Capitol Calling

17. "You may be wondering why we're at this Jiffy Lube"

BACKGROUND: As noted earlier, Gov. Matt Blunt occasionally held some unusual press conferences. And even though his pardoning of Gobbles probably stood out the most, his visit to a south Columbia Jiffy Lube wasn't far behind.

"You may wonder why we’re at a Jiffy Lube to talk about health care. Well, I think it makes some sense," Blunt said, as two state senator stood behind him.

Blunt linked the oil change giant with electronic health records. If you pull a car into a Jiffy Lube, that business going to know your oil change history. Blunt noted that it would be helpful if doctors had quick access to medical information.

The event really wasn't as strange or as memorable as some others on this list. But it was humorous moment in a long-running debate over how to structure the state's Medicaid system.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST: Since the beginning of the decade, lawmakers have been battling over the state's health care program for the poor. In 2007, Republicans tried to overhaul the program, even going so far as to give the system a new name - Mo HealthNet. The idea was to implement preventative care into the system as a way of cutting down future health care costs.

I used this preventative care theme as a jumping off point for understanding the current federal health care debate. The dominant argument is whether or not to exert government force to provide health insurance to the uninsured. After all, forcing the uninsured to receive uncompensated care in emergency rooms eventually costs taxpayers money. But there's a more difficult question about whether there will be enough medical professionals to treat people empowered through this plan. If previously uninsured Americans use this empowerment to receive preventative care, are there really enough medical professional to handle this influx? Will the overall quality of care decline if a limited amount of doctors have to take care of significantly more people? I've asked lots of people - Democrats and Republicans - those types of questions. I haven't received too many definitive solutions, probably because it's a very difficult problem.

Mo HealthNet didn't satisfy everyone. Democrats wanted to focus on rescinding cuts made to the program in 2005. But some of the goals of the reconfiguration seemed to foreshadow future conflicts over health care.

 

FUN FACT: As a resident of southern Columbia, I can honestly say that I used that Jiffy Lube to get oil changes for my Honda Accord. I also utilized the adjacent car wash often.

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22. Gobbles' Revenge

BACKGROUND: Thanksgiving can be an awkward occasion. Besides sitting around, eating and watching football, there's not a whole lot people do on the holiday. Imagine how hard it must be for the turkey!

In an act of mercy, Gov. Matt Blunt decided to pardon a turkey named "Gobbles" on the Wednesday before the national holiday. This was strange in and of itself, especially since Missouri governors don't usually pardon turkeys. But since there were rumors that Blunt Chief of Staff Ed Martin was departing, the photo op became relatively substantive.

While Martin eventually left Blunt's team and eventually chose to embark on a congressional run, few wondered what happened to Gobbles. Right before the 2008 turkey pardoning ceremony, Tribune photographer Gerik Parmele encouraged me to find out what happened to the feathery animal. For once, I decided to listen to one of the few people I know from Nebraska and call the Westin Red Barn Farm about Gobbles' condition.

What I found out was pretty surprising. You see, since Gobbles grew accustomed to spending most of his days eating and drinking. That impulse didn't subside when he was freed from captivity, and he ultimately ballooned in weight before dying of a heart attack. It was ironic, because Blunt's pardon didn't really stop the grim reaper from coming to Gobbles' proverbial door.

When Blunt unexpectedly asked for questions after the 2008 turkey pardoning, I asked whether he had any reaction to the fact that his previous pardoned turkey died of obesity. I must say that Blunt handled the question relatively well, even though it probably was most downer question possible.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST: Anytime you can link the resignation of a chief of staff with a turkey pardoning, you know you've probably got a good story. But it's going to be difficult for me to watch a turkey pardoning without thinking about Gobbles' demise. Not that I really spend much time watching politicians pardon turkeys. But I digress.

FUN FACTS: Gobbles happens to be the name of a sickly turkey featured in an episode of South Park.

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24. Rivals clash for 18th District seat

BACKGROUND: When John Cauthorn left the Missouri Senate due to term limits, it sparked an entertaining political war in northeast Missouri.

