johncombest.com

Missouri's political news website since October 2001.

Archive - January 2019



    

       
       
January 31, 2019
       
KC Star:  Video:  Blunt on border security:  'Nobody gets everything they want' X
          The Missouri Times:  State of the Judiciary 2019:  Zel Fischer emphasizes changes to bail rules
          JCNT:  Fischer asks lawmakers to support increase in funding for court operations X
          Missourinet:  Missouri Supreme Court chief justice:  the state of the judiciary is good
          AP:  Chief justice changes rules governing pretrial release
          P-D:  Bail will go down in Missouri courts under new plan X
          Columbia Missourian:  Lawmakers look to tighten amendment petitioning process
          The Missouri Times:  Gubernatorial appointments advance to floor for Senate approval
          Missourinet:  Parson's plan to fix Missouri bridges includes about $100 million in interest
          P-D:  GOP bill enforces work requirements for those receiving handouts X
          Columbia Missourian:  Senators take another shot at encouraging work for welfare
          KWMU:  UMSL rep wants lawmakers to show "more generosity" by spending more taxpayer money on social services
          CDT:  Tourism lobbying for later school start date X
          Columbia Missourian:  Bill from Sen. Bill White (R-Joplin) would require public water systems to have asset management plan
          JCNT:  Team AgStop is winner of inaugural Show Me Challenge X
          KC Star:  Woman who claims she was raped by prison workers won't be sent back there X
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri legislation would gut Title IX and use it to discriminate against women X
          KC Star editorial:  Expunge convictions for medical marijuana patients in Missouri. But don't stop there. X
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston):  Those boys from Covington could have been my sons
          Joplin Globe op-ed:  Speaker Elijah Haahr:  Building Missouri's bold future X
          Priddy:  State should fund steamboat museum (1,774 words)
          P-D letter:  Bel-Nor sexagenarian threatens to boycott MetroLink if concealed carry is allowed 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.



        January 30, 2019
       
P-D:  Hawley says he'd welcome joining with Ocasio-Cortez in challenging big social media companies;  Industry rep bashes "hipster antitrust" X
          P-D:  Black college in Virginia wants to honor George H.W. Bush with statue, but Lacy Clay and his father seek to block it X
          Missourinet:  Democrat Cleaver wants Trump to deliver "aspirational" State of the Union address
          The Missouri Times:  'New normal' impacting state revenues, DOR chief Joel Walters tells Senate committee
          AP:  Parson's plan for adult tuition grants questioned
          Missourinet:  Missouri Senate and House committees to tackle PDMP today
          KC Star:  Proposed Title IX changes would make Missouri a leader in protecting due process for the accused X
          Columbia Missourian:  Teachers pay for classroom supplies;  GOP proposals would help pay them back
          SE Missourian:  Missouri's rural license agents:  Offices risk closing without fee hike +
          KWMU:  Rural Missouri businesses need better Internet access to expand, but solutions aren't so easy
          JCNT:  Bill from Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City) proposes steamboat museum for Jefferson City X
          P-D:  Sen. Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis City) wants to make raise electoral bar for St. Louis City-St. Louis County merger X
          KWMU:  Better Together's Dave Leipholtz, others debate St. Louis City-St. Louis County merger
          KWMU:  Additional Q&A on proposed St. Louis City-St. Louis County merger
          The Missouri Times:  House moves forward with updates to ethics procedures
          SNL:  Flu season update:  Confirmed cases in Missouri are way down X
          KC Star editorial:  Parson and Kansas governor should end border war by meeting in Kansas City X
          KC Star op-ed:  Joseph Haslag:  Missouri's income tax rates are not the problem 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.



        January 29, 2019
       
JCNT:  Parson urges Missourians to prepare for dangerously cold weather X
          The Missouri Times:  Judge rules Galloway did not knowingly violate Sunshine Law
          Missourinet:  Judge strikes down lawsuit alleging Galloway violated open records laws
          P-D:  Judge tosses lawsuit alleging Galloway broke Sunshine Law X
          KWMU:  Proposed St. Louis City-St. Louis County merger could go to statewide vote
          KWMU:  Q&A on proposed city-county merger
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air preview:  Better Together's David Leipholtz to discuss benefits of merger
          P-D:  Better Together launches campaign to merge St. Louis City with St. Louis County X
          AP:  Better Together launches $25 million campaign to put St. Louis City-St. Louis County merger on 2020 statewide ballot
          JCNT:  Show Me Challenge seeks to trim state bureaucracy, save money X
          Washington Missourian:  Parson proposes state cost-share program for 2020, which could include Highway 47 project X
          P-D:  Missouri's nursing homes for veterans, abiding by federal law, will not allow medical marijuana X
          The Missouri Times:  Rep. Kathy Swan (R-Cape Girardeau) presents bill establishing Fast-Track Workforce Incentive Grant program
          P-D:  Missouri lawmakers discuss scholarship program for adults X
          Missourinet:  Trump tweets support for various states' Bible-study bills;  Sen. Ed Emery (R-Lamar), Rep. Curtis Trent (R-Springfield) sponsoring Missouri legislation
          CDT:  House Democrats push higher ed package X
          KC Star:  UMKC, UMSL and Rolla set to raise food and housing prices X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Hearing for Hoskins' sports-wagering bill set for Thursday
          The Missouri Times:  Judge halts portions of meat law, says enforcement would be Legislature usurping constitutional authority
          The Missouri Times:  Dept. of Agriculture lays out proposed regulations for industrial hemp
          AP:  Bill would require evaluations in some animal-abuse cases
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Legislature should make tax amnesty a priority this year
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Even if bill in Legislature fails, Missouri drivers should set an example and put their cell phones down X
          P-D editorial:  Parson should grant clemency to woman who arranged to have her husband murdered X
          P-D op-ed:  Sen. Gina Walsh (D-Bellefontaine Neighbors):  DOR's miscalculation was compounded by miscommunication X
          P-D letter:  Florissant man responds to Galloway op-ed, says voters should be required to pass competence test X
          P-D letter:  Affton septuagenarian responds to Galloway op-ed, says elected officials should take class on government X
          P-D letter:  Oakville man hopes Post-Dispatch newsroom distances itself from editorial board's merger cheerleading 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.


        January 28, 2019
       
Fox News Sunday:  Sen. Roy Blunt on border security (video)
          Fox News Sunday:  Sen. Roy Blunt on border security (transcript)
          P-D:  Blunt on panel that will try to work out border-security deal X
          This Week in Missouri Politics:  Jamilah Nasheed discusses Parson, bid for Board of Aldermen president, more;  Rep. Tom Hannegan (R-St. Charles) on personalities of Haahr and Vescovo;  Panel of Reps. Mike Colona (D-St. Louis City) and Dean Dohrman (R-La Monte), Angela Bingaman and Hannah Beers talk DOR mistake, adding fairness to Title IX persecutions, more
          St. Joseph News-Press:  State taxpayers may pay for withholding error
          P-D:  Advocacy group says Missouri's disability services rise to be among nation's best X
          Columbia Missourian:  Advocates for the elderly share legislative goals
          Missourinet:  Senate committee hears Chiefs bill;  Schatz hopes to get Mahomes to Missouri Capitol
          P-D editorial:  Parson's bridge plan lacks KC spending X
          P-D editorial:  States' policies should be countering the anti-vaccine movement, not coddling it X
          Columbia Missourian letter:  Local League of Women voters group disappointed in black lawmakers, Republicans attempting to clean up Amendment 1
          P-D letter:  St. Louis City octogenarian opposes statewide vote on city-county consolidation 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.



