johncombest.com

Missouri's political news website since October 2001.

Archive - April 2014




    


        Wednesday, April 30
       
SE Missourian:  Minimum-wage bill introduced in U.S. Senate causes concern among business owners +
          AP:  McCaskill, Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) target wasteful federal bonuses
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  McCaskill on bonuses, Grover Norquist on Missouri tax cut +
          KWMU:  River commerce group supports Missouri River container-on-barge effort
          AP:  Industry backs move to broaden river shipping
          CDT's Ashley Jost "Learning Curve" column:  McCaskill attends Biden event on campus sexual assault X
          Politico:  McCaskill attends White House event focused on campus sexual assault
          KC Star:  Missouri officials applaud White House effort on rape;  UMKC boys will parade in high heels to "raise awareness" of violence +
          Drebes:  Comparing April fundraising quarters for Dem, GOP House, Senate and state party committees
          AP:  U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman strikes down Wisconsin voter ID law;  Missouri Republicans' proposal would make state standards among the toughest
          Missourinet:  Rep. Jeff Roorda (D-Barnhart) says he's still undecided on tax cut, is being courted by Nixon and Speaker Jones:  "My vote's very much in play"
          The Missouri Times:  Pork and poultry farmers urge Nixon to support tax cut
          Priddy:  Could politicians' tactics be holding up tax cut?
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate passes scaled-back transportation sales tax proposal
          Missourinet:  Transportation sales tax takes Senate cut
          JCNT:  Senate supports transportation sales tax X
          P-D:  Missouri Senate approves sending salex tax for transportation to voters
          AP:  Roll call vote on transportation tax
          Missourinet:  Rep. Dave Hinson (R-St. Clair):  House will try to pass three-fourth cent transportation sales tax
          JCNT:  Senate-passed budget includes Fulton, St. Mary's hospital projects;  State employee pay raise safe from negotiations X
          CDT:  Senate OKs committee's spending bills X
          CDT:  Funding for mid-Missouri projects moves ahead in Jefferson City X
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate passes state budget;  Negotiations over final version are next
          P-D:  Education stays a priority in budget OK'd by Senate
          KC Star:  Fight over private school funds snags Missouri student transfer bill +
          Joplin Globe's Emily Younker:  Higher education officials question 'job placement' data as performance criteria in funding bill X
          SNL:  Criminal Code rewriters demand of Nixon:  Tell us what is wrong with bill X
          The Missouri Times:  Key players in Criminal Code gather to "send a message" to Nixon
          Missourinet:  Rep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia), Sen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City), other Criminal Code rewrite backers urge Nixon to sign it into law
          JCNT:  Nixon pressed to sign new Criminal Code X
          AP:  Missouri Senate weighs Common Core standards
          KBIA:  Interactive graphic:  As Missouri considers 72-hour abortion wait time, a look at other states' laws
          CDT:  Alveda King, niece to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivers pro-life talk to Mizzou students X
          AP:  Lawmakers OK lines of credit to casino gamblers
          P-D:  Koster seeks action on radioactive landfill in Bridgeton
          P-D:  Missouri Supreme Court won't hear Arnold, Ellisville red-light camera cases
          Missouri Ruralist:  Missouri farmers - including Ag Director Richard Fordyce - get rolling in the fields
          Columbia Missourian:  Convict - once accused of jailhouse stabbing and later exonerated by DNA evidence - speaks about being wrongfully convicted
          Missourinet:  State reps participate in charity MMA, sumo-suit fights
          P-D editorial:  College campuses must be assault-free zones
          Shelly:  Missouri Republicans want a tax cut for the rich, and a sales tax increase for the rest of us +
          CDT op-ed:  Missouri Chamber of Commerce's Dan Mehan:  Nixon 'facts' wrong on tax relief;  Business, workers will benefit from tax cuts X
          P-D op-ed:  Normandy School District "instructional coach" Inda Schaenen:  Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro ignores Normandy's bold plan for action
          P-D op-ed:  Federal Reserve Bank's Mary C. Suiter:  Striving for greater personal financial capability;  Missouri requires high school students take a course on personal finance
          SNL op-ed:  Departing columnist Roger Ray struck by "jumble of emotions" after being cut, shares wistful recollections of receiving "hate mail," being recognized in restaurants X
          KC Star letter:  Missouri Republicans are "exhibitionist lawmakers" who cater to paranoid people packing guns +
          P-D letter:  Common Core math standards work extremely well
          P-D letter:  Response to Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-University City) on public schools, private schools and taxes
          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, April 29
       
KWMU:  Nixon proposes new Medicaid expansion program, catching legislators off guard;  MO Chamber's Dan Mehan critical of governor's timing
          KRCU:  Nixon outlines new health care proposal
          SE Missourian:  Nixon says Medicaid expansion could help small businesses, low-wage employees +
          AP:  Nixon adds new wrinkle to Medicaid expansion plan
          KWMU:  House proposal could put spotlight on asthma care in rural Missouri
          SE Missourian:  In Cape visit, Speaker Tim Jones touts tax-cut bill +
          SNL:  Grover Norquist:  Tax-cut bill will become law X
          AP:  Norquist touts Missouri tax cut;  Missouri School Boards' Association concerned about loss to state revenue
          JCNT:  Dueling news conferences debate tax-cut bill;  Nixon faces Thursday deadline for action X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Nixon defends stance against tax cut X
          AP:  Missouri Senate backs education-funding increase
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate passes budget bills for K-12, higher education
          SE Missourian:  Missouri legislation seeks to toss out Common Core +
          KWMU:  St. Louis Clergy Coalition voices support for St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams' school-improvement plan
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers pass ban on tracking students
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Lamping on incongruence between tax cuts and tax increase;  McCaskill on Donald Sterling +
          AP:  Missouri Senate to take up one-cent sales tax for transportation
          P-D:  Conviction of ex-Rep. Steve Webb (D-Florissant) opens wide fight for state rep seat
          Drebes:  Missouri Association for Social Welfare says it is considering name change:  "unfortunately the word 'welfare' has been used as a wedge issue politically"
          SE Missourian:  Judge to hear motion for new trial in case of man who hit SEMO provost, other joggers with car;  Vincent Anderson, pal Marcus Jones recorded their crime with cell-phone camera +
          KWMU:  Big-city mayors speak out against gun nullification bills at Missouri Capitol
          KC Star:  Sly James, Francis Slay urge legislators to reject bill to nullify federal gun laws +
          AP:  Hearings delayed on Ameren rate changes
          JCNT:  Family of man in jail for drugs seeks clemency X
          AP:  Missouri man serving life for marijuana seeks clemency
          JCNT editorial:  Easing helmet law would reverse emphasis on safety X
          P-D editor Gilbert Bailon:  Newspaper introduces pay-for-access content:  "stlEXTRA!"
          P-D/Lee Enterprises (NYSE:  LEE) management FAQs:  "Political Fix Extra" stories require readers to pay
          Hartmann:  Think again:  A second chance for justice:  Ronnie White should not be slandered again
          P-D op-ed:  Hobby Lobby lawyer Josh Hawley:  Ethics reform can restore confidence in Missouri's political system
          KWMU op-ed:  St. Louis City church pastor supports Medicaid expansion
          P-D letter:  To save money, let children start kindergarten earlier
          SE Missourian letter:  Oppose Right to Farm and keep the Chinese from taking over more land:  "Who do you want as your neighbor?" +
          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, April 28
       
CBS:  Video:  McCaskill prepares to take on sexual assault on campus
          Washington Post:  Pols condemn comments attributed to L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling;  McCaskill calls him "ignorant racist"
          Daily Journal:  Local soldiers deploy to Afghanistan;  Nixon, others speak
          Drebes:  Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst responds to critics of wife's fundraising, says too much of Shamed Dogan's haul came from people who live in D.C. and Virginia
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Diehl vs. Nixon tax-cut debate, Hartzler opponent, Lamping and Common Core +
          SNL:  Grover Norquist coming to Cape Girardeau, Springfield to support tax cut X
          Drebes:  Former Gov. Matt Blunt weighs in on tax cut and foundation formula
          AP:  Analysis:  Missouri lawmakers give mixed messages in tax cut, transportation sales tax proposals
          JCNT:  Road tax on different path this year X
          JCNT:  Lake Area Council of Local Governments, MoDOT drafting transportation priority list X
          Missourinet:  Senate ready for budget debate
          KWMU:  Budget, student transfers, transportation tax fill Missouri lawmakers' plates this week
          Joplin Globe's Susan Redden:  Area legislators' priorities:  Sales tax for roads, "paycheck protection," Right to Farm, veterans' health care, protecting students from "Pop Tart-gun" discipline X
          P-D:  Hemp oil treatment for children with epilepsy gains traction in Missouri;  Matt and Genny Jessee head to Colorado to help daughter June, hope to come back
          Missourinet:  Child advocacy group pleased with criminal code passage;  Comments from Missouri Kids First's Emily van Schenkhof
          KC Star:  Jackson County's child welfare division continues to fall short;  Comments from Rep. Jeremy LaFaver (D-Kansas City), Missouri Kids First's Emily van Schenkhof +
          P-D:  Battle over school choice looms over Legislature
          St. Joseph News-Press:  State fluoride bill would require pre-vote notice X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Impeachment talks not taken lightly;  Rep. Galen Higdon (R-St. Joseph) tells panel, "I'm not real anxious to do this" X
          JCNT editorial:  Tax-cut hyperbole:  "Crippling impact" vs. "scare tactic" X
          Priddy:  In tax-cut debate, full rhetoric ahead:  Overheated hyperbole pits "dangerous scheme" vs. "Nixon's hypocrisy"
          KC Star's Diuguid:  Expanding Medicaid would help the mentally ill +
          Washington Missourian letter:  Rep. Paul Curtman (R-Pacific):  Proposal to rejigger tax brackets added to SB 509 - a "light tax policy reform bill"
          P-D letter:  The superwealthy keep getting richer, while legislative "clowns" want to raise sales tax for transportation
          JCNT editorial:  Reader wonders how state has money for sidewalks along Missouri Boulevard but no money for bridges X
          KC Star letter:  Self-identified conservative Republican man says he supports Sen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City), wonders if Missouri should slow down a bit on gay rights +
          JCNT letter:  Retain Conservation agency oversight of deer X
          SE Missourian letter:  HSUS' Joe Maxwell responds to Right to Farm op-ed;  Hens and pigs are cramped, while an increasing number of farms are being run by foreigners +
          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, April 27
       
CBS:  McCaskill to promote sexual-assault crusade on "Face the Nation" this morning
          CDT's Ashley Jost "Learning Curve" column:  Roundup:  McCaskill's sexual-assault tour, UMSL newspaper, MU and other higher-ed happenings X
          SE Missourian:  Ozone standards may change by summer in Perry, Ste. Genevieve counties +
          Daily Dunklin Democrat:  City waiting on EPA response to wastewater lawsuit
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Social Welfare Board, YWCA may see federal funds cut X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Local sheriff disagrees with Holder's suggestion of expanding clemency for drug convicts X
          CDT:  Rep. Paul Curtman (R-Pacific), others speak at Missouri Cannabis Conference X
          JCNT:  Right-to-work bill divides Missourians X
          JCNT:  Measuring effect of right-to-work laws on economy is difficult X
          JCNT:  Missouri Senate will debate budget tomorrow X
          AP:  Common Core could be booted from Missouri
          P-D:  Missouri Legislative Black Caucus forum focuses on education
          KC Star:  It's been a wild ride for the Kansas City school board +
          P-D:  State air pollution program facing insolvency
          P-D:  Advocacy pushed Highway FF upgrades to the top of MoDOT's list
          Brownfield Ag News:  For first time as Ag Director, Richard Fordyce to attend Missouri State Fair
          SNL editorial:  As with last year's HB 253, Nixon should veto tax cut X
          P-D editorial:  Progress on pre-K funding in Legislature, but heavy lifting remains
          JCNT editorial:  Nixon should put qualms aside and sign criminal code revision X
          SNL op-ed:  Springfield Board of Education's Gerry Lee:  Tax-cut scheme would take money from education X
          SNL's Jonathan Shorman:  An eagle visited the Capitol, and it was pretty cool;  Photo gallery:  Journalists, bloggers try hard to take pictures X
          SNL letter:  Response to previous response on minimum-wage statistics X
          SNL letter:  Sales tax the wrong way to pay for transportation infrastructure;  The trucking industry should pay more for what they do to Missouri roads X
          P-D letter:  Sarcastic response to McClellan's column on Peabody protesters
          P-D letter:  Barnes Jewish's Dr. David Berg:  Anti-coal group's data says coal causes air-pollution deaths in St. Louis
          P-D letter:  University City man believes Missouri should follow Illinois' lead and ban the death penalty
          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, April 26
       