The election featured Wes Shoemyer - a  fiery populist Democrat from Clarence  - and Bob Behnen - a genealogist from Kirksville who sponsored legislation to require ethanol in fuel.

The race wasn't that important in the grand scheme of things, as Democrats had effectively no chance to take back the Missouri Senate. But the contest proved to be one of the most competitive legislative elections of the cycle, causing both parties to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to take the seat. The race also featured some striking advertisements, including one from Shoemyer accusing Behnen of amassing a "record of shame" in the legislature.

 

Interestingly, many people have told me that Behnen was getting crushed early in the campaign. But after intervention from various political operations, Behnen's bid for the state Senate got back on course to some respect. But it wasn't enough to derail Shoemyer, who narrowly won the election to swing the seat for the Democrats.

 

WHY IT MADE THE LIST: I suppose competitive race is going to be memorable. But this one in particular gave me an education about the politics of northeast Missouri. Although much of the area is socially conservative, there is a local Democratic streak that dates back decades. And tapping into those voters in rural areas seemed to be a way for state Democrats to snap out of an electoral funk.

I would expect the region's somewhat unusual demographics - and a potentially good year for the GOP - to make this seat competitive in next year's election cycle.

 

FUN FACT: By the time the smoke cleared in 2006, a majority of state lawmakers from northeast Missouri were Democrats.  Then-state Democratic Party chairman Roger Wilson attributed the swing to better organization and coordination. Then- House Speaker Rod Jetton blamed a sour national environment for Republicans.

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Everybody loves a list!

With only a few days left before the end of the decade, I thought it would be a fitting finale to count down the 25 greatest stories I got to cover in the 2000s. I'm going to stick with material I covered. The Kansas City Star's Steve Kraske compiled a more comprehensive list here.

 

Some of these stories may be funny. Others may be serious. But regardless, I hope this list provides a engaging and light finale to the decade of despondence.

So to start off, here's number 25:

 

25. Bob Barker visits the Missouri Capitol Building

(Nick King photo)

BACKGROUND: If you venture up to the third floor of the Missouri Capitol Building, you’ll find busts of so-called “Famous Missourians.” The usual suspects – Walt Disney, John Ashcroft and Mark Twain – are present. But in 2007, House Speaker Rod Jetton sent a wave of excitement through the halls when he tabbed game show host Bob Barker to enter the Hall of Famous Missourians.

Barker, of course, was the longtime host of The Price is Right, one of the most popular television shows in history. And when news got out that he was coming to Jefferson City, thousands of people jammed into the Rotunda to catch glimpse of the “bronzed star.” He made a very entertaining speech, took some questions from the press and signed autographs. It was a run-of-the-mill speaker story. But come on! It’s Bob Barker!

WHY IT MADE THE LIST: The Hall of Famous Missourians is a ceremonial honor that has little impact on the future of the state. But Barker’s visit attracted more visitors than most events I've witnessed. It wasn’t even close. And best of all, Barker showcased a terrific sense of humor, never wavering from dropping references to his cameo in Happy Gilmore. Believe it or not, that film still strikes a cord for people who are in my age bracket. "You're going to die clown" is still music to my ears.

FUN FACT:  Columbia Daily Tribune photographer Nick King managed to snap a picture of Christine Franck holding a signed photo of Bob Barker. Christine Franck is the wife of Matt Franck, who at the time was a capital reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

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LeVota responds to KBIA commentary

Over the Christmas holiday, House Minority Leader Paul LeVota, D-Independence, sent me an e-mail after listening to my commentary on lobbyist freebies.

With his permission, I will reprint the letter in full right here:

Jason,

Nice commentary on ethics reform. I thought I would drop you an email for a clarifcation on my view.

To be clear, I do support a ban on lobbyist gifts. As you stated in your report, House Democrats have been sponsoring such legislation for at least 5 years. I still support the idea. My opinion is the same.  Connor's implication, that I'm opposed to it now just because Tilley is for it, is wrong. Truth is, I don't know Connor. I've never met him. It is surprising how much one can assert another's position without ever talking to them.

