Steven Anthony
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Steven Anthony

Steven was born in Thousand Oaks,California, but as the saying goes, he got to Texas as quickly as he could. He is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri and its School of Journalism. During his time at Mizzou, he covered the 2014 and 2015 legislative sessions for MDN. Areas of coverage included taxes, abortion, and right to work legislation. 

After leaving Mizzou in May 2015, Steven was hired as an Iowa News Correspondent for iHeartMedia in Des Moines, Iowa at NewsRadio 1040 WHO. Steven then became a overnight news anchor in September 2016 on WHO.

Steven reported live on WHO from the headquarters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during the Iowa Caucuses in 2016. Steven has also co-hosted both the 2016 and 2018 Election Night coverage shows on WHO.

In his downtime, Steven likes to watch TV, read, and scour Twitter multiple times an hour. Steven and his dad also have a goal of visiting every MLB ballpark around the country. They plan to finish that goal in 2020. 


Stories by Steven Anthony in 2015 include:
Stories by Steven Anthony in 2014 include:
Stories by Steven Anthony in 2013 include:
Steven Anthony's Tweets @MDNnews in 2015

  • 01/07/2015: Senate leaders preview upcoming session while Gov. Jay Nixon discusses his own priorities http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 01/07/2015: Senate leaders and Gov. Jay Nixon have different priorities as the 2015 legislative session gets underway http://bit.ly/1BIo4Za
  • 01/07/2015: The Senate chamber is full of newly elected and reelected senators and their families. The gallery is also full on the opening day of #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Most senators are wearing white roses on their lapels and waiting for the swearing-in ceremony to begin. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/07/2015: Echoes of "Hands up, don't shoot" are audible from outside the Senate chamber. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder reminds the chamber that no disruptions will be tolerated and those who disrupt will be removed. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: "What do we want? Justice," shouts the protestors outside the chamber. Kinder orders the doors to be shut. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Chants from inside the Senate chamber now of "Who do you serve? Who do you protect?" Kinder orders all those participating removed. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: "Black lives matter" is now the chant. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: One protestor to @PeterKinder: "You need a little compassion, sir." #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: @PeterKinder orders the Senate to stand at ease until the protestors are cleared from the galleries. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Some senators are leaving the chamber as the Senate stands at ease. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: "No justice, no peace" is now the chant as the Senate stands at ease. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Senate Majority Leader Ron Richard and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder are discussing among themselves at the top of the lecturn. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Kinder, despite being heard on a microphone, is barely audible over the shouts of the protestors inside and outside the chamber. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: The entire Senate gallery is empty after everybody was removed. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: 40 minutes into the 2015 #MOLeg session and zero senators have been sworn in.
  • 01/07/2015: The Senate is back underway. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Sen. Richard: "We will not open the upper gallery" as members families are now on the floor for the swearing-in ceremony. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Protestors interrupt swearing-in ceremony of the Missouri Senate http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 01/07/2015: The oaths of office have been administered by the Chief Justice of the MO Supreme Court to the newly elected and reelected senators. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: @PeterKinder quotes Rule 15 of the @MissouriSenate which says he has the power to remove people who disturb the Senate. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: The first roll call of the 2015 @MissouriSenate session has been called and all senators are present. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Sen. Tom Dempsey has been reelected as Senate President Pro Tem in a unanimous vote. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Dempsey in his opening address: "We have demonstrated our resolve to make Missouri a low-tax state." #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Dempsey: "I'm pleased to report that we are greeting this session with a more positive economic outlook." #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Dempsey: "We are on the verge of a manufacturing revival." #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Dempsey says senators could learn from the success of the Missouri Tigers, KC Royals and STL Cardinals/Blues over this #MOLeg session.
  • 01/07/2015: Dempsey: "We continue to face an education crisis." #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Dempsey: Education "is a path out of poverty and a path to foster long-term prosperity for our state." #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Dempsey: "We will not resort to easy, short-term fixes" on education. #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Dempsey: "We will also take a hard look at a number of reforms to address the systemic failures of some of MO's municipal courts." #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Dempsey: "Many of the complaints voiced in recent months warrant our attention and concern." #Ferguson #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Dempsey: The voters "expect us to be leaders, to find solutions and to maintain the highest decorum and dignity." #MOLeg
  • 01/07/2015: Protesters interrupt opening of Missouri Senate as tempers from Ferguson make their way to the state Capitol http://bit.ly/1HPcTC2
  • 01/07/2015: President Pro Tem says education, municipal court reform are top priorities of his as lawmakers return to work http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 01/07/2015: During opening address, Senate President Pro Tem said things related to Ferguson are legislative priorities of his http://bit.ly/1xSY9h2
  • 01/08/2015: A day after protesters interrupted the Missouri Senate, three senators discussed what the protesters want http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 01/08/2015: Less than 24 hours after the Missouri Senate was interrupted by protesters, senators discussed what they want http://bit.ly/146lQHS
  • 01/21/2015: Senators have arrived in the House chamber for the #MOSOTS. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon has begun his #MOSOTS address. #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "In nearly 30 years of public service, I've learned a lot about the character of the people of Missouri." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "Let's show the people we serve that we can rise above partisanship." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "Rumor has it that I don't spend enough time on the third floor." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "Be careful what you wish for." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "Together, we're moving Missouri forward on a foundation of fiscal discipline and solid economic growth." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon points out that when he took office, the unemployment rate was 8.6%. Today, the rate is 5.4%. #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "In March, I am heading to Havana, (Cuba)... to make sure Missouri is first in the door." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon switches to transportation. "By 2017, we won't even have enough revenue to match federal highway dollars." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "With gas prices as low as they are now, (the gas tax) is worth a very close look." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon on #Ferguson: "The legacy of Ferguson will be determined by what we do next to foster healing and hope." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon's proposals relating to #Ferguson: reforming municipal courts, updating deadly force statutes. #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "We need to support policies that foster racial understanding and compassion." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: Standing ovation for the law enforcement officers at #MOSOTS. #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "Real and lasting change is only possible when we stand together." #Ferguson #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "Education is the great equalizer." #Ferguson #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "I am proposing record funding for K-12 education with an additional $150M for our local public schools." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon on a new school transfer bill: "I am confident the legislature will get a clean fix to my desk this session." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "Educating a competitive workforce is something we all can get behind." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon on Medicaid: "Across the country, people are moving past the politics." Cites Govs in AZ, IA, MI, NJ, and NM. #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "The 300,000 Missourians who would get health care if we moved forward are your friends and neighbors." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "Let's work together and rise above the same old partisan fights of years ago." #Medicaid #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "Many Missourians have grown cynical about state government's ability to help them better their own lives." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon "We have the weakest ethics laws in the nation. It's not fair. It's not right. You and I know it." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon "No more excuses. Let's get a meaningful ethics reform bill to my desk this year." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: The loudest applause of the night is coming from auto workers in the galleries. #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon credits @johndiehljr, Sens. Keaveny, Dempsey, and Richard for helping to rescue the MO auto industry in 2010. #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "The fact is: our state works best when everyone has an opportunity to succeed." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: @GovJayNixon: "Every Missourians deserves a government worthy of their trust. That's what is expected of us." #MOSOTS #MOLeg
  • 01/21/2015: Gov. Nixon stops short of endorsing a specific proposal to address the state's transportation needs http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 01/21/2015: Gov. Nixon embraced no specific proposal to address transportation funding in his State of the State address http://bit.ly/1E44L19
  • 01/27/2015: Photo ID legislation is once again up for debate in the Missouri legislature http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 01/27/2015: @TonyRDugger presents photo ID bill to lawmakers; @staceynewman, interest groups attack it as restrictive. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1zsoyWU
  • 01/29/2015: Bill exempting data processing centers, fitness facilities from sales tax gains support from senators http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 01/29/2015: Measure providing tax relief for data processing centers and classes at a fitness facility gain senators' support http://bit.ly/1EspsDZ
  • 02/03/2015: @Eric_Schmitt is criticizing @UMPrez for not paying attention to keeping costs low while department heads have "exorbitant salaries." #MOLeg
  • 02/03/2015: @Eric_Schmitt: "I thought it was disturbing @UMPrez is going around the state" criticizing the tax cut #MOLeg passed last year.
  • 02/03/2015: @Eric_Schmitt: "There's been no effort to lead on performance funding." #MOLeg
  • 02/03/2015: @KurtUSchaefer is now talking about the $21.5 million @GovJayNixon released this morning. #MOLeg
  • 02/03/2015: One item Gov. Nixon released money for is $1.5 million for the cyber crimes task force. #MOLeg
  • 02/03/2015: Another item Nixon released funding for is $8 million for veterans homes expenses. #MOLeg
  • 02/03/2015: @KurtUSchaefer raises the point that many of the items Nixon released funding for today aren't in his 2016 budget proposal. #MOLeg
  • 02/03/2015: The Senate is debating @RonFRichard's bill that would impose a 2 yr cooling off period before elected officials can become lobbyists. #MOLeg
  • 02/03/2015: @RonFRichard's floor substitute bill would include statewide elected officials in the 2-year cooling off period. #MOLeg
  • 02/03/2015: @SenatorNasheed: "We are losing confidence when it comes to our constituents." Says lawmakers are more connected to lobbyists. #MOLeg
  • 02/03/2015: Sen. Dixon: "I didn't turn on the Super Bowl this weekend." #MOLeg
  • 02/03/2015: @ScottSifton, Democratic candidate for Attorney General in 2016, offers an amendment to ban all lobbyist gifts to lawmakers. #MOLeg
  • 02/03/2015: Senate begins debate on ethics bill, but kills amendment to ban lobbyists paying for sports tickets, travel http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 02/03/2015: Senate begins debate on ethics proposal, kills amendment banning lobbyist-paid travel, sports tickets. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1x9jFux
  • 02/05/2015: Senate confirms two UM Board of Curator nominees after discussing the board having too many lawyers http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 02/05/2015: Despite criticism of too many lawyers on the UM Board of Curators, Senate confirms two lawyers to board. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1zd2KI9
  • 02/10/2015: Freshman lawmaker aims to prevent cities from banning plastic bags before they even try http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 02/10/2015: Bill would prohibit cities from imposing plastic bag bans as Columbia considers a ban of their own. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/16NZ9te
  • 02/10/2015: Columbia lawmakers largely disagree with their city's proposed ban on single-use plastic bags. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1AanBmm
  • 02/12/2015: It is Missouri Press Association Day at the Capitol. First up to speak: State Auditor and 2016 GOP gubernatorial candidate @TomSchweichMO
  • 02/12/2015: @TomSchweichMO: "The worst thing you can do if you're a public official is steal money." #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @TomSchweichMO: "Embezzlers never take a vacaction. Ever." #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @TomSchweichMO: "We've found 33 public officials stealing money and we're about to announce some more." #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: .@TomSchweichMO says his office will release the audits of the St. Joseph and the Joplin School Districts very soon. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: .@TomSchweichMO says his office will be emphasizing a focus on local audits this year. Says he focused on the state last year. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: .@TomSchweichMO on 2016: "I don't think there's anyone better qualified than I am." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: .@TomSchweichMO on 2016: "I understand the state and I'm very well qualified for the job." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: .@TomSchweichMO on 2016: "If you want to win, you go with the proven winner." Touts his 2 statewide office wins. #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: .@TomSchweichMO on 2016: "I think I have a broad base of appeal." Says he's never wavered on conservative issues. #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: .@TomSchweichMO on 2016: "If I am governor, it will be the most accessible and open governor's mansion in history." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: .@TomSchweichMO on 2016: "There will not be leashes on my agency heads if I'm governor." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: .@TomSchweichMO says economic development and education are the two main issues of his #MOGov platform. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: .@TomSchweichMO: "We should be accrediting schools individually." #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: .@TomSchweichMO: "We are at a severe economic disadvantage" without right-to-work. #RTW #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: .@TomSchweichMO: "I am in favor of [campaign] contribution limits, but it's not enough." #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: .@TomSchweichMO: "What you don't want is a candidate that is bought and paid for by one person." #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: Next up: a panel on #Ferguson. First up: Sen. @MariaChappelleN. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @Eric_Schmitt is now talking about his municipal court legislation. #Ferguson #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @Eric_Schmitt: "I think it will lead to fundamental changes... on the way government interacts with its people." #Ferguson #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @SenatorNasheed is now talking about her legislation that would require a special prosecutor when a shooting involves police. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @SenatorNasheed has also filed legislation to address deadly force. She says MO is not in compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @SenatorNasheed says she thinks the deadly force legislation will get traction. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov is the next speaker at MPA Day. #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov on 2016: "I couldn't let Missouri fall further and further behind its neighbors." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov: "I'm here again ready to serve." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov: "The smaller the government, the greater the freedom." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov: "As governor, I will stand up for the state of Missouri against the edicts of the federal government." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov will have 4 priorities: jobs, education, roads, and preserving the Constitution. #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov: "On day one of the Hanaway Administration, I will freeze all state regulations." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov: "I have always believed that we should tax citizens less and spend taxpayer money more efficiently." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov: "Money isn't the only answer" when it comes to schools. #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov: "I will never hold appropriated education dollars hostage over some dispute I have with the legislature." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov: "It is much harder to lead, to govern, and to solve problems." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov: "Today, I'm ready for a new challenge." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov: "We need a governor who knows how to lead the legislature." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov: "Rex Sinquefield has contributed to me because he believes what I believe." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: @HanawayForGov: "I'm not adopting anyone's agenda for anything wholesale." #MOLeg #MOGov
  • 02/12/2015: Republican candidates for governor present similar, yet different cases for election in 2016 http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 02/12/2015: @GovJayNixon is about to begin his press conference at the governor's mansion. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @GovJayNixon touts achievements with the legislature in the area of mental health. Specifically address new Fulton State Hospital. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @GovJayNixon again stresses the need for Medicaid expansion. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @GovJayNixon says there have been good, bipartisan discussions on a new school transfers bill. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @GovJayNixon is now taking questions from the press. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @GovJayNixon: "I think we protected free speech" in #Ferguson. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @GovJayNixon: "I do think there are legitimate reasons for grand juries." #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @GovJayNixon: "I'm not totally opposed" to a special prosecutor in officer-involved shootings. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: @GovJayNixon says the first paper he has read every day since 2011 is the @JoplinGlobe. Ends with @stltoday and @KCStar. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2015: Auditor Tom Schweich and Catherine Hanaway both want the GOP nomination, yet there's one issue that divides them http://bit.ly/1A1Oi9P