        January 27, 2019
       
AP:  Kay Hoflander chosen as chairwoman of Missouri Republican Party;  Nick Myers to serve as vice chair, Derrick Good as secretary and Pat Thomas as treasurer
          KC Star:  Missouri GOP chooses Kay Hoflander to serve as chair X
          Brownfield Ag News:  Blunt co-sponsors bill to reduce estate tax rate
          P-D:  Gateway Arch will open today, National Parks Service says X
          KWMU:  Even after shutdown compromise, government employees can still cash in on local freebies;  List of charity drives, restaurant marketing gimmicks
          JCNT:  New VA clinic to open tomorrow X
          AP:  Number of female legislators increases in Missouri
          AP:  Across state legislatures, women make gains in achieving leadership positions;  Comments from Missouri House Superminority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield)
          CDT:  Bills from Sen. Gary Romine (R-Farmington), Rep. Dean Dohrman (R-La Monte) seek to add fairness to Title IX inquisitions X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Missouri School Boards' Association's Brent Ghan on Internet sales tax, talk of additional tax cuts, Foundation Formula
          Columbia Missourian:  Local lawmakers learn committee assignments
          SE Missourian:  Amanzi farms utilizes hydroponics to produce fresh produce;  Pilot program of employing incarcerated men to be replicated across Missouri +
          St. Joseph News-Press:  DHSS data indicates that more Missourians are killed by opioids than by car accidents
          KWMU:  Advocacy group reports low vaccination rates among Missouri teens
          P-D editorial:  Gov. Parson, despite being a former sheriff, should start embracing clemency X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Killing streets! AG Eric Schmitt should be commended for effort to reduce urban violence X
          KC Star op-ed:  State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick:  Setting the record straight on Missouri tax revenue;  Lackluster journalists, liberals and bureaucrats are spreading misinformation about tax withholdings X
          SNL's Steve Pokin:  Changes in state law give assault victims more options X
          P-D letter:  University City octogenarian suggests Vladmir Putin is blackmailing Roy Blunt X
          P-D letter:  Kirkwood septuagenarian wants legislators to ban cell phone use while driving X
          P-D letter:  Richmond Heights sexagenarian says he'll withdraw financial support from NAACP if organization continues to attack newscaster who flubbed King's name X
          KC Star letter:  Chesterfield man responds to editorial on Curls' "official pro football team" proposal, wonders why newspaper doesn't perform simple research before publication 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.



        January 26, 2019
       
Missourinet:  Delegation weighs in on shutdown agreement;  Collection of statements written by communications staffers
          P-D's Raasch:  Government shutdown damaged the Republican-controlled Senate;  Comments from Hawley, Blunt X
          SNL:  Local veteran reacts to temporary end to shutdown X
          The Missouri Times - Clayton edition:  Liberals rally at Clay's St. Louis City office hours before shutdown compromise
          P-D:  Photo gallery:  Liberals hold anti-Trump rally at Clay's St. Louis City office X
          P-D's Raasch:  Votes for the week of "July [sic] 21" X
          P-D:  Sen. Scott Sifton (D-Affton) eyeing 2020 governor's race, unlikely to face serious primary opposition X
          The Missouri Times:  Four initiative petitions approved for circulation
          KCUR:  Up to Date:  Gov. Mike Parson talks to Steve Kraske about ending the Missouri-Kansas "border war," explains bonding proposal for transportation and the rural-urban divide, workforce development, more
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Governor's Office:  Week of January 21, 2019
          Washington Missourian:  Franklin County highway administrator says lack of communication between county and MoDOT is ridiculous X
          JCNT:  Former HR director files discrimination suit against Lincoln University;  White male details violations of compensation policy, jobs being handed to unqualified African-Americans, other unlawful acts by state school X
          Joplin Globe:  New Missouri law, sponsored by Rep. Dean Plocher (R-Town and Country), requires insurance coverage of 3D mammograms X
          P-D:  More abuse survivors and witnesses step forward in Schmitt's Missouri Catholic clergy probe X
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the PSC:  January 23, 2019
          Missourinet:  Missouri traffic fatalities take a slight dip in 2018
          Columbia Missourian:  Feral hog kills increase in Missouri
          P-D:  Local newscaster on indefinite leave after mispronouncing Martin Luther King, Jr.'s name;  Kevin Steincross apologizes "for the pain (he) caused" with one flubbed syllable X
          KC Star editorial:  United States VA, KC VA Medical Center must answer questions about veteran's death X
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Missouri Farm Bureau's Eric Bohl:  Agriculture's 2019 legislative policy priorities
          P-D letter:  WGU-Missouri Chancellor Angie Besendorfer says Parson's grant program would strengthen workforce 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.




        January 25, 2019
       
Missourinet:  Rep. Billy Long invites Trump to deliver State of the Union in Springfield
          KC Star:  Galloway slams GOP push to change how voters amend constitution X
          AP:  GOP state senators form Conservative Caucus
          The Missouri Times:  The #moleg Podcast:  Rep. Dale Wright (R-Farmington) on his background and motivation
          Missourinet:  House honors Rep. Cloria Brown (R-St. Louis County)
          Columbia Missourian:  State tax error drove $536 revenue deficit, 'April surprise'
          Missourinet:  $536 million deficit is eye-opener for Missouri lawmakers
          P-D:  Onder, Eigel encourage more equitable distribution of transportation projects X
          KWMU:  Missouri bill aims to protect babies with heartbeat
          The Missouri Times:  Bill aimed at protecting minors, combatting sex trafficking moves out of House committee
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Title IX bill proposes alternate hearing outside of schools
          JCNT:  Missouri awarded federal early education grant X
          The Missouri Times:  Policy panel rallies for school choice
          JCNT:  State hosts education retreat for lawmakers X
          KWMU:  Five education issues to watch in Jefferson City this year
          Columbia Missourian:  Columbia legislators, UM president call for more state higher ed funding
          CDT:  University of Missouri preparing for possible cuts X
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri Chief Justice Zel Fischer to deliver State of the Judiciary address on Wednesday
          Columbia Missourian:  State could see increases in penalties for drug dealing, manufacturing
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  Post-Dispatch columnist Tony Messenger on "debtors' prisons"
          Columbia Missourian:  Gun-control group promotes study blaming Missouri's gun laws for deaths
          P-D editorial:  It's not Missouri's job to aid furloughed federal workers. It should anyway. X
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri is shrouding medical marijuana in secrecy, hiding who wants to grow and dispense it X
          Columbia Missourian op-ed:  Galloway:  Don't change Clean Missouri
          KC Star op-ed:  Greg Razer (D-Kansas City):  My House colleagues voted no equality for me. X
          SNL's Steve Pokin:  Readers ask:  Why isn't state law about front license plate enforced? X
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  St. Louis Police Officers Association's Jeff Roorda:  Hold Kim Gardner, all prosecutors accountable
          P-D letter:  Webster Groves man predicts licensed use of marijuana will increase unlicensed use X
          Washington Missourian letter:  Washington septuagenarian says Missouri Republicans are "devils" 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.



        January 24, 2019
       
KWMU:  Local transsexual activists unhappy with Trump's military policy
          Missourinet:  Parson's budget would help 1,529 families with early childhood development services
          Missourinet:  House GOP leaders confident $500 million budget shortfall will turn around
          KC Star:  Bill from Sen. Mike Cierpiot (R-Lee's Summit) seeks end to economic 'border war' with Kansas X
          Missourinet:  Missouri House Democrats call for more school transportation funding
          The Missouri Times:  DOR blasted for lack of communication on withholding error
          KC Star:  Missouri taxpayers to see lower refunds this year;  Rep. Robert Ross (R-Yukon) predicts "April surprise" for taxpayers X
          P-D:  Missouri lawmakers frustrated as impact of state withholding error sinks in X
          KC Star:  Clash over Parson's budget veto may lead to penalty against "Missouri Department of Health [sic];"  Rep. Deb Lavender (D-St. Louis County) details "line in the budge [sic]" X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) named Veterans Committee chair, talks legislative priorities
          The Missouri Times:  Senate committee approves several interim gubernatorial appointments
          The Missouri Times:  First bill out of House honors late Rep. Cloria Brown (R-St. Louis County)
          P-D editorial:  Missouri should join other states in banning cell phone use while driving X
          KC Star editorial:  The Kansas City Chiefs are KC's team, not Missouri's - and the losers in St. Louis can eat their hearts out X
          P-D's Kevin McDermott:  Local NAACP should rethink dramatics around newscaster's on-air pronunciation flub X
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Rep. Dean Dohrman (R-La Monte):  Title IX investigations are medieval in their lack of due process
          P-D letter:  University City man proposes unicameral state legislature 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.



