johncombest.com

Missouri's political news website since October 2001.

Archive - May 2014



    


        Saturday, May 31
       
CDT's Ashley Jost:  Learning Curve column:  McCaskill to hold another sexual-assault hearing, this time focusing on Title IX X
          KCTV:  With help from McCaskill, veteran receives VA benefits;  While stationed in Iceland during Vietnam War, man was sexually assaulted by another man
          SNL:  VA turmoil:  Reaction from the local VFW bar X
          P-D:  Congress working toward funding of Growlers;  Comments from offices of McCaskill, Clay, Wagner
          KC Star:  New White House spokesman Josh Earnest hails from Kansas City +
          U.S. News & World Report:  Throwback Thursday pic:  Homecoming Queen Claire McCaskill on dance floor with bespectacled boogier
          SE Missourian:  MU law prof Joshua Hawley discusses Hobby Lobby case at Cape church +
          AP:  Appeals court overturns Missouri flag-burning law;  Koster has previously defended flag, citing Missourians' "patriotic sentiment"
          Drebes:  Former Missouri Republican Party Communications Director and current lobbyist Daryl Duwe's newest political thriller, Half Past Evil, available now
          KC Star:  Missouri still owes 300,000 taxpayers their refunds +
          KC Star:  While praising Kansas' tax policy, Rex Sinquefield calls Gov. Jay Nixon an "idiot" +
          P-D:  Rex Sinquefield, in D.C. speech, calls Nixon an 'idiot' for vetoing tax cut;  Spokeswoman Laura Slay says megadonor's remarks "were born out of frustration"
          Washington Missourian:  Two early voting questions may go on statewide ballot;  County Clerk Debbie Door (R) says early voting not likely to increase turnout
          JCNT:  Finger-pointing continues over state budget X
          JCNT:  Jones, Dempsey finish their jobs;  Bills are formally signed, sealed and delivered to Nixon X
          The Missouri Times:  Last-minute Senate deal impacts priorities for both parties
          The Missouri Times:  New "Capitol 101" series:  Consequences of Senate vacancies
          Washington Missourian:  Washington School District Superintendent Lori VanLeer says school standards bill is a compromise, says she is tired of drama
          KC Star:  'Sound cannon' makes its debut on Missouri highways
          CDT:  'Grain Belt Express' project raises questions of health risks X
          P-D editorial:  10 good reasons to vote against transportation sales tax increase
          P-D editorial:  On Sinquefield's "idiot" remark and desire to cut taxes;  Also, he's in the market to purchase the next Missouri governor, whomever he or she may be
          Shelly:  Rex Sinquefield calls Jay Nixon an "idiot" for being fiscally responsible +
          P-D letter:  Greed, personal shortsidedness in school transfer legislation
          P-D letter:  Response to op-ed on inherent discrimination in student performance data:  Perhaps the failing students' parents aren't doing enough
          Disclosure

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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.




        Friday, May 30
       
NY Times:  Lawmakers' modest proposal:  To pass spending bills on time;  Blunt:  "We have lost touch with the normal order of things"
          NY Times:  'Upset' GM engineer spoke in inquiry;  Comments from McCaskill
          CDT:  Hartzler visits Truman VA amid national scandal X
          KMBC:  Blunt:  Mental health issues for veterans may need urgent care
          KCUR:  Blunt addresses VA wait times at Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital
          Columbia Missourian:  Blunt:  Truman Veterans Hospital highly rated despite national scandal
          CDT:  Blunt highlights mental health care at VA hospital stop X
          P-D Kaiser Health News coverage:  Affordable Care Act scorecard:  Saving, but glitches and sticker shock too;  Local residents share their stories
          P-D:  Missouri's declining Medicaid caseload stands out in national report
          P-D:  Attorney General Chris Koster:  Missouri needs its own execution pharmacy
          KC Star:  Koster proposes Missouri make its own lethal injection chemicals +
          AP:  Koster proposes execution drug lab
          Washington Missourian:  Local officials say they would have preferred transportation tax appear on November ballot;  Griesheimer suggests Nixon has "ulterior motives"
          AP:  Republicans Vicky Hartzler, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Billy Long, Jason Smith will tour state in support of "Right to Farm" amendment
          The Missouri Times:  Momentum behind "Right to Farm" continues to grow;  Comments from supporters
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Lager on broader tax-cut debate +
          Missourinet:  Nixon:  Tax cuts damaging to state, local governments
          SE Missourian:  Nixon:  Tax cut bills hurt region +
          SNL:  Local officials fear loss of millions due to tax cuts X
          JCNT:  Fulton hospital still a priority X
          P-D:  Sports commission thrilled to land SEC tournament;  Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale), author of tax-credit bill, calls announcement "seminal moment" in relationship with SEC
          AP:  Missouri Senate panel to review tax policies
          The Missouri Times:  Q&A with Sen. Mike Kehoe (R-Columbia) on Tesla bill, transportation funding, more
          Washington Missourian:  Rep. Dave Hinson (R-St. Clair):  911 call centers should be combined to save taxpayer money
          P-D:  For Normandy transfer students, school year closes with uncertainty
          Missourinet:  Missouri Department of Insurance brings $4.7 million to policyholders during first quarter of the year
          P-D editorial:  Murder rampage gives form to women's rage through "#YesAllWomen" hashtag activism;  Meanwhile, McCaskill a leader in making actual, real-life changes
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri rushes transportation sales tax to the ballot +
          McClellan:  Transfer 'fix' is a bad bill;  Smart, dedicated people are looking to solve the problem, but "none of them work in the Legislature"
          P-D op-ed:  Anti-Peabody "Take Back St. Louis" lawyers:  King Coal is undermining our democracy
          SNL letter:  Rep. Kevin Austin (R-Springfield) should support Medicaid expansion X
          SNL letter:  Missouri School Boards' Association's Carter Ward:  Show-Me Institute's stand hurts children X
          P-D letter:  State takeover doesn't help school districts
          P-D letter:  St. Louis County woman's sarcastic take on Ed Chief Chris Nicastro and Riverview Gardens failure
          Washington Missourian letter:  Ameren's David Strubberg:  Moving coal ash from "wet" to "dry" storage system is the right thing to do for environment, area residents and Missouri
          Disclosure

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        Thursday, May 29
       
AP:  Blunt:  No answers yet on VA concerns in St. Louis
          KPLR:  Upset veteran vents frustration during Blunt's visit to hospital, chastises "all these leaders who ain't leadin nothin but each other"
          KSDK:  Blunt on VA:  Firing Shinseki isn't the answer
          SE Missourian:  Blunt calls for improved mental health services +
          Hannibal Courier-Post:  Blunt conducts mental-services roundtable
          KSMU:  In Springfield, Blunt calls for mental health care reform
          KOLR:  In the Ozarks, Blunt talks mental health care reform
          KC Star:  Republican National Convention site committee to visit Kansas City June 4-6 +
          AP:  Missouri sets meeting on Obama administration's proposed carbon standards
          Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri Farm Bureau video pokes fun at EPA proposal, parodies "Let it Go" from Disney movie Frozen
          The Missouri Times:  GOP consultant Jeff Roe questions validity of Dems' early-voting initiative signatures
          The Missouri Times:  Supporters react to August date for transportation tax;  Comments from Sen. Mike Kehoe (R-Columbia), Bill McKenna, consultant/lobbyist Jane Dueker
          P-D:  St. Louis regional leaders face quick deadline to prioritize transportation spending
          Drebes:  Winners from session:  The House Republican list
          KC Star:  Gov. Jay Nixon denounces Missouri General Assembly's latecoming tax breaks +
          P-D:  Nixon slams Legislature over $776M 'smorgasboard' of special-interest tax cuts
          The Missouri Times:  Nixon slams last-minute 'giveaways' from Legislature
          AP:  Nixon says tax breaks could cost local governments
          Monett Times:  Bill from Sen. David Sater (R-Cassville) on abortion waiting period awaits Nixon's action
          Missourinet:  Student Religious Liberty Bill awaits action
          P-D:  Normandy teachers brace for state intervention
          KC Star:  KC high schools report improved test scores as churches defend suspended Southwest principal;  School was site of two rapes, including one of 13-year-old autistic girl +
          CDT:  Language in multiple bills would strengthen penalties for disarming police;  Governor has yet to sign them X
          SNL:  Bill would tighten state day-care laws X
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers propose joint justice system committee
          KSDK:  War of words heats up between state auditor and MSD:  Tom Schweich vs. Lance LeComb
          AP:  Kansas company to build biogas plant in Missouri;  BioStar Systems could receive $1.5 million in state incentives
          KC Star:  KCP&L's energy-efficiency plans are back on track +
          Washington Missourian:  Ameren landfill liner's proximity to water table argued at hearing
          P-D:  KMOX radio host Charlie Brennan's speeding ticket case goes to Missouri Supreme Court
          P-D editorial:  Voucher veto paves way for progress in Normandy
          CDT's Waters:  McCaskill is right - "secret shopper"-type survey is a good tool to evaluate VA care X
          SNL op-ed:  Former state Rep. Thomas Long (R):  Transportation sales tax one of several needs in funding infrastructure X
          P-D letter:  Medicaid-expansion supporters should change messaging direction, put more emphasis on bringing Medicaid dollars back to Missouri
          Disclosure

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        Wednesday, May 28
       
Daily Mail (UK):  Blunt among those calling for Kerry to grant asylum to Sudanese woman
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  McCaskill on transportation sales tax increase +
          KMOX:  Audio:  Lacy Clay on inviting Paul Ryan to town, need for new housing starts to kick-start economy, upcoming Harris-Stowe jobs fair, more
          JCNT:  Nixon staff says sales tax cuts could cost Missouri more than $27 million X
          SE Missourian:  Holly Rehder's 'paycheck protection' traded for abortion bill;  Sikeston Republican says she'll continue push to change state's "antiquated" labor laws +
          Missourinet:  Missouri gambling has changed in its 20 years
          Drebes:  Help wanted:  Missouri Office of the Public Counsel seeks Senior Public Counsel
          AP:  Bill would allow first responders to give overdose antidote
          Missourinet:  Missouri's "Puppies for Parole" program has international influence
          SE Missourian:  Missouri Department of Natural Resources plans pesticide collection events across Missouri +
          P-D:  Height of proposed Ameren coal ash landfill is at issue
          P-D:  Ballwin, O'Fallon seek change in Ameren Missouri streetlight policy
          P-D:  Judge keeps "Take Back St. Louis" initiative off ballot
          KMOX:  Judge:  No vote on proposal to limit tax breaks to energy companies
          AP:  St. Louis touts unified economic development plan
          SNL:  Speaker Tim Jones names Rep. Lynn Morris (R-Nixa) "Freshman Legislator of the Year" X
          P-D:  Highlights of CDT piece on Gov. Jay Nixon and Mizzou basketball coach Kim Anderson
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Hijacking religion in Sudan;  Blunt should continue fight on behalf of Sudanese woman X
          KC Star editorial:  After Wentzville allegation, Obamacare centers should be investigated +
          Columbia Missourian's David Rosman:  Missourians should call McCaskill, Blunt staffers and weigh in on VA
          P-D op-ed:  Former P-D education reporter Virginia Gilbert:  Missouri uses flawed data to penalize poor, minority students
          P-D op-ed:  Antiquated, burdensome laws hurt craft brewers in Missouri and beyond
          KC Star letter:  Kansas man says Missouri GOP opposition to Medicaid expansion "virtually inhumane;"  Grandmothers Against Gun Violence opposes gun bill + 
          P-D letter:  Transportation sales tax proposal is a back-door tax increase
          P-D letter:  Sarcastic take on Missouri education funding, gambling and marijuana
          Disclosure

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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Tuesday, May 27
       
Rosenbaum:  Nixon and McCaskill may sing different tunes on transportation tax
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Transfer law and transportation tax +
          Missourinet:  Public perception of MoDOT could be key in sales tax increase's fate
          AP:  Missouri behind pace in paying tax refunds
          P-D:  Nearly 4,000 unlicensed Missouri day cares poised to face new oversight
          SE Missourian:  Perryville school district moving to fewer school days; "We're going to have a flat budget because you never know what's happening in our Legislature" +
          Drebes:  Tesla issue is not dead
          Missouri Ruralist:  Farmers seek flood damage compensation from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
          P-D's Amy Bertrand:  Missouri's "Free Fishing Days" are June 7-8
          P-D editorial:  Fixing TIFs could be first step toward regionalism;  Missouri's TIF laws far more generous to developers than those in other states
          Helling:  Ronald Reagan's centrism and KC as 2016 GOP convention site +
          P-D's Deb Peterson:  Legislature's 18-and-under tan ban isn't enough;  "Go crazy, DHSS folks, go crazy"
          Missouri Ruralist:  April piece on Right to Farm should have included more details on proposal
          P-D letter:  Kirkwood man says all of Missouri's elected officials - state and federal, of both parties - deserve to be "swept out the door"
          Disclosure

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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.




