals is causing them to stall.
• 5/ 7/2004: Newspaper Story - As the legislative session enters its final week, the priorities presented by the Republican leadership remain mostly unachieved.
• 5/ 5/2004: Newspaper Story - The state economy is improving and legislators have passed an increased education budget, but the governor's spokeswoman said he still backs his plan for a half billion dollar tax increase.
• 5/ 5/2004: Radio Story - Today marked the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo. Despite the festive atmosphere around most of the Americas, few in the Missouri legislature were celebrating the occasion.
• 5/ 5/2004: Radio Story - The Governor's proposed budget for fiscal year 2005 relies on tax increases for big business and cigarettes. But, impoving economic conditions may make these taxes unnecessary.
• 5/ 4/2004: Newspaper Story - It is no secret that when it comes to health coverage among businesses big is beautiful. And that holds true for bigger of the small businesses.
• 5/ 4/2004: Radio Story - Some Democrats say Missouri schools won't see the 4.7 percent increase over last year, even though it's more than the Democratic Governor Bob Holden recommended. Republican House Budget Chairman, Carl Bearden says they are playing politics.
• 5/ 3/2004: Radio Story - Hundreds rallied at the state capitol, Monday, to support a ban on gay marriage.
• 4/29/2004: Radio Story - Missourians over 21 would no longer have to wear a motorcycle helmet under bill passed by the House.
• 4/28/2004: Radio Story - John Kerry accepts an invitation from Westminister College President Fletcher Lamkin to speak at the Fulton college. The speech comes four days after Vice-President Dick Cheney offered what some viewed as a politically motivated speech from the same podium on Monday.
• 4/28/2004: Radio Story - Legislators from the House and Senate met in a conference committee to reconcile their different versions of the state budget. One major compromise involves giving more money to higher education.
• 4/27/2004: Radio Story - The governor vetoed the bill, saying it favors companies, not individuals in liability lawsuits.
• 4/27/2004: Radio Story - Workers say republicans don't support their need for workers compensation and unemployment benefits.
• 4/27/2004: Radio Story - More than twenty-five hundred showed up outside the Capitol lawn including leading democrats who lashed out against Republicans
• 4/22/2004: Newspaper Story - Supporters of the medical liability lawsuit awards bill say the legislation would prevent frivolous lawsuits against doctors and hospitals.
• 4/22/2004: Newspaper Story - When Republicans attempted a motion to force a vote on liability lawsuits, Democratic Floor Leader Ken Jacob countered with a substitute motion.
• 4/21/2004: Radio Story - Despite attempts to delay the bill's passage, the Senate sent the governor a proposal that restricts liability lawsuits.
• 4/21/2004: Newspaper Story - Democrats adjourned the Senate to prevent debate on lawsuit limits.
• 4/21/2004: Radio Story - A handful of senate democrats succeeded in moving for adjournment when they notced no one else was in the chamber, delaying a vote on Republican-backed legislation.
• 4/20/2004: Radio Story - A few democratic senators engaged in extended debate on the bill that funds public schools.
• 4/20/2004: Radio Story - Blunt wants to repeal Missouri franchise tax on businesses
• 4/19/2004: Radio Story - The House passes a bill that would cap the money awarded by medical malpractice lawsuits, and restrict the suits to courtrooms in the counties they got injured.
• 4/19/2004: Newspaper Story - Rod Paige addressed Monday an audience of between 200 and 300 people at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Mo. Paige, and a panel of five other education experts had a town hall meeting -- including two superintendents and a representative from Missouri State Teachers Association -- which focused on recent changes to No Child Left Behind education law
• 4/19/2004: Radio Story - Army Major and State Senator Jon Dolan comments on a case before the U.S. Supreme Court involving the undetermined fate of suspected terrorists being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• 4/19/2004: Radio Story - This Missouri State Senate worked to perfect a bill to better higher education in Missouri. The bill would authorize a $350 million bond for construction and renovation at Missouri higher education facilities. Senator Jim Mathewson proposed an amendment to the bill to add more than $22 million for community colleges, but felt unesay about the possible effects of the entire bill.