        January 23, 2019
       
St. Joseph News-Press:  Blunt on shutdown impasse:  Broaden the options
        KC Star:  Blunt:  VA's response to query about vet's death "totally insufficient" X
        KC Star:  Cleaver on getting paid during shutdown:  "Me taking my paycheck has nothing to do with anything going on" X
        KWMU:  Shutdown hardship:  Local federal employee details trauma of having one (1) delayed paycheck
        The Missouri Times:  Missouri Ethics Commission questioning authority on two Clean Missouri changes related to lawmakers
        Missourinet:  GOP lawmakers express concerns about Clean Missouri's impact on constituent correspondence
        The Missouri Times:  Schmitt announces Safer Streets initiative
        Missourinet:  Schmitt forms partnership to battle violent crime in St. Louis region
        KWMU:  Schmitt pledges lawyers to prosecute violent crime in St. Louis region
        KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Louis Riggs (R-Hannibal) reacts to Parson's "ambitious" State of the State
        KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) says being only non-lawyer on Judiciary Committee provides panel a different perspective
        The Missouri Times:  GOP lawmakers file bill requiring due process for Title IX hearings
        Columbia Missourian:  Lawmakers propose changes to Title IX process
        CDT:  Margie Vandeven prepares for release of test scores X
        The Missouri Times:  House Democrats file plethora of education bills
        P-D:  Missouri House superminority leaders want more money for K-12 funding X
        Columbia Missourian:  Democrats seek to require public vote for charter school expansion
        SNL:  Rep. Ian Mackey (D-St. Louis County) wants to lower state's mandatory school age by two years X
        P-D:  Put down the phone, say Missouri legislators who want to ban cell phone use while driving X
        KWMU:  Missouri Supreme Court to decide whether a part of the state's death penalty law is unconstitutional
        The Missouri Times:  Lawmakers consider designating the Chiefs as Missouri's official NFL team
        KC Star:  Sen. Shalonn "Kiki" Curls (D-Kansas City) wants Chiefs to be Missouri's official pro football team X
        St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  To the Missouri Western student employees complaining about lack of minimum-wage increase:  Sorry kids, nothing is free
        KC Star editorial:  Parson should try again to pass a gas tax for crumbling Missouri highways X
        Priddy:  Imagine if the campaign against Josh Hawley is successful, and his career turns out like Bill Webster's
        Helling:  Rural interests are over-represented in Missouri politics;  Urban areas should not be pressured to care about rural broadband X
        P-D op-ed:  Missouri's civil engineers want to see more infrastructure spending X
        KC Star op-ed:  Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) former national director:  Eric Schmitt should fix Josh Hawley's feeble Catholic Church investigation X
        Keller:  So long, Mamtek's Bruce Cole. It hasn't been sweet. X
        P-D letter:  New Haven septuagenarian angry at Gov. Parson for not returning phone messages about gun control 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.



        January 22, 2019
       
KWMU:  Martin Luther King, Jr. rally draws fewer than 50 downtown
          P-D:  MLK march is brief, with sparse crowd X
          P-D:  Photo gallery:  MLK parade:  Signs include "Impeach Trump Now," "Trump Kidnaps Babies," other unifying and uplifting messages X
          SNL:  Mayor on MLK Day:  "Progress continues to be made" X
          SNL:  Photo gallery:  MLK parade:  Signs include "Protect Black Trans Women," "No Human is Illegal," etc. X
          CDT:  MLK march draws crowd of 40;  Speaker at rally praises unsigned NFL free agent Colin Kaepernick for heroic acts in the face of rampant patriotism X
          JCNT:  Dozens attend MLK tribute;  Speaker criticizes push to protect country's borders, blames Missouri prison system for black incarceration rate, other outrages X
          P-D:  St. Louis County NAACP wants TV newscaster Kevin Steincross fired for mispronouncing Martin Luther King, Jr.'s name X
          AP:  St. Louis County NAACP wants newscaster fired for flubbing MLK's name
          KWMU:  Leader of local airport employees group claims federal workers won't stop showing up for their jobs
          Missourinet:  New State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick receives bipartisan praise
          SE Missourian:  Rep. Kathy Swan (R-Cape Girardeau) plays key role in Gov. Parson's workforce development plan +
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Michael Bugalski, interim president of Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation, pleased by Parson's DED reorg
          The Missouri Times:  House leaders standing firm on new rule regarding open records
          KC Star:  Democrats push for no-reason absentee voting X
          KWMU:  Lawmakers seek funding source for pre-K expansion
          Missourinet:  No plans for Missouri prison space after inmates and workers move out
          AP:  Urban prosecutors end most pot cases
          CDT:  Settlement could bring close to Mamtek saga X
          JCNT editorial:  Proposed state pay raises a good start 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.



        January 21, 2019   Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day - A state holiday, per Gov. John Ashcroft
       
P-D:  Farmers weigh in on trade deal, government shutdown X
          This Week in Missouri Politics:  Guest Rep. John Wiemann (R-O'Fallon) gives perspective on Elijah Haahr and Rob Vescovo, shares thoughts on Parson's agenda and Todd Richardson's Medicaid overhaul, initative petition changes;  Panel of Rep. Michael O'Donnell (R-Oakville), Joe Lakin, Jane Dueker, and NAACP's John Gaskin III talk Parson's State of the State, LGBTQIA* proposal from Rep. Greg Razer (D-Kansas City), St. Louis County letting chronic deadbeat dads abdicate their responsibility as fathers, more
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Local lawmakers learn committee assignements
          P-D:  Historic tax credit bottleneck stalling redevelopment projects, delaying reimbursement X
          Joplin Globe:  Missouri PSC to hold hearing on billion-dollar wind farm X
          AP:  Man who took part in murderous robbery wants out of jail;  Budding criminal Norman Brown joined a pal in robbing Chesterfield jewelry shop, where the duo killed owner and left owner's wife for dead
          KC Star editorial:  KC families on the dole could see handouts cut if shutdown continues X
          Messenger:  Thanks to GOP legislators, when it comes to Sunshine Law, Missouri is Show-Me State no more X
          SNL letter:  Ozark septuagenarian says Blunt is a "commie sympathizer";  Springfield septuagenarian says ALEC has purchased GOP state legislators, uses ALL CAPS to emphasize IMPORTANT POINTS X
          KC Star letters:  KC man unhappy with Blunt over vote on Russia sanctions;  KC septuagenarian unhappy with gas tax proposal's language, says he wants "clean" proposal to vote on X
          P-D letter:  St. Charles octogenarian expresses anger at GOP state legislators over election success 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.



        January 20, 2019
       
SNL:  Anti-Trump rally draws fewer than 100 X
          SNL:  Photo gallery:  Feminist holds sign proclaiming "Right too [sic] choice" X
          P-D:  Anti-Trump march draws smaller crowd than previous years;  Comments from Florissant woman who calls herself "Emmett," others X
          KWMU:  Feminists march in St. Louis City;  Black feminist hopes more black women show up next year
          KC Star:  Feminists hold anti-Trump rally downtown X
          Columbia Missourian:  Anti-Trump immigrant group joins feminists for rally;  Former state rep runner-up/Missouri Democratic Party Progressive Caucus Vice Chair Michela Skelton attempts to lead crowd in chant about breathing
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Rep. Dottie Bailey (R-Eureka) talks with Rosenbaum about "Bryce's Law," criminal justice proposals, statewide vote on city-county merger, more
          JCNT:  Capitol awash in 'Clean Missouri' concerns X
          Joplin Globe:  Medical marijuana cultivation site proposed for Sarcoxie X
          SNL:  "Answer Man" feature:  Why does Missouri require two license plates when many other states only mandate one? X
          P-D editorial:  Bill from Sen. Scott Sifton (D-Affton), targeting transparency in state government contracts, is worthy of passage X
          KC Star editorial:  Lawmakers should pass ban on texting while driving 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.