        Monday, May 26   Memorial Day
       
P-D:  Vets' representation in Congress has fallen drastically since post-Vietnam years
          The Hill:  McCaskill continues to lead fight against patent 'trolls'
          Joplin Globe's Susan Redden:  Man who ran as Dem in 2nd District against Russ Carnahan [sic] will run as Republican against Billy Long;  Richard says hemp oil bill does not portend marijuana legalization X
          Drebes:  Susan Montee has formed a 2016 campaign committee
          Missourinet:  Senate sponsor OK with transportation tax on August ballot
          Washington Missourian:  Bill from Rep. Paul Curtman (R-Pacific) will adjust tax brackets for inflation
          AP:  In end-of-session flurry, Missouri tax breaks were either expanded, or clarified
          P-D:  Paying colleges for performance is either a good policy or a passing fad
          The Missouri Times:  Case study:  The push against Common Core;  Comments from Rep. Kurt Bahr (R-St. Charles), legislative assistant Nina Dean
          Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri dairy measure is the nation's first
          P-D:  Prominent St. Louis housing activist Bertha Gilkey dies in Alabama
          P-D letter:  Ballwin may says he received subpar constituent service from McCaskill's office regarding veterans' headstones
          JCNT letter:  Nixon should veto abortion waiting-period bill, which was passed under the cover of darkness X
          P-D letter:  DESE brings poor track record on saving school districts
          P-D letter:  Bel-Nor resident says paper distorts community's socioeconomic composition
          Disclosure

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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Sunday, May 25
       
P-D:  Missouri's casino industry turns 20 - a look at the ups and downs
          Joplin Globe's Mike Pound:  Billy Long, area legislators speak at "Eggs and Issues" brunch on VA, transportation sales tax, prescription drug benefit, right to work, more X
          Drebes:  David Humphreys contributes $111,111 to Tom Schweich - bringing auditor's cash on hand to one million at end of quarter
          The Missouri Times:  Bob Onder announces endorsements in state Senate primary:  Ann Wagner, state reps, committeepeople
          P-D:  Nixon shortens campaign by putting sales tax on August ballot
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers back electronic privacy efforts
          The Missouri Times:  Republicans, lobbyists respond to Nixon's veto announcement of SB493
          KC Star:  Lake of the Ozarks residents will take land dispute to court +
          P-D editorial:  Want the Legislature's attention?  Write a bigger check.
          JCNT editorial:  State workers give generously
X
          KC Star op-ed:  Sen. Roy Blunt:  Improve mental health care for our veterans +
          CDT op-ed:  Rep. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia):  Rep. Chris Kelly (D) will be missed at the Capitol X
          KC Star's Yael Abouhalkah:  Surprise:  Jay Nixon just put Missouri's largest tax increase ever on Aug. 5 ballot +
          SNL's Jonathan Shorman:  Summer coverage will include Nixon's vetoes and potential for special session X
          CDT op-ed:  Show-Me Institute's Andrew Wilson:  School transfer bill was flawed, and tax cuts weren't broad enough X
          SNL letter:  Missouri Republicans should address the positive data of Obamacare's benefits X
          Disclosure

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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.




        Saturday, May 24
       
Fox 4 KC:  Possibility of RNC to KC is exciting, but also requires precise planning
        Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Blunt tees off on Obama administration +
        KSDK:  Vets could see doctors in private sector under new proposal;  Comments from Rep. Ann Wagner
        CDT:  McCaskill praises Truman VA as she releases results of survey X
        KBIA:  At MU, McCaskill announces results of survey
        97.1 FM (St. Louis):  Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer talks to Jamie Allman about "Operation Choke Point" and targeting of gun shops and manufacturers
        Missourinet:  Nixon sets five proposed constitutional amendments for August primary ballot
        AP:  Nixon sets election dates for ballot measures:  August to include transportation tax, guns, right to farm, veterans lottery ticket, electronic privacy
        Missourinet:  Nixon will veto proposed changes to student transfer law
        AP:  Nixon says he will veto student transfer legislation
        P-D:  Nixon will veto school transfer bill
        Missourinet:  Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood):  No different transfer bill would be passed in special session
        CDT:  Missouri College Advising Corps grows with grant funding X
        SE Missourian:  Area legislators comment on end of session +
        AP:  Bill permits removal of rowdy Missouri campers
        KMOX:  Audio:  Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder talks about effort on behalf of Lyft
        Drebes:  Chris Blank leaves AP, will seek Master's of Public Health at SLU
        P-D:  Larry Conners notes KMOV firing anniversary with social media swirls
        KC Star editorial:  Missouri's good work with disabled citizens nearly clears waiting lists +
        JCNT editorial:  Nixon might veto some GOP bills;  Mid-Missouri editorial board attempts Greek mythological allegory X
        SNL op-ed:  Missouri Rural Crisis Center's Rhonda Perry:  Expand Medicaid for rural Missouri X
        Daily Journal letter:  On Tuesday, everyone should call the offices of Clair [sic] McCaskill, Roy Blunt, and Jason Smith and spend staffers' time talking about veterans' care
        KC Star letter:  Missouri Pharmacy Association's Ron Fitzwater:  Budget bill would aid patients managing multiple medications +
        P-D letter:  Three-day waiting period for abortion is too long
        P-D letter:  Three-day waiting period for abortion is not too long
        P-D letter:  Mother of transsexual says child enhances society
        Disclosure

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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.




        Friday, May 23
       
KC Star:  Kansas City makes latest cut for 2016 GOP National Convention +
          P-D:  McCaskill says VA doing better in St. Louis, but improvements still needed
          P-D:  Ann Wagner, Blaine Luetkemeyer call for head of VA to resign
          P-D:  Environmental groups ask judge to halt several projects planned by Army Corps of Engineers
          MSNBC:  Victims push for Princeton Review to rank schools by reports of sexual assault;  McCaskill comments on campus-crime reporting
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Medicaid expansion in Missouri looking more likely +
          Missourinet:  State education board won't approve cost of lawsuit against it
          Missourinet:  MU law professor discusses constitutionality of proposed transfer law
          P-D:  Delay of Missouri execution raises more questions than answers
          P-D:  Decisions coming for Bridgeton landfill settlement
          Washington Missourian:  Labadie Environmental Organization delivers coal ash petition to Nixon
          Missourinet:  New lottery ticket on ballot in November
          KC Star editorial:  Get on Kansas City's bandwagon to win the 2016 GOP National Convention +
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Legislature displayed less silliness, more bipartisanship this session;  Post-Dispatch's "hogs at the trough" metaphor still applicable, though
          Washington Missourian editorial:  MoDOT is a responsible state agency, and voters will approve transportation sales tax increase
          Weekly Standard:  The Scrapbook:  Response to WaPo's John Kelly anti-Truman-naming column
          Washington Missourian's Bill Miller:  Jay Nixon, Roy Blunt might be VP contenders
          P-D letter:  Florissant man expresses regret over voting for "Democrat in Name Only" Keith English, dislikes gerrymandered districts and sales tax proposal, laments ALEC's influence
          KC Star letters:  Missouri should not consider tax cuts until revenue increases;  Nixon should not veto abortion bill +
          P-D letter:  Deacon responds to "women thrown under bus" metaphor by emphasizing that aborted babies don't make it that far
          P-D letter:  Show-Me Institute's James Shuls:  Education establishment hijacked transfer fix
          P-D letter:  Transfer problem won't be fixed until rich people see educational refugees infiltrating top-tier private schools
          Disclosure

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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.




        Thursday, May 22
       
KMOV:  Obamacare contractor may have overestimated workload;  Lawmakers want answers
          Columbia Missourian:  In the era of "Affordable Care," some Missourians still uninsured - by choice
          Columbia Missourian:  Young Missourians lag in health insurance enrollment
          AP:  Blunt plans mental health care tour across Missouri next week
          KSDK:  STL VA clarifies patient load;  Ann Wagner joins McCaskill, Blunt in calling for investigation
          Missourinet:  McCaskill, Blunt offer amendment to keep fighter jet production in St. Louis going
          SE Missourian:  House bill contains almost $18M for Cape flood control +
          KC Star:  Kansas City will learn today whether it is still a candidate for 2016 GOP National Convention +
          P-D:  Former state Rep. Churie Spring (D-Florissant) fined $11,165 by Missouri Ethics Commission for various violations
          Drebes:  The case for Sen. Joe Keaveny (D-St. Louis) as Minority Floor Leader
          CDT:  Republican House candidates talk Common Core at Pachyderm meeting X
          AP:  Normandy files lawsuit over transfer law
          St. Joseph News-Press:  GOP state Sens. David Pearce, Rob Schaaf visit Rosecrans X
          Missourinet:  U.S. Supreme Court halts execution of convicted murderer Russell Bucklew
          AP:  Supreme Court halts Missouri execution
          P-D:  Supreme Court puts execution of Missouri man on hold
          P-D:  Petitioners to ask Nixon to halt Ameren's coal ash landfill construction
          AP:  EPA water task force to work with universities, including University of Missouri
          SNL editorial:  Obamacare contractor issue far too typical of our government X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Reform campus reporting of sexual assaults X
          KC Star editorial:  Don't arm Missouri teachers +
          P-D editorial:  State is right to take over Normandy
          Washington Post's Melinda Henneberger:  In fight against sex assaults on campus, awareness must translate into action
          Shelly:  Gov. Jay Nixon:  Gamblers and Legislature shortchanged schools +
          CDT's Waters:  Nixon should veto Common Core replacement bill X
          P-D op-ed:  MOHealthNet Chair and Wash U's Brown School of Social Work prof Timothy McBride:  Health care for the uninsured is our problem
          St. Louis Beacon op-ed:  Voluntary Interdistrict Coordinating Council's Susan Uchitelle:  Student transfer legislation is a study in chaos
          JCNT letter:  Senate gallery singer John Bennett recounts his group's "dramatic, prophetic action" to help Medicaid-expansion effort X
          Joplin Globe letter:  State sales tax for transportation punishes those who don't drive, and gives Wal-Mart a free pass X
          KC Star letter:  Missouri Republicans' voter-ID proposals are mean-spirited, and Jesus Christ would disapprove  +
          Disclosure

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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.