  • 02/17/2015: Sen. Blunt promotes government transparency bill, discusses issues in Washington http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 02/17/2015: Sen. @RoyBlunt promotes transparency bill, discusses DHS funding in visit to state Capitol http://bit.ly/1A40kAM
  • 02/19/2015: The House is now discussing the joint resolution on whether or not voters should have an ID to vote. #VoterID #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: @staceynewman: "I want to remind the body that this would actually affect real people." #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: @staceynewman: "There has been no concern on this floor about the people who would actually lose their right to vote." #VoterID #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: Democrats are talking about letting the people decide on other issues such as Medicaid expansion as well as #VoterID. #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: @jeremylafaver: "It is taking away a right that is in our constitution." #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: Rep. Kolkmeyer, R-Lafayette County, is talking about having to show an ID before purchasing a gun last summer. #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: Rep. Keith Frederick, R-Rolla, says this HJR is a protection of the right to vote. #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: The House passes the HJR by a vote of 118-39. #VoterID #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: The House is debating the companion #VoterID bill to the HJR passed earlier. It's the "nuts and bolts," according to @TonyRDugger. #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: Rep. Deb Lavender, D-STL County, is tracing the history of voting rights in the country and says there have been "kinks" in history. #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: House bill 30, unlike HJR 1 passed earlier, would not require voter approval to be enacted. It is a regular House bill. #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: @johndiehljr is now speaking on #VoterID. #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: @johndiehljr: "The Secretary of State turns a blind eye to voter fraud." #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: @johndiehljr: "This law makes it easier to vote and harder to cheat." #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: @johndiehljr harkening back to his days as Majority Leader moves the previous question. #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: The House has passed the #VoterID bill by a vote of 118-37. #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2015: Missouri House passes two companion voter ID measures http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 02/19/2015: House passes photo ID requirement after it comes under attack from Democrats as burdensome to minorities, women http://bit.ly/1z3W13z
  • 02/19/2015: House passes photo ID bill after Democrats call it restrictive, say it would take away some voter's rights http://bit.ly/1CPb1UY
  • 02/24/2015: Gov. Nixon discuses upcoming trip to Cuba, current legislative issues http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 02/24/2015: @GovJayNixon addresses his upcoming trip to Cuba, current legislative issues. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/18hUoda
  • 02/26/2015: The House is debating a bill that would establish a prescription drug monitoring program. MO is the only state without a PDMP. #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Rep. Keith English, I-St. Louis County, spoke against the bill, saying Missouri doesn't need a PDMP. #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Rep. Keith Frederick, R-Rolla, says the PDMP bill will increase taxes and calls on fellow Republicans to oppose the bill. #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Frederick: "There's no treatment for addiction in this bill. This is an enforcement bill, not a treatment bill." #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Frederick: "This sets [us] on a path to increased government surveillance." #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Many representatives are sharing personal stories of family members or constituents who suffered, or suffer, through chronic pain. #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Rep. Bill White, R-Joplin, objects to the bill because of how it's funded. It's funded "exclusively by gifts, grants, and donations." #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: That is the actual language of the bill. #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: The House has passed the prescription drug monitoring program by a vote of 107-48. #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Spokesman for @AuditorSchweich says he experienced "a medical situation at his home this morning" and is in the hospital receiving treatment
  • 02/26/2015: Email from Gov. Nixon's press secretary says Nixon will not in St. Louis to discuss the summer jobs program. No official explanation given.
  • 02/26/2015: House passes bill aiming to make Missouri adopt a prescription drug monitoring program http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 02/26/2015: House Speaker Pro Tem @DLHoskins tweets that the House will convene at 1:45 p.m. for a prayer service for Auditor Tom Schweich. #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Schweich spox Spence Jackson: "It is with great sadness that I confirm the passing of Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich today." #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Currently sitting in the House chamber waiting for the prayer service to begin. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 02/26/2015: The scene in the House chamber right now: only the overhead chandeliers are on, Reps and Sens are filing in, staff are on the side. #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Some lawmakers are crying, many are hugging each other. Profound sense of sadness in a silent Missouri House chamber. #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: House is saying a prayer for Schweich's family and staff. #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Lawmakers are leaving the chamber after a 5 minute service. #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: @Koster4Missouri: "Tom Schweich was a lifelong public servant for our state and country. I am deeply saddended by his sudden loss." #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Lt. Gov. @PeterKinder: "Tom had a long and unblemished record as a great public servant." #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: @GovJayNixon: "Tom Schweich's exceptional intellect and unwavering dedication to public service left a legacy that will endure" for years.
  • 02/26/2015: House Democratic Leader @JacobHummel: "This is a tragic day for Missouri, which lost a dedicated public servant." #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Sen. @clairecmc: Schweich "was a good man, and a dedicated public servant, who served our country... with distinction and honor." #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: Sen. @clairecmc ends her statement with "Hug those you love." #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: New @missourigop chairman @johnrhancock: "I am in utter shock at the news of Tom Schweich's tragic passing." #MOLeg
  • 02/26/2015: House Speaker @johndiehljr: "This is a devastating loss for our state as we have now lost a leader and man of the highest integrity..."
  • 02/26/2015: House passes bill aiming to make Missouri the final state to have a prescription drug monitoring program. http://bit.ly/1AOWQB9
  • 03/03/2015: Lawmakers, friends, and family say goodbye to Schweich as former senator calls for end to dirty politics http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 03/03/2015: Standing steps away from fellow politicians, former senator calls on them to restore wholesome politics. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1CrIh9W
  • 03/03/2015: MDN caught up with @GovJayNixon as he left Sen. Tom Dempsey's office and asked about Sen. Danforth's eulogy of Tom Schweich. #MOLeg
  • 03/03/2015: Nixon declined to specifically address Danforth's plea for an end to politics-as-usual, instead saying he was focused on the funeral. #MOLeg
  • 03/03/2015: Nixon: "There will be plenty of time in the coming days and weeks to put [Danforth's comments] into a broader context." #MOLeg
  • 03/03/2015: Nixon: "Today, my focus has been on making sure that [Schweich's wife] and her two kids... can go on with their lives." #MOLeg
  • 03/03/2015: Gov. Nixon declined to address Sen. Jack Danforth's call to clean up politics in wake of auditor's death. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1BEWGyh
  • 03/10/2015: The House has begun debate on their fiscal year 2016 budget proposal. First up: the public debt appropriations bill. #MOLeg
  • 03/10/2015: The House has now moved on to the bill funding elementary and secondary education. #MOLeg
  • 03/10/2015: The House has adopted 2 amendments to the DESE budget bill. One amendment cut $1 million from the parents as teachers program. #MOLeg
  • 03/10/2015: To clarify, the program originally had a $3.5 million increase, but the House amendment cut $1 million from it. #MOLeg
  • 03/10/2015: The $1 million that was cut was placed into the Teach for America program. #MOLeg
  • 03/10/2015: House has put aside the DESE bill and is now on the higher education appropriations bill. #MOLeg
  • 03/10/2015: House gives initial approval to $26 billion budget while leaving some things out http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 03/10/2015: House gives initial approval to its version of the budget, but it left some things out and cut others. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1xbLPpU
  • 03/11/2015: Senators filibuster changes to expert witness testimony http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 03/12/2015: Lawmakers call for GOP chairman's resignation http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 03/12/2015: The House is working on passing their FY 2016 budget that they perfected on Tuesday. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: Dems express reservation about the School Foundation Formula not being fully funded, but they're generally supporting the DESE bill. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: Also, there were zero votes against the appropriations bill to pay the state's public debt. $61.9 million is included in that bill. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: With general revenue, federal funds, and "other funds," the House's budget for elementary and secondary education is $5.77 billion. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: For additional information on the budget, visit http://mdn.org/2015/DATA/BUD16.HTM. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: @FitzpatrickMO emphasizes that the House's budget funds the Foundation Formula more than Gov. Nixon proposed. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: "This is the best that we can do" on education funding despite the fiscal environment in Missouri right now, says @calebrowden44. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: Democrats are lining up at the microphones to speak on the DESE appropriations bill. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: The House passes the elementary and secondary education funding bill by a vote of 127-24. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: Members are now debating the higher education funding bill. With all funds, that bill includes $1.267 billion. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: Rep. @s_webber reminds the House that @UMPrez asked for a 5% funding increase, then Webber says "This bill is not the best we can do."#MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: To clarify, it was @UMPrez and many other university officials from across the state that asked for a 5% funding increase. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: House passes higher education funding budget bill 124-29. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: House has quickly passed House Bills 6-10 and are now on HB 11, the Social Services budget. Democrats are talking about #MOMedicaid. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: Tuesday, the House rejected a #MOMedicaid expansion amendment by a near party-line vote. (4 or 5 total members missed the vote.) #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: House is still debating the Social Services budget (HB 11). Democrats and Republicans are discussing #MOMedicaid expansion. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: The House has passed the Social Services budget by a vote of 116-35. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: The House passes their final budget bill and all 13 bills now move to the Senate. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2015: House passes $26 billion budget http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 03/12/2015: Lawmakers call for @missourigop chairman @johnrhancock to resign in wake of Auditor's death. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1DbCHZT
  • 03/12/2015: House passes budget after Democrats blast inadequate education funding and lack of Medicaid expansion. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1Gx38ql
  • 03/12/2015: Lawmakers call on @missourigop chairman to resign as he defends himself in radio interview. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1Ar3kmt
  • 03/17/2015: Gov. Nixon's press secretary Scott Holste tells MDN Nixon will decide this afternoon on whether to grant clemency for Cecil Clayton. #MOLeg
  • 03/17/2015: Clayton is scheduled to be executed tonight for a 1996 murder. He will be executed unless Nixon grants clemency or #SCOTUS steps in. #MOLeg
  • 03/17/2015: The Missouri Supreme Court denied his claim for clemency by a 4-3 vote over the weekend. #MOLeg
  • 03/17/2015: Clayton had some of his frontal lobe removed in 1972 after a sawmaill accident. His lawyers claim that contributed to his crime. #MOLeg
  • 03/17/2015: Specifically, according to news reports, his lawyers claim he became alcoholic, depressed, and prone to violence after the surgery. #MOLeg
  • 03/17/2015: A Senate cmte has passed bills relating to when a law enforcement officer can use deadly force. The bills are SB 42, 199, and 417. #MOLeg
  • 03/17/2015: SB 42 is sponsored by @SenatorNasheed, SB 199 is sponsored by Sen. Bob Dixon, and SB 417 is sponsored by @MariaChappelleN. #MOLeg
  • 03/17/2015: House gives initial approval to bill banning the advertisement of human trafficking in Missouri http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 03/17/2015: House endorses college religious organization's right to select membership based on sincerely-held beliefs http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 03/17/2015: House gives first-round approval to bill banning plastic bag bans and fees http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 03/17/2015: The Missouri House wants to prevent cities from imposing plastic bag bans or fees. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1MI8ovw
  • 03/17/2015: House endorses measure letting campus religious groups select members based on group's religious beliefs. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/19xHqJ6
  • 03/17/2015: BREAKING: Gov. Jay Nixon denies clemency petition of Cecil Clayton. #MOLeg
  • 03/19/2015: House leaders address progress made on some issues, inaction on others as lawmakers head home for spring break http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 03/19/2015: Lawmakers go home for spring break while still facing many issues when they come back. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1FGhx5T
  • 03/31/2015: Spence Jackson cited fear of unemployment in his suicide note that was released Tuesday. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1BJmsga
  • 04/02/2015: House passes ethics bill after making changes to original Senate bill http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 04/02/2015: House passes ethics bill after changing key parts of original Senate-passed bill. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1yHf0C2
  • 04/08/2015: Senate passes budget after marathon session marred by hours-long filibuster http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 04/08/2015: Senate passes budget, but only after some items gave members on both sides heartburn. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1y3J1Rm
  • 04/09/2015: Senate committee hears bill allowing Missouri income tax deduction on federal health care law tax penalty http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 04/09/2015: House passes bill that opponents say makes it harder for employees to prove discrimination http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 04/09/2015: House passes bill changing requirements in wrongful termination suits involving alleged discrimination. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1GPVhqg
  • 04/09/2015: House speaker takes wait-and-see approach to budget negotiations http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 04/14/2015: @GovJayNixon appoints @nicolergalloway as new state auditor. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1NEeqkx
  • 04/16/2015: House passes compromise welfare bill, sends it to Gov. Nixon http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 04/16/2015: Missouri's legislature sent the governor a sweeping set of welfare restrictions. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1IjgEiy
  • 04/21/2015: House falls shy of veto-proof majority as they pass bill tying unemployment compensation to unemployment rate http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 04/21/2015: House passes bill reducing unemployment benefits in good economic times, falls short of veto-proof majority. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1OCXR3K
  • 04/28/2015: St. Louis County senators express displeasure with measure aiming to reallocate their county's sales taxes http://bit.ly/1OBxcd4
  • 04/30/2015: Nixon vetoes bill aiming to cut TANF benefits http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 04/30/2015: House passes expansion of the Castle Doctrine http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 04/30/2015: House passes expansion of Castle Doctrine over argument that measure allows more guns on the streets. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1I1rGfI
  • 04/30/2015: Giving history and context to the filibuster in Missouri http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 04/30/2015: Giving some context and history to the filibuster and its uses. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1Q3Xi5B
  • 05/05/2015: The House is currently debating the welfare reform bill, SB 24. @GovJayNixon vetoed the bill last week. #MOLeg - @scanthony14
  • 05/05/2015: Late Monday afternoon, the Senate overrode Nixon's veto on SB 24 by a 25-9 vote. #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2015: Bill handler @DianeF123 says she thinks people will be surprised at the positive results of the bill. #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2015: The House overrides Gov. Nixon's veto of #SB24 by a 113-42. #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2015: Lawmakers take another crack at passing school transfers bill http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 05/05/2015: The House overrides Gov. Nixon's veto of a bill that reduces the time a person on TANF can receive benefits. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1dLHlDa
  • 05/05/2015: House members pass compromise school transfers bill, but barely. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1FOp9Ur
  • 05/13/2015: House passes right-to-work measure, sends it to the governor http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 05/13/2015: After years of debate, legislature sends right-to-work legislation to the governor. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1HhUC3b
  • 05/14/2015: @GovJayNixon statement on Diehl's resignation: it was "an appropriate and necessary step." #MOLeg
  • 05/15/2015: Deadlocked Senate could spell trouble for deadly force bill in final hours of legislative session http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 05/15/2015: Diehl officially resigns, Richardson is elected Speaker http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 05/15/2015: Diehl resigns after sexually-charged texts with intern; Richardson is elected Speaker of the House. #MOLeg http://bit.ly/1KSlggP
  • 05/15/2015: Nixon and House leaders tout accomplishments, discuss unfinished business http://bit.ly/1DxpI1b
  • 05/15/2015: The governor and House leaders discussed what was accomplished and not accomplished in the 2015 session. http://bit.ly/1d4D79M