Columbia Missourian:  25-year-old seeking to defeat U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler says he'll eschew big fundraising/spending and win via door-to-door effort
          CDT:  Dem Central Committee vice chair acknowledges Hartzler's re-election status, but says 25-year-old opponent seems "bright and energetic" and "likes politics a lot" X
          KC Star:  Republican convention team gives Kansas City a look +
          Waynesville Daily Guide:  McCaskill:  Local community support makes Fort Leonard Wood special
          P-D:  Missourians head out to tear down more bases in Afghanistan
          Joplin Globe:  Mercy Health System to receive $23M FEMA grant;  McCaskill announces disaster relief funds X
          CDT:  Details in tobacco settlement case emerging X
          Warrensburg Daily Star-Journal:  Local hospital board says it might consider supporting Medicaid expansion
          Kraske:  Getting more Missouri Democrats elected would have helped Nixon now;  2012 Dem state rep candidate says gov not helpful:  "He's looking out for himself" +
          Joplin Globe's Susan Redden:  Missouri GOP lawmakers defend tax-cut bill X
          The Missouri Times:  Diehl challenges Nixon to tax-cut debate
          P-D:  Missouri Republicans leaders continue to push 'right to work' bill
          The Missouri Times:  Profile:  Rep. Ron Hicks (R-St. Peters):  Thoughts on right to work, his friendship with Tim Jones, new suits and eyeglasses, more
          P-D:  Video:  Veteran reporters David Nicklaus and Jim Gallagher visit the zoo, debate sales tax for transportation
          JCNT:  'Problem' found in criminal code overhaul - regarding pseudoephedrine control - has an answer, lawmakers say X
          KWMU:  School transfer law should include private school option, lawmakers say
          P-D:  Activists say their independent testing shows high level of radiation in drainage ditch at Bridgeton park
          P-D:  St. Charles County residents could vote in August on red-light cameras
          KWMU:  St. Charles County Council to consider red-light camera ban
          P-D:  Washington University students cease Peabody protest after 16 days
          The Missouri Times:  Profile:  St. Louis City Alderman Shane Cohn (D)
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Week in the Missouri Legislature shows seriousness vs. silliness:  Bipartisan criminal code overhaul vs. absurd impeachment hijinks
          KC Star "Capitol Watch" editorial:  Republican show their meanness by opposing tuition breaks for students here illegally;  Impeachment measures are a waste of time +
          SNL op-ed:  Rep. Kevin Austin (R-Springfield):  Nixon misleads about tax-cut bill X
          P-D op-ed:  Slay, Sly James oppose nullification bill
          KC Star's Yael Abouhalkah:  Urban mayors Slay, James right to oppose gun bill +
          P-D letter:  Republican men help lead the war on women
          P-D letter:  Tell the people sitting around you "rest in peace" because they might die from Republicans' unwillingness to expand Medicaid
          KC Star letter:  Kansas man weighs in on Missouri's campaign finance/lobbyist-gift debate +
          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, April 25
       
Washington Post:  Blunt among 22 Republicans expressing 'grave concern' on Obama's deportation review
          Washington Times:  GOP senators blast Obama for failing to enforce immigration laws
          P-D's Raasch:  A Jeb Bush candidacy would show differences with many Republicans - including Blunt - on immigration
          JCNT:  Local pastor to join group visiting D.C. for immigration lobbying;  Local advocate:  "notion that illegal aliens don't pay taxes is inaccurate" X
          SNL:  Laura Bush speaks at Cherry Blossom Gala Dinner in Marshfield X
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Emanuel Cleaver and Paul Ryan +
          Missourinet:  House votes to move primary elections to June
          AP:  Missouri House approves June primary election date
          P-D:  Missouri House likely to debate bill limiting lobbyist gifts
          Missourinet:  Middle-class tax cut stalled
          SE Missourian:  Paycheck Protection Act awaits approval in state Senate;  Rep. Holly Rehder says some union-member constituents have thanked her for her support +
          KC Star:  Study by Medicaid expansion supporters says low-wage workers in Missouri would benefit most +
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Medicaid expansion would benefit the working poor, report claims X
          P-D:  Health care advocacy group says most of Missouri's uninsured who need Medicaid are working
          SE Missourian:  Local attorneys weigh in on proposed criminal code overhaul +
          Missourinet:  Missouri legislature passes proposed rewrite of criminal code
          Missourinet:  Criminal code crafters honored with superhero artwork
          KWMU:  Comprehensive rewrite of Missouri criminal code passes easily but future unsure
          P-D:  Missouri Legislature passes revamp of criminal code
          The Missouri Times:  Criminal code will arrive on Nixon's desk soon
          SNL:  Lawmakers send criminal code overhaul to governor X
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers pass criminal code overhaul
          P-D:  Missouri House approves extension of 'Castle Doctrine' to guests
          CDT:  Missouri Senate panel wants to approve funds for license plate scanners X
          Drebes:  Sen. David Sater (R-Cassville) replaces Sen. Jay Wasson (R-Nixa) on Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee
          The Missouri Times:  House approves hemp extract bill for medical use
          Missourinet:  House sends hemp oil legislation to the Senate
          AP:  House passes cannabis extract legislation
          Joplin Globe:  Ruling modifies gas rates;  Missouri Gas Energy says bills to remain about the same X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Regulators clip Missouri Gas Energy's rate plan X
          Student Life (Washington University):  Students Against Peabody quits sit-in after 16 days;  Organizer says hanging out near admin building "not an effective tactic anymore"
          SE Missourian:  Stephen Limbaugh honored with Good Scout award;  Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder presents award +
          P-D editorial:  Letting the wind blow in Missouri;  Lawmakers should be embracing the Grain Belt Express
          KC Star editorial:  Reckless lawmaking in Missouri fails to protect citizens from guns +
          SNL op-ed:  Americans for Prosperity's Patrick Werner:  AFP-Missouri supports cap on state government spending X
          P-D op-ed:  BJC CEO Stephen Lipstein:  The connection between Obamacare and charity care
          KC Star's Diuguid:  Liberalizing helmet law in Missouri takes state down deadly path +
          P-D letter:  Missouri needs jobs and revenue from Medicaid expansion
          SNL letter:  Medicaid saved diabetic Democrat's life X
          KC Star letters:  Missouri needs an ethics bill, does not need nullification bill +
          P-D letter:  Gov. Nixon can be a climate hero by supporting new EPA regulations
          CDT letter:  Missouri Public Health Advocacy Coalition's Michelle Pfister:  Stream, Schaefer tobacco loophole bills deserve support 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.




        Thursday, April 24
       
Washington Post:  Probe:  DHS watchdog cozy with officials, altered reports as he sought job;  McCaskill's subcommittee opened original inquiry
          Washington Post:  48 states, including Missouri, not using federal aid for part-timers and the unemployed
          Washington Times:  Rep. Emanuel Cleaver to meet with Paul Ryan;  GOP lawmaker offered commentary on urban males' lack of work ethic
          Politico:  Emanuel Cleaver appears on MSNBC, says Paul Ryan fell into "mouth trap"
          KC Star:  Former Rep. Ray Salva (D-Sugar Creek) gets probation for Social Security fraud +
          KWMU:  "Politically Speaking":  Rep. Chris Kelly (D) on Nixon's executive-branch overreach, term limits, GOP tax cut proposal, criminal code fortunes, more
          AP:  Missouri House endorses June primary election
          The Missouri Times:  Medicaid expansion supporters hold 'vigil' at Capitol
          AP:  Nixon signs supplemental budget legislation
          AP:  Missouri Senate panel approves spending plan
          CDT:  Senate committee approves budget plan X
          Missourinet:  House Republicans say Fulton project support not tied to tax cut bill's fate
          P-D:  A few key legislators could determine fate of Missouri tax cut;  Roorda (D) says bill is not perfect, but "it does do something for working-class folks"
          Missourinet:  Nixon sets stage for tax-bill veto;  legislators plan override strategy
          CDT:  Nixon rallies tax-cut opposition at Columbia Public Schools X
          SNL:  Claimed flaw in tax bill concerns local leaders X
          Washington Missourian:  Area superintendent says tax-cut proposal would have 'critical' impact on his district's budget
          KWMU:  Rep. Rick Stream (R-Kirkwood) says House working to get student-transfer bill done
          AP:  House panel OKs Missouri student transfer bill
          P-D:  Missouri House committee OKs school transfer bill
          JCNT:  Legislation from Rep. Elijah Haahr offers protection for religious rights in public schools X
          AP:  Missouri Senate backs potential for preschool ratings
          JCNT:  State officials hope bill can 'fix' child-support issue X
          The Missouri Times:  "Paycheck protection" gets Senate hearing;  Chairman Mike Parson does not allow liberal group ProgressMissouri to film hearing
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri Council of Fire Fighters hold annual lobby day
          The Missouri Times:  Firefighters union presents award to Rep. Noel Torpey (R-Independence)
          The Missouri Times:  Labor leaders honor longtime boss Hugh McVey
          The Missouri Times:  Koster's office reviewing Kraus' call for opinion on gun nullification proposal
          Missourinet:  Video:  Clark, a bald eagle from St. Louis' World Bird Sanctuary, visits Missouri House
          AP:  House panel hears impeachment arguments
          The Missouri Times:  Republicans begin impeachment hearings
          Missourinet:  Impeachment hearings begin
          SNL:  Impeachment effort faces skepticism X
          KC Star:  Missouri lawmakers debate impeaching Nixon +
          P-D editorial:  The culture of cashing in consumes Missouri politics
          Washington Missourian editorial:  We got a new bridge, but ... MoDOT still needs more money, and federal officials should continue push to bring funds home
          SNL op-ed:  Tax-cut bill would put money back into Missouri economy X
          P-D op-ed:  SLU law students:  Missouri Dept. of Corrections set to become one of the largest nursing home systems in Missouri - time to let old and harmless inmates go
          Washington Missourian letter:  Supporter of Rep. Paul Curtman responds to paper's "Wishy-Washy Representative" editorial
          KC Star letters:  Republican legislation is intended to help the wealthy, keep lower classes in their place +
          Washington Missourian letter:  A day at the Capitol shows Republicans want to help the wealthy, confuse voters at the ballot box
          SNL letter:  Republicans want to take Missouri into the Dark Ages via gun bill, opposition to Medicaid expansion X
          CDT letter:  Truck stop owner says toll roads will never be right for Missouri X
          P-D letter:  Oppose bills that would re-define white-tailed deer as livestock
          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.