        January 19, 2019
       
AP:  Temporary government shutdown means SNAP recipients will get their handouts early
          SNL:  Local charities discuss new mission:  Explaining to SNAP recipients why they're receiving two (2) months of taxpayer-funded handouts at one time X
          SE Missourian:  Smith apologizes for chiding Democrats about Puerto Rico junket +
          SNL:  Profile:  U.S. Rep. Jason Smith (R-Salem) X
          KWMU:  Organizers of 3rd annual feminist march say chilly weather won't negatively impact hefty crowd:  "We're women, come on"
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Governor's Office:  Week of January 14, 2019
          SNL:  Parson:  Education a 'key factor' in fighting Missouri opioid crisis;  House Speaker Elijah Haahr, Superminority Leader Crystal Quade join governor at event X
          SNL:  Photo gallery:  Gov. Mike Parson at Discovery Center X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Danny Busick (R-Newtown) likes Parson's talk of trimming government, emphasizing workforce development, building emergency fund
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Louis Riggs (R-Hannibal) hopes to see $10 million allocated for rural broadband expansion
          JCNT:  Officials:  Prison merger to improve pay, safety X
          Columbia Missourian's Laura Murgatroyd:  New minimum wage offers relief for workers;  Comments from two (2) advocates of wage increase, zero (0) perspectives from small-business owners
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Missouri Western spared from minimum wage increase - for now
          The Missouri Times:  Court preliminarily halts feedlot expansion near Powell Gardens
          KC Star editorial:  No more shutdowns. Sen. Roy Blunt's bipartisan plan could help avert future budget disasters X
          KC Star editorial:  Lawmakers rush to undo Clean Missouri open records regulations. That's unconstitutional X
          CDT editorial:  Gov. Parson's budget gambit X
          P-D editorial briefs:  Parson wrong on allowing legal guns at Capitol;  Dept. of Revenue wrong to request office move to protect employees X
          Phill Brooks:  Parson a far more substantive governor than Greitens;  New gov should make himself available for interviews after State of the State X
          P-D letter:  St. Peters man says those who oppose LGBTQIA* employment laws are the same religious types who supported slavery 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.


        January 18, 2019
       
AP:  Hawley to keep home in Springfield, will bring wife and sons to D.C. so family can be together while Senate is in session
          Politico:  Jason Smith chides House Democrats for taking 30-member jaunt to Puerto Rico during shutdown
          The Missouri Times:  Parson signs executive order initiating major restructuring of four state agencies
          KWMU:  Parson pares Economic Development Department's portfolio to sharpen purpose
          JCNT:  Parson reorganizes DED, narrows focus X
          AP:  Parson plans to move several hundred employees from Dept. of Economic Development to Dept. of Higher Education
          Missourinet:  Parson to vastly reorganize numerous state agencies
          P-D:  Parson revamps Missouri's economic development efforts X
          P-D:  Missouri government makeover includes moving state oversight of public radio and TV X
          The Missouri Times:  State plans to shutter Crossroads Correctional Center, transfer inmates and employees to Western
          Missourinet:  Parson to provide details on prison plan today
          The Missouri Times:  State leaders applaud appeals court decision upholding Safe at Home address confidentiality program
          AP:  Missouri court reverses ruling on victim protection program
          CDT:  MNEA legislative forum focuses on funding, charter schools X
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Missouri PSC:  Week of January 9, 2019
          KC Star editorial:  Hawley right, Blunt wrong on Russia-sanctions vote X
          P-D editorial:  Parson's infrastructure focus is correct, but debt-funding it is a mistake X
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Missouri Farm Bureau's Eric Bohl:  Trump touts work for farmers at American Farm Bureau Convention
          Messenger:  Parson wants to close a prison. It's a good start. X
          SNL's Steve Pokin:  If you teach sex ed in Missouri public schools, you must discuss consent X
          JCNT letter:  Jefferson City man irked by Missourinet reporter's blatant anti-Trump bias X
          P-D letter:  Post-Dispatch subscriber highlights the company's inability to consistently deliver the newspaper on time 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.



        January 17, 2019
       
P-D:  'It's such an inconvenience':  Illinois mom drags kids to Arch before comprehending shutdown effects X
          KWMU:  "St. Louis on the Air":  Local artist devastated by impact of federal goverment shutdown;  Kirkwood man, traipsing around the country to photograph national parks, describes emotional hardship caused by "Park Temporarily Closed" signs
          KC Star:  Missouri medical marijuana:  Bills from KC Dems Shalonn "Kiki" Curls, Barbara Washington would give preferential treatment to minorities, women X
          The Missouri Times - Clayton edition:  Rep. Ian Mackey (D-St. Louis) to speak to Clayton Township Democrats next week
          KWMU:  Parson pledges to 'chart Missouri's future' in State of the State speech
          JCNT:  Parson proposes 3 percent pay raise for all Missouri state employees X
          JCNT:  Parson finds efficiency in closing Cameron's Crossroads Correctional facility X
          The Missouri Times:  State of the State 2019:  Parson focuses on infrastructure, workforce development
          P-D:  Bridge repair tops Parson's budget plan, along with money for schools X
          P-D:  Photo gallery:  State of the State address:  Curtain jerkers, preliminary festivities and the main event X
          AP:  Parson proposes $351 million bond for bridges
          AP:  Democrats respond to Parson's speech by taking digs at former Gov. Eric Greitens
          Missourinet:  Audio:  Gov. Mike Parson's 2019 State of the State address
          Missourinet:  Photo gallery:  State of the State address
          Missourinet:  Parson calls for state worker pay hike, spending on bridge repairs
          Missourinet:  Parson proposes shuttering Missouri prison
          Missourinet:  Republicans, Democrats react to Parson address
          CDT:  Higher ed to maintain funding levels in state budget X
          Columbia Missourian:  Parson emphasizes infrastructure, workforce development in first State of the State
          Joplin Globe:  Parson outlines 'bold' policy goals in State of the State address X
          The Missouri Times:  Schatz names committee chairs
          KC Star:  UMKC professor resigns amid allegations he used students as 'slave labor' X
          The Missouri Times:  Martin Luther King Jr. celebration delivers on theme of legacy and focus
          KC Star editorial:  Report from gun-control group shows cost of firearms to Missouri;  Legislators should pass gun-control laws, dump more money into urban governments for anti-violence programs X
          KC Star editorial:  Parson's vision includes more spending for infrastructure but not much else;  Governor should push to expand Medicaid, raise taxes X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Legislators should not attempt to alter Amendment 1 X
          P-D editorial:  Legislators wrong to pass document-confidentiality protections X
          Columbia Missourian's David Rosman:  Thoughts on 4th Congressional District silver medalist Renee Hoagenson, campaign fundraising, and Caleb Rowden's "new potion [sic] as Senate floor majority leader"
          P-D op-ed:  Missouri's death penalty jury deadlock provision is unconstitutional X
          P-D letter:  Ellisville septuagenarian mocks Post-Dispatch's hypocrisy regarding statewide vote on city-county merger 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.