Steven Anthony's Tweets @MDNnews in 2014

  • 01/22/2014: The Senate Appropriations committee is now hearing the overview of Gov. Nixon's proposed FY2015 budget. @scanthony14
  • 01/22/2014: State Budget Director Linda Luebbering: "The governor's budget does include Medicaid expansion." @scanthony14
  • 01/22/2014: Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, says Gov. Nixon's budget is "an absolute political fiction." @scanthony14
  • 01/22/2014: House/Senate budget leaders agreed on a 4.2% increase in general revenue for FY2015. Gov. Nixon forecasts growth at 5.2%. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/22/2014: House/Senate budget leaders agreed on a 4.2% increase in general revenue for FY2015. Gov. Nixon forecasts growth at 5.2%. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/22/2014: House/Senate budget leaders agreed on a 4.2% increase in general revenue for FY2015. Gov. Nixon forecasts growth at 5.2%. @scanthony14
  • 01/22/2014: Republican senator says Gov. Nixon did not give any data to back up higher budget predictions http://bit.ly/19OBGci
  • 01/27/2014: State Rep. does not support $5 million infusion for Normandy school district http://bit.ly/1dJBPsM
  • 01/27/2014: Republican state Rep. would not vote to fund Normandy school district http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 01/27/2014: The Senate Judiciary Committee will hear 3 bills tonight. One bill would extend the waiting period for an abortion to 72 hours. @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: 6 of the 7 Judiciary members are present. Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, is not present. @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: Sen. Schaaf is testifying on his Joint Resolution that would add the phrase "electronic communications and data" to the Mo. Constitution
  • 01/27/2014: Article 1, Sec. 15 of the Mo. Constitution protects people against unreasonable searches/seizures. Schaaf's SJR would be put to the voters.
  • 01/27/2014: Testimony on the abortion bill will alternate between supporters and opponents. @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, is the sponsor of the bill and is the first to testify in favor of the bill @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: Sen. Sater says Utah and South Dakota are the other states with 72 hour waiting periods for abortions. Missouri would be the 3rd @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: Sen. Sater says Utah and South Dakota are the other states w/ 72 hour waiting periods for abortions. Missouri would be the third @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: Sen. Sater says Utah and South Dakota are the other states with 72 hour waiting periods for abortions. Mo. would be the third @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: One woman testifying in favor of the bill says a 24 hour waiting period isn't enough; brings up her story of getting an abortion @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: A woman testifying in favor of the bill says a 24 hour waiting period isn't enough; brings up her story of getting an abortion @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: People opposed to the bill sitting in the room are wearing "Stop the war on women" stickers. @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: Susan Gibson, testifying against the abortion bill, says "There's propaganda on the table. Can I have it removed, please?" @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: A man testifying for the bill brings up Germany's 72 hour waiting period. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: A witness in opposition to the bill says the bill "sets up the state of Missouri as a nanny state." @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: Man testifying in favor: "[The bill} is for the greater good of everybody else." @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: Supporter of the bill is talking about the materials that must be provided to the woman seeking an abortion @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: The only senator who hasn't said anything in the committee hearing: Sen. Jolie Justus, the only woman on the committee. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: Woman testifying in opposition says, "We all know that abortion is safer the earlier it's provided." @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: A Wash U Medical School student says the bill "questions a woman's own capacity to make her own medical decisions." #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: Testimony for and against the abortion bill, SB 519, has passed the 1 hour mark. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: Supporters and opponents have brought up Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 Supreme Court abortion decision. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: Mother of 8 and grandmother of 12 is testifying for the bill. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: The hearing has concluded after nearly 1 hour and 45 minutes. Abortion testimony took 1 hour and 6 minutes. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/27/2014: A legislative committee debated how long a woman must wait to have an abortion http://bit.ly/1gltVOd
  • 01/29/2014: A representative from the MU System is testifying in front of the House Educations Appropriations Committee. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/29/2014: The MU rep says over the 4 campuses, $1.3 billion worth of repairs to academic buildings is needed over the next few years. @scanthony14
  • 01/29/2014: Constance Gully, interim president of Harris-Stowe University, says HSSU has the #1 most affordable bachelor's degree in Mo. @scanthony14
  • 01/29/2014: Robert Vartabedian, president of Mo. Western State University, is touting the school's scientific accomplishments. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/29/2014: Vartabedian says the school needs $180 million for repairs on the school's campus. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/29/2014: Northwest MO State University president Dr. John Jasinski says laptops are included in the tuition costs for students. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/29/2014: Dr. Jasinski says most of his school's students major in biology. Multiple institution presidents have touted science degrees @scanthony14
  • 01/29/2014: Rep. Lyle Rowland asks Dr. Jasinski "Do you and your football coach walk on water?"NW MO St won the Division II title this year @scanthony14
  • 01/29/2014: Dr. Kevin Rome, president of Lincoln University, on his school's resources: "We are struggling." #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/29/2014: "We are very optimistic about the future of Lincoln University"-Dr. Rome. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/29/2014: Dr. Troy Paino, president of Truman State, is touting his school's appearances in Tuesday's USA Today and Today Show. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/29/2014: Dr. Paino is the only institution president to talk about the student loan debt and default crisis. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 01/29/2014: Institution presidents testify before House Education Appropriations Committee http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 01/29/2014: Institution presidents tout successes, ask for more funding from Education Committee http://bit.ly/1b64sUn
  • 01/29/2014: Lawmakers hear testimony from institution presidents asking for more money http://bit.ly/1k9FvtJ
  • 02/03/2014: Gov. Nixon calls special elections for three vacant House seats http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 02/03/2014: The Missouri State Public Defender System is giving its budget presentation to the House General Appropriations Committee #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 02/03/2014: The Missouri State Public Defender System is giving its budget presentation to the House General Appropriations Committee. @scanthony14
  • 02/03/2014: Public Defender System Director Cat Kelly is making the System's 2015 budget presentation to the committee. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 02/03/2014: Kelly says Gov. Jay Nixon withheld $700,000 in FY2013 and $1.13 million in FY2014 from the Public Defender System. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 02/03/2014: Commitee Chairman Rep. Mark Parkinson raises the issue if any trials were held up because of the funding being withheld. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 02/03/2014: Kelly says there are nearly 3,900 juveniles in Missouri who are going through the court system without representation. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 02/03/2014: Director Kelly says the Public Defender System needs 51 more lawyers this year to handle their growing caseload. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 02/03/2014: Public Defender Director outlines problems with agency, cites need for more funding and staff http://bit.ly/LsAIXH
  • 02/10/2014: Lawmakers grill Dept. of Corrections director about state's handling of death penalty cases http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 02/10/2014: Dept. of Corrections director faces skeptical lawmakers on state's handling of death penalty cases http://bit.ly/1aONDzk
  • 02/12/2014: @SpeakerTimJones introduces the "medical professional's conscience rights" bill for the 3rd time. Hopes this year is the charm. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: "You're completely confused"-@SpeakerTimJones to @gmontecillo on the medical conscience rights bill. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: @SpeakerTimJones: "This [medical professionals conscience rights] bill is narrowly tailored to certain specified medical procedures." #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: @staceynewman: "Why narrow it to just women patients? Is there a hidden agenda there?" #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: @staceynewman: "This is just one more vagina-specific bill" in an election year. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: @SpeakerTimJones says @staceynewman's description of the bill was very partisan and "full of vitriol." #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: @SpeakerTimJones: "This bill will make our health care system better." #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: @jaybarnes5: "For [opponents of the bill], pro-choice is not enough."#MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: @johndiehljr moves the previous question on the bill. Debate has ended. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: The House gives initial approval to the bill by a vote of 106-38. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: CORRECTION: The House gives initial approval to the bill by a vote of 116-38. Previous number of "YES" votes was wrong. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: House is debating HJR48, which would create a veterans lottery ticket. If approved by #MOLeg, it would appear on the November ballot
  • 02/12/2014: According to @molegislature, only 1 House Republican voted "NO" on the conscience rights bill: Rep. Chris Molendorp. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: The House perfects HJR48 by a simple voice vote. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: The House stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb 13. #MOLeg
  • 02/12/2014: House gives initial approval to conscience rights bill after fiery debate http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 02/12/2014: Bill giving medical providers' conscience rights clears first hurdle in the House http://bit.ly/1j5AGRy
  • 02/12/2014: Lawmakers propose new lottery ticket for veterans http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 02/12/2014: House bill proposes new veteran's lottery ticket http://bit.ly/1bNLNtQ
  • 02/19/2014: The Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is hearing two bills this morning. @scanthony14
  • 02/19/2014: The first bill, SB 594, increases the min. age of an inoperable vehicle to 20 years to be exempt from requirement of a title certificate
  • 02/19/2014: The second bill, SB 746, establishes a point system for traffic violations but exempts violations enforced through automated traffic systems
  • 02/19/2014: Sen. Munzlinger's bill, SB 746, targets red light cameras. He says he's never been in favor of them. #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2014: Munzlinger's bill also targets speed cameras. His bill only allows them in school zones, construction zones, and "travel safe" zones. #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2014: A lieutenant from the Creve Coeur, MO Police Dept. says red light cameras have lead to catching criminals leaving the scene of a crime.
  • 02/19/2014: The Creve Coeur police chief says red light cameras have acted as replacements of police officers at one dangerous intersection in the city
  • 02/19/2014: No opposition testimony to Sen. Munzlinger's bill. #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2014: Sen. Libla's bill requires scrap metal operators to obtain a certificate of ownership or a salvage certificate for cars under 20 years old
  • 02/19/2014: Shannon Cooper, former Mo. State Rep, testifies against Sen. Libla's bill. #MOLeg
  • 02/19/2014: Red light and speed camera tickets would not be assessed points on a person's driving record under a new bill http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 02/19/2014: Points would not be assessed on a person's driving record for tickets issued by red light and speed cameras http://bit.ly/1d08U4z
  • 02/24/2014: Rep. Wanda Brown presents her bill that would require DSS to ensure applicants are eligible for the welfare program funds they're receiving
  • 02/24/2014: Brown says the state is spending $177 million on child care subsidies and says there are currently no checks and balances. #MOLeg
  • 02/24/2014: Brown is now presenting another bill. This would suspend a welfare recipient's benefits if they use their EBT transaction card outside Mo.
  • 02/24/2014: The bill would suspend a welfare recipient's benefits for 90 days if they use their EBT card outside Mo. #MOLeg
  • 02/24/2014: Brown cites examples of people using their benefits in the Virgin Islands, Texas, and California for an extended period of time. #MOLeg
  • 02/24/2014: Rep. Brown says, "I want to protect the people who really need [welfare benefits]." #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 02/24/2014: Rep. Barnes' first bill would repeal the requirement of a hearing after a welfare recipient tests positive for a controlled substance #MOLeg
  • 02/24/2014: Rep. Barnes' second bill establishes a pilot program to encourage SNAP beneficiaries to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. #MOLeg
  • 02/24/2014: Rep. Richardson brings up the point of defining what exactly a farmer's market is. He says that definition should be in the bill. #MOLeg
  • 02/24/2014: Many groups, mostly out of Kansas City, are testifying in support of Barnes' fresh fruits and veggies pilot program bill. #MOLeg
  • 02/24/2014: Rep. Richardson says this is the most people he's seen testify in favor of a bill sponsored by Rep. Jay Barnes. #LightMoment #MOLeg
  • 02/24/2014: New plan would create a program for food stamp recipients to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 02/24/2014: The House is debating a bill that would adjust tax brackets for inflation. Bill is sponsored by Rep. Paul Curtman. #MOLeg
  • 02/24/2014: The bill has been perfected by a voice vote. #MOLeg
  • 02/24/2014: Rep. Jeanie Riddle, whose district is home to the Fulton State Hospital, says there will be a new state hospital built
  • 02/24/2014: Budget Chairman Rick Stream commends Rep. Riddle for raising awareness of the need for a new Fulton mental hospital
  • 02/24/2014: Stream unveils a program to use revenue bonds for 5 years to fund the building of a new mental hospital in Fulton.
  • 02/24/2014: @SpeakerTimJones says the Fulton project is "long overdue" and it is a "top priority" of his. #MOLeg
  • 02/24/2014: @johndiehljr says, "We're happy with how all of this has come together." #Fulton #MOLeg
  • 02/24/2014: @RickStream confirms the revenue bonds are the same bonds @repckelly called unconstitutional just recently. #MOLeg
  • 02/24/2014: @RickStream estimates the interest payments on the bonds will add up to $30 million over the 5 year period. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 02/24/2014: @RickStream says he looked at all types of bonds to fund the hospital, but his idea is "the best way to go financially." #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 02/24/2014: @RickStream says the money is for the 2015 fiscal year. He says, "there was no need" for 2014 supplemental funding. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 02/24/2014: Missouri House leaders unveil funding plan for a new mental hospital in Fulton http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 02/26/2014: Lawmaker wants to bring greater transparency to death penalty process http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 02/26/2014: Springfield Republican lawmaker wants to bring transparency to Missouri's execution process http://bit.ly/1fIOSjs
  • 03/05/2014: Rep. Webber, D-Columbia, says the medical malpractice bill would "empower insurance companies to step between the doctor and the patient."
  • 03/05/2014: Rep. Engler responding to Rep. Webber's comments: "I don't know if [the doctors he spoke to] were high at the time." #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/05/2014: The medical malpractice bill, or tort reform bill, would cap non-economic damages at $350,000 #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/05/2014: Rep. Kevin McManus, D-Jackson County, says the tort reform bill "is about helping the insurance industry" #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/05/2014: Speaker Jones calls for decorum after the doctors in the gallery erupt in applause after Rep. Frederick's speech. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/05/2014: Today is "white coat rally day" at the Capitol. Many doctors are in their white coats in the House gallery. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/05/2014: Rep. @RoordaJ, speaking on the medical malpractice bill, says "This bill can be easily comparted to fecal matter." #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/05/2014: The House is voting on final passage of the medical malpractice bill. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/05/2014: The medical malpractice bill has passed the House by a vote of 94-61. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/05/2014: House members pass medical malpractice bill capping pain and suffering damages http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 03/05/2014: Mo. House passes bill medical malpractice bill capping pain and suffering damages http://bit.ly/1kzGczK
  • 03/05/2014: Mo. House members pass medical malpractice caps for pain and suffering, fall short of veto-proof majority http://bit.ly/1kzNR0J
  • 03/10/2014: House Budget Committee is hearing the FY2015 budget bills. Rep. Lair made a joke toward Gov. Nixon about Mo. not having special elections
  • 03/10/2014: The Senate Financial/Governmental Organizations and Elections committee is hearing 6 bills today. 1 deals with regulatory licensing. #MOLeg
  • 03/10/2014: Two bills involve election dates. One changes the presidential primary election date from Feb to April. Bill sponsored by @MOSenate08 #MOLeg
  • 03/10/2014: Another bill sponsored by @MOSenate08 would change Missouri's primary election date from August to June. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/10/2014: @MOSenate08's bill changing Missouri's primary election date also changes the filing date to early January. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/10/2014: Sen. Kraus says the Missouri caucuses don't allow everybody to participate. #SB892 #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/10/2014: Sen. Wasson says "I do not want another caucus. Ever." #SB892 #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/10/2014: @MOSenate08 says 31 states have an earlier primary than Missouri. That is why he filed #SB893. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/10/2014: @MOSenate08 says #SB893 would first be enforced in the 2016 elections. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 03/10/2014: Republican senator introduces measures that would change the dates of Missouri primary elections http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 03/10/2014: The House perfected HB1192, a bill that requires custodial parents to be notified 5 days prior to a minor getting an abortion. 117-37 vote
  • 03/10/2014: The House is perfecting HB1390, a higher education bill. 90% of all new money will be given out based on performance standards. #MOLeg
  • 03/10/2014: The House is perfecting HB1390, a higher education bill. 90% of all new money will be given out based on performance standards. #MOLeg
  • 03/10/2014: The House is perfecting HB1390, a higher education bill. 90% of all new money will be given out based on performance standards
  • 03/10/2014: The House is perfecting HB1390, a higher education bill. 90% of the funding will be given out based on performance standards.
  • 03/10/2014: The House is perfecting HB1390, a higher education bill. 90% of the funding will be given out based on performance standards.
  • 03/10/2014: The general election season in Missouri would be even longer under a bill presented to a Senate committee http://bit.ly/1iv9SO8
  • 03/10/2014: The general election season in Missouri would be even longer under a proposal from a Republican senator http://bit.ly/1ivdDTY
  • 03/12/2014: House is perfecting a bill that would prevent points from being assessed on driver's licenses if evidence only comes from a red light camera
  • 03/12/2014: Rep. Bryan Spencer gave a speech against the red light bill. He criticized his fellow Republicans for supporting a bill that increases taxes
  • 03/12/2014: Rep. Bryan Spencer: "This bill needs to fail." #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2014: Reps. Spencer and Roorda are going at it on the floor over Spencer's amendment. Roorda accuses Spencer of making us statistics. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2014: Rep. Roorda says Rep. Spencer is arguing against himself when Spencer opposes the bill and then offers his amendment. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2014: The bill has been perfected by voice vote. #MOLeg
  • 03/12/2014: House gives initial approval to a measure not counting a red light ticket toward a person's driving record http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 03/12/2014: First-round approval given to measure removing legal hurdle for red light and speed camera fines http://bit.ly/1gqZAYy
  • 03/17/2014: Lawmakers who upheld Nixon's tax cut veto do not have primary challenges while other lawmakers do http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 03/19/2014: A Republican lawmaker who upheld Nixon's veto of tax cut bill has a primary challenge http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 03/19/2014: One Republican lawmaker who voted not to override Gov. Nixon's tax cut veto is facing a primary challenge http://bit.ly/1j7iuXe