        Wednesday, April 23
       
P-D:  Jesse Jackson visits St. Louis to support Medicaid expansion in Missouri
          AP:  Sen. Roy Blunt stops by Missouri Capitol
          Bloomberg:  Campus sexual assault hearings planned by McCaskill
          AP:  Nixon raises new concern about income tax cut;  Diehl calls governor's argument "utterly ridiculous," "laughable" and "absurd"
          KSMU:  Nixon again slams income tax proposal;  Supporters of tax cut call governor's position "laughable"
          Columbia Missourian:  Nixon and Republicans differ by $4.2B on interpretation of tax cut bill
          Missourinet:  Nixon, GOP square off over potential flaw in tax-cut bill;  Audio from Nixon counsel Ted Ardini, Linda Luebbering, John Diehl
          CDT:  Nixon, GOP lawmakers continue battle of tax-cut rhetoric X
          KWMU:  Nixon's latest battle with general assembly resembles earlier fight
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Nixon, lawmakers remain at odds over tax cut X
          P-D:  Nixon says Republican tax-cut bill would cost Missouri billions
          KC Star:  Nixon says tax-cut bill contains a 'crippling' flaw +
          KWMU:  Missouri School Boards' Association opposes tax cut, releases infographic detailing potential impacts on district budgets
          AP:  Rep. Jeff Roorda (D-Barnhart) unsure how he'll vote on tax-cut override
          Joplin Globe:  Neosho teachers express support for Common Core standards X
          KWMU:  Normandy task force ponders how district will be governed
          AP:  Senate panel adopts provision to ensure in-state tuition is provided only to American citizens
          P-D:  Undocumented student tuition language remains in budget bill
          KWMU:  Harris Stowe State University names Dwaun Warmack new president
          CDT:  Rep. John Wright (D-Rocheport) files bill to boost college giving;  Schools would get tax credits X
          CDT:  MU faculty spend two hours recounting Vietnam War protest stories X
          AP:  House OKs cannabis extract for epilepsy
          AP:  Gov. Jay Nixon (D) denies clemency for muderer, says William Rousan deserved execution for "cold-blooded plot"
          Missourinet:  Attorney General Chris Koster (D):  Murderer displayed "an appalling indifference to human life" - all for "two cows, soda, a VCR and some jewelry"
          Missourinet:  Son whose parents were murdered by William Rousan:  Death penalty "a humane and permanent prevention of further criminal activities by the convicted inmate"
          Missourinet:  State executes William Rousan
          AP:  Man who avoided jail petitions Dept. of Corrections, seeks credit for 13 years he was at large
          SE Missourian:  Kander's office promotes Safe at Home program;  Women being stalked can use P.O. Box as address for public documents +
          KSMU:  MoDOT giving away six bridges, seeks takers
          Washington Missourian:  Coal ash landfill hearing delayed due to death in board member's family
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  With tax-cut histrionics, Nixon is grasping at straws X
          P-D editorial:  Nixon's argument is correct - Legislature's language accidentally eliminates the income tax
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Republican efforts on nullification demonstrate bad aim X
          P-D op-ed:  Daughter of Mexican immigrant says Missouri should give in-state tuition to students here illegally
          Columbia Missourian's David Rosman:  Missouri Dems and Republicans should get together and do something about campaign finance reform, give everyone an equal voice, etc.
          CDT's Waters:  MAP, etc. - the advent of Common Core X
          P-D letter:  Gas tax, not sales tax, is best way to pay for roads
          P-D letter:  Bill benefiting luxury retirement centers defies sound public policy
          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.
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        Tuesday, April 22   Earth Day
       
KWMU:  State parties retool for fall elections;  Dems name Crystal Brinkley new exec director, Kristen Self as director of campaigns
          AP:  Missouri Democrats name new staff leaders
          The Hill:  Senators press task force on college assault reforms
          Drebes:  Nixon withdraws two nominees:  Dems Joseph Carroll (Ethics Commission) and Kent Emison (Conservation Commission)
          KC Star:  Substantive reform of ethics rules appears unlikely in Missouri legislature +
          CDT:  Lawmakers at odds over blame on tobacco settlement penalty X
          P-D:  Sen. Will Kraus (R-Lee's Summit) asks Koster's opinion on federal gun law nullification bill
          KC Star:  Kraus seeks Koster opinion on proposed gun nullification law +
          AP:  Missouri Senate panel looks to conclude budget work
          KWMU:  Nixon visits Rockwood Summit High School, says tax cut would hurt schools
          SNL:  Nixon visits Springfield school, criticizes tax cut X
          Missourinet:  Nixon tour to hit UMKC, MSU, Capitol, Columbia Public School District today
          AP:  Nixon tour targets tax-cut measure
          KC Star:  Private-school provision could doom Missouri student transfer bill, forum participants say +
          KWMU:  Mining data for student success;  Missouri School Improvement Plan Five (MSIP5), more
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers debating Bright Flight changes
          Missourinet:  Cost of "shared hours" bill studied
          SNL:  Lawmakers to hear case for Burlison's "Hailey's Law" X
          AP:  Court denies stay of execution for William Rousan;  Cattle thief went on killing spree, forced his son to shoot a woman in the head
          AP:  Death row appeal focuses on execution drug
          AP:  Lawmakers plan to send Nixon criminal code
          KWMU:  Legal roundtable:  Topics include criminal code overhaul, robber's desire to avoid serving jail term, DOMA and state-level effects, more
          AP:  Hearings set for cases challenging Ameren rates
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri Republicans want to take from the poor and give to the rich +
          JCNT editorial:  Legislative nitpicking:  Do legislators really believe they can improve programs like Common Core, or are they just being egotistical? X
          P-D editorial:  Missouri Republicans' federal gun nullification efforts and neo-Nazi murderer Frazier Glenn Miller
          Forbes op-ed:  Show-Me Institute's Patrick Ishmael:  Response to "half-baked, half-considered half-facts" of Post-Dispatch Obamacare editorials
          CDT's Waters:  Correction to error in last week's column:  Speaker Tim Jones may indeed run for attorney general in 2016 X
          SE Missourian op-ed:  Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau's Dale Steffens:  Response to HSUS' claims on Right to Farm amendment +
          Joplin Globe op-ed:  Phill Brooks:  40 years later, the Missouri Capitol is a lot less fun X
          Pew Charitable Trust's Stateline, via P-D:  Missouri battles asthma as numbers grow
          P-D letter:  State rep candidate Dennis Broadbooks on government regulations and small business
          P-D letter:  Man questions if Lamping is a "real, devout Catholic" due to stance on Medicaid expansion
          P-D letter:  Nieves' nullification proposals are ridiculous, potentially dangerous
          P-D letter:  Missouri schools are missing chance to enter federal Green Ribbon program
          Disclosure

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        Monday, April 21
       
Washington Post:  Voters in several states, including Missouri, considering proposals to raise the minimum wage
          Kirksville Daily Express:  Rep. Nate Walker (R-Kirksville) says he thinks Nixon's veto of tax-cut bill will be overridden
          AP:  Analysis:  Missouri business tax break has wide reach
          SE Missourian:  Tax cut would have 'major impact' on budgets, school officials say +
          P-D:  Even without school buses, parents and students put in the time to transfer;  Comments from CEAM's Katie Casas, others
          KC Star:  Teachers from UMKC learn to survive urban schools' rigors +
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Briefs:  Nixon's State Parks Youth Corps returns for fifth year;  Lager's deer-as-livestock bill;  Lair, Thomson push wood-burning protections X
          KC Star:  House panel to entertain Nixon impeachment articles Wednesday +
          KC Star:  U.S. PIRG ranks Missouri a "C+" on transparency of state spending records +
          Student Life (Washington University):  Anti-Peabody rally elevates support as students await negotiated terms;  Rally falls short of attendance goal
          P-D editorial:  The Medicaid-expansion argument is winning in Missouri;  Lamping, Schaaf should get over their stubborn opposition
          KC Star's Sanchez:  Obama's former minister, Jeremiah Wright, to visit KC this week;  Pastor earned notoriety in 2008 for "God damn America!" speech +
          McClellan:  How robbing a pot dealer puts you on the sex offender list
          P-D's Jim Gallagher:  Parents who want to send a child to college - even an affordable Missouri state school - should save money
          P-D letter:  No need for another tax cut - Missouri is already a low-tax state
          JCNT letter:  E-cig bill in Missouri Legislature is flawed X
          KC Star letter:  E-cig bill in Missouri Legislature is flawed +
          Washington Missourian letter:  Ameren should stop spending money on ads, start building a safer landfill
          P-D letter:  AG Chris Koster should make sure convict doesn't have to serve his sentence
          Disclosure

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        Sunday, April 20   Happy Easter!
       
KC Star:  Families flee Missouri so sick kids can get medical marijuana;  Comments from Matt Jessee and wife Genny +
          KC Star:  Marijuana advocate says pot helped his stepmom +
          Columbia Missourian:  Vietnam war protesters to reminisce Monday evening;  Former Mizzou students discuss impact of other campus' meaningful events
          Missourinet:  Army Corps of Engineers prepares for Missouri River season
          KC Star:  Fort Riley quickly overhauls its sexual assault program to improve response;  Comments from McCaskill +
          SNL:  Democratic candidates tough to find;  Rising star Rep. John Wright (D-Rocheport) says Missouri Democratic Party has had trouble recruiting candidates X
          P-D:  Missouri lawmakers take trips;  Comments from Kander, legislators, Missouri Roundtable for Life, MOBIO, Progress Missouri;  ALEC rep "couldn't be reached for comment"
          Drebes:  In GOP primary for Scharnhorst's seat, Shamed Dogan outraises incumbent's wife by wide margin
          SE Missourian:  Battle lines drawn over Missouri tax cut bill +
          Washington Missourian:  Transportation sales tax measure passes committee
          CDT:  Measures in General Assembly would fund UM System projects X
          AP:  Missouri mulls state aid to schools for preschoolers
          AP:  Missouri Republicans outline new proposal to prevent federal agents from enforcing gun laws
          Washington Missourian:  Hearing on Ameren landfill to take place Tuesday
          SNL's Jonathan Shorman:  Baseball [sic] game unites lawmakers;  Jefferson City crowd competes in tournament centered around the game of softball X
          Nicklaus:  Sales tax is wrong way to pay for Missouri roads;  A gas tax would be more fair to the poor
          P-D's Ken Leiser:  Sound cannons are a tone-deaf approach to work zone safety;  MoDOT should rethink pilot program
          McClellan:  Farmers near the Bridgeton Landfill take the long view
          SNL op-ed:  Positive response to Danforth's anti-Washington speech X
          Joplin Globe letter:  Republicans like Billy Long slash government-assistance programs in favor of the very wealthy X
          SNL letter:  Dismantling Ozark National Scenic Riverway not what residents want X
          P-D letter:  Luxury retirement centers belong on the tax rolls
          P-D letter:  Response to recent "war on women" themes
          P-D letter:  Reponse to voter ID editorial:  Editorial makes excuses for low Dem turnout in upcoming elections
          Disclosure

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        Saturday, April 19
       
Lebanon Daily Record:  Blunt stumps for transportation bill
          P-D:  McCaskill takes aim at campus sexual assault
          P-D:  Former U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson writes checks to Jason Smith, Luetkemeyer;  Husband Ron Gladney contributes to Clay
          KWMU:  Kander, Speaker Tim Jones keep fundraising machines rolling;  Dempsey may run for statewide office in 2016
          SNL:  Nixon, Dempsey trade shots over tobacco ruling X
          P-D:  Nudged by petition effort, Missouri might pass limited early voting proposal
          SE Missourian:  Pepsi MidAmerica to bring more than 70 jobs to local area +
          AP:  Pepsi franchise to open center in Cape Girardeau;  State offering incentives of up to $1.3M
          Fox4KC:  Cavity in dental coverage in Missouri could be filled (link via TonysKansasCity.com)
          CDT:  Final year of MAP testing passes without fanfare in Columbia;  District doesn't sweat last year X
          JCNT:  Hearings set in Noranda complaint cases about Ameren X
          Drebes:  Follow-up to Steve Hodges/DWI news
          AP:  Nixon's office asked to pardon convict who never served his sentence
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Nixon has a point - tax cut would mean loss of revenue
          KC Star editorial:  Ethics bill good, tax break for food establishments bad +
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Help patients refill meds;  Bill from Rep. Lynn Morris (R-Nixa) deserves widespread support X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Compromise on e-cigs was the best realistic result that anti-smoking advocates could get
          MSNBC's Zachary Roth:  The Missouri GOP's bait-and-switch on early voting (link via TonysKansasCity.com)
          CDT letter:  Immigrants here illegally have a "thirsty soul" and should be given same in-state tuition breaks as law-abiding Americans X
          P-D letter:  Missouri should treat e-cigarettes the same as other tobacco products
          P-D letter:  Robber sentenced to jail time shouldn't be forced to serve jail time
          Disclosure

