Political Fix

State representative defends his actions at Northeast fire board meeting

Phil Sutin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:47:35 +0000

My colleague Elizabethe Holland reports:

Several hours following his arrest Sunday by the Beverly Hills police on a charge of second-degree robbery, Missouri state Rep. Don Calloway Jr., D-Bel Nor, issued this statement:

“This evening I was arrested by police cronies of the…

On health-care bill, Bond feeling like “mosquito in a nudist colony”

Bill Lambrecht — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:47:49 +0000

Sen. Bond

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats looked to be on the verge of advancing legislation to overhaul the nation’s health insurance system despite spirited protests today by Missouri Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond and a unified Republican Party.

With a a key procedural vote scheduled for…

Jay Nixon, Steve Ehlmann talk about bipartisanship on economy, hoops

Mark Schlinkmann — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:16:55 +0000

While speaking about bipartisan efforts to boost the state and local economy at a luncheon Friday in St. Charles County, Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon and Republican County Executive Steve Ehlmann recalled an across-party-lines effort they took part in two decades ago in Jefferson City.

Nixon

“I got to know the…

Durbin does double-take on Arkansas senator’s health care vote

Jacob Carpenter — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:35:00 +0000

Durbin

WASHINGTON — Chances are that Arkansas Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln won’t be sharing her big secrets with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., anytime soon.

Durbin, the Senate majority whip, spent Friday afternoon backtracking from comments that appeared to out Lincoln as a supporter…

McCaskill “in a rage” about online fraud programs

Jacob Carpenter — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:15:53 +0000

Sen. McCaskill

WASHINGTON — Internet scammers beware. Claire McCaskill’s on a tear.

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., is “absolutely in a rage” about an Internet scam that bilked her mother while she was online shopping, according to a Senate colleague.

During a committee hearing…

Slay continues youth movement with new press secretary

Jake Wagman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:46:08 +0000

Bowlin

ST. LOUIS — Mayor Francis Slay has added another member of the Facebook generation to his office staff.

New press secretary Kara Bowlin, 25, began work in Room 200 last week, adding to the crop of 20-somethings that have taken posts…

St. Louis County to retire bonds early

Phil Sutin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:38:03 +0000

Charlie Dooley

St. Louis County plans to retire $5,638,791 in bonds two years early. The move would save the county $400,000 in interest costs, but not give the county much room to propose a “no tax increase” bond issue.

“No tax increase”…

Senator, can you draw Missouri?

Christopher Ave — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:10:19 +0000

McCaskill skecthes Missouri

National Geographic had a bit of fun with some members of the U.S. Senate, asking them to draw pictures of their home states from memory. It looks like Claire McCaskill and Dick Durbin both participated; At first glance, I didn’t…

Missouri retirement board takes small step on staff bonus issue

Virginia Young — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:58:04 +0000

JEFFERSON CITY — Investment staff at the state retirement system would not get bonuses in years when the system’s investments lost money under a plan that tentatively advanced today.

The board of the Missouri State Employees Retirement System voted to develop…

McCaskill’s approval rating weakens as health-care votes loom

Bill Lambrecht — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:55:38 +0000

Sen. McCaskill

WASHINGTON — There was disquieting news for Missouri Democrats along with some welcome news in the second part of a Public Policy Polling survey released this afternoon.

The good news was a generally strong approval rating for Gov. Jay Nixon at a time…