        Wednesday, May 21
       
St. Joseph News-Press:  McCaskill, Blunt point to priorities in military bill X
          Washington Times:  Congress to rein in Obama's targeting of gun retailers;  Comments from Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer
          AP:  McCaskill weighs in on state ballot issue, says she supports transportation sales tax
          Helling:  Laying 2016 GOP convention odds:  Cincinnati and Dallas at the top;  KC, others pull up the rear +
          Washington Post's "She the People" blog:  McCaskill's first roundtable on sexual assault looks at campus crime-reporting law
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  McCaskill on desire for stiffer penalties +
          P-D:  House passes Ann Wagner's sex-advertising bill
          SNL:  Rep. Lynn Morris (R-Nixa) to develop Medicaid expansion plan, says more Republicans are open to idea than one year ago X
          The Missouri Times:  Organization profile:  Grow Missouri;  Treasurer Aaron Willard details agenda, Rep. John Diehl (R-Town and Country) offers praise for group's objectives
          KC Star:  Liberal groups contemplate voter override of Missouri tax cuts;  Comments from Missouri Budget Project and Progress Missouri, reaction from Grow Missouri +
          JCNT:  Fulton State Hospital project likely safe X
          Missourinet:  Nixon withholds more education spending, cites lottery and gaming revenue shortfalls
          P-D:  Nixon announces $35M cut in education funding
          AP:  Nixon announces education funding cuts
          Missourinet:  Reps. Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City), Noel Torpey (R-Independence) seek to sway Nixon on transfer legislation
          P-D:  Missouri school board votes to replace Normandy School District
          AP:  Officials replace uaccredited Normandy district
          Missourinet:  State board votes to lapse Normandy School District
          Columbia Missourian:  GOP candidates for Missouri House tout education, agriculture
          P-D:  St. Louis doctor's crusade finally ends with tanning bed bill
          P-D:  Move by Legislature could exempt St. Charles casino from smoking ban
          Missourinet:  U.S. Supreme Court stays Bucklew execution;  Nixon denies clemency
          Missourinet:  Bucklew execution stayed by U.S. Supreme Court
          AP:  Missouri might still be able to execute Bucklew by midnight
          AP:  Missouri Department of Conservation reminds hunters, anglers that squirrel and bass seasons open on Saturday
          Joplin Globe editorial:  State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, Rep. Tony Dugger (R-Hartville) take on pension-advance companies X
          P-D editorial:  At least one city has sensible gun laws;  D.C. doesn't have to worry about gun-loving Republican legislators
          KC Star editorial:  Republicans celebrate end of session with "willy-nilly orgy of tax breaks" +
          Washington Post's John Kelly:  Missouri pols seek to rename Union Station, "treating our city as a personal Erector set they can play with as they like"
          CDT's Waters:  TIF tussle:  Running to Jefferson City X
          Columbia Missourian's Rose Nolen:  Octogenarian columnist says her cell phone is usually "out of batteries [sic]," believes Missouri texting ban should apply to all ages
          KC Star letter:  Kansas liberal dislikes idea of GOP convention in area, says there are already too many conservatives "running around here" as it is +
          Disclosure

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        Tuesday, May 20
       
Fox 2 St. Louis:  Blunt outraged over lack of work at Wentzville Obamacare facility
          KC Star:  Blunt bears down on mental health issues of military members +
          KC Star:  Rep. Emanuel Cleaver to speak at Memorial Day event +
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  McCaskill supports FTC's crackdown on "green coffee bean diet" hucksters +
          KC Star:  Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to speak at ladies-group luncheon in December +
          MSNBC:  McCaskill, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) host group chat on campus sexual assault
          St. Joseph News-Press:  McCaskill's sexual-assault crusade has witnessed "a trail of tears and inaction" X
          Bloomberg:  McCaskill seeks stiffer fines for colleges over sexual assaults
          Washington Times:  McCaskill sees data deficiency on college sex assaults
          McClatchy:  McCaskill, other lawmakers seek to prevent sexual assaults
          SNL:  McCaskill nabs $70K advance for tell-all narrative of 2012 campaign;  Majority of proceeds will go to author Terry Ganey, charity X
          Drebes:  McCaskill to do event for Deb Lavender, running again for Rick Stream's open state rep seat
          AP:  Luetkemeyer considering a gubernatorial primary challenge to Catherine Hanaway, concedes "(Republicans) as a party suffer when we have primaries at the state level"
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers send 8 issues to voters:  Early voting, transportation tax, more
          P-D:  E15 arrives, though consumers may have to look hard to find it;  Missouri rule allows higher ethanol blend, but adoption will not take off without change in policy, prices
          AP:  Gov. Nixon, Speaker Tim Jones attend Danforth Center expansion event
          Joplin Globe's Emily Younker:  State Treasurer Clint Zweifel promotes college-savings program at Joplin school X
          Warrensburg Daily Star-Journal:  Nixon's push for Medicaid expansion dies
          Missourinet:  Legislature votes to kill MoHealthNet oversight committee
          Missourinet:  Gun law nullification dies on final day of regular session
          P-D:  Hundreds of parents in limbo over changes to student transfers
          AP:  Missouri State Board of Education to discuss plans for Normandy
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Food banks brace for bill's impact;  When Nixon signs bill, drug felons will be able to get food stamps X
          Missourinet:  Legislature proposes measures to make mental health workers safer
          SE Missourian:  Countdown to execution series:  Murder victim's mother leaves justice to higher power +
          AP:  Nixon says he sees no reason to intervene in execution of Russell Bucklew:  "This guy committed very, very heinous crimes"
          AP:  An overview of Missouri's next execution
          P-D editorial:  Jay Nixon and the summer of vetoes;  Governor's detached style is mostly to blame for bad GOP bills, but he can save face by channeling the Old Jay Nixon
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri Legislature flunks school-transfer test;  Special session will be no help, as voucher lobby will continue to block progress +
          KC Star editorial:  Nixon should halt execution +
          CDT's Waters:  Chris Kelly's departure from Legislature diminishes government X
          Helling:  KC's bid for Republican convention is riding on streetcar rails +
          CDT letter:  Transportation tax favors trucks, "huge coporate agricultural interests," and the politicians and lobbyists who party on luxury yachts at Lake of the Ozarks X
          P-D letter:  Sinquefield's pixie dust transfixes legislators;  Conservatives want growth for the privileged, hard times for everyone else
          Disclosure

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        Monday, May 19
       
P-D:  Congress tries new approaches to mental health issues;  Blunt teams with Stabenow (D-Mich.) for "a bipartisan pairing rare in the current Congress"
          NBC:  Meet the Press transcript:  Claire McCaskill criticizes Karl Rove, says Republicans fear Hillary Clinton
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  McCaskill on Rove;  Nixon's level of engagement with legislature +
          Rosenbaum:  We asked five questions about the legislative session:  Here are the answers
          KC Star's Jason Hancock:  Missouri conservatives win big this session;  Other winners:  Diehl, unions, consultants;  Losers:  Nixon, ethics +
          AP:  Analysis:  For Republicans this session, moderation was prevalent despite a still generally-conservative bent
          Joplin Globe's Susan Redden:  Legislators to recap session at Friday "Eggs and Issues" brunch;  Ron Richard, several other legislators to run unopposed this fall X
          Missourinet:  Speaker Tim Jones, Rep. Genise Monticello (D-St. Louis) weigh in on potential for school-transfer special session
          KC Star:  Kansas City school, parents push hard for pre-kindergarten +
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Rep. Mike Thomson (R-Maryville) still working on higher-ed issues X
          Brownfield Ag News:  Missouri lawmakers approve omnibus ag bills
          Missourinet:  Nixon blasts GOP last-day tax breaks for farmers markets, manufactured homes, personal seat licenses, other targeted sectors
          SE Missourian:  Countdown to execution series:  Questions plague lethal injection +
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Mike Cierpiot (R-Lee's Summit) seeks re-election as assistant floor leader, reiterates support for Rep. Todd Richardson (R-Poplar Bluff) as Majority Floor Leader
          Drebes:  Complaint against Clay County Commissioner and former state Sen. Luann Ridgeway (R) closed
          KC Star editorial:  At Missouri's Squaw Creek refuge, wind energy and wildlife refuge appear to collide +
          P-D letter:  McCaskill-Blunt call for Obamacare processing accountability a bit too late;  When will Shinseki be held accountable for VA problems?
          P-D letter:  Post-Dispatch is covering Serco boondoggle as if it just uncovered Watergate;  Editorial board was a cheerleader when Obamacare brought jobs to Wentzville
          P-D letter:  Missouri is a second-rate state, thanks to Republican males' discriminatory nature
          P-D letter:  Missouri should end the secrecy around executions, and then end the death penalty altogether
          SE Missourian letter:  Ameren charges consumers two limbs for service +
          Disclosure

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        Sunday, May 18
       
Fox News:  Worker at Wentzville Obamacare-processing center:  "I was bored out of my mind ... and I have a conscience"
          KC Star:  While losing election battles, Tea Party says it is winning the messaging war;  Comments from Carl Bearden, SLU prof Adam Myers +
          USA Today:  McCaskill to appear on Meet the Press, will discuss Karl Rove's comments about Hillary Clinton's health issues
          AP:  Gov. Jay Nixon (D), Republicans had different priorities
          P-D:  Nixon increasingly at odds with Missouri Legislature
          CDT:  Chris Kelly finds ways to reach goals in final days of legislative session X
          JCNT:  Area legislators discuss legislative priorities for next session X
          AP:  Infrastructure fared better in 2014 session
          Missourinet:  Missouri Senate leaders talk hits and misses
          Washington Missourian:  Statewide sales tax bill passes
          St. Joseph News-Press:  New "funding cliff" poses problem for transportation X
          JCNT:  Paycheck protection dies, but will return next year X
          JCNT:  Restoring dental benefits makes advocates smile;  Funding was cut from Medicaid in 2005 X
          JCNT:  Bill would make Missouri third state with 72-hour abortion waiting period
          P-D:  Poverty and low school achievement go hand in hand;  Experts discuss Riverview Gardens' white-flight-induced decline
          SE Missourian:  Attorneys for convicted murderer Russell Bucklew ask court to allow taping of execution +
          SE Missourian:  Countdown to execution series:  Experts give historical perspective on Missouri's death penalty +
          SE Missourian:  Death penalty in Southeast Missouri timeline +
          SNL:  PROMO says it doesn't expect larger implications from area lesbian's divorce;  List of LGBTQA websites X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri State Highway Patrol begins summer safe-driving campaign X
          P-D:  Coastal Energy Corp., EPA lapses lead to hazards on the Eleven Point River
          Drebes:  Melody Bezenek names director of Missouri Press Foundation
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Veterans deserve better;  Blunt's idea for revamping care structure is intriguing X
          Washington Missouriane editorial:  Ameren's PR team builds a convincing case - and electric rates will probably go higher
          CDT's Waters:  Opposing Medicaid expansion shows Republicans are "stupid" X
          SNL op-ed:  Rep. Charlie Norr (D-Springfield):  Why I voted against tax cuts:  Cost is too high, and it benefits the wealthy over others X
          P-D letter:  Response to "hogs at the trough" editorial:  Every Missouri legislator, regardless of party, should be thrown out
          P-D letter:  Instead of dismantling school-transfer law, repeal it and start over
          P-D letter:  Reality eludes pro-lifers;  Nixon should veto abortion waiting-period bill
          P-D letter:  Response to waiting-period editorial:  Regardless of when it's performed, abortion still kills a baby
          P-D letter:  Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice reiterates opposition to gun legislation
          Disclosure