        January 16, 2019
       
Missourinet:  Hawley defends Trump, calls accusations against president 'stomach turning'
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Hawley joins in questioning of AG nominee
          Missourinet:  McCaskill reports to work at MSNBC, will join group of panelists criticizing Trump's State of the Union on January 29
          The Missouri Times:  January 2019 quarterly filings:  Statewide
          The Missouri Times:  January 2019 quarterly filings:  Committees
          The Missouri Times:  January 2019 quarterly filings:  State Senate
          The Missouri Times:  January 2019 quarterly filings:  State House
          The Missouri Times:  19-year-old from St. Louis suburb says he's running against Jay Ashcroft in 2020 GOP secretary of state primary
          Joplin Globe:  (Jay) Nixon hall opens to students at Missouri Southern X
          P-D:  Preview:  Gov. Mike Parson's State of the State address X
          Missourinet:  Missouri Supreme Court looks at case claiming Legislature writes bills too broadly
          JCNT:  State high court considers legislative powers X
          The Missouri Times:  First bill moving through the House honors the late Rep. Cloria Brown (R-St. Louis County)
          KWMU:  Missouri Senate leaders pan proposal for statewide vote on city-county merger
          P-D:  Missouri House votes to protect privacy of constituent case files, declines to advance LGBT proposal X
          AP:  House takes voice votes on document confidentiality, expanding LGBT "protections," more
          P-D editorial:  Ann Wagner, other Republicans wrong to minimize effects of shutdown X
          KC Star editorial:  With investigations and tough questions looming, will Josh Hawley learn from his mistakes? X
          KC Star's Bryan Lowry:  Hawley attacks FBI, uses attorney general confirmation hearing to steal spotlight X
          Jensen:  Requiring Medicaid recipients to work is a smart move - and, predicitably, the Post-Dispatch hates it +
          Waters:  The Missouri Department of Revenue's fortuitous tax mistake X
          Messenger:  Thoughts on Twitter discussion with Robert Cornejo regarding "Clean Missouri" and beer 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.


        January 15, 2019
       
KSDK:  McCaskill joins MSNBC as political analyst
          KSMU:  Shutdown means Missouri food stamp recipients will get taxpayer-funded handouts early
          SNL:  Federal employees can use temporary government shutdown to get zero-interest loans at local credit union X
          SE Missourian:  Shutdown causing temporary cash-flow crunch for some Missouri farmers +
          KC Star:  Missouri Republican Party wants investigation into Jean Peters Baker;  Executive Director Ray Bozarth says union's strong-arming amounts to "pay to play politics" X
          AP:  GOP:  FBI should review union's pay-to-play demands on Dem chair
          The Missouri Times:  Fitzpatrick sworn in as state treasurer
          Missourinet:  Fitzpatrick:  "Government works for the people, not the other way around"
          AP:  Fitzpatrick sworn in as Missouri state treasurer
          JCNT:  Fitzpatrick, Galloway sworn in X
          The Missouri Times:  Galloway begins second term as auditor, announces Public Corruption and Fraud Division
          AP:  Galloway sworn in for another term as Missouri auditor
          Missourinet:  Galloway sworn into office:  "If you steal from taxpayers, my office will find you"
          Missourinet:  Galloway slams Missouri Dept. of Revenue mistake
          P-D:  Nicole Galloway, lone statewide Democrat in Missouri, sworn into four-year term X
          P-D:  Parson's budget does not include funds for DOR office move;  Agency wants to move from St. Louis City to Clayton to protect employees from crime X
          AP:  House looks to undo some minimum sentences
          AP:  Springfield News-Leader publisher gets $1.36 billion buyout bid
          P-D:  New House rules largely forbid dogs;  Ban on smoking in offices a possibility X
          P-D editorial:  Young futures hang in the balance as Warren County adopts four-day school week 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.



        January 14, 2019
       
KWMU:  MoDOT warns of slick roadways as melting snow refreezes
          Missourinet:  MoDOT brings in extra crews for Monday;  Missouri troopers assist about 1,800 stranded motorists
          This Week in Missouri Politics:  State Treasurer-to-be Scott Fitzpatrick talks with Scott Faughn about getting the call, priorities as treasurer, advice for rookie legislators, more;  Panel of freshman Reps. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R-Arnold), Dirk Deaton (R-Noel), Steve Butz (D-St. Louis City) and Wiley Price IV (D-St. Louis City) on legislative priorities, Speaker Elijah Haahr's leadership, federal government shutdown, more
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  House Superminority Leader Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) on playing defense in Legislature, split with black Dems on effects of "Clean Missouri," DOR's tax withholding error, more
          JCNT:  Profile:  Parson spokeswoman Kelli Jones embraces fast pace of governor's office X
          JCNT:  At session-opening speech, Jay Ashcroft challenges leaders to act with integrity, humility, grace X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Tony Luetkemeyer dives into the Senate
          JCNT:  State agencies still considering red-tape cutbacks X
          AP:  Meat producers seek to make Missouri's "real meat" bill a model for other states
          P-D:  Warrenton becomes latest Missouri school district to move to four-day school weeks X
          CDT editorial:  Columbia should pay for Trump's campaign stop - this time X
          P-D editorial:  State's secrecy behind medical marijuana permitting is a bad start to new law X
          SNL op-ed:  Anti-death-penalty activist Donna Walmsley:  State lawmakers should give responsibility for capital punishment sentencing to jurors, not judges X
          KC Star letter:  Independence liberal says Josh Hawley has no spine X
          P-D letter:  Fenton septuagenarian applauds Schmitt, Tony Messenger for work on 'debtors' prisons' 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.



        January 13, 2019   MoDOT Travel Map
       
KSMU:  Blunt co-sponsors bill that would change president's role in budget process
          SNL:  New VA clinic in Springfield expects 350,000 outpatient visits by end of first year X
          KC Star:  Poor revenue outlook complicates upcoming budget deliberations for Missouri lawmakers X
          Joplin Globe:  Advocacy group:  Missouri ranks low in money spent on tobacco prevention X
          CDT:  Inmates seek bill allowing chance for parole or death X
          Joplin Globe:  State regulators yet to play role in reservoir talks X
          P-D editorial:  Let Missouri voters decide on a St. Louis City - St. Louis County merger X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Legislators should spend more tobacco-tax settlement money, and voters should support raising taxes X
          SNL letter:  Joplin septuagenarian unhappy with Gov. "Parsos [sic]" over Amendment 1 cleanup efforts 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.



        January 12, 2019   MoDOT Travel Map
       
KC Star:  KC labor leaders claim union-busting by Missouri Democratic Party Chair Jean Peters Baker, vow to withhold support X
          P-D:  Federal shutdown leads to early food stamp handouts X
          NY Times:  Shutdown profiles:  St. Louis County woman, who earns nearly $50k as federal government paperwork processor, laments inability to budget past next paycheck
          KWMU:  Local union boss complains about shutdown
          P-D:  Weekly congressional delegation update:  Ann Wagner to White House for anti-trafficking bill;  House votes on rural broadband;  More X
          P-D:  Anti-NRA group claims organization coordinated with Hawley campaign X
          P-D:  Illegal Chinese alien gets time served for employing illegal Mexican aliens, faces possible deportation X
          Brownfield Ag News:  Parson supports Trump's trade discussions with China
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Governor's Office:  Week of January 7, 2019
          The Missouri Times:  Seven new initiative petitions filed, bringing total to 37
          Washington Missourian:  Three rookie lawmakers take oath of office X
          P-D:  Missouri Dept. of Revenue seeks to protect state workers by moving them from downtown St. Louis City location;  New office in Clayton would provide safer environment X
          AP:  Court:  State of Missouri, governor can't be sued over public defender complaints
          SNL:  DNR promises public meeting on Litton pollution X
          KWMU:  Longtime St. Louis journalist Linda Lockhart reflects on career and current state of journalism:  From good old days of copyboys running errands to present day of too many white men making decisions
          KWMU:  Newspaper veteran Tim O'Neil, formerly of the Post-Dispatch, talks about paper's office downsizing
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Make sure Missouri benefits from sports betting
          KC Star editorial:  How bad are starting salaries for Missouri teachers? Even Mississippi pays more X
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Tim Jones:  Missouri should look to low- and no-income-tax states to experience expansive economic growth
          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.