  • 04/02/2014: The House is in session and is currently hearing a bill on student religious liberties. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/02/2014: The House version of Right to Work is on the perfection calendar. Unknown if the House will debate it today. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/02/2014: Bill sponsor @elijahhaahr says his student religious liberty bill provides "clear rules for our school districts." #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/02/2014: @elijahhaahr cannot say for sure whether schools would be sued or not if they violate a student's religious liberty rights. @scanthony14
  • 04/02/2014: @elijahhaahr's bill is perfected by a vote of 128-20. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/02/2014: House gives initial approval to measure granting students full religious liberty rights http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 04/02/2014: One Missouri city is closer to hosting the 2016 Republican convention http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 04/02/2014: Public school students would receive full religious liberty rights under a bill given initial approval by the House http://bit.ly/1h43Wum
  • 04/09/2014: The House has begun debate on right to work legislation. The bill is sponsored by Rep. @EricBurlison. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: Burlison sights unions not being able to pay workers more in Detroit and St. Louis during his opening statement. #RTW #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: Burlison also sights bosses saying they eliminate states without #RTW when considering a new location. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: @EricBurlison: "We believe workers in our state deserve a right to choose." #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: @EricBurlison on unions: "What do they have to fear?" #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: @EricBurlison makes an opening statement and then @johndiehljr cuts off debate. House is adjourned until 1:30 today. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: House passes measure adding a one percent sales tax to fund Missouri highways and roads http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 04/09/2014: Rep. Hummel: Right to work "is just another in a series of attacks desgined to weaken the middle class of this country." #RTW #MOLeg
  • 04/09/2014: Hummel: "You've picked a fight with working families across the state." #RTW #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: @EricBurlison asks "Why are we so afraid to give individual workers" the right to not join a union? #RTW #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: @EricBurlison: "We are allowing Missouri voters to decide on this issue." #RTW #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: @EricBurlison: "I trust the voters to make the right choice." #RTW #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: Hummel to Rep. Schatz, who is running for the MO Senate: "Were you honest with your voters" when you described #RTW? #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: Hummel now shouting: "This bill lowers wages!" #RTW #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: Schatz keeps pressing Hummel for an answer on how #RTW lowers wages. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: Schatz claims he doesn't know who @GroverNorquist is. Democrats groan in unison. #RTW #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: Hummel now shouting again: "I dare you to put it on the ballot!" #RTW #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: @EricBurlison: "I think fear is wrapped around this issue." #RTW #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: The House has 3 galleries. The smallest one is almost full. The other two: about half full each. #RTW #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: Rep. Lichtenegger: "If we don't make our state more business friendly," they won't know what's great about MO. #RTW #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: The voting board is now open. #RTW #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: Lt. Gov @PeterKinder and Senate Majority leader Ron Richard are in the House chamber to watch the #RTW vote. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: The House has perfected #RTW by a vote of 78-68 with 2 voting present. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/09/2014: After a very contentious #RTW debate, the House stands adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 10. #MOLeg
  • 04/09/2014: House gives first round approval to bill allowing workers not to pay union dues to their employer http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 04/09/2014: House gives first-round approval to bill forbidding employers from forcing workers to pay union dues http://bit.ly/1i2x9ot
  • 04/14/2014: The House is debating a resolution calling on Congress to use its power and adopt a balanced budget amendment and submit it to the states
  • 04/14/2014: The House is debating a bill about firearms safety training courses. However, they're now discussing the Castle Doctrine. #MOLeg
  • 04/14/2014: The House is now debating a bill that would add dyslexia to a law known as "Bryce's Law." #MOLeg
  • 04/14/2014: @EricBurlison says Bryce's Law encourages DESE "to publish the scholarships" and grants that are available for students in Missouri. #MOLeg
  • 04/14/2014: House gives initial approval to changes to law passed last year designed to help kids in school with special needs http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 04/16/2014: The House is debating a resolution on early voting. Many Democrats are standing by their microphones ready to speak. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. @staceynewman: "Our democracy is, at best, only 50 years old." "This resolution is a sham." #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. @staceynewman asks why Sunday, the most popular voting day, is purposefully excluded in the resolution. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: If approved by #MOLeg, the House Joint Resolution would be submitted to voters for approval on the November ballot.
  • 04/16/2014: The House Joint Resolution has been perfected by voice vote. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Some highlights from the tax cut presser with @SpeakerTimJones and @johndiehljr. Diehl said they "intend to pass [the bill] through clean."
  • 04/16/2014: @johndiehljr reiterated several times that this tax bill is "much simpler" than the one @GovJayNixon vetoed last year. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Most of the 15 Republicans who voted against last year's tax bill were standing behind Jones and Diehl during the presser. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. Nate Walker, R-Kirksville, was the only member besides Diehl or Jones to speak during the presser. He says he supports the bill. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: The Senate passed the current tax bill on April 1 on a straight party-line vote of 24-9. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: The bill that came out of the Senate was sponsored by @MOSenate08. He tried to work out a compromise w/ Nixon, but ultimately didn't. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: A big reason a compromise w/ Nixon wasn't worked out is because many Senate Republicans expressed reservations and don't trust Nixon. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. @Koenig_4_MO_Rep is handling the Senate bill on the floor. He calls the bill "broad-based tax reform." #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. @Koenig_4_MO_Rep cites Oklahoma, Kansas, Tennessee as examples of states that have pulled ahead of Missouri since cutting taxes.
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. Judy Morgan, D-Jackson County, says Kansas City Public Schools will lose $2.3 million as a result of this tax cut bill. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. Judy Morgan, cites Kansas cutting school funding as one reason why she opposes the bill. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. Koenig says "there are some mistakes we had in last year's bill." #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. David Wood speaks in favor of the bill. Last year, he was 1 of the 15 Republicans who voted to sustain Gov. Nixon's veto. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. Wood says he went through the bill finding something he could argue against, but he couldn't. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. Genise Montecillo, D-STL County, says when Missouri decreases revenue, it takes away from a children's education. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. Montecillo cites multiple large school districts in MO that would lose money. Says Jeff City Public Schools would lose $2.3M. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Montecillo says "we need to improve our education system. This scheme makes no sense." #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Montecillo: "I challenge each of you to justify this to your constituents." #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Speaker Pro Tem Denny Hoskins and Rep. Randy Dunn are in an inquiry. Hoskins says 10,000 jobs were created on the Kansas side of KC. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Hoskins and Dunn are talking over each other. It's hard to understand what either are saying. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Hoskins says there are 3 reasons why people move where they do: education, tax and economic policies, and transportation. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Democratic leader Jacob Hummel cites the recent KS Supreme Court finding that KS has not funded its schools adequately. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Reps. Montecillo and Schatz engage in a battle on whether the state is meeting its education standards. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Montecillo to Schatz: "To stand here and say this won't have any impact on education is ludicrous."#MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Schatz: "I truly believe this is the right process." #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. Kathie Conway, R-St. Charles: "It's so very very easy to spend other people's money." #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Debate on the tax bill has passed the 1 hour mark. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Democratic lawmakers continually sight Kansas' problems with education funding. They passed a large tax cut in 2012. #MOLeg #BorderWar
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. Kevin Austin, R-Springfield, calls this tax bill a "small, measured way" to do tax policy. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. Jeff Grisamore calls the arguments on the tax bill coming from the Democratic side "disingenuous." #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Grisamore says Democrats are trying to mislead the press and constituents with their arguments against the tax bill. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: @calebrowden44 criticizes Democrats for offering the "doomsday scenario" when it comes to education cuts. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: @calebrowden44 says comparing Missouri's tax cut to Kansas' is "factually inaccurate and completely absurd." #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: @calebrowden44 says "I'm voting for a bill... that gives us a chance to fund the [education] formula." #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Debate has passed the 90 minute mark. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Diehl has moved the previous question. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: @MOSenate08, the sponsor of the bill currently under consideration, is in the House chamber watching the proceedings. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Rep. Koenig: "We've heard a lot of misinformation on the other side of the aisle." #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: Members are now voting on the bill. If it passes, it goes to @GovJayNixon. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: The bill passes the House by a 104-48 margin. The only Democrat to vote in favor: Rep. Jeff Roorda. #MOLeg
  • 04/16/2014: House gives final approval to income tax cut bill, sends it to @GovJayNixon for veto or signature http://bit.ly/1ncOdvf
  • 04/16/2014: Lawmakers react to the House giving final approval to income tax cut bill and sending it to @GovJayNixon http://bit.ly/1ncS5fK
  • 04/23/2014: The House is debating @EricBurlison's bill that allows persons over age 21 to not wear a helmet when riding a motorcyclein Missouri. #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: @EricBurlison: "It is not the role of the legislature to require adults in our state" to wear helmets when riding a motorcycle. #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: @EricBurlison: "That person [not wearing] a helmet" poses to risk to the public. #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: @EricBurlison says the legislature is taking away a person's right to life, liberty, and propoerty by having a motorcycle helmet law. #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Rep. Keith Frederick opposes the bill. He says it's a job killer, except for the funeral and embalming industries. #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: There is bipartisan opposition to this bill. The House hasn't voted yet. #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Leader Diehl has moved the previous question. Members will vote on that and then vote on perfection of the bill. #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: The bill has been perfected by voice vote. #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: The House is now debating a bill that moves the state primary to June. It would also move the filing deadline up to January. #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Rep. Roorda says moving the primary to June forces incumbents to choose between being a lawmaker or campaigning. #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Democrats raise objections to the cost of the bill, which according to the fiscal note would be $5 million. #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Democratic Leader Hummel to the bill sponsor: "I was just wondering if this was a Todd Akin fix."#MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: In the Judiciary Cmte impeachment hearing, Rep. Marshall says the Supreme Court didn't strike down individual state laws about gay marriage
  • 04/23/2014: Citing U.S. v Windsor, the case that struck down parts of DOMA, Marshall says "The IRS has no authority to change Missouri tax law." #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Marshall: Gov. Nixon "seized power that the people did not give him and issued executive order that is unconstitutional." #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Marshall: Gov. Nixon "willfully ignored" Missouri law. #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Marshall: "The governor has a duty to faithfully execute the law." #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Marshall: Gov. Nixon "must be held to account." #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Marshall: "[Nixon] usurped the people and their authority... on their government." #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Marshall: "The governor has no power to change Missouri's constitution. The people have the sole power to change their constitution." #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Marshall: "What are we, the people's representatives, going to do about it?" #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Judiciary Chairman Rep. Stanley Cox: "It appears to me there are several grounds for impeachment." #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Marshall: the governor "knows what Missouri's law is." #MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Marshall on the courts not doing anything about Nixon's original executive order: "My guess is they're waiting to see what we do."#MOLeg
  • 04/23/2014: Missouri's House votes to allow helmetless adult motorcycle riders. http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 04/23/2014: House votes to allow adults over age 21 to not wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle http://bit.ly/1jPa9aW
  • 04/28/2014: Family of man sentenced to life without parole for marijuana possession pleads for clemency from Gov. Nixon http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 04/28/2014: Family of Sedalia man sentenced to life in prison without parole for pot possession asks Gov. Nixon for clemency http://bit.ly/1tW8gA6
  • 04/28/2014: The business of the House has briefly stopped so the speaker can sign the criminal code bill that will be sent to Gov. Jay Nixon. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: The school transfer debate has begun in the Missouri House. #MOLeg @scanthony14
  • 04/30/2014: The bill has been laid over for later consideration. All they did was prevent any new amendments from being added. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: The House has begun debate on the school transfer bill. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: @RickStream: "What is the best for the students in these unaccredited districts? Think of them first." #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: @RickStream reminds the House that the transfer bill passed the Senate by a 27-5 vote. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: @RickStream: "Our goal is to prevent borderline districts from being unaccredited." #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: @RickStream: "The goal here is to allow the students to go to a high-quality educational environment right away." #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: Rep. Wood's amendment only allows students transferring in STL and KC to attend a private school and nowhere else. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: @Jaybares5's amendments subjects private schools to every state statute that public schools must follow. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: @JayBarnes5: "We have taken away every argument used by the education establishment" with this amendment. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: @JayBarnes5: "We have taken away every argument used by the education establishment" with this amendment. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: Rep. McNeil: "This is a voucher bill." #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: McNeil: "It changes the way we fund public education." Calls it "the initial salvo." #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: McNeil says passing this bill will make it more difficult for MO to fund public education if they start funding private schools. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: Barnes clarifies his amendment to Woods' amendment only applies to student safety and performance in private schools. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: @SenatorNasheed is currently sitting in the House chamber listening to the debate. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: Rep. Montecillo asks Barnes what happens if a private school becomes unaccredited if they take students from unaccredited schools. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: Montecillo ends her inquiry with Barnes after she accuses him of not answering her question. Both were almost shouting. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: Montecillo: "We may be sending students to an inferior education choice" than where they came from. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: Montecillo: "There are some in this body that chose to take advantage of this crisis." #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: Montecillo: "We're giving students and parents false choices." #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: Rep. @JillSchupp: "We cannot use our kids as hostages to undermine public education." #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: @JillSchupp: "How dare us undermine the (education) formula." #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: The debate over school transfers is approaching the 2 hour mark. Many amendments are being offered. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: The House is voting on passage of the school transfer bill. If passed, it will go to conference with the Senate. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: The bill passes by a vote of 91-64. #MOLeg
  • 04/30/2014: House gives final approval to bill dealing with unaccredited schools http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 04/30/2014: House passes bill aiming to solve unaccredited district problems with bipartisan support and opposition http://bit.ly/1o5jEW3
  • 05/05/2014: The House has taken up the motion to override @GovJayNixon's veto of #SB509. #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2014: Rep. Koenig, R-St. Louis County: "It is unlikely" that this bill will cut education. #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2014: Koenig: "Missouri needs to cut our income tax in order to remain competitive." #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2014: More than 275,000 Missourians signed a petition to eliminate teacher tenure http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 05/05/2014: Rep. Montecillo, D-STL County: "Every one of us in this body ran on education. We are abdicating that responsibility." #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2014: Montecillo: "I haven't heard from one constituent that supports this scheme." #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2014: Rep. Dohrman on #SB509: "It's a bill for the little guy."#MOLeg
  • 05/05/2014: Rep. White: "I am really tired" of being called anti-education. "This is ridiculous. This is not true." #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2014: Rep. Carpenter, D-Clay County: "Don't act like this somehow doesn't hurt education." #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2014: Sen. Will Kraus (@MOSenate08), the original sponsor of the tax bill, is in the House watching the debate. #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2014: Rep. Neth: "This is the responsible way to do things. This is not a Kansas-style tax cut." #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2014: The House has passed the one hour mark of debate on the tax cut bill. #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2014: @johndiehljr has cut off debate. No vote will occur tonight. The House stands adjourned. #MOLeg
  • 05/05/2014: The House adjourned before taking a vote on overriding Gov. Nixon's veto of the tax cut bill http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 05/05/2014: Hours after the Senate voted to override Gov. Nixon's tax cut veto, the House took no action on the bill http://bit.ly/RiulKb
  • 05/07/2014: A debate over taxation turned into a heated exchange between two House members http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 05/07/2014: A day after the House overrode Gov. Nixon's tax cut veto, tensions boiled over on the House floor http://bit.ly/1kMFwDj
