Volume 18, Edition 2   •  August 10, 2007

Governor Calls Special Session on Bridges, Development

Gov. Matt Blunt has announced a special session of the Missouri General Assembly to begin August 20 to fast track the Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program to repair or replace more than 800 Missouri bridges and enact an economic development package which includes an expansion of the governor’s successful Quality Jobs Act. The governor is asking the Legislature to address the need to improve and replace hundreds of Missouri bridges with a legislative change to allow contractors to access the bonds needed for the projects. The bonds for the Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program will help protect the taxpayer by ensuring the work is completed by the contractors who fix and replace the bridges. Without this change, no contractors would be able to obtain the required bonds which would prevent the program from moving forward. Lawmakers are also expected to address the need for an economic development package that includes an expansion of the Quality Jobs Act which ties economic expansion to higher wages. The package would allow the Quality Jobs initiative to create even more family-supporting jobs by increasing its capacity from $12 million to $40 million. The package would also increase the Enhanced Enterprise Zone capacity from $7 million to $14 million and create a state match for the federal New Markets tax credit which brings investment to economically distressed areas.

Law School Transcripts Sought for Review

The governor’s office this week asked the Appellate Judicial Commission to provide the law school transcripts of the three Missouri Supreme Court candidates. The commission met in secret to select the three-member panel, and it is unknown whether the law school transcripts of the three were provided by the candidates or what role the documents may have played in their selection. The governor’s office previously requested all available information from the Appellate Judicial Commission, including any background checks the commission may have performed on the three candidates. The commission has indicated it will comply with the request for the background checks with the appropriate waivers. The requests are part of an exhaustive review by Governor Blunt and his office to determine who of the three candidates will serve as Missouri's next Supreme Court judge.

More Good Economic News Under GOP

With each passing month, Missouri’s economy continues to grow stronger under policies put in place almost three years ago by Governor Blunt and Republicans. The latest example of this continued growth came this week when the state announced that Missouri's net general revenue for last month was $482.3 million, up from $453.2 million in July last year. Office of Administration Commissioner Mike Keathley said the July figures were a good start for the new fiscal year and that because the previous fiscal year was so strong, Missouri revenue needs to grow by only 2.6 percent to meet what state budget writers were expecting. The revenue figures show that Missouri’s economy is strong as businesses expand and hire more people. This expansion was also achieved without the kinds of job-killing tax increases that Democrats have for years embraced. Already, Missouri has created more than 90,000 new jobs since January of 2005 while Missouri export totals continue to set records. All of this success is a credit to the Republican commitment to fiscal responsibility that is designed to improve the quality of life for all Missourians.

Democrats Wave White Flag in Dempsey Race

Rep. Tom Dempsey is working hard to win the 23rd Senatorial District race with less than a month before the September 4 special election. Dempsey has raised more than $200,000 and is doing all the right things to win the seat vacated by Republican Chuck Gross. Dempsey’s strong campaign is also getting noticed by Democrats, who have all but conceded the seat to Dempsey. A few months ago, Democrat state Sen. Chuck Graham was bragging that Democrats could win the seat – but not anymore. In a discussion with the Columbia Daily Tribune this week, Graham changed his tune, saying Gross’ seat was no longer a race Democrats were focusing on. “Tom Dempsey is a good candidate, he will be very difficult to be able to beat,” said Graham, the former head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. For the record, Ed Applebaum is the Democrat candidate. Despite the Democrat weakness, Republicans in the 23rd District are encouraged to go out and vote on September 4 to support Dempsey and send a strong message that St. Charles continues to be a Republican stronghold.

Pearce Announces for 31st Senatorial District

Rep. David Pearce of Warrensburg has announced his intention to run in 2008 for the state’s 31st District Senate seat being vacated by Chris Koster, who recently betrayed Republicans by announcing that he was switching to the Democrat Party. Pearce, who is serving his third two-year term in the House, has sponsored legislation to add cell phones and faxes to the state’s No Call List, prohibit sexually-oriented billboards, bar the operation of private treatment centers for convicted sex offenders and protect Second Amendment rights on the state level. He also has co-sponsored pro-life legislation and sponsored and authored HB 741, an economic development bill that provided statewide incentives for job creation and agriculture. “I have appreciated the opportunity to represent constituents’ interests in Jefferson City and want to continue the work that we’ve begun,” Pearce said. “I see the next several years as being pivotal in the development of our state’s policies on economic development, education and issues that affect the family. I want to see that work through so that it yields meaningful initiatives to attract industry, create jobs and improve education, particularly higher education. ”