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        Saturday, May 17
       
Missourinet:  Videos:  House Dems, GOP recap 2014 legislative session
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers wrap up annual session
          AP:  Legislative scorecard:  What passed, what failed
          P-D:  Preschool bill provides bipartisan ending to Missouri legislative session
          P-D:  Legislative scorecard:  What passed, what failed
          KC Star:  Republicans have much to show from Missouri legislative session +
          CDT:  Legislators finish session upbeat;  Nixon blasts special tax breaks X
          KSMU:  MU journalism icon Phill Brooks:  Session a "mixed bag" for Nixon
          Missourinet:  Minority Leader Jake Hummel (D-St. Louis) says he believes Nixon will start helping Democratic legislative candidates this year
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Area legislators comment on session X
          JCNT:  Area legislators comment on session X
          AP:  Nixon:  Missouri lawmakers busted state budget
          Missourinet:  Budget director will work with lawmakers on how association dues are paid
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers renew prescription drug benefit for more than 200,000 low-income and disabled seniors
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers fall short on gun nullification
          Washington Missourian:  Early-voting effort raises concerns for county clerk;  Initiative petition lacks funding provision to help counties
          AP:  Constitutional amendment would let Legislature override gubernatorial decisions to reduce spending
          CDT:  House passes bond bill that would fund Lafferre Hall work X
          KC Star:  Missouri lawmakers pass bill that lets the terminally ill try drugs not fully approved +
          Missourinet:  Nixon's office indicates special session coming on school transfers
          P-D:  Normandy schools task force would remake the district
          SNL:  Dyslexia legislation approved X
          CDT:  Legislators approve measure that would restrict TIF use X
          Kraske:  Ronnie White gets a rare second chance +
          AP:  GM recalls 2.7M more cars;  McCaskill says she'll keep the pressure on
          KSMU:  As McCaskill shines light on campus rapes nationwide, MSU takes a look at its policies
          KC Star editorial:  Session recap:  The good included criminal code revamp and oral chemotheraphy;  Rex Sinquefield and ALEC play the heavies;  rehash of Virginia Young's "hog" allegory, more +
          P-D editorial:  Lawmakers abandon Normandy kids again;  Nixon should veto voucher bill
          Joplin Globe op-ed:  Honoring Harry S Truman by renaming D.C.'s Union Station X
          KC Star's Mary Sanchez:  McCaskill deserves a medal of valor for work on sexual assault issue +
          P-D letter:  People of Missouri should be very angry, and put "good old boys out to pasture"
          Disclosure

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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Friday, May 16  Final Day of Missouri General Assembly Regular Session
       
P-D:  McCaskill calls for Inspector General investigation into Wentzville Obamacare facility;  Blunt says his office has heard of more cases
          KMOV:  Lawmakers demand answers after report on Obamcare contractor
          AP:  Contractor for Obamacare scrutinized
          P-D:  Obamacare contractor's global reach yields government contracts, influence
          CDT:  State Treasurer Clint Zweifel urges kids to 'invest time in learning' during school visit X
          SE Missourian:  AG Chris Koster says condemned killer should have created vascular-disease excuse sooner
          Missourinet:  ACLU, media suits demand information from Missouri Department of Corrections
          P-D:  Post-Dispatch, other media sue for execution drug disclosure
          P-D:  Unions turn up the pressure on McDonald's with protests;  Micro- and macroeconomic analysis from employees Corey Ford, Ifama Kellin, LaShunda Moore
          P-D:  Missouri Legislature passes bill lifting lifetime ban from food stamps for drug felons
          KC Star:  Missouri lawmakers vote to lift food-stamp ban for drug felons +
          AP:  Missouri bill lets drug felons get food stamps
          CDT:  Transportation sales tax to go on Missouri ballot X
          P-D:  Video:  P-D reporters David Nicklaus and Jim Gallagher discuss income-tax cut, say it won't make a big difference
          JCNT:  Feminists stage 72-hour 'women's filibuster' to protest abortion waiting-period bill X
          Washington Post:  Missouri Democrats help advance bill on abortion waiting period
          St. Louis Review:  Missouri Senate passes bill that would increase waiting period for abortions
          LA Times:  Missouri is latest battleground over abortion rights, restrictions
          Missourinet:  Nixon hints at veto of abortion waiting-period bill
          The Missouri Time:  Hourly updates from the Missouri House
          CDT:  Discussion of Silvey's Medicaid bill derailed by GOP opponents X
          AP:  Lawmakers back criminal checks for Obamacare 'navigators'
          KC Star:  Missouri Legislature passes student transfer bill with private school option +
          P-D:  School transfer bill sent to Nixon's desk
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers pass student transfer measure
          Missourinet:  Legislature sends proposed transfer fix to Nixon
          Missourinet:  Nixon urged to not veto transfer bill
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers pass measure that would ditch Common Core
          KC Star:  Missouri lawmakers approve a Common Core compromise +
          KOLR:  Fate of teacher tenure may be decided by voters;  Comments from Rep. Steve Cookson (R-Poplar Bluff), former state Sen. Jane Cunningham (R)
          AP:  Missourians to vote on new veterans lottery ticket
          SNL:  Legislative flap threatens funds for new MSU building X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Red-light camera bill dead this session X
          The Missouri Times:  Legislative personality profile:  What makes Rep. Caleb Jones (R-California) so successful
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers pass captive deer changes
          SE Missourian:  Disease rules for some deer could be costly +
          Washington Missourian:  Endangered mussels may affect county's bridge project;  Missouri Dept. of Conservation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife requested survey
          P-D editorial:  Leadership and accountability can fix the troubled VA
          Columbia Missourian's George Kennedy:  Legislature's greatest failure is inaction on Medicaid expansion
          Shelly:  No Medicaid expansion in Missouri - thanks to GOP senators Rob Schaaf, Kurt Schaefer and John Lamping +
          P-D op-ed:  Mizzou profs:  Time to pull the plug on Missouri car dealers' crony capitalism
          P-D letter:  Response to editorial board's criticism of pro-life movement
          KC Star letter:  GOP voter ID proposal will exacerbate polarization +
          P-D letter:  Dems Jason Kander, John Wright, Scott Sifton right to push for lobbyist-gift ban
          P-D letter:  Clever symbolism in Virginia Young's hog-legislator piece was not lost on St. Louis County man
          Disclosure

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        Thursday, May 15
       
P-D:  Members of Congress seeking probe into Wentzville Obamacare center;  Taxpayers paid workers to nap, play Pictionary
          KMOV:  Blunt says he's concerned with claims surrounding Wentzville Obamacare processing facility;  Worker claims employees did no work, were instructed to act busy
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Obamacare-processing waste, ethics legislation, transportation funding, more +
          P-D:  SEIU-funded fast-food protests take place at two St. Louis locations today
          St. Louis Magazine:  How we kill:  The state of Missouri's death penalty
          St. Louis Magazine's William Powell:  Missouri prisons ban St. Louis Magazine's May issue over the story above, say "information ... can be used to instill violence or hatred among the inmate population"
          AP:  Attorneys for convicted killer seek execution stay;  Koster has no comment at this time
          AP:  Thief says she was unaware she wasn't a citizen, now faces deportation;  Online petition urges Nixon to intervene
          JCNT:  Sex offender presses for chance to be off registry;  At 16 and 17, young man had sexual contact with girl two-to-three years his junior X
          The Missouri Times:  Hourly updates from the Missouri House
          KC Star:  Tax Foundation weighs in on recent Missouri tax cuts:  Bill is not a monumental shift either way +
          AP:  Lawmakers pass business truce with Kansas
          CDT:  Nixon, activists make pitch for Medicaid expansion X
          SNL:  Last-minute Medicaid effort fails X
          Missourinet:  Medicaid expansion dies its final death
          SNL:  Legislature approves 72-hour abortion waiting period X
          Missourinet:  Bill expanding abortion waiting period to 72 hours heads to Nixon
          AP:  Lawmakers pass 3-day abortion wait period
          P-D:  Missouri Legislature approves 3-day abortion waiting period
          AP:  House roll call on abortion waiting bill
          JCNT:  Senate sends 'fixes' of new criminal code to Nixon X
          P-D:  Sales tax increase for transportation heads to ballot
          Missourinet:  Legislature puts sales tax increase for transportation to Missouri voters
          AP:  Missouri voters to decide transportation sales tax
          JCNT:  Area legislators weigh in on transportation tax proposal X
          Missourinet:  Legislature offers voters early voting measure
          P-D:  Missouri lawmakers send early-voting proposal to ballot
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers endorse early-voting measure amendment
          AP:  Nixon paid Governors Association dues with children's-division budget
          Missourinet:  House Republicans, Nixon clash over using Children's Division money to pay National Governors Assocation dues
          KC Star:  Republicans criticize how Nixon paid NGA dues +
          AP:  Lawmakers approve bill to block "pension advances"
          Drebes:  Christine Page departs Regional Chamber to lead Government Affairs at Missouri American Water
          P-D:  Group calls for regional approach to tax incentives;  Comments from Better Together's Dave Leipholtz
          Missourinet:  Video:  Mel Hancock inducted into Hall of Famous Missourians
          AP:  Tax-limits champion Mel Hancock honored at Capitol
          The Missouri Times:  Candidate profile:  State Senate candidate Jay Ashcroft
          Drebes:  Legislative quote of the day:  Grown man in seersucker suit questions personal limits of sycophancy
          Washington Missourian editorial:  GOP legislators congratulate themselves, but "baby-man" tax cut is fairly benign;  Its effects on Missouri economy remain to be seen
          P-D editorial:  Lawmakers dining on hog is the perfect metaphor for the Missouri Legislature
          P-D op-ed:  Sen. Roy Blunt:  Second century of our national parks should be defined by public-private partnerships
          P-D op-ed:  Former Build-A-Bear Chief Executive Bear Maxine Clark:  In support of student-transfer bill
          KC Star letters:  Republicans passed income-tax cut - ipso facto, every single member of Legislature should be "flushed";  Medicaid access is a right, not a privilege +
          P-D letter:  Nixon is wrong on tax cuts, and he is overweight
          Washington Missourian letter:  Voter fraud is not a serious problem in Missouri
          Washington Missourian letter:  Legislation is needed regarding solar renewable energy credits
          P-D letter:  Response to VA coverage
          Disclosure

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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Wednesday, May 14
       
CNN:  Congressional sisterhood a powerful voice for the voiceless;  Ann Wagner, Claire McCaskill raise profile through Nigeria, alleged-sexual-assault campaigns
          KMOX:  Whistleblower:  Obamacare processing center workers in Wentzville paid to do nothing
          KMOV:  Video of Obamacare whistleblower story
          AP:  Biden makes rain-shortened appearance at Gateway Arch to tout economic benefits of renovation project
          P-D:  Biden lauds Arch renovation project in defending infrastructure spending
          KWMU:  In visit to Arch, Biden praises investments in infrastructure
          P-D:  VA whistleblower says mental health care lagging
          AP:  Lax psychiatric care alleged at St. Louis VA
          The Examiner (Independence/Blue Springs):  Cleaver pays tribute to Truman in accepting award
          P-D:  Entire Missouri delegation now on board with effort to name D.C.'s Union Station after Truman
          AP:  Jobs rise, unemployment rate dips in Missouri
          AP:  Missouri still has 366,000 tax refunds to send
          JCNT:  Nixon repeats call for Medicaid expansion X
          AP:  Rex Sinquefield gives $1.5M to Grow Missouri
          P-D:  Legislators eat food;  Ethics bills unlikely to pass
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Speaker Tim Jones on "paycheck protection" and voter ID fortunes, transportation tax, income tax vs. sales tax, 2016 attorney general bid
          KC Star:  Lawmakers extend abortion waiting period to 72 hours in deal tied to voting and union rules;  "Democrats, in the end, gave more than they got" +
          CDT:  Senate Republicans make deal to pass bills on abortion, early voting X
          Shelly:  The Missouri Senate after dark:  What Dems conceded, and why +
          SNL:  Last week, Legislature voted to override Nixon's tax cut;  Retrospective coverage of May 6 vote X
          The Missouri Times:  Hourly updates from the Missouri House
          Columbia Missourian:  Tax increase to fund transportation stalls in House
          Missourinet:  Criminal code measure goes into effect without signature
          AP:  Nixon lets criminal code overhaul become law
          SNL:  Nixon lets criminal code become law, wants cleaned-up bill passed this week X
          KWMU:  Nixon allows criminal code rewrite to become law
          P-D:  Nixon lets criminal-code revamp become law
          Missourinet:  House passes gun nullification legislation
          KWMU:  Dispute among Republicans may once again kill gun bill
          AP:  Missouri Republicans at odds on gun nullification
          P-D:  Missouri student transfer bill moves closer to passage
          Missourinet:  House-Senate lawmakers finalize compromise on transfer proposal
          KWMU:  Negotiations completed over student transfer bill that includes private option
          KC Star:  Nixon, Rick Stream disagree on sending public dollars to private schools +
          Missourinet:  Nixon wants 'private option' out of transfer bill, House sponsor says it won't pass without it
          KC Star:  Nixon says public money for private schools "is where I draw the line" +
          SNL:  Legislature approves more time for child abuse workers to complete investigations X
          JCNT:  State employee wage panel continues work X
          CDT:  Bill that bans the sale of e-cigarettes to minors wins House approval X
          KOMU:  Versailles family pushing for cannabis-oil bill
          Missourinet:  Lawmakers consider non-certified drugs for the terminally ill
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA) stalls before deadline
          KC Star:  Missouri lawmakers unlikely to clear the way for Kansas City's red-light cameras +
          JCNT:  Advocacy group places shoes on Capitol steps to raise awareness of foster-care issues X
          KOMU:  Missouri's "Puppies for Parole" program becomes a model for England
          Missourinet:  Missouri Supreme Court upholds death penalty in 1991 case;  Walter Barton attacked 81-year old woman with baseball bat, stabbed her eyes and jugular, then sexually assaulted her and left her for dead
          SNL editorial:  Existing car-dealer system serves public;  Bill to ban direct sales of automobiles is good for consumers, communities X
          P-D op-ed:  Legislature should keep funding for adult dental care Medicaid in budget
          The Missouri Times' Scott Faughn:  Collin Reischman to take on new role as managing editor of The Missouri Times
          KC Star letter:  Medicaid protesters' Senate-gallery unruliness underscores chasm between haves and have-nots +
          Disclosure