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        Friday, April 18
       
SE Missourian:  U.S. Rep. Jason Smith talks about feds' overreach, explains his Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act +
          Northwest Missourian:  Rep. Sam Graves opposes Obamacare's full-time work definition
          KWMU:  McCaskill takes fight against sexual assault to campus
          KMOX:  McCaskill sexual-assault campaign stops by SLU
          SE Missourian:  Cape Girardeau County Tea Party hosts courses, promotes civic-activism curriculum from Tennessee-based "Center for Self-Governance" +
          The Missouri Times:  Photo gallery:  2014 Annual Legislative Softball Tournament
          The Missouri Times:  Veteran Dem megalawyer/consultant Jane Dueker wins "Whispering Gallery" tournament
          P-D:  In response to Affordable Care Act, BJC HealthCare reduces charity care;  Advocates for Medicaid expansion say move underscores their point
          Missourinet:  House early voting proposal advances to Senate on bipartisan vote
          AP:  Missouri House approves early voting measures
          KWMU:  Nixon blasts tax cut bill sent to him by Missouri lawmakers
          AP:  Missouri Senate panel endorses penny transportation tax
          AP:  House votes to expand sales-tax exemptions
          P-D:  Missouri House endorses limited funding for preschool programs
          SE Missourian:  Area pupils take Common Core field tests +
          Missourinet:  School transfer proposal to be a focus for House in next two weeks
          Missourinet:  Legislature will try to get criminal code rewrite to Gov. Nixon next week
          KWMU:  E-cigarette bills pass Missouri House and Senate on same day
          Missourinet:  As Senate clock ticks, Lager's deer-as-livestock proposal unlikely to pass
          CDT:  Judge postpones criminal trial for ex-Mamtek CEO Bruce Cole X
          JCNT:  Rep. Ed Schieffer (D-Troy) accuses Ameren of hurting schools with assessment complaints X
          KWMU:  Bridgeton landfill owner to pay almost $7 million to neighboring landowners
          P-D:  Bridgeton landfill owners to pay nearby residents $6.8M in lawsuit over odor
          AP:  Settlement reached in suit over Bridgeton Landfill
          P-D:  Convict Cornealious Anderson's lawyer asks for release hearing;  AG Chris Koster suggests attorney take it up with Dept. of Corrections
          P-D editorial:  Missourians support ethics reform.  Why won't Legislature act?
          KC Star editorial:  Victims of alleged sexual assaults on campus need more help +
          P-D editorial:  Another magical, destructive tax-cut bill must die
          Helling:  Check the eligibility of candidates before putting them on the ballot +
          SNL op-ed:  GOP must stand firm on Medicaid X
          CDT's Waters:  Safety and the Missouri marijuana debate X
          McClellan:  Wash U kids whining about Peabody should get off the grid, change mascot from "Bears" to "Fighting Amish"
          P-D letter:  McCaskill should help protect Missouri's coal-fueled power plants
          P-D letter:  Food-stamps-for-felons debate shows need for society to be inclusive, not exclusive
          P-D letter:  Missouri Association for Social Welfare opposes plan from Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick (R-Shell Knob) to require in-state tuition recipients be legal residents
          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, April 17
       
KWMU:  Blunt promotes plan to rebuild nation's bridges, roads and other infrastructure
          P-D:  Local members of Congress raise big dollars despite lack of opposition
          KMOX:  Leaders of CORTEX Midtown research park want a MetroLink stop;  McCaskill says she'll help
          St. Louis Business Journal:  McCaskill speaks at CORTEX, touches on immigration, patent trolls, more
          KTVI:  McCaskill visits Midtown tech center, says she'll support MetroLink funding
          Military Times:  Military hotline aids alleged sexual assault victims;  McCaskill praises Helpline
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  McCaskill on campus sexual assaults, Gracia Backer's not-a-vengeance campaign +
          KC Star:  Koster still on a fundraising roll +
          The Missouri Times:  Fundraising grid:  House members' cash on hand, quarterly haul
          CDT:  Latest fundraising reports show Rep. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) got a boost from GOP colleagues X
          SNL:  Early voting gains House approval;  Secretary of State Jason Kander praises passage X
          KWMU:  Early voting gets first-round approval in Missouri House
          AP:  Missouri House endorses early voting measures
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking:  Sen. Ryan Silvey (R-Kansas City) discusses his vision for Medicaid
          AP:  Senate endorses drug program renewal
          Washington Missourian:  Rep. Dave Hinson (R-St. Clair) says he would have voted against right-to-work measure, but he was busy
          Missourinet:  Senators say mixed messaging in transportation sales tax, tax cut proposals
          KC Star:  Missouri lawmakers cut taxes as they ponder raising them
          P-D:  Transportation sales tax must clear hurdles in Missouri Senate
          JCNT:  Senate panel eyes transportation sales tax idea X
          Missourinet:  Some of last year's "Flimsy 15" Republicans join caucus leadership to support new tax cut
          The Missouri Times:  Republicans send tax cut to Nixon;  Rep. Jeff Roorda (D-Barnhart), running for state Senate, sides with Republicans
          SNL:  Legislature sends income tax cut to Nixon X
          KWMU:  Nixon blasts tax-cut bill, calls it "all-out attack on public education"
          P-D:  State income tax bill goes to Nixon, with veto likely
          AP:  Lawmakers pass tax cut;  Veto possible
          Missourinet:  Legislature sends $620M tax cut to governor
          Missourinet:  Nixon veto of tax cut anticipated
          Missourinet:  Senate moving to block sales taxes on some home sales
          JCNT:  New state education standards would be developed under legislation;  Comments from Rep. Kurt Bahr (R-St. Charles) X
          Fox29 (St. Joseph):  Nina Dean, legislative assistant to Rep. Kurt Bahr, says he seeks to rework/reframe Common Core
          P-D:  Ameren, counties tussle over taxes
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Clean Line president defends plans for Grain Belt Express to travel through Missouri X
          The Missouri Times:  Medical hemp extract poised for passage
          P-D:  Sen. Joe Keaveny (D-St. Louis) wants to end spankings;  Catholic school girls, boys attend hearing
          AP:  Elementary-school kids want to make jumping jacks the official state exercise
          AP:  Doctor inducted into Hall of Famous Missourians;  Andrew Taylor Still ensconced amidst president, game-show host, talk-radio host, peanut-industry legend, pinup girl busts
          SE Missourian:  NPR's Diane Rehm takes part in SEMO Speakers Series;  77-year-old details her long career, family ailments
          SNL editorial:  College sexual assaults intolerable;  McCaskill, Gillibrand will work together on this cause X
          P-D editorial:  Time for tax-credit profiteers to sober up
          KC Star editorial:  Cheap GOP tactics to undermine voting in Missouri +
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Wishy-washy representative:  Rep. Paul Curtman (R-Pacific) represents only himself and narrow ideology that is to the right of the Tea Party
          P-D op-ed:  Area union leader:  Missourians want more money to be spent on Amtrak
          P-D letter:  EPA's Carter Carburetor cleanup effort should give jobs to area residents
          SNL letter:  Former state Rep. Thomas Long (R-Springfield):  On Dorial Green-Beckham, potentially-wayward youths, and Sen. Jolie Justus' legislation X
          P-D letter:  SNAP encourages recipients to be fat
          KC Star letter:  Area deacon weighs in on out-of-state interests influencing legislators' right-to-work vote +
          SNL letter:  Springfield physician shares thoughts on economics of minimum wage X
          Washington Missourian letter:  Sarcastic criticism of Sen. Brian "Pit Bull" Nieves
          Disclosure

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        Wednesday, April 16
       
Politico:  GOP Senate may run purple;  When Republicans take the Senate this fall, they'll need to work with "centrist core," including McCaskill
          St. Joseph News-Press:  As usual, Tax Day brings out political barbs;  Comments from Blunt, Graves, Nixon X
          Washington Post's "She the People" blog:  McCaskill sends out 'unprecedented' survey about alleged sexual assaults to campuses
          KWMU:  McCaskill blasts "Wild West" environment of Missouri fundraising
          AP:  Koster raises $539K this quarter, with a total of $2M on hand
          KC Star:  Schweich hauls in $257K +
          The Missouri Times:  Quarter fundraising overview:  Missouri State Senators' quarterly haul, cash on hand
          P-D:  Updated campaign report database
          SE Missourian:  U.S. Rep. Jason Smith to speak to area Pachyderms tomorrow +
          Kraske:  BuzzChatter:  Hartzler on taxes, Priddy wisdom at Senate memorial service +
          Monett Times:  Area chamber meeting to feature congressional staffers, Sen. Sater, Reps. Fitzpatrick and Moon
          CDT:  Gracia Backer announces bid for House seat, says 'this isn't a vengeance candidacy';  Former lawmaker's complaint claims Nixon's office did nothing to stop hostile work environment X
          SE Missourian:  Doctor explains "concierge" practice at Cape County Tea Party gathering;  Dr. Mike Wulfers says his approach "cuts out the middle man" +
          SNL:  Nixon launches pro-Medicaid page on state website X
          KWMU:  Medicaid expansion stalled - but not dead - in Missouri Legislature
          P-D:  Adding dental care contrasts with Missouri Legislature's opposition to Medicaid expansion
          AP:  Court expands legal rights for injured workers
          AP:  Missouri Senate raises benevolent tax credit cap
          Missourinet:  Senate moving to block sales taxes on some home sales
          CDT:  Four-year institutions sign on to letter about tax cut concerns X
          AP:  Missouri universities raise funding concerns as legislature considers tax cut
          AP:  House endorses Bright Flight expansion
          KWMU:  State Board of Education extends SAB control of St. Louis Public Schools for two more years
          KWMU:  Normandy faces big deficits - if it survives
          The Missouri Times:  Deer breeders target Department of Conservation in legislative push
          Missourinet:  Rep. Paul Curtman (R-Pacific) passes resolution encouraing MoDOT, DOC to follow Office of Administration's proposed best practices
          Missourinet:  House advances bill to restrict e-cigarettes to adults
          Drebes:  Gary Wheeler to lead Missouri Soybean Association
          The Missouri Times:  Profile:  Capitol piano man/lobbyist Mike Michelson
          P-D:  Koster's office rejects argument of Missouri criminal seeking to avoid doing time;  Comments from robber Cornealious Anderson, SLU law prof Susan McGraugh, wife Laqonna Anderson
          Investor's Business Daily editorial:  Missouri opts for more jobs in its move to become a right-to-work state
          P-D editorial:  GOP's voter ID proposal is really just voter suppression;  P-D headline writer makes flaccid phallic pun
          CDT's Waters:  Catherine Hanaway, Tom Schweich and Kurt Schaefer all racing to the right in their 2016 GOP primaries X
          Messenger:  TIF commission reform moves forward in Legislature
          Joplin Globe op-ed:  Phill Brooks:  The value of outside fiscal experts for government X
          Sedalia Democrat's Travis McMullen:  It's shameful that Missouri Republicans use their grudge against Obama to block Medicaid expansion
          CDT letter:  Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) should stop obstructing Medicaid expansion X
          SNL letter:  Legislators are wasting their time on nullification bills 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.



