A measure backed by Missouri’s agricultural commodity and business groups to enshrine a “right to farm” in the state Constitution passed Tuesday night by a thin margin. The amendment to the state’s constitution adds “the right of farmers and ranchers to…
Author Archive for Eli Yokley
Eli Yokley is editor in chief of PoliticMo, and also serves as a political contributor to The Joplin Globe and the St. Louis Business Journal. He can be reached at eli@politicmo.com.
Despite big spending, Club for Growth-backed challengers fail to Republican incumbents
by Eli Yokley •
All four Republican challenger candidates backed by the Missouri Club For Growth lost Tuesday night, despite thousands of dollars in campaign support from the group funded in large part by St. Louis billionaire Rex Sinquefield. The organization backed challenges to incumbent…
McCaskill puts own money where her mouth is in fight to win back state Legislative seats for Democrats
by Eli Yokley •
Last Friday night, the streets of U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill’s quiet Kirkwood, Mo., neighborhood were bustling. Nearly 200 people – a mix of legislators and lobbyists, along with laborer leaders and businessmen – gathered at her home that night to raise…
Chris Koster backs August ‘right to bear arms’ amendment
by Eli Yokley •
JOPLIN, Mo. – Does Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster support a measure that aims to boost the constitution’s “right to bear arms” in Missouri? “Yes,” Koster said plainly last Wednesday. Koster, a Democrat who was endorsed by the National Rifle…
On the stump, Hanaway calls for ‘right to work’, eliminating state income tax, and tort reform
by Eli Yokley •
JOPLIN, Mo. — When Republican gubernatorial hopeful Catherine Hanaway walked into the banquet room at Granny Shaffer’s Restaurant this week, she was greeted by some of Joplin’s more prominent business leaders. At one table sat Brad Beecher, president of Empire…
Koster defends support of “right to farm” after backing 2010 puppy mill bill
by Eli Yokley •
ORONOGO, Mo. — With a large cornfield behind him and campaign signs all around, Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster appeared Wednesday at the David Collard farm to tout Amendment 1, an Aug. 5 ballot measure that would make the “right…
Missouri to decide on new lottery ticket in August
by Eli Yokley •
JOPLIN, Mo. — Since 1996, the Missouri Lottery has provided a dedicated stream of revenue for schools, meaning a portion of each scratcher ticket bought at convenience stores helps fund K-12 and higher education. To date, the arrangement has raised…
Missouri House Ag chairman stands by ballot proposal on farming
by Eli Yokley •
JOPLIN, Mo. — After backing out of a debate posed by the same group last week, state Rep. Bill Reiboldt appeared before a tough crowd Wednesday night at the Southwest Missouri Democrats’ meeting in support of his “right to farm”…
Jay Nixon to visit Iowa ethanol plant
by Eli Yokley •
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has said he would back Hillary Clinton’s candidacy if she runs for president in 2016, but that is not stopping his efforts to raise his national profile. On Tuesday, the Democrat will head to Iowa, an…
Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed more bills this summer than he had any year before
by Eli Yokley •
Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon announced his final actions on bills on Monday – vetoing more bills in one session than in any other year of his tenure.