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        Tuesday, May 13
       
The Hill:  GOP blocks energy bill, scuttling vote on Keystone XL pipeline;  Dem staffer says Blunt carbon-tax prohibition not discussed seriously in negotiations
          National Journal:  Congress plans Obamacare exemption to boost veteran employment;  Senate version is sponsored by Blunt
          P-D:  Colleges raise questions about sex assault surveys by McCaskill, White House;  Association rep criticizes "unfunded mandate" from White House
          USA Today:  McCaskill continues scrutiny of National Guard's NASCAR sponsorship
          AP:  McCaskill among three Dem senators asking NCAA to better protect athletes from "exploitation"
          Shelly:  Gov candidate Chris Koster playing it safe on gay marriage +
          Drebes:  Former Dem state Reps. Michael Spreng and Churie Spreng fined $11K for wide array of violations
          CDT:  Local House district swings might have outsized effect on veto override attempts X
          The Missouri Times:  Hourly updates from the Missouri House
          The Missouri Times:  Hourly updates from the Missouri Senate
          KC Star:  Missouri looks to link jobless benefits to jobless rate +
          P-D:  Senate Dems, GOP strike deal:  Dems stand down on early voting and abortion, GOP drops voter ID and "paycheck protection"
          AP:  Senate passes early voting measure
          Missourinet:  Diehl:  Democrats unlikely to get the Medicaid expansion vote they want
          Missourinet:  No action Monday on language that would block Tesla sales
          Missourinet:  Tesla team arranges for car owners to visit Capitol, hosts conference call with reporters
          SNL:  Tesla and dealers fight over ban X
          AP:  Diehl dislikes concept of Tesla ban
          KC Star's Lewis Diuguid:  Tesla should feel upset;  Six-sentence summary of issue +
          Missourinet:  Lawmakers further tweak 'private option' in student transfer proposal
          AP:  Lawmakers seek to complete Missouri transfer bill
          KC Star:  72-hour abortion waiting period clears Missouri Senate +
          P-D:  Missouri Senate passes 72 hour waiting period before an abortion
          Missourinet:  Senate sends abortion waiting period bill back to House
          AP:  Missouri Senate OKs 3-day abortion waiting period
          Missourinet:  Legislature passes parental-consent-to-tan legislation
          AP:  Lawmakers require parental consent for tanning
          Missourinet:  Legislature proposes regulation of electronic cigarettes
          AP:  Lawmakers pass e-cigarette regulations
          AP:  Solar industry seeks to salvage rebate effort
          SE Missourian:  Lawyer for condemned killer says execution 'courting disaster;'  Cheryl Pilate warns that Nixon could face political backlash +
          KC Star:  Missouri community colleges will have a role in pilot program for competency-based education +
          SE Missourian:  Positive reinforcement effort in schools nets fewer discipline referrals;  DESE issues awards +
          SE Missourian:  DED says 'Gone Girl' filming cost almost $3 million;  Total tax credits total $894K +
          P-D editorial:  Tesla gets a lesson in Missouri lawmaking;  Legislature should let MADA's bill die
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri abortion bill insults women +
          CDT's Water:  Angry, emotional Dems should stop "crying in their milk" and support the transportation tax X
          P-D op-ed:  STL, KC police chiefs oppose GOP gun bill, urge Legislature to keep urban communities safe
          P-D op-ed:  Former U.S. Sen. Jack Danforth (R):  Legislature should pass Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA)
          SNL letter:  Post-Dispatch mistake on infant mortality leads to liberal letter-writer's false "facts" X
          SE Missourian letter:  Cutting taxes should not have been a priority for Legislature - Missouri is already a low-tax state +
          P-D letter:  Show-Me Institute's Patrick Ishmael:  Income-tax cut just a first "baby step of progress" to a better, free-market future
          KC Star letter:  National and international monied interests, PACs work to keep Missouri's working class down +
          P-D letter:  Area union official Jeff Aboussie says EPA's landfill action will put construction laborers back to work
          P-D letter:  Ameren Missouri employee living in Illinois says company is doing its part for renewable energy
          Disclosure

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        Monday, May 12
       
KWMU:  VP Joe Biden, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to check out CityArchRiver project
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Hummel on transportation tax, Obama on Mizzou's gay 7th-round draft pick +
          P-D:  St. Louis area delegation's votes on recent legislation:  IRS issues, Benghazi, charter schools, more
          KWMU:  Missouri lawmakers face last-minute load of bills, on topics new and old
          P-D:  Missouri Legislature hits final week with full plate
          Missourinet:  Work on criminal code revision not finished
          AP:  Missouri budget spends more despite flat revenues
          Missourinet:  Children's Division director responds to proposed funding increase
          Washington Missourian:  Rep. Dave Schatz (R-Sullivan) one of 12 state reps to vote against use of hemp for epilepsy treatment
          Drebes:  Help wanted:  With Christine Page now at Missouri American Water, her old job at RCGA is open
          KC Star:  UMKC clinic on Troost offers advice to those who want unemployment benefits;  Law students make pleas to Labor and Industrial Relations appeals boards +
          AP:  Nixon declares emergency after storms
          P-D editorial:  To alleviate pain of student debt, Missouri should follow Oregon's lead and offer unique repayment plan for state-schoolers
          SNL op-ed:  Republicans vote to cut taxes, but turn their back on Medicaid expansion's big federal subsidy X
          SE Missourian letter:  Jerry Ford, two-term Dem state rep (1979-83), says Nixon right to veto tax break +
          P-D letter:  Vote by Rep. Keith English (D-Florissant) will help make the poor even poorer
          P-D letter:  Rex Sinquefield made his money in California, a good progressive state with higher taxes and bountiful growth
          P-D:  Union, Mo. man upset over tax cut, calls on Rex Sinquefield to pay for all of state's future needs
          Washington Missourian letter:  Area reps should vote against transportation tax;  Throwing more money at MoDOT will do nothing to fix its inherent problems
          SE Missourian letter:  Reducing the number of Missouri state rep districts would have many advantages +
          Disclosure

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        Sunday, May 11   Mother's Day
       
KC Star:  U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver receives Truman Award from Independence mayor;  "This award touches my very soul" +
          P-D:  Analysis:  A look at who benefits, and how much, from Missouri's income-tax cut
          P-D's Nicklaus:  Tax cut won't cure Missouri's ills;  True pro-growth change would have paired tax cuts with elimination of special-interest tax credits
          JCNT:  Missouri legislature considers changes to wine and grape tax credits X
          CDT:  PQ procedure might force votes in the Missouri Senate this week X
          AP:  Republicans' union bill exempts first responders
          St. Joseph News-Press:  St. Joseph School District official:  Dropping Common Core would not hurt kids X
          AP:  Missouri, other states target "patent trolls"
          P-D:  Noranda smelter, part of Bootheel economy for decades, faces uncertain future;  Ameren Missouri's biggest customer seeks a rate cut
          JCNT:  Sen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City) at Missouri Bar event:  Legislature needs more lawyers X
          CDT:  Group reaches out to legislators, wants to see Confederate battle flag fly at cemetery;  Gov. Bob Holden had Stars and Bars pulled from site in 2003 X
          JCNT:  MoDOT buying Boys and Girls Club site X
          SNL editorial:  Budget passage shows that some good stuff gets done in Jefferson City X
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri has seen slightly more job growth than Kansas;  Still, Missouri legislators pass tax cuts to keep up with neighbor +
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Rethink sales tax for roads;  Gas tax, fees on trucks are better options X
          SE Missourian letter:  Cape Farm Bureau's Larry Miller:  Opponents of Right to Farm try to confuse the issue with foreign-ownership argument +
          SNL letter:  Shame on Speaker Tim Jones for advocating tax cuts and welcoming Grover Norquist to Missouri X
          P-D letter:  Maryland Heights woman urges Missourians to "wake up," says income-tax cut shows legislators are greedy
          P-D letter:  Florissant man responds sarcastically to Lager's limited-government zeal
          P-D letter:  Containment of deer diseases in Missouri has been a cooperative effort
          Disclosure

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        Saturday, May 10
       
KOLR:  Video:  Sen. Roy Blunt says MO legislators right to be concerned about Medicaid expansion;  Junior senator also addresses Obamacare, mental health care
          P-D:  Parade magazine feature on "WalMart Moms" includes St. Louis focus group reaction
          Kraske:  Getting advance voting should be easy, but not in Missouri;  Dems, Republicans offer competing plans +
          Drebes:  Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City) reacts to statement made on House floor by Rep. Josh Peters (D-St. Louis), sends $10K to his primary opponent
          Missourinet:  House Democrats wants Medicaid expansion vote before they'll vote for transportation sales tax hike
          Missourinet:  Nixon won't veto criminal code bill
          SNL:  Complaints flare at bill that would affect Tesla sales +
          P-D:  Electric-car maker Tesla alleges 'sneak attack' in Missouri Legislature by auto dealers
          The Missouri Times:  Legislative profile:  Poplar Bluff Republican Rep. Steve Cookson:  Praise from lobbyist Franc Flotron, CEAM's Katie Casas
          CDT:  Grain Belt Express power line plan draws opposition X
          P-D:  Missouri Public Service Commission recommends against Noranda rate request
          St. Joseph News-Press:  KCP&L says environmental rules will drive up rates X
          KC Star:  Missouri set to establish 72-hour abortion waiting period +
          AP:  Condemned prisoner's lawyers:  Delicate blood vessels could lead to 'torturous' execution process
          KC Star:  Suit filed to halt Missouri execution +
          Missourinet:  Execution date set for John Winfield;  Jilted University City man unable to accept that his ex-girlfriend was over him, flew into violent jealous rage
          P-D:  Bridgeton athletic fields to remain open after radiation testing
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Harry S Truman deserves to have things named after him, in D.C. and Missouri
          KC Star Capitol Watch editorial:  Some bright spots in budget, but still no Medicaid expansion;  Steve Tilley signs on with Tesla;  Alcohol sales will be legal in Capitol +
          P-D editorial:  EPA urgency on Bridgeton should be felt at West Lake Landfill
          Horrigan:  Joe Teasdale was governor before Republicans took a hard right and started trying to punish entire categories of people
          P-D letter:  Community college instructor:  Candidates should take pledge to not accept lobbyists' gifts
          P-D letter:  National Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse's Daniel Duncan:  Missouri needs prescription drug monitoring program
          P-D letter:  Students Against Peabody:  McClellan wrong on Peabody;  Corporate/academic/political giants conspire to keep public in the dark about renewable energy
          Disclosure