        Tuesday, April 15
       
P-D:  KC shooter was 'fringe of the fringe' among white supremacists, had filing fee rejected by Dems, GOP and Libertarians
          SNL:  Inside the supremacists' political campaigns X
          KWMU:  KC shooting suspect no stranger to Jewish agencies here
          SNL:  Killer know locally as loud racist, good neighbor X
          Helling:  Dilemma in reporting on extremism:  Ignore it, or expose it? +
          Messenger:  What white supremacist tells us about ourselves, our state;  The connection between violence and GOP's effort to deny in-state tuition to "unlawfully present" students, anti-Sharia bill
          P-D:  Durbin says U.S. unprepared for lingering mental military health challenges;  Obama signs Blunt's proposal for pilot program into law
          P-D's Chuck Raasch:  Sebelius is gone, but battles over health care remain;  Thoughts from McCaskill, Blunt, Lacy Clay, Ann Wagner
          AP:  Auditor Tom Schweich raises $250K for re-election
          AP:  Nebraska firm to take advantage of Missouri tax incentives, create 85 jobs in Kansas City
          KC Star:  Voter ID again pits Republicans against Democrats in Missouri +
          Missourinet:  Senate starts ethics debate
          AP:  Senate sets aside debate on ethics legislation
          Missourinet:  Lager wants lower tax, more consolidation in House 911 bill
          JCNT:  Designer picked for new Fulton State Hospital X
          P-D:  Design firm selected for Fulton State Hospital facility
          SNL:  Pro-life leader Sam Lee concerned with some aspects of video requirement X
          The Missouri Times:  Criminal code re-write moving closer to Nixon's desk
          P-D:  Dispute over unpaid tuition brings up school transfer policy questions
          CDT:  Teachers may be close to settling suit against state, MU;  MoVIP program changed in 2009 X
          AP:  Missouri Senate holds memorial for former members
          JCNT:  State Senate remembers some former members X
          P-D:  UMSL student government denies newspaper appeal for funding
          Missourinet:  Reps. Ellington, English, Kolkmeyer, Mayfield to participate in charity boxing/kickboxing/MMA event
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Levee reviews welcome;  U.S. Corps of Engineers needs to offer more than mere assurances X
          Joplin Globe op-ed:  Right to work isn't right for Missouri X
          SE Missourian letter:  Tax credits and education +
          SNL letter:  Lamping's comments show that GOP cares only about themselves, and not the needy X
          Columbia Missourian letter:  72-hour-waiting period for abortion is an insult to women
          P-D letter:  Levying tax on fitness mistreats the owners of health centers
          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, April 14
       
Kraske:  Report from Hillary for President event Friday night:  Turnout "wasn't bad," enthusiasm high among 60 Dems +
          The Maneater:  McCaskill targets college sexual assaults
          Joplin Globe's Susan Redden:  Krista Stark of Webb City takes over Southwest Missouri Democrats from Jordan Overstreet, who moved to House Dem campaign committee X
          Missouri Ruralist:  A grassroots fight for the right to farm;  Missouri Farmers Care's Dan Kleinsorge emphasizes need to educate urban voters and counter HSUS
          The Missouri Times:  Tournament final four:  Jason Rosenbaum vs. Jane Dueker, Chris Kelly vs. Tishaura Jones
          AP:  Thoughts from two Republicans who took a walk on right-to-work;  Stream explains that he's running for county exec, and T.J. Barry is awaiting results of district poll
          Washington Missourian:  GOP Reps. Dave Hinson, Dave Schatz support transportation tax bill;  Rep. Paul Curtman (R-Pacific) says he could support a different version
          Missourinet:  Path forward for criminal code could hinge on federal transportation money concern
          P-D:  Bill from Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick (R-Shell Knob) would keep "unlawfully-present" students from receiving in-state tuition breaks
          Missourinet:  Legislature takes aim at patent trolls;  Comments from Sens. Mike Cunningham (R-Rogersville), Scott Sifton (D-South St. Louis County)
          Missourinet:  No taxing the dance studios;  Dixon, Silvey seek to fix MO Dept. of Revenue policies
          AP:  Columbia, Mo. groups to study marijuana cultivation measure
          JCNT:  Missouri Senate program today will pay homage to 60 former members who have died since 1987 X
          Student Life (WU):  Brookings sit-in urges WU to cut ties with Peabody;  Students claim local employer is "evil," say they're willing to continue protest for weeks
          Student Life (WU):  Meeting with chancellor fails to put end to sit-in
          SE Missourian:  Paper hires new managing editor;  Lindsay Jones moves from Memphis to replace Matt Sanders, who moved to Columbia Daily Tribune +
          P-D editorial:  Lawmakers should lift Missouri's lifetime ban on food stamps for drug felons
          Student Life (WU) editorial:  Peabody protest an encouraging sign of campus activism;  Still, at some point, idealism must meet reality
          P-D op-ed:  Area OB-GYN, CUNY college student oppose Sater's abortion waiting-period bill
          JCNT letter:  If Rep. Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City) was serious about Medicaid reform, he'd push for a State False Claims Act X
          The Maneater letter:  Missouri doesn't need high-voltage Grain Belt Express
          JCNT letter:  MoDOT pleads for more money, while its employees enjoy more pay and benefits than "the average bloke" 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.



        Sunday, April 13
       
SNL:  Sexual assaults on campus under national scrutiny;  McCaskill leads the charge, says women are victimized "every hour" on a campus X
          CDT's Ashley Jost "Learning Curve" column:  McCaskill weighs in on MU's reaction to suicidal student's alleged sexual assault X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  McCaskill, Blunt comment on Obama's pay-equity push X
          Drebes:  Rep. Jay Swearingen (D-Kansas City), who once considered taking on Tom Schweich, to run for Clay County presiding commissioner
          KC Star:  Data, apps, social media rapidly changing political campaigns;  Comments from former Ashcroft staffer/Johnson Co. (KS) official Stephanie Sharp, Dem vet Pat O'Neill, others +
          JCNT:  Profile:  Rachel Bauer, Chief of Staff for Speaker Pro Tem Denny Hoskins, keeps the House running smoothly X
          AP:  Competing early-voting plans could appear on Missouri ballot
          Daily Journal:  Nixon visits Farmington to push for Medicaid expansion
          P-D:  Nearly one in three workers at Fulton State Hospital filed a workers' compensation claim in 2013
          CDT:  Critics of Common Core State Standards are off base, local teachers say;  Comments from DESE's Sarah Potter X
          P-D:  Lawmakers seek to block transmission lines
          Washington Missourian:  Residents urge Missouri Department of Natural Resources to deny coal ash landfill permit
          Washington Missourian:  Panel discussion on "climate disruption" to be held Thursday;  Expert panel features activist, prof, seasonal park ranger, filmmaker
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Transportation funding solution needed - and whatever it is, it needs to be fair to rural areas and it needs to move forward soon X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Nieves uses gay marriage as smokescreen;  In reality, there's no real threat to traditional marriage in Franklin County - or Missouri
          NY Times op-ed:  At Iowa college speech, McCaskill recounts Akin stories;  Female GOP consultant says Dems will seek "to try to manufacture a Todd Akin moment"
          SE Missourian op-ed:  MU law prof/Hobby Lobby lawyer Josh Hawley:  Time to protect the right to farm in Missouri's constitution +
          CDT op-ed:  Show-Me Institute's Joseph Miller:  Sales tax wrong way to fix roads;  Fair approach would use gas tax and tolls X
          SNL letter:  Sarcastic take on Missouri Legislature, right to work, and corporations' deduction of state taxes X
          KC Star letter:  Republicans should give up on priorities like voter ID and tax cuts - which are supported by ALEC - and instead back Medicaid expansion +
          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, April 12
       
Engadget:  McCaskill's "Let Me Google That for You" may be the best Senate bill ever;  Bipartisan bill would eliminate costly National Technical Information Service
          KC Star:  McCaskill, Blunt statements on Kathleen Sebelius' departure +
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Advanced aircraft for 139th Airlift Wing discussed at Senate hearing X
          McClatchy:  GM, like Toyota, hid its safety flaw from regulators, consumers;  McCaskill levels aggressive allegations
          The Hill:  Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.), Mike Turner (R-Ohio) offer McCaskill sexual assault provisions
          SNL:  Jack Danforth unleashes rant on modern politics;  Republican, 77, uses acceptance speech to explain how much better things were in his day X
          P-D:  Former Obama spokeswoman/Russ Carnahan staffer Kacie Starr Triplett to avoid state criminal charges if she pays restitution;  Campaign money used for student loans, clothes, massages, getting hair and nails done, etc.
          AP:  Matt Wills, Communications Director for MOGOP, moves up to executive director in wake of Shane Schoeller's departure
          CDT:  State auditor Tom Schweich, 2016 gov candidate Catherine Hanaway address annual Lincoln Day dinner X
          CDT:  Ozark National Scenic Riverways debate between Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and Rep. Chris Kelly (D) to take place May 3 on steps of Shannon County Courthouse X
          Drebes:  Rory Ellinger memorial service details, scholarship fund info
          P-D:  State medical group blasts UnitedHealthcare;  Company criticized for terminating some physicians from Medicare Advantage
          Reuters:  Judge restores $120M in tobacco settlement to Pennsylvania;  Missouri among other states named in arbitration
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri colleges are used to funding freezes X
          AP:  Missouri criminal code legislation boosts penalty for child crimes
          P-D:  St. Louis crime status has an economic impact;  City, county police agencies seek FBI approval to ease 'crime problem' perception
          P-D:  Lawsuit alleges West Lake Landfill radioactivity has spread off-site
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri Supreme Court Justice Zel Fischer credits region for his service X
          JCNT editorial:  Celebrate!  Missouri's Tax Freedom Day is a little later this year X
          P-D editorial:  Bill from Rep. Mike Leara (R-South St. Louis County) protects luxury senior living, on the taxpayers' dime
          CDT's Waters:  Nullification efforts are "a foolish unconstitutional bleat against Washington" X
          CDT's Waters:  Legislature should put transportation sales tax increase on the ballot X
          Washington Missourian's Bill Miller:  Brief recaps of three articles found here
          JCNT letter:  Equine enthusiast wants McCaskill, Blunt, Luetkemeyer to crack down on "Big Lick" techniques X
          P-D letter:  Missouri Senate did the right thing by restoring food stamps to drug felons
          KC Star letter:  Industry-supported payday loan bill not perfect, but it's something +
          P-D letter:  Post-Dispatch may repeat anti-tax-cut mantra, but evidence shows throwing money at public schools doesn't work
          P-D letter:  Charter, public schools aren't governed by same rules
          P-D letter:  Noranda's rate request could limit opportunities for solar energy
          JCNT letter:  Ameren critic Bob Kettler cites his own previous letters, slaps PSC with new label:  "Corporation Service Commission" X
          Disclosure