  • 05/12/2014: The House is in session and is debating @calebrowden44's bill to ban the sale of "E-cigarettes" to people under the age of 18. #MOLeg
  • 05/12/2014: The bill also says the "alternative nicotine or vapor products" will not be subject to taxes and regulations like other tobacco products
  • 05/12/2014: House passes bill banning sale of e-cigarettes to minors, sends it to @GovJayNixon http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 05/12/2014: House passes bill banning sale of electronic cigarettes to minors under 18, sends it to @GovJayNixon http://bit.ly/SV88mD
  • 05/12/2014: House passes bill requiring parents of kids younger than 17 to give consent for use of tanning beds http://bit.ly/SVadyK
  • 05/13/2014: House leadership, Senate Democratic leader reflect on time in legislature http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 05/13/2014: @SpeakerTimJones, @joliejustus, and @JacobHummel reflect on time spent in the legislature http://bit.ly/1lu2Vvj
  • 05/13/2014: Gov. Nixon harshly criticizes bill providing vouchers for private schools, doesn't say whether he'll veto bill http://bit.ly/SYUrTA
  • 05/13/2014: Gov. Nixon is still hopeful Medicaid expansion will happen; Republican senator says it isn't happening http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 05/13/2014: With 3 days left in session, Gov. Nixon and Republicans are still going at it over Medicaid expansion http://bit.ly/1jdIrZ5
  • 09/03/2014: Special interest tax breaks are a central part of next week's #MOLeg veto session http://bit.ly/1rMZDJJ
  • 09/03/2014: Special interest tax breaks are at the heart of next week's annual veto session http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 09/08/2014: In the #MO House chamber tonight, there is a $500/person wine tasting reception 2 days before #MOLeg attempts to override a veto of HB 1359
  • 09/08/2014: HB 1359, vetoed by Gov. Nixon, gives the Capitol Commission power to enter into contracts that would allow sales of alcohol in the Capitol
  • 09/08/2014: Nixon said the Capitol "should remain a place that thousands of children and their fammilies feel comfortable visiting every year."
  • 09/08/2014: $500 per person wine tasting to be held in the Missouri House chamber Monday night http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 09/08/2014: Less than two days before the veto session, the House chamber will host a $500/person wine tasting seminar http://bit.ly/1lRHhVO
  • 09/10/2014: The House is swearing in 3 new members ahead of today's veto session. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The oaths of office have been taken and the 2014 veto session is underway. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Of the 51 line-item budget vetoes the House will consider, they have overridden all 9 they have considered so far. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: All have passed with bipartisan majorities. Also, all of the overrides will go to the Senate to be voted on next. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Line-items the House has overridden: funding for 2 non-profit alternative schools, forensic exams for physically abused kids. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The House just overrode @GovJayNixon's veto of $300,000 for an autism spectrum disorder clinical unit at Washington University. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: In the last 10 minutes, the House has overridden Nixon's vetoes of funding for regional autism projects and epilepsy education. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @gcmitts turns a discussion about a Medicaid waiver for brain injured people into a question of why #MO didn't expand Medicaid. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: "This governor has done more to expand executive power" in history, says @SpeakerTimJones. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @SpeakerTimJones calls @GovJayNixon's #Ferguson performance an "absolute failure." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The House is still overriding line-item budget vetoes. They just passed funding for sexual assault victim services. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The House has overridden Nixon's veto of funding for social innovation project grants to reduce the cycle of child abuse. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The House has also overridden Nixon's veto of funding for foster parent training. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The Senate has begun to completely override Gov. Nixon's line-item vetoes. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The House continues to override Nixon's line-item vetoes. Now up: funding for a pilot program for foster care in the STL region. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Senate overrides @GovJayNixon's veto of an electronic cigarette bill. It now goes to the House. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Of the 34 line-item budget vetoes the House has voted to override, all have passed with bipartisan majorities. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The House is debating the final line-item budget veto. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @teamrickstream receives a standing ovation from all House members as he makes his final motion as Budget Chairman. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The House is now debating HB 1132. It increases the tax credit for contributions to pregnancy resource centers to $2.5 million. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The House has overridden @GovJayNixon's veto of HB 1132 by a 123-37 vote. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The House is now debating the bill that triples the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Bill sponsor Rep. Kevin Elmer: "I value life at all cost." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Elmer: "I disagree with the governor that this is prolonging the suffering of (victims of) rape and incest." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Rep. Genise Montecillo: "This is really about not trusting women." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Montecillo: "I have no right" to tell somebody what to do about their medical decisions. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @staceynewman: "This bill insults women by telling them they need an additional 72 hours" to get an abortion. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @staceynewman: "Today, this body is turning their back on the rest of Missouri women." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @staceynewman: "This is hypocrisy at its absolute worst." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @staceynewman: "House Bill 1307 is nothing but the Todd Akin bill of this year." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Rep. Kathie Conway on @staceynewman's speech: "That was a lot of drama and that was a lot of soundbites." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Conway: "Support the women who need the time to think about (an abortion)." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @keithenglishmo shares his story of him and his wife terminating a pregnancy after 18 weeks. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @keithenglishmo shares his story of him and his wife terminating a pregnancy after 18 weeks. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: South Dakota and Utah are the only states to have a 72 hour abortion waiting period. Missouri would be the third state. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @JMcCaherty: "Our job is to protect life."#MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @JMcCaherty: "It's not a medical decision. It's an abortion!" #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @JMcCaherty: "We're not playing God." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Democrat Judy Morgan: "Missourians are tired of politicians playing games with women's health." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @MORepDunn: "I am standing because I stand with women." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Rep. Keith Frederick: "We have an opportunity to advance the cause of life." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Jeanne Kirkton is holding back tears as she reads stories of women who have been sexually assaulted over a period of years. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Many members have shared deeply personal and emotional stories during the now hour-long abortion debate. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @SpeakerTimJones is now speaking on the abortion bill. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @SpeakerTimJones: "I want to debunk some of the myths" about the abortion bill. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @SpeakerTimJones: "I picked up (my pro-life) beliefs at the feet and knees of my mom." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @SpeakerTimJones: "(The bill is) about giving women the proper time to reflect on a decision." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @SpeakerTimJones: "We are well within our duties of the Constitution... in passing this bill. This is on constitutional ground." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @SpeakerTimJones: "This is not a prohibition bill." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @SpeakerTimJones: "When you have time, you tend to make the right choice." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @SpeakerTimJones: "America is becoming a country that values life more and more every year." #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The #MO Senate has overridden @GovJayNixon's veto of the school transfers bill by a 24-6 vote. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: House members are now voting on the abortion bill. 109 votes are needed to override the governor's veto. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @GovJayNixon's veto of the abortion bill has been overridden by a vote of 117-44. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: House votes to override a veto of a bill that allows the Capitol Commission to enter into contracts to sell alcohol in the Capitol. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The Commission could only enter into contracts to sell alcohol for special anniversaries of the Capitol or the state of Missouri. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Less than 30 minutes after the House voted to override the abortion bill veto, the Senate is now debating it. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The House has defeated an override attempt of HB 1553 by a vote of 95-65. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The House is now taking up the deer and captive herd regulation bill the Senate overrode earlier today. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Rep. @CaseyGuernsey says overriding this bill would save Missouri's dairy industry. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Rep. Bill White, R-Joplin, says he cannot vote for the override of the dairy/deer bill. That puts the override in jeopardy. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: Republican Rep. Kevin Engler also comes out against the dairy/deer bill. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: @repckelly rises to speak against the deer bill. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: We have hit the 12-hour mark of the 2014 #MOLeg #VetoSession. Most House members are at their desk listening to debate.
  • 09/10/2014: House leaders have kept the voting board open for more than 15 minutes on the deer/dairy bill. They are 1 vote short of an override. #MOLeg
  • 09/10/2014: The House has defeated the motion to override the veto of the dairy and deer bill by a vote of 108-52-1. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: The House overrides a bill prohibiting a school district from requiring a student to use a radio frequency ID device 109-51. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: The RFID bill, as it's known, now becomes law since it was overridden by the Senate on Wednesday. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: The House just observed a moment of silence to remember the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks 13 years ago today. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: House is now debating the e-cigarette bill. The Senate overrode Gov. Nixon's veto on Wednesday by a 26-6 vote. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: The House overrode @GovJayNixon's veto of the e-cigarette bill by a bipartisan vote of 125-33. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: The House is now debating tying the state's unemployment rate to how long a person can receive unemployment insurance payments. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: The voting board is still open after more than 20 minutes. The bill is currently 2 votes short of passage. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: The House fails to pass the unemployment compensation bill by a vote of 107-53. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: The House is now debating the gun bill the Senate passed on Wednesday. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: The bill, SB 656, bans prohibits cities from banning conceal-carry laws. It also allows teachers and admins to carry guns in schools. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: @staceynewman to #MOLeg: "Today, you are big government. This bill is about you."
  • 09/11/2014: GOP Rep. Rick Brattin: "The 2nd Amendment is for the populous to defend themselves." #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: After 11 minutes of debate, the previous question has been moved on the gun bill, thus cutting off debate. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: The gun bill passes 117-39. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: Lawmakers override governor's gun bill veto http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 09/11/2014: One of the so-called #FridayFavors bills, SB 662, fails to be overridden. The House votes it down 95-63. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: House is now considering a so-called #FridayFavors bill giving manufactured homes a sales tax break. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: The estimated cost of the manufactured homes sales tax break is $1.7 million. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: The bill the House just voted down would've cost the state an estimated $15.4 million. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: Another #FridayFavors bill fails to be overridden in the House. SB 860 fails to pass by a 97-61 vote. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: Veto overrides not taken up by the Senate include new restrictions for health insurance navigators and payday loan reform. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: House is now debating a sales tax exemption for farm products sold at farmers' markets. #MOLeg
  • 09/11/2014: Bipartisan majority in the House passes gun bill after straight party-line vote in the Senate http://bit.ly/1lXqHnq
  • 09/15/2014: #MO Secretary of State @JasonKander has certified the results of the Right to Farm Amendment. It passed in August by 2,375 votes. #MOLeg
  • 09/15/2014: Right to Farm Amendment results certified, giving narrow win to supporters http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 09/15/2014: Missouri education commissioner to resign at the end of 2014. http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 09/15/2014: At the State Board of Education meeting, they are still in closed session in another room. Subject of discussion is unknown
  • 09/15/2014: After an hour and a half closed executive session, the State Board of Education meeting is underway. #SBOE
  • 09/15/2014: Former House member and newest member of #SBOE Maynard Wallace is not present at the meeting because his mother passed away over the weekend
  • 09/15/2014: Chris Nicastro receives a standing ovation after her remarks. #SBOE
  • 09/15/2014: #SBOE President Peter Herschend on finding Nicastro's replacement: "We have no announcement at this time"
  • 09/15/2014: 16 school districts are receiving 321 transfer students from Normandy schools. #SBOE
  • 09/15/2014: Missouri Education Commissioner resigns, denies political criticism influenced her decision http://bit.ly/1m6Kl08
  • 09/22/2014: Missouri AFL-CIO endorses Attorney General Chris Koster for governor http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 09/22/2014: Gov. Jay Nixon asks State Auditor to perform audit of St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds office http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 09/22/2014: State Auditor Tom Schweich's office plans to move ahead with audit of St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds office http://bit.ly/1mE2yTd
  • 09/24/2014: Committee investigating Water Patrol merger will hold its first meeting next week http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 09/29/2014: Missouri Supreme Court sets new execution date for convicted Kansas City killer http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 10/01/2014: Incoming speaker of the House wants state lottery's future to be put on the 2016 ballot http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 10/01/2014: Lawmakers weigh in on whether the state lottery should be funding education or if the lottery should be abolished http://bit.ly/1rGIkH6
  • 10/06/2014: BREAKING: #MO Attorney General Chris Koster won't appeal Kansas City court's ruling that Missouri must recongize out-of-state gay marriages
  • 10/06/2014: Koster won't appeal court's ruling that Missouri must recognize out-of-state gay marriages http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 10/15/2014: Missouri's House Speaker advocates right-to-work legislation and education reform as ways to help Ferguson http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 10/15/2014: Missouri's House Speaker shares his thoughts on what Ferguson needs to recover from months of turmoil http://bit.ly/1xTFmRM
  • 10/15/2014: Ethics complaint filed against lobbyists who provided steak dinners to lawmakers at an August conference in Dallas http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 10/15/2014: Liberal watchdog group files complaint over lobbyists treating some lawmakers to a more than $3,000 steak dinner http://bit.ly/1DdGXF2
  • 10/22/2014: Senators question state's preparedness to respond to Ebola, grill Health and Senior Services director http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 10/22/2014: Senators question state health officials on whether Missouri is prepared for an Ebola case http://bit.ly/1s9NurV
  • 10/29/2014: Lawmakers, MoDOT work to come up with new method of transportation funding after defeat of constitutional amendment http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 10/29/2014: Lawmakers, @MoDOT work to solve transportation funding crisis http://bit.ly/1tiN3Q8
  • 10/29/2014: House Speaker will set up panel to look into Attorney General Koster's use of office for political favors http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 10/29/2014: @SpeakerTimJones says he will form a committee to investigate allegations involving Attorney General Chris Koster http://bit.ly/1yIjh98
  • 11/05/2014: Missouri House GOP gains another member after Democrat Linda Black defects from party http://bit.ly/1wxUANq
  • 11/05/2014: Rep. Linda Black explains her party switch; House Democratic Leader says he's disappointed http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 11/05/2014: Rep. Linda Black explains her party switch; House Democratic Leader says she wasn't 'honest with her constituents' http://bit.ly/10oVHCl
  • 11/05/2014: House Democratic Leader and former House Democrat spar over switching party allegiance http://bit.ly/1wykjW0
  • 11/12/2014: Lawmakers agree on the need for reform in the state's ethics laws, but will anything ever pass? http://bit.ly/1wnpPqH
  • 11/12/2014: After past legislatures unraveled campaign contribution limits, some Missouri lawmakers want to try again. http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 11/17/2014: Gov. Jay Nixon came under immediate attack from a Ferguson lawmaker after declaring a state of emergency http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 11/17/2014: A Ferguson-area lawmaker said Gov. Jay Nixon's state of emergency order is 'unnecessary' http://bit.ly/1wPD5os
  • 11/17/2014: Leading Democratic senator calls Gov. Nixon's state of emergency 'ill-advised.' http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 11/17/2014: Hours after Gov. Nixon declared a state of emergency in Ferguson, one Democrat called the move 'ill-advised.' http://bit.ly/1EWgSLG
  • 11/17/2014: Missouri House Speaker says he is pleased, yet perplexed by Nixon's state of emergency declaration in Ferguson. http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 11/17/2014: Missouri House Speaker perplexed, yet pleased at the same with Gov. Jay Nixon's state of emergency in Ferguson http://bit.ly/1qQ4JzF
  • 12/01/2014: BREAKING: @GovJayNixon says a special session is not necessary after legislative leaders say he has extra money to pay MO National Guard
  • 12/01/2014: House Speaker accuses Gov. Nixon of using National Guard as 'political pawns' in calling for special session http://bit.ly/1v72k3Z
  • 12/01/2014: A bill banning unions from forcing workers to join or pay dues will be revived in the 2015 legislative session http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 12/01/2014: A Missouri House Republican is making an attempt to revive right-to-work legislation for the 2015 #MOLeg session http://bit.ly/1v77j4F
  • 12/08/2014: The committee to "ensure accountability and intregrity of Missouri's public officials" is holding its first hearing this morning. #MOLeg
  • 12/08/2014: Attorney General defends his office's actions to lawmakers amid allegations of wrongdoing in New York Times article http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 12/08/2014: Attorney General Koster defended his actions in legal cases that sparked allegations of wrongdoing http://bit.ly/1z0ghWE
  • 12/08/2014: Attorney General and Republican House member agree on need to toughen state's ethics laws http://bit.ly/1z0qwdq
  • 12/15/2014: Gov. Jay Nixon tours muddy, aging Capitol basement as he touts need for repairs to near 100-year old building http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 12/15/2014: As he walked through mud and pulled stalactites off the wall, Gov. Nixon says it's time for repairs to the Capitol http://bit.ly/1suvRF9
  • 12/16/2014: Lawmakers look to help St. Louis region rebound in the 2015 legislative session after months of turmoil http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 12/16/2014: Lawmakers have many ideas to help Ferguson and the St. Louis area rebound from many months of unrest http://bit.ly/1BRTyN9
  • 12/16/2014: Missouri has high rate of uncompetitive legislative elections and the numbers have remained high over the years http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
  • 12/16/2014: A record number of state legislative seats went uncontested in 2012 and 2014; numbers have fluctuated over time http://bit.ly/1Aj6AlG