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        Friday, May 9
       
KC Star:  Former Missouri Gov. Joseph 'Walkin' Joe' Teasdale dies +
          KWMU:  Obituary:  'Walkin' Joe' Teasdale, Missouri's 48th governor
          Mannies:  Teasdale's 'Walkin' Joe' image left its mark in Missouri politics
          Missourinet:  Former Missouri Gov. Joe Teasdale dies
          AP:  Former Missouri Gov. Joseph Teasdale dies at 78
          USA Today:  Vicky Hartzler, others move to stop National Guard cuts
          USA Today:  Hartzler:  Women don't need their own history museum:  "I don't like to see us continuing to divide ourselves into groups"
          AP:  Bill would rename Union Station after Truman
          KC Star:  McCaskill, Blunt want to rename D.C.'s Union Station after Truman +
          The Hill:  McCaskill, want to rename Union Station
          P-D:  Didja hear the one about the Missouri politician who joked about 4 U.S. deaths?  Rep. Stacey Newman (D-Richmond Heights) twitstigates conservatives on Benghazi
          Joplin Globe:  HUD official:  Joplin might be candidate for even more funding X
          AP:  White House says Biden to attend "economic event" in St. Louis on Tuesday
          SE Missourian:  SEMO students submit survey results to Kander;  62% of students surveyed won't sign up for Obamacare;  60% say ACA will not lower health-care costs +
          CDT:  Company to build radioisotope facility;  Project to create 68 jobs, use $884K through Missouri Works program X
          The Missouri Times:  Continuous updates on Missouri House action
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Rick Perry praises Missouri tax cut +
          Helling:  Missouri lawmakers not making deals these days;  For the good of democracy, Dems and Republicans need to start compromising +
          KWMU:  Legislature sends FY2015 budget to Nixon, touts education spending
          Missourinet:  Legislature approves $26.3B budget
          P-D:  Legislature sends $26.4B budget to Nixon's desk
          Missourinet:  Nixon issues statement on FY15 budget, continues call for Medicaid expansion
          JCNT:  Funds included for major mid-MO projects X
          JCNT:  State pay raise, college funds impact area X
          SE Missourian:  Southeast gets state funding increase +
          AP:  Missouri budget restores Medicaid benefits
          Missourinet:  Medicaid expands after all - a little
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers pass college building projects
          Missourinet:  Voter ID again sidetracked in Senate
          KC Star:  Missouri lawmakers find middle ground on Common Core +
          P-D:  Tax credits for donations to pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes and food pantries sent to Nixon
          The Missouri Times:  Pregnancy resource center benevolent tax credits increased
          SNL:  Springfield mayor upset with lawmakers over cell-phone towers, changes to government employees' retirement system X
          AP:  Missouri Senate passes parent consent bill for tanning beds
          Washington Missourian:  Bill to name bridge after former Sullivan mayor languishes in House
          SNL:  Knee surgery means Kickapoo won't get Nixon at graduation X
          The Missouri Times:  Association profile:  Arch Grants
          P-D:  Facing regulatory and activist attacks, local employer Peabody Energy seeks to bolster coal's image
          AP:  P-D parent Lee Enterprises posts $1.5M profit for fiscal 2Q;  Combined print and digital revenues down YOY, but stand-alone digital revenue increased
          JCNT editorial:  Undignified "Rally for Dignity":  Uncivilized behavior could retard protesters' message X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  GOP impeachment talk was lunacy X
          KC Star editorial:  More minority teachers needed in classrooms;  UMKC official says Caucasians may have trouble relating to struggles of young urbanites +
          KWMU op-ed:  UMSL's David Robertson and David Kimball:  Pushed into tax cuts by hard-right ALEC, Missouri conservatives just peaked
          Priddy:  Frustration and disruption:  Medicaid protesters' outburst fails to move the Senate
          Shelly:  Reactions to Medicaid protesters shows that Sen. Ryan Silvey (R-Kansas City), Rep. Myron Neth (R-Liberty) are "prissy" +
          SNL op-ed:  Missouri hemp oil bills fails to include THC X
          SE Missourian op-ed:  SEMO Ag Chair Michael Aide:  Agriculture is a job-creator for our region, nation +
          P-D letter:  Tax cut is a step toward creating a pro-business environment
          KC Star letters:  Adoption records should be open in Missouri;  Missouri rep for progressive Small Business Majority supports EPA's carbon restrictions +
          P-D letter:  Genny Jessee:  Editorial board should be ashamed of itself for politicizing the hemp oil issue
          JCNT letter:  CBD oil passage:  We all owe Willie Nelson an apology X
          P-D letter:  Festus's Bunnie Gronborg:  Republican senators should accept guilt and shame for their behavior, repent, then become advocates for Medicaid expansion
          Disclosure

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        Thursday, May 8   Truman Day - State holiday
       
KWMU:  McCaskill holds decisive role in approving Keystone XL pipeline
          KWMU:  Blunt says carbon tax would 'devastate' Missouri jobs, drive up energy costs
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Blunt's position on carbon tax +
          P-D:  Ann Wagner being considered for Benghazi investigating committee
          P-D's Chuck Raasch:  Gender politics:  Claire McCaskill, Ann Wagner crusade on alleged sexual assaults and sex trafficking
          MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show:  Video:  KC Star's Dave Helling on Missouri's "slide into conservatism," Sinquefield, "no organized liberal or progressive" efforts in state, Nixon's "low-level feud" with McCaskill, more
          MSNBC's The Last Word:  Video:  Protesters shut down Missouri Senate;  Comments from clergy, Howard Dean on Medicaid fight
          USA Today:  McCaskill takes aim at National Guard's fruitless NASCAR sponsorship
          KC Star:  Sam Graves not convinced yet on single-terminal KCI +
          KC Star:  Liberty library recognized by White House +
          AP:  Senate casts ceremonial vote on resolution validating Missouri's chess status
          KWMU:  Dick Durbin to headline Missouri Democrats' biggest fundraising event - Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, June 7 in St. Louis City
          Drebes:  Chuck Gatschenberger drops $220K of his own money into primary battle with Vicki Schneider, Bob Onder
          The Missouri Times:  Early voting petitions filed;  Missouri County Clerks Association's Susette Taylor says group supports early voting but opposes initiative's language
          Missourinet:  Legislature asks voters to consider stronger gun rights
          Washington Missourian:  Rep. Paul Curtman (R-Pacific) says he's still considering how to vote on sending transportation tax to ballot
          The Missouri Times:  House updates:  Rep. Wanda Brown (R-Lincoln) takes aim at (unnamed in story) Democrat;  Republicans jump up and down to be recognized;  More
          AP:  With one week left in session, Dems punish Rep. Keith English (D-Florissant) by stripping freshman of committee assignments
          SE Missourian:  School officials plan for increased funding;  Missouri School Boards' Assocation says income-tax cut a long-term funding concern +
          The Missouri Times:  Filibuster stalls - but doesn't kill - paycheck protection
          P-D:  Plan for Missouri to implement federal emissions regulations sent to Nixon
          P-D:  Poor Missourians could get dental coverage under changes OK'd by lawmakers
          JCNT:  Public school testing changes heard by Missouri Senate panel X
          SNL:  Bill to allow new local courts surcharge passed X
          SNL:  Student religious liberties bill from Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) heads to governor X
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers pass funeral protest law change
          JCNT:  Gov. Jay Nixon has knee surgery;  Right wheel undergoes arthroscopic procedure X
          P-D:  Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder champions Lyft ride-sharing cause
          KWMU:  EPA to test Bridgeton baseball fields for radiation
          P-D:  EPA to test Bridgeton athletic complex for radiation
          Washington Missourian:  Prayer ruling vindicates Franklin County Commission, Griesheimer says
          KWMU:  ROTC course credit returns to Washington University;  Peaceniks burned campus building in 1970
          KC Star editorial:  Evidence from other states continues to roll in - expanding Medicaid in Missouri would save lives +
          P-D editorial:  Stop the Missouri Legislature from classifying captive deer as livestock
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Harry S Truman was a man of the people, and for the people
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Sorry, ACLU - if you don't like prayers, don't listen to them
          CDT's Waters:  Photo ID laws are unnecessary;  Republicans only support increased restrictions to suppress Dem votes X
          KC Star letter:  Missouri School Boards' Association's Phil Hutchinson:  With tax cut, Missouri Republicans + Keith English just did something very dangerous +
          SNL letter:  Area woman disagrees with Rep. Kevin Austin (R-Springfield) on Medicaid, accosts strangers in "parking lots, restaurants and convenience stores" to conduct her own poll X
          P-D letter:  Heartland Institute fellow Joy Pullman defends Chappelle-Nadal's comments about public and private schools
          P-D letter:  Put the energy from renewables into Missouri's economy
          JCNT letter:  Article on nullification's history raised important questions X
          JCNT letter:  Nullification article was interesting, and Missouri Republicans are still ignorant of the U.S. Constitution X
          SNL letter:  Marijuana legalization: "Going to pot" punchline opener, condemnation of non-"wholesome" acts, suggestions for alternative stress-relieving activities X
          P-D letter:  Woman who still subscribes to newspaper explains her buyer's remorse, with "10 times the information for free on the Internet"
          Disclosure

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        Wednesday, May 7
       
St. Joseph News-Press:  Blunt speaks out for energy debate, objects to carbon tax X
          Drebes:  Former PSC Chairman Kevin Gunn launches Paladin Energy Strategies, LLC, and opens The Law Offices of Kevin D. Gunn
          KY3:  Ash Grove schools work to fix financial problems outlined in Schweich's audit
          The Missouri Times:  Continuous updates on Missouri House action
          The Missouri Times:  Continuous updates on Missouri Senate action
          Missourinet:  House votes to complete overturn of veto;  Tax-cut bill to become law
          P-D:  Missouri Legislature overrides Nixon's tax-cut veto
          P-D:  Tax-cut vote casts light on freshman Keith English (D-Florissant);  Hummel says vote may affect committee assignments next session
          KC Star:  Missouri legislators override Nixon's veto on tax cuts +
          SNL:  Lawmakers override Nixon's veto X
          CDT:  Missouri House follows Senate to override Nixon's tax-cut veto X
          Missourinet:  Nixon's response to tax-cut veto override
          AP:  Four things to know about tax cut:  What it does, who gets it, how slowly it will be phased in, and two spins on its effects
          SNL's Jonathan Shorman:  Why Nixon could not stop the tax cut X
          AP:  Protesters disrupt Medicaid debate in Senate;  Comments from African Methodist Episcopal church's Cassandra Gould
          JCNT:  Participants in "rally for dignity" yell, sing, disrupt Senate proceedings X
          CDT:  Protesters derail Senate agenda for 45 minutes X
          P-D:  Protesters chant, sing from Senate gallery;  Silvey says it's "frustrating ... to be sunk by the very people I'm trying to help"
          SNL:  Shouting protesters shut down Senate business;  Organizer suggests more agitation could be in the works X
          Missourinet:  Video:  Missouri Faith Voices disrupts Senate proceedings, performs call-and-response chants
          AP:  Missouri budget plan includes boost to education
          AP:  Missouri to use long-term debt for mental hospital
          CDT:  Funding for Fulton hospital work survives conference committee X
          Missourinet:  Legislature adopts Nixon's plan to pay for new Fulton Mental Hospital
          P-D:  Missouri lawmakers agree on funding plan for Fulton State Hospital, increases for public schools
          Missourinet:  Budget agreement includes $5.1M boost for state Children's Division
          KC Star:  Funding bump restored for Missouri's child welfare agency +
          SNL:  Children's division to get more funding X
          AP:  Missouri Senate considers limits on union fees
          P-D:  Missouri Senate rejects exemptions from abortion period for rape, incest
          AP:  Missouri Senate debates three-day abortion wait period
          P-D:  Slay's office turns to Legislature to block ACORN/MORE's anti-Peabody bill
          JCNT:  Nixon gets bill allowing alcohol sales at special Capitol events X
          KC Star:  Missouri House to drop impeachment case against Nixon +
          SNL:  Nixon to speak Friday at Kickapoo High School graduation X
          P-D:  Parkway North students visit Normandy;  Of transfer conundrum, Parkway student hypothesizes she "would be, like, majorly stressed out"
          P-D:  St. Louis City store owner admits food-stamp fraud;  Ebraheem Maki Naif pleads guilty to felony charge in federal court
          P-D editorial:  Tax-cut veto override is a knockout blow for state's future;  IBEW Local 1 cagefighter Keith English (D-Florissant) kicks Missouri in the groin
          JCNT editorial:  Hemp-oil bill should be signed into law X
          KC Star editorial:  Pass a reasonable red-light camera bill +
          CDT's Waters:  Red-light cameras:  State law change needed X
          Shelly:  Thoughts on tax-cut vote:  English destined to be lonely;  Kansas no longer cool;  Republicans still support the rich +
          KC Star's Yael Abouhalkah:  Kicking clergy out of Senate chamber caps ugly 24 hours in Jefferson City +
          P-D letter:  Former St. Louis City Health and Hospitals director supports Medicaid expansion
          KC Star letters:  Legislators should expand Medicaid;  Show-Me Institute says liberal Barb Shelly doesn't want free-market topics discussed +
          SNL letter:  Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield):  Why I voted to give my constituents a tax cut X
          Disclosure