• 4/19/2004: Newspaper Story - Senators delayed a vote on the $350 million higher education bond bill with arguments over its scope and the use of limited state funds.
• 4/15/2004: Radio Story - Holden, King III, and a representative of Louis Farrakhan attend Betty L. Thompson Day at the state Capitol
• 4/14/2004: Radio Story - Lawmakers debate a proposal that would ask voters to repeal term limits.
• 4/14/2004: Radio Story - State Auditor Claire McCaskill criticized Governor Bob Holden for waiting too long to release money he'd withheld from public schools.
• 4/13/2004: Radio Story - Jacob sponsors resolution to repeal term limits
• 4/ 7/2004: Newspaper Story - The House passed an $18.6 billion budget Wednesday that provides a bigger increase for educatin than the governor reccomended -- without tax increases. The budget was passed on the same day that the Revenue Department released numbers showing that state revenue collections are up significantly.
• 4/ 7/2004: Newspaper Story - Revenue collections through March exceeded expectations of the House Budget Committee chairman.
• 4/ 5/2004: Radio Story - Governor Bob Holden proposed a constitutional amendment today for what he says will protect health insurance for thousands of Missouri children, but some Republicans feels the move may simply be a way to bolster support for his campaign.
• 4/ 5/2004: Newspaper Story - The House Budget Committee passed a budget Monday of almost $18.5 million. The budget rejects the governor's proposals and contains few substantial changes from the fiscal year 2004 budget.
• 3/30/2004: Newspaper Story - Missouri legislators heard another plea Tuesday for the state to stop sending government financed jobs overseas.
• 3/30/2004: Radio Story - Lawmakers fear cell phones make vote buying easier. The bill would allow voters to use their cell phones at the polling place, but not after receiving a ballot.
• 3/29/2004: Newspaper Story - While there are many legislators who have served on school boards, only a few of the state's 197 lawmakers have actually taught as liscenced teachers in a Missouri classroom. Though state government is their second career, many of these teachers-turned-lawmakers describe it as the next logical step in a lifetime of passion for, and commitment to, public service.
• 3/17/2004: Newspaper Story - Gov. Bob Holden's plan to send excess sales tax to the state instead of businesses is dying in a committee -- and leaving Missouri businesses with millions of dollars in extra taxes paid by consumers.
• 3/15/2004: Newspaper Story - Rep. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, resigned from the House Budget Committee and was replaced by Rep. Theodore Hoskins, D-St. Louis County.
• 3/15/2004: Radio Story - Congressman Tood Akin joined Republican state law makers in a pess conference to advocate a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. The amendment would solidify the state's refusal to recognize gay marriages from other states.
• 3/15/2004: Newspaper Story - When the two budget leaders in Missouri's Senate first came to the legislature decades ago, they were far apart -- both geographically and philosphically. Now, the two longest-serving members of Missouri legislature are heralded by colleagues and lobbyists as models for bi-partisan cooperation -- as well as targets of private criticism within their own parties. But after this year, term limits will drive out Republican John Russell and Democrat Wayne Goode.
• 3/15/2004: Newspaper Story - An info box on the two senior members of Missouri's Senate.
• 3/ 9/2004: Newspaper Story - Whitey Herzog, who had led St. Louis Cardinals to a world series championship in 1982, testified in favor of a bill that would let physical therapists to provide rehabilitation to animals without requiring a veterinarian be present.
• 3/ 8/2004: Radio Story - A report says Missouri general revenue collections are up 7.8 percent. House Budget Committee Chair Carl Bearden says it is a sign the state's economy is becoming strong.
• 3/ 3/2004: Radio Story - State House Health Policy Committee members heard witnesses speak in favor of a bill to legalize medical marijuana in Missouri.