Volunteers Wanted for Tour of Missouri Race

Governor Blunt and Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder are encouraging Missourians to get involved in the Tour of Missouri, one of the top three professional cycling races in the United States that is attracting some of the world’s top-ranked cycling teams and fans to the Show-Me State. For an event that is described as the traveling Super Bowl of cycling, volunteers are needed at each start and finish location for jobs such as security, media, hospitality, volunteer check-in and course marshals. Anyone can sign up to volunteer at www.tourofmissouri.com/volunteer. The governor also launched a new ticking countdown to the Tour of Missouri on his Internet site at www.gov.mo.gov. “The inaugural Tour of Missouri is an opportunity to showcase Missouri’s treasures,” Governor Blunt said. “I am looking forward to welcoming cycling enthusiasts and other visitors from around the world to Missouri. September is a beautiful time of the year; our state and Missourians will be wonderful hosts for our many visitors to all of the communities during the six-day, 600 mile race. We are seeking volunteers to assist with this exciting event and I am encouraging Missourians to get involved in the Tour of Missouri.” The lieutenant governor also stressed the importance of the race to all Missourians: “The Tour of Missouri is being called one of the ‘Grand Tours’ of American cycling. This race will not only showcase our beautiful state, but it will also give the world a taste of Midwest hospitality and goodwill. Volunteering to help during the first Tour of Missouri is a unique opportunity for Missourians to be a part of this world-class race.”

Nixon Insults State Troopers with Callous Remark

In shocking remarks to the Missouri Sheriff’s Association, Jay Nixon openly insulted and mocked Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers by claiming that the men and women who put their lives on the line each day are more concerned about cleaning their cars than protecting Missourians. “You don't find any of our great state troopers spending much time on anything that's got gravel on it, certainly not anything that runs through a stream directly without going over it,” Nixon said during a speech at the Embassy Suites in St. Charles on July 23. “You might have to take an hour off and re-uh-re clean our cars.” The Missouri Republican Party demanded that Nixon, the self-described chief law enforcement officer of the state, immediately apologize to the Highway Patrol for his callous remarks, which can be viewed here.

Republicans Demand Contribution Refunds from Koster

Angry Republicans are demanding that Chris Koster return campaign contributions he received before betraying voters by switching his suspect political allegiances to the Missouri Democrat Party. The Missouri Republican Party’s telephone lines in Jefferson City have been ringing off the hook since Koster turned his back on Republicans who not only gave their money to Koster but also sacrificed their time and energy on his behalf over the years. The deception and betrayal felt among Republicans is deep-rooted and justified, given Koster’s charade. “The hard working people of Cass County have been betrayed by Chris Koster, and we are demanding that he return our hard-earned money so that it can used to support real Republicans instead of being used by a charlatan and turncoat like this disgrace of a senator,” said Ronald Johnson, the Cass County Republican Committee chairman whose committee has donated over $4,000 to Koster over the years. “Koster smashed a solemn trust, and if he has one shred of decency or moral character left, then he should return every penny he took from us.” In light of the angry response to Koster’s deceit, the Missouri Republican Party repeated its call for Koster to resign his Senate seat and run as a Democrat in a special election so that the people of the 31st Senatorial District have an opportunity to decide whether they want him representing them.

Did Koster Know When to Fold ‘Em in ‘Casinogate’ Case?

The ongoing Casinogate scandal that has Democrat state Sen. Jeff Smith facing potential jail time for breaking a state gambling law has raised serious new questions about whether state Sen. Chris Koster was invited to join Smith and other Democrats for a “tour” of the Isle of Capri in Boonville. Incredibly, both Smith and Koster serve on the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee which hears and votes on legislation that cracks down on illegal activity. And just hours after Smith was cited by Missouri Gaming officials for presenting false identification to gain access to a gambling boat during the lobbyist-backed junket, he was standing by Koster’s side as the former Republican announced his switch to the Democrat Party. Smith faces up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine after Democrat Rep. Joe Aull illegally allowed Smith to use his player’s card. Chris Koster has already proven that he lacks integrity, so it’s fair for the public and the media to ask if he had been invited to attend the tawdry little gathering of Democrats at the casino and whether Koster knew Smith had been busted just hours before his official switch to the Democrat Party. If Koster has any integrity left at all, he will tell Missourians and the media the truth in light of the Gaming Commission’s ongoing investigation.

