Sen. Jack Goodman's bid for Congress might have gotten a significant boost today with state Rep. Shane Schoeller's exit from the MO-7 Republican primary.
Goodman, R-Mt. Vernon, is spending Friday rolling out his congressional campaign in different portions of the U.S. Seventh District. KY3's David Catanese reported today that Schoeller, R-Springfield, was on hand at one stop to introduce Goodman.
As of now, there are three potential candidates from the Springfield area - auctioneer Billy Long, Nixa councilman Kevin Elmer and former state Rep. B.J. Marsh. It's highly possible those three could split up the Springfield-area vote, giving an advantage to a non-Springfielder like Goodman.
Gov. Jay Nixon released a statement this morning that might spell doom this year for legislation altering the state's Construction Work in Progress law.
Lawmakers have been pushing to alter CWIP, hoping the move paves a way for a new nuclear power plant in Callaway County. The law prohibits utility companies from passing on costs to ratepayers to build power plants.
But some lawmakers - such as Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia - have been hesitant to grant Ameren's request without assurances that the plant will be build. Schaefer told me a few weeks ago that even if the utility company gets everything they want from Sen. Delbert Scott's legislation, there still isn't a firm commitment that Ameren will build Callaway II.
Today, Nixon spokesman Jack Cardetti released a statement saying that the governor "thinks it is in everyone’s best interest if
Ameren continues to move forward in the federal permitting process." “This
is a two-step process that involves both procuring a license and then deciding
whether to build," Cardetti said. "It is premature at this time to saddle ratepayers with
potential construction costs before regulators have awarded a permit and Ameren
has made the decision to build.”
The statement is significant, because Nixon can veto legislation he finds unacceptable. And the without those aforementioned benchmarks being met, it looks like CWIP legislation is dead for the time being.
Many people who listen to my weekly analysis for KBIA may have figured out that I have a penchant for sprinkling in mundane aspects of my life to juxtapose against a current political event. It's a somewhat trite attention-grabbing device, but I just have an uncontrollable urge to slip in references to Kung Fu Panda for Columbia's radio audience. So forgive me if this anecdote is vain or self-serving.
I recently procured a membership to ARC in Columbia. I did so because I need somewhere to run when the weather is bad or when it's dark outside. As I was at the tail end of a two-mile run around the overhead track, I realized something important about the federal stimulus plan.
Let's say a city in Missouri received $20 million to build a state-of-the-art fitness center. That money would spur activity in the construction sector and provide a place for citizens to exercise. On the face of it, it seems like a good example of a one-time expenditure.
But that fitness center is going to need full-time staffers to assist and monitor swarms of people who use the facility. When machines or surfaces get worn down, money will have to be extended for repairs. And if that facility has a state-of-the-art pool, more funds will have to be spent over time for chlorine, lifeguards and water.
Even if money is targeted for seemingly one-time projects, that entity will still need an ongoing commitment from a state or municipality. And after stimulus money goes dry, that could potentially create sizable budget problems.
This morning, several Republican leaders held a press conference outside the Capitol regarding a portion of the federal stimulus package that provides bolstered money for unemployment.
Of special concern to the group were provisions in the federal bill that stipulate additional money in exchange for expanding the type of people who could receive benefits. Adjusting the law, they said, would force business to pick up the difference once the stimulus money runs out in two years.
Attending the press conference were Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, and House Speaker Ron Richard, R-Joplin. Here are some comments from the conference:
And here's a portion of the question and answer section of the press conference:
If you missed President Barack Obama's address to Congress last night, you can watch it by clicking here.
And if you happened to miss out on Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's response, you can watch that here.
One person who took a decidedly negative view of Obama's speech and budget was U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth. The freshman legislator said that he's "extremely disappointed that this
budget fails to rein in the troubling and unsustainable spending spree that is
mortgaging the future of our children and our grandchildren."
"I support reducing
our nation’s deficit. That’s why one of the first bills I sponsored
was a Constitutional Amendment to balance the budget, just like Missouri
families and businesses have to do every day," Luetkemeyer said in a statement. “It is still my hope that the White House and
Congressional Democrats will work across party lines to slash spending to make
sure that we keep money in the hands of hard-working families that earned it.
Let me be clear-- raising taxes on small businesses and farmers is not the
answer to address the problems plaguing our economy."
To find other varied reaction to the president's speech, check on out johncombest.com for various enticing links.
KBIA Commentary: No charge for awesomeness
That's the topic I explored in my commentary for KBIA.
Click on the Youtube video below to listen:
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