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        Friday, April 11
       
P-D:  McCaskill pushes to find out what happened to $6 billion in State Department spending
          Washington Post:  McCaskill asks:  Where's the oversight?
          The Hill:  McCaskill, other Senate Dems press Obama to give Keystone the green light soon
          Washington Post:  GM suspends 2 engineers over ignition switch recall;  McCaskill calls move "long overdue"
          P-D:  Tensions high at EPA meeting on Carter Carburetor cleanup;  Yaphett El-Amin, others want a larger percentage of work to go to black contractors
          AP:  Area governments pledge $260K to lure GOP convention
          KC Star:  Kansas City and counties pledge $260K to recruit GOP convention +
          AP:  Catherine Hanaway raises $300K for 2016 Missouri governor's race
          The Missouri Times:  Lobbyist profile:  Flotron & McIntosh's David McCracken
          Washington Post:  Missouri becomes latest right-to-work battleground;  Rep. Ron Hicks (R) says "bullying is just not going to stop ... this is ridiculous" (link via @ssnich on Twitter)
          CDT:  Toned-down ethics bill wins approval from House panel X
          Missourinet:  Audit questions brownfield tax credits
          KWMU:  Schweich gives low marks to state brownfield tax credits
          P-D:  Missouri failed to protect taxpayers in brownfield cleanups, audit says
          The Missouri Times:  Schweich's audit finds problems with way program is administrated, cites no instances of fraud
          The Missouri Times:  Transportation sales tax increase passes House, to find stiffer opposition in Senate
          CDT:  House approves measure that would ask voters for new transportation sales tax X
          AP:  Missouri tax cut bills advanced by committees
          Missourinet:  Nixon announces $22M in education withholds
          KWMU:  Nixon cuts $22M in education funding, says GOP lawmakers forced his hand
          AP:  Nixon announces education spending restrictions
          Missourinet:  Senate committee criticized for pulling money for child abuse investigators
          SNL:  Nixon slams committee for taking out agency increase X
          Drebes:  Fifth of Lager's five telecom bills - dealing with railroad right of ways - languishing in House
          AP:  House passes bill exempting gyms from sales tax
          CDT:  Lawmakers criticize Missouri Department of Revenue for policy on taxing gyms X
          CDT:  Lawmakers question request from veterans groups for more funding X
          P-D:  Legislation that would protect tax exemptions for high-end senior communities draws fire
          KC Star:  Missouri debating minimum-wage levels +
          JCNT:  Nixon says state is pushing to protect crime victims;  Kander cites Safe at Home program +
          AP:  House and Senate pass separate criminal codes
          P-D:  Missouri Legislature passes bills revising state criminal code
          AP:  Missouri House passes change in self-defense law
          Missourinet:  House approves 'Pop Tart' bill to protect kids pretending to have guns
          KSMU:  Nixon speaks at Medicaid-expansion rally
          P-D:  Debate over 'contract schools' eclipses broader St. Louis schools plan
          AP:  LeVota proposes DED create a task force to explore bringing Super Bowl to Kansas City
          P-D:  Lafayette County Republicans have ties to West Lake Landfill lobbying group
          The Missouri Times:  PSC commissioner Steve Stoll receives Boy Scouts of America award
          P-D editorial:  Right to work vote:  Grover Norquist is a hungry vulture looking for a carcass to feed his insatiable hunger
          JCNT editorial:  Medicinal treatment differs from mood-altering drug use X
          Wall Street Journal op-ed:  Dodd-Frank interfering with small business investment;  Blaine Luetkemeyer's bipartisan bill would amend law and provide relief
          P-D op-ed:  Mehan, local chamber heads:  The business case for Medicaid transformation
          P-D op-ed:  In support of Common Core
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Travis Brown:  Rex Sinquefield among those visiting with Chris Christie on this week's RGA fundraising tour
          P-D letter:  Democratic attorney Norman Pressman:  Rory Ellinger was a lot like Atticus Finch
          Disclosure

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        Thursday, April 10
       
Bloomberg:  GM fined by U.S. safety agency for incomplete answers;  Comments from McCaskill
          Reuters:  Iowa, North Carolina join states studying Experian breach;  McCaskill chides company for changing story
          KWMU:  EPA to hold fourth public meeting to talk about cleanup at old Carter Carburetor plant in North St. Louis City
          P-D:  Rep. Rory Ellinger (D-University City) succumbs to liver cancer
          KWMU:  A look at the life of a proud liberal:  Rory Ellinger's journey from from civil rights protests to Students for a Democratic Society to school board to state legislator
          Missourinet:  Lawmakers mourn death of Rep. Rory Ellinger
          AP:  Rep. Rory Ellinger dies at 72
          Sedalia Democrat:  Nixon stops at local health center, stumps for Medicaid expansion:  "Standing still is moving backwards"
          AP:  Missouri Medicaid may restore adult dental care
          Priddy:  Amalgamated notes on state senators not acting like grown-ups, House's baseball-induced late delivery, Hodges' personal struggle
          AP:  Missouri budget would fund employee salary study
          KC Star:  Missouri House gives initial approval to right-to-work bill +
          KWMU:  Right to work gets first-round approval in House, but doesn't have enough votes to move to Senate
          Missourinet:  Right-to-work sponsor Eric Burlison (R-Springfield) thinks he can find four votes
          AP:  Missouri House endorses right-to-work bill
          Missourinet:  Right-to-work backers, opponents both claim victory
          SNL:  Both sides claim victory after right-to-work vote in House X
          The Missouri Times:  Reactions:  Burlison, Rep. Jeff Roorda (D), area union leader Jeff Aboussie, AFL-CIO lobbyist Steve Tilley, AFL-CIO official Mike Louis
          Fulton Sun:  Rep. Mike Frame (D-High Ridge) visits Westminster to counter Kinder's previous appearance on right-to-work issue
          Missourinet:  House sends transportation sales tax increase proposal to the Senate
          P-D:  Missouri House votes for sales tax to fund transportation infrastructure
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking:  Reporter Marshall Griffin on transportation tax;  McDaniel and Rosenbaum talk to LeVota about Medicaid, right to work, Dems' electoral prospects
          P-D:  Critics say Missouri Department of Revenue is going overboard and taxing exercise
          The Missourinet:  Construction yet to begin on North Side project;  Bill will likely stall in the Senate
          The Missouri Times:  Brownfield tax credit series:  Supporters of tax credits say new DED regulations will kill successful program
          P-D:  Missouri House committee hears Senate bill modifying transfer law
          KWMU:  School-attendance advocacy series, Part IV:  Focus on school clinics
          CDT:  House panel passes hemp oil legislation X
          Missourinet:  Senate moves to eliminate boards, superfluous committees
          SNL:  Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield):  Switch fonts, save money X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Town officials worry about Lager's bill;  Senate Bill 764 creates provisions for getting citizen petitions passed by popular vote +
          Brownfield Ag News:  Dairy bill advances in Missouri by vote of 137-4
          JCNT:  Senators hear testimony on LGBTQIA discrimination X
          AP:  Missouri House considers gay discrimination bill
          Missourinet:  Execution date set for jilted-lover/rapist/murderer Russell Bucklew;  Defense attorneys say convict has extra-delicate blood vessels, and injection might cause pain
          SE Missourian:  Cape native set for May 21 execution;  Former prosecutor recounts details of violence spree and subsequent jailbreak, calls Bucklew "homicidal Energizer Bunny" +
          KWMU:  Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice forum explores local gun violence
          AP:  Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice event features CDC speaker, stories from families of gun-violence victims
          SNL editorial:  Nullification is a futile effort - and an example of useless grandstanding X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Transportation tax bill is important - and shouldn't be derailed by anti-bicycle machinations
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Don't exempt animal data from disclosure X
          SE Missourian op-ed:  Sen. Wayne Wallingford (R-Cape Girardeau):  Keep Department of Conservation free from the political process +
          SE Missourian letter:  Noranda's sweetheart deal would come at the expense of other ratepayers +
          P-D letter:  Missouri needs a great plan to reduce carbon emissions
          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, April 9
       
KC Star:  "Pay equity" in the spotlight this week:  A look at how Blunt, McCaskill, Graves pay women vs. men +
          P-D:  McCaskill, Wagner, Slay offices master social media;  Comments from their spokesmen John LaBombard, Patrick Howell, Richard Callow
          SNL:  Europeans seek to monopolize market on names like 'parmesan' and 'Bratwurst;'  McCaskill, Blunt team up to protect America's food-naming freedom X
          SNL:  Group ceases Table Rock Dam tours, work at Dewey Short;  McCaskill, Blunt have spoken out in favor of the non-profit X
          P-D:  MSNBC host makes empty promise to show up in St. Louis on Opening Day, doesn't follow through
          Kraske:  "BuzzChatter" daily quote analysis:  Thoughts on McCaskill, Blunt comments from links found here +
          The Missouri Times:  Association Profile:  Missouri Bankers Young Leadership Division
          Missourinet:  2016 presidential primary moving to March
          AP:  Bill would move presidential primary to March
          KWMU:  Missouri House perfects 1-cent transportation sales tax proposal
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Regional leaders hold "Great Northwest Day" in Jefferson City;  Roads top list of concerns X
          CDT:  Senate committee adds funding for State Historical Society building X
          P-D:  Missouri Senate committee strips funding for takeover of Ozark National Scenic Riverways from fiscal '15 budget
          The Missouri Times:  "Paycheck protection" poised for committee referral in Senate
          Missourinet:  House turns Common Core elimination bill into plan to develop new standard
          AP:  Missouri House adopts bill to study Common Core
          SNL:  Missouri House gives early nod to replacing Common Core X
          AP:  Missouri budget includes $750K to train on school shootings
          AP:  Missouri House endorses criminal code overhaul
          JCNT:  Pro-choice women march, rally at Capitol X
          AP:  House panel backs use of cannabis extract medicine
          AP:  Missouri House endorses funeral protest law change
          The Missouri Times:  House Utilities Committee struggling with 'tracker' legislation
          P-D:  Speakers blast Ameren plan for ash landfill in Missouri River floodplain
          P-D:  Westlake Landfill owners start group to lobby to keep nuclear waste in place;  Reaction from Reps. Bill Otto (D-St. Charles), Glen Kolkmeyer (R-Wellington)
          AP:  Fire damages Missouri highway patrol building in Jefferson City
          Missourinet:  Fire at Highway Patrol maintenance building could impact some operations
          KWMU:  Environmental group says Mississippi River is 'endangered'
          P-D:  Kaufmann Foundation says startup activity fell sharply in Missouri
          SNL editorial:  Learning political lessons:  U.S. Rep. Jason Smith listens to constituents on immigration, disregards knee-jerk ideology and does what's best for his district X
          P-D op-ed:  AFT union President Randi Weingarten:  Outsourcing of public education is no answer
          SNL op-ed:  Springfield woman says she lives in Roy Blunt's "district," wants his help on Alzheimer's X
          CDT op-ed:  Biking bill fails to exercise good judgement X
          KC Star letters:  Secretive business organizations have purchased state government leaders;  John Lamping should read the Bible and support Medicaid expansion +
          P-D letter:  National Council of Jewish Women - St. Louis chapter:  Victims of domestic violence are denied workplace protections
          P-D letter:  Proposed coal ash landfill is a bad choice for our floodplains
          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, April 8   Election Day
       