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        Tuesday, May 6
       
KWMU:  Boeing's Growler aircraft unites Missouri's congressional delegation
          P-D:  House Armed Services head backs funding for five more Boeing growlers;  McCaskill calls competitor Lockheed's production problems "an embarrassment"
          P-D:  Ann Wagner chairing effort to recruit more female GOP candidates
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Jetton's new book, early voting, more +
          AP:  Lawmakers endorse March presidential primary
          P-D:  Democrats select Alan Green to take Rep. Steve Webb's seat for remainder of term;  Green to face three other Dems on Aug. 5 ballot for full two-year term
          Drebes:  Rep. Kim Gardner (D-St. Louis City) takes over caucus policy chairmanship from the late Rory Ellinger
          KWMU:  Teachers unions gear up to fight tenure reform;  Comments from CEAM's Katie Casas, MNEA's Mark Jones, MSTA's Mike Wood
          The Missouri Times:  Transportation tax increase shaping up as a race against time
          The Missouri Times:  Continuous updates on Missouri House action
          The Missouri Times:  Continuous updates on Missouri Senate action
          KC Star:  Fate of Missouri tax cuts rests in House after Senate votes to override Nixon's veto +
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate overrides veto of tax-cut bill;  House to vote today
          Missourinet:  Senate does its part of the override
          AP:  Missouri Senate votes to override tax-cut veto
          AP:  Senate roll call votes on tax cut
          AP:  Rep. Keith English (D-Florissant) to vote for income-tax cut, says it has triggers and fail-safes to protect state revenues
          P-D:  English to vote with Republicans, says Nixon's statements on budget "not 100 percent true"
          SNL:  Senate votes to override Nixon tax-cut veto X
          CDT:  Senate votes to override Nixon's veto of tax-cut bill X
          The Missouri Times:  Voter ID legislation makes progress in Senate
          The Missouri Times:  Video:  Kinder-Kelly debate on Ozark National Scenic Riverways
          JCNT:  Medicaid expansion survives in House;  10 different bills tagged with amendments X
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers pass notice requirement for mammograms
          Missourinet:  House committee will not vote on attempt to impeach Nixon
          JCNT:  Lawmakers send new Corrections overtime bill to Nixon X
          Riverfront Times:  Missouri's new marijuana laws are "small step" forward
          Riverfront Times:  Cornealious "Mike" Anderson freed from prison, says the first thing he wants is chicken and bacon
          P-D:  Robber, jailed 13 years after his crime, is freed
          P-D:  Photo gallery:  Family, journalists at celebration with Cornealious, LaQonna and Nevaeh Anderson
          AP:  Man convicted of armed robbery avoids 13-year prison sentence, goes home
          CDT:  Missouri Department of Revenue seeks second Columbia license office X
          Columbia Missourian:  Revenue Department could open second Columbia office
          SNL:  Editor David Stoeffler leaving for Wisconsin;  Paper seeks new executive editor X
          KC Star editorial:  Taxes in Missouri are already too low - Missouri Democrats must hold the line against tax cuts +
          Joplin Globe editorial:  A wish to see quantitative measurement of how much economic activity will be spurred by Missouri's upcoming income tax cut X
          P-D editorial:  Hemp oil should grease the doors to Medicaid expansion in Missouri
          P-D op-ed:  McCaskill, Blunt should oppose provision to take $75 million "literally [sic] out of the mouths of children and families"
          Washington Post's Joe Davidson:  IG's long stretch in limbo is unfair to him, agency and taxpayers;  Comments from McCaskill
          Phill Brooks:  Historical view of veto overrides;  Nixon doesn't develop the relationships with legislative opponents that previous governors did X
          Joplin Globe op-ed:  Missouri's rich - including people like doctors and lawyers - don't need a tax break X
          KWMU op-ed:  Normandy Supe Tyrone J. McNichols:  Transfer bill needs to become law this session
          CDT's Waters:  Sarcastic take on Missouri executions:  The condemned should be hung in broad daylight, or perhaps nailed to a cross X
          Priddy:  "Comity" Central:  Sarcastic take on lesbian divorce, nullification, and Missouri's history of dismissing federal laws
          SE Missourian letter:  Grow Missouri's Aaron Willard applauds editorial board's even-handed approach to tax-cut issue +
          P-D letter:  Tax cut is a Republican scheme to help the wealthy, and citizens should contact their rep
          P-D letter:  Kansas-based payday loan company responds to Tishaura Jones' op-ed on payday loans
          P-D letter:  Response to P-D editorial on execution missteps
          Disclosure

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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Monday, May 5
       
Rosenbaum:  A Missouri power broker's fall:  Rod Jetton's new book, "Success Can Kill You," raises questions about politics - and the type of people drawn to it
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Matt Blunt's post-gov success;  Missouri's first same-sex divorce;  More +
          P-D:  Solar industry faces key incentive loss;  Rebate that fueled huge surge in panel installations is drawing to a close
          KWMU:  Backers submit signatures for ballot proposal to eliminate teacher tenure
          SNL:  Early-voting supporters say they have enough signatures X
          AP:  Teacher tenure, early voting measures submitted to Missouri secretary of state
          Joplin Globe's Susan Redden:  Local Dems try to break GOP stronghold;  State rep candidate says GOP opposition to Medicaid expansion "just plain mean" X
          Missourinet:  Republicans prepare for veto override;  Audio of interview with Sen. Will Kraus (R-Lee's Summit)
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers plan override vote on tax cut
          KWMU:  Missouri revenue drops in April, raising questions and concerns
          Missourinet:  House, Senate budget conferees to meet with budget due Friday
          AP:  Missouri Senate looks to curb union fee collection
          P-D:  Schools have reached testing overload
          SE Missourian:  Cape district to use DESE-created survey to gauge student, parent, staff opinions of school system +
          KC Star:  Missouri considering right-to-try drug law for terminally ill patients +
          JCNT:  Hemp oil successes tempered by some risks X
          JCNT:  A look inside the 'politics' of passing the hemp oil bill X
          JCNT's Bob Watson:  Access to hemp oil passes, but why not Medicaid expansion? X
          Fox4 Kansas City:  Girl in hospital intensive care after Medicaid stopped;  State says notice is always given before coverage is stopped
          KC Star:  Missouri is debating funding for beleaguered child welfare agency +
          Missourinet:  Missouri Bar committee to propose review of expungement laws
          AP:  Nixon names acting Missouri fire marshal
          KWMU:  MoDOT makes roadway alerts more user-friendly
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Grain Belt Express faces eminent domain challenge X
          KWMU:  Former state Rep. Sam Page (D) chosen as Dem to replace Kathleen Burkett on St. Louis County Council
          AP:  Hearing set for armed robber and prison no-show Cornealious "Mike" Anderson
          JCNT editorial:  Override the veto and pass the tax cut;  Measure provides safeguards for govt. programs while providing reasonable tax relief X
          P-D editorial:  Nixon could double pardon power with Cornealious "Mike" Anderson;  Governor should set a drug convict and woman who shot husband in the head loose, too
          KC Star's Mary Sanchez:  People who oppose teacher tenure and Common Core don't understand anything about teaching +
          P-D letter:  Victims and families, not their savage killers, are dehumanized
          JCNT letter:  General Assembly focused on helping the rich at the expense of the poor - and Sen. Mike Kehoe (R) must be defeated X
          P-D letter:  Molendorp's vote a good sign Republicans may "cave in to pressure" on Medicaid;  Sen. Tom Dempsey should go along with expansion, too
          JCNT letter:  Nullification bill insults federal officers X
          JCNT letter:  Modern-day money-changers alive at well at the state Capitol X 
          Disclosure

          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Sunday, May 4
       
USA Today:  Former Missouri governor advocates for car companies;  Matt Blunt is president of American Automotive Policy Council
          P-D:  In offensive against sex trafficking, Ann Wagner steps into controversial realm
          SNL:  At News-Leader Economic Forum, hospital execs talks Obamacare, Medicaid expansion;  Comments from area union official, local job-creators X
          KC Star:  Some see proposed wind farm as a threat in Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge +
          SNL:  Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) square off in Ozark National Scenic Riverways debate X
          CDT:  Kinder, Kelly debate control of Ozark National Scenic Riverway X
          Drebes:  Filing news:  List of state rep districts for which party committees must still select candidates
          JCNT:  Today's debate over nullification actually began with Founding Fathers;  A constitutional duel continues in the Missouri Legislature X
          AP:  As clock ticks, ethics legislation appears less likely to pass
          AP:  Lawmakers mull plans for mental health facility
          CDT:  Boone County judge grants state's first same-sex divorce;  Local lesbians make Missouri history X
          SE Missourian editorial:  Override of tax-cut veto would be appropriate;  Nixon loses credibility with his sky-is-falling hyperbole +
          SNL editorial:  Legislature makes progress by cracking down on payday lenders, funding education;  Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) a "strident squeal interrupting the hum of productivity" X
          Maureen Dowd:  Clintons overpower Obama;  In light of impending Hillary campaign, McCaskill among those forced to awkwardly make nice
          Messenger:  Without funding, none of the new school plans have a chance
          CDT's Waters:  At Mizzou, MLK's niece delivers an appropriate pro-life message X
          KC Star op-ed:  Kansas lawyer:  Medicaid expansion would benefit Missouri +
          CDT op-ed:  Missouri Rural Crisis Center program director:  Medicaid expansion would benefit rural residents X
          KC Star letter:  Feds' Medicaid-expansion enticement based on same principle as others scams +
          SE Missourian letter:  Missouri Grocers Association's Dan Shaul:  Grocers support tax-cut bill +
          Disclosure

