Volume 19, Edition 1   •  September 7 , 2007

Dempsey Elected to Missouri Senate

Tom Dempsey won a convincing victory this week in the 23rd State Senatorial District by easily defeating the Democrat candidate in the race to succeed Republican Sen. Chuck Gross. Unofficial election results showed Senator-elect Dempsey with 56.2 percent of the vote compared to just 43.8 percent for Ed Appelbaum. Missouri Republicans will hold a 20-14 majority in the Missouri Senate when Dempsey is sworn in. “My goals for the Senate include supporting tough immigration laws that will hold businesses that employ illegal immigrants accountable and will require state-funded universities to verify students are here legally. I also intend to work to enact legislation that will protect families from Internet predators and provide property tax relief,” Dempsey said. Doug Russell, chairman of the Missouri Republican Party, issued the following statement about Dempsey’s win: “Tom Dempsey’s hard-fought victory is great news for the residents of the 23rd Senatorial District who will benefit from his strong work ethic and his dedication to improving the lives of Missourians. Tom’s strong support of Gov. Matt Blunt’s agenda, including funding increases for public education, enhanced job creation, significant health care reform and disdain for tax increases, played an important role in his successful campaign. Missouri Republicans congratulate Tom on his impressive victory and look forward to his continued success as a member of the Missouri Senate.”

Special Session Bills Signed into Law

Governor Blunt has signed into law two bills passed last week in special session authorizing the repair or replacement more than 800 Missouri bridges and a separate economic development package expanding the governor’s successful Quality Jobs Act. The bridge bill will allow contractors to access the bonds needed for road construction projects. "Our bridge improvement plan will repair or replace more than 800 Missouri bridges with an innovative and original approach to provide faster results. The plan we are enacting in Missouri has been touted as a national model to improve our transportation infrastructure," the governor said. The economic development bill expands the capacity of the Quality Jobs Act from $12 million to $40 million. The package also increases the Enhanced Enterprise Zone capacity from $7 million to $14 million and creates a state match for the federal New Markets tax credit to bring investment to economically distressed areas. “This competitive and responsible economic development bill allows Missourians to work hard, encourages people to innovate, and allows them to invest what they earn and create even more jobs and economic opportunities to continue our state’s position as a global competitor,” the governor said.

CNN Focuses on Governor’s Immigration Policies

Governor Blunt’s tough stand on illegal immigration was the focus of a CNN interview this week. The cable network’s Lou Dobbs interviewed the governor about tough new policies to crack down on illegal immigrants in the Show Me State. To view the interview click here.

Governor Blasts Gay Marriage Ruling in Iowa

Reflecting the opinion of a majority of Missourians, Governor Blunt recently blasted an Iowa court ruling that would allow gay marriage. In 2004, more than 70 percent of Missourians voted to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. Here are the governor’s comments on the Iowa ruling: “This is a very disappointing ruling against a sound law that reflects the will of the people. I, like the majority of Missourians, believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. In 2004, with my strong support, Missouri protected traditional marriage by putting it beyond the reach of renegade state judges like this Iowa District Judge. If we do not define marriage then reckless and misguided judges will define it for us. The latest news from Iowa is yet another clear indication of the need to protect traditional marriage within the United States Constitution. As I have said before, I urge all members of Missouri’s Congressional delegation to support an amendment to protect traditional marriage.”

Vietnam Veterans Recognized for Service, Sacrifices

Governor Blunt honored 21 Vietnam veterans this week with the first commemorative Vietnam Veterans Medallions. The governor, Missouri Legislature, the Missouri Veterans Commission, and the Missouri National Guard developed the special honor to recognize Missourians who served our country during Vietnam. In 2006, the governor signed legislation creating the Vietnam War Medallion Program. The program was modeled after the successful World War II and Korean Conflict award programs. To be eligible for this special honor, the veteran must have been a legal resident of Missouri on August 28, 2006, or was a legal resident at the time he or she entered or was discharged from military service or at the time of his or her death. The veteran must have served on active duty in a U. S. military force any time during the period of February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975. Applicants also must have been honorably separated or discharged from military service unless they are still in active service in an honorable status. Vietnam War veterans, or the spouses or the eldest living survivor of deceased Vietnam War Veterans, may apply for the award. The award is authorized regardless of whether or not such veteran served within the United States or in a foreign country. Applications and a complete list of requirements for the Vietnam War, Korean Conflict and WWII awards are available on the Missouri National Guard Web site at www.moguard.com by clicking on “Programs” and then “Veterans Awards,” by calling toll-free 1-866-834-3431, or by mail at: Office of the Adjutant General, Attn: Veterans Recognition Program, P.O. Box 1808, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

Missourians Respond to Accountability Website

Countless Missourians from across the state are tracking their tax dollars through the Missouri Accountability Portal website launched by Governor Blunt that allows taxpayers to see exactly how their dollars are being spent by state government. In less than two months in operation, the site already has hit 1 million visits from Missourians who want to hold government accountable when spending their hard-earned tax dollars. Since launching the new Internet site on July 10, it has averaged 21,000 hits per day. The Missouri Accountability Portal is one of the first comprehensive databases of financial records based on real-time data in the nation. The MAP site is updated at the close of each business day to provide up-to-date access to information about state spending. Users can search the MAP site by budget category, vendor or contract. Links to other public information maintained by the state are also available on the MAP site. The MAP Internet site is being constantly updated to provide even more information to taxpayers. Information on state tax credits issued by the Department of Economic Development will be online next month. Additionally, state employees' salaries will be available in a user-friendly database beginning January 1, 2008. The site is located at http://mapyourtaxes.mo.gov. "Missourians deserve to know where their money goes and how state government is spending their tax dollars. That is why my administration has been committed to making your state government more efficient and accountable," the governor said.