Steven Anthony's Tweets @MDNnews in 2013

  • 08/29/2013: Same day Texas Gov. Rick Perry visits Missouri, Missouri's AG sends letter echoing Nixon's concerns on tax cut bill http://bit.ly/1a4l6oE
  • 09/05/2013: One lawmaker is unsure if federal gun nullification bill will be overridden. NRA hasn't taken public position http://bit.ly/17bTGsC
  • 09/05/2013: The biggest pro-gun rights lobby has not taken a position on Missouri's gun nullification law http://bit.ly/17bWupw
  • 09/12/2013: Club for Growth sends tweet referring to Repubs who didn't vote to override income tax veto as the "Flimsy 15" scanthony14
  • 09/12/2013: Current House Speaker touts plan for higher office http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
  • 09/12/2013: Speaker Tim Jones announced Thursday his intentions to run for Attorney General http://bit.ly/18gw5d8
  • 09/12/2013: Some GOP members are not afraid of potential consequences after voting no on tax cut override http://bit.ly/18gxjFt
  • 09/19/2013: President Obama will visit a Ford plant near Kansas City Friday http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
  • 09/19/2013: GOP members to meet in Ozark Friday to discuss path forward on tax cut bill http://bit.ly/17N6xl6
  • 10/03/2013: Use of Propofol in Mo. executions faces opposition http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
  • 10/03/2013: Use of Propofol in upcoming Missouri executions draws ire of Anesthesiologists Society http://bit.ly/1buFe47
  • 10/10/2013: Koster announces multi-state lawsuit settlement that could help Missourians http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
  • 10/10/2013: Multi-state lawsuit settlement could help Missourians recover lost funds http://bit.ly/17rTOky
  • 10/17/2013: Some localities won't receive federal funds until November or December due to government shutdown http://bit.ly/16jh3xY
  • 10/24/2013: Gov. Nixon reverses stance on cuts to food stamps http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
  • 10/24/2013: Nixon's administration withdraws support for food stamp cuts http://bit.ly/167cUA4
  • 10/31/2013: Missouri will lose $96 million in food stamps starting tomorrow http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
  • 10/31/2013: @ronfrichard has released a draft of a new gun bill. http://www.senate.mo.gov/13info/members/D32/gunbill.pdf
  • 10/31/2013: @ronfrichard and @senatordempsey were the only two Republicans to vote against a veto override of the previous gun bil
  • 10/31/2013: @ronfrichard says the new gun bill will be the first bill the senate sees in the new session #moleg scanthony14
  • 10/31/2013: @ronfrichard also told MDN that they'll try to override a veto by @GovJayNixon during session, if possible. #moleg scanthony14
  • 10/31/2013: Republican leaders propose new gun rights bill, one Democrat calls it unconstitutional http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
  • 10/31/2013: Gun bill sponsor says new gun bill can pass #MOLeg despite containing most of the same language as HB 436 http://bit.ly/1hxsfii
  • 10/31/2013: MORE AUDIO: A St. Louis Democrat says new gun bill is unconstitutional and questions the bill sponsor's motives http://goo.gl/SBv3hU
  • 11/07/2013: Republicans urges Gov. Nixon to call special election for southern Missouri House seat http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
  • 11/21/2013: Kander announces bill making it easier for active military members to run for office http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
  • 12/05/2013: Gov. Nixon meets with House Democrats, touts productive discussion http://bit.ly/1gIc00m

Steven Anthony's Blog in 2014
Republicans Hit A Road Block On One of the Speaker's Top Priorities

Posted 04/15/2014:  Back in late August at a rally outside of St. Louis, House Speaker Tim Jones said one of his top priorities of the 2014 legislative session was to make Missouri the 25th Right to Work state in the nation. He said making the Show Me State a Right to Work state would give workers more freedom and prevent them from having union dues go to causes the worker doesn't support.

Fast forward to mid-April and Jones has hit a road block. HB 1770 was put to the test with a vote last Wednesday, April 9. Every House Democrat voted against it and they were joined by 19 Republicans. However, 78 Republicans voted for it, giving the measure it's initial stamp of approval. Good news for Republicans? Not quite. A "constitutional majority" of 82 representatives is needed for a bill to pass the House. This vote leaves House Republicans 4 votes short. To be fair, 11 Republicans didn't vote on the bill at all and 2 voted "present." Some Republicans who didn't vote at all were in the Capitol at the time the vote took place. One such Republican is Budget Chairman Rep. Rick Stream, R-St. Louis County. He told the Associated Press after the vote that he didn't hear the bell that signals "it's time to vote," but even if he did, he wasn't going to go vote.

Stream's notable absence from the House chamber during the tense minutes of the vote underscores how politically sticky Right to Work is for Republicans. Many from Jackson County in Kansas City and St. Louis County do not want to anger labor activists. Others are very critical of Right to Work because they think it's just bad policy. One such person is House Economic Development Chairwoman Rep. Anne Zerr, R-St. Charles. She actually appeared at a pro-labor rally at the Capitol a couple of weeks ago and denounced Right to Work. Remember that she was the person who ushered through the Boeing incentives package back in December. 

After the vote, Jones said he will talk with the Republicans who didn't vote and see where they are on the issue. With 4 and a half weeks left in session, House Republicans are conflicted and Senate Democrats would almost certainly filibuster if the bill makes it to the Senate. What does that all mean for one of Jones' top priorities? Stay tuned...


Halfway through session, lawmakers haven't picked up pace of lawmaking
Posted 03/19/2014:  A month ago, I wrote about how I expected lawmakers to "pick up the pace" of lawmaking and passing bills before they went home for spring break.

Well, I was wrong.

Granted, they have perfected many bills since mid-February and they have passed bills out of the House and Senate, but very few bills have been signed by Gov. Jay Nixon. One of those bills Nixon signed is a bill that would limit how much insurance companies could charge chemotherapy patients for pills they take orally. Besides that, no major progress has been made on key issues leading Republican lawmakers set out on accomplishing in January.

