— Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder announced Friday afternoon he would end his month-long exploratory campaign to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Jason Smith. In a statement, the three-term lieutenant governor said the decision was hard, but that after much thought and…
General Assembly
Ron Richard: Revised gun bill will be first up when Senate returns
by Eli Yokley •
– What will be the first bill on deck when lawmakers return to Jefferson City in January? A bill that would aim to weaken federal gun rules, Senate Majority Floor Leader Ron Richard said on Thursday. Richard, a Joplin-area Republican…
Politics
St. Louis University nixes Scott Brown appearance on campus
by Eli Yokley •
– Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown was surprised by a change of venue when he arrived in St. Louis for an event with the St. Louis University chapter of the College Republicans. “I get there yesterday and said, ‘we all set?’,”…
Politics
McCaskill “embarrassed and angry” about troubled Obamacare rollout
by Eli Yokley •
– Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill said she was upset by the bumpy rollout of the federal health insurance marketplace, a center point of the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act. “I’m not proud of this rollout — I’m…
Washington
Obama, Missouri lawmakers reflect on passing of Ike Skelton
by Eli Yokley •
– The passing of former U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton on Monday night brought on statements of praise and admiration from lawmakers in both parties. Skelton, the former chairman of the House Armed Services Committee who served in Congress for 17…
Executive Branch
Nixon scraps controversial food stamp plan
by Eli Yokley •
– Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday withdrew his proposed rule change that would have slashed the state’s food stamp rolls by some 58,000 Missourians. “Ensuring state-administered food assistance programs operate as effectively and efficiently as possible is an important priority…