        January 11, 2019
       
KWMU:  Longtime political journalist Jo Mannies reflects on career, major stories
          P-D:  Local federal workers claim they are delaying retirement, facing other hardships due to one (1) postponed paycheck X
          KC Star:  Local federal workers use free time to protest time off X
          The Missouri Times:  Photo gallery:  2019 Legislative Ball's Grand March
          The Missouri Times:  Photo gallery:  2019 swearing-in
          Missourinet:  Governor's prayer breakfast draws packed house;  St. Louis City Sheriff Vernon Betts notes that real men "have got to be careful" these days
          KWMU:  Politically Speaking podcast:  Speaker Elijah Haahr talks to Rosenbaum about criminal-sentencing overhaul, black legislators' desire to clean up Amendment 1, more
          The Missouri Times:  Schatz stresses quality over quantity for 2019 legislative session
          AP:  Missouri Senate debates proposal to add four new committee positions
          P-D's Kurt Erickson:  Senate debates four new committee positions;  Expansion has support of "Sen. Gina Walsh (D-Bellfontaine [sic] Neighbors) X
          The Missouri Times:  DHSS begins rulemaking process for medical marijuana program
          Missourinet:  Early interest in Missouri's legalized medical marijuana is robust
          AP:  Strong interest in medical marijuana in Missouri
          CDT:  Ben Hurst resigns from Missouri Clean Water Commission X
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the PSC:  January 9, 2019
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  UMSL's Terry Jones gives background on St. Louis City-County merger attempts and challenges of current push
          The Missouri Times - Clayton edition:  Tony Messenger to speak at Clayton Chamber of Commerce event Jan. 22
          P-D:  Hawley, other Republicans wrong on pre-existing conditions X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Legislators should keep their hands off Amendment 1 X
          P-D editorial:  Missouri taxpayers deserve a break after the state's withholding glitch X
          KC Star editorial:  Demand answers to why a 53-year-old man died in a Missouri jail, and why it was kept secret X
          KC Star op-ed:  U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver:  Facts vs. myths in the debate over immigration X
          Kraske:  No more free meals? Life in the 'Clean Missouri' statehouse will never be the same X
          CDT op-ed:  Missourians can now talk medical marijuana with their doctors X
          P-D op-ed:  Ferguson-Florissant School District attorney Cindy Reeds Ormsby responds to editorial advocating fixing elections help prevent white representation 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.




        January 10, 2019
       
P-D:  Blunt, Hawley, Clay weigh in on shutdown X
          KWMU:  Ann Wagner sees suburban St. Louis district trending blue, urges GOP to stem national tide
          AP:  Government shutdown will keep HUD Secretary Ben Carson from speaking at Governor's Prayer Breakfast
          SNL:  Area union leader complains about shutdown X
          Farm Journal:  Farmers battling the Muddy Missouri and the Army Corps of Engineers
          Brownfield Ag News:  U.S. Supreme Court won't hear state animal ag challenges;  Comments from Attorney General Eric Schmitt
          KSMU:  Parson appoints John Russell, former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Matt Blunt, as Greene County commissioner
          KWMU:  Parson promotes black female judge to Missouri Court of Appeals
          AP:  Parson appoints Robin Ransom to appeals court
          KWMU:  Missouri Legislature opens 2019 with an ambitious agenda
          The Missouri Times:  Haahr takes role as Speaker, promises "bold solutions"
          Missourinet:  Speaker Elijah Haahr outlines 2019 priorities
          AP:  Lawmakers convene, pledge to work on improving education and creating jobs
          SNL:  Speaker of the House Elijah Haahr (D), Superminority Leader Crystal Quade (D) carry Springfield voices to Capitol X
          KSMU:  On Day One in the Missouri House, Greene County takes center stage
          Missourinet:  Springfield will have strong clout in Missouri House in 2019
          JCNT:  State House optimistic about 100th session X
          P-D:  With new leaders in place, Missouri lawmakers launch 100th session of the General Assembly X
          Columbia Missourian:  Missouri lawmakers kick off new legislative session with pomp and promises
          Missourinet:  Schatz gives glimpse into GOP's direction this session
          Missourinet:  Schatz says 'right to work' passage this session "probably unlikely"
          CDT:  Sen. Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia) assumes new role as Senate majority leader X
          JCNT:  Senate launches session with 9 new members X
          Missourinet:  Democratic legislative leaders hold realistic expectations as superminority
          P-D:  MO DHSS following the law, will not disclose medical marijuana applications despite reporter's request X
          P-D:  Parson's staff does not use "Silent Phone" app;  Missouri Highway Patrol recommended Greitens staff install security app prior to traveling to China and Middle East X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  DESE Deputy Commissioner Roger Dorson says fully funding foundation formula is a priority
          P-D:  State says air ambulance companies overly aggressive in pursuing payments X
          P-D:  Gateway Journalism Review event features impressive liberal lineup:  Environmentalist Kay Drey, former Sen. Wayne Goode (D-St. Louis), PBS reporter Yamiche Alcindor X
          Columbia Missourian:  MoDOT to hold informational meeting about proposed construction on bridge on U.S. 63
          Washington Missourian editorial:  Earmarking online sales taxes for transportation
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Suggestions for GOP supermajority:  Fund transportation, create PDMP, don't change Clean Missouri, more X
          JCNT editorial:  Suggestions for GOP majority:  Fund transporation, create PDMP, overhaul criminal sentencing, more X
          P-D editorial:  'Clean Missouri' means what it says, Gov. Parson. Don't mess with it. X
          KC Star's Bryan Lowry:  Josh Hawley - unlike his predecessor Claire McCaskill - can't answer questions on his feet;  McCaskill did a better job dishing, spending time with reporters 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.


        January 9, 2019   First day of legislative session
       
Priddy:  Convening the session:  Words of wisdom from Jay Barnes and Jeff Smith
          KWMU:  Lacy Clay, black state legislators among those hoping to fix "Clean Missouri" gerrymandering
          SE Missourian:  Retiring Rep. Donna Lichtenegger (R-Jackson) embraces 'my government,' talks term limits and Greitens +
          P-D:  Advice from former legislators Jake Hummel, Jay Barnes, Kevin Engler, Gail McCann Beatty +
          The Missouri Times:  Ashcroft says he plans to overhaul initiative petition process in a content-neutral way
          Missourinet:  Marijuana bills on the upswing in Missouri Legislature
          SNL:  Missouri medical marijuana trade show announced X
          The Missouri Times:  Rep.-elect Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R) aims to protect minors while combatting sex trafficking
          KWMU:  Missouri Board of Education says you can't buy lower teacher turnover
          Missourinet:  Pennsylvania-based rankings/review site claims most neighboring states pay teachers more than Missouri;  Comments from Missouri School Boards' Association's Melissa Randol
          CDT:  Federal shutdown not affecting Missouri school breakfast/lunch handouts X
          Missourinet:  Bill from Rep. Dan Stacy (R-Blue Springs) would institute instant runoff voting method
          The Missouri Times:  Former MOGOP Chair David Cole joins Health Facilities Review Committee;  5 new Certificate of Need applications approved
          Missourinet:  Capitol renovation project running on schedule
          KC Star editorial:  Temporary government shutdown affecting residents of Missouri, Kansas;  Kansas Indian tribe could face delayed improvements to HVAC system, other harrowing atrocities
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  The case for career politicians:  We could use more like Mike Parson and fewer like Eric Greitens
          P-D editorial:  Schmitt's stand against debtors' prisons is an apt start to his new job X
          P-D editorial:  Changing the election system will help prevent voters from choosing white candidates for Ferguson-Florissant school board X
          Columbia Missourian's Steve Spellman:  On the Dept. of Revenue tax-withholding tables snafu
          Messenger:  Schmitt joins the fight against debtors' prisons in Missouri X
          Helling:  Statewide vote on St. Louis area merger is silly;  "Old and poor" St. Louis City combining with "rich and growing" St. Louis County is of little interest to most Missourians X
          P-D letter:  Ferguson man says lobbyists have been purchasing Missouri lawmakers' votes via sports tickets, free food and "who knows what else" 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.