New P-D Washington Reporter Chuck Raasch: Views of the selfie presidency:  McCaskill wouldn't campaign with Obama this year, but Lacy Clay would
          St. Joseph News-Press:  One Keystone Pipeline phase continues to operate in this region;  Nixon, McCaskill, Blunt support project X
          P-D:  McCaskill attends Cards home opener
          P-D's Nicklaus:  After Friday, Missourians start working for themselves;  This year's "Tax Freedom Day" is April 11
          KC Star:  For married same-sex couples, tax season's complications multiply;  Comments from accountant, area lesbians +
          Drebes:  Krystal Hargis drops out of Dem primary for Roorda's seat;  Sean Fauss will take on GOP primary winner
          P-D:  St. Charles County voters will use iPads to sign in instead of paper ledgers
          KC Star:  Missouri Revenue Department's directive to pay sales tax stuns art groups +
          JCNT:  Lawmakers agree on 1 percent raise for state employees X
          The Missouri Times:  Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, Rep. Michael Frame (D-High Ridge) make separate trips to Westminster to discuss right to work
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate committee begins reviewing state budget passed by House
          Missourinet:  $33M added to budget proposal for new State Historical Society building
          AP:  Missouri Senate approves to-do list of more than 300 items that could be funded through a bonding proposal
          JCNT:  Senate endorses projects for state bonds it OK'd last week X
          AP:  Missouri Senate panel backs more money for colleges
          AP:  House panel to review student transfer legislation
          Missourinet:  Counties hope higher prisoner per diem makes the final state budget
          AP:  Missouri Senate endorses criminal code overhaul
          Missourinet:  Crime laws rewrite nears Senate passage
          P-D:  Missouri considers lifting lifetime food stamp ban for drug felons
          SNL:  Bill from Rep. Lynn Morris (R-Nixa) would add forth judge to Christian County's roster X
          KSMU:  Missouri's new "move over" law highlighted in Work Zone Awareness Week
          AP:  Rep. Steve Hodges (D-East Prairie) charged with second DWI
          AP:  Koster's order halts business for auction house
          P-D:  Koster gets restraining order against Ivey-Selkirk auction house
          SE Missourian:  NPR's Diane Rehm to speak at Southeast next week +
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri doesn't need divisive 'right-to-work' law +
          SE Missourian op-ed:  Speaker Tim Jones:  Right to Work is right for Missouri +
          Joplin Globe op-ed:  MU journalism dean Phill Brooks:  State legislators failing in the art of compromise;  Tax cuts, Medicaid and campaign finance as case studies X
          KWMU op-ed:  Editor Margie Freivogel:  Lessons in compromise from Missouri most liberal legislator, Rory Ellinger
          Helling:  We can put rich guys like Rex Sinquefield in their place if we all just throw away mail pieces, delete e-mails, ignore tweets, hang up the phone, and mute TV commercials +
          P-D op-ed:  MO DSS Family Support Division's Laura Davis:  Proposal from Rep. Andrew Koenig (R-Ellisville) is bad medicine for public pensions
          KC Star letter:  Progressive Small Business Majority supports minimum-wage increase +
          P-D letter:  Labadie resident pleased with P-D's anti-coal-ash-landfill editorial
          P-D letter:  Storing coal ash in a modern landfill is good public policy
          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, April 7
       
P-D:  No election, but still a lot at stake for Missouri in battle for U.S. Senate;  Comments from McCaskill, Blunt, Ann Wagner
          SNL:  Legal immigration a flashpoint in Congress;  Comments from U.S Reps. Jason Smith, Billy Long
          Rosenbaum:  Ronnie White's nomination recalls past battles - and hard feelings
          ABC News:  Video:  Sen. Claire McCaskill:  'Moment of truth' for General Motors
          ABC News:  Transcript of McCaskill's segment
          KC Star:  Graves:  Tax credit was not requested for his Capitol Hill home
          TonysKansasCity:  KC company cited by Obama as a "green success story" runs short of cash, suspends production of electric trucks
          Drebes:  "Maniac door-knocker" Brent Lasaster seeks rematch with Rep. John Mayfield (D) in Dem district
          The Missouri Times:  Vote in "Sweet 16" round for reporters, pols, activists:  Mannies, Rosenbaum, more
          JCNT:  Legislature considering amendment to limit governor's withholding powers
          KC Star:  Right-to-work bill could be debated this week
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers mull cannabis extract medicine;  Matt Jessee's daughter among those who could be helped
          Missourinet:  Kansas legislature approves health compact legislation originated in Missouri
          AP:  Medicaid change sought for disabled, elderly
          Joplin Globe's Susan Redden:  Local GOP party officials testify in Jefferson City in favor of constitutional convention
          Missourinet:  Advocates rally opposition to exclusion of bicycling from transportation tax proposal
          Missourinet:  Ending the used car sales tax
          JCNT:  Legislators begin talking about highway bridges needing repairs or replacing
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Reps. Galen Higdon (R), Pat Conway (D) pursue county rules bill
          Washington Missourian editorial:  As distasteful as Obamacare is, Ryan Silvey is trying to make it work in Missouri - and Republicans should follow his lead
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Freedom to breastfeed and pump is a victory - but do we really need legislation for everything?
          SE Missourian editorial:  Puppies for Parole program a win-win
          KC Star's Sanchez:  There are no absolutes in education:  Realism vs. the false choices presented by ideologues
          P-D letter:  Prosecute whoever put nuclear waste in Bridgeton landfill
          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, April 6
       
Helling:  Rewards of a political convention are wrapped in risk;  Elimination from convention competition will save KC from paying police costs, dealing with protestors, etc. +
          SNL:  Area Dems gather for Jackson Day breakfast;  Nixon, Kander emphasize their opposition to right to work X
          AP:  Missouri lawmakers want to limit out-of-state welfare
          JCNT:  Underfunded state formula costs schools millions X
          JCNT:  School funding questions not answered yet X
          P-D:  Normandy:  Progress at the speed of trust
          P-D:  Normandy:  A shared fate;  A look at white flight and its effects
          AP:  Like Missouri, secrecy surrounds execution drug in most states;  father of murdered 17-year-old girl says, "We're overly worried about the convict"
          Missourinet:  Attempt to yank bicycles threatens transportation tax proposal;  Debate to resume Tuesday
          JCNT:  303 state building and maintenance projects included in bonding issue X
          SNL:  Lakeland practices come under fire from experts;  Comments from MO DSS' Rebecca Woelfel X
          SNL:  Missouri Medicaid paid Lakeland more than $8M in FY13 X
          Brownfield Ag News:  Farmer data protected in Missouri bill;  Interview with Missouri Cattlemen's Mike Deering
          Brownfield Ag News:  Bill from Rep. Jay Houghton (R-Martinsburg) has farm ID protections
          P-D editorial:  Missouri Republicans ignore evidence that tax cuts don't work
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Military report on target;  Valuable lessons found in Treasurer Clint Zweifel's study X
          KC Star letter:  McCaskill, Blunt should support mental health care for returning soldiers +
          P-D letter:  Speaker Tim Jones "singing the old divisive song of hate" by supporting right to work
          P-D letter:  Right to work rationale:  employers want trained and accomplished employees, not "surly emplacements from antagonistic labor pools"
          P-D letter:  Missouri Department of Natural Resources should require that Ameren's coal ash be stored off the flood plain
          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, April 5
       
Politico:  McCaskill to appear on ABC's "This Week" tomorrow
          KC Star:  Medicaid expansion divides Missouri Republicans;  Comments from Schaaf, Lamping, Silvey +
          Drebes:  How Rupp's appointment to PSC shuffles Senate chairmanships
          AP:  Judge denies order in gay couples joint taxes case;  Another hearing set for May 2
          KWMU:  Missouri House weighs role of bike travel in transportation spending
          AP:  6 suspended amid Kansas City school rape allegations
          P-D:  In wake of St. Louis City shootings, Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice to hold gun-violence forum;  Gun-control advocate James Mercy to appear at UMSL
          P-D:  North St. Louis County's Rev. Traci Blackmon warns congregation of pawn-shop financing and payday loans;  Majority of St. Louis' "unbanked" are black
          AP:  Judge:  Lawsuit on Missouri executions may continue
          CDT:  Plan would move MoDOT offices to St. Mary's Hospital building X
          P-D:  Laclede gets nod from PSC for gas main replacement charge
          CDT:  Like many across the region, House members will be watching Cards' home opener Monday afternoon;  Session will begin at 7 p.m. X
          KC Star editorial:  Capitol Watch:  Missouri House wrong on guns;  Curtman wrong on bicycles;  Silvey right to make Medicaid more accessible +
          KC Star's Steve Paul:  GM case may once again undermine confidence;  CEO Mary Barra "barely survived McCaskill's intense grilling" +
          SNL editorial:  "Just Common Sense" editorial meme:  McCaskill fights like a man;  Dixon's court-cost bill is good;  Legislators should pay for own meals X
          SNL op-ed:  Springfield NAACP leader:  Missouri should expand Medicaid X
          KC Star Public Editor column:  Liberals write more letters to the editor;  Conservatives more likely to send in Internet myths/talking-point drivel +
          P-D letter:  St. Louis Superindent Kelvin Adams' willingness to try something new shows that he's brilliant, gutsy
          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, April 4
       
KMOX:  Sen. Roy Blunt still not a fan of Obamacare
          Quincy:  McCaskill says she wants to see Keystone Pipeline project finished
          The Hill:  McCaskill:  'There really weren't answers' in GM hearing
          AP:  McCaskill grills GM head over safety recalls
          Washington Post:  Feds charge money for free reports that can be found on Google;  McCaskill says agency has outlived its usefulness
          Washington Missourian:  Highway 47 Bridge Committee to ask McCaskill, Blunt for help
          KC Star:  'Wage theft' is rallying cry for fast-food protestors +
          KC Star:  Stand Up KC protest photos:  Protestors hold signs;  Adult males engage in public cosplay, dress up as Ronald McDonald and Hamburglar +
          Drebes:  GOP state Senate candidate Jay Ashcroft is not Andy Ashcroft of Librarygate fame
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking:  Jason Rosenbaum, Chris McDaniel, Marshall Griffin discuss Schweich's free pass, Medicaid expansion, nullification
          P-D:  Kit Bond walks the halls on Medicaid;  Chamber says he's 'no show pony'
          CDT:  Republican senators argue over Medicaid expansion X
          JCNT:  Black clergy, others congregate on steps of Capitol to push for Medicaid expansion X
          CDT:  Disability advocates rally at Capitol;  Events lack steel chains, theatrics of 2005's anti-Blunt protests X
          AP:  Missouri House OKs bid to nullify federal gun laws
          AP:  House roll call on nullification bill:  7 Dems join GOP
          P-D:  Missouri House passes federal gun nullification bill
          AP:  Missouri House passes $600M bonding plan
          JCNT:  Senate OKs bonding plan X
          P-D:  Missouri Senate OKs $600M bonding proposal
          Missourinet:  Senate approves building repairs bonding issue
          AP:  House sets aside transportation tax increase
          P-D:  Missouri House narrowly passes paycheck deduction measure
          AP:  House passes limit on union fee collections
          The Missouri Times:  'Paycheck protection' moves through House;  Nullification bill gets approval
          JCNT:  House passes bill on public employee unions X
          SE Missourian:  Rep. Jeff Roorda (D-Barnhart) directs Nazi reference to Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston):  "Who are you coming after next, lady?" +
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. John Diehl (R-Town and Country):  Right-to-work vote may come Wednesday
          Missourinet:  Diehl:  Expect "right to work" to be brought to floor on Wednesday
          Sikeston Standard-Democrat:  District investigates teacher's claims she was intimidated by administrators for her anti-Common Core beliefs
          AP:  Court considers joint tax filings from gay couples
          KWMU:  Nixon signs breastfeeding bill into law;  Rep. Rory Ellinger (D-University City) attends ceremony
          P-D:  Nixon signs law protecting public breastfeeing rights
          AP:  Nixon signs ailing lawmaker's breastfeeding bill
          KWMU:  NAACP joins Sierra Club to criticize coal, push for higher renewable-energy requirement
          Washington Missourian:  Missouri Department of Revenue has not provided a clear answer on how use tax would impact vehicle sales
          P-D:  Koster, prosecutors charge man with soliciting money for Wounded Warriors, keeping it
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Auditor Tom Schweich is right:  Time to restrain tax credit awards X
          JCNT editorial:  House Republicans' criticisms of Nixon have merit and deserve to be heard;  still, they are not grounds for impeachment X
          P-D editorial:  Optimism must drive attempts to improve region's schools;  Troubled urban school districts can totally turn it around
          Helling:  Climate change controversy might outlast the trees;  Blunt proposes amendment requiring 60 Senate votes to consider a tax or fee on carbon emissions +
          P-D's Deb Peterson:  Schaefer's polluter-protection law should go down in flames
          Shelly:  Payday loan hearings show Missouri Republicans' arrogance +
          SNL op-ed:  Sen. John Lamping (R-Ladue), other Republicans opposing Medicaid expansion are "mule-headed" X
          Priddy:  Senate-debate daydreams:  Sen. Eric Schmitt is very tall
          P-D letter:  Equine enthusiast asks McCaskill, Blunt, Wagner to say 'neigh' to showhorse-training methods
          SE Missourian letter:  Legislature weakened Affordable Care Act;  Missouri should have followed Kentucky's lead and built its own health insurance exchange +
          P-D letter:  St. Louis City correct in standing up to Noranda
          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.