• 3/ 2/2004: Newspaper Story - Two members of the Senate Education Committee voiced support for a bill to prohibit the President of the University of Missouri system from occupying the position of a chancellor of an individual campus.
• 3/ 1/2004: Radio Story - House Speaker Catherine Hanaway filed as a Republican candidate for secretary of state.
• 2/26/2004: Newspaper Story - Columbia legislators voiced disappointment over the state Supreme Court's ruling Thursday that would allow Missourians to carry concealed weapons.
• 2/25/2004: Newspaper Story - Any public governmental meeting conducted through electronic communication--conference call, video conference, internet chat or internet message board--would now have to be made accessible to the public under a new bill proposed by Rep. Jeff Harris, D-Columbia.
• 2/25/2004: Radio Story - More than sixty people gathered in the Rotunda to show their support of the second ammendment. Maida Coleman says that the right to carry has a greater implication than in others.
• 2/25/2004: Radio Story - Although the state legislature isn't currently debating the right to carry guns, the issue is still receiving attention in the state capital building. Many representatives from the second ammendment coalition of Missouri were on hand. They stressed that there's more issues involved in the second ammendment than simply the right to carry.
• 2/25/2004: Radio Story - About sixty people showed up in the state capital's rotunda today to show their support of the second ammendment. This year's rally was smaller this year because the conceal and carry issue has been decided by the legislature and is now in the hands of the courts.
• 2/24/2004: Radio Story - Governor Holden and State Auditor Claire McCaskill officially filed for candidacy, and that means there will be a primary fight inside the Democratic party. Holden says a a challenge for the governor's seat during the August primary is okay one they stand untited on the issues. McCaskill says she wants to debate Holden so that voters can learn more about both candidates.
• 2/24/2004: Radio Story - The Senate gave preliminary passage of a constitutional ban on gay marraige.
• 2/23/2004: Newspaper Story - State lawmakers didn't have to wait until Wednesday for the premiere of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." Over 100 members of the legislature saw an advance screening of the film Monday night at Jefferson City's Captial 8 Theatre.
• 2/23/2004: Newspaper Story - State lawmakers didn't have to wait until Wednesday for the premiere of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." Over 100 members of the legislature saw an advance screening of the film Monday night at Jefferson City's Captial 8 Theatre.
• 2/23/2004: Newspaper Story - As Missouri candidate filing opens Tuesday, some state representatives have decided they won't run again in the House. Term limits will force 15 representatives out of the House. Others will leave by their own choice.
• 2/23/2004: Newspaper Story - To address the issue of statewide child abuse and ways to prevent it, the Missouri Children's Services Commission may consider coordinating state and private services. In its monthly meeting Monday, the commission heard Lucia Erikson Kincheloe, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Missouri, explain how her organization can extend services and work together with the commission to tackle child abuse.
• 2/18/2004: Radio Story - Attorney General Ashcroft addressed the issue of terrorism to business professionals Wednesday.
• 2/18/2004: Radio Story - A bill moved into the House that would make the Hadrosaurus the official Missouri state dinosaur.
• 2/18/2004: Newspaper Story - A bill providing comprehensive services for mentally ill children was passed by the House Health Committee Wednesday. Parents would no more have to relinquish custody of their child to avail the health services.
• 2/18/2004: Newspaper Story - U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft returned to the state capital for the first time since he joined the Bush administration.
• 2/18/2004: Radio Story - A House committee hearing will be held on a bill that would prohibit state funding of health and social services programs that subsidize abortions
• 2/16/2004: Radio Story - Roughyl 2,000 teachers, administrators, school board members, parents and students gathered at the state capitol to rally the governor and legislators to increase funding for education.
• 2/16/2004: An audit relased by Missouri State Auditor Claire McCaskill shows that more than 90 percent of tax credits meant to help with the adoption of Missouri children, funded mostly international adoptions instead.