        January 8, 2019
       
The Missouri Times:  Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) to speak at 2019 Missouri Lincoln Days
          P-D:  Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) to keynote Missouri Lincoln Days X
          SE Missourian:  Oliver North to speak at Cape County Lincoln Day in March +
          Missourinet:  Cleaver, Hartzler weigh in on border wall
          AP:  Missouri revenue down 2.9 percent through first half of fiscal year
          Missourinet:  Schmitt wants to stop modern-day 'debtors' prisons'
          Columbia Missourian:  Schmitt files first amicus brief opposing 'debtors' prisons'
          P-D:  Rep. Crystal Quade (D-Springfield) says House Dems looking into allegations against Rep. Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis City);  KMOV report showed Franks falsified timesheets at taxpayer-funded job, hid income on bankruptcy filing X
          Missourinet:  County officials don't want lawmakers to transfer road maintenance to local governments
          KWMU:  Judge:  15,000 inmates eligible to join lawsuit over Missouri parole practices
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep.-elect Louis Riggs (R-Hannibal) says higher ed background will be a plus
          AP:  Ferguson school district must change election board method;  Traditional at-large elections resulted in voters choosing too many Caucasoids
          KWMU:  U.S. Supreme Court upholds ruling on Ferguson-Florissant School Board elections
          The Missouri Times:  ACLU responds to Supreme Court denial of elections case appeal
          P-D:  Parkway West eighth grader Wilson Gao earns perfect score on SAT;  Minority student chooses to work hard, achieves success X
          KWMU:  State officials sit through another public meeting on Bridgeton Landfill;  Woman who chose to purchase house near landfill complains about odor
          P-D:  Adam Crumbliss, other public servants hear from landfill neighbors who dislike findings of scientific report X
          P-D:  Post-Dispatch to downsize, move to smaller office building in St. Louis City X
          KC Star editorial:  Suggestions for GOP legislative agenda:  Repeal tax cuts, expand Medicaid, leave Clean Missouri's gerrymandering as is, other fantasies X
          JCNT editorial:  Legislature bolsters local economy X
          Joplin Globe editorial:  Specifics needed from Missouri Department of Conservation on Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center X
          P-D letter:  St. Louis woman wonders why family columnist/beauty-product reviewer Aisha Sultan is the sole diversity-quota selection for editorial board - and relegated to "adjunct member" status 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.


        January 7, 2019
       
KWMU:  Parson's PAC goes public as it raises big dollars from big donors
          KWMU:  Forecasting legislative issues:  Early childhood education, transportation, low income housing tax credits, redistricting, 'right to work,' more
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Legislature opens with new governor, old problems
          Missourinet:  Parson shares thoughts on transportation funding, opportunies presented by Panama Canal expansion
          AP:  Lawmakers to consider redistricting, sports betting
          St. Joseph News-Press:  Lawmakers to consider sports betting proposals
          P-D:  Annual legislative preview X
          KC Star:  Annual legislative preview X
          This Week in Missouri Politics:  Panel of David Barklage, Reps. Jean Evans, Tracy McCreery and Donna Baringer talk about personalities of Scott Fitzpatrick, Elijah Haahr and Crystal Quade;  Tort overhaul;  "Clean Missouri";  Statewide vote on St. Louis City-St. Louis County merger;  More
          Washington Missourian:  Legislative rookies, veteran head to Capitol for first week of session
          KWMU:  Galloway finds changes to home health care saved far less than expected
          CDT:  Bill from Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) would set limits on how early school districts can begin classes X
          JCNT:  Medical marijuana a step closer to reality today;  Pre-filing for license applications begins X
          Phill Brooks:  The art of Missouri budget compromise:  Lessons from Bob Holden and Mel Carnahan X
          SNL letters:  Area feminist thinks legislators should take Equal Rights Amendment proposal seriously;  St. Louis County liberal opposes Medicaid standards;  Battlefield woman threatens to vote against Parson if he supports Amendment 1 cleanup X
          Disclosure


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        January 6, 2019
       
P-D:  Trump supporters rally in Clayton for border wall X
          St. Joseph News-Press:  New to Congress, Hawley settles in
          P-D:  U.S. House opens 116th Congress with party-line votes X
          KTVI (St. Louis):  Minimum wage increase already costing Missouri jobs;  Local auto shop, hardware store letting employees go due to higher wage costs
          SE Missourian:  Local business leaders discuss negative effects of Missouri's minimum wage increase +
          Lake Sun:  Businesses brace for damage caused by minimum wage increase
          SNL:  Missouri lawmakers have filed 10 marijuana bills since Amendment 2 passed. Here's a roundup. X
          JCNT:  100th General Assembly convenes Wednesday X
          JCNT:  Jay Barnes reflects on 8 years in Missouri Legislature:  "I will not miss this at all";  Thoughts on Mamtek, Greitens, life after politics X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep.-elect Louis Riggs (R-Hannibal) talks primary victory, freshman bus tour
          Columbia Missourian:  State program for special-needs students has failed to help a single one;  Comments from former Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst (R-High Ridge)
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Bill from Rep. Tim Remole (R-Excello) aims to help DNR move faster on business permits
          Joplin Globe:  Federal, state agencies will weigh in on plans for reservoir;  Growing demand from Joplin-area residents requires new water source X
          Joplin Globe:  Missouri Dept. of Conservation:  No timeline for reopening of Wildcat Glades nature center X
          AP:  Joplin Globe has new owner:  Alabama pension fund
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  Most counties in Missouri don't look like Kansas City or St. Louis City;  Great Northwest Day at the Capitol provides an important forum for rural issues
          JCNT editorial:  Department of Corrections continues to embarrass our state, and problems need immediate attention X
          McClellan:  On decision to vote for Roy Blunt over Jason Kander, and St. Louis County Republicans hosting Joe Arpaio +
          CDT's Rudi Keller:  Missouri lawmakers' days of free meals are over 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.


        January 5, 2019
       
KC Star:  Most local federal workers still getting paid during temporary shutdown;  Area woman laments inability to finance new hardwood floors X
          P-D:  Mass protest of federal workers opposing shutdown draws crowd of nearly ten (10) in St. Louis City X
          The Missouri Times:  Initiative petition focuses on voting by mail
          Missourinet:  Parson to address hundreds at Missouri Cattlemen's Association event today in Columbia
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the Governor's Office:  December 31, 2018
          P-D:  Greitens records show campaign adviser Austin Chambers communicated with governor's official staff;  Comments from former Jay Nixon spokesman Scott Holste X
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) jobs bills aimed at helping both military veterans and felons find work
          KFVS (Cape Girardeau):  Southeast Missouri prison inmates nurture a career in agriculture
          P-D:  Anti-gun advocates complain about Capitol policy;  State receives fifty (50) e-mails, letters over one-month period X
          The Missouri Times:  This Week in the PSC:  January 3, 2019
          KC Star editorial:  Josh Hawley lectures that Democrats 'need to do their jobs.' But he didn't do his as AG. X
          KC Star editorial:  State screwup could be unpleasant surprise for Missouri taxpayers. Lawmakers should help. X
          KC Star's Jason Hancock:  Hawley's legacy as AG centers on unfinished Greitens investigation;  Limited number of gov office documents have been turned over by "Gov. Mike Paron [sic]" X
          SE Missourian letter:  Jackson woman says Gov. Parson is wrong on Amendment 1 +
          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.