          X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Saturday, May 3
       
Washington Post's Al Kamen:  McCaskill questions John Kerry about State Department's decision to hire PR firm to coach officials
          TonysKansasCity.com:  KC GOP convention backers win $4 million in "seed money" from Missouri House budget
          P-D:  'Sovereign nation' tax schemes land true believers in prison
          KWMU:  John Boehner holds event at Dave Spence's house;  Catherine Hanaway, others attend
          Drebes:  Schupp's potential state Senate opponent Jay Ashcroft hosts Springfield fundraiser next week
          KWMU:  ALEC holds spring summit in Kansas City
          AP:  Missouri revenues falling behind projections
          KWMU:  Judge boosts Missouri's 2014 tobacco settlement payment to $110M
          P-D:  Judge rules Missouri should receive millions more in tobacco funds
          AP:  Judge orders re-figuring of Missouri's tobacco loss
          JCNT:  Nixon proposes Missouri Health Works plan X
          JCNT:  Lawmakers pass cannabis extract bill X
          KC Star:  Missouri revisits banning drug felons from food stamps +
          P-D:  Opposition to Common Core diluted in bill approved by Missouri Senate
          P-D:  Measure approved by House this week could derail state efforts to remake Normandy schools
          KWMU:  School-attendance advocacy series:  Focus on rural Missouri
          Columbia Missourian:  Bill to allocate funds for Lafferre Hall renovation advances to Missouri Senate
          JCNT:  Sen. Mike Kehoe (R-Columbia) to deliver Lincoln University graduation address next Saturday X
          P-D:  MADD to Nixon:  Veto the revised criminal code bill
          AP:  Lawyer wants to video upcoming execution
          KWMU:  Wash U's anti-Peabody protestors, who quit their sit-in last week, hold school year's final rally
          AP:  7 arrested at anti-Peabody protest
          P-D:  Narrated photo gallery:  Activists congregate outside Knight building, chant anti-Peabody catchphrases, fail to deliver strongly-worded letter to CEO
          SE Missourian:  Task force looks to 'nip' gun violence in local region +
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri Conservation Department to give lessons on cooking and cleaning fish
          KC Star "Capitol Watch" editorial:  Nixon should veto GOP tax cut +
          P-D editorial:  Chris Koster - "who puts his finger in the air as well as any politician in Missouri" does the right thing by asking EPA to weigh in on West Lake Landfill
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Bentley-driving criminal defense lawyer Scott Rosenblum a good example of why Missouri needs a drunk-driving civil forfeiture law
          CDT's Waters:  What Missouri needs is a veto of the income-tax cut and passage of the transportation sales tax X
          Washington Missourian's Bill Miller:  While legislators seek to throw money at Boeing, the Mercy hospital system quietly contributes to Missouri's well-being
          KC Star's Diuguid:  Three-paragraph column connecting anti-ALEC jabs to KC as potential GOP convention site +
          P-D "Special to the Post-Dispatch" byline:  Arnold council takes stand against right-to-work laws
          Washington Missourian letter:  Rep. Paul Curtman is exactly what constituents need in Jefferson City
          KC Star letter:  Motorcyclists should be required to wear helmets  +
          Disclosure

         X = Think before you click;  this site has chosen to limit its reporters' access to you and holds every one of your clicks against a monthly pageview limit.
         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Friday, May 2
       
Politico:  McCaskill one of 11 Senate Dems co-sponsoring pro-Keystone bill;  Blunt amendment regards carbon dioxide emissions
          USA Today:  McCaskill says increase in sexual assault reporting among troops shows female soldiers have newfound faith in system
          Politico:  McCaskill, Gillibrand bury the hatchet, work together on campus sexual assault campaign
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Nixon on tax cut;  McCaskill on sexual assaults;  Thoughts on Priddy's response to Rep. Josh Peters (D-St. Louis) +
          Drebes:  Missouri State Teachers Association forms committee to oppose Rex Sinquefield initiative petition
          KC Star:  Conservative group ALEC will meet Friday in Kansas City to develop state bills +
          Shelly:  Despite deep pockets, Rex Sinquefield is the patron saint of lost causes +
          AP:  152,335 sign up for health plans;  HHS says numbers do not reflect how many were previously uninsured, and how many switched from other health plans
          Kaiser Health News/P-D:  Missouri exceeds HHS expectations for health-care signups;  Missouri Medicaid Coalition's Michelle Trupiano says data shows people want health care
          P-D:  Medicaid bill wins symbolic vote, inches forward in Missouri House
          SE Missourian:  Local lawmakers support smaller tax increase for transportation +
          KC Star:  Nixon vetoes income tax bill +
          KC Star:  Nixon points to Kansas as one more reason for tax-cut veto +
          KWMU:  Nixon vetoes tax-cut bill, calls it "dangerous scheme"
          Missourinet:  Nixon vetoes tax-cut bill, offers counters to Republican arguments
          P-D:  Nixon vetoes tax-cut bill, says it would devastate schools
          AP:  Nixon vetoes income-tax cut
          SE Missourian:  MSBA president says school boards "under attack like never before";  Phil Hutchinson opposes tax cut, says transfer bill has turned into a "voucher bill" +
          AP:  Lawmakers pass bill to limit jobless benefits
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers pass changes to payday loans;  Sen. Scott Sifton (D-St. Louis) says bill isn't perfect, but provides "some great consumer protection"
          P-D:  Payday loan bill approved by Legislature, but activists still not pleased
          KWMU:  Eric Schmitt shares son's medical saga in support of bill allowing hemp use in Missouri
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers pass cannabis extract bill
          Missourinet:  Fighting seizures with hemp oil
          P-D:  Hemp extract bill to treat epilepsy sent to Nixon
          The Missouri Times:  Hemp oil heads to Nixon's desk
          KC Star:  Missouri Legislature approves cannabis extract sought by parents of ailing kids +
          AP:  Missouri House defeats newborn care legislation
          SNL:  Former Greene County prosecutor Jill Patterson 'disappointed and angry' with Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) over remarks regarding Children's Division workers X
          CDT:  Legislative supporters of criminal code overhaul say DWI issue minor, fixable X
          AP:  Missouri Senate OKs bill that could pave the way for state to ditch Common Core
          SE Missourian:  Sen. Wayne Wallingford receives Silver Star banner from Nixon;  Cape Republican served on B-52 bomber in Vietnam, as intelligence officer during first Gulf War +
          CDT:  Nixon honors four veterans during ceremony X
          P-D:  Nixon revisits St. Charles County tornado area
          P-D editorial:  Nixon should pull the plug on Missouri executions, but he doesn't have the courage
          SNL editorial briefs:  Nixon should sign criminal code bill;  Jones, Grover Norquist should have done a better job coordinating their anti-tax messaging to have a more powerful impact X
          KC Star editorial:  Conservative ALEC gathering will work on power and policy;  Liberals' allegations that ALEC operates in secrecy are only party true +
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Voters may get to decide on transportation tax - but will enough local projects make the cut? X
          SE Missourian op-ed:  Americans for Prosperity-Missouri's Patrick Werner:  Nixon must choose between higher taxes and big government or limited government and reasonable spending +
          Helling:  Tax policies in Missouri and Kansas are broken beyond words X
          P-D op-ed:  Former state Rep. Tishaura Jones (D-St. Louis City):  Legislature should limit payday loan industry
          McClellan:  A success story at Normandy high:  Youngster transfers from good school to Normandy, maintains superior academic status, is accepted to Washington University
          CDT op-ed:  Missouri Egg Council's Jo Manhart responds to HSUS complaints about comfort of Missouri hens X
          Disclosure

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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.



        Thursday, May 1
       
The Hill:  Democrats double down on strategy of running against Koch brothers;  Blunt:  Dems' change-the-subject plan "not sticking, and I don't this this will either"
          Washington Post:  Cost of Pentagon weapons systems up a half-trillion dollars, delays of more than two years;  Comments from McCaskill
          KWMU:  Clay invites Paul Ryan to St. Louis to see GOP budget's effects on the poor, old, homeless, et al.;  Ryan's office is politely evasive
          P-D:  Lacy Clay, Jason Smith lead effort to make St. Louis chess capital
          AP:  Nixon taps aide Dustin Allison to be Missouri consumer advocate
          The Missouri Times:  Lobbyist profile:  Ward Cook, Cozad Company
          CDT:  Columbia yoga studio owner battles state over workers' status;  Hearing with Dept. of Labor and Industrial Relations "referee" is today X
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Tax-cut indecision makes Jeff Roorda the most popular legislator in the state;  McCaskill on minimum wage +
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking:  Majority Leader John Diehl (R-Town and Country) on tax cut, Dems' attempts to pressure Roorda, prospects of sales tax for transportation passage
          AP:  Missouri House endorses student transfer bill
          AP:  Roll call vote on student transfer bill
          KWMU:  Missouri House amends, then passes, student transfer fix
          Missourinet:  House passes student transfer fix with scaled-back private school option
          KC Star:  Missouri House approves student transfer bill with scaled-down private school option +
          P-D:  Missouri House OKs school transfer bill
          JCNT:  Rep. Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City) helps guide school transfer bill to passage X
          Missourinet:  Rep. Josh Peters (D-St. Louis) says idea to debate transfer law in private session only a 'message'
          Priddy:  Peters' closed-doors proposal "outlandish. Unforgiveable. Gutless."
          P-D:  Normandy residents hold protest in Jefferson City over schools
          The Missouri Times:  "Normandy Strong" activists rally at the Capitol
          CDT:  MADD cites concern over wording in Criminal Code bill X
          AP:  Missouri Senate passes gun nullification bill
          P-D:  Missouri Senate approves bill to penalize enforcement of federal gun laws
          SNL:  Senate passes bill nullifying federal gun laws X
          Missourinet:  Federal gun law nullification bill back to House
          KBIA:  Missouri's 72-hour abortion wait time bill likely to pass this session
          AP:  Botched execution offers new evidence to attorneys;  Clayton Lockett, who shot a woman and watched while accomplices buried her alive, survives 40 minutes longer than intended
          KWMU:  Oklahoma murderer dies via heart attack;  No comment from Missouri Department of Corrections
          AP:  Nixon has no plans to halt Missouri executions
          SE Missourian:  Cape murderer set for execution May 21;  Nixon supports "the ultimate punishment" for the "most merciless and violent crimes" +
          P-D:  Nixon has no plans to halt Missouri's executions
          KC Star:  Nixon:  Missouri has a different execution protocol and uses a different drug than Oklahoma +
          The Missouri Times:  Hemp oil bill nears final approval
          JCNT:  Senators asked to approve hemp growth X
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers back opening office in Israel
          SNL:  Lawmakers add more reasons to impeach Nixon X
          Missourinet:  Lawmakers must decide whether to proceed with impeachment of Nixon
          AP:  Impeachment hearings against Nixon wrap up, no vote yet
          P-D:  Baseball tournament moved from Bridgeton following concerns about radioactive West Lake Landfill
          Drebes:  Help wanted:  Conservation Federation of Missouri seeks deputy director, pays $50K-$65K
          KC Star:  Former Sen. Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph) named President and CEO of Truman Medical Centers +
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Charlie Shields gets top job at Truman Medical X
          P-D editorial:  Lamping is right - GOP's inconsistency on tax cuts vs. sales tax increase is "stupid"
          KC Star editorial:  Murderer sentenced to died on May 21 has delicate veins;  Nixon should postpone execution to seek more information +
          The Hill op-ed:  Brewer Science CEO Terry Brewer (Rolla, Mo.):  Blunt's bipartisan Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act would help keep America a world leader
          KC Star's Mary Sanchez:  Lifting Missouri's lifetime food stamp ban for drug offenders just makes sense +
          Washington Missourian's Bill Miller:  Thoughts on Common Core and tampering with tried-and-true education methods
          Washington Missourian letter:  Missouri Republicans don't really support right to carry or right to work, they just hate Obama and government
          SNL letter:  Missouri Republicans' nullification plans start with guns, might be expanded to attack gays and minorities X
          P-D letter:  Let Common Core succeed without interference from educators, politicians
          SNL letter:  Springfield teacher supports Common Core X
          P-D letter:  Using public funds for private schools is not education reform
          JCNT letter:  Adding to fuel tax would be the fairest way to pay for roads X
          KC Star letter:  If a motorcyclist chooses not to wear a helmet, Missouri taxpayers shouldn't support sustaining his scrambled brains +
          Disclosure

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         + = This site has chosen to provide its reporters with access to you by waiving its pageview limit for all links posted on johncombest.com.


       


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

       



       


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