Governor Helps Communities Affected by Drought

Twenty-two Missouri communities affected by the recent drought will receive assistance thanks to the efforts of Governor Blunt. Due to the impact of the severe drought conditions on crop yields and livestock, the governor has asked the Missouri Farm Service Agency to begin conducting damage assessment reports on counties in the southeast region of the state. The reports are the first step for counties experiencing severe drought conditions to be declared an agricultural disaster area and be eligible for federal assistance. Counties included in Gov. Blunt’s request for reliable evaluations are: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Pemiscot, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Scott, Stoddard, Washington and Wayne. After assessments are completed, the governor will request a disaster declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for counties eligible for the designation and accompanying assistance. “Farm families across many counties in Southeast Missouri are being hit hard by a severe drought, which is both negatively impacting crop production yields and leading to economic hardships for livestock producers,” Governor Blunt said.

Another “Ethically-Challenged” Democrat

Democrats talk a good game when it comes to ethics but they certainly don’t practice what they preach. First there's Jay Nixon, who has used his office for political gain, including his recent shenanigans on campaign finance reform and state funding for Planned Parenthood. Then you have state Rep. John Bowman, who is facing federal charges in a banking scam and is set to go to court later this month. Sen. Jeff Smith, Rep. Joe Aull and some other Democrat lawmakers also face legal action after Smith and Aull conspired to sneak the senator aboard the Isle of Capri casino in Boonville. The newest Democrat member of the “Ethically-Challenged Club” is Rep. Michael Brown, who has to pay the Missouri Ethics Commission $4,000 for campaign finance violations. And what did he do? Brown admitted to illegally using campaign money for personal expenses during his 2004 campaign.

Star Columnist Praises Governor’s Immigration Plan

It was refreshing to see that the governor-bashers at the Kansas City Star actually let one of their columnists praise Governor Matt Blunt’s bold immigration initiatives. Under the headline “Blunt's plan gets to the heart of illegal immigration,” columnist Mike Hendricks said he supported the series of measures designed to crack down on illegal immigration in Missouri. As Hendricks so aptly put it in his column, the governor is “on the right track.” To read the entire editorial, go to http://www.kansascity.com. However, the liberal-bent Star editorial board couldn’t sit idly by while the governor received accolades from other media outlets across the state and their own columnist. One day after Hendricks’ column, the Star published an editorial attacking the governor’s immigration initiatives, which shows how low the media will go.

St. Joe Paper Lauds Governor for Keeping Promises

The St. Joseph News-Press confessed in an editorial this week that they were wrong by questioning the governor’s special session call on an economic development package and a bill to fix Missouri bridges. In a refreshing bit of opinion under the headline “Special Delivery,” the newspaper praised the governor for the success of the special session: “We are happy to confess our skepticism this morning and congratulate the governor for delivering on his promise,” the newspaper said.

Wall Street Journal on Missouri Plan

The Wall Street Journal recently took aim at the Missouri Plan. The newspaper’s arguments are compelling and are only now being digested by a national readership, which would do well to heed the editorial’s warnings: “Missouri's moment may also have national repercussions. Some 35 other states adopted some version of its plan, though many have since made their methods more representative. Trying to get politics out of politics is a fantasy exercise. The success of the American system is rooted in checks and balances and the accountability that comes from public scrutiny. Keeping judicial selection democratically accountable is the best insurance for choosing the best judges, and ensuring that they are serving the interests of all citizens,” the August 30 editorial said. If you want to read the entire editorial, you can do so at The Source website.

MissouriPulse.com Post of the Week

McCaskill Needs To Dump Dirty Money

This morning, The Source got the ball rolling on Senator Claire McCaskill’s acceptance of more than $20,000 in donations (click “Recipient” link to sort) connected to a top Democratic fundraiser who has been in the news over shady fundraising techniques and a warrant for his arrest.

In recent days, Democrats (particularly Hillary Clinton) have been scrambling to return donations from fundraiser Norman Hsu following news of Hsu’s alleged efforts to launder donations to Democrats through a San Francisco family. A number of that family’s members show up as donors to McCaskill. In addition, Hsu recently turned himself in to authorities in California following a 15-year run as a fugitive. He became a fugitive in 1991 when he skipped sentencing after being charged with grand theft.

This site joins The Source in demanding McCaskill do as other Democrats have done and dump the dirty money. Hopefully, she won’t send the donations to Hsu’s legal defense fund. Apparently, Hsu was held on $2 million bond after he turned himself in last week.

The Cornerstone

Tom Dempsey’s victory this week in the St. Charles special election shows what Republicans at the grassroots level can do. Dozens of volunteers knocked on doors or made phone calls in support of our Republican candidate, and it resulted in an overwhelming victory. This hard work is the kind of effort Republicans will need as we approach three special Missouri House elections on February 5 and beyond. It was clear from the Dempsey race that Republicans at the grassroots level are motivated by Democrat attempts to impose job-killing tax increases and provide state-funded abortions, among other things. A big thank you goes out to all those who helped make the Dempsey campaign a success, including those outside the district who manned the phones in Jefferson City. For more information on how to become part of our Republican grassroots team, please contact MRP’s grassroots director Mika Schrimpf at 573-636-3146 or 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:

Paul Busiek, husband of Mavis Busiek. Paul’s health concerns continue.

Mike Keathley, Commissioner of Administration, who has cancer.

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.

The family of Viola Oberle, mother of 155th Legislative District Chair Susie Johnson, who passed away Wednesday.

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

Sign up for the GOP Voice • Join the MRP • Get Involved
{{ openrate() }}Click here to unsubscribe or change preferences