Right to work legislation has not passed the House, despite being a top priority of House Speaker Tim Jones. The Senate has passed their version of a bill dealing with unaccredited schools, but the House has yet to take up the Senate bill or their own version. Voter ID legislation has been discussed in the House, but has not made it to the Senate. And the biggest issue of the session has not seen any tangible progress.

Sen. Will Kraus, R-Jackson County, has been the point man between the Senate and Nixon's administration on working to produce a tax cut bill that can pass both houses and be signed by the governor. However, little progress has been made on a bill halfway into the 2014 session. Kraus told me he wants as big of a tax cut as possible, but he realizes he won't get that, so he's trying to broker a compromise with Nixon. However, his fellow Senate Republicans are having none of it. Multiple senators have told me and stated publicly it is because they don't trust Nixon. That is what's holding up a potential tax cut for Missourians.

Many issues are in front of the General Assembly when they return from their spring break on March 24. Appropriations bills have to be passed by May 9 and the session ends on May 16 at 6 p.m. I would expect many late nights as members work on important legislation that impacts millions of Missourians. 



A Slow Start to Lawmaking
Posted 02/15/2014:  Even though lawmakers convened for their annual session on Wednesday, January 8, my first day actually covering the Missouri General Assembly was Wednesday, January 22. Spring semester classes at Mizzou didn't start until the 21st. Needless to say, we got a lot of time off for winter break, but I'm not complaining.

Now we're over a month into the session and the Assembly is working at a snail's pace. Very few bills, if any, have been passed out of either chamber. The only things seeing action are the committee rooms. There have been hundreds of committee meetings since January 8. I have covered a hearing every day I have been at the Capitol except for this past Wednesday. That was the first day where I spent my entire day covering bills that were given INITIAL approval (they have not passed... yet) by the House.

The chamber that has made the most noise in the first month of the session is the Senate. They have taken up a bill by Republican Sen. Brian Nieves to nullify federal gun laws in Missouri. If this sounds familiar, it's because it is familiar. The previous gun nullification bill failed by 1 vote in the veto session last September. Nieves says he has fixed the problematic language, but Democrats aren't buying it and as one senator told me, they're confident it won't stand on its own merits in court. This week, however, was a huge week for the bill.

Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis City, offered an amendment that would require gun owners to report within 72 hours if their firearm was either stolen or missing. She got Republicans to include the amendment in the bill and from what I was told, Nieves was on board with the amendment. Then the National Rifle Association (NRA) got into the fray. They expressed reservations on the amendment, saying it would create a de facto gun registry, something they are adamantly against. Therefore, they came out entirely against the bill. That set off a firestorm in the Capitol (or as we like to call it on Twitter, "#MOLeg"). They told their members to contact their senators and ask that they vote against the bill even though it is gun-friendly in its nature. Nasheed and Nieves held a joint press conference on Thursday and addressed the situation. On Saturday, Nieves posted multiple Facebook posts and tweets which said the NRA was "lying" about the bill.

"I'm Shocked & Disgusted by the dishonest tactics of an organization I've always had a Great Relationship with! NRA is LYING about SB613," Nieves wrote on Twitter.

Republicans in the Senate are also working on a tax cut bill that would be amicable to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, but that seems to be on hold since Nieves and the NRA, once great allies, are now in a public fight.

After finishing an interview with one Democratic representative Wednesday, he said the House has only debated bills for 4 hours this session. Yes, he said 4 hours. That's all in the roughly 22 days they've been in session. I was quite frankly shocked to hear the representative say that. I imagine the pace of things will briskly quicken in the month they have before their "spring break" in mid-March.


Steven Anthony's Blog in 2013
What I learned this semester

Posted 12/06/2013:  When I had an option in August to pick whether I wanted to work at KBIA in Columbia or Missouri Digital News in Jefferson City, I knew where I wanted to work. I wanted to report on state government issues for MDN. I knew the Missouri Legislature would not be in session, but that was okay. Rather than embarrassing myself in front of lawmakers at the Capitol, I could embarrass myself over the phone!

Without question, I got thrown into the fire immediately when I (volunteered) to go to St. Louis and cover Texas Gov. Rick Perry's visit. He was there to promote Texas' business climate and encourage Missouri legislators to pass HB 253, the income tax cut bill. That night, I interviewed House Speaker Tim Jones. I was the very first reporter to talk with him after Perry finished speaking. We had a productive conversation about the tax bill and I told I'd see him again in a few weeks. Sure enough, 2 weeks later, I talked with him the day after lawmakers voted not to override Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of the bill. I sat down with Jones in his office for a one-on-one interview. He attacked Nixon and Attorney General Chris Koster for waging an all-out war on the bill and that their campaign did persuade some of his members to change their original vote. Towards the end of the interview, I asked him about his future political plans since he is term-limited out of office in 2014. "I am very interested in returning the Attorney General's office back to the people," Jones said. So my very last question to him was: "So are you telling me you're going to run for Attorney General in 2016?" His answer (in full): "That is my intention. We have not made official announcements yet, but we are definitely exploring that office very carefully." I was the first person in the state to have him quoted as saying that. I'm freaking proud of that and will remember that forever. My lessons learned from the first 4 weeks: 1) be persistent, 2) listen to politicians and if they say something interesting, FOLLOW UP ON IT! You just may get an exclusive scoop.

The next month and a half went by quickly. Most of those Thursdays at the Capitol were slow news days, but that was okay. I figured there would be some of those days eventually. However, on October 31st (HALLOWEEN!), things got interesting. Senate Majority Leader Ron Richard released the draft of his new Second Amendment legislation on his Twitter page. (Yes, that's how lawmakers do it in the 21st century). When our TA came into the office and said "who wants to cover this?," I immediately raised my hand because there are two issues I know a lot about given where I'm from: guns and taxes. I read the bill and then called Sen. Richard. He returned my call an hour or so later and wrote a radio wrap. I later called Rep. Stacey Newman, a staunch advocate of preventing gun violence. I talked with her for a good 10 minutes and she said this was an "election year ploy." Lessons learned from mid-September to the end of October: 1) slow news days happen. Deal with them. 2) Always volunteer to cover topics or bills that are in your "wheelhouse." That way, you can produce a better story given the knowledge that you have.

November was even slower than October. I didn't cover many things and I even took a personal day in mid-November.

News broke in late November that Boeing was considering building their new 777X plane in north St. Louis. Nixon had been meeting with Boeing executives and the pace of talks moved pretty quickly. So on Black Friday of all days, Nixon issued a proclamation calling lawmakers back to Jefferson City to pass incentives so Missouri could lure Boeing. The Senate passed the bill on Wednesday and the House passed the bill on Friday. How bout that! The legislature took only five days to pass a major bill! Anyway, while others were working on that story, I worked on covering some of the bills that have been prefiled for next session. That all came to a halt when Phill told me Gov. Nixon was meeting with House Democrats on Thursday afternoon in the Capitol basement. I went down there and was the ONLY reporter down there. Nixon's press secretary came up to me and said "it looks like you're the only one down here. We'll set up just a bit down the hall and you can ask your questions." Wait... me? One-on-one with the governor of Missouri? OK THEN! Nixon exited the meeting and sure enough, we walked down the hall and set up shop. One of his aides said "We only have time for one question." My thoughts on that statement: "Oh yeah? Watch me!" Sure enough, I asked Nixon 2 questions and even got a response to a third question as his aides and security whisked him away from me. Lessons learned from this week: stay down in the Capitol basement and you just might get to talk to the governor by yourself. (Granted, he had 6 aides and 3 security guys around him, but who's counting?)

I am coming back next year to cover the legislative session. I cannot wait to see where the stories take me and who I'll get to talk to and what stories I'll break. Until next year, so long everybody!


Mentally Preparing to Cover the Legislative Session Next Year
Posted 11/22/2013:  Earlier this month, I made the decision to come back in January and cover the 2014 legislative session for MDN. I have enjoyed my time at the Capitol this semester when there isn't a whole lot of news to cover like there would be during the session. The reason I decided to work in Jeff City and not at KBIA is because I love politics and political reporting. I have always wanted to cover a session of the legislature and when the opportunity arose, I took it. Plus, I'll be getting class credit for being down there 2 days a week, unlike this semester. That's always a nice incentive.

This month, I have been mentally preparing myself to cover the 2014 session. I've been thinking about what chamber I want to cover more, what legislators I already have relationships with (quite a few, actually), what issues I know a lot about, and how many late nights I will have to endure. At times I know it won't be easy, but I relish the challenges ahead.


Gov. Nixon's Rare Appearance Outside His Bunker
Posted 11/15/2013:  It's rare that you see Gov. Jay Nixon outside his "protective bunker." He has a reputation of being aloof. He doesn't talk to state lawmakers hardly at all and he doesn't talk to the media unless he's running for reelection. However, Thursday was an exception. He held a media availability session in his office. When I read that email on Wednesday night, my jaw dropped. I had already called Phill to tell him I was taking a personal day and then I find out I'm missing one of Nixon's rare appearances where he actually has to answer questions? I wasn't happy, needless to say.

I did follow the presser on Twitter thanks to the wonderful Alex Mallin. My favorite quote from Nixon was when he described Speaker Tim Jones: "He complains about everything." Sitting in my car, I literally LOL'd at that comment. I think it's one of the top 5 quotes of the year. Besides that, it seemed like Nixon endorsed gay marriage and he issued an executive order involving gay couples' taxes on the state and federal level. It's a big step for a state that banned gay marriage nearly 10 years ago.

From what I read after those 2 issues, the presser wasn't very eventful, but then again, I wasn't there because I decided to take a personal day at the worst possible time. Oh well.


Off-Year Elections and What They Mean for 2016
Posted 11/08/2013:  Today, I'm going outside of the state of Missouri. I'm going to discuss Tuesday's gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey. Both gubernatorial races have 2016 implications.

First, let's start in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli against former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe. The former DNC Chairman ended up winning, but not by the wide margin many predicted. Poll after poll predicted McAuliffe would win by 5-12 points. What made the margin of victory smaller than expected was the horribly botched rollout of the Affordable Care Act, aka ObamaCare, website. Cuccinelli pounced on that and McAuliffe's support for the ACA and it seemed to resonate with Virginia voters. What really doomed AG Cuccinelli was the government shutdown. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers who live in northern Virginia (Fairfax, Arlington) work for the government. For 16 days, they were not allowed to go to work and earn a paycheck. And even if they did go to work because they were deemed "essential," they weren't paid. That angered many voters and McAuliffe pounced on Cuccinelli's ties to the Tea Party. That strategy, along with Cuccinelli's strategy of linking McAuliffe to ObamaCare, worked. It's just that McAuliffe's strategy worked just a little bit better than Cuccinelli's and that's why Terry McAuliffe was elected the next governor of Virginia.

This race has 2016 implications. No, not because Cuccinelli or McAuliffe will run for president. This race was significant because Virginia is now a purple state, or a swing state. It is now one of the eight or nine states that help decide who the president of the United States will be. Obama won the state in 2008 and 2012, helping cinch both his wins. Virginia has 13 electoral votes. The state's southeastern part around Norfolk and Newport News votes Democratic and so do the Washington D.C. suburbs as mentioned before, but the rest of the state (the rural areas) are reliably red. Remember, a few population centers have more votes than many rural communities. Republicans have to be conscious of that if they want to win Virginia in 2016 and regain the White House.

Let's move on to the Garden State where Gov. Chris Christie easily cruised to reelection over who Jon Stewart called "a no-name Democrat." The no-name Democrat is state Sen. Barbara Buono. She lost by 22 points to Christie. OUCH! This was an expected win for Christie and he basked in the spotlight on Wednesday. He had a press conference in a town that they nickname "little Havana." He said Republicans can't just go to the places were they're "comfortable;" rather, they have to go to the places where they're uncomfortable and where most people don't vote for them. He's right. Christie is widely expected to run for president in 2016. He would be the "moderate" candidate as compared to Sens. Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul, all likely 2016 candidates. He can help Republicans win in the swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Virginia, and Florida, but will Republicans nominate a "moderate?" Despite handing Christie a very easy reelection, New Jersey residents aren't even confident that he can win his home state in 2016. News organizations did exit polling on Tuesday and found New Jersey voters prefer Hillary Clinton over Chris Christie in a hypothetical 2016 matchup by a 49-43% margin. That isn't exactly a surprise in blue New Jersey, but Clinton over their own governor? Now that is a surprise! 

I know the 2016 presidential election is 3 years away, but after getting hammered in 2012 and getting hammered in the government shutdown fight, Republicans have to figure out what they need to do in order to win the White House back in 2016. Nominating Christie may help, as conservative darling Ann Coulter has said, but that doesn't mean GOP primary voters, who decide the party's nominee, are going to vote for Christie.


Nullification or Bust!
Posted 11/01/2013:  Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of HB 436 failed failed to be overridden by just one vote in the Missouri Senate during the veto session on September 11. In his veto message, Nixon cited the bill's conflicts with the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution, and the issues with free speech. After the veto override failed, Senate Majority Leader Ron Richard released a statement explaining his "NO" vote on the override attempt. Just like Nixon, he cited First Amendment concerns along with the clause punishing state and federal law enforcement officials for working together on gun-related issues. Many organizations agreed the bill was blatantly unconstitutional, but the legislature just barely failed to override the governor's veto.

That didn't stop Richard and other House and Senate leaders on pressing forward to get a new gun bill introduced in the next legislative session. Soon after the veto session, they released a joint statement saying work on a new Second Amendment bill would begin immediately. Sure enough, we got a copy of the new bill yesterday. On Halloween, no less! The new bill contains much of the same nullification language that the previous bill did. "All federal acts, laws, court orders, rules, and regulations, whether past, present, or future, which infringe on the people's right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 23 of the Missouri Constitution shall be invalid in this state, shall not be recognized by this state, shall be specifically rejected by this state, and shall be considered null and void ab initio and of no effect in this state," the bill says. That's pretty cut and dry. Other aspects of the bill say a doctor can't inquire as to whether his or her patient owns a firearm, and it lowers the minimum age to carry a concealed weapon to 19.