        January 4, 2019
       
P-D:  Sen. Hawley takes oath in D.C. X
          KWMU:  St. Louis on the Air:  Mannies, Rosenbaum debate which was the biggest story of the year:  Hawley's defeat of McCaskill, or Greitens' self-defeat
          KWMU:  Local government workers' union official complains about government shutdown, details personal failure to conserve her funds until next paycheck
          KWMU:  Activists not pleased with Trump's efforts to roll back regulations;  Comments from Sierra Club Missouri's John Hickey
          Missourinet:  Missouri hospital groups respond to new federal pricing transparency rule;  Comments from Missouri Hospital Association's Dave Dillon
          The Missouri Times:  Eric Schmitt sworn in as Missouri's 43rd attorney general
          AP:  Schmitt sworn in as Missouri's attorney general
          Missourinet:  Eric Schmitt takes office
          P-D:  Missouri gets a new attorney general, officials hope for calm X
          Missourinet:  Fitzpatrick to be sworn in as Missouri treasurer on January 14
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri conservatives' next generation:  Elijah Haahr and Scott Fitzpatrick step into the spotlight as leaders of tomorrow
          The Missouri Times:  Missouri Ethics Commission fines Kim Gardner $63k for campaign violations;  Former Democratic state rep used campaign money for Planet Fitness membership, other personal expenses
          KMOV (St. Louis):  Investigation shows Rep. Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis City) signed falsified timesheets at taxpayer-funded job in St. Louis City
          KMOV (St. Louis):  Rep. Bruce Franks (D-St. Louis City) calls for boycott of TV station after news story regarding falsified timesheets
          Twitter.com/BruceFranksJr:  "When you really [sic] a 24hr mentor but KMOV doesn't u [sic] Deray's day [sic?] the ripple effect of tearing down black leadership!"
          AP:  Mid-America business index rises in December
          Missourinet:  Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring) introduces multiple bills to limit taxation and government spending
          CDT:  Columbia Chamber of Commerce lists MU funding, tax on Internet sales as priorities X
          Columbia Missourian:  Chamber of Commerce 2019 priorities include funding for MU, public education
          CDT:  Dept. of Revenue Director Joel Walters discusses tax refund errors X
          P-D:  Missouri agrees to collect St. Louis Zoo sales tax after weeks of confusion X
          SNL:  Missouri to release student test scores in February X
          KWMU:  St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson (D), St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger (D) open to using statewide vote to decide upon proposed city-county merger
          KC Star editorial:  St. Louis County GOP wrong to invite Joe Arpaio to speak X
          Washington Missourian editorial:  State legislature should not cap local sales taxes X
          P-D editorial:  Consolidation proposal for police in smallest St. Louis County towns has merit X
          P-D letter:  Kirkwood man wonders why diversity champions on Post-Dispatch editorial board do not value ideological diversity 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.



        January 3, 2019
       
P-D:  Rural Missouri voters hope Hawley remembers the conservative principles that got him elected X
          KWMU:  Southeast Missourian nail manufacturer talks tariffs
          Daily American Republic:  Carter County receives $8.6 million to replace flood-damaged courthouse, jail, sheriff department +
          P-D:  Missouri Ethics Commission fines Kim Gardner $63k;  Former Democratic state rep used campaign funds for personal expenses including gym membership, hid numerous contributions and expenditures X
          P-D:  Jefferson City restaurant owner discusses negative effects of "Clean Missouri" on local economy X
          The Missouri Times:  Four lawmakers trade in General Assembly for local government
          KWMU:  Missouri's medical marijuana program has long road ahead
          Missourinet:  Extended deadline proposed for some taxpayers as Missouri recovers from withholding error
          P-D:  State balks on collecting St. Louis Zoo sales tax X
          Missourinet:  Rep. Curtis Trent (R-Springfield) optimistic about "Hailey's Law" in 2019
          P-D:  Missouri fund can help families of crime victims pay for burials, and the process is now clear X
          Missourinet:  Missouri State Highway Patrol:  six motorists killed over New Year's weekend, none wearing seat belts
          SNL:  Greene County says yes to state audit X
          KC Star editorial:  What are KC-area laws for cannabis extract CBD? The answer is still hazy X
          SE Missourian editorial:  Paint for a Cause project to help celebrate state's birthday +
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  It's time for legislators to act on PDMP
          P-D op-ed:  Rep. Donna Baringer (D-St. Louis City):  PDMP, heat map will help combat drug abuse in Missouri X
          P-D letter:  Rep. Fred Wessels (D-St. Louis City):  Parson, GOP legislators wrong to propose changes to initiative petition process X
          P-D letter:  Clayton man responds to Dan Mehan, says Missouri Chamber gets what it deserves when out-of-state liberal interests pour money into Missouri initiatives X
          SE Missourian letter:  Cape Girardeau man says "Clean Missouri" language was misleading, would taint southeast Missouri districts with urban voters +
          P-D letter:  St. Louis woman says urban schools will improve performance if state legislators stop cutting taxes and stop supporting charter schools 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.


        January 2, 2019
       
Missourinet:  Carter County gets $8.6 million to rebuild from flood damage
          The Missouri Times - Clayton edition:  Q&A with St. Louis County NAACP President John Gaskin III
          JCNT:  Number of female legislators hits all-time high in Missouri X
          KWMU:  Margie Vandeven, returning as Missouri's education commissioner, wants to focus on future
          Missourinet:  Margie Vandeven returns to job today
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Deputy Education Commissioner Roger Dorson discusses budget work
          KRES/KWIX (Moberly):  Missouri School Boards' Association's Brent Ghan says virtual school bills may resurface
          Missourinet:  Advocacy group backs legislation to cover kids' developmental disabilities
          Missourinet:  SSM:  MU Health Care is the right candidate to purchase St. Mary's Hospitals in mid-Missouri
          St. Joseph News-Press editorial:  A spring rise, by any other name;  Congress must take action to protect Missouri farmland
          P-D editorial:  Legislature's to-do list for 2019:  Expand Medicaid, ban Confide, other fantasies X
          KC Star editorial:  Missouri petition process needs a tweak, not an overhaul X
          St. Joseph News-Press' Alonzo Weston:  Bag-Head Jheri looks ahead to 2019:  Sexagenarian columnist prints fictitious conversation with imaginary homeless man;  Topics include Trump's stupidity, Kansas City Chiefs' upcoming defeat, other cheerful and substantive topics
          P-D letter:  St. Louis man says legislators should stop complaining about the cost of Medicaid 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.




        January 1, 2019   Happy New Year!
       
January 2018 Missouri political news headlines
          January 2017 Missouri political news headlines
          January 2016 Missouri political news headlines
          January 2015 Missouri political news headlines
          January 2014 Missouri political news headlines
          KWMU:  "Our favorite photos of 2018":  High school students protest "priveleged [sic] white boys";  Michael Brown Sr. smokes a cigarette while placing objects in the middle of street;  Illegal alien evades authorities in Maplewood;  Anti-Trump protesters march on Delmar Boulevard;  etc.
          KWMU:  Chairman of House committee that investigated Greitens again calls for Ethics Commission action
          The Missouri Times:  House committee investigating former governor releases final report
          AP:  Lawmaker review of Greitens over;  MEC complaint remains
          KC Star:  Rep. Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City) says he hopes inquiries into Greitens campaign continue
          P-D:  Committee investigating Greitens releases final report X
          P-D:  Former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio to headline St. Louis County GOP dinner X
          AP:  GOP Reps. Kurt Bahr, Rick Brattin resign Monday, shortly before terms end;  Both were elected to county offices
          The Missouri Times:  Taylor Burks to head Division of Labor Standards
          SNL:  How the minimum wage increase will affect Missouri's smallest paychecks X
          Missourinet:  Minimum wage hike takes effect today
          Missourinet:  Missouri expects 2 percent revenue hike
          P-D:  Facing a potential tax bill surprise, Missourians could get extension to pay X
          Missourinet:  Missouri still looking to expand rural broadband access
          St. Joseph News-Press' Ken Newton:  Parson should give up on attempt to change "Clean Missouri" provisions
          The Missouri Times op-ed:  Pat Dougherty:  Four gifts for the 2019 General Assembly
          SE Missourian letter:  Local septuagenarian Democrat unhappy with delay on implementing marijuana law, GOP efforts to clean up Amendment 1, other transgressions +
          Disclosure


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


         





       

       


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