Report Exposes Nixon, Montee Cover Up of Fund

A newly released independent report on the Second Injury Fund fully exposed Jay Nixon’s abuses of the system, including his use of the fund to reward political contributors, and highlighted Susan Montee’s shoddy work in auditing a system from which she has personally benefited. An actuarial study by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP shows that the state’s Second Injury Fund will go bankrupt in 2009 in large part because the fund’s expenditures under Nixon grew from $10.5 million in 1993 to $68 million in 2006. The growth in payments is staggering and troublesome in light of a 1992 St. Louis Post-Dispatch report in which Nixon “promised to change the [Second Injury Fund] by barring any participating lawyers from contributing to the attorney general's political campaigns.” Meanwhile, the actuarial study also exposed the extent of Montee’s auditing deficiencies, including her failure to do an analysis of the fund’s history of expenditures, which raises more troubling questions about why she has failed to mention that her family law firm handled nearly 150 Second Injury Fund claims in recent years.

Post-Dispatch Goes After ‘The Gambler’ Jeff Smith

Missourians are obviously quite concerned about the very serious situation facing Democrat state Sen. Jeff Smith, who broke the law by using another person’s identification to board the Isle of Capri casino in Boonville. Smith was arrested and faces a fine and possible jail time. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch launched a mocking hit against Smith recently with an editorial that can be set to the tune of the song “The Gambler.” While the newspaper editorial might be entertaining to some, it seems to lessen the seriousness of the situation Smith and others are facing. To read the editorial, click here.

Governor Praised by Financial Times for Openness

While liberal members of the media do everything they can to attack the governor at the behest of Democrat operatives, well-respected national publications like the Financial Times are taking notice of his accomplishments. The Financial Times praised Governor Blunt for the recently-launched “Map Your Taxes” website which allows Missourians to examine government expenditures on the Internet. To read the entire article, click here.

MissouriPulse.com Post of the Week

Koster Could Face Two Retro Funding Drains

During an interview with the CDT last week, Democratic Senator Chris Koster had this to say when asked about the likelihood of betrayed donors wanting their money back after his party switcheroo:

“I’ve talked with most of my major donors certainly and gave them a heads up. My strong sense is they had contributed to me because of my work in the Senate and my vision for the state, and not because of the letter after my name.”

Based on the data in the charts below, it’s safe to assume that Koster has yet to speak with numerous party and candidate-related committees that doled out more than $70,000 to help him get elected as a Republican (i.e. “the letter after my name”). With the threat of retroactive donation limits already looming large for Koster, he could face an additional challenge should Republicans seek refunds. There would be no better way for Koster to earn his stripes as a Democrat than to be forced to grovel (even more) before his trial lawyer and labor allies in the event that he is left with nothing but his personal largesse.

Party-Related Committees

Candidate and Leadership Committees

Source for all donations: MEC

The Cornerstone - Getting Ready for State Convention in Branson

The Missouri Presidential Primary is just six months away which means the Missouri Republican Party is kicking off our 2008 caucus and convention period. We will elect delegates and alternates to represent Missouri at the National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., on Sept. 1-4, 2008, and adopt our platform. We want to ensure that each of you – our devoted supporters – have the dates marked on your calendar:

  • Local Caucuses (county, city, townships) – Saturday, March 15, 2008, at 10 a.m.
  • Congressional District Conventions – Saturday, April 19, 2008, at 10 a.m.
  • Missouri Republican State Convention – Friday, May 30 – Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the Chateau on the Lake Resort & Convention Center in Branson.

We all know how important every election is to our state and our nation and that is why we encourage each of you to mark these dates on your calendar and spread the word. These are our first steps to victory and the chance for all of our Missouri Republicans to stand unified and share our vision for Missouri. If you have questions, call Mika Schrimpf at 573-636-3146 or email her at mika@mogop.org.

Thoughts and Prayers

The Missouri Republican Party encourages Republicans across the state to keep these individuals in your thoughts and prayers:

Alek Breitweiser, son of 24th District Committeeman Neal Breitweiser, who recently had emergency surgery for acute appendicitis.

Paul Busiek, husband of Mavis Busiek. Paul’s health concerns continue.
Carol Ellinger, 6th District State Committeewoman, who had cataract surgery.

Harold Hamann, father of 15th District State Committeewoman Peggy Adams, who was recently hospitalized.

Mike Keathley, Commissioner of Administration, who has cancer.

Teresa Kelley, Pettis County Committeewoman, who was seriously injured in an automobile accident.

Rosemary Kochner, 13th District State Committeewoman, who has continued health concerns.

State Rep. Scott Lipke, 157th House District, whose unborn daughter has been diagnosed with a heart condition.

Mary Mallien, 14th District State Committeewoman, who has continued health concerns.

Dawn Sprick, daughter of 21st District State Committeeman Gary Harris, who has cancer.

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