My point is that to bring real reform we should reinstitute campaign finance limits. You know my agruments so I won't rehash in this email. My skeptical remarks about Tilley's proposal were made because he, nor Shields, will not join others, even Republicans, who agree with this point.

House & Senate Leadership won't let any campaign finance limit bill to advance, a Democrat or Republican sponsored one.  If they did, I would support that effort and publicly renounce my criticism.

So, I predict that at the end of the session, we will pass an ethics reform bill that will be watered down but supported by all. Victory will be declared but real reform will not come to the Capitol until limits are reinstated.

Thanks,
Paul LeVota

KBIA Commentary: Killer Tofu

My commentary this week touches on House Majority Leader Steve Tilley's call to curb lobbyist gifts.

Take a listen:

 

CBT: Killer Tofu

In my latest post to the Columbia Business Times blog, I examine the arguments for and against curtailing lobbyist meals, entertainment and travel in Missouri.

Take a read here.

KBIA Commentary: Reinventing Your Exit

My commentary for KBIA this week is on the aftermath of the arrests and resignations of several Missouri politicians. It also examines what the incidents mean for the future.

Click below to listen:

Hobbs decision opens door for Munzlinger

Terry Ganey wrote in today's edition of the Columbia Daily Tribune that state Rep. Steve Hobbs, R-Mexico, will run for Audrain County presiding commissioner.

The county news has ramifications for state politics, as it could give Rep. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, a free shot of sorts at the GOP nomination against Sen. Wes Shoemyer, D-Clarence. Both Munzlinger and Hobbs live in the sprawling 18th Senate District, and both have created campaign finance committees to run against Shoemyer.

While there will likely be a number of intriguing primaries for state Senate seats in 2010, there are only a handful of general election races that could be competitive. The 18th District race is probably on the list, as Shoemyer narrowly beat then-Rep. Bob Behnen in 2006 in one of the most expensive legislative contests of that cycle.

The other election that could be competitive in November 2010 is the race to replace Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph. Rep. Martin Rucker, D-St. Joseph, is for sure running as a Democratic side. In an interesting parallel, Reps. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, and Jason Brown, R-Platte County, have been seen as Republican contenders. But Brown may run for Platte County Presiding Commissioner instead.

Regardless, it is pretty much a certainty that the Republicans will keep control of the Senate after 2010.

Tilley's Turn

Proposing ethics bills in the Missouri legislature seems to be more popular than The Situation.

That might be an overstatement. But December alone has brought about a number of proposals to alter the state's campaign finance regulations, reporting requirements and internal lawmaking procedures.

Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, made several proposals last week, while Reps. Tim Flook, R-Clay County, and Jason Kander, D-Kansas City, released details of their package yesterday. House Minority Leader Paul LeVota, D-Independence, has proposed instituting limits on campaign donations.

House Majority Leader Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, released details about his own proposal, which were published first on the Turner Report. According to a press release, Tilley wants to:

• End to political consulting while serving as a member of the legislature.
• Place a moratorium on serving as a legislative lobbyist for 180 days after a member leaves the general assembly.
• Fully disclosure of all members, spouses, and staff of any political employment.
• Fully disclosure of any financial interest (PFD) of any general assembly, executive, or statewide offices including staff and contract agents.
• Prohibit accepting political contributions for any compensated appointment made by the Governor, Speaker of the House, or Speaker Pro Tempore of the Senate that requires Senate approval for a period before and after the appointment.
• Place a moratorium on appointing members of the general assembly to executive department positions for 180 days after they leave office.
• Prohibit of any political donations being made to the Governor by any entity that has a pending decision before an executive department or decision making body.
• Ban lawmakers from taking lobbyist gifts.

The last one is especially interesting, since individual lawmakers take tens of thousands of dollars worth of lobbyist meals, entertainment and trips every year.

Several Democratic lawmakers have unsuccessfully proposed a gift ban in the past, only to have the legislation go nowhere in the GOP-controlled legislature. Tilley is probably the highest-ranking Republican lawmaker to propose a gift ban. It'll remain to be seen whether that will make a difference next year.