I talked with Sen. Richard and he repeatedly expressed to me that the bill is stronger than the previous one, but was stripped of the aforementioned problematic language. I pressed him on the nullification part of the bill and he said the bill would be upheld in federal court. Rep. Stacey Newman, D-St. Louis County, disagrees. She called the bill flatly unconstitutional and said the bill is "designed to sell weapons." She also said the courts would first look at the nullification language.

I really don't get the Republican Party's obsession with gun nullification. Passing constitutional gun-friendly bills is fine, (I come from Texas. I'm used to it) but passing a bill with 19th century language in it is not professional and is beneath the integrity of this legislature. They know the law. A good number of legislators are attorneys. Nullification language does not fly. We fought a war over it. The North won, the South did not. States are passing bills making it easier to own a firearm. That's fine. Those bills are constitutional. This bill is not. It is a direct violation of the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution and would get struck down in a federal court.


Amateur Hour at the Missouri Department of Corrections
Posted 10/25/2013:  Missouri can't figure out what it's going to do with their upcoming executions. 68 people have been executed in Missouri since 1989, the last being in February 2011. It's no wonder Missouri has no clue how they're going to execute 2 inmates this year.

I come from the nation's most active death penalty state. We execute people for a living in Texas. It's just a common occurrence to hear about the state killing 1 person a month, or 2 people in a month, or 3 people in a span of 3 weeks. Usually, Texas executes 13-15 inmates a year. As previously mentioned, Missouri has executed 68 inmates in 24 years. It takes Texas 4-5 years to do that! Texas has their execution procedures down to a T. They know exactly what's going to happen 7 days before the execution and they have strict protocols in place to see that every procedure is properly followed. I have only one problem with the way Texas executes inmates. In 2011, an inmate ordered this for his last meal, according to CBS News: two chicken fried steaks, a triple-meat bacon cheeseburger, fried okra, a pound of barbecue, three fajitas, a meat lover's pizza, a pint of ice cream and a slab of peanut butter fudge with crushed peanuts. Then, a prominent state senator "raised hell" about this and requested the Texas Department of Criminal Justice end the last meal practice. They complied and for two years, nearly 30 inmates have been served what every other prisoner gets on that day. I don't care how outlandish the last meal request is. Let them have at least some dignity before they are killed. The last meal practice should be restored in Texas.

Over the last month or so, Missouri has tried to figure out how to execute two inmates. One was set to die this past Wednesday, October 23 and one is set to die a week before Thanksgiving. Because of European Union regulations banning shipments of drugs that could be used in executions to countries that support capital punishment, the EU threatened to stop shipment of Propofol to the United States. The drug is a popular anesthetic used in hospitals around the country. Missouri said they were going to use a large amount of Propofol to kill the inmate who was supposed to be killed two days ago. After uproar from a prominent anesthesiologists organization and the EU, Missouri decided to delay the execution until they could figure out another way to kill him. This week, the state announced they would use pentobarbital to kill the inmate scheduled to be executed before Thanksgiving. The drug causes death by respiratory arrest. The drug is used by some states to kill inmates on its own. No other drugs are used. A lethal dose is administered and that's it.

It's not like Missouri doesn't have states it can call to help them solve their execution problems. They could easily pick up the phone and call Gov. Perry's office in Austin, or Gov. Kasich's office in Columbus, or Gov. Scott's office in Tallahassee. I think part of the reason why the MO Dept. of Corrections is afraid to talk to media outlets like MDN is because they're scared to reveal their incompetency. If they were to talk to someone like me, I think their incompetency would shine through.

When a state wants to execute an inmate, they better make sure they have a set system of protocols, including the most important component(s): the execution drug(s)! The last month or so reveals that Missouri has no idea what they are doing and that they should stop trying to kill people until they figure it out.


Was it really worth all the pain?
Posted 10/18/2013:  Our long national nightmare is over. After 16 days, our government reopened Thursday morning. Congress passed a bill that funds the government until January 15 and lets America borrow money until February 7. The deal was brokered by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. It received the support of every single Democrat in Congress (that cast a vote), but it received little support of the Republicans in Congress. 62% of the GOP House members voted against the deal and 18 GOP Senators voted NO. That includes my senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, and that also includes the entire Missouri House GOP delegation. Even without majority Republican support, the bill easily passed both houses.

Why was the bill not taken up earlier? That is an easy question to answer and this theory is supported by many journalists and politicians alike. The bill that would've reopened the ENTIRE government was not brought up because Tea Party members in the House prevented the bill from coming to the floor. They would not accept any government funding bill that would fund Obamacare. Many of them said they were sent to Washington to repeal the law and even after this knockdown, drag out fight, they vow to continue to fight to repeal the health care law. Ted Cruz led the defunding fight, a fight which many moderate Republicans said was a losing one from the start. They called it a "tactical error," and that was just one of the more nicer things said about Sen. Cruz. Rep. Peter King, R-NY, ripped into him, saying he was the only one responsible for the government shutdown. The polls seem to agree with King. The GOP took a very hard hit politically in this fight. Their poll numbers fell faster than hail in a thunderstorm. Their public image took a hit as well and they are the ones being blamed for the government shutdown. It just wasn't a good 2 weeks to be a member of the Republican Party in Congress.

The question to ask after this debacle is... Was it really worth all the pain? My answer: NO. People couldn't visit national parks, veterans couldn't visit their own memorials until members of Congress organized a photo op with them in front of the memorials so they could make themselves look good. Also, the VA couldn't process the mountain of veteran's disability benefits that it had only begun to dig out of. Finally, hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of federal workers were furloughed, costing the country $24 billion in lost productivity, according to Standard & Poor's. So, no, all the kabuki theater and political posturing in Washington was not worth the pain the American people endured for 16 days.


Ignoring the hard questions: a case study of two governors
Posted 10/11/2013:  It was kind of a fluke. Kalish looked up from his phone and poof! There was Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon right in front of him. Kalish comes in and asks "I just saw the governor. Should I talk to him?" Marie answers with an emphatic "YES!" So Kalish runs down the hall and disturbs every bit of decorum in an otherwise quiet Capitol. He presses Nixon about the Obama Administration's ruling that states could use their own money to open federal parks. That includes the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Nixon responds "Talk to my communications office." Kalish says he has multiple times (that was true). Then Nixon says something I couldn't hear, and literally walks backwards around the corner away from the tough questions.

I knew Gov. Nixon was in the Capitol on Thursday. I ran into one of the troopers who protects Nixon in the Capitol basement. Also, the elevator I used to take back to the 1st floor came from the 2nd floor and the only way to hit the 2nd floor button is if you have a key because that leads into Nixon's office. However, it still came as a surprise when Kalish came in and said the governor was right outside our door.

Phill always says Nixon's administration has been one of the least press friendly administrations he's ever covered in 40+ years of working at the Capitol. Now I see why he says that. The Arch is what symbolizes St. Louis. It's the monument everybody recognizes and wants to go up to the top of, unless they're afraid of heights. Right now, it is closed because of the government shutdown, but Nixon now has the power to use state money to reopen the park that contains the Arch. Will he do it? That's a legitimate question that needs to be answered immediately. It needs to be answered immediately because the St. Louis Cardinals open the National League Championship Series (NLCS) tonight in St. Louis against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The Arch is just blocks from Busch Stadium. I'm sure many Dodgers fans in town for the games haven't been to the top of the Arch, and maybe even some Cardinals fans haven't either. C'mon, Gov. Nixon, what is your answer? Will fans be able to enjoy the most iconic St. Louis monument or not? That's all we want to know.

I parallel Gov. Nixon's unwillingness to answer the tough questions with my home state's governor's unwillingness to answer the tough questions. Gov. Rick Perry is notorious for going on Fox News to answer softball partisan questions. He's also known for flying around the state and doing public appearances touting these new jobs coming to Dallas, or this new business relocating to Austin, or whatever. However, I rarely see him do press conferences and one of the reasons he doesn't have to is because Texas is such a red state, if he chose to run for another term in 2014 (which he hasn't), he would probably be reelected, notwithstanding Wendy Davis. Also, the Texas Legislature only meets in January-May every odd numbered year. He's presided over 7 regular sessions and something like 13 special sessions, but he rarely appears and takes questions from the Capitol press corps. Everybody knows he who is because of his failed "oops" run for president, but in Texas, you don't see him appear often on local TV stations.

I don't like it when governors aren't open, or at least appear to be open, to the press corps. It puts them in a bad light and gives them a bad reputation with the people whose jobs it is to cover them. Will Wendy Davis or Greg Abbott be more open to the press in Texas in 2015? Will Chris Koster or whoever the GOP nominee for governor is be more open to the press? One can only hope.


SHUT IT DOWN! *Chef Gordon Ramsey voice*
Posted 10/04/2013:  As documented on last night's Rachel Maddow Show, the 1995 government shutdown happened in part because President Clinton snubbed Speaker Gingrich on the flight to the funeral of the assassinated Israeli Prime Minister. The Speaker was not allowed to the front of the plane to speak with the president about the upcoming budget crisis and upon return to Andrews Air Force Base, Gingrich and Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole were asked to exit the plane using the rear door. Gingrich later admitted that was why he proposed a tough budget resolution and why he shut the government down. He said, "I know this will sound petty." Gee, ya think so, Mr. Speaker? 

On Monday night, when I finished watching WWE Monday Night Raw, I flipped over to two of the greatest channels known to man... CSPAN and CSPAN2. Yes, I'm serious. In terms of great theater, posturing, and over the top rhetoric, you can't beat those two networks. When Raw ended at 10:05 CT, the government was 55 minutes away from shutting down for the first time since late 1995. This particular government shutdown was caused by the House Republicans insisting President Obama delay implementation of the Affordable Care Act, aka ObamaCare. Obama and Senate Democrats didn't budge, so the government shut down at 12:01 a.m. ET Tuesday morning. As the clock struck midnight in Washington D.C., Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) lamented that this shutdown didn't have to happen. Yes, Mr. Leader, you are right. This didn't need to happen. It is beyond childish for legislators, most of whom are 50 years or older, to not come to an agreement to keep the United States government open! It doesn't border on ridiculousness; rather, it is the definition of ridiculousness.

All throughout this week, House Republicans passed bills that reopened only certain parts of the government. Again, Senate Democrats and President Obama objected because they insist for them to accept any government funding bill, the ENTIRE government must reopen. So, here we are on Friday morning, October 4 and the government is still shut down. Millions of federal workers are furloughed, some are working without pay (IOUs) and yet, members of Congress are still getting their paychecks, which total nearly $3,400 a week! You're probably asking yourself, "they get paid that much for doing almost nothing?!" Yes, yes they do. I agree. It's total crap. To their credit though, many lawmakers are donating their paychecks to charity or are just not accepting their pay at all. That is a positive step.

What will it take to reopen the United States government? I don't know. This shutdown may go on until we reach the debt limit on October 17, and that is not a game to be played at all. That has much more dire consequences for the global economy than the U.S. government shutting down. Hopefully it doesn't drag on that long, but with the amount of spoiled children in Congress, I wouldn't be surprised if it did. 


Agonizingly Slow News Days Suck
Posted 09/27/2013:  The only legislators inside the Capitol were at the hearing on Medicaid chaired by Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City. I was not assigned to cover the story, so I worked on my enterprise story which was going to be about term limits. I shared that idea with Phill at lunch, but he shot it down faster the time it took 2 years ago for the North Korean rocket to fall into the Pacific Ocean. (Okay, maybe that's a bad analogy, but it somewhat works). So after lunch, Phill had me work on a child abuse/child endangerment angle of the Speaker Jones' aide gun story. I called 8 people with different child organizations and some legislators on committees that deal with public safety and children's issues, but nobody got back to me by the time I left at 4:30. In Phill's words, "Okay, well, we tried. Call it a day." So I did.

I do wish I was working here in the spring when the legislature is in session. It would be a lot easier to get a hold of legislators and other organizations that have a stake in what lawmakers do, but I shouldn't lament about the situation. It is what it is and I should deal with it. After all, the first 4 weeks this semester were fun because we previewed the veto session from every angle and the day after the session ended, I broke the story that Speaker Jones will run for attorney general in 2016 and I interviewed some of the "Flimsy 15" legislators who changed their vote on the tax cut bill.

Who knows what moron will make news in the coming months before the legislature comes back in January for their regular session? Maybe something of major consequence to Missouri will happen between now and early December. I don't know what will happen, but I do know we'll be there to cover it.


Playing the Legislative Waiting Game
Posted 09/20/2013:  Wednesday night, I knew what I wanted to cover. I wanted to talk to Sen. Brian Nieves, the man who made very controversial comments about Attorney General Chris Koster last week during the veto session. So I get to the newsroom Thursday morning and go up to his office. His LA tells me to text him first because "he's a better texter." I did text him and then an hour later, I called him. It went to voicemail and I left a message. 2 hours later, I called him, but it went to voicemail after 2 rings this time. It was evident he was ignoring my call even though his voicemail says "I want to talk to you." Lunch comes and goes with no call back and after trying to get a hold of at least 5 other lawmakers, I wasn't sure I would complete a story. Then I get handed a letter written by Rep. Lynn Morris, one of the "Flimsy 15" members (they call themselves the "fabulous 15," but who's keeping score here?). He has invited those 15 members to Ozark today (Friday) to meet and discuss a path forward on a new tax cut bill they could actually support. Immediately, I get on the phone and am able to reach 3 legislators (Fraker, Phillips, and Walker). I talked with all three of them the day after the veto session about being labeled "Flimsy 15" members and they all defended their vote. Bottom line: I was able to get a story done and be back in Columbia by 6 p.m.

Playing the "legislative waiting game" is not fun. I'm at the mercy of legislators having time to talk with me and who knows if they're in court (some are attorneys), at work, or doing whatever else they're doing. It doesn't help that I'm working at the Capitol during the fall of a non-election year. They don't meet with regularity in the fall anyway, so that doesn't help. Last Wednesday will probably be the only time they will all be in the Capitol at once. But that's the way Missouri politics works.

Overall, I was happy with the story I did about some of the 15 members meeting today in Ozark. The news broke near 3 p.m., so I was glad I was able to talk with three legislators in a short amount of time, knock out a Newsbook, and do two radio spots with good soundbites. Sometimes, that's just the way news works.