• 2/11/2004: Radio Story - Officials hope to conclude talks between the University of Missouri System and Northwest Missouri State University this week. Matt Johnson tells us how the proposed the merger would be int the hands of state legislators.
• 2/11/2004: Radio Story - Officials from the University of Missouri System and Northwest Missouri State University will be discussing a possible merger Friday. If talks conclude, the passing of the merger will be in the hands of state lawmakers to decide.
• 2/11/2004: Radio Story - The House voted down a bill that would change the name of Southwest Missouri State University.
• 2/11/2004: Newspaper Story - Missouri's House Judiciary Committee sent a measure to the House that would restrict liability lawsuit awards. This is similar to the measure vetoed by the governor last year.
• 2/ 9/2004: Radio Story - Special interim committee to propose plans for implementing early voting law.
• 2/ 9/2004: Newspaper Story - Labor union support in Missouri's governor's race is doing what it did in the presidential primaries--it's getting pulled apart.
• 2/ 9/2004: Radio Story - The Missouri Senate plans to hear a bill for the second time today that will allow people to keep more property when they declare bankruptcy. The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Charlie Shields, will exempt personal property like wedding rings that are worth less than $1,500.
• 2/ 9/2004: Radio Story - House Budget Committee chair Carl Bearden says Governor Bob Holden should release education witholdings even if the money would harm the chances for funding-levies on an April ballot. Bearden says schools probably will not see money from the state until May.
• 2/ 4/2004: Radio Story - Less than 15 percent of registered Missourians voted in yesterday's Presidential primary.
• 2/ 4/2004: Newspaper Story - The bill proposes the same kind of coverage for both mental and physical illnesses.
• 2/ 4/2004: Radio Story - State legislators reacted this week to the Massachusetts supreme Court ruling on gay marriage.
• 2/ 4/2004: Radio Story - Missouri legislators reacted this week to the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage.
• 2/ 3/2004: Radio Story - Rep. Brian Baker, a Kansas City Republican, plans to file a bill calling for a student UM Board member with voting privliges.
• 2/ 3/2004: Radio Story - State Senator Mary Bland says the process of voting may be the most valuable part of Missouri's third ever primary election.
• 2/ 3/2004: Radio Story - Senator Mary Bland says the effort to encourage voter participation hasn't been there from Dick Gephardt.
• 2/ 3/2004: Radio Story - Sen. Ken Jacob continues to fillibuster over proposed SMSU name change.
• 1/28/2004: Radio Story - A filibuster has erupted in Missouri's Senate over a proposal to rename Southwest Missouri State University to Missouri State University.
• 1/21/2004: Newspaper Story - Partisan rancor marked Gov. Bob Holden's State of the State Address Wednesday, as his education, job, and revenue plans all fell under heavy assualt from Republican leadership. The program he announced was essentially the same as the program he put forth last year, with a continued emphasis on a tax increase to help fund Missouri's public schools.
• 1/14/2004: Newspaper Story - An experiment with humor at the expense of current Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Matt Blunt garnered few laughs Wednesday morning.
• 1/13/2004: Newspaper Story - The House Rules Committee sent to the full House a resolution to block the governor's order to let unions take fees from non-union state government workers.
• 1/13/2004: Newspaper Story - Sen. Ken Jacob, D-Columbia, proposed a deal to trade $200 million in bond proposals for the University of Missouri system for the Southwest Missouri State University name change.
• 1/12/2004: Newspaper Story - This year begins the final year in Missouri's House for three Columbia-area legislators, and their circumstances are hardly conducive for going out with a bang. Boone County's state senator and two of its representatives to be outsted by term limits find themselves in the minority party, with limited power to push their legislation onto the top of the legislative agenda.
• 1/ 7/2004: Newspaper Story - Partisan squabbles replaced bipartisan cooperation with in an hour of the start of the 2004 legislative session.
• 1/ 6/2004: Newspaper Story - Missouri legislators predict politics and budgets will dominate the legislative session that begins Wednesday.