        Thursday, April 3
       
KC Star:  KC survives the first cut in the GOP convention process +
          KC Star:  Blunt:  SCOTUS ruling on contribution limits won't have much impact on campaigns +
          KWMU:  Missouri reaction to Supreme Court campaign finance decision:  Blunt, Wash U. law prof Bruce La Pierre
          Reuters:  McCaskill accuses GM of 'culture of cover-up' in recalls
          The Hill:  McCaskill:  GM had 'culture of cover-up'
          USA Today:  McCaskill:  GM engineer lied over deadly ignition switch
          NY Times:  GM's Mary T. Barra faces ire of McCaskill, other senators at hearing
          NY Times:  GM secrecy on crashes adds to families' pain;  Comments from St. Peters, Mo. couple
          P-D:  McCaskill says a 'culture of cover-up' prevailed at GM
          P-D:  Area woman's death linked to faulty ignition switch on GM vehicles
          Drebes:  Rep. Jon Carpenter (D-Kansas City) now unopposed in state rep primary
          Drebes:  Former Rep. Bob Johnson (R) running for Grisamore's open seat
          The Missouri Times:  Black Dem who ran against Rep. Mary Nichols switches parties, will run as Republican
          The Missouri Times:  Two Republicans, one Dem vie for Rep. Ed Schieffer's seat
          AP:  Missouri revenues up about 2 percent over last year
          P-D:  Rep. Ryan Silvey (R-Kansas City) floats new way to expand Medicaid in Missouri, runs into roadblock
          AP:  Missouri Medicaid bill set aside after GOP dispute
          Missourinet:  Heated debate drives Medicaid reform from Senate
          SNL:  Medicaid proposal sparks heated exchange in Senate X
          P-D:  Missouri House committee passes Fulton State Hospital funding bill
          JCNT:  Senate weighs startup grants for new businesses X
          Missourinet:  Ethics bill hits snag in Senate
          CDT:  Bill from Rep. Genise Monticello (D-St. Louis) targets Parker Bena, a lobbyist with sex offender conviction X
          CDT:  Sen. Gina Walsh (D-Bellefontaine Neighbors) withdraws domestic violence bill after provisions removed X
          JCNT:  Unions protest changes to dues collection;  Comments from SEIU's Elmer Muhammed, CWA's Bradley Harmon X
          AP:  Missouri bill seeks to lure high-stakes gamblers
          P-D:  Missouri Senate OKs bill letting casinos extend credit
          Missourinet:  House overwhelmingly endorses student religious liberty legislation;  Rep. Margo McNeill (D-Florissant) drops opposition, votes yes
          SNL:  House passes student religious liberty bill X
          JCNT:  Common Core delay concerns officials X
          AP:  Missouri could vote on protecting homes from unreasonable searches and seizures
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri Bar Association visits Capitol for Lobby Day
          P-D:  Questions swirl around bill that could exempt Bridgeton landfill from lawsuits
          KC Star:  Missouri Gas Energy extends terms of Cold Weather Rule through end of month +
          KWMU:  Laclede extends Cold Weather Rule
          KWMU:  Koster announces charges against fraudster who falsely solicited donations for wounded veterans
          Missourinet:  Former Miss America stops by Capitol, talks about eating disorders
          P-D editorial:  Whether 'bone-headed' Missouri Republicans like it or not, Obamacare is working
          SNL editorial:  Sinquefield's fliers in Nixa bond election are an outrage X
          P-D op-ed:  Med school student says McCaskill should support pro-gun-control Vivek Murthy for surgeon general
          CDT's Waters:  Nixon knows the criminal code needs an overhaul X
          SNL op-ed:  Failure to expand Medicaid costs lives X
          KC Star letter:  Polling places should be open all day long +
          P-D letter:  Nieves interested in Franklin County post as a platform for absurd commentary
          P-D letter:  Area conservative responds to P-D Medicaid editorial, says Republicans are fiscally responsible
          P-D letter:  Historic tax credits help older neighborhoods, provide construction jobs
          P-D letter:  Response to editorial reprinted from Joplin Globe:  Revisions to Sunshine Law would have a chilling effect on community service
          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.



        Wednesday, April 2
       
KC Star:  Sen. Shalonn "Kiki" Curls (D-Kansas City), Melba Curls, Jermaine Reed, former Mayor Kay Barnes hosting "Ready for Hillary" party April 11 +
          KC Star:  KC faces first round of Republican National Convention host-city roster cuts tomorrow +
          KOLR:  GM recall affects millions;  McCaskill to lead hearing
          P-D:  GM recalls 1.5M more vehicles;  McCaskill's John LaBombard details Missouri fatality
          AP:  Hagel acts to improve POW-MIA accounting effort;  McCaskill, Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-New Hampshire) praise move
          Washington Post:  McCaskill wants info from Education, Justice on campus sexual assaults
          Roll Call:  Dick Gephardt goes door-to-door for D.C. Council candidate
          P-D:  Hanaway garners $150K from Rex Sinquefield for 2016 GOP gubernatorial primary
          KC Star:  Rex Sinquefield helps Hanaway's 2016 campaign +
          AP:  Sen. Ryan Silvey (R-Kansas City) floats state Medicaid proposal
          SNL:  Silvey offers new Medicaid plan;  Comments from Kit Bond Strategies' Shana Marchio X
          KWMU:  Zweifel issues report to shore up Missouri's military infrastructure
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate passes $620M tax cut bill
          The Missouri Times:  Senate passes tax cut;  Nixon vows veto
          AP:  Tax cut advances despite Nixon's concerns
          CDT:  Senate votes along party lines to pass tax-cut bill X
          AP:  Sen. Bob Dixon (R-Springfield) proposes to exempt fitness centers, gymnastics/dance studios from state sales taxes
          AP:  Bill proposes tax credits for legislative vacancies
          SNL:  Right to work future still uncertain after late meeting X
          The Missouri Times:  Right-to-work passage a moving target for House Republicans
          CDT:  Sen. Will Kraus (R-Lee's Summit), Kentucky native discuss residency requirements for voting;  Newspaper prints corrections to its original story X
          CDT:  Performance funding for higher education moves forward X
          JCNT:  Sen. Mike Parson (R-Bolivar) asks committee to endorse bonding projects X
          AP:  Sen. Gina Walsh (D-Bellefontaine Neighbors) sets aside domestic violence bill
          KC Star:  Missouri medical marijuana bill gets hearing in state Senate +
          P-D:  Industrial hemp, medical marijuana interest Missouri lawmakers
          AP:  Missouri Senate panel weighs medical marijuana
          SE Missourian:  House overwhelmingly approves legislation to curb regulations on wood stoves +
          JCNT:  Missouri bill would restrict public access to animal-tracking data X
          SNL:  Bill from Rep. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield) seeks to limit where rail lawsuits can be filed X
          JCNT:  Senate gives first-round okay to alcohol sales at Capitol - for special events only X
          Missourinet:  House endorses its version of federal gun law nullification legislation
          KWMU:  Missouri House gives gun control nullification bill first-round approval
          The Missouri Times:  House moves forward with gun nullification bill
          P-D:  Missouri House endorses federal gun law nullification bill
          SE Missourian editorial:  Uncertainty abounds with Affordable Care Act;  Not all policies accepted at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish +
          JCNT editorial:  Implement Common Core and test its results X
          Priddy:  Day-after-April Fool's Day parody of tax-break and other proposals
          KC Star's Yael Abouhalkah:  Missouri's gun-loving legislators make one concession - they won't pursue U.S. agents who try to enforce federal gun laws +
          KC Star's Joe Robertson:  Area districts steer clear of Common Core fight +
          P-D letter:  Missouri Republicans are stubborn and refuse to help the downtrodden poor
          P-D letter:  Reasons why Common Core is bad for Missouri
          P-D letter:  Privatizing of St. Louis schools would undermine the public good
          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.



        Tuesday, April 1   April Fool's Day
       
AP:  Missouri's Obamacare enrollment misses goal
          P-D:  Glitches mark insurance enrollment deadline
          KC Star:  Affordable Care Act endures tense deadline day +
          SNL:  Congress passes Blunt-backed mental health care bill X
          Drebes:  Empty primary threats:  After heated exchange with Dana Loesch in November 2012, no primary opponent for Rep. Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City)
          KC Business Journal:  RNC plans first cut for 2016 convention within two weeks (link via TonysKansasCity.com)
          The Missouri Times:  Staff profile:  Pat Mulcahy, Legislative Assistant for Rep. Bob Burns (D-St. Louis)
          AP:  Nixon criticizes $620M tax-cut plan
          KWMU:  Liberal groups, including GrassRoots Organizing and "National People's Action," say Missouri has taken part in "race to the bottom in corporate giveaways"
          JCNT:  House-passed voter ID measures pitched to Senate committee X
          The Missouri Times:  "Paycheck protection" moves through House by narrow margin
          SNL:  "Paycheck protection" advances in Missouri House X
          Missourinet:  Heated debate precedes initial House passage of paycheck legislation
          AP:  Missouri House passes "paycheck protection"
          P-D:  Missouri House approves paycheck deduction bill
          KC Star:  Missouri GOP quest for right-to-work law continues +
          JCNT:  Extension for state wages committee sought X
          AP:  Brian Kinkade named director of Missouri Department of Social Services
          KCTV:  Missouri woman to pay back $12,000+ in food stamp fraud (link via TonysKansasCity.com)
          AP:  Missouri House passes drivers' license renewal change
          Missourinet:  Criminal code rewrite drafters respond to Nixon's size concerns
          KWMU:  Normandy not bankrupt now, but its future remains cloudy
          SNL:  Bill from Sen. Bob Dixon (R-Springfield) could raise funds for municipal court building X
          AP:  Missouri may excuse nursing women from juries
          Missourinet:  Breastfeeding bill fast-tracked to honor Rep. Rory Ellinger (D-University City)
          KWMU:  House passes breastfeeding by from ailing Rep. Rory Ellinger
          P-D:  Breastfeeding bill fast-tracked to honor Rory Ellinger
          P-D:  Media companies support Larry Flynt in fight over Missouri execution records
          Missourinet:  House Judiciary Committee Chairman Stanley Cox says impeachment efforts will get hearing
          P-D:  Ameren, environmental groups square off on coal ash landfill
          KWMU:  New EPA analysis:  Community could be at risk if landfill fire reaches radioactive waste in Bridgeton
          JCNT:  Beta Club receives House, Senate resolutions X
          P-D:  Lee Enterprises, parent of Post-Dispatch, refinances $800M in debt
          JCNT:  Local pension bills enjoy widespread support X
          P-D editorial:  Concern about the Bridgeton landfills is not enough
          P-D editorial:  Missouri no longer the meth capital, but don't celebrate too much
          Joplin Globe op-ed:  MU School of Journalism's Phill Brooks:  Time to tackle lingering Missouri issues;  Plus, an apology to Sen. Tom Dempsey for a misinterpretation X
          Helling:  Liberal group criticizes Kansas tax cuts - while states try to copy each other +
          Priddy:  Possible tax-cut compromise:  Entice the rich to donate to charity
          Joplin Globe op-ed:  State takeover of Riverways a lose-lose proposal X
          P-D op-ed:  Missouri can't get behind on LGBTQIA protections
          P-D letter:  Rep. Jeanne Kirkton (D-Webster Groves) responds to John Wright's op-ed, says she hasn't signed no-gift pledge and doesn't need to
          P-D letter:  Social services system in Missouri is failing
          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.



       


       


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

       



       


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